RememberSchiff

I think Les Stroud is Canadian, not that there's anything wrong with that. Louie Zamperini would be a great roll model but he must be in his 90's. http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-243-297--13773-0,00.html How about Richard Tinnell, another busy talented young man, "...one of the original founders of JPFreek Adventure Magazine. He is also an experienced outdoorsman, survivalist, avid Jeep enthusiast, and Eagle Scout. His commitment to JPFreeks mission as an eco-friendly, environmentally conscious publication has been a guiding light in his continued design work for JPFreek Adventure Magazine. Richard holds a Bachelors degree in Graphic Design from Southwest Texas State University, and is currently working on a Masters degree in Geographic Information Systems." http://online.jpfreek.com/about/ http://www.linkedin.com/pub/richard-tinnell/6/8a/815(This message has been edited by RememberSchiff)

"The Oregon Supreme Court on Thursday, June 14, ordered the unprecedented public release of more than 1,200 confidential files that detail sexual abuse of Boy Scouts by their troop leaders and others within scouting over a 20-year span beginning in 1965. The documents, also known as the "Ineligible Volunteer" or "perversion" files, are a subset of records that have been kept under lock and key by the Boys Scouts of America since the 1920s. The 20,000 pages ordered unsealed Thursday had been introduced as evidence in a landmark Oregon lawsuit in 2010. A jury awarded a record $18.5 million to a man who was molested by an assistant scoutmaster in the early 1980s, ruling that the Scouts failed to protect him..." "The court ordered the files be made public after the names of victims and others who reported sexual abuse are redacted. It was not immediately known how long that process would take." http://www.bostonherald.com/news/national/west/view/20120615court_approves_release_of_boy_scout_perversion_files/srvc=home&position=recent http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/06/boy_scout_sex_abuse_files_--_w.html http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-boy-scouts-perversion-files-20120614,0,5541666.story

Good to hear, Ralston's experience is a great example. There are unfortunately an abundance of examples: Eagle scout does a spur of the moment solo hike in NH White Mts winter/spring thaw, two 14yr scouts with SM get lost hiking from scout camp,... Using examples of those their own age, might alter the following misconceptions: Can't happen (lost, injury) to me. Can't happen to us. Bring along my iPhone and iGoodTaGo Daypack definitely. I pack a little more - be prepared to hunker down for night due to injury, weather, getting lost (who me?). What time of day do most people realize they are lost? Usually later (losing daylight) when they are tired. Also, we as scouts should go into the woods, prepared to help others. Seems obvious but it should be part of trip planning, i.e., SPL notifies local ranger, police, fire of unit trip plan, cell phones, and rescue gear and abilities. "We have maps, compass, GPS. With our training & first aid kit we can.... We have tarp, extra water. Keep us in mind to aid others out there this weekend." When we past other hikers, I ask my scouts do you think that group was prepared for a hike or just a walk in the woods? We might be the only hiking group in miles with a first aid kit! Do you think they might need our help later? As the day goes on, scouts quickly size up other groups and ask 'need water', 'where ya headed',...good feeling helping a young family who unknowingly took the wrong trail and some college jocks bruised from downhill boulder bounding. That should be the last chapter in the MB pamphlet - examples of scouts who have helped others. We want more cases of scouts rescuing others than being rescued themselves. I want the bar set high for this merit badge, starting with reading the pamphlet . My $0.02,

A Boy Scouts of America (Executive?) board member, James Turley, global chairman and CEO of consulting and tax firm Ernst & Young, stated "I support the meaningful work of the Boy Scouts in preparing young people for adventure, leadership, learning and service, however the membership policy is not one I would personally endorse, he said in a statement first reported by CNBC. I intend to continue to work from within the BSA Board to actively encourage dialogue and sustainable progress. http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/13/12201507-boy-scouts-board-member-opposes-anti-gay-policy?lite Apparently Mr. Turley and Mr. Stephenson, AT&T CEO and Chairman and a BSA board member, signed that online petition. Uh, Oh I did not see the new "Uh, Oh" topic thread before I posted.(This message has been edited by RememberSchiff)

You may be right. (a younger) George Takei - Boy Scouts of America commercial. WARNING: RED Berets ahead http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmnLYVNO5EE(This message has been edited by RememberSchiff)

