Nachamawat

Tokala and desertrat have the right way of looking at this subject. While I understand the POV that Johnny may not be getting enough male role modeling at home anymore that does not mean that he can only get that from a male Scoutmaster. For quite along time now women have been pulling their own weight in life and in Scouting when others have left them down. I am not in favor of an all female troop BTW because that is not what life is all about either. Kids need to understand that life skills require working with people of other genders, other races, creeds, religions, and nationalitie

I am not suggesting that I prejudge a person simply because I see Wood Badge beads. Because I do not feel I do. I am saying why do so many Wood Badge recipients feel the need to over adorn themselves in Wood Badge regalia? Our council has a WB CSP, now this world crest, and the walking sticks covered with bushy tails, plastic figurines, and medallions. Why can they not simply be satisfied with the beads the were awarded for the completion of the course and their ticket? Those other things are the trappings that make it appear to me that they are forgetting about the youth and concentr

I am frankly pretty tired of the term uniform police. Seems we wear a uniform to appear the same in appearance, hence uniform. That is why there would be a insignia guide and inspection sheet. We as adult leaders should be in the habit of abiding by the Scout Law and setting a good example for our Scouts to follow. We should wear our uniforms properly and present ourselves as we would want our Scouts to present themselves. I am not saying anything specific here, but, I am a veteran and I can not imagine ever appearing anywhere in a uniform that was not properly adorned, fit, and tur

racingmom: I believe we do not set policy but that we should follow the prescribed guidelines and petition those that establish the guidelines for change. I think that once Webelos cross over they should wear the Arrow of Light square knot above the left pocket because I think it looks better. But I do not set policy I simply try to set a good example for the Scouts to follow. (But then again I am one of the silly ones that does not like those funny little untrainable or potty trained patches some people want to wear.) Bottom line to me is wear the uniform properly or just skip it.

As I sat in Mass today I reflected about this problem. Then I was surprised to hear the Gospel reading was Mark 6:7-13 about Jesus sending His Disciples out "two by two" with only a hiking stick to spread His Word. Talk about irony. If this does not point out that a Scout is reverent by working on camp staff, what does? These boys and girls on staff are using their gifts to assist Scouts become better citizens and better Scouts. They are using their talents to help grow the next generation, perhaps the way some of us did over the years. Can't that simply be seen as a method of worship, t

Being in God's great outdoors surrounded by the beauty of nature what a better place to practice a Scout is reverent on your own. Take a moment of solitude while walking down the trail to drink in the beauty and solitude of God's creation and say your own simple words of thanks. Why must someone's worship be done communally to be validated? Is my silent prayer not as worthy as my congregational prayer? Does my prayer of thanks for being permitted to awaken another day fall on deaf ears simply because I utter it from my bedside? These Boy Scouts are providing a responsible, mature, a

What Barry was talking about is where I was heading with my comment. If the boys want to get together as a group and play laser tag or paint ball off the clock, as it were, I say go for but not as a Scouting related activity. Simply refrain from putting anything that is not G2SS related on the calendar. Seems pretty simple to me. Scouting is an avenue to a better life for our kids but not the only way. Is it?

So let me get this straight. . . the SPL has a birthday party in the family pool and since most of the invitees are members of his Scout troop they need to bring their swim tags and place them on the swim board and maintain constant contact with their swim buddies at this non-troop sponsored swim activity. Where do we as Scout(er)s draw the line? I understand that we are supposed to live by the Scout oath and law in our daily lives, yet, does that mean we must live by the G2SS in every activity we under take? Does that also apply to LNT? I think that will make a number of my friends upset

I worked as a CIT for the Penns Woods Council in central PA back in 1977. We had three council camps (Camp Seph Mack, Camp Roaring Run, and Camp Wopsononock) but summer camp was only offered at the last two and one staff covered both camps. We actually set up and trained week one in the first camp and then moved to the second camp three weeks later. The second camp was set up by the OA but torn down by the paid staff. I think I was paid around $75 a week for 8 weeks. I was responsible for a few merit badges but I simply cannot remember which ones. I spent most of my time (and money) at t

"And in these days of electronic communication, a counselor that lives a ways away isn't that big a hurdle, at least for those badges." Beavah What an interesting twist that is Beavah. I bet that makes for some meaningful adult association. I will get send him/her an email and get all my work done. Seems like a silly comparison to the discussion here.

