scoutldr

Absolutely. However, onehour gave the impression that he knew the requirements of the G2SS and had concluded that, for whatever reaason, the troop could not meet them. Therefore, the correct answer should be the trip's off, regardless of whether the SPL thinks it's "fair" or not. He stated, "The scoutmasters in the troop feel that we can not meet G2SS requirement for Safety Afloat; as a result, we advise the PLC to choose another activity." He also asked, "Is there any way that we can conduct tubing safely within the G2SS guideline?" THe answer is "yes, by enforcing the rules of Safety Afloat". I would never second guess a leader who thought that an activity could not be conducted safely.

Welcome to the campfire! Are you any relation to Jim? The National policy is stated in Chapter IV of the Guide to Safe Scouting. I presume that violations are handled at the discretion of the Scout Executive in whose council the violation occurred. The Boy Scouts of America prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances at encampments or activities on property owned and/or operated by the Boy Scouts of America, or at any activity involving participation of youth members. Adult leaders should support the attitude that young adults are better off without tobacco and may not allow the use of tobacco products at any BSA activity involving youth participants. All Scouting functions, meetings, and activities should be conducted on a smoke-free basis, with smoking areas located away from all participants.

Is it worth risking your house and future income to get off the "hate list"? G2SS is clear: Tubing is mentioned, but the rules are no different All trip leaders must have Safety Afloat and Safe Swim Defense Training At least one leader must have CPR training All scouts must be Swimmers One BSA Lifeguard is recommended PFDs must be worn by all participants Cub Scouts (which includes Webs) may not go on "running water" and may only participate in approved Council or District activities (This message has been edited by scoutldr)

I rememeber the gas crisis of 1974...lines of cars around the block, you could only buy gas on even-numbered days if your license plate was an even number, a 6 month waiting list to buy a new Honda Accord. At that time, gas reached the outrageous price of about 69 cents a gallon. The only thing that will get people to give up the gasoline habit will be to make it prohibitively expensive. Appealing to their patriotism or environmentalism doesn't work. We're much too selfish for that as a people. I work for a health related organization and we recently requested that the vendor add some "healthy choices" to the snack vending machine. Lo and behold, the "healthy choices" cost $1.25 while the junk food still costs 50-65 cents. Guess what people are buying? "Change will not occur until the pain of remaining the same exceeds the pain of the change."

The reason I suggested splitting the Pack is because he said "we have a HUGE pack". My original pack grew to 150 boys. We had 15 dens and 4 Webelos dens. It took 2 hours to give out all of the arrow points and badges at a pack meeting and we had no time for songs, skits, or anything else. The Pack meetings became tedious and no fun for anyone. Yes, you will need to do some preparation, and it can be done. That's much preferable to the Packs that say "we're full and not accepting new members." BSA recommends 6-8 boys per den. More than that, and you should split it.

The "Pack Trainer" position is a registered position in the Pack. In order to be "TRAINED" and wear the Trained strip, the Trainer Development Conference is required as the position specific training. According to the Cub Scout Leader book, the PT's responsibilities are to keep track of the training records, orient new parents to the Pack, conduct training for new leaders (NLE and Specific), and promote and encourage leaders to attend District and Council training such as Roundtable, University of Scouting, Wood Badge, PowWow, etc. This position replaces the old Den Leader Coach position. The Council in which I serve has recently tried to mandate 100% trained leadership...they have since backed down and have stated that it is a "goal" to have every leader trained...with which I agree. But the only way I am going to be able to achieve that as a District Training Chair is through the Pack Trainer. My plan is to "deputize" them as members of the Training team, after serving an "apprenticeship" and attending TDC.

Correct me if I'm wrong (i don't doubt that you will), but I thought the choice of uniform for Webelos was up to the Pack, not individual boys. Webelos dens will wear either blue or tan, not a mix. Same procedure as a Troop voting on choice of neckerchief, headgear, collar out or folded in, etc. Hence the term "uniform"...

Time to split the Pack! Your DE will love you for forming a new unit. I have done this several times...build it up, split it, build it up again, split again (like cell division for you biologists).

I still think that swimming and lifesaving are essential skills for all scout. Being able to ride a bike is not. Every scout in my troop is a Swimmer by the end of his first summer camp. That's our goal, and we always meet it.