Jamie Foxx, former boy scout, hip, kids know him, very talented, so talented that I doubt he would have the time. He would likely shake-up all the white conservatives who can't figure out how to attract Black, Hispanic, and Asian youth to Scouting. (This message has been edited by RememberSchiff)

bnelon44, I agree the Advancement Chairman/Committee schedule BOR's but there is no "invite" involved, at least not in my experience. The scout signs up for a scheduled BOR or waits for the next BOR. The AC does not chase after scouts who forgot either. As you point out, the scout learns to take responsibility. Another $0.01,

Inconsistent from one section to the next. Is advancement the responsibility of the scout(s) or everyone else? Does the SM have an advancement vision or does the SM help the scout form an advancement vision? Does the scout request/sign-up for a SM conference and BOR or is that an adult responsibility? Advancement is a journey or it is a destination (ranks) that needs to be "maximized" and tallied? Is advancement at the scout's pace, the group's pace, or a set pace, i.e., "practices that will bring each new Boy Scout to First Class rank within a year of joining, and then to Star rank the following year" (p13, item 7)? What crap, I thought we convinced National that FCFY was wrong! So what happens, National comes back with FCFYSSY. Active participation (p21). I do not know of any unit that will advance a scout if he is seriously behind (more than a month) in dues (his responsibility) or did not participate in the unit fundraiser, but this seems a no-no. Low attendance seems okay if a reason is provided, but it does not address attendance and a POR. This needs more thought and clarity. Correct and streamline Unit Advancement Responsibilities. "Build unit programming around advancement"???? Scouts plan the COH. Drop 7. "invite scouts to BOR"??? Drop 12. Some of these are for scouts to do. As for scouts with disabilities, units can discreetly handle requirement accommodations themselves thank you. No need to repeatedly send medical and private personal information to Council for each rank advancement. IMO, KISMIF. Trust the unit leaders to do the right thing, but give the scout (and his parents) a documented simple appeal process to review and fix any misunderstandings or problems be it the scout, the scoutmaster, the advancement chairman, troop program. Oh, and go back to working on ranks in sequence. My $0.01,

Wilderness Survival MB is still broken, WFA content is still not in First Aid MB. Fix both and make both prereqs for a SAR MB, then show me the remaining requirements which should include reading search reports of past lost scouts - what they did right/wrong, expense of search, injuries to all involved,... SAR MB is the right idea just do it right. Imagine Wilderness Survival back in BP's day, I bet scouts would be challenged to survive a solo overnighter (weekend) in each season, find game trails and build snares, or at least use the survival kit they assembled. IMO, more thought and challenge went into Chess MB than the current Wilderness or First Aid MB. My $0.01 for being a grouch

Boy Scouts review controversial anti-gay policy "...Boy Scouts of America spokesman Deron Smith said a resolution to amend the national policy to allow each Scoutings chartered group to set its own standards regarding gay members was turned in by a Scout leader from the Northeast before April 30, the deadline for submitting resolutions to the meeting. He said the resolution was read at the May 31 meeting." http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/06/12086046-boy-scouts-review-controversial-anti-gay-policy?lite

...where part of the profits go to sending kids to their 6 camps Nothing wrong with that, I wonder if each camp has a hockey program, eh? Good coffee (This message has been edited by RememberSchiff)

I can't fault Zach's efforts. I do wonder if his next step is to approach the VFW and the American Legion. That should be interesting. Small steps. My $0.02

Good interview of Zach Wahls, now there's an Eagle Scout. My $0.02 http://video.msnbc.msn.com/msnbc-tv/47616385/#47616385

MSNBC picked up the news story, hurray! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47615409/ns/business-careers/#.T8aU1MVqHQp

