Papadaddy

I would come up with a standard list of letters that the troop will request. Anything other than that, is up to the scout. One of my last Eagle Scouts wanted a letter from the Pope. WHen I looked into it, it required a fee to request it, the exact amount escapes me. That was a non-starter. Most politicians have a web request form. WHen an employee of mine retired in May, I requested a letter 60 days in advance from the WHite House Greetings Office. Still waiting...

The best thing is to just ignore them. Responding just gives them another 24 hrs of exposure, which is what they want.

We used Mickman Bros. for wreaths. Good quality, reasonable prices. Most sales were reorders from satisfied customers.

A hazard is an unsafe act or condition that is causing, or has the capacity to cause serious harm to property or individuals.

SP, I guess the argument would center around whether I am responsible as "in loco parentis" or legal guardian...which I don't think I am...I'm just a volunteer scout leader. If I am to be held responsible, then I alone will make the decision as to what electronics are brought to an event under my control.

My council issued a recruiter CSP that was about half the size of a normal CSP. It was not for uniform wear...just a collectible.

If a parent gives their kid a cellphone with unlimited access to the internet, my testimony would be that THEY are the ones who provided the porn, and that my instructions to the scouts and parents were to leave their electronics at home.

Better than in 1962? Apples and oranges. Different times, different culture. In 1962, we had few options to compete for our time. I could sit in the house with no A/C and watch 3 channels on a B/W TV...or join the Scouts.

Sheesh. Aren't we getting a little too legalistic here? Advise the scout to make up a simple balance sheet showing income and expenses. One expense will be to pay back the parental loan. If there is any money left over at the end of the project after all expenses are paid, THEN ask the CO where it should go. My guess is, the CO won't care, since it shouldn't be much.

Having your son contact the Eagle Project coordinator at the District Advancement Committee with his question is the right answer. He/she is the one who approves the project plan, if it hasn't already been approved. I'm sure you are aware that no work may begin until the plan is approved. But to offer an alternative viewpoint, I don't think it matters (just my opinion). When conducting a fundraiser, the answer should be, "the money is to fund an Eagle Scout service project". Why would you need to offer up any more detail than that? If they want to know what the project entails, tell them that too. The fact that the parents provided an advance loan to get the project off the ground should be irrelevant. At least that's how I would rule if asked.

I agree with the others...siblings should not be allowed to stay at camp...only as "day visitors" supervised by a visiting parent. And no way in heck should they be allowed to participate in program areas. I have been at camp some years where adult staff have brought their pre-scout age children (maybe 4-5 years old) to live at camp with them. THey were not disruptive, as I recall...they were just always "there". In the program area, in the pool, in the dining hall, at campfires, etc. I'm not aware of any other job where the employee is allowed to "babysit" while working. The reality is, salaries are ridiculously low (they may have been volunteering their time for all i know), and maybe that was the only way to get them to attend. As a side note, my wife used to serve as a camp nurse for a GS camp. They had a formal "Papoose unit" for the kids of staff members, with a formal program and counselor. My 2 sons' days at Girl Scout Camp are some of their fondest memories...

Ahhh...gang showers...what memories. We still have those cinder block shower houses, but the kids shower in their bathing suits now. Not sure when this modesty thing started. We used to have to take gang showers after PE in school, too. Now the shower rooms are used for storage. When they built a ladies's addition to the shower houses, they put in individual stalls with shower curtains. I don't understand that, either.

Interesting...and scary. Does he do this at home? I would consult my pediatrician. I was going to suggest tethering his ankle to the cot frame...but that might be a safety hazard...

Another reason why cell phones should be left at home. We are beyond the point where the phone was just a "phone". The "smartphone" is now a computer, TV, phone, GPS, etc. And a direct, unfiltered link to the Internet. Were it my kid, he would not see another phone until he was 18 and could pay for it himself.

Awesome! Now do one more thing...write your thoughts in a letter to the CD, copy to his SE and copy to your SE. Let them know you appreciate the effort ... unless your SE is a dolt, he will get the message. Recognize the people who are doing it right.

The troop I served was always an "aquatics" troop. Most of us got wet several times a day and some of us stayed in the pool nearly all day counseling Lifesaving MB and BSA Lifeguard. We always smelled like chlorine.

