scoutldr

This deserves a bump...finally I feel validated, as I have been observing and thinking the same things for years, as I deal with scouts, parents, and co-workers who are "helicopter parents". We are creating a society of narcissistic morons who can't do anything for themselves.

Scouting is a way of life. "Be Prepared" "On my honor, I will do my best" "to help other people at all times" "Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, etc" And I can survive in the wilderness, swim, paddle, ride, hike, climb, make a compass or use a GPS, teach, cook, sew, launder, clean, change diapers, read, write, speak publicly, perform first aid, change my own oil, work hard, play hard, and be honest in all things. Everything I have, I worked for and paid for myself. I've not taken a dime of charity or govt handouts. Nearly 100% of this I learned from Scouting (maybe not the diaper part!). Scouting provides the tools to make a productive, responsible adult. And I raised two sons the same way to pay it forward. It's one thing to go to meetings, do what you're told and receive badges. It's what you do the other 95% of your time that counts.

From the NOAA National Weather Service: An Approaching Thunderstorm: When to Seek Safe Shelter: Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from area where it is raining. That's about the distance you can hear thunder. If you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance. Seek safe shelter immediately. Outdoor Activities: Minimize the Risk of Being Struck: Most lightning deaths and injuries occur in the summer. Where organized outdoor sports activities take place, coaches, camp counselors and other adults must stop activities at the first roar of thunder to ensure everyone time to get a large building or enclosed vehicle. Leaders of outdoors events should have a written plan that all staff are aware of and enforce. Indoor Activities: Things to Avoid: Inside building, stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity. Stay away from pools, indoor or outdoor, tubs, showers and other plumbing. Buy surge suppressors for key equipment. Install ground fault protectors on circuits near water or outdoors. When inside, wait 30 minutes after the last strike, before going out again.

At least the appearance would be more "uniform" than it is now! But cold in the winter!!!

I already don't like it...

Much better!!! Thank you!!!

What galls me are the rates they charge Councils to advertise their council camps...we only did it once...couldn't afford it. I could send 30 boys to camp for a week for the cost of one ad (one issue).

So, the bottom line answer for CNY is that his BOR can do whatever they want...if he doesn't like it, appeal to district. Of course, for the future, it would be wise to meet with the Committee ahead of time and nail down expectations and procedures, to avoid any last minute surprises for the scout.

Where did we get the notion that Education should be a function of Government?

Handbook vs. manual? The word "manual" means "of or related to the hands" (Latin - manus). As in "manual labor". I would say they are the same.

"Im curious; perhaps someone can tell in what manual or where in the training material it says this? I have been told advancement doesn't count until the advancement forms are turned in to the council office so it would seem to me that these are the record." Sorry I can't quote chapter and verse. Perhaps your council registrar can clarify. I think the point is that if there is ever a dispute or question (such as verifying the Eagle application), the signed book is the final determinant for rank advancements. Advancement "counts" upon successful completion of the BOR. The advancement report just records it in Scoutnet. If the Eagle app matches what's in Scoutnet, your app is approved. If one of our scouts loses a book, we make him get a new one and get everything resigned in the new book. (not redo the requirements, just get them signed). As Ed said, it's the Scout's responsibility to maintain his own records such as book, blue cards, etc. Part of the Advancement method is teaching initiative and responsibility.

Scouting is a "game"...BP himself called it that. "BSA will happily grant a charter to a unit that doesn't do a lick of advancement, or that runs everything as a whole troop (and remember, in da BSA program literature, MC's wear civilian attire more often than not!). Internationally, Scoutin' is a movement that has some common themes and character, but every scouting organization implements it in different ways - recognizable ones, but different." In general, I agree with this philosophy. However, when my relatively small troop fails to submit an advancement report for more than a month, we are "flagged" as a unit in trouble by the District Advancement chair, and the "Rescue Squad" (Commissioner) is notified (as if they can do anything about it). No one checks if we're in uniform or not, nor do they care if we go camping. All they care about is membership, advancement FOS, and popcorn...not necessarily in that order.

As we learned in basic training, the signed book is the official record. All other forms of advancement records are just duplicates. The BOR member was within his rights, however the night of the BOR is not the time to spell out expectations.

I have lots of opinions, but not being a Wood Badger, (as opposed to a plastic badger?)...I'll keep them to myself.

