scoutldr

And Adrienne Barbeau turned 63 today. Sigh...

You might have better success (and quicker), if you approach a non-BSA organization, e.g., the American Legion. Then the BSA could approve the wearing of the awards on the uniform...not unlike the religious awards model. The added benefit is that the awards would be open to ALL youth.

Seems to me that the GSUSA would not award its highest award to someone who was not a registered member of their organization. So yes, my guess is that the girls need to be dual-registered and meet all the other requirements of the GSUSA.

The keys to preventing heat stress are 1)hydration, 2)work/rest regimen and 3)acclimatization. In the workplace, workers can become acclimatized to 100 degree heat after a couple of weeks. Problem with today's youth (and adults!) is that they spend 24/7 in air conditioning, then go to summer camp (or Jambo). Then they get heat exhaustion, or worse...DUH. It's easy to say that in the old days we didn't have those problems...because when I was a Scout, we didn't have AC in school (or at home or cars in most cases). In the summer, we were outside from 8 am until dark, because there was nothing to do indoors. Only TV, and then only 3 channels. Nothing but soap operas and game shows during the day. It was just as hot then in my area (90's during the day with 70+ dew points), but we were out in it every day, all day. Yes, it's a different world today, and kids can't handle it, because that's the way we raised them. The Girl Scout council here is addressing the issue by providing air conditioned cabins and computers at summer camp. Is that the direction we need to go to survive? Or do we insist on taking today's round kids (pun intended) and trying to force them into square tents?(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

A chapter is not an entity of itself, but is a subset of the Lodge. What is the Lodge leadership doing to help? The Chapter Chief needs to be addressing his issues to the LEC and asking for their help. Your son, the advisor, should be attending Roundtable and District Committee meetings to represent the OA as well. At least in my District, the Chapter advisor is an ex officio member of the District Committee. Every troop should have an OA Troop Representative as a POR...there's your core membership and work it from there. As with everything else, "Program, Program, Program."

One sure way to join the District Committee is to become a COR. They are ex officio voting members of the District Committee. One reason for the age 21 restriction may be legal. I'll defer to Beavah on this, but I think that Boards are legal entities who do legal things like buy and sell real estate, enter into contraots and hire and fire people. In our council the Lodge Chief was a non-voting member. I also have to say this...on this side of the computer, sven, you sound like a nice, upstanding young man with only the best of intentions. But I have to remind you that we only are hearing your side of the story. It does seem mighty odd to me that your DE is going out of his way to keep you from attending District meetings (and you should be talking to the District Chair, not the DE). In my experience, no DE would stand in the way of a hard working volunteer, unless they were a real PITA to deal with (and I've seen more than my share of those). Sometimes what a volunteer brings to the table just isn't worth all the other baggage that comes with it. My best friend is the hardest working guy I know, but, by his own admission "does not play well with others", and does not have a very good reputation in the Council. But at the unit level, the boys love him, and he does a great job. Is there more to your story?(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Yes, you're getting old, Ea. So are we all. It's costing me about $10 a day just to drive to work and back, with a 2005 6 cyl Explorer. On the highway I get about 22 mpg, according to the trip computer, and about 17 mpg overall. But it's paid for. I thought about buying a little Econobox that gets 30 mpg, but then I think about the $300 car payment and higher personal property tax, so unless I want to make a political statement, it doesn't make sense. On the news tonight they announced that Dow Chemical was increasing the price of its products by 20% across the board. To me that was alarming...just about everything we touch has a Dow Chemical product somewhere in its pedigree. Personally I think gas prices will continue to increase until we are paying what the Europeans are paying ... roughly twice what we are currently paying. A year from now, we will wish for $4 gas to come back. Way back in college (1974), I took Economics 201 as an elective. One of the best courses I ever took. WHat I remember is that 4.5% unemployment is considered "full employment" because there is always a certain number of people "between jobs" for one reason or another. I also learned about inflation ("too much money chasing too few goods") and supply and demand. When I get on the Interstate, and the Suburbans, Tahoes, and jacked up Ford F250 Crew Cab 4x4 passes me doing 75 mph, that's economics in action...demand remains high while supply remains static...therefore cost goes up. It's all in the textbooks and it's not rocket science. The days of cheap gas, 20% stock market returns (historical average is 10-12%), defined pension plans, and secure employment are over. Be Prepared. It will get a lot worse, and may not get better in our lifetimes. Not to mention Global Warming....sheesh. I think I'll go shoot myself.

