RememberSchiff

Every parent's nightmare that somehow, somewhere that fine child you raised is now off on his own, takes a wrong turn, loses himself, and doesn't seek/accept help... In some ways, this story reminded me of that depressing book "Into the Wild". My $0.01

My polling question was meant in the context of your own unit, as otherwise how would you know. Sorry for the confusion. We have a scout who is working on his Eagle project now. His parents have had minimum involvement with the troop. This scout has said no thank you to having an Eagle Scout Advisor, "I can do it". Self-confident, self-motivated, yeah, he impresses me.

Yes many units are, doesn't mean that's the way it should be. I have seen some units (and companies) destruct because there was no one to take over. I have seen more run into the ground by self-important legends who stayed too long.

IMO they would also be stunned that "checks and balances' has failed, the Legislative and Judicial branches have shirked or handed-over their responsibilities. The Executive branch wages war, signs treaties, conducts surveillance and seizures without warrants, approves position appointment which are constitutionally Congress' responsibilities. And the Supreme Court, well if you cannot uphold individual rights or state rights, I guess corporate rights is good enough. Another $0.01

Not perfect, just a scout program done right whereby a scout wants to "show up" whether his parents are there or not and a troop is not held together by one adult (whether true or not). Not arguing your real world examples that a scout/player could do well with a parent as SM/coach, but I have seen the opposite side of the coin as well. Another $0.01

As I mentioned another thread "Involved parent vs. leader parent - does it matter to the boy? " brought this to mind. I tend to have a higher regard for a scout who navigates the Eagle Trail with less adult help. And it may sound radical, but I think a parent should step down from SM maybe even ASM as his son takes on higher troop leadership (ASPL, SPL) and higher Scout ranks (Life, Eagle). Sit back and watch your son succeed on his own. Another $0.01

Another topic influenced this question: Which Scout would you regard higher in having earned his Eagle?

I see the need. I am not confident in that change process which has never been done and likely for a reason. Yet I agree there is a chance, and in one area in particular, I bet ALL state conventions would agree to return control of their National Guard units to their respective state governors and greatly reduce federal control, e.g., state National Guard units could not be deployed outside of the United States unless Congress declared war, ... Undo parts of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2007, etc. My $0.01

Unfortunately, that study did not determine whether scouts voluntarily stayed with the program or were pressured by "involved" parents. As our kids gradually mature and develop as leaders, no matter what the activity, we parents should gradually step back. Their interest will grow as they take charge.

I like the First Aid event station as our Klondikes have benefited from some excellent, no nonsense professionals as judges. My scouts on the other hand, prefer the fire building station (string burning and not water boiling). The tomahawk toss has also been popular with them.

Young Sherlock great choice! You reminded me that Spielberg produced a Young Indiana Jones series for television.

Wow I thought there would be more discussion,,, Hmmm, grateful "Gone With the Wind" was not among the chosen, then again if Ted Turner donates $$$...

"Boy Scouts from over nine counties in the Heart of Ohio Council mobilized to collect needed water for West Virginia after a chemical spill that forced 300,000 people to boil water before using for five days. The Order of the Arrow, the honor society of Scouts within the Boy Scouts, led the effort. Water was donated by Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, Scout leaders and local stores." http://www.nbcnews.com/id/54056414/ Scout Salute!

Some of my scouts identify with Percy Jackson as he too has dyslexia and ADHD which may explain, at least as theorized by other characters, his "powers" and ability to read Greek.

Fixed, Added missing TO thanks

The Ten Commandments is Judeo-Christian specific, rather leave that selection to a scout's family. I was on the fence with Ben Hur but author Lew Wallace donated TO Philmont Harry Potter? Well the main characters are our target age group and the good-guys, they work together to solve problems, many scouts have read the books and seen the HP movies more times than Star Wars... My wife doesn't get "It's a Wonderful Life" either, she thinks it is just a second-rate Christmas movie. I keep telling her that it is not a Christmas movie at all.

http://boyslife.org/hobbies-projects/funstuff/18651/100-movies-for-boys/ Everyone is a critic. Replace on Boys' Life list Babe Bambi Big Bridge Over River Kwai Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Close Encounters Dumbo Edward Scissorhands Footloose The Grapes of Wrath Hamlet High Noon King Kong Mr. Mom ?? The Never Ending Story Peter Pan Pinocchio The Sound Of Music The Ten Commandments Willy Wonka With these The Last of the Mohicans The Crossing (George Washington, too bad they did not have snow) The Day After Tomorrow Far from Home: The

What's your and your scouts favorite Klondike station?

Hmmm, if there is a large electrical generator nearby to the East or West which will be accurate - a compass or my pooping dog?

You made my day. I still wear my old square BSA from back in the day! Here's a link with much useful info that Kudu provided. http://www.inquiry.net/uniforms/neckerchief/index.htm also http://www.scouter.com/forum/uniforms/12416-old-neckerchief-for-an-old-troop http://www.scouter.com/forum/uniforms/12829-scout-neckerchiefs

Our tax dollars at work, I wonder if human testing starts this summer? http://www.nbcnews.com/science/do-dogs-possess-poop-compass-other-weird-science-questions-2D11849668 Did some field testing with our dog, his nose bearings were all between 175 and 195. New, unfamiliar field, all days were cloudy and cold, I doubt the sun was a factor.

When there is no snow here, some scouts attach wheels to their sled (or switch to backpacks as I mentioned) which works well enough on frozen clear hard ground, not so such on early thaw mud. For those patrols that build their sled, the innovation is evident in the materials - rope, elastic cord, wood, recycled skis, pvc (ugh!), construction styrofoam (blue) as sled floor, crates, plywood, ... functionality - clamp-on wheels, some build collapsible for easy transport and storage, detachable floor stretcher, one patrol made a fair attempt at building a "Transformer" sled (transformed into a

Around here, there is no competition. Typically, one or two troops have an Uberscout patrol of just 3 or 4 big guys and they just shellac the other younger patrols, all fair and square. Even sports has a "mercy rule". Wonder why registration is down the next year. Well at least, the Ubers don't compete against the Webelos. Agree with you about the adult shenanigans. I should have noted our unit Uberscouts are not competing, they are staffing stations. Giving everyone a trophy, that's a good laugh. This isn't Little League...yet. Another $0.01

Oldscout448, I share your frustration. Just once, just once, I would like to see some courteous and kind Scout Spirit from the winning patrol of 17yr old Uberscouts whereby they say "Thank you, but FIRST place belongs to (in distant second place) Hawk Patrol (consisting of 13-14 year olds)". I would then feel Scout character building had been achieved in those scouts about to age out and that would be the real win. My $0.02,

The Wheel? I believe Professor Clyde Crashcup beat you to it.