scoutldr

Say it ain't so!!!! Don't leave me here to represent Virginia by myself (as far as I know!)... I didn't necessarily agree with your politics, but you serve a vital purpose here and in Scouting. You cause us to think and examine our ideals, politics and mores. I think we are a lot alike...firing for effect to stimulate discussion and lively debate. Whenever I get discouraged and depressed or overwhelmed with "cheerful service", I stop and think about why I still do this after 40 years in the movement...it's because Scouting was and is such a key part in my development and upbringing. My

Just a suggestion, KS...if the PL is going to take a "leave of absence", why not ask him to step down and appoint the APL to that position. It's not really fair for the PL to be getting credit for leadership that he's not providing, and for the APL to do all the work and not get credit for it. Also, I'm not sure what all the discussion is about patrol positions such as quartermaster and scribe, but they don't cut it. The only patrol position that gets "Leadership" status is the PL.

In the midst of our heated debate over gay rights, let's not forget our fallen brother. Any update or address yet? mike

As I stated elsewhere in the forums, "Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone." TJ, you can camp with me any time. I am as secure in my sexuality as you are in yours, and I don't think I would view you as a threat to "my boys". Maybe TJ is not a model of the first point of the Scout Law. As I also stated elsewhere...when do we go after the others who may not meet some anachronistic model... As Leaders, we have an obligation to prepare the youth to survive in TODAY's world and the world of the future, which may or may not coincide with "traditional" values. Years ago, the Cub Scou

Don't want to get off-thread, but I have to mention that, at least in our neighborhood, I know some kids in public schools who are not "losers"...two of them were mine and two others who come to mind were my wife and I. I am an Eagle Scout, have a master's degree and a 6 figure income...and am proud to be a public school product.

Agree with your sentiments, Eisely. But the fact remains that the only things authorized for the MB sash are merit badges, period. If the patch is too large to be worn on the right pocket, it needs to go somewhere else, like a blanket, non-uniform jacket, pack, etc...but not on the uniform.

Try the following for starters: http://www.councilfire.com/ntvfoods.htm

Second the motion for eBay. I am buying all of my uniforms there now...I especially like the shirt I got which was advertised as "Boy Scout Den Leader Uniform Shirt...only worn once!" 100% cotton and brand new!

As soon as we get an address, suggest everyone send a card and a patch...perhaps a CSP from your local area? I understand that security may prohibit releasing his home address, but can we send it in c/o the Council? In the meantime, the prayer chain is growing ... our thoughts and prayers are with you from Southeastern Virginia! Mike

I just cleaned out my closet and found my cheesy hat...the foam backing on the inside had disintegrated into powder and the hat is now a shapeless mass of cheap fabric in the landfill. Perhaps BSA is making uniforms which self-destruct after 10 years to kill the memorabilia market? I also re-discovered my uniform from the 60s...it's good as new and ready to wear...on a body much smaller! I appreciate those who are "down in the weeds" about patch placement, but having just attended a LLDC, we have a bigger challenge. The uniforming of the youth, supposedly our "cream of the crop", was atroc

In our council, all MB counsellors must be registered as such and fill out an adult application which is approved by the District Committee...but the fee is waived, as I recall. This was purportedly for youth protection and liability purposes. The district maintains a list of registered counsellors but the disturbing trend I am seeing is that units will create their own stable of counsellors who will work with their troop only. These are on the District list as registered counsellors, but annotated as "Troop XXX only". I have always heard that certain MB can be signed off by the Scoutmaste

It's not clear from your post if the program to which you refer is the same as the "Exploring" program of the BSA. That program is for career exploration for male and female youths aged 14-21. The units are called "Posts" and usually specialize in a career field such as medicine, computers, fire and rescue, etc. If a Boy Scout joins an Explorer Post, he can continue to advance in ranks up to and including Eagle Scout. The girls may not participate in the advancement or merit badge programs.

I can't get any of the links to work, except for this forum.

What a shame ... a magnificent animal.

You forgot to warn them that the DE will show up and do the FOS arm-twisting thing.

