scoutldr

As Beavah would say, "Yah, hmmm." One of the articles states that alleged encounters occured at scout campouts. That should not happen in a unit that was YP trained and the fellow Scouters were alert and vigilant. What happens in a scout's own home is beyond our control...that's the parents' responsibility.

That's it in a nutshell...$$$ and numbers. When recalcitrant Scouters such as us start dropping inactive names from the rolls, it directly affects the only metrics they know...money and membership.

I never understood the "support your local camp" argument (for summer camp). If the facilities and program are competitive, you will get OOC troops to make up for the ones who go to other camps. I don't know of ANY troops any more who go to the same camp year after year. As I am fond of saying, the metric should be "butts in cots"...doesn't matter what CSP is on their shoulder. In fact, OOC is better, because we charge them more. We even have senior scouts and Venturers who STAFF OOC camps...because they are paid better and are treated better. If people are not staffing or attending your camp, look in the mirror and ask why, then FIX it. Don't blame the volunteer unit scouters.

That's fine until recharter time when the DE and/or DC take it upon themselves to personally call each "dropped" member and convince them to remain on the books, then bill your unit for the fee.

I never thought of the strip as an "award" to be given someone...if you're qualified, go buy one and wear it. I think most people don't wear it, because they don't know about it. Boys and adults may wear this strip if they show their knowledge of a foreign language or the sign language for the hearing impaired by: 1.Carrying on a five-minute conversation in this language. 2.Translating a two-minute speech or address. 3.Writing a letter in the language (does not apply for sign language). 4.Translating 200 words from the written word.

As a scout and Explorer, I wore the "Deutsch" strip, having taken German in high school through fifth year. I was semi-fluent at one time. I can still read German passably, but I no longer wear it, because my German is so rusty, I would just get quickly embarrassed. And most European kids speak English better than our kids do.

There are things called "travel bugs"...coins or other objects with a serial number on it. When you find it, you log it in on an internet site and take it to your next location. The next person to find it logs it in and takes it somewhere else...you can track the "travels" of your bug online. A cache can be like an ammo box with trinkets and a log book in it...you can take a trinket (e.g., a small toy or scout patch), but you should leave one in exchange, and log your visit in the book. Other caches can be camoflaged to look like a hollow log. Another variation is the "micro"...you can be spot on the coordinates, but spend the rest of the day looking for it...maybe as small as a shotgun shell (or smaller), tied 30 feet up in a tree. See www.geocaching.com for more info...

I agree with Oak. I think we can all be thankful that there are alert Scouters out there thinking about this stuff and asking questions! Kudos to Apache Bob for starting the discussion and for the mostly civil and thoughtful replies.

So you want to "go-see-it" without "going"? That's a tough one.

Sounds exactly like the old Explorer Post I was proud to be a member of in the early 70's. We were chartered by a Vol Fire and Rescue Squad, and they gave us a 1959 Cadillac Ambulance to use (think Ghostbusters!). We staffed all district events, OA events and even for other districts. Our advisor was a member of the VFD so he and the ambulance were fully licensed should a trip to the hospital be necessary. Our older members could join the VFD when they turned 18, but couldn't drive equipment until 21. From the ages of 14-18, we trained just like the full members...back then it was ARC standard and advanced First Aid, and First Aid instructor (I was the youngest ARC instructor in the area at age 16). We also could take all the firefighter and rescue training. We learned a lot, had a blast, and provided a valuable service. Those were still my best days in "Scouting".

From my years as a Cubmaster: "I couldn't POSSIBLY be a Den Leader...I WORK full time" "You can have my Master Card...just don't expect me to DO anything" "I don't agree with that...let me talk to your SUPERVISOR" (so I handed the phone to my wife)

Ditto from another FOS who will probably retire from Scouting soon. I can take a hint. Agree with the Dr/Pt relationship...but I suspect the Obama/Reid/Pelosi gang will also dictate to us. I can predict it now..."in order to get the taxpayer subsidy on your mandatory health insurance, you MUST adhere to these standards for weight/smoking/diet/lifestyle." Far-fetched? Nothing would surprise me now.

