scoutldr

Snowmobiling is mentioned in the G2SS as a winter sport activity and is not specifically prohibited. According to a State of WV website, they have had over 75 ATV fatalities in WV in the past 3 years. Most states have laws with minimum ages for ATV operation. It's probably a case where the BSA lawyers said "Just say no."

Here is the best link I've found for all scouting-related plates: http://www.angelfire.com/wy/gilwell/plates.html Why do states do it? Since Virginia started customized and specialty plates, it has become a big money maker. The BSA plate will likely cost $10 in addition to the normal plate fee of $29.50 per year. If you want customized plates, that's an additional $10 per year...all pure profit. Some of the plates are "revenue sharing", that is, the organization gets a percentage...they are $25 a year extra. The first attempt at a BSA plate was not revenue sharing, it was started as a troop service project in a neighboring council, just for PR purposes. My SE was not interested in promoting it, or even allowing flyers and applications to be made available in the Council Scout Shop. PS: The Sons of Confederate Veterans met stiff opposition and had to sue the Commonwealth for the rights to a plate. The whole specialty plate program was at risk over that one. PPS: The Order of the Eastern Star is the women's equivalent of the Shriners...a branch of Freemasonry. Not a "religious organization"...at least not any more so than the BSA. My wife's Grandmother was a "Past Worthy Matron"...a really big deal to hear her tell it (God rest her soul).(This message has been edited by scoutldr)(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

I once heard that Trails End was a wholly owned subsidiary of the BSA, but I can't substantiate that rumor. On the TE web site, click on "history"...it appears that an enterprising marketing guy found a popcorn vendor to provide product for a council...it grew to several councils and became a corporation unto itself and the rest is history. It also appears that BSA is TE's only customer. Now, I freely admit I'm a govt bureaucrat, but seems to me that such a large contract should be at least reviewed and put up for re-bid every five years or so. Competition - good. Monopoly - bad. I don't take popcorn orders at work any more. Got tired of hearing, "what a rip-off." BSA fundraising policies merely state that you have to provide something of value in exchange for their money...it doesn't say it has to be a fair price.

See Public message: From the Guide to Safe Scouting: Unauthorized and Restricted Activities The following activities have been declared unauthorized and restricted by the Boy Scouts of America: All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are banned from program use. ATVs are defined as motorized recreational cycles with three or four large, soft tires, designed for off-road use on a variety of terrains.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/metro/20040708-113558-3906r.htm Virginia legislature has authorized a new license plate to honor the Boy Scouts of America. Authorization means the plate will be put into production if 350 paid applications are received within 180 days. Steve Cozza of Scouting For All has protested. A similar plate was authorized in 1999, but supporters were unable to obtain the required number of paid commitments.

Look at the Sony MiniDisk. My son used one to interview visiting Rock stars when he worked at the campus radio station. I'm no expert, but I believe you can record to a MD (unit is about $200), then download the digital file to your hard drive and transfer it to CD-R.

What a scout does before he gets to the meeting is his parents' problem. I have a scout who rides his bike to and from meetings...what's the diff?

ISTP The MBTI merely reflects your "preference"...those areas where you are most comfortable. The idea is to recognize the traits of others and adapt to them.

Ditto. My perception is that most scouts now are spoonfed MB in their troops and the rest they get at Summer Camp. Never had a request from outside my troop, even though I'm on the District List.

Taking my sons (and now other people's sons) back to the camp that I attended as an 11 year old Tenderfoot in 1966. As an OA member, seeing the pavilion that we built and seeing the list of signatures of those who were there in 1970 when it was dedicated...still on the wall...some deceased, most now grown and with sons of their own. Seeing the same trees and buildings, as well as new ones. Lining up at the flagpole for colors and seeing the Troop across the field that my Dad and I helped start in 1967...still strong and active, and at least for one week every year being able to go back in time and be happy again. Seeing my sons and other scouts "age out" (even if they didn't make Eagle) and start making ethical decisions in their own lives...because it's the right thing to do. Realizing that at least part of my life hasn't been for naught.

For all you self-proclaimed "experts" out there, "Jif" only has one F. At camp, a lot of the food comes from the FDA via the local food bank. ONe year they had #10 cans (5 lbs?) of what everyone thought was P-nut butter...but the can said "Almond Butter". Man, was that good. That stuff must sell for $20 a pound or more...if you can find it. Your tax dollars at work!

What does "suspended" mean? It obviously doesn't mean what I thought it did.

So, were you really a "Professional Scout Executive" as was stated on 6/28? (as opposed to an "unprofessional" one, I guess)(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Here are some doozies from Virginia: It is legal to drive while talking on a cell phone. It is legal to grow, manufacture and distribute substances known to directly and indirectly kill millions of people per year (tobacco). It is not considered child endangerment to expose children to a known carcinogen, e.g., tobacco smoke, thus causing life-threatening asthma attacks, but if you buy them a beer, you go to jail. Residents are allowed to keep anything they want in their yards, including 5 foot tall grass and a junked Greyhound Bus, as long as the inspector cannot see it from the street as he drives by. The fact that we have an infestation of mosquitoes (West Nile Virus), rats and snakes does not matter. I could go on and on...

