scoutldr

NancyB...the reality is that it could take a while for the BSA to catch up to the guy. If you are a registered leader, then the proper course of action for you is to call the Council office, and request to "speak to the Scout Executive on a Youth Protection matter". This is the code that the secretaries understand and will put you right through, if he/she is available. Tell him what you've told us. You do not have to be right...you just need to have suspicion. The SE will then take the steps to investigate the matter and take proper action. This is all handled confidentially, so you will not be briefed on the outcome. If the guy has a history of abuse, he needs to be removed from the program sooner rather than later. I would also suggest you go online and take the YP training for your Council, which will outline the proper ways to report. PS to Ed: I've been in the program over 35 years and just found out I've never had a background check. Had to fill out a new app for recharter and I doubt it's made its way through the hoops yet.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Since it is minted by the federal government US Mint, I'm thinking that will be the only place to order it.

To be active in the OA, you MUST be a registered member of a unit(Pack, Troop, Crew, Ship, etc), OR be serving as a District/Council Scouter. The service stars represent your tenure in the BSA, and have nothing to do with OA membership.

http://www.scouting.org/Media/PressReleases/2008/20081020.aspx

IMHO, any money "left on the table" should be refunded to the participants. Is it ethical to "take" money that isn't intended as a donation?

I grew up in the OA and never knew other "Camp Honor Programs" existed until I started reading scouter.com. Why do some councils feel a need to have two, competing programs? Isn't the OA the "official" BSA program?

"If costs continue to climb at the rate they have in the last 5 years, it will become out of reach of many scouts." Too late. It's already out of reach for those of us who have lost half our net worth in the last year and are nearing retirement. Nobody I know has the wherewithal to spend that kind of money right now. In this heavily DOD-dependent area, we are wondering if we'll have jobs a year from now.

Melanoma is not a death sentence if caught early. My wife and her sister have both had it, and so far, so good. Anyone who spent time in the sun before the days of sunscreen (like most of us old Scouts) should have a skin check by a dermatologist.

"And it should go with saying, we should never sacrifice any of our freedoms to achieve some sort of peace with our would-be oppressors." I'll remember that next time I go through an airport. No, I didn't agree with the Iraq war. My opinion has been proven by the Iraqis' failure to step up to the plate and run their own country. I am convinced that Democracy is not for everyone, especially if they aren't willing get off their butts and put in the effort. But what I've seen of the Democrat party doesn't impress me, either. Oral sex with interns (how soon we forget, but it's OK because we were prosperous under the Clintons). Racist and criminal associations. Empty rhetoric without detail. Auctioning off Senate seats to the highest bidder. And now Caroline Kennedy, who thinks she's qualified by virtue of her family lineage and huge fortune. The reason we seceded from England was precisely because of things like this. Have we forgotten?

In our lodge, an Arrowman can purchase and wear the flap immediately following his Ordeal ceremony. For most of them, that's the last time we see them at an OA function.

"minus the USSR as a superpower" I wouldn't make that assumption, Rooster.

I just got my issue of Scouting today. I thought the tone of the article about Jambo was rather terse. "Medical devices" will not be supported. I use a CPAP machine, so I guess I'm out, although it never slows me down otherwise. Sounds like handicapped Scouts need not apply and are not welcome. Also sounds like a lot of those who think their application has been approved may be in for a rude awakening.

While the Scouting magazine article explains how to get the knots right side up, they got it wrong in at least two instances in the pictures.

I would prefer something less ostentatious.

From my heritage, Froehliche Weihnachten! In spite of our differences and sometimes heated discussions, we all wear the same uniform and I am firmly convinced we are all here for the good of the youth we serve, and I would be proud to share a campfire with any of you. To all my brothers and sisters in Scouting...A Blessed Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a better New Year!

We've done really well with the "airing of grievances". Now who's for some "feats of strength"???

