scoutldr

Not sure what patch you are referring to...the Centennial Quality Unit award will be worn on the right sleeve in place of the Quality Unit patch. It has no rockers, to my knowledge.

I have to agree, I think summer camp is too busy to also try to do an ordeal. "Callouts", (tapouts were outlawed years ago), happen at the campfire, but Ordeals are separate weekends, twice a year. There is so much that happens at an Ordeal, that I think the intended purpose of the Ordeal would be diluted and the candidates distracted in a summer camp setting. In our Lodge, the Ordeal weekend is also a camp work weekend for Lodge members...the Spring weekend is focused on getting camp ready for the summer. We also do the ice cream social thing one night at camp, where all Arrowmen wear their uniforms with sashes.

As we say, grab a log and a cuppa coffee and join the campfire! We are good people, every one of us. Sometimes the tempers and opinions fly, but that's because we all share this passion called Scouting and we all want it to succeed and flourish.

It's interesting to me that, in spite of the BSA trying hard since it's origins NOT to look like a paramilitary organization, the Sea Scouts still wear a Navy uniform. In fact, the BSA does not produce SS uniforms, they are authorized to buy them from the Navy. Only the insignia are different. So, if the SS are not a "military" organization, why do they want to look like one? Couldn't they wear the Venturing uniform and still do the same activities? If kids want to learn the history and traditions of the Navy and look like Sailors, they can join the Sea Cadets or NJROTC. That being said, I think the SS are a wonderful organization steeped in tradition. I'm just trying to figure out the mixed messages.

Per BSA advancement requirements, Den Chief is on the approved list as a POR. The SM does not decide this. If a Scout wants to be a Den Chief and the Pack approves, he's in. If he goes to DC training, he can wear the TRAINED strip as well. If the Troop will not give him a position patch, the Pack can present it. If the SM will not give him advancement credit for a POR, you can appeal to the District Advancement Committee. I have a hard time with these leaders who think they can make up their own rules, especially when it comes to advancement requirements.

Could be that the troop doesn't know there are different versions of the kit available. I certainly didn't until reading it here. I much prefer my sterling Eagle medal from 1970 to the present version, which looks cheap and more "stylized".

Where do you get them new brooms? We could use one.

Good question! I don't have a clue, but I think this points out the dilemma of having two different definitions of "adult" in the Scouting program. I have never seen a rational explanation for the double standard. PS: The other requirement is that a candidate must be approved by his SM to be elected.

Ahhh thanks for the explanation. I think we called it "geedunk" back in the 60's. Or maybe that was the trading post...aka "geedunk stand". Now, our troop calls it "stash". Each scout brings his own supply. The adults bring peanuts (salted in shell only), pub mix, fruit, pistachios, and homemade jerky.

Distracted driving caused wreck that killed three Boy Scouts By DAVE FORSTER, The Virginian-Pilot February 9, 2007 | Last updated 6:14 PM Feb. 8 Distracted driving caused the wreck in November that killed three Boy Scouts and an assistant scoutmaster near Franklin, State Police concluded. The sole survivor of the wreck, 12-year-old Michael-John Oliver, told investigators that his father, John Oliver, became distracted while driving, said Sgt. D.S. Carr, a State Police spokesman. Officially, the cause was driver inattention, Carr said. He would not describe the nature of the distraction. Were not going to get into any of that, he said. We dont want parents back there guessing if it was their son who caused it. Reached by phone Thursday, Kent Stephenson, whose 14-year-old son, Carter, died in the crash, said only: It was an accident. None of the other families of those who died could be reached. Residents of the close-knit rural areas poured by the hundreds to the four funerals. The Suburban that crashed was part of a two-vehicle caravan returning on Nov. 5 to Franklin from a weekend camping trip. It veered off Va. 35 near Sebrell, hit a tree and burst into flames. Michael-John Oliver was in the front passenger seat, twisted around and talking to his friends just before the accident, according to an account his mother, Natalie Oliver, gave in an interview last year with The Virginian-Pilot. He turned back around in time to see the SUV headed for the tree and screamed Daddy! Michael-John broke his leg in the crash and crawled out of the Suburban. A motorist who stopped to help pulled him from the wreckage. Investigators spoke with the boy shortly after the wreck but waited to release his account until they had seen the final toxicology results on the driver, Carr said. Investigators did not suspect John Oliver, 43, was under the influence of any drugs, and the tests proved that, Carr said. In addition to John Oliver and Carter Stephenson, Luke Drewry, 12, and Jackson Fox, 13 also were killed.

The Army manual Drill and Ceremonies FM 22-5 tells you all you need to know. I frequently see it in used book shops, surplus stores and on eBay. Also available online at http://35.8.109.2/resources/fm22_5.pdf

I think the main consideration of a fund raiser is that every customer receives something of value in return for their money. I think auctions would be ok, because the losers don't give up any money. A raffle is a game of chance and considered "gambling". As to pricing the items, do your homework and research similar items in collectors' price guides and on eBay. You may also want to reserve some items for a "kids only" auction, something we do with patch auctions. Most kids can't afford to outbid an adult collector, so make it fun for everyone.

