BDPT00

Be careful. You're bound to hear a few here saying that it's just fine for an adult to wear a merit badge sash. After all, it's just an Insignia GUIDE.

Please don't listen to them. It's good that you're paying attention to proper uniforming. It happens to be one of our Methods. Oh wait! The Method is "Uniform" ... not necessarily "proper uniform." I guess everyone is their own judge.

That being said, yes, it's inappropriate for an adult to wear a merit badge sash, and thank you for asking.

BDPT00

"Absurd? Nothing in common?"

We're both in the character building business. That's plenty for me.

Personally, I would much rather deal with an organization that is willing to state what it stands for than with one that seems to have no idea.

BDPT00

Bring on the AHGs!

What, are we afraid of making friends with some Christian girls? I far prefer that to mingling with a group that openly says they don't really care if there's a God or not, or whether their members are willing to say so.

We're not merging! We're sharing resources. We're being friendly ... what a novel idea! American Heritage Girls appears to me to be a very wholesome group, and they have a well organized program. I'm impressed, and I'm not afraid.

BDPT00

Just for the record, I disagree with BSA24's perspective 100%.

Yes, I understand it, but I can't endorse it.

BDPT00

P.S. Ditto for SSScout's thing with the pocket. "Round these parts" doesn't work for me. We all have the same book. Some of us abide by it. Some don't care.

A Wood Badge course I understand, as there are requirements laid out. (The Scribe thing you mention is not appropriate. That's considered a key position, and needs to be a Wood Badger. There's some wiggle room on the Venturing.)

Idle curiosity ... did you view the beading ceremony for the staff?

I'm interested in the "rules" regarding beads for the Leadership Challenge. Who made them? What are they?

Thanks, BDPT00

"I think BD, that the only case you would get an extra bead, is when you worked at a level above your current position -- staff, or course director -- and you would receive the appropriate number of beads, 3 or 4."

*** That only makes sense, and I agree. What I'm curious about is how one is chosen to serve on a staff, and how/why/when/who decided this is appropriate for a course other than traditional Wood Badge. I know that at least two people serving the most recent course hadn't taken the course, and that one of them hasn't attended Wood Badge. I also know that a few other staffers received a bead for serving on this staff. That makes it clear that they're not Wood Badge staffers.

I'm just trying to wrap my head around what this course actually is, and who decides staffing requirements, and then when this course receive the OK to award Wood Badge beads (or did they?).

Anybody know?

BDPT00

So ... I'm gathering by the lack of response that nobody knows.

BDPT00

"Everyone else on staff for a PLC would have the 3rd bead as a pre-req., so no real issue. Although, the application skill-set is probably greater, it's like serving on a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, Woodbadge course."

I can't agree with the first sentence, although it would make sense to me. I know that's not true. Regarding the skill set ... it's totally different. I don't know if a comparison is fair (apples and oranges regarding Scoutcraft skills).

I happen to know that a few staffers just got third beads, and that at least one staffer had no beads at all.

That's why I'm asking. Is there any sort of requirments for this stuff?

BDPT00

OK, allow me to rephrase and repeat the question ...

Based upon what criteria could a staffer of the Philmont Leadership Challenge receive an additional bead?

Standing by.

BDPT00

And I'll answer. Yes, it's the people who staff this course.

Based upon what criteria could a Philmont Leadership Challenge staffer receive an additional bead?

BDPT00

Sure. Because one could hold that position for 6 months, and never do a single thing. APLs need not attend PLCs. If the PL is active, they never need to lead. For many, it's a non-job, and certainly not what an Eagle application should have on it.

Are there exceptions? Of course. One in a thousand? Maybe. Probably not.

BDPT00

Is not Scouting a place with an educational purpose?

BDPT00

"The sheathed knife thing is usually a local knife ordinance based on lwas regarding blade size, ect"

Wait a minute! As long as we're talking rules, where did that one come from? A local knife ordinance?? C'mon.

BDPT00

All this race stuff is fine, but we sure got a long way from flags in a hurry.

BDPT00

acco40, "Mythbuster - please suggest the best way a Scoutmaster should convey to a parent that their son is not ready for a POR such as DC?"

Have we considered that the Scoutmaster is being gracious, instead of saying, "Your son is s jerk, and I don't wnat him representing our troop or the BSA?" "Let's just wait" is far more polite. We don't know the reason he said that, and I agree that it's much like mom saying "We'll see." It's easier sometimes to put it off than to cause a fuss.

BDPT00

You think you're making a mountain out of a molehill? Just wait 'til you see some replies!

BDPT00

It's probably polically incorrect, because some insects will be killed or injured during production ...

get a broad pan (pie tin, cake pan, etc). Fill with water and some dishsoap. Put a chunk of raw hamburger in it (partially exposed). The soapy water messes them up instantly, and they drown.

It should have been obvious, or made to be obvious, that this MB is practically impossible to achieve in our geographic area, the Central Desert of Arizona.

As my Scout would say, "Epic fail!"

*** Oh well ... then just tell the kids to give up. Try something else.

BDPT00

I'm with Calico. The kid's not a criminal, and It's my guess that he doesn't want to embarrass himself in front of all those people. If he's doing this on purpose, there are some really weird things going on in that family. My guess, though, is that he gets pushed over the edge for whatever reason (that we've all learned to control, but he can't without some meds), and he has a meltdown. When he does, there's nothing you can do about it.

I think he's undiagnosed, and we owe it to him to offer a safe place for him to develope his character and self-esteem. Find a way to help him and his family. Get him diagnosed. Easy? No. But he won't change without it, no matter what you might try. He can't help it.

BDPT00

We didn't wear a flag "before."

From what I'm reading, it's clear that the flag is being worn on the right sleeve. If it were on the left, there'd be no issue here.

BDPT00

"As far as what Vigil noticed.... WB for the 21th Century was adapted from the syallabus of NLS, or at least the current one, which differs remarkably from the NLS I attended in 1981."

I don't buy this for a second.

I know NLS does a Win All You Can game, but I don't know who used it first (and it doesn't matter). It's not original to either course anyway.

I'm sure there must be some leadership and communications skills shared by both, but to say WB was adapted from NLS is over the top.

BDPT00

Good ... so you won't have to go find it somewhere else. Good luck now trying to get your staff to sing it properly. (next we'll work on the tune)

Thanks for checking,

BDPT00

Thank you, BrentAllen!

Foxes: 1

everybody else: 0

So far. Next?

Well, since you've only sung the song a dozen times so far, there's time to fix things before your course is over. You don't need to believe me, so look it up, print it, and share it with whomever is teaching you the wrong words. It's always the same two phrases. Plenty of ways to sing it wrong; one way to sing it right, and you may as well do that now.

I used to be a Bear

AND A good old Bear too,

BUT NOW I'VE finished Bearing ....

Everybody seems to get the rest of the song just fine, but this is so often learned uncorrectly, and then sung that way for the rest of your life, including as a staffer. May as well get it right from the start.

Good luck with it. No sense in doing it wrong when you can do it right. Be sure to look it up. You'll need to print it, because nobody will believe you.

BDPT00