scoutldr

Immediately recruit a large staff!!!! My understanding is that there is a "Roundtable Program" guide with month by month ideas based on the themes...

The first lady made it sound as if wearing a complete uniform was a quaint tradition that almost no one follows! Sadly, her observation is more true than not. It would be a great customer service if National Supply Service would have web-enabled ordering with shipping direct to the customer. The web site will let you generate a "shopping cart" but when it's time to check-out, you are told to print your list and take it to your nearest Scout Shop. Unfortunately, our Council actively discourages buying from the catalog 800 number, because then they don't get their "cut". They want all spe

Here's an idea...since too many BOR and Scoutmasters do not seem to grasp the idea of "duty to God" and the ones that do are reticent to enforce it...a new "Eagle Required" merit badge called "Religious Life" or "Duty to God". Requirement 1 would be "Earn the religious award for your Faith" OR do the following: The optional requirements would be for those who choose not to participate in organized religion, which we all agree is not a BSA requirement. But they would have to seek out a qualified counselor to demonstrate that they understand "duty to God" and are practicing it in whatever f

My council camp: All meds turned into health lodge, except epi-pens and inhalers. Spare inhaler required and must be kept at health lodge. No meds allowed without an original Rx bottle or doctor's order (for non-Rx meds). Same applies to adults, but most ignore it. On check in, I was interrogated by a 14 year old female CIT on my meds "what's THAT for?"...turns out Monday morning she was working the Scoutcraft area. From now on, I keep my own meds.

Eammon said, "that he was shocked at the number of Scouts who use the bathroom and leave without washing their hands." I work at a medical facility. It is even more shocking to see medical personnel not washing after toileting. While "holding the cleanest part of your body" may not be the biggest concern, the fecal-oral route is a widespread cause of gastro-intestinal illness from E-coli contamination and more serious diseases such as Hepatitis A. One of our recent Lt. Governors contracted adult polio from changing his son's diaper, who had just had a polio vaccination. I, for one

In 1966, we had the metal spring cots with 6 inch mattresses. When I returned to camp in 1984, the same cots were there, sans mattresses. Now we have Army-style cots, some wood frame/canvas and some aluminum frame/nylon. I supplement that with a foam pad and sleeping bag, but usually sleep on top with a sheet. A mosquito net over the whole thing is imperative.

So...were they directed to hand over their Scout badges and sent home? That's my point. Don't waste my time with lip-service. Everyone sees it for what it is...especially the boys.

Analogous to laser-tag, this event does not follow the Guide to Safe Scouting and does not qualify as a Scouting or Troop event, if it is run as you described. However, if a group of nine (or more) families decide to get together and do this, it's still a free country. I would require the following: - Planning of the event may NOT be done by the PLC or discussed during a Troop meeting - It should not appear on the troop calendar - A council tour permit will NOT be requested - All parents will be notified that this is NOT a Troop function - The troop will not handle any money or

I am registered as a Troop CC, a District Committee member, and a MBC, and have been registered continuously as an adult since 1985. I had to fill out three new application forms this year. If they consequently did three separate background checks, that is terribly inefficient and unnecessarily expensive. It is also the responsibility of the District Advancement Committee to approve all MBC applications, which means they should be verifying that they are qualified to serve as experts in their chosen MB. MBCs are registered at the District level; it is not a Unit position as is commonl

"for the places that don't rent out cots?"... Interesting...in the Council in which I am permitted to serve, camp costs $165 a week...if we had to pay extra for a place to sleep, there would be a major revolution!

The only problem we've had with cell phones is with the older guys calling girlfriends constantly. It really is distracting to the program. We categorize them as electronic devices...if I see them in use, they get confiscated and returned when we get home. Since I have to use "vacation" time for camp, my phone stays in the car, too. My employer will just have to get by until I get back to work Monday morning.

I can explain and give examples of say, for instance, Communism, without believing in it or living it in my daily life. I believe the requirement is to "live" the Scout Oath and Law, not just memorize it and be able to explain it and give examples of it. I agree with a previous poster...the Troop Committee and SM did the lad a disservice and put the BOR in a bad position by sending forward a Scout candidate for the rank of Eagle who obviously had no religious training nor convictions and could produce no references in that regard. Once the BOR begins is not the time for the Eagle Cand

Thanks for answering ScoutNut...I wasn't quick enough. See if you can attend camp as a "Provisional Camper"...and individual scout who attends without his home troop. Our troop has had one or two "Provisionals" the past couple of years and they were a joy. They really wanted to be there, so they were no trouble, and our boys got to meet someone new. The lesson was that all scouts are Brothers and you should be able to hook up with any troop and have fun. Just go a different week ... should be no problem.