Yeah, let's sit around and curse the weather. Damn Virginia! Conditions so horrendous no self=respecting human would live there. Let's move Jambo to the UP of Michigan in January, then we can even the score and make us Southerners suffer equally! FWIW, my council camp is about an hour from the Jambo site...never had a problem in the 40+ years I've been going there every July. The casualties at the last Jambo, from what I heard, were more from stupidity than the weather. (This message has been edited by scoutldr)

"people with blood pressure issues should cut out caffein a week or two before the trek" Well, now THAT's sound medical advice. So, after check in, he's free to drink coffee for the remainder of the trek since his BP won't be checked again until he ends up in the ER? Here's an idea...why don't we leave the practice of medicine to those who are licensed to do so.

All of this is for 2010 Jambo purposes. There is no valid reason that a "talent release" should be connected to a Health and Medical form.

Thanks for your unofficial opinion, Bob. But, following your inerrant advice to just "read and follow the BSA program materials", most of us have formed different unofficial opinions. So, until the BSA clarifies the intent, in writing, we will just have to agree to disagree.

Thank you, Counsellor. That is exactly the logic I've been trying to put forth here. If "risk of medical emergency" is the criterion, then we need more "screen-out" factors than weight. Let's have maximum limits for trigycerides, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, etc etc. The "can't carry a fat guy" argument fails to hold water. When I teach BSA Lifeguard, I purposely choose a victim who is NOT a typical 70 lb 11 year old...usually myself or the Aquatics Director (a female who is more obese than I am, but much more bouyant). It builds their confidence to know there are methods whereby a couple of skinny kids can rescue me off the bottom of the pool, get me on a backboard and out of the pool where they can do CPR. Allow me to throw out another challenge...if I grow 6 inches taller, problem solved and I meet the standards. Anyone want to join me? (my success with this will be about the same). PS: What else is ambiguous, is who exactly will be the "Enforcer". As I read it, the form is speaking to the health care provider who must sign the form. In reality, the 14 yo CIT who inspects my medical record when I check in at summer camp will just be looking for a signature and date. If the form says "strongly encouraged", then I don't know many MD's who will sign the form, knowing they are going against BSA "recommendations" as stated on the form. They won't be privy to these discussions, nor to the FAQ on the BSA website which may or may not clarify ambiguities.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Posting recipes for Dutch Oven Lasagna should be banned. Anyone for Dutch Oven Salad?

Since you're into being precise, Bob, the word is "prerogative". It's not the local council or your SE who has to sign off on the form...it's your health care provider. If you were an MD, would the language and intent as written on the form be sufficient for you to put your medical license on the line? I can't see arguing with my Doc over the meaning of "evacuate" or whether my summer camp is considered "high adventure" or not. After all, the form is good for a year...not for a single event. He doesn't have time for that...nor should he be required to deal with such ambiguities. My camp does not employ a licensed doctor or nurse. Some years we had junior corpsmen from the Navy (E-2 to be exact, and the last one pointed his ear thermometer down my throat and wondered why it didn't work). Recent years, we had an EMT, who by the way, weighed at least 400 lbs and had to use a golf cart to get around. So I would interpret "evacuate" to mean the time it takes to get an ambulance (i.e., "ground transportation") to the camp and back to the nearest competent medical care (hospital)...at least an hour...on a good day. I'm not trying to make it more difficult...but I DO wish the BSA would hire writers who can say what exactly they mean. PS: Perhaps it's also a cost-saving move...now they only have to stock uniforms in S/M/L.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

That's my interpretation, as well. And I have a 30 year career in interpreting government rules and regulations. In the past, I have been medically "cleared for all activities" on the annual medical form. Unless the intent is to require a new form for each activity...there's a big difference between teaching swimming for a week at summer camp and a two week trip in the Northern Tier. I can't believe the BSA released such a form without going through a "murder board" to uncover all the ambiguities, loopholes and unintended consequences. Or maybe they did, and the consequences are intended.

Call me cynical...I'm not willing to trust my entire estate to some lawyer, whose only interest is to find a way to get the BSA and their insurance carrier off the hook. For a couple of hundred dollars a year, I can sleep at night, and am also protected for non-BSA incidents. Where did I hear this before..."BE PREPARED"???