SoDak said, "National Weather Service had issued warnings and advisories not to be out in the weather unless it was absolutly necessary." To me, this was the deal-breaker. Winter camping under extreme conditions is what I consider to be "high adventure" and should only be attempted after extensive training, proper technical equippage, and lots of experience. Your average Webelos or tenderfoot scout (or adult couch potato) does not fit this category. That being said, when the temp dips below 50, I start shivering. I hate winter. Our Klondike is this coming weekend and the forecast is 42/26. I'll be staying home. Wimp? You betcha. I'm with Eamonn on this one. One of my worst memories is spending all night shivering in a sleeping bag as a 12 year old scout. I never want to be that cold again.

What happened to the initiative to register youth soccer teams as Cub Packs? Another failed attempt to inflate the numbers?

"Still for the Ship to survive, they need to recruit new members -That isn't happening. Participate in raising money for the Ship -That isn't happening. Pay their Dues -Again that isn't happening." Sounds familiar...but I'm with a troop. The last group of Webs that crossed over are now the "older scouts"...Star/Life. Every BOR I do now, I stress peer to peer recruiting ... but no results. For the last 2 years, we've had no new ones. The feeder packs in our area are almost going under themselves. The pack that I split off as CM in 1982 and built up to 150 cubs rechartered late this year with only 6, only one of which is a Webelos. I'm hearing the same thing from other once mighty troops in the district. One troop (it's been around since I was a kid) approached us about their 4 scouts joining us for summer camp, because they have no adults able to go. I don't know what the answer is. But we're going down the tubes fast. The district is struggling, the OA Lodge is struggling, units are struggling. Not sure I have the energy or desire to stay in the battle much longer. I had hoped to be around for the 2010 festivities, but it doesn't look like it.

Ok, I give..."poagie bait"???

Your council does not offer BALOO training? I would complain mightily to your District TRaining chairman. If this is a BSA requirement, the District has an obligation to provide it. Perhaps you can get a special offering just for your unit, then get everyone trained at once.

To paraphrase the Commander in Chief, the CO is the decider. They are the ones who signed the charter agreement, and only they can decide to "fold the troop". Registered scouts and leaders come and go, but the "Unit" belongs to the CO.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

As my troop matures and I continue to sit on EBOR as the District Rep, there's one thing that gnaws at me. The requirement to "serve 6 months in a POR since earning Life". More often than not, I am seeing 18 year olds sitting for their EBOR and the POR was 2 years ago. Since then, they have been AWOL from the troop and only surfaced to get the Eagle check in the box and disappear again. Anyone else think that stinks? I would like to see the requirement changed to "In the 12 month period before your Eagle Board of Review serve actively in your troop, and serve at least 6 months in a POR approved by your SM."

When I was a Scout in the late 60's-70's, I was "ate up" with it. I didn't do anything else. I remember the night I graduated from CUb Scouts and brought home my new BS Handbook and Arrow of LIght. I couldn't wait to go to JC Penney and get my new uniform. Soon thereafter, my mom taught me to sew, and every badge I earned got sewn on the same night. Then I would hang my uniform on the doorknob and stare at it until I fell asleep, feeling proud of my latest achievement. Fast forward to 2007. Just did a Star BOR for a scout and had to ask him why he still had the tenderfoot badge on his uniform. "My mom never sewed it on", he said. We had our first EBOR in the troop last October. Still waiting for the Scout (now 18 and working full time) to let us know when and what he wants for a ECOH. Our second Eagle decided to wait until his brother makes it and then do both at once. All he needs is his project completed (the plan's been approved), but he hasn't been to a meeting in a year. An ECOH has several purposes, in addition to recognizing the scout's achievement. It is also to motivate the younger scouts, to show your CO that you are delivering results, and to allow the parents and leaders to bask in pride. Is that too much to expect? Or is it all about the scout and only what he wants?

I said he joined last fall...October, I think. His father did approve the "menu"...and bought it for him. He's 45 going on 13 himself.

The form listed is the Uniform Inspection Sheet. Not sure if you're going to find anything any clearer than that.

As the vote is taking place, the ChicagoBSA.org website appears to be offline. Hmmmmmm.

I agree with SOuthpaw, this sounds like assault. Laying hands on someone (battery) is not required, I think verbal intimidation is sufficient. The lady who was the victim should consider getting a restraining order against this nut case. Then if she attends the meetings, he will not be able to come near. If he is a convicted felon, there might be additional implications for him as well. You might want to consult an attorney (who would probably talk to you pro bono), and explore your options. Having an off duty police officer or sherriff's deputy hang out at your meetings is also a good idea. Perhaps use him to knock off a merit badge requirement or two in the process. I am not an attorney, nor do I play one on TV.

My nephew, who is severely LD, joined a rather large troop last fall. Two weeks later, they went camping and the weather turned cold. He was totally untrained and ill-equipped. On top of that, the scouts were told that for food, it was "every man for himself", so he took lots of Doritos, ramen noodles and pop tarts. Needless to say, he has been "turned off" to camping and will probably drop out.