scoutingagain

I'm not an accountant nor do I play one. But, I believe the $0.35/mile is for unreimbursed business expenses. It may be up to $0.37/mile. The $0.14/mile is for travel expenses incurred while performing work for a charity. In, fact as I recall, one of the examples in one tax preparation document I saw was tranporting scouts on weekends. Perhaps a "real" accountant can verify the above. SA

The only time we have ever provided reimbursement for expenses a scouter incurred was last year when we went Gettysburg and drivers drove over 1000 miles roundtrip. The cost of the trip included a charge for transportation that was split up among the drivers and it was applied to all who went, scouts and adults. In the past on shorter trips, drivers bore the entire cost of transportation. My personal feeling is adult scouters should pay their own way with respect to personal expenses such as uniforms, training, food, event participation, etc. They should not be subsidized by the boys.

I feel like TwoCub. Please read my last post as sarcasm. The point I was trying to make is that the idea of having cool impractical stuff that maybe a little dangerous is hardly limited to 12 year olds. BTW, I drive an SUV as well, when I can get it away from my wife. I recognize though that it is more dangerous than a standard car and drive accordingly. Recognizing the hazard is more than half the battle. I would have no problem if a scout had a sheath knife and used it appropriately. SA

Welcome 2Eagle. Hmmm. So sheath knives are cool and that's why scouts have them? How juvenile. Would this phenomenon be similar to ... say one who drove a hugh 4WD SUV that, while it does meet certain needs on rare occaisions, primarily functions to make the owner/driver look/feel cool, even though it is well documented they are more dangerous to drive, cause more serious injuries in accidents besides being hugh consumers of fuel? Perhaps we should suggest a prohibition on SUVs and large pickups in the G2SS and mandate all scouters drive very practical mid-sized mini-vans wi

I personally believe our current President cares deeply about our service men and women as does his opponent. However, I also believe the President has led us into the war and situation in Iraq based on at best, faulty intelligence provided by self serving exiles, and at worst fabricated intelligence provided by self serving exiles and some folks in the administration knew it was fabricated. Regardless of how we got there, we are now in a position where we have to stay and finish the job. We cannot leave until there is a stable and secure government in Iraq that can defend itself and pr

Here's an interesting article about a Church's right to hold Baptism ceremonies in a public park. Which side do you think the ACLU is defending? http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&ncid=519&e=14&u=/ap/20040602/ap_on_re_us/baptism_ban Were you correct in guessing which side the ACLU was on? SA

Just some other ideas. While not "whitewater" trips, there are many river float trips available for younger scouts. We also do ski/snowshoe trips in the winter. We just did a break-in backpacking trip. Just 1.5 miles, but something different for scouts that were essentially car campers. Not sure how far away you are, but last summer we spent 3 days at Gettysburg. It was a great trip for scouts/scouters of all ages and all earned the Historic Trails Medal. We're from Massachusetts and it was a 7 hour ride. There were troops there from Michigan, Georgia, and Kansas as we

We have no prohibition against matches or lighters. The scouts are expected to use them responsibly, as they are expected to use all equipment. If it is observed theitem is being abused or used in a dangerous way, an adult will step forward and confiscate the item. It's usually a lighter, not matches that are a problem. I like BW's interpretation of lighters though. SA

As I understand the knot in question, it simply means a scout could approach a scouter to discuss issues of his sexuality without fear of being "ratted out" and removed from scouting. It would not be unusual for a young person to approach a trusted adult, i.e. a scoutmaster, with respect to a topic they might find uncomfortable discussing with their parents, regardless of what permissions have or have not been granted. Has anyone had this experience? I personally would be uncomfortable discussing the issue with a scout and would try and refer him to a pastor or guidance counse

Just a couple of thoughts for now. Just because someone disagrees with the President or current policies does not make them unpatriotic, liberal or even a Democrat. There are a number of retired military officers that have spoken out against the war in Iraq that would hardly qualify as unpatriotic, liberal or Democrat. General Joseph Hoar USMC (ret.), Commander of US Central Command under the first President Bush has been highly critical of the Iraq war, as have others. We do have the finest military in the world. Our civilian leaders might do a better job if they listened t

"There were of course tales of great bravery and valor, tales of hardship and rationing. " Whenever I've met someone who is a member of this generation I always ask what they were doing between the years of 1939 - 1945. No matter who you talk to you get facinating tales. I've talked to: Women who worked in shipyards, on farms, served overseas. Folks who ran halfway across China from the invading Japanese. Slightly younger men who entered flight school or officer candidate schools that were dissappointed they didn't get into the war. A man who flew fighter planes