I was one of those fat nerdy kids who would rather sit in his room and read a book than go out and ride bike or play baseball. This year at camp, I was struck that the majority of the kids looked just like I did when I was that age...bellies hanging over their bathing suit, flabby chests and love handles...but now from video games and junk food instead of reading. No wonder there's an epidemic of Type 2 Diabetes among teenagers now. When I joined Scouts, I was transformed. I was still heavier than than the other kids, but I became fitter and managed to earn Swimming, Lifesaving, Marksmanship, Rowing, Canoeing, Three 50 Miler awards, Mile Swim, Red Cross Sr Lifesaving, and Water Safety Instructor. Was "awarded" the Eagle badge at age 16 and BSA Lifeguard and Lifeguard Counselor as a adult. Nobody gave me any slack along the way. You either met the requirements...or not. Don't say it's too hard. I did it. Ya gotta want it. SA is correct, alternative advancement requirements are available, but I think you need a Doctor's certification and Council approval. Being a couch potato won't get it.

Is it any worse than charging me $350 for an FOS CSP and coffee mug? Or charging the public $30 for a tin of popcorn that they can buy for $3.99 at Wal Mart? (But the tin is "collectable"!!) If you have problems with it, then call it what it is...a token gift in appreciation for your donation. As long as it's clearly identified as a fund-raiser, I think it's fine.

National Organizations Partner to Launch National Preparedness Month For Immediate Release Press Office Contact: 202-282-8010 August 10, 2004 The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), The America Prepared Campaign, the American Red Cross, the National Association of Broadcasters and the U.S. Department of Education have joined a coalition of more 50 national organizations to engage Americans in emergency preparedness by launching National Preparedness Month on September 9. The launch event at the United States Capitol is co-chaired by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) and Representatives Christopher Cox (R-CA) and Jane Harman (D-CA). In addition, all 56 state and territorial governors have pledged to mark National Preparedness Month with local events. National Preparedness Month brings together an amazing coalition of partners to make citizen preparedness a priority for every city, every neighborhood and every home across America, said Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. Homeland security is a shared responsibility and I am pleased that so many organizations and so many national leaders are working together to help get this information out into communities across the nation. National Preparedness Month will provide Americans with a variety of opportunities to learn more about ways they can prepare for an emergency, get an emergency supply kit, establish a family communications plan, and become better aware of threats that may impact communities. It will also provide them with several opportunities to volunteer or get first aid or CPR training. State and local governments, individual communities, private businesses and nonprofit organizations will host events or promote preparedness steps around the country during September to encourage all Americans to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools. Below is a list of the organizations participating in National Preparedness Month as of today: The Advertising Council The American Legion American Legion Auxiliary The America Prepared Campaign, Inc. American Red Cross The American Safety and Health Institute, Inc. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Boy Scouts of America Church World Service Citizen Corps The Council of State Governments Emergency Management Accreditation Program Easter Seals Fraternal Order of Police Girl Scouts of the USA Hispanic Business Roundtable Hispanic War Veterans of America International Association of Chiefs of Police International Association of Emergency Managers International Association of Fire Chiefs International Union of Operating Engineers Jewish War Veterans of the USA The Latino Coalition The Medical Reserve Corps National Association of Broadcasters National Association of Counties National Association of State EMS Directors National Cable and Telecommunications Association National Crime Prevention Council National Emergency Management Association National Fatherhood Initiative National Governors Association National League of Cities National Organization on Disability National Retail Federation National Safety Council National Sheriffs Association Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Persons Outdoor Advertising Association The Points of Light Foundation Reserve Officers Association The Safe America Foundation The Salvation Army Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners United Service Organization The United States Chamber of Commerce United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce USA Freedom Corps The U.S. Conference of Mayors U.S. Department of Education U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Washington Metro Area Transit Authority World Vision of the United States Details about the official launch of National Preparedness Month and local events will be distributed in late August. For further information or to join this effort please call Kristin Gossel or Lara Shane at 202-282-8010. The Ready Campaign is a national public service advertising campaign produced by the Ad Council in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Ready Campaign is designed to educate and empower American citizens to prepare for and respond to potential terrorist attacks and other emergencies. Citizens interested in receiving a "Get Ready Now" brochure may call 1-800-BE-READY or visit www.Ready.gov for more information. ###