http://kgmi.com/To-always-be-prepared-Boy-Scouts-start-welding/12989761?newsId=145838 good article, excerpts below. Scouting should offer strong hands-on vocational merit badges, I remember when schools had "shop" classes to allow students a chance to try carpentry, metalwork, electrical work, plumbing,..good stuff. "More than 140,000 new welders will be needed by 2019 to replace retirees and meet rising demand from natural gas drillers, steel producers, automakers and more, according to the American Welding Society (AWS). The group helped the Boy Scouts of America award its first welding merit badge in March, hoping to offset waning interest in welding due to a cultural focus on four-year liberal arts degrees at the expense of community colleges and trade schools, industry experts say. "The Scouts start realizing that welding could lead to a viable career," said Sam Gentry of the AWS. "It's not just something to fix a fence." Among the roughly 450,000 U.S. welders, the average age is 55, and fewer than 20 percent are under the age of 35, according to AWS data. In addition to the Boy Scouts partnership, the AWS has boosted the amount in scholarships it doles out each year. It also built a $500,000 trailer equipped with "virtual" welding machines with the help of Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc. Last weekend, the machine made a pit stop at the Indianapolis 500 car race to tout the welding profession to young auto fans..." The Boy Scouts have already run out of their first printing of 11,000 welding training manuals, which cost about $5 each. Using the book, which outlines safety procedures, welding techniques and career potential, and through hands-on training in welding, Scouts can earn the badge in as little as 12 hours, the group says. "Boys like discovering things, exploring things with their hands," said Boy Scouts spokeswoman Renee Fairrer. "Something like welding is of interest to boys because it's not necessarily something they see as part of their everyday existence." A representative for the Girl Scouts of the USA wasn't available to comment on a potential welding merit badge for the group's members ..." (This message has been edited by RememberSchiff)

Have him read "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" to his parents. I would wish him happiness and success on HIS trail to HIS life goals. My $0.02

He succeeds Robert Mazzuca, who is retiring at age 65 per the charitys bylaws. At age 63, Mr. Brock, who will take over in September, is approaching the age limit for chief executives. But Wayne Perry, a businessman who has been named the organizations national president and who served on the hiring committee that selected Mr. Brock, said trustees would vote to make an exception to the bylaws so Mr. Brock could serve until he is 67. In an interview with The Chronicle, Mr. Brock said he would focus on increasing the groups membership in the short time he has. What that does is put pressure on me to do it faster and not waste any time, he said. http://philanthropy.com/article/New-Boy-Scouts-CEO-Makes/131942/ I hope so, here's some advice for your two year term; no extension if membership does not increase. 1. local CO option on "eligibility" for membership and uniform. 2. bring back the scout adventure - we educate them and trust them. Managed risk, no adult patrol outings, and wheelbarrows allowed. Add Eagle project option - solo patrol trek. My $0.02

Everything is just fine. Here is Wayne talking about "National Council Effectiveness" For more 2 minute Wayne video blogs on youtube videos search WBtv Wayne Brock If anyone needs me, I will be outside hitting my head against an oak tree. My $0.02(This message has been edited by RememberSchiff)

In NH International Mountain Climbing School http://ime-usa.com/imcs/ Eastern MT. Sports Climbing School http://www.emsexploration.com/climb/amga-single-pitch-instructor-course/ In Maine http://www.acadiamountainguides.com/professional/prof.html

I hear ya. We have some Webs shooting 12 gauge semi's on a local ATA trap team. A few hunt turkey with their dads. We have Cubs who own and shoot their own 22 rifles (Cricket, Mini Bolt 14, CZ). BB at camp is a yawner, they would rather be back swimming at the waterfront.

My cubs would be doing 1 and 2 safely and having FUN. As a pack, we safely do shooting sports outside of scouting. Ditto with the troop which attended a CMP class. Never had a safety issue as none of the NRA or USA Archery instructors or our unit leaders would stand for any nonsense on the range. When other kids are safely doing activities which parents and adult leaders approve but National prohibits, we lose the whole scout family and worsen our chances of attracting more boys to scouting. My $0.02,(This message has been edited by RememberSchiff)

The American Hiking Society (AHS) and the BSA have put together this Volunteer Vacation to work on trail stewardship projects the week of Sept 22-29, 2012. Size: 24 participants Cost: $245 (AHS member) $275 (non AHS member, so if BSA you pay more???) - food included. No mention of BSA medical which seemed odd, but maybe outside groups attending Philmont set their own rules (hmmm...). Less fuss? Registration form: http://www.americanhiking.org/uploadedFiles/2012%20Registration%20Form%20Philmont.pdf?n=9415 Thought I would past this along.

