Bando

In 2001, the troop about two campsites down the row from mine got quarantined for a flu outbreak. They put two port-o-potties in the middle of the campsite, plastic-wrapped the perimeter, and kept everyone in the site for a few days. We had a dad from our troop working in the medical tent and hearing the doctors describe it, it was a total nightmare for all involved. It's a bummer it happened again.

Was there a way a scout could do everything at any other Jamboree? That's kind of the point, isn't it? So many options that there's no way you could fit it all in? Isn't that kind of true in life, too?

Of course, skeptic. Which is why I've been so fed up with the feedback around here about this Jamboree. The complaints seem so amazingly shallow and petty compared to the spirit of the Jamboree. The lines were too long. There was too much food. The showers were too cold. The phone app ate too much battery life. On and on and on and on. Frankly, I would have loved to have seen the look on my old Jamboree scoutmaster's face if one of his scouts, much less an Eagle Scout, had walked up to him and said they weren't going to do something like the Day of Service because they'd rather go trade pat

A thought: Where does saying no to the Day of Service fit into the Scout Law? Not to mention if the scout is a member of the OA.

I worked the Action Center in 2010. I was on a crew that had been together for most of the Jamborees since '97, who had pretty much engrained themselves in their program area and were responsible for planning the areas at the other AP Hill Action Centers as well. To my knowledge, the number of people from that staff who returned in '13 was probably far less than half. There were a few of them that were getting up there in age and didn't feel up to the new site and a few others who didn't feel they could meet the fitness requirements. But there were others who were turned off by a sense that th

What? You want me, again, to point out your incessant negativity about the Jamboree? Because I'm glad to do so. Thousands of kids (and paying volunteers) had a great, life-changing time at the Summit. Your negative opinion about how that fun was facilitated by the BSA won't change a thing.

Honestly, can you find anything about this Jamboree that you won't complain about? The negativity is really grating. From nearly all accounts, this Jamboree seemed to go on without any of the major hitches the naysayers were ranting about in the years leading up to the event. The facility looks beautiful, the staffing issues everyone worried about seemed not to have been a problem, and people even dealt with having a cold shower or three! Of course there will be an impact on local programs when a few hundred older scouts and adult volunteers per council are going off to the Summit for a c

All I know is I hope the negativity you're continuously expressing about this Jamboree isn't being passed on to your son if/when he has spoken to you. You've griped about the uniforms, about the schedule, about the activities, about the arena show... Let the kid have a great time! If there's one thing I've learned in Scouting, it's the fact that adults tend to gripe about things, while the scouts manage to find a way to have a great time with what they have. That's what Jamborees are all about when all is said and done. Everyone is thrown into the crazy experiment together, and it's the pa

Question (perhaps rhetorical): Would this thread exist if LFL's membership policy was the same as the rest of the BSA?

They really hit a home run with the Genealogy MB. It's a really, really great badge that gets kids thinking, engaging with all sorts of neat resources, and inevitably, they learn something about their families they hadn't even thought to ask about. The MB program at its best, IMO.

Until the inevitable moment when someone starts a thread devoted to busting the myth that LDS units don't serve regular coffee...

In my troop, we use the blue card system. And as a merit badge counselor, let me say that the system has saved my butt, as well as those of several scouts, not to mention the troop, on more than a few occasions. For example. A dad comes up one night and says "my son says he earned this badge from you two years ago at camp. He's on the verge of an advancement and needs the badge, but his advancement record doesn't show it." Me: "Well, have him talk to me. But let me check my records, I don't recall him completing the badge with the rest of the guys." Talk to the scout, he can't real

Comes through pretty loud and clear once you manage to navigate through the da's and yeh's and bizarre phrasing, doesn't it?

Questions: Is this a "resignation" of any kind, or a symbolic gesture? Since when does Nationals have the right to "expunge" youth rank advancement records? Isn't the rule of thumb always that once the paperwork is signed, it cannot be revoked? How many times does an Eagle do something criminal or unsavory, and the line is inevitably trotted out that their award cannot be revoked or negated? If not, there are probably dozens upon dozens of threads on this board operating under the premise of incorrect rank advancement policy. I can say or do all I want with my medal, but my reco

Don't forget that AT&T is one of the major reasons Bechtel will be ready for the 2013 Jamboree. All that wiring and infrastructure didn't just show up out of thin air, nor will the smartphone technology attendees will be required to use to navigate the program areas. And all of us who enjoyed a stable wifi signal and reliable cell phone service at AP Hill in 2010 courtesy of AT&T certainly know how great that is. AT&T has shown a commitment to Scouting, which should be "fawned over" by all of us.