Yes we should all just get along if possible. But if it helps feel free to post any snide comments regarding the fellow here on the forum and vent. While we may read them, his wife won't overhear them and continue the cycle. SA

I add my prayers and condolences as well. Loss of a young life is always tragic and difficult to deal with. I wish you and the scout's family peace. SA

TP, As NJ says, very creative. I agree that it is likely Germany would have won WWI without a united USA. However, what does a continental superpower Germany do after WWI. Does it threaten USA and CSA interests abroad? Who provides a balance to a growing Soviet threat? Do the USA and CSA align to face a foreign threat from Japan? Do they reconcile and get back together realizing they actually need each other for security or form a North American Treaty Organization? Without WWII is the Nuclear Bomb ever developed? Are either alone, competitive in a growing world economy or does eac

"Who knows....if Chamberlain wasn't atop Little Round Top, if Picket had tore down those split rail fences the night before, if JEB Stuart was doing his job correctly... " TP, Good question. While our Troop was at Gettysburg last summer I found myself wondering some of the same things. In particular, I wondered about what turns history would have taken had the South successfully established a separate state. Would the Confeerates have been satified with a separate state or would they have continued to conquer the North? What would have happened in WWI? Would we in America been a

While I have not travelled extensively for several years, I did travel overseas a moderate amount 5 - 10 years ago. My experience was similar to Herms. I have always been welcomed and treated warmly as an American where ever I went, including Saudia Arabia, Bahrain, and Mainland China. I am not convinced the world hates us. I do believe a majority of the world may disagree with some of our current administration's foreign policy actions. I would not be suprised if even a majority of Americans disagreed with some of our actions around the world.(Recall our current President did not get

While I share the desire for this scout to slow down and enjoy the journey, I agree that if he has met the requirements as described in the literature, he has earned the rank. In this instance, it sounds as if the BOR may have overstepped their authority. BW's advice in this instance seems pretty sound to me. SA

I actually believe the current administration more than this article. Rumsfeld has already said there were no links between Saddam and 9/11. SA

For those that just have to have more power...ur...ur...ur, the technology that Toyota and GM is looking at for larger engines appears to be relatively close to being implemented. I read where GM will be offering what they call "variable displacement engines" this year on their larger trucks. As I understand it, a computer monitors the drag on the engine and shuts down cylinders when less power is needed and turns them back on when drag increases and more power is required. Supposedly the driver would be not able to tell the difference compared to today's engines, but fuel economy would

VentureScout, Glad to hear good things about High Knoll, we have reservations for summer of 2005. Good luck in NH. I've been in New England for thirty years now and have made at least 6 attempts to climb Mt. Washington. Every time I've been turned back by weather near the summit. Mt. Washington is notorious for having some of the worst weather on the continent. Wind speeds have been recorded over 200mph. I'll admit I've never tried in mid-summer though. Hope your ready for a challenge. SA

OXCOPS, No I don't think you're being unreasonable at all, based on what you've told us. Unfortunately I don't set the budget priorties for your council. Unfortunately, once in a while you have to let it hit the fan, for folks to take notice. In your case, I would rather have "it" be the closing of the course for a season rather than a serious injury. I personally hope you get the money you need. SA

OXCOPS, If the upgrades you are seeking are for safety related issues, I would be inclined to be very forthcoming with the council. Let them know that unless certain items are upgraded, you will not put youth and other participants at risk and will be forced to shut down portions of the course or maybe the entire course. Then do it if the money doesn't come. If the upgrades are to expand the course and make it better, well the best you may be able to do is make the best argument you can and let the chips fall. The council (in theory) sets it's financial priorities based on what

Welcome newscoutdad to the forum and scouting. The previous responses have dealt pretty well with the specifics of your situation. I just wanted to add a note about pinewood derby's and raingutter regattas and competitions in general. I've participated in 7 years of pinewood derbys with my two sons. In those 7 years we have had only one car finish in the money. Even without the rule issues you faced, I have seen many boys crushed when their car loses a tight race. This level of competition is tough for Cub age boys, especially Tigers, but they all bounce back. Emphasize to

Out Troop does not sing on it's own but will during summer camp or a Camporee Campfire when led by someone else. However, on our last campout we did break into a collective whistle of the theme from "The Bridge On the River Kwai" while hiking in. I was pleasantly suprised. There may be hope for a song or two yet. SA

How about Barry "Better Hitting Through Chemistry" Bonds? I wonder how mountainboarding will hold up. In the 70's ski areas trying to push summer use came up with grass skiing. Turned out people didn't care for falling on grass as compared to snow and the sport never really took off. SA