I read Feuer's measure, Assembly Concurrent Resolution 128 that Merlyn mentioned. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_0101-0150/acr_128_bill_20120313_introduced.html I like it. My $0.02 Might as well cut and paste it BILL NUMBER: ACR 128 INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Members Feuer, Atkins, Dickinson, Monning, and Wieckowski MARCH 13, 2012 Relative to Boy Scouts of America. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST ACR 128, as introduced, Feuer. Boy Scouts of America. This measure would recognize, congratulate, and commend the Boy Scouts of America on its 102nd anniversary, and encourage the Boy Scouts of America to accept for membership and leadership positions qualified boys and men without discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or religious belief. Fiscal committee: no. WHEREAS, Since the founding of the Boy Scouts of America, millions of Boy Scouts have taken the experience of scouting and gone on to contribute great things to society; and WHEREAS, A Boy Scout can be followed, as he is a leader in his troop and community, regardless of the scout's race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or disability; and WHEREAS, The list of former Boy Scouts includes diverse role models and leaders; and WHEREAS, A Boy Scout lives honorably, not only because honor is important to him, but because of the significant example he sets for other scouts; and WHEREAS, Loyalty to his troop and brother scouts makes him "pitch-in" and carry his share of the load, recognizing the devotion to his family and the community in which he lives; and WHEREAS, A Boy Scout's courage means standing up for what he believes in without compromising his own beliefs; and WHEREAS, A Boy Scout looks forward to each day, seeking his share of the world's work to do; and WHEREAS, Honor, loyalty, and courage are hallmarks of scouts who admirably represent the community, council, and troop in their daily lives; and WHEREAS, A Boy Scout is helpful in service and will always "be prepared" to put forth his best; and WHEREAS, The character traits represented by Boy Scouts are symbols present in the Boy Scout badge, worn proudly on the uniform, by youth in this state and across the country; and WHEREAS, It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to serve others by helping to instill values in young people, and in other ways to prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime in achieving their full potential; and WHEREAS, The values that the Boy Scouts of America strives to instill are found in the Boy Scout Oath and Law; and WHEREAS, Boy Scouts are required to abide by the Scout Law and Scout Oath, which proudly uses such terms as "honor," "trustworthy," and "loyal"; and WHEREAS, Many Boy Scouts have been forced to hide their identity in contradiction to the Scout Mission, Law, and Oath, and Boy Scouts and scout leaders who were open about their sexual orientation have been expelled from scouting; and WHEREAS, The policy of the Boy Scouts of America to bar from membership or leadership positions otherwise qualified individuals solely on the basis of their sexual orientation or religious belief causes harm to the innumerable boys and men such as James Dale who, regardless of their hard work and merits, are denied the opportunity to participate in any way in the Boy Scouts of America; and WHEREAS, Many former Boy Scouts have left scouting and formed their own advocacy organization, Scouting for All, in an effort to bring the values of scouting to youth without discrimination; and WHEREAS, The discriminatory policy of the Boy Scouts of America is contrary to the policy of the State of California; and WHEREAS, Other similar organizations such as the Girl Scouts, Camp Fire USA, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America serve as role models for the Boy Scouts of America because they do not discriminate against youth and adults; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature does hereby recognize, congratulate, and commend the Boy Scouts of America on its 102nd anniversary; and be it further Resolved, That the Legislature encourages the Boy Scouts of America to accept for membership and leadership positions all qualified boys and men, without discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or religious belief; and be it further Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution. (This message has been edited by RememberSchiff)

For us it has varied depending on scout interest in their destination troop program, anywhere from Jan to Feb Blue & Gold. The Jan group were eager to prepare for a spring vacation troop trek. If the troop program (spring and summer activities) is so uninteresting that scouts want to stay Webelos longer, then look at another troop. My $0.02,

My guess the Bear Titan Youth Recurve simple, fairly rugged, cheap starter bow $35-50 (usually green color limbs) wraparound arrow shelf so lefties can use the same bow too (usually shelf wears down) one bow with bow length, draw length and weight are in the right average range for age group look like Cub Scout bows to older scouts Jump up to the $80-100 range - takedown recurves - Polarisl, Mohegan, maybe PSE Junior - cooler looking - becomes an inventory issue. Need separate RH and LH bows, different limb lengths, different draw weights But as mentioned finding the deal is key. You should google "archery kits school program" as there was/is a group NASP or USArchery that gave a good deal on a kit of bows, arrows, targets... Qwazse - I like your ideas! My $0.02,