scoutldr

Thanks, Gern. I just bought Slumdog at Costco...can't wait to drop that bit of trivia as we're watching the movie!

Congratulations! For two certificates, you may need a custom job. http://www.potomacdisplay.com/pd_catalog.cgi?dmt=on&mt=6524&tt=833

I too was in an Explorer Post in the 70's ...fire and rescue. At that time in my life, it was a blast and the only thing that kept me in Scouting. I finished my Eagle as an Explorer, did three 50 milers, did Hurricane Camille search and rescue from a Huey helicopter, staffed all the council events with our hand-me-down ambulance, responded to fires and did the grunt work (cleanup and salvage operations). Took all the same training as a fully qualified firefighter...including heavy-duty rescue/vehicle extrication. The Post went co-ed during that time, and the rest, as they say, is history. Too bad the reporter missed the fine nuances of LFL, starting with the headline. They are not technically "Scouts". I think it's great. (and yes, the Scouts already get training in "lethal weapons"...we call it the "rifle range")

At least we're getting there. To give your son an idea of how an EBOR goes, Google "Eagle Board of Review Preparation" for some excellent advice and sample questions. Now is the time to review his uniform...is it clean and complete? Does it need to go to the drycleaners? Does it still fit? Any merit badges on the dresser that need to be sewn on? All patches in the correct location? As one who frequently sits on EBOR as the District Rep, what I would do is treat this like a normal EBOR...not an inquisition to determine who's "right". Hopefully that background work has already been done by the DAC which is why his appeal has been granted. The night of the EBOR is not the time to be taking "depositions" from witnesses. Once we determine he's met the eligibility requirements for Eagle, it's our job to help him become one. Hopefully your Council people are reasonable. Hope it's not mine! ;-)

Agree with Stosh. Providing "all the best for the boys" is not our mission. It's to train leaders.

As I read it, the control points vary in point value, so the strategy is to maximize points...either hit a lot of low point values, or concentrate on a few of the high values.

Didn't hear much about it, except for a blurb on the council website. Just looked at the pictures and didn't see anyone there except the Pros, since they were here on a weekday in the middle of the day. Nice motorhome. Would have been nice to have had some press coverage, or have them stay long enough for people to get over there after work. Guess they're on a tight schedule.

Won't be long before Pharmacia/Upjohn takes notice and sues for trademark infringement.

I have never seen a Second Class certificate framed and hanging on the wall of someone's den or office.

OK, Stosh, be that way. When we were first married 30-some years ago, my young bride grabbed Cinnamon instead of the chili powder. That was an interesting tasting chili.

If a video is allowed, you can bet it will be on YouTube by the end of the weekend.

I think we need a new category..."Camp Recipes"

I think you're off base, Ed. Unless there is a signed and notarized Healthcare Power of Attorney (which is included in the old BSA Medical form), I think the ER doc will insist on contacting a parent, or get a court order, unless treatment is necessary to save life or limb. Especially with the new HIPAA privacy laws.

Careful...junior can NOT sleep with other boys, if they have THEIR adult partner/guardian/parent with them...correct? I side with Beavah. However...for the lawyers out there...what is the definition of "legal guardian"...is a court order required, or is a simple handwritten permission slip giving the "guardian" in loco parentis rights and responsibilities sufficient? What exactly does it take to get BSA off the hook and comply with the spirit of YP? To me, a "reasonable man", I would think a note from the custodial parent stating that permission has been granted for "Uncle Joe" to serve as the adult partner for the Cub "family campout" should suffice. Then if Joe turns out to be a "funny uncle", the BSA and the Unit are off the hook, having done "due diligence" to ensure the safety of the youth. Or have I been watching too much "Law and Order"? Or are we in the business to second-guess the judgment of the parent, even though Uncle Joe serves this role in all other aspects of the child's life, and in fact may be helping to raise him? Kids in this situation have enough baggage to carry through life...why add to it?(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Last time I checked, I am a "single sex parent", too. ;-) "More than half of all black children live in single-parent households, a number that has doubled doubled since we were children." - Barack Obama, June 2008 So I don't view this as a homosexual issue...it's a family issue. I have to agree with Twocubdad. The days of the Ward and June Cleaver household are over and we need to adapt to our constituency...or consciously decide to leave them behind because they don't fit our notion of the 1950's nuclear family unit. Cubbing is "family camping"...and, like it or not, the definition of "family" is very diverse indeed.

