Owl62

I am trying to find a source for, and instructions on how to make the wooden name tags that hand from the right shirt pocket flap button. The kind I mean are the little square flat wooden name badges.

Can anyone help?

Thanks.

Bob White:

What is the definition of a "unit leader"?

To my knowledge in say a Boy Scout Troop, registered adult leaders include:

Chartered Organization Representative

Troop Committee Chairman

Committee Member(s)

Scoutmaster

Assistant Scoutmaster(s)

and maybe:

Physican and Chaplain

Which of those are "Unit Leaders"? Unless it is defined somewhere in BSA policies, I interpret a unit leader in a Boy Scout Troop to be the Scoutmaster.???

Thanks.

KA6BSA:

The name "Lemmon Squeezer" does indeed come from the citus fruit "juicer" - generally a glass bowl looking thing with a ribbed lump in the center. It is used by cutting citrus fruit such as oranges or lemons in half and then pressing and twisting the fruit half to extract the juice into the bowl.

For the others: Floppy may have been ok back prior to WWII when the campaign hat was standard in the US Military, but when I had to wear one, the brim had to be flat and level. So we shaped and blocked them with hair spray, Scotch guard, etc. I for one don't look too good in a floppy hat so I like my blocked.

The other problem with campaign hats is that unless it is on your head, it is hard to keep from getting crushed.

But I like em anyway. They look good, provide good protection from the sun and rain, and are very tradiional looking.

Thanks for the replies.

DSteele:

For clarification regarding Commissioners:

What unit postions, can a Commissioner hold or not hold and be a Commissioner? I think it was at least implied that a Commissioner can only hold unit committee positions - not SM or ASM, etc.

Also, if a Scouter is both a Commissioner and holds a unit registration, must the primary registration be the Commissioner position?

And the the same quesions as about but for District Committee?

Also, can a Scouter be registered as both a Unit Commissioner and a member of the District Committee? If so, which position would be primary?

It was said that the primary position is the one the Scouter paid the membership fee for. But who gets to decide which position is primary, the Scouter, or the District/Council?

I am told that the software used at National, will only accept one registered position above the unit level. Is that true?

About the registration cards, other than the unit roster (which in really, most unit members never see), if a Scouter does not receive a membership card, how would he or she know for sure that they are registered, especially at the Distict level or above?

This is important because I think that a Scouter must be registered in a position to wear the uniform of that position. But I think there are lots of Scouter out there who serve in multiple capacities but are not registered in them and still wear the uniform and insignia (Example: an Assistant Scoutmaster, who "serves" in the District Committee, but is not actually registered there - sometimes they wear the silver shoulder loops and District Committee position patch. I think that Scouters must wear uniforms and insignia ONLY for positions that they are actually registered in.?

Thanks.

If an adult voluteer Scouter is registered in multiple positions, which uniform and insignia should be worn by the Scouter?

Say for example a Scouters is registered as a Boy Scout Troop Committee Member and is registered as a Unit Commissioner. My understanding is that the Unit Commissioner position is supposed to be the primary position. Should the Scouter where the uniform of a Unit Commission at all Scouting activities (including the Troop Committee), or does the Scouter wear the uniform of the registered position when attending activities associated with that registered position?

Does a Scouter actually have to be officially registered in a position to wear the uniform?

Or can a Scouter wear a the uniform of a position they are actually serving in but not officially registered?

For example say a Scouter is actually registered as say an Assistant Scoutmaster and is asked to serve on the District Committee but never actually is registered as a member of the District Committee. Which uniform should the Scouter wear when serving as an Assistant Scoutmaster and which uniform should the Scouter wear when serving as a District Committee member?

I would really appreciate answered from those who know what the actual BSA policy is, not what is though, believed or understood.

Thanks.

It is my understanding that adult volunteers may register in multiple Scouting positions. Say as an Assistant Scoutmaster in a Boy Scout Troop and as a Cub Scout Den Leader. Or as a Boy Scout Troop Committee Member and a Unit Commissioner.

Some questions:

Is there a maximun number of postions that adult volunteer Scouters can register into?

What is the BSA policy on which registered position is considered the "Primary" registered position?

("Primary defined as the position where the adult volunteer Scouter actually pays the BSA membership fee)

Should a membership card be issued for each registered position?

If an adult volunteer Scouter is registered in one or more different unit (Pack, Troop, Crew) positions, AND a District or Council postion which is considered the "Primary" registered position?

Can an adult volunteer register in more that one District or Council position, and if so, which one would be the "Primary" registered position?

