sctmom

Cjmiam, Thank you for being honest. About who stays when they don't agree with the policy, I think it is about how severe they see the threat or consequences of any policy. I have looked at what is gained by me staying and what is gained by me leaving. I think everyone has their own level of when it becomes necessary to leave. At some point we each say we just can't live with a particular decision, whatever policy we are discussing. I don't agree with the current policy but can live with it. That is not the ONLY thing Scouting is teaching my son. My son loses if I pull him out of t

The troop my son is about to join and I will too as a Scouter in some capacity, has the rule of no parent signs off on their own son's requirements. What I like about this rule is that my son is forced to deal with other adults than myself. He gains a lot in the area of interpersonal skills when made to do that. He has already looked at the requirements for Tenderfoot and said "I've already done that, why can't you sign off on it." My answer to him is that if he's already done it then it will be simple to do it again. I explain they aren't out to fail him, this isn't like getting testing

No need to apologize OGE. You asked an honest question that many of us wanted to know the answer to. You trusted other Scouters to on their best behavior. Unfortunately, a few people ruined it. This happens often in the "real" world as well. Based on the other posts about the poll, most people were honest and were upset what happened no matter which way they voted. We can take away a lesson from this --- you can't judge a group by a handful of noisy people.

As a Webelos Leader I've attended about 3 roundtables. I didn't know anyone there and felt invisible. Everyone was chatting with their buddies. I didn't know what the routine was for the roundtable and felt lost. I didn't get any more information there than what I can get by reading the handbooks and web pages. In fact, I felt I was getting a lot of wrong information during the Webelos breakout session (being told that in Boy Scouts the boys put up the adults tents, make the scoutmaster's coffee, etc.) It's about 20 miles from my house. My biggest reason for not going is that I'm a sin

"Is it legitimate to condemn religion for historical atrocities? First we had better examine the facts. " I wasn't condemn religion for it's histrocial atrocities / inaccuracies. My Bible (NIV Study Bible published by Zondervan) says there is some question about if Matthew and Luke drew more on Mark's account of Jesus than on their own first hand accounts, even though they saw Jesus first hand. But since Jesus didn't speak modern day American English, I can safely bet that he didn't say word for word what is in my Bible. Yet the meaning is the same. Or is it? I personally find it intere

The writings of our forefathers also recognized religions other than just Christianity and Judiasm. They knew about Muslims and Buddhists. That's why they were careful about not putting the words "Christianity" in government documents.

My point was that even if the ark as described in the current day Bible can't float, so what? Does that make the story less important? NO! I wasn't discrediting the Bible. Even Bible scholars say you can't pick the Bible apart word for word and not everything is scientifically provable. Same with other religious texts and the same with orally handed down stories. No one was standing there with a pen and paper writing down word for word what was happening as Moses travelled around or when Jesus was speaking. These things were written down centuries after they happened. Does that make

Geez, I really wanted to know the opinions of the people who frequent this board -- Scouters and parents of Scouts. I voted I would stay. Ironically I was betting I would be in the minority, but the person who "threw" the results was in what I thought was the "majority". Funny or sad? I saw on one article that BSA says 30% of adults involved in scouting say homosexuals should be allowed. I wish I could see the whole story behind that study. Of the other 70%, how many say NO and how many just don't know. And how many think it should be a local option. I'm not saying I know the answer to wh

I just came across that poem by Kipling. I thought it fit in well with Scouting. I am adding it to the folder of things I plan to give to my son when he is older -- along with a great silly poem about how I am going to act when I get old and he has to take care of me (like go yuck about green beans).LOL Seriously, I thought this might be a good poem to read at some special events for young men.

I had my son look over the requirements for the Tenderfoot badge and he realized that he knew how to do most of this stuff. He will be receiving his Arrow of Light and crossing over to Boy Scouts on March 11th. That following weekend he will go on a 2-night campout with the troop. He is very excited and was pleased to see that his work on the Arrow of Light is paying off so quickly in Boy Scouts. At the same time, he sees it as enough of a challenge to be different than Cub Scouts. Even though there are skills in scouting that I can teach him myself, I'm really looking forward to h

If by Rudyard Kipling If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or, being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise; If you can dream - and not make dreams your master; If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with triumph and disaster And treat those two imposters jus

By no means do I want anyone to think that most males in BSA do not like women in scouting, in fact I have felt a very warm and sincere welcome. Even though many of us disagree on one or two subjects, I wish that all scouters would stand up and say what they feel. But let's not resort to name calling (of people or beliefs). Rooster, I thought the BSA's stance was that homosexuality was immoral not about pedophiles. Pedophiles and other sexual abusers are getting their kicks from the power they have over others. None of this should be tolerated. Homosexuals are no more likely to abu