Prayers for our brothers and their families:

http://www.ourcoloradonews.com/trilakes/news/three-woodland-park-teens-die-in-traffic-accident/article_17ac82fa-c458-11e1-8963-0019bb2963f4.html

I'm kinda on RichardB's side here (not that we're choosing sides). My boys are now in their 30's, and I remember the days where the parent could "self-certify" the forms, and if they were currently enrolled in school, it was assumed their immunizations and physicals were up to date. When I reached "scouter senior citizen" status at the magic arbitrary age of 40, I had no problem scheduling an annual physical with my doc, usually in March/April/May time frame...not a bad thing to do anyway with my family history and risk factors. Filling out the form was painless and they always kept a copy in my medical record. Yes, my insurance is good and I got by with a $15 copay (now $20). I just pulled up the new form...why are we cluttering it up with such things as "Talent Release" and "Adults allowed to transport my child"? What's that got to do with medical status??? And are we actually enforcing the ht/wt chart? Is the physician supposed to be the bad guy and refuse to sign if we exceed the "maximum allowable"? I agree the form could be simplified. My advice to parents? Camp comes every summer...program a reminder into your iPhone for January to get an appointment for your camp physical...I have no sympathy for last minute procrastinators, because I am one, and I managed to get my butt to camp every year. And I don't even have a smartphone.

PS: and if they DO have a smartphone, I don't wanna hear about how they can't afford a physical. I can see what your priorities are.(This message has been edited by papadaddy)

I think they should be two separate occasions. The Eagle COH is potentially the most important event in your son's life (up to this point), and combining it with another ceremony focused on you will detract from that. Just my opinion.

Thanks, RichardB. Our camp usually does a good job, but this week of camp will be brutal. Boys required to have water bottles in their possession at all times, with refill stations of ice water at each program station, including the pool and waterfront. Lots of "pool time" scheduled for units. Temps here yesterday reached 107 in some areas, with dew points near 70 (sultry). Last night near midnight, temps were still above 90 and severe storms rolled through with high winds.

"Thing is this is not the first thing government (Federal, State and City) has regulated us to do. It will not be the last thing.."

That kind of thinking is what scares me about the future of Liberty in this country. I thank God that our founding fathers did not feel that way when King George III was "regulating" the Colonies. Otherwise, we'd all be speaking English, have National Health Care and have our tax dollars going to support lavish royals who feel entitled to luxury.

No wait...never mind. Bad analogy.

Explain to me how addition of more people to an employer's plan "mitigates" the risk of the older population, when the youngsters get added at no cost? In my own plan, Blue Cross/Blue Shield Federal (for which MY share is $200 every two weeks), we can only choose, "self only" or "self and family". So I pay the same for my wife and I as the guy with a wife and 10 kids (who can now stay on his policy longer).

"Immediate recognition" or "immediate gratification"? Isn't that one of the things we rail against on this forum? The need in today's culture to "have it all NOW"? In my mind, immediate recognition can mean that the boy is "recognized" as having passed his BOR during the meeting closing, with a round of applause or a good ol' scout cheer. Our council has always required an Advancement Report to purchase rank badges and pins...and to purchase "extras", we have to submit a AR stating that is a "multiple" or "replacement" (as in for extra uniforms). And it annoys me when a badge IS presented, and 6 months later, it's still not on the uniform. Apparently we care more about "immediate recognition" than the boys do...just my observation.

IMHO, the SCOTUS decision is a travesty of justice.

And for those who are throwing around the term "dependent care until age 26"...that's not true. One doesn't need to be a "dependent" in the IRS definition of the word. You can be living 1000 miles away, married with your own family, and have your own full time job...and still be allowed to mooch off your parent's employer's plan. I personally disagree with that. If the person is a full time student, or disabled, or "special needs", or pre-existing condition, ok. But at what point should we be expecting able-bodied adults to be able to see to their own needs? Many employers are already dropping their health insurance benefit to keep from going out of business.

Have I actually read the law? Yes. And trust me, this huge, expensive government controlled behemoth is not the answer.

SWMBO is a school nurse, and the rules are the same. No shots or physical, no school, no excuses. You'd be amazed at the parents who think they are special and she should give them a break..."we were in Europe", "they were at their Dad's all summer", "we have Tricare and I can't get an appointment until November 10th"...yada yada yada. No form, no school. That's the law. She can lose her job and nursing license if she doesn't enforce it. Unfair? Too bad.