Narraticong

So, I live a couple block away from the huge, multi-billion dollar General Motors Technical Center. It's a cool place where all the design work takes place. While I don't work in the auto industry, most of my friends and fellow Scout Leaders do. Some of them are already out of work. I am not generally in favor of government interference in any private industry. But several things need to be considered. We allow foreign automakers to flood our market with underpriced vehicles with no tariffs attached. At the same time, those countries place severe restrictions on vehicles being impor

These threads always give me a chuckle. To see how important they are, print one out and give it to a patrol of Scouts on your next campout. If they use it to light a fire, you have done a good job. Scouting is a game for the boys. Think of Scouting as football. In it's simplest form, boys gather after school and play touch football. They all like to wear a jersey and pretend to be their favorite player. Beyond that, they are happy as can be wearing jeans and whatever sneakers are on their feet. Some of us old guys can remember having so much fun that we were late to dinner. What t

Scouts can be as exciting and fun for boys today as it ever was. Actually, I think my 50 year old memory only has room for the fun stuff from my youth. The boring stuff just doesn't fit in their anymore. I don't remember that learning to march like a soldier for the Memorial Day Parade was my idea of fun as a twelve year old boy. The program is what you and your boys make it to be. Boys may be locked up inside with their video games today rather than out exploring. But for me, it's a wonderful gift to be the one who releases them to find all of the excitement to be found in the woods

jet526 has it right. I've been a Brother since 1972, but as a Scoutmaster my duty is to my troop. My role in OA at this point is to support and promote the Lodge. I make it a point to attend as many ceremonies as I can. I make a couple of weekends every year. I go to the annual Lodge Banquet. Our young troop just had our first OA election. My own son was one of the three elected. While I am very proud and excited that I will be able to call him "Brother", I want his experience to be his own. If I go to his Ordeal Weekend, I'll make sure I am working away from his area. I'll be hap

A lot of what "Lem"'s earlier post says rings very true. For those of us who grew up in Scouting forty years ago, a lot of what we learn in training seems counterproductive to traditional Scouting. As a Scoutmaster, I try to blend the two generations. There are lots of modern guidelines we agree to follow when we sign on as leaders. But there is still much wisdom and knowledge to be gained by reading and using one of the much older versions of the Scoutmasters Handbook, or Patrol Leaders Handbook. I will always be convinced that Green Bar Bill Hillcourt had it just right. Find an

"Scouts get enough school at school" Thanks, Kudu for such wise words. As a Scoutmaster with only a year under my belt, I have luckily learned that lesson. I was lucky enough to have an old grizzled Scoutmaster give me some good advice when he found out I was starting a troop. He said "make it fun". A simple concept, but one we adults tend to forget. Scouting is no more than a game for the boys. You're right that done correctly (tradionally) the boys learn citizenship within their own little republic (patrol and troop). By decreasing the required merit badges for Eagle, we

Also try www.scoutbugle.com. I purchased a bugle from them for my son. He is a very good trumpet player, but I am not about to let him bring a very expensive instrument to camp. Through Scoutbugle I was able to purchase a very playable bugle for under $50.00. A top of the line instrument? No. But if it gets some dents or scratches from camp experience, so be it. You don't need to spend a bucket of bucks on a horn to play taps.

Well said, NeilLup! Whatever strengthens the program needs to be considered. I am very conservative and believe the traditional methods of Scouting were, and remain, the best. In the 1970's many changes came about in our program. Nearly 40 years later, BSA still exists, but I think many of us question whether those changes strengthed us. But if a change makes things better, then we darn well better consider it. Staying in one place for no reason other than tradition is a sure recipe for a slow death. If an aged out Scout cared enough to show up in his old uniform, I'd glad

I think it's important to remember that Scouting is a game. A game meant to be fun. My point is that as Gold Winger seems to be implying, the 18-21 year old is not really quite a man yet. In a lot of ways, he is still a boy. I am not suggesting anyone break the rules, only that we consider whether it might make the program stronger by changing them. My sole focus in Scouting is to make the program fun for the boys. If you do that, you will surely achieve the goals intended. BDPT00, it is certainly not an issue whether you are an Eagle or not. I'll share with you my reason for a

Clearly the Constitution does not provide for health care for all. There is no such "right" in America. Should the people of a state decide to provide for that right, it is their own business. That being said, health care costs are out of control. But I'm afraid nationalized health care is not the answer. I have yet to see a federal government run program which runs efficiently. The farther away from home something is run, the more folks who like to get a share of the pie. I'm always more in favor of a program which lets the individual be responsible for his own welfare. I trust

Well, I guess it's a good thing I don't ride a motorcycle or like sports that much. I score pretty high on the other accounts. But I am now reconsidering my NRA membership...

