Papadaddy

As a DOD civilian, when I have to fly I always use my DOD ID (CAC card) as my picture ID. Maybe it's my imagination or just the luck of the draw, but things seem to go smoother for me than for others. Or maybe it's because I always try to be pleasant and cooperative with those trying to do a tough job for little pay.

Why does the BSA have different uniform parts for different CS levels? Revenue. First thing we did when I was a CS back in the 60's was make our own slides, which I wore throughout CS and BS (one of those leather arrowhead kits). I still have it in my scout drawer.

I have seen this before...an adult wearing a shirt that was slightly off-color and with military creases. A BSA strip over the right pocket (probably stripped off his old shirt). My reaction, was "hmmm, that's unique" (to myself), and returned to what I was doing. This council is in a military town, so it's not unusual to see uniform shirts in the thrift stores for $2.50. I can afford official BSA, so that's what I wear. Really don't care what the other guy does. Not as bad as the adults who wear rank patches and all their medals...ALL the time.

My spouse (school nurse) points out that if she had knowledge of a parent drugging their kid with double the adult dose of an OTC drug to control their behavior (an "off label" use), it would merit a call to Child Protective Services. The fact that it's OTC is irrelevant. If there's an underlying medical condition and there's a physician recommendation, fine...CPS will sort it out. But the report would still be made. There are just too many red flags here.

@Old Ox...sure they can go to the funeral...just don't let them kick the back of my seat for 4 hours, while you nap obliviously 2 rows up. As a frequent flyer, my problem is not with the kids, it's the idiot parents.

We could do everyone a favor and just prohibit anyone under the age of 16 from flying....

@boomerscout-I've seen some knocked out in one day, then the Scout sits around in the campsite the rest of the week. We had a chat with the Camp Director over that.

Part of the original purpose of the MB program is "adult association"...giving the scout the name and phone number of an approved MBC, then getting out of the way. The scout should learn to contact an adult (perhaps even a complete stranger-even better), introduce himself, make an appointment, use the buddy system, set up meetings and goals, and hopefully learn about the topic from an "expert" who has that topic as a vocation, avocation, or hobby. Not simply a Committee Member, ASM or his buddy's mom or dad, who is just checking off the requirements and signing the blue card. Even worse, I find these "group spoonfeedings" more distasteful and a partial circumvention of the intent. Just my 2 cents.

I've been hanging around this forum since 2002, and had amassed >4000 posts before I dropped out for awhile and had to re-register under this name. I have seen trolls come and go (remember Fat Old Guy?), seen a "pedantic book-thumper" who was ALWAYS right and made sure everyone knew it, seen judges, physicians, soldiers, sailors, and some who were obviously uneducated and couldn't write the King's English to save their lives. We've had homosexuals, liberals, conservatives, Lutherans, Catholics, Mormons, Jews, Buddhists, Wiccans, Pastors and atheists. We've had parents, Scouters, Scouts, Venturers, and Professionals (who had to post incognito). Merlyn is a thorn in our sides, but he makes me think...and I like that.

But that's what I love about this group...we are a representative microcosm of the Scouting family, and we are all here for one noble purpose...to develop young people to be the Leaders of tomorrow and to make ethical decisions over their lifetime.

Upon returning to this forum, I had made a few resolutions...to only post to those threads where I thought I could contribute something that hadn't already been said...to avoid political discussions with Lisabob ...and to take all questions at face value...and to be frank and truthful, hopefully without being rude. There are no dumb questions...and as someone said, there are probably hundreds more reading who have the same question.

I've been through a lot since 2002...and have learned that life's too short...try to chill and enjoy the rest of the journey.

Happy Scouting!

A few observations. 17 is larger than a lot of (dare I say most) troops. There should be 3, or at least, 2 patrols there. It's not about you showing off your organizational and "leadership" skills...it's about a quality experience for everyone, including the opportunity to also have a leadership position. Secondly, tone down your ego and enjoy the journey, and most of all, have fun with your fellow scouts (not "my boys", which comes off as condescending). There's plenty of time ahead of you to be an adult. Good luck and welcome to the forums.

Why is it that with questions like this, we only get the full story after everyone has given their opinions? Now my opinion has changed. Your gut is telling you this is not a good situation. Listen to it. Don't wait and hope for Council to be the bad guy.

Ahhh...training cards. Now where did I put those 22 years ago?

Welcome! Hope the floods didn't affect you too badly!

"Complete date"...never heard it called that before...

I agree with the others, not necessarily a deal breaker. He should answer all questions on the app truthfully and be forthcoming with those who will have to approve the application. If he gets through all those hoops, it will be up to the SE and the results of the background check.

Disclosure: Conservative with libertarian leanings.

I would agree to a modest tax increase if they would a) pass a balanced budget amendment, b) freeze the debt ceiling, d) cut foreign aid, especially to middle east countries who are working for our destruction and China (or is that redundant?), and e) extract taxes from the 50% of citizens and corporations who pay nothing.