In my book, the first word is "On". I agree...find another troop. And send a letter to the IH, copy to the SM and SE. State the facts as to why you are transferring your membership (i.e., SM refused to adhere to the advancement rules of the BSA). Do not be emotional or libelous, despite the fact that this guy appears to be either a nut case or an egomaniacal jerk. Maybe both.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Around here, one's name is dragged through the mud at the first inkling of anything wrong, for any crime. Then, of course, when acquitted, you never hear about it...that story is not "news" and is buried on Page 53.

I thought the official "party line" is that "scouts should be encouraged to wear as complete a uniform as possible."

On the Eagle Scout Application, there are spaces for listing the names and addresses of your references. The spaces are labeled: Parents/Guardians Religious Employer (if any) Education 2 others of your choice For a total of six references. The one marked "Employer" is the only one which appears to be optional. So, I guess technically, the requirement is to provide names and addresses. Actually getting reference letters is not specified and would be "adding to the requirements". Even if the references are not favorable, the requirement has still been met.

Check out the "Standard Price Guide to U.S. Scouting Collectibles" by George Cuhaj Should be able to search on "Cuhaj" on Amazon or Ebay and find it. Make sure you buy the latest edition (blue cover).

Pounder, here is the requirement: Eagle Scout Requirement 2: Demonstrate that you live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life. List the names of individuals who know you personally and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf. If the blank on the application for "religious leader" is left blank, should the application even be processed by Council? As the District Rep to the BOR, I feel this put me in a very untenable position. If the Council registrar, SM, and CC have all signified that all requirements were met, who am I to disagree?

At the risk of being redundant... Rules and Regulations, Article XI, Section 1, Local Council and Unit Finance Clause 2, Disposition of Unit Funds Upon Termination of Local Council or Unit (b) Unit Obligations. In the event of the dissolution of a unit or the revocation or lapse of its charter, the unit committee shall apply unit funds and property to the payment of unit obligations and shall turn over the surplus, if any, to the local council, if there is one, or if there is no local ocuncil, dispose of the same in accordance with the direction of the Executive Board of the Boy Sco

I recently was invited to sit on an Eagle Board of Review. The scout had no letter of reference from a religious leader...because he did not have a religious leader. It was evident from the questions and answers that the scout had never had a religious component to his home life. His answer to "what does 'A Scout is Reverent' mean to you", was "I guess it means going to church and stuff." Maybe the Eagle Scout's application should never have made it that far, but it did. Should we have terminated the BOR and said, "sorry, close, but no cigar." This was a troop committee-run BOR.

If troop elections are properly conducted, why is there even a question? The boy was either elected to a POR, or not. If he's nominated in an open forum, and declines, then everyone knows the score. The SM does not "allow" nor "disallow".

Just as a refresher: BSA Religious Principles (Reprinted from the 1992 edition of BSA's Advancement Guidelines: Council and District Functions.) The Boy Scouts of America has a definite position on religious principles. The following interpretative statement may help clarify this position. The Boy Scouts of America: Does not define what constitutes belief in God or the practice of religion. Does not require membership in a religious organization or association for enrollment in the movement but does prefer, and strongly encourages, membership and participation in the reli

I have washed mine with good success...I put it in one of those mesh bags to keep it from winding up around the agitator and use the gentle cycle. Yes, the red thread is unravelling...the one I received in 1968 seems to be of much better quality, although it has shrunk noticeably :-(. The lodge did receive a batch recently with one half of the snap missing. I believe they were sent back...to Bangladesh or wherever they were made. The sash being part of the uniform, I believe it should NOT be worn with civilian clothes...unless by a ceremonial team or the aforementioned Elangomats, who

To provide an exception to that theory, I recently saw on Ebay an original Den Mother's Training Award...a medal suspended from a yellow and white pocket ribbon. I believe Cubmasters received the standard Key on a green ribbon with a Cub device on it. If a scouter earned the Key for in all phases of scouting, he would wear 4 (or more) devices on the ribbon and knot. It wasn't until the late 70's/early 80's that the Cub Scout training awards came out on yellow and blue neck ribbons. Now, neither are presented. Square knots are it, but there are more of them.