oldsm

Eamonn, may I gently point out that no one hit the lad? He was riding on a float in a parade, and fell off the side in such a manner that the wheels of the float (a flatbed trailer) ran over him. I doubt that alcohol was involved. It appears (this is speculation based on the picture and the new coverage) that there was nothing for an energetic youngster to hang on to. Very sad - but let's be careful not to intimate that the usual litany of culprits (fatigue, alcohol, drugs, excessive speed, etc.) were responsible. Sorry for ranting. I agree that the driver needs our prayers. So, too, do t

The job that pays the bills: network admin for well-known copier/printer company (32 years). Previous positions in the firm included sales, service, remanufacturing management, technical writing/editing (15 years), and marketing. The 2nd job: organist and director of music at a church (21 years). The 3rd job: SM of a local troop of enthusiastic boys. Previously CM of one of the feeder packs. Oldest son just made Eagle last week, 2nd son is looking for his ESLSP. Previous job: supervisor of merchandise processing at a department store chain warehouse (back in the dark ages).

Here's a link to the Daniel Webster Council's website: http://www.dwcbsa.org/ Thanks for the information, Local.

I believe that the statement "The neckerchief is optional to the troop" means that it is up to the troop which neckerchief they want to wear: the official BS neckerchief, or a custom one. I don't think it means that the presence of a neckerchief is optional. Does anyone know definitively?

The quote was not intended to beat up anyone, least of all the leaders involved in this tragedy. The purpose was to bring to light that the rules BSA imposes in the G2SS, which we sometimes think of as being picayne or over-reaching, are there for a reason. Until I was presented with a parade float situation back in my cub scout leader days, I was unaware that BSA had specific regs covering floats. Who would have guessed? Also, my last post was to point out that the restriction in Chapter 12 is not to final statement; it is tempered by the float statement in Chapter 9. Otherwise, you coul

Captain Ron, The adult leader Uniform Inspection Form (#34284) states: Neckwear. Olive leaders tie or Cub Scout or Boy Scout bolo tie with tan shirt. Neckerchief, if applicable, is worn over the turned-under collar or under the open collar. Neckwear is not required with the short-sleeve shirt worn open at the neck. http://www.scouting.org/forms/34284.pdf This means that you MAY wear a necktie with the s/s shirt, but neckwear is not required with it. I'll let someone else address the venturing shirt (although I don't think it's permitted).

John-in-KC quotes the G2SS, Chapter 12 (Transportation). However, the same document in Chapter 9 (Sports & Activities) states: Parade Floats and Hayrides The BSA rule prohibiting the transportation of passengers in the backs of trucks or on trailers may be tempered for parade floats or hayrides, provided that the following points are strictly followed to prevent injuries: 1. Transportation to and from the parade or hayride site is not allowed on the truck or trailer. 2. Those persons riding, whether seated or standing, must be able to hold on to something stationary.

I just checked the uniform inspection forms. Seems that boys are to wear a neckerchief (inspection form #34283). Adult males are to wear either a neckerchief or a bolo (CS or BS), although adults are not required to wear either if the SHORT SLEEVE shirt is worn open at the collar (inspection form #34284). The neckerchief is entirely optional for female leaders. There is no bolo option (inspection form #34281A). Nothing says WHICH neckerchief is to be worn, so custom ones apparently are OK. I interpret this to mean that neckerchiefs are required for boys, optional for adult

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?articleId=f0031cad-63a6-48fe-acea- 099780d17651&headline=Parade+death+stuns+Scouts%2c+school PORTSMOUTH A 9-year-old Cub Scout was killed Saturday night when he fell off a float during the city's annual Christmas parade. Authorities say the boy, identified by Scout leaders and others as Thomas Fogarty, of Greenland, was run over after falling off a trailer adorned with giant cereal boxes. The Greenland Central School third-grader was pronounced dead at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, police said. "It goes without saying this is a terr

All of our scouts wear our custom troop neckerchief - solid color fabric with an embroidered troop patch sewn on. This is considered standard for all boys. they use either the official slide or one that they have made themselves - a bit of interesting individuality. Adults wear official bolos. At the old JLT camp, the boys made JLT bolos. Those who made them got to wear those as an indicator of the extra training that they had received. Although at COHs and formal events they wear the troop neckerchier.

What a sensitive article. I drove through Franklin on Labor Day weekend. Having been there made this whole thing seem somehow more real to me when I first read about it. My prayers are with the families who have lost so much. This article should become required reading for all new leader training courses. We pay lip service to vehicle safety and what BSA regs are. This account most definitely drives home the impact on the families who entrust their sons to us. In a time when we are bombarded constantly with headline reports about accidents and various crimes, the lasting effects are

Here's another possibility if you have wheels. The National Cryptologic Museum is fascinating. It traces codes, intelligence, and spying from early days right up to the present. The museum is located on the grounds of Fort Meade, home to the NSA (National Security Agency) - "spy HQ". It's about halfway between Washington and Baltimore on MD295. You can visit self-guided or let a docent guide you. Our docent was the museum curator. He was fascinating and engaging and obviously loves what he does. Great perspectives. There is an Enigma machine (WWII German coding device) that you can a

Our troop has decided that thay want to do cabin camping at a local council camp in January. That means heat, lights, and running water - but still use the latrine outside. The guys need some new ideas for activities. Not card playing or board games. The outdoors stuff. There might or might not be snow, or ice, or rain, or mud. What would your troop plan for activities in this kind of situation?

