scoutldr

And there's the dichotomy. I sat an EBOR last year where the 17 yo scout was an unwed father, and "living in sin" with the girl under her parents' roof. One of the BOR members (a troop committeeman who until then was unaware of the situation) strongly objected (on "morally straight" grounds), and the Eagle was denied. The scout appealed to Council, a new district level EBOR was held and the Eagle was granted. Apparently some sins are more "immoral" than others. In some cases, "boys will be boys" and in others it's "off with his head". No wonder today's kids are confused.

How can a convicted criminal be considered "morally straight"? If we can say that homosexual behavior is automtically disqualifying, I think that automatically disqualifying criminal behavior is reasonable. If you want to be an Eagle, then don't be a criminal. I don't think that's too hard a concept to grasp.

I am an Eagle Scout, class of '70. I will freely admit I had no other interests as a youth, but was very active in my Troop, Explorer Post and OA. Neither of my sons (now 28 and 24) made Eagle (Star and Life, respectively). It was their choice, not mine. They both went on to get their degrees and are successful adults. The older one played Varsity baseball every year, and the younger was in Thespians, student government (Sr class Pres), and German club. They may regret their choices later in life, but I don't think any less of them. I would have liked to have a family portrait of the three of us in uniform with Eagle medals on our chests, but that's just my ego and it's not important in the overall scheme of things. I tell the parents of our troop, that we will provide the opportunity to advance, but the Scout has to decide to do the work. We will not beg, cajole, or otherwise plead with them. They can either pick up the ball and run, ... or not. It's their choice.

If you want to come a little further North, try Wintergreen or Massanutten in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. We have been to Ski Roundtop, near Gettysburg, PA.

We've had a problem in our District with units holding on to applications for up to 6 months (I guess they wait for recharter time, for some unknown reason). This was uncovered when the new scouts started earning ranks and the registrar could not find them in the computer. New applications should be turned in to Council within a week, at a minimum. That way the scout or scouter is registered and covered by insurance for all activities. There's no excuse for not doing this. I remember the day when you had to show a valid membership card at JC Penney in order to buy any official scout items such as uniform parts. Maybe we should go back to that.

As I have said, the Eagle Award has been cheapened. I can't believe we are discussing awarding Scouting's highest honor to a convicted felon, but are willing to turn our backs without question on kids who are undecided about their sexual orientation or faith in God. Every rank has a requirement to "show Scout Spirit" in your daily life. How can anyone reconcile committing a felony with successfully meeting that requirement? One more reason why I believe that allowing units to conduct their own EBOR is a mistake.

When I was CM, we just told the parents that reregistration was 20 bucks, which covered national registration, BL, insurance and a little left over for the Pack treasury. No one ever complained or questioned it. We were 100%BL every year.

"I can see the difference in a venture crew member smoking though and just wondered what to do with him." There is only one option...you tell him that according to BSA policy, he is considered a Youth member, and tobacco use by youth is not permitted at any BSA function, whether visible or not.

Here's another hypothetical...you identify a good adult (over 21) who would make a good leader for your unit. But, he says, "I'm an alcoholic, and too addicted to quit. I'll need to sneak off into the woods every 2 hours or so for a beer to calm my nerves. It's legal, so I hope you don't mind."

I'm not disagreeing, fb. Character is not a partisan issue.

Unfortunately the title, "Eagle Scout" does not mean what it used to. It has been cheapened. I was confronted at work by a parent who said, "it's all BS...there is a kid in my son's troop whose dad and grandfather built a park bench while he was away at summer camp in order to beat the 18 year old limit. Everyone knew about it, but the EBOR gave it to him anyway." Today's teens and their parents have the mindset of "get it any way you can." Cheating in school is rampant, and they think nothing of breaking the rules. They only regret it when they get caught. Of course we have excellent role models like Kennedy, Murtha, Clinton, Foley, etc. What's happened to our standards, when the ranks are spoon-fed through mass meritbadge mills and parents doing the work for them? In my opinion, if a scout is convicted of a felony, he has forfeited his right to the Eagle rank. Sorry for the rant...