Your "Jamboree death march" is just a normal summer camp for us... I, too, hate to be cold...if I don't have to be. I guess I've never really invested in the proper equipment, since it doesn't get "really cold" here...I've seen "Freezorees" in the 70's. Felt kinda ridiculous accepting a patch for it.

My favorites are the ones who drive through blinding rain/fog with no lights on...and get furious when you pull out in front of them because you couldn't see them...clueless MOE-RONS. (yes, we have a law...doesn't help).

The new book, "Boy Scouts of America: A Centennial History" ($35 list), is available on Amazon.com for $23.10 and I saw it at a Barnes and Noble store yesterday for 20% off list price ($28). Note, this is the book only, not the $300 "collector's edition" with all the extra doo-dads.

In the interest of fairness, I would be interested in seeing impartial data which disproves the above polls.

I recently discovered Facebook and established a "Troop XX Alumni" page and have been inviting scouts and former scouts and their families to join. My goal is to someday have a reunion, and it is interesting to see what the guys are up to some 10-15 years later. I was worried that having "Mr. Scoutldr" as a friend might not go over so well with them, but so far, all have joined when asked. I do kinda cringe at what I might discover, since their Eagle boards are coming up...but so far, so good. I do resist the urge to chime in with comments, when "Billy" says "I'm bored with nothing to do", and I want to reply, "So...how's that Eagle project writeup coming?"

Give me 90 over 30 any day...here on the right coast, all we got was rain...and 40-50 degree temps...perfect camping weather! Of course, the ground is still saturated from the 10 inches we got 3 weeks ago from the nor'easter, so my backyard is a mud pit. I don't like snow unless it's on the weekend. People drive like morons...as they do every day, and going to work is to risk one's life. Since we only get measurable snow once or twice a year, they don't invest much in snowplow equipment. Everything here grinds to a halt and they close the schools. They are already having to go to school on Saturdays to make up for the nor'easter. (not much damage, but streets were flooded and power was out in a lot of areas).

Rasmussen poll, July 2009: 53% of Americans oppose congressional health care reform.

Fair tax, anyone? I would like nothing more than to see the tax code buried once and for all. When the average American can't figure out on their own what their obligation is, and a whole industry is devoted to income tax preparation, legal defense, etc...something is terribly wrong.

While this is an interesting discussion around the campfire, bottom line is it doesn't matter until you're audited, as has been pointed out. Reading Oak Tree's post, I agree that camp fees could be deductible...if you have "duties" related to the trip. I guess it could be argued that BSA only requires "two deep" leadership, so the only ones who have "duty" are the leader and assistant. The other six dads and moms who tag along are there for the fun of it, (or to fulfill "helicopter" tendencies) except for providing transportation to and from. This is fun!

If the scout quits or just doesn't show up, what happens to the tent?

I will just continue to do what allows me to sleep at night. I will read the IRS guidelines, and go with TurboTax and do what I think is the right thing. A Scout is Trustworthy. I have never deducted camp fees, because I would be eating anyway. I know for a fact, the Camp does not make a profit on camp fees. It's not worth it to consult a tax attorney to get the extra $3 refund on my taxes, or to pay a CPA $500 so his secretary can key-punch it into the professional version of TurboTax. My life is not that complicated. If I get audited (not yet), I will be honest about what I did and why I did it and take what comes. It's not going to break me either way, and there was no intent to defraud. I'm just an honest American trying to do the right thing.

evry...I disagree. I believe your camp fee is considered "room and board" for which you received something of value, and is, therefore not a donation. Neither is your son's camp fee. Your mileage, uniforms and equipment may be, if they are not suitable for use in settings other than scouting. However, I am not a CPA, lawyer or IRS agent.

Since I have an vintage Rexcraft nickel plated BSA bugle in mint condition, but don't have a clue how to play it, I was ready to plunk down the $170. Looks like you have to buy the whole thing from them for $525, though. (bugle, case, insert). Can't buy just the insert unless you have previously bought the bugle from them. Dang.