scoutldr

Agree with the above. This is a local council issue. Our council issues a UofS temporary patch with "segments" for each level of training which surrounds the patch. All go on the right pocket as a temporary local issue patch.

Short answer...no. If a prospective staffer has the skills and personality, and is willing to work for what amounts to one third of what they could make at McDonalds, we don't turn them away.

Just a reminder that anything, including Eagle patches and brand new presentation kits are routinely available on Ebay. Most Ebay sellers don't give a rat's patoot about the BSA rules or customs. If BSA were serious about it, they would ensure that brand new Eagle stuff is more tightly controlled, e.g., one presentation kit per approved application...I would even go so far as to imprint each one with a serial number for tracking purposes. Apparently there are councils where you can buy whatever you want and then resell on Ebay.

Oyster beds are created by the oystermen dumping empty shells back into the water. That's what the newly hatched oyster larvae hold onto while they grow their own shell which attaches to the other shells. Othewise, they would just be plankton. In this area, the Lynnhaven oyster was once described by the English settlers as "as big as dinner plates". Now, we are lucky to have 2-3 inch sizes. I believe it was Thos. Jefferson who decreed, "'Twas a brave man that first et an oyster!" Glad your ship enjoyed the trip. I'm adding it to my list of things to do.

I saw Trevorum's response before it was "edited by a staff member" with no explanation. I saw nothing offensive in it. As Beavah would say, "wassup wit dat, eh?"

In my district, there are usually more Cub SCout awards than anything else. Sounds like a local problem. Having sat on the awards committee, the real problem is that we can't award someone if they are not nominated. Nominations have to come from individuals...there is no "nominating" committee. Every year, we have awards that do not get awarded, simply because no one took the time to submit a nomination. Frequently, all we get is a name and unit number, and the rest of the form is blank. Sorry, but we can't do anything with that. So if you know of a deserving leader, YOU need to take the time to submit a complete write up detailing the person's accomplishments. The same applies to Silver Beaver and Vigil honor in the OA. I like the idea of a unit volunteering to provide a child care service.

If I were an aquatics director, I would be VERY careful about swim checks not done under my (or my staff's) supervision. I would have to personally know who conducted the checks and be confident that they were following the same strict standards. Unfortunately, the most subjective criterion, "in a strong manner" is the one most widely interpreted. I have seen swim checks done where, if the scout can cover the distance by thrashing long enough, he will pass. "Thrashing" is not a recognized stroke. The swim check requirement comes from the G2SS: . Ability Groups Divide into three ability groups: Nonswimmers, beginners, and swimmers. Keep each group in its own area. Nonswimmers have not passed a swimming test. Beginners must pass this test: jump feetfirst into water over the head in depth, level off, swim 25 feet on the surface. Stop, turn sharply, resume swimming as before and return to the starting place. Swimmers must pass this test: jump feet first into water over the head in depth. Level off and swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy resting backstroke. The 100 yards must be completed in one swim without stops and must include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating. These classification tests should be renewed annually, preferably at the beginning of the season.

I've had the opposite happen. When checking in for U of SCouting this year, they told me I was "Faculty" and did I need any help carrying my materials in. I said, "Sorry, nobody told me I was faculty and have nothing prepared." So the UofS Dean of Boy Scouting showed up in the class and said, "well, you all probably know more about this subject than I do, so just talk among yourselves for the next hour." Unfortunately, we are all volunteers doing the best we can(most of the time), and sometimes communication is not what it should be.

Scouts using inhalers must bring at least 2. One to carry and one back-up in the health lodge. I would not send my son to a camp that did not allow them to carry an inhaler. We also have new forms to fill out. Must be a new camp certification standard. A form must be filled out and signed by the parent for EACH DOSE to be given. No form - no meds. Adults are also supposed to turn in all meds to the Health lodge, which I think is excessive. Our ASM refuses. I guess the down side is that if we find him unconscious somewhere, none of us knows where he keeps his meds and 911 is at least an hour away.

Caldesene powder also works well, without the "tingling" effect. Another "must" is not to walk around all day in a wet bathing suit. I have been getting my generic "Gold Bond" at the local Dollar store. Just look for the orange bottle. I usually buy 3 or 4 at a time and pour them all together.

"If our mission is to help young people make ethical choices over their lifetimes, how can we do that if as adults we make decisions based on a past precedent, or the fear of setting a new one?" I don't have a fear of precedents. Precedents are good. My fear is of unethical precedents, because then everyone expects the same unethical consideration. Presumably troop funds are raised for a purpose. Does the Unit Budget Plan have a line item for "Eagle Project Donations"? If not, then you're done. All you have to tell the parents is that "there is nothing designated for that purpose in our budget." If the committee decides this is something that should be funded, by all means put it in the budget and raise funds for it...for future projects. An alternative is that funds in the Eagle candidate's "Scout Account" can be used for funding their projects. Your Eagle project doubled in price? Then sell more popcorn, or scale back the project. Probably the most important lesson of an Eagle project is that planning and leading includes "funding".