Lisabob, I think that's the best summation of the BSA membership policy debate I've ever seen, anywhere at any time. Well done, and thank you. Really, a good string of posts all around. And I agree with NJCubScouter's approach as well, I don't really have much more energy to keep debating this, and really it has nothing to do with my local experience. Yet. We'll see where that goes. I'm in information-gathering mode so I'll be prepared if that moment comes. And I hope it never does, because our very strong BSA units get along just fine here with their equally strong GSUSA counter

Don't forget, Basementdweller, if you do want to have non-Christians join up in your local AHG unit, or even Christians who don't adhere to their Statement of Faith (and its associated theological clarifications), you can just "fudge it a bit" to make sure they join you instead of GSUSA.

SP, that's the attitude that a program like the BSA and GSUSA allows you to do with a diverse group of young people, with a specifically non-sectarian approach to religion giving leeway to leaders with a lot of needs to serve. And you're right to present it the way you do to your Cubs. But does the AHG program give you the leeway to "fudge it a bit?" It's not like it's just nominally Christ-based. It's a fully-fledged Christ-centered youth ministry. As it is presented, I don't see how you could possibly include "minority religions" in an AHG program if those religious traditions are

Looks to me like non-Christians are explicitly excluded by doctrine alone. It's claiming inclusivity while knowing few, if anyone will take advantage of it, and those that do will be forced to fit their participation around an overwhelming, overtly conservative Christian message they may not be comfortable with. The AHG "Statement of Faith:" "We believe that there is One Triune God Father, Jesus Christ His one and only Son, and the Holy Spirit Creator of the universe and eternally existent. We believe the Holy Scriptures (Old/New Testament) to be the inspired and authoritative Word of

I never stated any such thing. In fact, I stated the exact opposite. I will not be returning my medal, but I respect the right for those who think it an appropriate gesture. I don't. My Eagle medal is in a velvet box in my sock drawer awaiting the next formal troop event, and my gold card is in my wallet at all times. So far you have made two accusations, both false, and have made no effort to answer the substance of my posts. Only attacks. Not courteous, friendly, or kind. Nor helpful, for that matter. I wonder about that. EDIT: Here is the post in question. I do not intend to make

I will add this link as an addendum to my previous post: http://girlscoutdads.com/ Looks like a guy doing his best to provide his daughter and other local girls with a quality program, asking a lot of the same questions and engaging in the same kinds of program-based dialogue we have with each other over here in this site. Looks to me like there are a lot of dads out there taking a positive adult leadership role with their daughters through GSUSA. That's a good thing. Seems I've answered my own question.

Where did I ever say I "resigned" from Scouting? Currently registered volunteer, glad to work with a troop of great young men and fellow dedicated scouters. I asked a question. You responded with an angry rant. My question stands. Is there a policy preventing men from being leaders in the GSUSA? My experience locally indicates there is not, but I am willing to be corrected if you can provide evidence the GSUSA has officially changed their policy in this regard.

I would be interested in seeing a policy statement or official position from GSUSA to prove what appears to be a subjective accusation of their program being "hostile to men." Reads a lot more like frustration with local folks on the ground than an accurate blanket statement backed by a national membership policy.

Personally, I would prefer the BSA not affiliate with an openly sectarian, overtly non-inclusive Evangelical program that mimics scouting through the narrow filter of the Christian Right. The more I learn about AHG, the less comfortable I am with the BSA giving validation to this organization's unfounded insecurities with GSUSA. But that's just me. If it fits your goals for your kids, go ahead on your own with like-minded folk. But the BSA, and local committees sponsoring BSA units, should have nothing to do with it.

Except how is it a "political" statement? It is specifically pertinent to the BSA, has nothing to do with government or public policy, doesn't involve a candidate or political party. It's a statement to promote better scouting. If you wish to politicize it into the parameters of a political party or ideology, that's on you. And if your idea of promoting the membership policy is to attempt to silence anyone who dares to voice an opposition, then I wonder how you teach your scouts about citizenship and the freedoms of American society. As for me, I see this as an issue that is directl