1. In favor 2. Eagle 1976

I don't think the discussion here is much about what the Insignia Guide says. I think it's more about what would we like to see change if we had the chance. I think it might be an interesting study to ask the following: 1. Let us know if you would be in favor of an 18-21 Year old Adult Leader being allowed to wear his Eagle Badge (and only the Eagle Badge). 2. Are you an Eagle Scout. I have a feeling how the survey might turn out, but let's see...

As a young Scout in the very early 1970's I lived less than a mile from National Headquarters in North Brunswick, N.J. Often our Patrol Meetings were held in the apartment of one of the members. More than once a nice old man from upstairs came down to see what we were up to. He never made a big deal of who he was. I knew he was "Green Bar Bill" and that he wrote a column for Boy's Life. But at that young age, I had no idea what an impact he had upon Scouting. All I knew was that he was a cool old guy who had some good ideas! Nearly 40 years later I am Scoutmaster of a new troop. Mo

Do the research on George Soros and you will see how one can be both a liberal elitist and a socialist. You had no problem questioning whether money spent on political matters would not have been better spent helping the poor. When I suggested Soros money might be better doing the same, you chose to dodge the question. As to Biden, I have not "spun" any statement. Both he and Obama have made it clear they believe it is right to take money away from some and give it to others. This is a redistribution of wealth and is clearly socialist in nature. Personally I am a flat tax proponent.

Sorry DanKroh, I've been caught up in semantics. Perhaps you won't be offended (but then again, to use your phrase- too bad), if I "suggest" that the liberal elite such as George Soros should "redistribute their wealth" rather than spend their millions upon millions of dollars trying to take away my rights? Joe Biden tells us it's patriotic to redistribute the wealth. But his charitable donations are next to nothing. Urban churches did not even pretend to dance around the issue of who to vote for. Maybe not so much money raised (although we might be surprised), but lots of political c

LisaBob, it sounds like you are asking for Obama to be cut some slack for things that were caused before he came to office. Hmmmm, 9/11 was being planned while Bill Clinton was in office. While he was getting us involved in various hotspots around the world, Clinton was totally dismantling our military. First World Trade Center Attack took place on Clinton's watch. Eight months after election the USA gets rocked by terrorism. No matter who was president, the road would be tough. Mistakes made? Certainly. Am I a Bush fan? No. But Obama wants to blame everything that happened during

Last time I checked DanKroh, we (with the exception of President Obama) do not get to decide how people's wealth should be redistributed. If Mormons feel that their money is wisely spent with this proposition, that is their business. Have you done research to see how much they contribute to helping needy people? I have not, but my guess is that the amount is substantial. Conservative people tend to put their money where their mouth is. Case in point can be seen in the charitable giving of McCain/Palin versus Obama/Biden. Challenge them on whether you think the proposition is right or

My Eagle COH took place after I was 18 years old. There was much hard work involved in getting there and a lot of Scouting fun. My personal opinion is that I look at 13 year old Eagles and wonder how much they have really gotten from the program. Sure, they earned the badges, but do they really have the Eagle Mindset? Doubtful at that age. But that is fodder for another thread... In any case, I never really got to wear the award on my pocket. But I proudly wear the knot 32 years later. And every appropriate chance I get, I wear my Eagle Medal. Yes, I am proud of it. No,I don't do i

As a non-Mormon Christian, my beliefs differ greatly from theirs. For a long time I gravitated between being a "slam the door in their face Chrisitian", and being an "argue how wrong they are until the cows come home Christian". I have since become a "No thank you, but have a nice day" Christian. My beliefs have not changed, but actually strengthened. While I have doubts that their beliefs will get them into Heaven, I admire their dedication to their faith. If more Christian young men were out spreading the true Gospel, we could fill Heaven with Believers! I will on occaision spen

NO, absolutely not! Scouting is not all about fire and sharp instruments. The GSS (Guide for Silly Scouts) clearly states that all outings must include fire, sharp instruments, and FAKE DOG POOP!

Thanks Evmori- It makes me happy to know I am not the only 12 year old here!

I can't believe the name of a dog breed got "beeped" out! That's much funnier than the lame joke I was trying to make! I guess it's good I didn't mention **** ake mushrooms.

Might be able to find it at ScoutStuff.org. I remember back in my days as a Scout it was made in America by Boston Bull Terriers. The last time I bought fake dog poop, it was made in China by **** zu puppies. What's the world coming to?

Well, Trevorum, I don't know who you are quoting, but I believe you have summed up what I said earlier. From reading some of your prior posts, I suspect we rarely agree. I have a feeling I might be surprised when you reveal the author. But please do...