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RememberSchiff

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Everything posted by RememberSchiff

  1. Look a gift horse in the mouth. Casually talk to the transferring families to determine if the other pack's "problems" are among the transfers. Maybe mention, we need to form new dens what are your ideas of assigning boys. Some years ago, we had a similar influx and among the transfers were the two root problem families. Initially, they seemed pleasant on the surface but they quickly got back into their "agendas". Took more than a year to get rid of those bad apples. Too late as we lost some good Scout families in the process. The other pack closed shop the next year. My $0.02
  2. Yes according to the article, 1. BSA spokesperson says "units determine their own membership" (the new local option? Can we get that in writing?) 2. The CO pastor Phil Holliday (BTW,he's an Eagle Scout) says they are simply following the rules (and as shortridge asks where are these "rules" stated?) 3. The SM had no problem with Ms. Steele's past and continued service as an adult scout leader. 4. The local National Capital Area Council missing in action. Doesn't add up. My audited $0.02,
  3. Is he the SPL or not? Sure discuss your troop concerns and his new leadership team. What are the meeting by meeting or month by month goals and expectations, how will you guide them in their new leadership positions, how will you utilize (keep) the older scouts (should they be challenged to form a venture patrol with separate activities?), how will you handle your leaders who fail. There are many leadership learning experience ahead as he and his appointed team leads the troop - responsibilities, successes and failures, choices and consequences,... I would only intervene if my SPL h
  4. I think its disappointing its a sad day for Boy Scouting. I think the actions are really out of sync of what scouting stands for, Eric Ianson, a friend of Steeles and an Eagle Scout said. ... I mean, when the leaders of the troop hear that (the Scout Law), how does it feel? Were they loyal to Denise? It certainly wasnt kind what theyve done to her, Ianson continued. It absolutely isnt brave. The brave thing to do would be to take a stand here and say this isnt right, this person has been great to our kids and its time to stand up for her and be great for her. Even other assistant
  5. Agreed, but I think SCOUTing needs more SCOUTs. I would not be surprised that on any given day, there are more boys logged into X-box Live than the total BSA membership. Add PS3, Facebook games,...and I'm certain of it. Attract them with common interests - chess, Halo, robotics, paintball, laser-tag,... and then introduce them to the outdoor adventures and other fun. One example, some "distinguished" X-box game snipers thought Rifle Shooting would be lame ...okay look at your sight picture. Is everything in focus - front sight and target? No, ain't that something. Oh, other things,
  6. Overdue. Back in the day, a young Bobby Fischer wrote a chess column for Boys Life. Maybe this will be the first of a series of gaming merit badges - Civilization, Call of Duty,..., Parcheesi My $0.01
  7. The Passing Of An American Hero, Aug 12,2011 by Waring Hills "Today I was saddened to learn of the death of Colonel Charles Murray, United States Army (Retired). Here is a reposting of a story I did about him and scouting drawn from his World War II experiences a few years ago. Its a two-part story and I hope you enjoy itit illustrates the character and strength of our armed forcesa free people led by free men with outstanding training and educationbut most of allgood men. Charles Murray was an Eagle Scout and the purpose of scouting is not to make boys into presidents, governors, CEOs or
  8. Here's a hybrid community strip, council patch, unit number in retro red. http://www.troop111.org/patch.html
  9. I found this an interesting approach - using a merit badge to draw non-scouting families into scouting -Disabilities Awareness merit badge and families with autistic boys http://www.phxautism.org/802/
  10. Well said SMT224. Double dipping is bad. Review is good. A scout who passed a merit badge CPR requirement 4 or more years ago, may be surprised that the procedure has changed (more than one?). Being current is better. Learning to "continue to learn" throughout life is best. My $0.02
  11. NJ, Thanks much! This is a very pleasant surprise. I was impressed to read that an Explorer Post staffs the science center during camp. Maybe Camp Ockanickon's science "program" should be adopted at other camps? Need to learn more about this. Thanks for the pointers.
