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"Justify" it to whom? I don't think the OP was suggesting there was the NA police out there. Really, the only folks we need to justify our actions to is ourselves. There's no outside entity obliging us respect or disrespect any other group. That said, the way we imitate NA culture should reflect our ideals. Is it ... Trustworthy: Do the dances reflect the character of the tribe or tribes who might witness a ceremony? Does it give non-NAs a fair vision of NA culture? Loyal: Are we being faithful to the people whose ancestors walked this land long before us? Helpful: Are

Also I've been told a lot of the changes are a result of emergency medicine on the battlefield. ... and campus shootings ...

So where are the boys supposed to learn the skills????? Don't worry, BD, they'll all have EDGE. No need for references!

Why can't we sell decorative tins? That would bring the price closer to $5 per unit. The line could be "Scout spirit enclosed, just add your favorite holiday treat!!"

KC - you bet your graphite pole lighting can sneak up on you (in the Appalacian foothills)! Especially if you are in a sound dampening wooded ravine and the closest thing to your are noisy scouts. The first strike you notice may be five miles away and closing quickly. I've started to carry a weather radio that is pre-set to national weather service channels. It does ease the mind a little bit.

IMHO - The largest reason why some folks don't believe in uniforming is that rolling out a new model uniform every couple of years has lead to very non-uniform uniforms -- especially from the waist down. At Scout Sunday I noticed this even in our shirts. Some boys had their Centenial uniform with khaki green epaulets, others had red epaulets. Our council just merged so shoulder patches were not all changed over. One mom who usually only sees me at scout meetings noticed I had my venturing shirt and the Kelly green epaulets. My newest female venturers said she felt odd sitting with th

Not taking personal! Just trying to put some meat on boy-adult balancing act. Oh, and I haven't pulled out an inspection sheet since I was SPL. Except for once at the request of one SM, and then the boys were allowed to inspect the "old fart patrol." I have answered honest questions about insignia to the best of my knowledge -- looking up an answer when I was stumped. And, I have been able to outmaneuver most uniform police. So, I think we're both talking from opposite sides of the same coin. My ongoing approach (applied regularly to scout-son #2): Make clear what it means to be

I love the concept (and the challenge!) Additional question: how do you all pack it so you don't have carbon smudging all your gear? (I'm really not as fastidious as that just sounded, but I was just wondering.)

jb, I'm not against the boys. And they are welcome to comment on my insistence on wearing shorts (even in Winter) at CoH's because I'm not a fan of the pants. And wearing my comfortable non-uniform kaki's at meetings. As long as they can take it when I pull out the inspection sheet and hold them to it, they're welcome to dish it out. Adults, now that's a different story. As far as the SMs are concerned, well I'm sure they each did the calculus as to weather my laundry list of nuances were worth keeping me on their roster. Each addressed me on the issues they saw as important, an

whatever you do at weigh in, encourage your boys to build solid cars that they can maintain and repair for years. Our boyscouts have a no-holes-barred PWD where they pull their old cars off the shelf. If it can make it down the track, it can race. modifications include duct-taping wrenches and soup cans to the cars. however, modest weight adjustment with a properly placed propeller seems to work best!

The form is on scouting.org if you search for youth membership application, it should give you the current link.

Does anyone require their scouts to provide their own PFDs? Our troop doesn't have its own gear. But I have my own tandem kayak and some families have their own canoes, paddles, and PFD's. Regardless, when we go to the outfitter, they will offer to loan from their collection of PFD's at no xtra charge. (They fact that we are renting a bunch of canoes on off-season means a lot to them.) We spot-check and if one of theirs is in better shape than one of ours we take it and stow ours. So, take a play from the outfitters, make sure your troop has a complete collection. The boys who t

TT: Most charter orgs would agree that "unhealthy" is the mildest way to describe it! But the issue is how do you help everyone grow given that this seems to the problem of the day. Well there are several topics that should be part of SM minutes or discussions at campfires: - Music/Video piracy. - Hacking. - Parental restrictions. And the age old "if you're doing something you know your parent's don't approve of, should you be doing it?" Or more simply, "don't break your Mama's heart!" In general, adults need to make clear that being clean and trustworthy doesn't always

You phone company should have records of these incoming texts. (Or at least be able to archive them for you in the future.) Are you sure this isn't part of the scouts signature line? I had one youth who's messages to me end with "~ wierdo". Turns out he had chosen a default emoticon for which my phone did not have an image. So, instead of some goofy looking face, it spelled out the text! It is imperative that you confront the boy and his parents immediately. They need to understand that you welcome these meaningful "on record" conversations with boys, but sometimes a boy doesn't

If you can score a kayak paddle or too, you might find them useful for your gaurd boat who may want some extra maneuverability, our the newbie who needs a little help.

SW PA has a lot of camps within 2 hours drive. I think 7 different councils are within 90 miles of Pittsburgh.

First, congratulations for your hard work and success. I've never seen it done before, but I figure his/her next of kin will gladly recieve it on their behalf. Just attach the pin to a thank-you card. At your court of honor, read your card before giving to the family member. If they aren't present, read the card anyway and make a commitment to take it to them at the next opportunity.

We had one scout scour E-bay for stuff he could re-sale to the boys. If you ever put a trading post on two legs, he'd be it!

Thanks E, They are a stellar bunch of kids. But I'm not one of those grade inflation types. I'm also not inclined to go belly-aching because it's harder to corral older youth and their parents toward a common vision. Fact is, if they operate just a little bit more like a unit, they will that much more of a blessing to the youth in their community. JTE is just a map of where you are. You still have to decide if you want to go anywhere with it.

In the late 70's in my troop, the SM handed out skill awards and MB's (I think) at meetings, and badges of rank at CoH's. The SM would ask the SPL, "Are there any who have achieved __?", boys were called up in order of rank awarded, and the SPL lit the corresponding candle on the "advancement trail". There was no notion of 1st Class - First Year, so waiting a couple of months until the next CoH was no big deal. I might have known of one scout who was awarded TF and 2C on the same night. And it impressed us all to see it done. I think we also awarded TF to Life rank advancement at E

We have several camps to choose from, and troop and crew combined pick them as locations 2 or 3 times throughout the year.

Finally got my crew's key-4 youth in one room on the same night. Had him fill out the form. We didn't even meet bronze! Guess that means you all can ignore every word I type on this forum! But just in case you don't ... I asked them what they thought ... here are their general impressions The form stinks. We're still a good crew. We break the mold! Training is a big issue. The adults have not taken VLST and only two of the youth have ILSC. Youth protection stragglers are delaying timely submission of our charter. I made it clear that they are a good group of kids

Two BCSR camp staff sailed with us this summer. They said they love the place.

I think it is pretty much the natural order of things that when we complete our SMC with the boy, we walk him over to the AC so she can record it and line up a BoR. The older boys know this drill and will do it themselves. As far as training is concerned, we prefer that parents observe a few. Time training should be spent on more challenging material.

Wow! A whole topic just about me! (Except the ex-mil thing, and the $1000, and if it seems really important I have a pair of vintage BSA shorts and dark green hiking socks.) Be up front with the guy. Say that his one shortcoming in your eyes is that he won't throw on a pair of trousers from National Supply. But if he persists you'll try to dig deep and bear it. Your leadership is more likely to be undermined by some knot collector in complete field dress.