Here's a question that should make National very uncomfortable: The Scout has "avowed" in a public interview that he is not "morally straight", and sees nothing wrong with illegal behavior that puts himself and others at risk. How is this any different from an avowed gay or atheist, other than the fact that what they do isn't illegal (in most states)? The reaction should be the same...swift, and sure. Or are some moral deviants more "acceptable" than others? HMMMMMMM?

Bob said: "If it is done you will probably never know since, for reasons of confidentiality, the BSA will not publish the action." As far as I'm concerned, the "Eagle Scout" has forfeited his right to confidentiality by allowing the good name of the BSA and of all Eagle Scouts everywhere (myself included) to be dragged through the mud. The only acceptable outcome is for the parents to be tried and convicted and for the BSA to revoke the Eagle award....publicly.

Run a "hot" wire from the positive side of the power source to each of the switches. Then another wire runs from the other pole of each switch to it's corresponding picture, and back to the negative side of the battery. The switch is what breaks the connection. This might be a good project for some "Electricity" MB candidate (req 11(a)).

There is no National Policy.

Are you referring to Sea Base in Florida? It's hard to tell what your issue is, amongst the ranting and raving. This is a forum of volunteers...if you have an issue, I suggest a well-worded (better than your posting) letter to National Headquarters, BSA, Irving, Texas. Then let us know what they say.

I've heard that before...from my own two sons...who will forever be Life Scouts. That magic age of 18 sneaks up on them after their brains get clouded with cars, girls and sports!

dabo: We encourage the use of English on the Forum. Except for Eammon...he's allowed to speak British. You might check your Boy Scout Handbook for this information.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Welcome to the campfire! If you noticed, this thread was a year old. Now you're gonna get 'em all wound up all over again! ;-)

Even when available, it was only FDA approved for use in adults.

Good luck, goodkidsmom. On behalf of all good Scouters everywhere, I am sorry that you and your son had this experience. Please invite us to his Eagle Court of Honor in six months(virtually, of course!). scoutldr

I wear four hats...Troop CC, OA Assoc Chap Advisor, District Training Chairman, and District Training staff for all CS and BS training in my district. I am at my breaking point, and am considering resigning the Training position (the one that I find the most stressful) for the following reasons: 1. I have been unsuccessful in recruiting trainers who are a)willing, b)capable, and c)willing to sit through Trainer Development Conference, which everyone agrees is useless. Those that meet at least 2 out of 3 of these criteria are already wearing other hats. Several times the DE has referred me to a good, experienced trainer, but when I contact them, they say, I would love to, but Im transferring in 3 months. 2. There is a strong Council initiative to get every leader trained. Don't get me wrong, I don't disagree with this, and they have backed off on the "mandatory" thing, but...every leader will be offered full training within 30 days of registration, all training courses must be set in stone (date and location) and published one year in advance, training courses should be scheduled whenever a unit requests it, train one-on-one if necessary, offer training at every camporee and every week of summer camp, yada, yada, yada. Like I said, training is important, but I cannot spend every evening and weekend doing it, just because the Council Executive Board dictated it. 3. I represent one of seven districts...some of the other districts have no training chair, or "we don't do the Blue side", or "we don't do the Green side". Consequently, when I do offer a course, it fills up with leaders from other districts and I don't make any progress on MY districts stats. Council policy is that all training is open to everyone. Again, don't get me wrong, these are eager, wonderful people, and I never turn anyone away, but why are other Districts allowed to skate and take advantage of me while some other district Key 3 gets the credit? 4. The current Cub training curriculum is ridiculous, requiring new training every time you move up in the program. Couple that with a highly mobile military community, and I can never get ahead. 5. I do have a real day job that pays my bills and requires flexible hours and sometimes traveling on short notice, not to mention a one-hour commute each way, so I am up at 5 am and not home until 6 pm most days. Being locked into a training schedule a year in advance is not realistic for me. If I have a meeting at 7 pm, sometimes I have to go straight there from work in order to make it in time, then I dont get home until 10 or later. 6. People are generally inconsiderate. I cut off registration a week ahead of time, but then Council gives out my home phone number. Then I get 5-6 calls a day for the last week from people I forgot to register, can I come anyway??? , or 3 days after the course, saying I know you just had a course, but something came up and we couldnt make it, when can you train 2 people? 7. Training locations will typically not commit to a year in advance, lest their own organization need the space. The Council Service Center is not available to us...half the year it is used as a Popcorn warehouse. Schools are a good location, but not open during the summers. 8. Bob White has almost convinced me that training should be perfect and by the book and if I cant do it that way, I shouldnt do it at all. While I do manage to present the required material, I freely admit that I dont do the preparation and delivery by the book (like have a series of meetings of the training staff prior to the event, and practice presenting the material to each other...does anyone really do it that way?). PIZAZZ??? Forget it. No way I can assemble a staff of 5 qualified trainers (who must now be certified and approved by the Council Training Committee) with 5 video tapes and 5 TV/VCRs and 5 classrooms to properly do the breakout sessions...25 or more times per year (whats required to meet the need). Aint gonna happen. I am thoroughly beaten into submission and I give up. Its officially too hard...and thanks to those above in this thread who reminded me that Im a volunteer and if its not fun, I can (and should) quit. I am having a serious case of the guilts, though, having just been presented with the District Award of Carrot (oops, I mean Merit) and now one year away from my District Committee Key. Sorry for the rant, but it has been good to actually put this to paper (electrons) and convince myself to move on. (This message has been edited by scoutldr)