Lisabob, I did not mean that the boy should not reach out and experience adult association. I certainly did not imply that parents should counsel all his merit badges. I think that in an area of special interest, that has few merit badge counselors, the Scout will be made to suffer the consequences. Oddly enough there are only two or three reading counselors in our council (depending on how current the list is) and they all live 45 miles away. Who should be responsible for recruiting more counselors? Oh well, I guess there are a hundred different badges so the scout can simply pick a

I do not understand the concept that if a parent signs off on their own son's Merit Badge it is somehow showing favoritism. If they are registered as merit badge counselors why not, after all a Scout is Trustworthy. My wife is an educator with a Master's Degree in Education. If she were to sign up as the counselor for scholarship and reading merit badges why is she less qualified to counsel her own son? Why can't a father sign up to be a MB counselor for home repairs and not counsel his own son when they work together on home improvements (and help to develop that bonding thing at the

I have given responding further to this thread a lot of thought. I have decided that I need to wade further into the discussion, so after donning my waders, here I go: I must wholeheartedly agree with GoldFox and the sentiment that those complaining the loudest simply want the rest to know how religious they are. It seems to me that school prayer falls into the same realm of our discussion here (a whole new can of worms!) Please let me explain. There are 168 hours in a week. Children are in school for 30 to 32 hours a week and they presumably sleep 42 hours a week. That leaves

Narraticong wrote: Twocubdad, please let me know just which "God" you refer to in your post? And just who's version of his plan are you referring to? My Christian faith is clear that there is only one God and a quick reference to the 10 Commandments reminds me that I shall worrship no other God. There is no "commonality of faith", except among those with the same closely held beliefs. I think this explains where John and I are coming from. As he and I come from the same denomination, we share the same beliefs in who God is. Thus, we can have a very meaningful shared expereince. That wo

I think Twocubdad has the right tone and attitude in his response. When I feel compelled to respond to a unsafe or incorrect action I always take the "offender" off to the side and quietly, constructively explain why his action was not in keeping with the Scout Law or Oath. Those who learn that a certain action will illicit a certain negative physical response will simply learn to do that action out of sight of others. This topic got me thinking about what Baden-Powell would say and I found this quote at USScouts.org: "These objects are to a great extent lost if the camp be a

IMHO there is no place in Scouting for using physical training as punishment. Should you decide to establish an actual physical fitness training program that was used as a tool to educate your Scouts in the proper way to build muscle and endurance, with all members of the troop participating including adults, then I say go for it. However, there should be no discipline performed that is demeaning, detrimental, or embarrassing. I thought this organization is for fostering the youth of our future.

"I want different things in my secular governments or a Boy Scout forum than in my religion. I want my government to promote liberty. I want my Church to crush heresy with all its power." So, Scout, you are all for freedom in government but not in the name of "your" (G)od. Somehow that does not suprise me. Your claims of open mindedness collapse at the front door to your church. Why does the atheist or agnostic person have less rights than you? Exactly how can you or your church define heresy so clearly? Was Martin Luther a heretic? He certainly was to the Roman Catholic church of t

I agree with you both that there is a lack of manners and leadership from what I witnessed in the troop. I am eager to voice my opinion on that, but . . . I am the new guy and I have only been to two meetings and one outing with them so far. Think it is too early to try to upset the apple cart just yet. I am willing to put in some time and see if the behavior changes. Still does not mean I have to like it!

Eagle Foot if you were seriously wondering BP's son was named Arthur Robert Peter Baden-Powell (Peter).

As the father of four children I completely understand that each generation is different than the last. However, I think that iPods and other mp3 players have no business in the Scouting realm. It is important for safety that the boys can hear what is going on around them. I agree that a long car trip without electronics would cause a great deal of stress both for the adults in the vehicle and for the boys. But, once we get to camp they need to be put away for the duration. My son recently crossed over to a troop. During the Blue and Gold, the guest of honor SPL of the gaining troo