scoutldr

Put the responsibility where it belongs...on the scouts. Remind them at every meeting...if YOU don't get your forms turned in, YOU are not going to camp. Period. Then stick to your guns. The day after the deadline, turn over whatever forms you have, then your job is done. Tell the Scoutmaster that if he wants to accept more forms, it's on him to process them. People procrastinate and ignore you because they can.

"Weimar Republic"..does that count for Godwin's rule?

When you consider ALL of the expenses of operating a vehicle (gas, oil, tires, depreciation, insurance, licensing) you will NEVER come out ahead. I always preferred to drive my own vehicle, because with elderly parents (at the time), I never knew when I would get the "phone call" and have to drop everything and go home. So I figured that was my choice, and didn't charge for gas for the passengers who wanted to ride with me.

@, I've found the poles on each corner of the cot work best. The tennis ball on the end of each pole is a good idea to prevent poking through the net. I usually found there is nothing on the inside of the tent to tie off to, since the flap tie-back straps get ripped off early in the tent's life. Also, make sure the net reaches all the way to the floor, and you are correct, if you are up against the net, the little suckers will find you.

Standard mileage rate for charity has been 14 cents/mile since 1998. It would be up to the unit whether they wanted to reimburse cents per mile, or submit gas receipts. What you claim for tax purposes is between you and the IRS. And don't forget the 14 cents is a tax "deduction" not a tax credit, so the value of the deduction depends on your taxable income. For those like us older folks who are nearing "standard deduction" territory, the 14 cents per mile deduction is worthless and it would be better to be reimbursed for gas directly.

Can't wait for the Executive Order that says our YP program is unconstitutional and we have to allow genderless latrines and showers at camp.

The green ones were in the official catalog in the early 60s. I used to look forward to getting that catalog in the mail like getting the Sears and Montgomery Ward Christmas catalogs.

Well, I am even more of a "traditionalist" than most traditionalists. There are several purposes to the MB program, not the least of which is to get boys familiar with taking the initiative to contact an adult they may not know, set up appointments, and complete the requirements without the "spoonfeeding" from parents or unit leaders (e.g. Merit Badge Fairs). My pet peeve is those units who sign up (or not) parents to counsel MB to their own troop only, which parents may or may not be "experts" in the field. The program was designed for MB Counselors to be registered at the District level to be a resource for all troops. Not every troop will have a true "expert" in fields such as Composite Materials, Beekeeping, or Fruit and Nut Culture. (I know those are "retired" subjects and I'm showing my age here The second purpose is to introduce scouts to potential career fields, learning from true experts by vocation or avocation, who have a passion for the field and can effectively communicate that passion to the scout. Not just someone who can read the MB requirements and verify that they were completed. It's the journey, not the piece of cloth.

Duluth has been too pricey for my budget. I'm a Hanes man.

Maybe she's jealous that her daughter will not get the first "Gold". Petty.

@KDD - yes, cooler. As I recall, this was Sunday, we had just checked in and Mom had not gone home yet. Pretty sure the cooler went with her. Glass bottles were all we had back then...plastic had not yet been invented . Mattress was about 3 inches thick and stuffed with cotton batting....military surplus I think. In later years, they switched to canvas cots and you brought your own foam pad/sleeping bag. Meals were delivered to the campsite in "heater stacks"...no dining hall or central showers. All aquatics were in the James River. My first and only MB was Rowing and oh, how I remember those wooden rowboats were so heavy to launch and swamp and carry back up the beach. Swimmers test and Mile Swim were in the river, following a rowboat...upstream halfway and back down the last half. That was when men were men and the boys were too.

He will be kicking himself the rest of his life if he walks away now. Not sure how to impress that on him. I know too many adults who are "Life for life" and every one of them regrets not finishing.

First summer camp, circa 1966. Pipsico Scout Reservation, Tidewater Council. Didn't know about mosquito nets. Learned quickly. (I am the handsome young Second Class on the left!)

I always told my Scouts to be aware of what they were learning in school, especially extra-curriculars like band, drama and sports. Lots of those activities will satisfy MB requirements...just get them verified with a registered MB Counselor, preferably before starting.

Standard summer camp gear included skeeter nets (army surplus - durable) and pre-cut sticks or dowels about 4 feet long. Duct tape the poles to each corner of the cot and drape the net over (which is in a box shape). The cheap nylon nets available at places like Walmart are ok for one season, but tend to get holes in them. Make sure the net reaches all the way to the floor...you may have to adjust the length of the poles.

A pack cannot re-register without those leaders in place. Talk to your District Commissioner and District Executive and let them know they need to step in and help save the Pack. They should be working closely with your Chartered Organization.

Keep in mind...Scouting is about the journey, not the Eagle. Advancement is a byproduct of the program.

I have many Jewish friends. Never heard them say "OH MY G-D"

And the adjective "frickin" seems to have become acceptable in polite conversation. We all know what it's a substitute for. I guess "gosh darn" was the analogous phrase in our parents' day.

I find the copious use of "Oh MY GOD" (OMG) to be just as offensive. I had to remind one scout (who was devout Catholic) of the Third Commandment and he was like, "what are you talking about?"

http://www.businessinsider.com/history-of-the-40-hour-workweek-2015-10

In my council, EBOR are scheduled and performed by the Unit Committee (like all BOR), with a District Rep present. The District Rep's job is to ensure an appropriate BOR is conducted, i.e., reasonable time limit, no retesting, no inappropriate questions, SM,ASM and parents not participating, etc. Council does not get involved except to "pre-approve" the Eagle app, the Registrar certifying that the advancement records are all correct. The District Advancement Chairman approves the Eagle Project plan before the Scout starts work. When the EBOR is complete, everything is given back to the Scout, except the Application and Letters of Reference. The letters are destroyed and the App goes to Council for forwarding to National. Parents will be told it can take up to 8 weeks to get back, then they can have the COH (or not).

And that's precisely why the Govt pays 2-3x more than it should cost for a given result.

What I see happening is that the job of the DE will become more tightly defined. The jobs that should be done by volunteer youth, Scouters and Commissioner staff will simply not get done. I have seen DEs staffing summer camp, chopping wood at camp, conducting training, attending Blue and Golds and Pinewood Derbies, unloading the popcorn truck and other "duties as assigned". Their core duties are "more units, more scouts and more money".

The difference is "independent contractors" i.e., free lancers. Your "statement of work" is with the Contractor with whom you have a contract. The people who "come and go" are employees of the Contractor. You don't get to tell the contractor HOW to achieve the statement of work, how many people to hire, what to pay them, etc. Independent contractors are usually "sole proprietors", if I'm not mistaken. The example I always use is the plumber who buys tools and a truck and a yellow pages ad. You hire him to fix your pipes and he comes out usually onHIS schedule, not yours. You don't get to tell him how to dress, what tools to use, or how long to spend. You pay him for results. But this gets complicated, and like I said, I'm not an expert.