A little confused here. We are in a military town. Our flag would need about 16 blue stars, since most of our parents and leaders are active duty, as would every other unit in the council. On the other hand, we have had several scouts "age out" and join the military...one is now in the Army in Afghanistan. Should we have a star for him, since he's no longer registered with the troop? I pray that we never have to wonder about gold star protocol.

I was faced with a similar situation, when we convened a EBOR and facts were revealed in the Letters of recommendation. One of the EBOR members said, "if we proceed with this, I am voting NO." I recessed the Board, and called the DAC. The eventual ruling from the SE was that the Board should proceed, and a vote taken. Vote to approve MUST be unanimous. Then, if the Eagle is denied, the scout has a right to appeal. If all requirements have been completed, the Scout has a right to a Board. Then let the chips fall where they may. If the unit refuses to convene a Board, then the District will probably convene one and take it out of the hands of the unit committee.

Interesting about Eugene Fluckey. My dad served under his command on USS BARB, a submarine in the Pacific war.

Use a little reverse logic...if I were a registered Boy Scout, but liked the Sea Scout uniform better, would it be appropriate for me to buy one and wear it for OA purposes? Seems to me if he's not a registered Boy Scout, then he's not entitled to wear the uniform of that program. OTOH, I'd rather spend the money on that than some of the other things he COULD be asking for!

I'm with you, Eamonn. I just resigned my District Committee position after getting a glimpse of how the pros view volunteers via an e-mail I probably wasn't supposed to see. It's clear that they think THEY are in charge and we volunteers are just there to do their bidding so they can "meet the numbers". I'm relieved not to have extra meetings to go to, and am focusing on "my" unit, which I formed 15 years ago. Our CO is in name only...they only provide a place to meet (a portable classroom), which is in such poor repair, we often share the space with rats and rabid mosquitoes. The heat and A/C quit working about two years ago. Our feeder pack went under (which I also formed), and we've received no new Webs the past two years. (there are about 10 other troops within a 5 mile radius, only one of which has more than 20 active scouts). After the current crop either ages out or makes Eagle, the troop will probably fold, since I don't have the energy to hold it up any more. None of the current parents are interested...they will provide transportation, but that's about it. I enjoyed sitting on EBORs, but not being a "silver looper" any more, probably won't get asked again. I was hoping to be around for the 2010 festivities, but it doesn't seem to be in the cards.

True. According to several Google sources, the program ended in 1952 when the age limits were set.

Chevy

Sea salt has only sodium and chlorine. No carbon. Not organic.

My biggest complaint about voting is having to run the gantlet of electioneers forcing leaflets in my face as I fight my way through them to get to the polling place. I would like to see a law that as of 6 am on Election Day, all campaigning must stop. I would also like to see a law that all campaign signs be removed within 24 hours of the polls closing or face a $50 fine per sign. Surely the ACLU will file suit to protect the Scouts' right to peaceably assemble?

The statement is true as written...you will find troops that are adult-led. That is not the correct method of running a troop, however.

The latest news reports are that the leader's son, Michael John Oliver, 12, suffered two broken legs and was able to drag himself from the burning wreckage. He is in the hospital and is expected to recover. Memorial services and funerals begin today for the three Boy Scouts and Scout leader who died in a wreck Sunday in Southampton County. Fourteen-year-old Carter Thomas Stephenson will be honored at 3 p.m. today at High Street United Methodist Church in Franklin. A memorial service for Jackson Fox, 13, has been arranged for 11 a.m. Thursday at Capron United Methodist Church in Capron. The funeral service for Luke Drewry, 12, is set for 2 p.m. Thursday at Courtland Baptist Church in Courtland. John Oliver, 43, will be honored at an 11 a.m. service Monday at the High Street United Methodist Church in Franklin. The families have requested that Scouts and Scouters attend in uniform if possible. A fund to support the families has been established at the Colonial Virginia Council, ATTN: Troop 17 Fund.

There are several of us here from Va...what part of the Great Commonwealth are you in? (We also have some from as far away as Australia!)

Welcome to the forums, eaglescout06! The only rules are the Scout Oath and Law...and yes, actual scouts can join in! There are several already on the forum.

Problem is, the candidates here have spent most of their money bashing each other and we have no idea what they stand for or if they have a plan.