And as a followup to these questions, which uniform should a multiple registered (ACTUALLY registered) adult volunteer Scouter wear? Is it the uniform of the "Primary" position at all times or the uniform for the each registered position when actully participating in those other positions?

What I really need here are answers from someone who ACTUALLY knows what the official BSA policies are not what they think they are.

Thanks.

I do have one question relating to the Boy Scout Campaign hat. There is a leather hat band that goes with the hat (Not the strap that goes through the eyelets and then behind the head under the brim) that looks like a leather waist belt.

What is the proper wear position for that leather band/belt around the crown of the hat?

The Insignia Guide offers no guidance on how to wear the campaign hat or any other hat for that matter.

However, I think that common sense would indicate that it is worn approximately parallel. to the ground. But that position may not be comfortable for the wearer and many may wear it slanted forward a bit.

Having worn one for quite some time in the military, I wear mine "Drill Sergeant" style (slanted slightly forward - although the regulation stated one inch about the eyebrow and parallel the the ground). It is more comfortable for me that way and in a wind, if the head strap is positioned properly and with the proper tension, it rides well in the wind.

I just took one of my old military campaign hats, replaced the Army hat insignia with the official BSA universal hat pin and the leather belt type hat band and it works well. The official BSA campaign hat is not - in my opinion - of very good quality, and is way expensive. I treat mine with UNSCENTED AquaNet hairspray (Scented would draw bees and other bugs) on the bottom and inside to stiffen it, and ScotchGuard on the outside to make it water repellant. Stiff as a board and looks good!

I kind of wish the campaign hat was the only official headgear for the BSA. They are kind of hard to take care of but I think they look good and are practical.

I see no reason to force Scouts to use troop owned tents. All of the troops I have been in have had at least some troop owned tents. For the Scouts that had no tent of their own, they had the troop tents to use. But many Scouts have their own, some have even earned the money to buy their own.

We have always had an understanding that personal equipment is the responsibility of the owner and the troop is not responsible for it.

I too extend my thanks and appreciation for all the veterans of this great nation. And veterans should also thank each other and those not in the service who support them. All service members and veterans are all my brothers and sisters and no amount of appreciation can be enough for their service and sacrifice.

And lets not forget the thousands of our service men in women currently serving, many in harm's way.

If only there was peace....

Owl62

Scouter and Soldier (MSG, US Army, Retired)

Oh - Happy Birthday Marines! (10 NOV 1775)

GO ARMY! HOOAH!

I just completed Powderhorn.

Good course. It is basically designed to exposed Scouters to opportunities available to Scouts while at the same time giving those in attendance an oppotunity to experience some different type of activities.

Basically the way it works is that they bring in "consultants" who are experienced in the topic they are covering. Some of our topics were wilderness survival, leave no trace, camp cooking, scuba, shooting, archery, kayaking, reenacting, COPE, backpacking, camping, first aid, etc. Many of the consultants were great.

Powderhorn is nothing like Wood Badge. Ours was taught over two three day periods. We camped in our own tents, and had a short backpacking/camping trip the second weekend. We were grouped into crews of 4 to 6 members.

A great place to learn about activities available to Scouts. And the Powderhorn badge is neat!

I recommend the course.

I once heard a member of a Highland Venturing Crew speak of kilts:

"Any man or woman and wear pants but it takes a real man to wear a skirt."

Where are all the Owls???

I used to be and Owl...

Mr. Guy,

(Sorry I just can't call you Fat Old Guy).

Do you or anyone else here have any experience inordering Wood Badge items from the UK site?

I am very reluctant to order anything over the internet from outside the US.

Thanks.

Bob White,

My source for the information is staffers from our local courses. They have all told me that the beads for our Wood Badge courses are made by the staff, for tradition and to help keep costs down.

Eamonn,

I appreciate your reply.

So you attended Wood Badge in the UK? Can you compare WB in the

UK to WB here in the US? Are the beads, neckerchief, and woggle essentially the same as here in the US?

I attended the "new" Wood Badge for the 21st century here in the US. I attended the course last year in 2002 and received my beads, neckerchief, and woggle this past June. I have been a Scouter for many years.

How do you compare Scouting here in the US with Scouting in the UK? While I have lived in Europe I have never been to the UK.

I was on a website that sells beads, etc from the UK but it said it had nothing to do with Gilwell.

Do you have any information on the colors used for the neckerchief? We are told tha the outside color is "dove grey" but it appears "flesh" color to me. And the underside I think they called "sunrise" red. Any idea abou the colors?

Here in the US, apparently most WB beads are made by staffers of the WB courses. The most common seems to be that one staffer makes them. I am told that they usually buy 1/4 inch wooden dowels to make them from. Most are stained with a brown and then a dark brown or black color on the bevelled ends. Most of the thongs I have seen from our Council have a friendship knot tied about an inch above the beads. Most thongs have a simple overhand knot.