Has he tried steroids? (Just kidding!!!!) Wearing a belt loop "bandolier" like the Frito Bandito (is that still politically correct?) would just look silly and would send the Uniform Police to shove him up against the wall to "assume the position". Perhaps the answer should be that belt loops are like temporary pocket patches...much as we'd like to we can't posssibly wear them all and he just needs to decide which are his favorites. Another option might be drill small holes in the back of the beltloop and sew them onto his red patch vest for display.

Don't know the "book answer" but I would recommend a "spotter" (think gymnastics) who can immediately step in and "rescue" or break the fall of a scout who becomes entangled. Two feet of water is not enough to break a fall if they land head first. "Fun without paraplegia" is my motto.

IF it's the same 45 people attending every year, then rotating the location isn't working. I would prefer to have the same location (centerpoint of your District) every year. If it's 2 hours from north to south, that means the longest drive for anyone would be an hour one-way. With events of this type, I think you have to assume the 80-20 rule. The same 20% of the people will attend 80% of the events. I have observed the same thing with RT and OA meetings.

Shrimp are usually caught from a boat by casting nets. Think Forrest Gump! I like to steam them in beer...one 12 oz can in the bottom of a stockpot with a liberal sprinkling of Old Bay seasoning...stir occasionally until they have turned pink...about 10 minutes. Cooking too long will make them tough. Your crew may find it odd that a shrimp in the wild comes with a head and long antennae!

Down south, squid is usually considered bait unless you're in a Japanese restaurant. Perhaps some fried fish to go along with the grits, biscuits and sausage gravy? Iced tea will always come sweetened with sugar (mixed in while still hot so it will melt) unless you specify otherwise. Adult females you are not related to are addressed as "ma'am" regardless of age. Referring to one as "peach" may get you slapped (or worse!). Be sure to try the Brunswick stew (still unknown whether it was originated in Brunswick, GA or Brunswick County VA), collard greens, spoonbread, peanut soup and pecan pralines.

At the next PLC meeting, inform the troop leadership that there will be no more camping until all the gear is accounted for. Then let them figure it out. For the future, hold each patrol leader responsible for the gear his patrol uses. That way you don't have to keep track of who's responsible...it's always the PL. If they "lose" gear, then the next campout that patrol does without...or doesn't go. Peer pressure can be a very effective tool if used properly. But as long as the adults "cover" for them or bail them out, they will not be motivated to take ownership of the problem.

Part of "providing leadership" to the project is planning how to raise the funds. I don't believe that the troop donating funds is appropriate...that's not the purpose for which those funds were raised. I agree with OGE...it's going to set a precedent that will be hard to maintain. Usually, the Eagle candidate is expected to visit local businesses to solicit "in kind" donations (such as lumber from the local hardware store", or to organize fundraisers (car washes, spaghetti dinners, etc) which are planned and led by the scout with the assistance of his troopmates, who can in turn earn service hours.

After spending the entire day at my niece's high school graduation and subsequent party, my 2 sons surpised me with an iPod nano. Pretty neat gizmo. Does anyone know where I can get B-P's speeches and the BS Songbook in mp3 format? :-)

I've been full of radical proposals lately. Here's another one. I would like the DOT to mandate that cars be built so that cell phone reception is impossible while the motor is running. A simple $5 electronic gizmo in the ignition circuit should do the trick. We also need an Etiquette Merit Badge...Eagle required. Yes, your scouts should be taught that is rude to carry on a phone conversation while in the company of others. That's been rude since Alexander Graham Bell's day.

I thought polygynous was being married to two gynecologists at once.

From the Army: Lightning Safety Awareness Week is 18 - 24 June. Read the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration pamphlet, "NOAA's National Weather Service Lightning Safety Outdoors" Lightning Kills, ensure Soldiers are not unnecessarily exposed. See the NOAA's web page "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!" for tips on avoiding lightning. Soldiers are encouraged to view the NOAA's Power Point presentation on lightning, "Safe or Not Safe Game" and use it during unit safety training. http://www.noaa.gov http://struckbylightning.org/(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

POint taken, Neil. But if the SM does not sign off on "SCout Spirit", then he has not met the requirements. You are correct, a BOR can occur any time without resulting in advancement. But these "progress checks" need to occur well in advance of his 18th birthday do he has time to rectify any deficiencies.

Where and when in Virginia, Eamonn?

If I'm not mistaken, the position of BSA President is a volunteer position. The Chief SCout Executive is the big bucks guy. 20 years was not that long ago. I don't see that much has changed.