  12. In an earlier thread, I characterized this "program" as vaporware. I see little vision and just another cluster award, i.e., get a bunch of these merit badges, talk it up, and get yet another award...What was accomplished? I think we can bring science into our scout camps, after all are not outdoor sciences about fieldwork? I cannot recall seeing a microscope or telescope at a scout summer camp, yet Nature, Environmental Science, and Astronomy merit badges are offered. I have seen microscopes and telescopes at 4-H camps. As mentioned, there are many volunteers and companies who genu
  13. Wow, is your CO a major oil company? I bet your troop does not widely disclose that information to parents who would quickly give the Troop Committee a reality check about budgets and fundraising. Do you disclose the annual budget to parents? My experience, our troop piggy bank for 30-40 scouts had between $1K to $4K - usually enough to make advance payment for trips and routine equipment maintenance. My $0.02
  14. Disgusting. What next National, are you going to edit down William Hillcourt wiki? Over the weekend, I kept thinking that if real leaders came in the BSA, that this insult would be quickly corrected with a heart-felt, formal apology. Maybe we can recruit Robert Gates (soon to be former Secretary of Defense) to become Chief Scout Executive and Mike Rowe as Chief Scout? Bring back leadership, respect, adventure, and enthusiasm to the BSA! My $0.02,
  15. That's a great photo from back in the day. Thanks.
  16. I like this photo of the rare scout bugler at a recent Memorial Day ceremony http://www.pamelasteadjones.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6691-e1306763288226-577x1024.jpg The rest of the story (scroll to end to see above scout photo) http://www.pamelasteadjones.com/2011/05/30/memorial-day/ Save Our Buglers.
  17. Well be careful what you wish for... this change in the UK Scouting Association did not come without ...ahem...campaign "Promoting good sexual health in scouting", documentation "My Body, My Choice" and leader training. http://scouts.org.uk/shis http://scouts.org.uk/documents/EcommsDocs/MyBodyMyChoice.pdf I'm "not prepared" to bring sex ed into scouting. Not comfortable with religion either. I consider both personal matters and prefer they be handled outside of scouting. IMHO, I think we should open the BSA to all youngsters and drop any religion and sex requirements/discussion
  18. Glad to see that the way-too-complicated-for-Wolf-Scouts Food Pyramid is being retired and replaced with a simple MyPlate graphic. http://www.choosemyplate.gov/ So look for changes in Wolf Scout requirement 8 "Cooking and Eating", hopefully sooner rather than later. my $0.02
  19. BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA JOINS WITH THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING & EXPLOITED CHILDREN TO TEACH SCOUTS INTERNET SAFETY Free Online Educational Resource, NetSmartz, Made Available to Scout Leaders ALEXANDRIA, VAJune 1, 2011. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) today announced it is making available its Internet safety program, NetSmartz,to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to teach Scouts and their families how to make responsible decisions both online and in real life. The BSA is asking all Scout leaders to incorporate the NetSmartz materials into t
  20. "Why can't my daughter join the pack/troop, too?" I wonder if the BSA is heading past the coed unit and onward to Family Scouting of America with "Big Box" units. Have the whole family at the same meeting and pack-up everyone for a car camping "scout" outing at one our fine BSA-approved council camps but leave the dog home. I would be long gone. My $0.02
  21. If BP saw today's scout camps, I think he would - not be happy - shut down the mess halls and camp stores - demand patrol method (and not just cooking) - have scouts hike in with their gear to campsite - disconnect the electric - drop merit badge offerings or at least non-scoutcraft merit badges. - require swim lessons for non-swimmers. - require SPLs run their troops at camp - require more activity, you would see patrols hiking, scouts actually shooting at the ranges, game competitions. Physically fit. - have scouts sent home for not following the Oath & Law. - per
  22. Well if the high-quality tan shirt was Made in U.S.A., it would be okay with me!
  23. I like this. Maybe add - prerequisite First mb (prerequisite means do before not concurrent) - info on HAZWOPER - hazardous materials (classes of materials, how to read placards, responses) and OSHA. - importance of proper clothing - high heat and extreme cold conditions. - safety (eye, head, ears, hands,feet...) - changing out/separation of work clothes. - dehydration, common injury causes and prevention. - this merit badge is not suitable as a summer camp offering. My $0.02(This message has been edited by RememberSchiff)
  24. From 2008 National Leadership Team Directory: Bill Steele, Irving,TX, Director of Advancement and NESA 972-580-2436 BiSteele@netbsa.org Hope this helps
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