I have seen the Oak beads from the UK. and a neckerchief from the

UK that is made of wool.

Thanks.

Dan,

I have heard of candidates making one or even both of their beads during the course. How long ago did you take the Wood Badge Course and where? I think it is good to make our own beads.

From what I can tell, most beads today are made by one or two course staffers who are good at making them. I have even heard of some who may have created a little jig to make them. And I have heard that sometimes the course staff just purchases the beads.

Personally, I think the the Wood Badger should make their own beads. I almost always wear a set that I made rather than the set that was presented to me.

How may others out there made your own beads?

Thanks.

I had no idea that by posting a relatively simple question about BSA medical forms that such a debate would result.

While I appreciate everyone's input, and with all due respect, as far as I can tell, no one has provided an official answer to my question.

While the Guide to Safe Scouting addresses general information about the medical forms, and the fact that Den Leaders, Scoutmasters, Team Coaches, and Crew Advisors (please carefully note those SPECIFIC position titles) should review the forms for YOUTH members, there is nothing there about the general handling, storage, security and privacy of the information on the forms is not addressed. I can find nothing on who should be permitted to access the medical forms for adults.

If the BSA does not have an official policy on the privacy of the medical forms, it should. And I think that there are state or federal laws that do address this, even if they are BSA forms.

Generally speaking, health information must be maintained as private and only those with a need to know should have access to or read the forms. And generally there are maintenance requirements for medical forms. I do not think that the BSA is exempt from legal requirements relating to medical information.

We often surrender medical forms with all kinds of personal information on them, without knowing who will access them, or how they will be maintained. And sometimes, after we submit the forms, they are not even returned. What happens to those forms? Is there not anyone else concerned about this? I for one want to see the actual policy if one exists and if one does not, I think it should.

I think what I will do is contact someone in the national office about this and try to get an official answer.

Thanks.

Does anyone know if there is an official BSA policy on the handling, storage, and security of the medical forms that members of the BSA are required to submit?

These forms are very similar to medical history forms that are maintained by regular healthcare providers and organizations which are required to comply with very specific procedures for the handling, storage and security of them.

From what I can tell, BSA health forms are not handled in any standard or secure way and this concerns me and others.

I am not interested in Kilts but I would like to find a necktie in the MacLaren Tartan pattern. Does anyone know of a source?

Thanks.

This is how we did it in the military:

BTW - I am not recommending this - this worked for us but may not work for others. Do this at your own risk.

With the hat dry, give it a good brushing with a stiff brush.

Shape the crown as best you can getting the peak and 4 indentations as uniform as possible.

Using a whole can of UNSENTED AquaNet hairspray (the sented type would attract insects), spray the underside and inside of the hat until completely soaked. The hair spray would be dripping from the hat.

Set the hat on a smooth surface such as a formica counter top and allow it to completely dry.

Use a spatula or paint scrapper to remove the hat from whatever surface it is on. The hat will be VERY stiff.

If you want the hat to keep its shape and be water resistant/waterproof:

Place the hat on an object such as a 1 gallon can, spray the outside of the crown and top of the brim with ScotchGuard. Do this carefully and evenly. Avoid breathing the fumes. This is best done outside such as on a covered patio or porch. You will have to spray several coats of ScotchGuard on the hat. Allow to dry. You may have to brush the hat again if the ScotchGuard leaves a whitish/greyish dust.

When this is all done you will have a stiff, water resistant campaign hat that will keep its shape and be water resistant.

There is nothing in the Uniform and Insignia Guide nor any other BSA publication that I can find that prohibits the wear of an OA lodge flap on the uniform of any adult Scouer who earned and was properly inducted into the OA (which means that they had to be registered in a Boy Scout program) and are members of an OA loge in good standing (Dues paid up).

We checked in our council about this same issue for adults and male Venturing Scouts who achieved OA membership through Boy Scouts for wear on the official Venturing uniform. It was ok. I wear my lodge flap on both by Boy Scout and Venturing uniform shirt pocket flap.

I collect Totin' Chip patches. They are hard to find. Anyone out there have any?

I appreciate the information on the Gilwell Ash beads. I had heard that most Gilwell beads were made of English Oak.

I made a set of Pecan wood which is native to TX (and the state tree).

I plan on making beads from several different types of wood. I just like the idea of making my own to wear.

I would be interested in hearing from others who have made their own beads.

The leather thong is not a problem. I found some that is identical to the leather thong from my originaly awarded bead set in a hobby shop and use that.