We use a 2-pronged approach. We usually don't get 100% participation from all the Webelos families at both, but we usually get everyone to attend at least one. That gives us two chances to get our message across. The first approach is to schedule one of our monthly outdoors events as a day hike. We find a relatively challenging trail that the cubs have not been on and take them (and their parents) there. We try to find one that has multiple alternatives so that we can adjust the length of the hike depending upon the endurance and enthusiasm. We make sure that the cubs carry their own

"...a 13 year old should not be expected to perform at the same level as the 17 year old ..." Let me play devil's advocate for a moment. The CS motto is "Do Your Best". The BS motto is "Be Prepared", which BP explained as "prepared for any old thing". Why should we not expect EVERY Eagle candidate to prepare and perform at the [same] Eagle level? Given some of the arguments that have been offered above, it seems that we should expect no less of a 13-year-old's Eagle project than we would of a 17-year-old's. Seems like maybe having a lower standard sends the message that a scout

Eagledad, you are of course correct with the use of acetone instead of alcohol. And yes, I recall the importance of the proportion. It's all coming back, now. Thanks for checking and coming up with the correct information. I like the hiking stave idea.

I'd thought about the Newseum. I really liked it in its original location in Arlington VA, but I suppose the move will be good - more room and a more tourist-friendly location (on Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and the Capitol, adjacent to the Smithsonian museums on the Mall. With that location, it will definitely get more traffic. Sigh... Among the things I remember there are being able to do your own green-screen news "broadcast", listen/watch actual broadcast clips from significant events during our history, an eye-opening memorial to journalists who lost their lives cover

LadyJay, welcome to the world of Boy Scouting. Your son will find a lot of differences from his Cub Scouting experience. This is a tough situation. I think that the adult leader who told you to talk to the SPL was wrong. The matter should have been referred to the Scoutmaster to deal with as he saw fit. His job is to coach and guide the SPL, rank notwithstanding. Congratulations on helping your son wear the uniform correctly. He'll set an excellent example for the others. Be careful not to be overprotective of your son. You run the risk of becoming a meddlesome parent. By all me

The Spy Museum is good for one visit. My 2nd visit was boring. The lines are long and you can be subject to 2-hour waits to get in. It's very crowded. If you can take the time to go through slowly, READ the exhibits and discuss them with other people, it can be very educational. Some of it is just plain entertaining. (How many kids get to see a "real" James Bond car?) Take some time at the cryptography and WW1/WW2 areas. The boys should have some appreciation for those wars so that they can put spying into context. The National Air & Space Museum is a top draw in DC. It's always crowd

I did this a number of years ago in my Cub days. The neckerchief has to be only the neckerchief - remove any patches (like the Webelos emblem), which will burn. Be sure to use only the official neckerchief made of a cotton/polyester blend. Anything that's 100% cotton, including the Webelos patch) will most certainly burn. Stretch the neckerchief across a metal frame (make one out of wire hangers) so that it's spread out flat. You can attach it with safety pins. Be sure that you have a "handle" that will keep your hands away from the flame. If I recall, the mixture to dip it in is a 5

John-in-KC, I agree that the DAC should have SOME degree of influence. After all, that's what we expect from MBC's, no? To my way of thinking, the vote of no-confidence is a rather nuclear approach. I don't think it will do anyone much good. And I certainly don't have time to sit on the Advancement Committee. I'm busy enough with my troop. The DAC can be a rather insistent and abrasive person. But I think I have developed a pretty decent working relationship with him. I'd like not to damage that. What I'm looking for is reactions to the situation that exists to help me find

Lisabob, I'm pretty much with you on this. The DAC has addressed the quality issues with scoutmasters at two RT's that I can recall. That's when he handed out "the list" of what he expects. (I did have to chuckle when I found a number of errors in his list: lack of parallelism, inconsistent "voice" and structure...and a typo!) I guess the attempts to work through SM's has not worked because for next month's RT, they are inviting all boys who are approaching Eagle projects to come and get personal direction. As much as we would like to be believe that the whole country is computer-equ

Much time has been spent on this forum debating what constitutes adding to requirements for rank advancement and merit badge completion. I don't want to rehash that. But I am curious about the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project workbook requirements. In my district, the Advancement Chair has been trying to improve the quality of work submitted for Eagle projects. While I believe his goal is laudable, I wonder if it places an undue burden on the candidate scouts. For example, the DAC has published a lengthy list of what needs to be included in the proposal and the writeup for the

In the interest of accuracy, let's use the correct nomenclature. Epaulets are the parts of the tan or green shirt that are permanently attached (sewn) at the shoulder seam and button near the collar. The [insert color] "ribbons" that go on the epaulets (to denote the branch of scouting) are called shoulder loops. There are no red epaulets or gray tabs. But we all knew that already, didn't we?(This message has been edited by oldsm)

Maybe the concern is that they won't have enough of them. What if there's only one that is supposed to be transported to various events, and someone forgets to take it. Would there be a lawsuit because they own one but it wasn't available? I don't know exactly how they work. Do they have to be plugged in to keep batteries charged (while in storage between events)? A "dead" AED isn't going to be very useful. How about an AED to be kept at each council camp? Where's it going to be located? In the health lodge, locked up where you you can't get it before finding the campmaster or ranger