scoutldr

I am still registered, but my sons are not. Any funds I raise go into the troop general fund and are not credited to any one Scout. In addition, I also pay my own way for outings and summer camp.

So, Billy...what do you do in Scouting?

You all are correct, of course. I had just checked CNN.com before leaving work and it hit me in the face like a brick with no warning. I was upset. Now, to make matters worse, his picture is there, in full uniform, replete with OA sash and Eagle square knot. When I look at the picture, I don't see a face, all I see is the uniform. The same one we all wear. The photo credit was "Boy SCouts of America". And that's what the public sees. The article refers to him as "former Eagle Scout". At least I agree with that, if found guilty. The sad thing is, if he is found innocent, will it get banner headlines as well?

This has EVERYTHING to do with the BSA and Scouting. When this kind of thing happens, we are all dragged through the mud. I'm glad I'm leaving on vacation, so I don't have to face my co-workers tomorrow. Sigh...

Requirement 1.a., American Business Merit Badge: Do the following: Explain four features of the free enterprise system in United States. Tell its benefits and responsibilities. Describe the difference between freedom and license. Tell how the Scout Oath and Law apply to business and free enterprise. What a country!

Fundraising regulations require that something of value be received in return for the funds. Otherwise, it is solicitation of a cash donation, which is not allowed at the unit level. Does this qualify?

http://www.mninter.net/~blkeagle/recogn.htm The slightly longer ends of the knot go to the wearer's right.

Well, if they allow it at Philmont, it must not be hazing. There's no hazing in Boy Scouts!

The rules for fundraising are on the back of the Unit Fund Raising Application which must be approved by your Council prior to any fund raising activity. Wearing of uniforms while selling anything other than BSA approved items (usually just Trails End Popcorn or Scout Show tickets) is prohibited. The excuse I've heard is that if units sell a product that proves faulty or tainted (in the case of food products), BSA doesn't want the liability or to be identified with products that they have not approved.

I may be wrong, but I think all of the signatories on the application just sign whatever is put in front of them, without noticing which of the many available versions it happens to be. At least, that's what I would do. If National wants to change requirements, then they need to make sure the website and publications are kept up to date, and also make sure that Scout Shops quit selling publications when they are superceded and become obsolete.

If you don't expect anything from these older guys, that is what you will get. I tell my guys when they make first class that they are now expected to be teachers, mentors and leaders. Merit Badges are expected to be worked on their own or at Summer Camp. During troop meetings they are teaching and leading.

Well, the National web site still has the 1993 version available for download. If the requirements have changed, how is anyone supposed to know? I was until recently a District Training Chair and no one told me. www/scouting.org/forms

Welcome, Kurt! Grab a cuppa coffee and pull up a log!

I received my Eagle in 1970 and the lapel pin, mother's pin and medal were sans "BSA". Shortly thereafter, (like within months) the BSA was added to the medal, but I can't say if the pins were also changed.

Of the specific memories of my childhood, I distinctly remember the night I came home after being inducted into a Troop from Webelos. My new green uniform was hung on the doorknob where I could see it all night. I was up well past midnight reading my new Boy Scout Handbook (with Norman Rockwell cover). I still have a 6th grade class picture with 3 of us wearing our Scout uniforms to school. We always wore them to school on meeting days. This was 40 years ago and I remember it like it was yesterday. Scouting is more than camping and having fun. It's all about creating memories and friendships that last a lifetime.

OGE, perhaps the "Eagle Mills" out there are balanced by the units who never produce an Eagle because they are holding tight to the standards. In my mind, it's not the number of Eagles produced, but the number of Eagles who decide to earn it and then do so on their own, showing initiative, proficiency and determination. I am an Eagle, but my own two sons aged out at Star and Life, respectively. Making Eagle was not their highest priority and I refused to interfere with their decisions by threatening, pleading, reminding, or doing it for them. They both now have their college degrees and are successful young adults...but they did it on their own terms, not mine.

OK, BSA. I just went to the SCOUTSTUFF.ORG web site. If you are serious about wanting my opinion, put a "CONTACT US" link on your web site and start reading our ideas and complaints. Putting a "survey" on the web site, with pre-determined answers (choose only one) is not a very scientific way to conduct a poll. (How about an "all of the above" choice, or an "add additional comments" box?) And if you are really considering adding "yolks" to the shirt, please don't. That yellow stuff is really hard to wash out.

Our troop charges actual costs for both youth and adults, determined on a per-trip basis. No reimbursement for gas or membership registration. Patrols do their own menus and the designated food-buyer (Grubmaster) determines what each scout's share will be. If there is an extra charge for campsite ($1 per night per person to use Council camp), patches ($3), etc, it is added to the food charge. Typical troop campout runs $6-10 for food. More for adults, but we eat well and don't mind paying for it!

If you have a loyal den and 25 more boys waiting to "come back", just call the DE and offer to form a new unit if he can find you a CO. Problem solved. It sounds like the current CO doesn't care whether their Pack folds or not, and that's something you can't win.

Thanks, Torveaux. But, seeing as how I was teaching a SM Specific course, we didn't have our Cub Scout Leader books handy. Since the word "should" is used, I assume it is "guidance" and not "policy". Since a uniform is not "required", if a Patrol all showed up in civilian attire for a uniform inspection, would they win, since there would be no points deducted? Hmmm.

"I like this uniform, I liked the one before it and the one before that. I will like the next one. I will wear it complete because that is how you wear a uniform." Gosh, I DO hope the next uniform is not a thong. "What the book says is that a uniform should not be mixed with civilian clothes. That it is better to wear no uniform than a mixed uniform." I need a chapter and verse for that, please. I made that statement in a SM Specific course once and some grumpy old man challenged me on it. All I could find was "encouraged to wear as complete a uniform as possible". I have a 100% cotton shirt that I bought new from eBay. It looks good as long as it is freshly washed, starched and pressed. Can't wear it right from the dryer, tho. I doesn't seem to be holding it's color as well, either. As for comfort, it is superior.

I have seen "creativity" in chartering units. For example a unit CO (church) is physically located in one district, however, the SM, all of the boys, the COR and IH all live in a different district, so they are registered and participate in that district. I guess the DE wasn't smart enough to figure out there was a unit in his district that he wasn't getting credit for. In this particular council, we have 7 districts within a 50 mile radius, so distance is not an issue. It all depends on how you fill out the paperwork. Think outside the box.

Try this: http://www.scouttroop.org/stl/bsa/58/Firebuilding.html

As a former District Training Chair, we were asked for name suggestions every year, and whatever names we submitted got an invitation. If you are interested, let your District Training Guy know that you are a) interested, b) able to go, and c) what course you want to attend. I don't think there's any limit to how many names can be submitted. Most people who get invited don't or can't accept due to cost or work schedules.

Pipsico Scout Reservation, Tidewater Council $180 ($195 after March 1) (all troops use dining hall) Leaders - 2 free per troop, $50 each additional