In the US, the Boy Scout program is "chartered" to an organization to use as their youth program. The idea is similar to a "license" or "franchise" of a McDonald's restaurant. Someone else owns the restaurant, but can use the McD name, trademarks, advertising and supplies in a manner acceptable to McDonalds, Inc. In Scouting, modifiations can be made to the program to suit the CO's needs, within limits. In Scouting, sometimes the line gets fuzzy as we can have weak Chartered Organizations who participate minimally (sign the form once a year and provide a place to meet, if we're lucky), to the other end of the spectrum such as the LDS church, who uses a widely modified Scouting program as an integral part of their youth ministry...in fact it IS their youth ministry and all LDS boys are automatically registered in a unit whether they actively participate or not (which keeps the BSA happy). Also note that the GSUSA is a totally separate organization and they don't do it this way.

So, then, there was no background check completed by BSA. SOunds like the system is working as it should. If the CC/COR decide they want to proceed, they can contact the SE and go from there. I do believe in redemption...except for child/domestic abusers and pedophiles. Our current ASM was convicted of armed robbery as a teenager. The judge gave him a choice...jail or the Army. He served with honor in the Special Forces in Vietnam, and just retired from Federal service. He is one of my best friends and I would trust him with my life and my kids' lives.

On the Application, the question is still there, "Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense? If so, explain below." IF he was truthful, then you can decide whether or not to even submit the app to Council. If he was NOT truthful, and this conviction only came to light from the background check, then I would not want him anyway because he is incredibly stupid. Did he think he could lie on the question and it wouldn't be caught? A Scout is Trustworthy.

Opinions notwithstanding, as scouterclaude pointed out, BSA policy is "All aspects of the Scouting program are open to observation by parents and leaders" So excluding the parent/District Commissioner was just plain wrong. I would have had a face-to-face with the Supreme Chief of the Fire.

If he is considered "trained" for his position, then that should suffice, regardless of which version he took. Yes, YP is online and everyone should be doing that anyway.

http://tinyurl.com/qa76fw "United Order of Tents"...hmmm...sounds like an organization I'd like to join, what with my interest in camping...maybe I'll go knock on their door and demand they admit me to membership, and if they don't I'll sue them. After all, old, fat, straight white guys have rights, too. They even have a "uniform". Anyone want to join me? We can start our own chapter!

I know one of the animators at Pixar who worked on this film. She is a Gold Award GS, as are her 2 sisters and mother...brother and SM Dad are Eagles. LOng time family friends.

My first impression is that the Venturers should be involved in planning and running the Camporee for the younger BS and CS. Isn't that part of their mission? If they want a "Venturing Only" event, make it on a different weekend.

Yes the BSA is a bigoted, discriminatory organization. And the SCOTUS (interesting...anagram for SCOUTS) has ruled that the discrimination is legal, since it is a private organization. If you would take the time to look up the Webster's definition of "bigoted", you would realize that your initial post is also bigoted. If you don't like our private organization, then go away and find one you DO like. It's a free country, after all, with "freedom of association" and all that. So yes, I agree with you. Is there anything else you would like to argue? It's not very productive to blame the BSA for what's written in the Bible. The OT also says that children who disobey their parents should be put to death. I can't remember the last time I did that. I choose to believe that the Bible is allegory...not literal law for living. And if GHWB actually said that, I disagree with him too. But I doubt he'll change his mind because I don't agree.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

It's been awhile since I've been involved with Pack management, but is "Den Dues" the custom now? Seems to me that all dues and donations should be routed through the Pack financial records (Treasurer) so that proper accounting can be made. Back in the day, if a DL needed funds for supplies, it was requested from the Pack Treasurer, then reimbursed with proper receipts. All non-consumables became property of the Pack. Have things changed?