But then, if they did all that, we wouldn't have to raise taxes.

Drivel notwithstanding, the reality is, if you deny a Scout/Venturer his Eagle based on "not being active enough", you will lose. When he appeals to the Council, they will conduct a Council or District Board and award the Eagle, provided he was registered and met all other requirements. If a Scout is not being active, the time to address it is well before the EBOR is convened, which you cannot decline to conduct, if the Scout insists. My experience with Eagle appeals is that Council just wants the "unpleasantness" to go away.

And, the CC and all other adult leaders at the unit level serve at the pleasure of the CO, who approves all leader applications by signature. It's not a question of who works "for" whom. If the unit program is not being conducted the way the CO wants, the leaders can be fired and replaced. And I doubt the Council will interfere, since they rarely do in unit matters.

PS: Agree with Abel. Must have been typing at the same time.(This message has been edited by papadaddy)

Welcome back, WW. To be "current" in Scouting, you must register in a unit (Troop, Pack, Crew, Ship, etc), or as a member of the District or Council Committee. There are no "members at large", to my knowledge. As a Merit Badge Counsellor, you would be registered with the District. Like the others have said, decide what you are interested in doing (working directly with boys, work with units as a Commissioner, serving on a unit or district committee, etc), then contact your local council office and fill out an application. The new rules also require that all adults pass a background check, which the COuncil will do after you submit your application.

I prefer a more formal meeting, just for efficiency's sake. I don't think you will find it written anywhere who can or cannot attend a Committee Meeting. Common sense dictates to me that the meeting is run by the Committee Chair and all registered committee members are expected to attend, along with the SM and maybe SPL when he is presenting a proposal. Other troop adult leadership and parents would certainly be welcome to attend as "observers", unless discussing a sensitive personnel or discipline issue. There should be an agenda published ahead of time and adhered to. This minimizes disruption and dominance of the meeting by any one person. Start on time and end on time. Any items to be discussed need to be forwarded to the CC in advance for inclusion on the agenda, at his discretion. Anyone not a registered committee member does not get a "vote". And, I agree, most business was conducted by consensus, not formal voting.

PS: If the SM cannot attend, I see no problem with him designating an ASM to attend in his stead...on an occasional basis. If the SM can't step away and let the SPL run the meeting, you have bigger problems. That being said, it would be good if the Committee did not meet at the same time as the Troop Meeting.(This message has been edited by papadaddy)

Welcome to the forums. We have had many discussions about this and we have many opinions . But I believe National has come out and defined "active" as "registered". If they are given credit for their Position of Responsibility (POR) without being "active", that's a failing of the unit leadership. What's in your "Troop Manual" doesn't matter. They will win on appeal.

In addition to your August trip, you may want to offer "provisional" camper status to those who can attend summer camp. They would be assigned to another troop or to a "provisional troop" for the week. The troop that I served would always take a "provy"...sometimes the same scout from year to year. They boys made new friends and the scout was never a problem, since he "wanted" to be there. A win-win.

I used to be a BSA Lifeguard Counselor and, if memory serves, the age limit used to be 14. I haven't kept up with the recent rules change that tried to bring the requirements more in line with ARC.

The camp fee is to cover the expenses of attending camp, including food, tents, salaries, materials, maintenance, insurance, etc. They attended camp. No refund. As SM, I would not have approved the activity if they were not eligible, same as for MB. PLenty of blame to go around...but no refund. Life lesson...caveat emptor.

Scouter Terry (the owner of this site) had a personal relationship with Bill. Let's see what he has to say about it before passing judgment. I wouldn't get my panties in a bunch over the comments of a volunteer docent.

I was an Explorer in the 1968-1972 timeframe. The uniform was the forest green shirt, forest green matching trousers, brown tie (clip on), white web belt, brown socks and forest green overseas cap. On the left shirt pocket was the "CircleV" Exploring emblem...no rank was worn, although I still went from Life to Eagle as an Explorer. For summer, we wore Boy Scout green shorts, and knee socks with red tabs, and an open collar short sleeve forest green shirt. Above the left pocket was "Exploring" or "Explorers, BSA" embroidered in brown.

Ahhh...memories.

PS: If you have white uniform pants, they would have to be from a Sea Explorer uniform. Explorers did not wear those, unless adopted by the Post as indicated above.(This message has been edited by papadaddy)

The first car that was truly "mine" was a 66 Mustang convertible that we bought used for $700 in 1971. When the top started leaking, sold it and bought a 69 VW beetle that I loved and drove for 250,000 miles.

Prior to that, I drove my mom's 69 Pontiac Tempest Custom S (4 dr version of the LeMans), or my dad's 63 Rambler American stripper model (no radio, carpet or AC and 3 on the tree).