scoutldr

SATs are a farce, as far as I'm concerned. They don't get "easier"...but they do "recenter" the grading scale every coupla years, so that the students at the crest of the bell curve get 1000. Those who got 1200 SATs back in the 70s would score off the scale today...it ain't apples and oranges. All it does is compare your performance to those sitting for the test the same year you did, with 1000 being the mean. In my state, we have "SOL" tests (I guess because that's what you are if you don't pass them!). "Standards of Learning". When I was in 3rd grade (1963), our teacher taught us French, because she was from Canada and thought being bilingual was important. I still remember some of it. That would never happen today...no time to be creative in the classroom, because we have to pass the SOLs so that the administrators get their raise.

"The council doesn't pop in to do a spot-check on your compliance with policies - be they G2SS, uniforming, or advancement." Isn't that what a Unit Commissioner should be doing? And how can a 13 year old be a member of a Sea Scout ship? I thought the ages were 14-21? (This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Hops, even the non-smokers breathe on your food. I agree, handwashing is the singular most effective thing we can teach scouts. Food handling safety is an inherent part of Cooking MB...which is no longer Eagle required. Go figure.

Sounds like he hasn't "finished everything"...the Scout Spirit requirement hasn't been completed. How has he completed his POR if he doesn't come to meetings?(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Our policy is "no school, no scouts"...we meet weekly on Monday except when there's a school holiday. We do not meet the Monday following a campout.

It's "Noro-virus", CDC shorthand for "Norwalk-like", the virus that haunts cruise ships. When I worked in a shipyard, I got to board a cruise ship (which shall remain nameless) that came in for emergency repairs. The dirtiest, nastiest place on board was by far the galley. I will never take a cruise, or if I do, I will take my own food and drink only bottled libations.

There's a lot about this story that doesn't add up. The original post stated that the units would not be rechartered. But their website still shows a schedule of regular meetings...and a "Xmas Party" next week. If they were the only adults registered, and their membership was revoked, who is holding these meetings?

MRSA (methycillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) is a product of germophobes, those of us who would be rushed off to the Dr at the first sniffle for a "penicillin shot", even though viruses do not respond to antibiotics. Doctors would be between a rock and a hard spot trying to deny patients their "treatment"...it's bad for business. In grad school (Public Health), we learned about a study that showed that a patient's satisfaction with their Doctor directly correlated to the number of prescription slips that they walked out with. MRSA is found in most of our noses...only in a few people it takes hold and causes an infection. That's why handwashing and personal hygiene is so important. Closing a school and disinfecting every surface is mainly a PR move...as soon as the kids come back in, the germ is back. The downfall of mankind will not be from terrorists or global warming. We will be wiped out by "superbugs" that we have created by our over-use of medications and "antibiotic" products. Coupled with the fact that today's kids are raised in a sterile enviroment, not getting the chance to wallow in the dirt developing antibodies to common microbes.

I'm not a lawyer...so caveat emptor. I have always heard of the "reasonable man" theory. That the courts will consider, "what would a reasonable man of sound mind and body" be expected to do in a civilized society. For your consideration: a "Reasonable Scouter" is one who has taken the training for his position, has at least read the G2SS for the activity he is embarking upon, will not take unreasonable risks with his or other's lives, will follow all laws and applicable BSA policies, and will know his own physical limitations and those of the kids in his charge. Not doing so would be considered "negligent". Did I miss anything?

I have an idea!!! Let's make little metal loops that they can wear on their belts...we can call them "Skill Awards"!!!

Sorry for the duplicate post...I didn't notice Ohio_Scouter's entry in the other thread.

NORTH COLLEGE HILL, Ohio (AP) -- Two Boy Scouts and their fathers selling Christmas trees were knocked to the ground by three men with sawed-off shotguns who took about $350, police in this Cincinnati suburb said. Both adults and one boy also were punched. "At first I thought it was just a little joke, but then, when I saw the gun, I was terrified," said John Hancock Jr., 13, of Troop 393. "And after I saw the gun this guy just punched me right here and it knocked me down," the boy said, pointing to his face. The men were last seen running down a nearby street after the robbery Monday night. "They were gutsy enough to not have masks and stupid enough to hit a kid," said police Sgt. Robert Kidd. "What kind of man hits a kid?" A business owner has offered to replace the boys' money.

The standard Boy Scout pocket knife that we all know and love is still for sale on www.scoutstuff.org ...the National Supply web site. Still a bargain at $12.99.

I don't think the building is for sale. That would be too easy.

I need to remove that little purple patch anyway...need to make room for more square knots. I can't afford to go to World Jamborees anyway.

From what I have been able to glean, the WOSM is apparently spending millions on a new "World Scout Center" in Geneva, complete with hotel and conference center. The BSA found out about this and feels that our millions of dollars could be better used elsewhere, like for supporting Scouting in third world countries, but this decision was made unilaterally and without much discussion. Therefore the BSA is witholding our significant contribution to WOSM until changes are made in the leadership and governance policies to make them more transparent and participatory. Again, just my perception of what I read.

Welcome to our forum, helper2. It would be helpful if you told us a little about yourself, so we know in what context to take your comments. I don't know about other countries, but the BSA is a private corporation. It never pretends to be a "democracy", any more than companies like General Motors or Microsoft. As volunteers, we are "customers" of the corporation, not really "members" as we are labeled, with a voice in the corporate decision-making. Our only real power as individuals with BSA is to quit supporting it with our dollars and time.

Must be a lot of people on pain meds on this forum! :-)

"Asma noted that her mother had asked whether she was joining some Christian cabal. She was afraid that if we hang out with Americans too much, the young immigrant said, it will change our culture or who we are." I'm confused...if you don't want your kids to "hang out with Americans", then why the heck are you in this country? Sheesh.

"I've asked many times to have a fundraiser specifically for uniforms, but the CM doesn't feel that's important. Do I have to have his permission?" The decision to have a fundraiser is up to the Pack Committee, not the CM. It must also be approved by the COR and the Council. You could contact your Pack Committee Chair and volunteer to organize the fundraiser. The CM really doesn't get a "vote" in this. (I realize this is the "book" answer...it sounds like your Pack leadership is in desperate need of training, to learn the "BSA" way of doing things. This is where your Unit Commissioner should be helping out and "mentoring" in a friendly sort of way. As a DL, you really don't have much power, other than to volunteer to help do things the "right" way.)

The main thing that bothers me in your post is the statement "he agreed to stop hitting the boys"... Thank God you got him to agree. Corporal punishment has no place in Scouting...even in Mississippi...even if the parents give their "permission"...even if the public schools "allow" it. There is zero tolerance for child abuse and hazing in the BSA. I assume all of your leaders have taken the required Youth Protection training? It's available free on-line.

I thought to devolve was what one did when one arrives at their destination in their Volvo.

Right you are, OGE...the 70s are just a blur now....sorry, George.

And a partial score...New York - 7. From my mariner friends:"Now here this...stand by to stand by. There will be no Beano." Weather for tonight...widely scattered dark. (With apologies to Steve Martin as the Hippy Dippy Weatherman)

Nothing wrong with asking a Scout to tie a bowline. Just don't do it during the BOR.