First of all, have all the leaders been trained (adult and youth)? Secondly, the "boy-run" plan put together by the PLC should be presented for approval by the Troop Committee, who should keep the standards high and make sure the youth know what's expected. Yes, troops should be "boy-run", but at this age they also need supervision and guidance. This can be done without "bullwhipping". I agree with having "high adventure" trips for the senior scouts, but they need to realize that the price they pay for this privilege is to also participate with and train the youngsters during the rou

I once heard a song performed at a Pack Mtg..."You Picked a Fine Time to Leave Me, Loose Wheel"...sung to the tune of the Kenny Rogers hit. Sorry I don't remember the words and don't know the source, but maybe someone else does...

RE: the requirement to learn water survival skills... A few years ago a young Navy sailor was blown off the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. The helo found him within 30 minutes...comfortably relaxing in the water with his inflated dungarees tied around his neck...a skill he had learned and perfected a few years before at Scout camp. I am a Swimming and Lifesaving MB counselor and BSA Lifeguard counselor. I have never seen anyone fail to complete this requirement. Some take longer than others and indeed I have spent a lot of their "free swim" hours in the deep end while they work on i

The "red and white" community strip and state strips are obsolete...they were replaced in the early 70s by the Council Shoulder Patch (CSP) and should not be worn together. We also have some "die-hards" in our council who refuse to admit that they are part of our council, so they wear the strips instead of the CSP since they are actually in another state. Also, the unit numerals with city and state from classb.com are not official, and technically should not be worn on the uniform. A good rule of thumb is that "if it's not sold by BSA, it's not official and can't be worn", except of course

I have seen the reference to "you wouldn't think of wearing half a uniform on the baseball or football team, would you?"...ad nauseam. The difference is that, in organized sports, the uniform is issued to the player and turned back in at the end of the season...the parent does not have to purchase it...to the tune of almost a hundred bucks. In four years of varsity baseball, all I had to buy was the hat, socks and cup. My 24 year old former Scout son is now playing softball on a church team...guess what...they all got a team shirt, but there are 11 different kinds of pants and hats on t

RE: religious award square knots...the silver on purple knot may be worn regardless of which award (Cub, Boy Scout)...if earned as a Cub Scout, the metal cub scout device is attached to the knot...if the Boy Scout version is earned, the Boy Scout device can be added. The same applies to adult square knots, such as the Scouter's Key. I also read once in the Insignia Guide that Eagle Palms should be attached to the Eagle Square Knot, although I never see them worn that way.

In the USA, merit badges and badges of rank may be earned and worn by youth under age 18 only. The only exception is the Eagle Scout award, for which a red, white and blue square knot (reef knot) is worn above the left shirt pocket. In other countries, the custom may be different.

It's not an official position, as far as I know, but I like the idea! Perhaps a "rocker" patch which says "EMERITUS" to fit under the "Scoutmaster" (or other position) patch. I have seen patches on eBay made like the "TRAINED" strip which read "RETIRED", "OVERTRAINED", "UNTRAINABLE", etc., but these are unofficial and unauthorized for uniform wear.

That's bizarre. I can see individual units having a program tailored to the beliefs of the CO, but at the District and Council level, the BSA program should be the same nationwide. This is tantamount to the BSA sanctioning the beliefs of one religion to the exclusion of all the others. I thought we were supposed to be tolerant and inclusionary? I can and do agree with the tenet of "duty to God", and agree that religion has a part in the movement...but only if it remains ecumenical. When a Council is operated to meet the demands of one religion, they are forcing those beliefs on others and

We were given the course catalogue for Philmont and strongly encouraged to attend by our DE. When I asked who paid the tuition and travel expenses, the reply was "Why, you do, of course!" I would really like to hear opinions if this training is really worth considering paying upwards of $1000 (tuition + travel) and a week's vacation time out of my own pocket. I am on the east coast and don't travel out of state much except on business. Like every other Scouter, I am already giving up a week for Summer Camp and more dollars than my wife should know about to support my "cheerful service".