"The BSA represents traditional American values. There seem to be some in this society who want to replace those with radical "progressive" measures." I grew up in the 50's and 60's. Some "traditional American values" back then were: "Separate but equal" schools Laws against mixed race marriage "Coloreds only" drinking fountains Black and Filipino mess stewards (Navy) Gender restricted occupations (nurses, stewardesses, teachers, ministers) Blue laws (no businesses open on Sundays) No liquor by the drink (bottle clubs) Sen. Joe McCarthy Philandering Presidents (OK, so that hasn't changed) My point is that the definition of "traditional values" changes over time. It used to be a sin to expose a woman's ankles. Now you can go to the beach and see whatever you want! I have asserted before that the BSA's steadfast refusal to rethink their exclusionary policy will be their demise, due in large part to being held hostage by the larger chartering organization groups.

"Yes, but I also know Professionals who: - Have earned Arrow of Light as a youth... - Are Eagle Scouts - Have earned their Religious Award... - Are/have been Scoutmasters in their own home Troops..." I would say that Scouters can wear anything that they have legitimately earned and are entitled to. However a fresh-caught DE may not want to come across looking like a North Korean General, and his/her boss (SE) may impart some guidance on that. Perhaps maintain two shirts if they are also volunteering in a unit.

Back in the dark ages (1980's) I was a Cubmaster for 5 years. I once had a mother call me and demanded to speak to my "Supervisor" because she had some complaints about how I was running the Pack. So I handed the phone to my wife. The application thing works well...as soon as I let them know that JOhnny won't have a den unless she signs on the dotted line, I generally never heard back from them. My favorite response..."Well I don't have time for THAT...I WORK full time!"

No problems here, either home or at work. The site is slower than most, and sometimes times out, but I'm learning to live with it.

The SM's primary role is to train the junior leaders to run the troop. The first step to getting trained is to show up. If they show up and are making the effort, the SM needs to counsel and bring them up to speed. If they are MIA, or willfully set a bad example through conduct, they should be removed.

To use an analogy, this is like volunteering to coach a youth baseball team where the kids don't want to take their turn in the outfield. Explain to them that it takes all 9 positions to field a team. Without it, it just isn't baseball. And since you are volunteering your time to coach "baseball", their desires don't match with how you are willing to spend your free time. Give them a week to make a decision. Don't discount the newbies. Maybe one of them will step up and put the rest to shame. You are doing this for them...if they don't want it, spend your time elsewhere. Life's too short.

Sorry if my language was a bit strong...but this is something I feel strongly about. I agree, discarded water bottles are just as bad, but not nearly as prevalent. In fact, the news this weekend reported that the City of San Francisco has banned the purchase of bottled water by city departments. Reasons stated are litter, and the oil it consumes to make a plastic bottle that ends up in the landfill. Tap water is just as good, if not better quality. I grew up in the 50's and 60's with both parents smoking. Dad died at 69 of lung cancer and Mom at 70 of a heart attack and diabetes. My sister and I were subjected to 8 hour road trips in the Pontiac Star Chief with the windows rolled up, choking on second hand smoke. I can't tell you how many times I heard, "shut up, it's none of your business." Well, now I'm in my 50's and it IS my business because their habit has unalterably changed my life. I'm far from perfect and have my share of bad habits. But I don't smoke, litter, speed, or use my cell phone while driving. I don't do anything that knowingly will cause risk, harm, grief or pain (emotional, financial or physical) to my kids or anyone else one day. Smokers can't say that. My MIL finally went cold turkey when she had to be on oxygen 24/7 and she would immolate herself if she lit up. So it IS possible, in spite of what she said for 50 years. I just wish she had quit wheen she still had lungs; her days would be spent enjoying her grandkids instead of just concentrating on her next breath and wondering when her heart will give out from the cardiovascular strain. I mean no offense to anyone here. I'm venting, and realize I have no choice but to "deal with it". But I do wish smokers would look beyond their own nose and realize what their choices can do to others. If the decision is to keep smoking, then they are saying, "I don't care what it does to my family, MY pleasure is more important and this is what I want."

The first National Jamboree was planned for 1935, but had to be cancelled due to the polio epidemic. The Jamboree was rescheduled for 1937. Your troop probably didn't "move councils", however councils have merged and changed boundaries over the years, making records searches impossible in many areas. I think a troop history is important, and I wish we had kept better records over the past 15 years of our charter. A troop with 80 years of continuous charter is worth celebrating! Congratulations!

So, how does one go about getting some of these original B-P ashes?

www.litterbutt.com I'm with ya, Vicki. Every day, I want to jump out of my car and pick up the lit butt and toss it back into their car...but I would probably be charged with assault. But, for some reason, smokers think they can assault MY environment. When I'm stopped at a light and see the thousands of butts littering the curb, I am incensed and disgusted. Whenever we have a family gathering, I have to go out in my front yard and pick up the butts that my brothers-in-law tossed, since we don't allow smoking in the house. I'll go ahead and say it...most smokers are inconsiderate morons. Sorry, but that's my observation.

We are talking like the CC hires and fires the SM. Did I miss that memo?