The answers to most of your questions are in the Cub Scout Leaders' Guide. The recommended ideal den size is 6-8. The Pack Committee (and CC) runs the business side of the Pack, while the CM and Den Leaders execute the program, supported by the committee. I once was CM of a Pack of 150 boys...12 dens plus 4 Webelos dens. At that point, we split the Pack and formed a new one. The idea being to form new dens and Packs, rather than keep feeding the dens to the point of Leader burnout. As a teacher, you may be trained and able to handle 30 boys, but most DLs are not. Sounds like the CC is just trying to follow the program, but maybe his communication could be improved.

Scouter1960, I think you're done. Find (or start) another Pack and move on. Your son is only a cub scout for a few years...is this how you want to spend them? Please be sure to give your District Commissioner a call and let them know why you're leaving. This guy is a control freak and you're not going to change him...only the COR can fix this.

I would never have allowed a Professional visit our PLC to do a sales pitch. That's not the DE's job. That being said, did the PLC invite the DE back to provide feedback (it's a gift!)? The Council Camping committee needs to know what it is that scouts value in a summer camp experience (if they're not asking, they're not doing THEIR jobs).

Could it be that's how novice Scouters feel, too? The perennials that we don't like very much thrive and keep coming back? If you want success, you have to follow the program, which is spelled out in the gardening manuals. (Gardening for Dummies?)

It's also alleging disparate treatment. If you're going to discriminate, at least do it to all who are similarly situated.

Foil dinners, dutch oven cobbler and s'mores at the reception?

I've never seen a "well-fitted" beret on a Scout.

Good idea except that sizes and numbers don't mean anything. I always have to try on. I ordered some switchbacks from Scoutstuff and had to exchange them at the Scout shop for a larger size. And I ALWAYS have to have the pants hemmed (28" inseam), so unhemmed is ok with me. That was interesting with the ankle zippers.

Berets only look good with a military style "high and tight" haircut. The hairstyles of today are the same as they were in 1973 (i.e., "unkempt mop")...hence the dorky appearance.

Well, at least they can say "It's cheaper than Beluga caviar".

I vote for the 60's version as well. It was practical, durable and looked good. On a related note, the US Navy is field testing a "new" uniform. The "service dress khaki"...the same uniform from the 1940-1970's with the khaki coat and shoulder boards (epaulettes?). What goes around, comes around.

Yes, but I would make HIM do it!!! :-) I have had success with the mesh bag and regular wash, but hand wash separately until you find out if the red will run. Also the red embroidery tends to unravel if vigorously agitated (don't we all!!). (This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Just looked again...no room for the Veteran Unit bar above the troop numerals?

Dissolve the shavings in water and use it to refill your liquid hand soap dispenser.

Then where would we put the colored loops?

I have noticed a big improvement in the website. Good job! One thing I have always wished for is the ability to download BSA pubs in .pdf format to my hard drive. A CD with all BSA pubs on it would be nice, too. In this electronic age, we, of all organizations, should minimize the killing of trees!

I would say no. The purposes of the Ordeal are specific and will be revealed to the Candidate following his/her call-out. The candidate should be inwardly focused on those purposes, and not on earning a MB.

The idea of pulling a trailer behind a busload of kids and an amateur driver scares me. I don't know the experience level of your CDL drivers, but I'll bet they're not professionals. But that's just me. We have a used Suburban that was donated to the Troop (gas). Even that is expensive to maintain and gas is becoming prohibitive (8-10 mpg when loaded). One of the leaders registered it in his name and all the adults share the expenses when a big ticket item comes up.