scoutingagain

I stumbled on this site looking for backpacking trips in southern New England. They describe a number of trails, itineraries some include maps. Sorry, don't know how to insert as a link. You'll have to copy and paste it into the address window of your browser. We hope to try one of these in the spring as a shake down for High Knoll. SA http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/gmfl/green_mountain/recreation_management/backpacking/index.htm

It's Me said, "And once the ACLU wins the direct funding they will argue that the BSA cannot use public lands, parks or roads because the said use of these properties is the establishment of religion. " Very doubtful. The ACLU is smart enough to know they would lose so I don't believe they would make the argument. In fact the ACLU has already successfully represented private religious organizations and their right to access public lands and parks. SA

All inquiries regarding why BSA units are not allowed to be sponsored by any agency of the government, schools, DOD, or whatever, should be refered to the last two posts by NJ and OGE. If folks don't get it after reading those two posts, well... I don't believe it can be explained any better. SA

Whitewater, With all due respect, the difference is anyone who wishes to play chess can join the chess club. If there were a religious basis for membership of the chess club, it too would be in violation of the 1st amendment. Can anyone who wishes to participate in scouting join a Pack or a Scout Troop? Obviously no and I'm not saying they should. But it is just as obvious, at least to me, that if we are going to have a private organization that is open only to those that meet the membership criteria we specifiy, we should not expect support in the form of direct sponsorship from

Good discussion and thanks for the advice. Keeping my fingers crossed that the scout will pass the swim test next month and the issue is moot. SA

I understand the issues related to actual advancement to First Class and the requirements to participate in canoeing or whitewater activities. They make sense to me. However is there any consideration for those scouts that wish to participate in High Adventure camps that do not involve water activities, but require a scout to achieve the First Class rank prior to participation? I don't know that I'm in that situation yet, but I have a scout that struggled through the second class swimming requirements last summer and has signed up for a High Adventure activity this summer that requires

"On a personal level, it was on my 25th birthday that I realized that life might be a more long-term thing than I had thought. " I believe it was Neil Young that wrote..."24 and there's so much more." SA

scoutscooter, I am very sorry for your experience. I would hope this troop represents a small minority of troops. In our area, I am not aware of a single troop in our District that discourages women from participating. There are women Scoutmasters, Asst. Scoutmasters, Committee Members and parents that choose to camp. Personally I think it is unfortunate that National allows this type of discrimination to continue, but Charter Organizations can choose to not allow women to be leaders if they want to. They cannot keep parents from attending functions. Your SM seems to be aware o

OK nldscout, I'll play along and respond. What violations did he commit? Assuming this was a scout outing (it was on a scout camp) he violated the 2 deep leadership requirement for all outings. Did the boys sleep in different rooms than the DAD? Don't know. Ironically at our council camp the winter cabins are all one room cabins and Dads(multiple,never just one) routinely sleep in the same room as scouts, we have even had some Moms join us. Just wondering how many other council camps have one room cabins. Was he one on one with the boys? Not when Eam

I understand there is a difference between two deep leadership and no one-on-one contact. However I believe there is a practicle difference say, between a meeting with new scouts, a troop guide and an adult leader in a separate room in a meeting hall for an hour while the rest of a troop meets elsewhere in the same building versus an adult taking a group of boys camping by himself for a weekend. To me an adult that wants to take boys camping by himself in knowing violation of BSA policy is a hugh red flag and the seriousness of the violation needs to be imparted to the individual involved. I

Capture the Flag? Hmmm, that starts with "C", rymes with "P" which rymes with "T" and that stands for "trouble".. right here in River City! Why we'd better start a scout troop to save our youth, take them to summer camp, where they can learn to play poker with chips of no nominal value to stay out of trouble.... except poker start with "P" and that rymes with "T"...when will the madness end. SA PS. A poor attempt at humor. Absolutely no offense toward any poster or response is intended.

