perdidochas

The only critique I have of Engineer 61 is his first item: SCOUTS: PRO: +get to work with like minded folks. I consider this a CON. Few people get to spend their life working with "Like minded folks." So if that is all you are used to, then you are at a disadvantage. You need to learn diversity in today's society. Like-minded doesn't mean that the people aren't diverse, just that they like the same things (and I would argue that sports is an example of getting to work with like minded folks in the same way). For example, the boys in my son's troop are like-minded, for

From my brief research on Google, (i.e. I typed in "iggy slang" in the search box), the proper slang is "put (one) on iggy." http://onlineslangdictionary.com/definition+of/put+%28one%29+on+iggy

I'm with Beavah on this one. The SM's reply was based totally on the individual Scout. In no way, did I read that as saying "Scouts had to be First Class to be a Den Chief," but it was clearly "Johnny should be First Class to be a Den Chief."

I think it's up to you as a judge. My feeling is to go for the obviously boy made car.

Well, the problem is that he (and you) should have noticed this in the spring, as you were putting away gear. Scouting is boy led, so it's not the job of adults to micromanage gear packing.

Re: Pope Benedict and ecumenism. The ironic thing is that the traditional Catholics think that Benedict is bending over backwards to what they think is the heretical ecumenical movement. The liberal Catholics think the opposite--that Benedict is doing his best to squash ecumenism. The truth is probably in between. I think it depends on if pre-papacy writings (which tend to argue against ecumenism) or post-papacy writings (which argue for it) are used.

Badenp, You need to amend "In my opinion" to the above. Scholarship on both sides (i.e. that favor the pro- and anti- Catholic views) is suspect. And, this thread kind of proves why religion and politics shouldn't be the topic of polite conversation. Just remember, a Scout is Reverent. Part of Reverence is tolerance for other's religious views.

I've read that Internet Explorer is required to get the courses to work correctly.

Scoutnut, I agree with you. Tantrums like that are far from normal for a 14 yr old. The boy and parents need outside intervention, ideally from some kind of professional counselor (or doctor).

Beavah, Good points. I will also add that sand is a fairly good tracking medium. Working with some tenderfoot/scouts on the second class animal evidence requirements, we found 4 of our 10 as footprints on sandy patches in the woods. I will admit, around here the Tracking would be fairly easy, and I may just recommend my son ask his Scoutmaster for a blue card for tracking.

Packsaddle wrote: " The claim is that its use is a "potent sign of the Church's universal character". That's the part I would like to have explained. To even claim that any one church has "universal character"...that alone is enough to make me wonder what they're talking about. But to make the further claim that speaking a dead language is a "potent sign" of that universal character...that's going to take some careful explanation before I can understand what the heck they're talking about. " The whole idea of using a "dead language" is to use a language that belongs to no single grou

Not sure where exactly you are, but the Saguaro National Park has some tips about the animals you can possibly see. Foxes are more common there than coyotes, for example, and I would categorize them as larger than a woodchuck.

I'm guessing you are neglecting the existence of rodents and lizards.

I think a major think to emphasize is that Webelos are working to become Boy Scouts. They need to start learning to make decisions with less and less adult input.

I'm with Beavah on this one. I think First Class would be a reasonable goal, and it does indicate that a scout knows the basics of the outdoors and scouting. The Venturing idea is good as well.

Realistically speaking, I would say you could definitely get First Class, and maybe even Star. However, the troop you are in would have to be extremely active, and you would have to attend the majority of events they have.

you've never been to Atlanta and heard somebody order a "rootbeer coke"? I haven't, and I've lived in the South my whole life (well, except for 3 1/2 yrs in Miami). In proper Southern usage, "coke" is the term for a generic soft drink of any kind. "Let's go out for a coke" means let's go get a soft drink. I have never heard of "rootbeer coke." A southerner would order a rootbeer or a sprite or a cream soda or a coke or a pepsi. They wouldn't order a "rootbeer coke."

Eagle does get an automatic promotion to E-2 upon enlistment. "Accelerated Promotion for Scouts Those Boy Scouts who have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and Girl Scouts who have earned the Gold Award Certificate and are either currently in high school, a high school senior or a high school diploma graduate, may enlist as private second class." http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/apa/download/2010_Pocket_Guide.pdf

I think Eagle is a worthwhile goal. That said, I don't think it's a requirement. Would I love it if my two sons (the first a Tenderfoot, the second a second year Webelos Scout) became Eagles? Of course. I will also support whatever they want to do or not do. If they want to quit now, I'm ok with it. I just hope that they get something out of what they have done.

Everything I'd ever read about the subject of the changes in text of the Roman Catholic Mass was that it was going to be minor and in the Vulgate. Basically, it was a more precise translation of the Latin Mass.

I'm starting my 3rd year as a WDL. My first piece of advice is to get to know the Boy Scout leaders in local troops. Ask them for Den Chiefs, and get in touch with them sooner rather than later about the co-activities you need to do with a Boy Scout Troop. Also, working with your Den quickly isn't public speaking. It's working with your Webelos.

Scout Oath: On my honor I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. Scout Law: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. I don't see how an honest atheist Scout could say the first one.

The .99 bic lighter, I've found, doesn't do well after immersion in water. Other than that, it's a good choice. Does anybody know of directions for a homemade fire piston? Also, the principle is different than a bow drill. The bow drill relies on the heat of friction, the fire piston relies on the heating due to increased pressure (when you pressurize a gas, heat is a by-product) of the gas (Charles Law). I would love one to play with and demonstrate with, but I'd need to find one in the $10 range rather than the $40 range.

The question is are they good enough to be worth the price difference with flint and steel, or a ferro rod. I can get the BSA hot spark for $2.99. The fire piston kit (unfinished wood, etc.) sold by the linked company is $40

I can see how letting openly gay scout leaders could be possible on a unit by unit basis--I doubt that many units would choose that option, so I don't see how it would be harmful. I don't see how it would be possible to let an open atheist be a scout leader, just based on the Scout Oath.