Eamonn is correct...the DE's primary job is to help the volunteers make Quality District. His piece of that is to generate more youth members, more units and more money (from corporate donors). Everything else should be covered by a volunteer...it's the District Chairman's job to see to that. As a former professional member of these boards was fond of saying, however, "What the volunteers won't do, the Professionals must." I have had a similar problem...when I wasn't doing the job the way the DE thought it should be done, he would step in and "take care of it." My response to that is to step back and say "have at it, Bud...knock yourself out." My pay's the same, either way. I have seen many young men come up through the scouting program, go to college, and come back as a first year DE. After all, I'm an Eagle, OA Vigil, and had a blast...what better life than to do all that and get paid, too! They don't last a year when they find out what a DE is really supposed to do...and that you are expected to work unlimited hrs a week for what amounts to little more than minimum wage (and no overtime).(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

JimmyD said, "I disagree with swimming and life saving with being required because some people can't swim. Lifesaving can be diffcuilt especially if the kid is out of shape." Scoutldr replies, "Well, duhhhh." I guess we'll "Be Prepared"...as long as it's not too hard.

It sounds like you all need a refresher in role delineation. The CM does not hire and fire the CC or committee members. The COR does. The CM's job is to 1) Emcee the pack meetings and 2) Recruit and mentor the corps of Den Leaders, making sure that the Dens are doing their thing. These CM and CC are two distinct roles. Committee work should not done by the CM and DLs (unless they are dual registered).

Just make sure it's your own handwriting!

Paleontology...I like it but we'd be outvoted by the creationists who think that whole dinosaur thing is a scam. I do think that Cooking, Swimming, and Lifesaving ought to be returned to the Eagle required list (no either/or choices)

All those patches would sure look good on the back of an orange jumpsuit! It would clash with the red jacket, tho...yuk.

You guys are starting to sound like Wheeler! Cut it out!

People frequently ask me "why are you not happy"? Most think I'm depressed and need to be on drugs. I do not. I get extremely frustrated by those who waste what little time I may have left on this Earth by their ignorance, stupidity, laziness, carelessness, thoughtlessness, and selfishness. Even more so as I approach the big 5-0 in September. I recently came across a quote that I think answers the question very well...and is a lesson that our children are missing completely...and that depresses me. "The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Since someone seemed interested, El Paso Natural Gas is a publicly held company. I am a stockholder. If this deal goes through, I will make about 3 bucks. The big winners will be those whose mutual funds and pension plans invest in this company...probably some or most of those on this board, unless you ensure you invest only in "green" companies. It was formerly a subsidiary of Tenneco, Inc, (formerly Tennessee Gas Transmission Co, stock symbol TGT) which also owned Monroe Automotive (shock absorbers and mufflers), Hefty (plastic bags), Newport News Shipbuilding (aircraft carriers and submarines), and some others. The conglomerate has since been dismantled. For those who are opposed to besmirching the wilderness, why don't we start making a difference in your own neighborhood...take the car keys away from your kids and make them get back on the school bus. And next time we need a gallon of milk, let's walk the 6 blocks to the store. Let's all admit it...we're all for saving the environment...as long as it doesnt' inconvenience us.

Marksmanship MB, 1967. The rifle range was run by a Marine Corporal, who might as well have been a General in our eyes. Shooting was done on mattresses from all positions...no resting allowed. We were allowed to bring our own rifles and ammo. Spent the first day or two "sighting in"...then we learned how to shoot from an expert. By the end of the week, we could shoot the left wing off a fly at 50 meters. Still my favorite MB. We also qualified for the NRA Safe Hunter patch at the same time.

In all likelihood, if the NG deposits are that close, then Philmont is prime property, too. Wait until National puts 2 and 2 together. Does this mean no more popcorn??? It may be worth it! The same objections were raised over the Alaska pipeline...but recent studies have shown that the pipeline itself has had little or no effect on the wildlife. A previous poster made a good point. The whole reason Philmont exists is because of Big Oil profits (Phillips Petroleum). Don't be so quick to bite the hand... Personally, I think the US needs to do whatever we need to do to become energy independent, so we can tell OPEC to shove it.

Not to be confused with a "skill award" which was a belt loop.

Howdy, Pardner! Welcome to the campfire! Grab a cuppa joe and pull up a log! We're a friendly bunch, mostly, but we ARE opinionated! Just keep a thick skin and remember we're all here for the same reason...the boys (and Venturers). There are a few youth here too, so we try hard to behave.