I tend to agree with some of the others. I don't see anything wrong with playing a card game, hearts, poker or black jack, and keeping score as long as the activity does not interfere with participation in other camp programs. What card game does not include an element of chance or luck? Does keeping score constitute gambling? SA

This was a very tragic situation. More so because it was completely avoidable. It does provide a great lesson to be learned for those organizations (in and out of scouting) that should understand and practice the safety afloat guidelines in the G2SS. From the article is seems like a number of major items were not addressed. This is just so sad. SA

The G2SS and YP Guidelines are not there just to protect scouts, although that is their primary purpose. They also protect adult leaders. I would point out to the individual that yes he violated one of the rules, and that by doing so he opens himself up to potential accusations that he probably does not want to consider. How would he feel if a digruntled youth started spreading stories about what Mr. X had him do on an outing? Or how does he think it looks to other adults that he, a grown adult, wants to take a group of boys into the woods by himself? Ask him if he has enough $$ to hi

Eamonn, As a father who just went through a similar situation with my older son, I understand your angst. My wife and I vigourously enforced the legal requirements of our state, limiting the time our new driver could drive and who was allowed to ride in his car even though these laws are very poorly enforced in our area.(In Massachusetts 16 year olds may not drive after midnight and are not allowed to have other teens in the car unless there is an adult >21, the only exception is siblings) We did break down and allow him to have a car of his own during his senior year in HS. He was

Like others have said, I think you'll "sense" if you've run into an Eagle mill or not. During your visit is the emphasis on: The outdoor program, where the troop goes camping, the types of camping trips they go on, personal and leadership development, boy leadership, skills learned, community service, summer camp, etc? Or do they talk about the number of Eagle scouts the troop produces? Merit badges they work on? How fast your Webelos will advance? Just some thoughts. Good luck. SA

Warning, this link is a bit sobering. It is not directly scout related, but I thought I'd share it with this forum as many of us have sons/daughters who have either just gotten a driver's license or will shortly, or there are youth members in that catagory. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=677&e=24&u=/usatoday/20050301/bs_usatoday/deadlyteenautocrashesshowapattern SA

On any given outing, of those items taken in pairs, i.e. socks, gloves, mittens, sneakers, a minimum of at least on item will return as a single. SA

I would go with propane. We get along with propane fine here in New England and that includes some below zero nights in the winter. Butane on the other hand is another issue. In fact our council summer camp does not allow the use of liquid fuel stoves or lanterns because of the safety concerns. The only exception to the above would be if you do a lot of backpacking. The propane cylinders can be heavy and bulky compared to carrying small bottles of liquid fuel. But there should be no problem using propane in cold weather unless your headed to Canada in January or February. S

What about "Philadelphia" with Tom Hanks? Kidding guys, I'm just kidding. Hmm, a person or group having a positive effect on the community?.... "Blazing Saddles!" SA

VA, Your not going to like this, but my suggestion is to teach knots. There was a young scout in the troop I serve that could barely do knots. He was very discouraged about knots. Sure he managed to remember them sufficiently at the time to make second and first class, but even he admitted he never mastered them. ...Until he was asked to take on the role of Troop Guide. He was forced to learn knots, and help the new scouts learn them. He now knows his knots better than most. If you want to learn something, teach it. Pick at least two of the knots you don't know well and ag

The site below has a great safety video for those involved with winter camping, the outdoors in winter or near frozen lakes, ponds, etc. Thought it was worth sharing with you all. SA http://www.exn.ca/video/?Video=exn20020325-icewater.asx

The Blue Ridge Mountain area must be popular. Based on some suggestions in this forum, we'll be headed to the High Knoll Trail this summer. SA

I've come to the conclusion VA Ordeal could teach the rest of us something about civil discussion of politics. SA

Back to the intial issue: VAOrdeal, First of all I think it's great that you and your fellow scouts discuss the issue of the war or any other political issue. It shows all of you care about your country and its direction and leadership, regardless of which point of view anyone expresses. That's a much better position to be in than just apathetic. My guess is all of you are much likely to grow up to be voters and community leaders rather than stand on the sidelines of life and for your caring enough to discuss the issues you should be commended. You are also to be commended for n