I find it very ironic to hear some speak of "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" when they themselves are guilty of this. Mom Scouter, Let me tell you I agree with you 100%, but you are wasting your time talking to deaf ears. You will soon be banished to the corner with me and therefore be ignored no matter what you try to discuss. Also, you will soon find out that some people do not believe you can do certain things within BSA because you are female. Don't give up. We have to do what is best for OUR sons, and raise them according OUR beliefs. Thank you for the link to Scoutin

I went to the pages referenced by OGE. It says the Board of Review can not retest the scout but by talking to him can decide if he meet the requirements or not. So, I would take that to mean if when asked about did he like learning to orient a map and he says "huh? what is orient? what map?", the BOR can say "stop, do not pass go, do again." Having been in the Cub Scout world for the past few years, I'm not sure I agree with your statement of "do your best". In Cub Scouts, the scout has to 'try' most things. Now, if I "try" to tie a tautline hitch and I try 10 times and I still don't have

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Welcome Mom Scouter. You can come sit next to me, yes that would be the chairs on the left side of the room. hehehehehe May I please recommend that everyone take the time this weekend to review the Boy Scout handbook about the Scout Oath and Law. I found it very helpful to look at what we are teaching our boys --- respect and defend the religious beliefs of others even if you disagree. This is repeated more than once. Now can we go talk about the new merit badge requirements and all those new Webelos crossing over this month?

I thought about this more as I drove home last night. I tend to like analogies when explaining things to myself or others. I know when I first heard of First Class in First Year that I thought "I think they are putting too much emphasize on the badges." I've heard other parents say the same. Now that I have learned a little bit more about Boy Scouting (thanks to this board and the Scoutmaster handbook), I see it differently. Just saying to people that it helps retains scouts, doesn't really click with most. Why does it help retain scouts? Because if you know the basics you have can e

Question from a new Boy Scouter here: If a scoutmaster sees that a boy is not ready for his Board of Review, doesn't he have a responsibility to talk to the boy and encourage him to hold off on the BOR? I would think that would fall under the category of being a mentor. Not having worked at the Boy Scout level, I don't know of a exact case where this might happen but it seems if the Scoutmaster sees my son is not ready to be a First Class scout then he should say "let's go over a few things before you go for your BOR" or "I think you need to hold off on the BOR right now until you feel mo

Once again quoting since I have the Scoutmaster's Handbook in front of me: "A Scout taking part in a Scoutmaster conference will be able to determine if he is ready to go before the board of review." Conference for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class Congratulate the Scout on completing the advancement requirements, then explain what he can expect when he meets with the board of review.

Thanks Bob! I'm very inspired and upbeat about scouting since a few weeks ago when my 10 1/2 year old son says "I want to go back to that troop meeting, when can I go. I'm ready for Boy Scouts." Woohoo! The boy I thought would NOT be ready at 10 1/2! Also, we have located a good troop. About 25 to 30 active boys. They have more that come and go with the ball seasons. A true boy-led troop. Good group of active parents, at least 8 registered as ASM. Always willing to get some new boys and new parents involved. I'm also trying to figure out where I fit in, not wanting to be "mothe

I happen to be reading the Scoutmaster's handbook in some free time at work today and came across this subject. In the chapter on Advancement (page 118 and 119), it talks about First Class First Year. "However, boys should not be pressured to advance or given deadlines for completing various badges. The speed with which he completes requirements, and even the decision to advance at all, lies with each boy." They recommend a special ceremony for recognized the scouts that have completed the First Class requirements. I like that idea and think it would appeal to the boys. Obviously, th

I said I was staying out of this area but obviously do not have good self control at times. In my opinion, even if BSA's stance should change, I don't think you are going to suddenly see this large influx of homosexuals and atheists into BSA. Those who are fighting the policy tooth and nail from the outside will go on to fight something else. A few will join, but not a lot. Maybe a troop here and there might be different but overall they aren't going to dismantle BSA. What percentage of conservative parents have their children joining BSA? From what I see it is not the majority. I j

Thanks for all the info but y'all went WAY past me. I'm talking about 5 miles or less hikes in state parks on well traveled (level) trails. I know horrible things can happen there too, but not likely and help is VERY near. Many people on these trails carry their cell phones. I have seen the cell phone used to call 911 as they carried a small child down the trail. I need to a very basic first aid kit -- band-aids, antespectic wipes, gauze, moleskin, and what else?

New twist on this subject for me. As a Webelos leader, I had a sudden drop in attendance at den meetings over the last couple of months. I was calling parents last night to remind them of a few upcoming events (since I haven't SEEN any of them). One says "oh, I thought since my son didn't go to the next level that there was nothing left to do. I thought you had gone to Boy Scouts with your son." Despite the fact that I have said many times and even wrote a letter in November to say you don't have to have your Arrow of Light, and I WILL keep having den meetings for those boys not read

A link to some poems online, lots of classics including some Rudyard Kipling. www.everypoet.com I also recently bought a small paperback book called "Classic Poems to Read Aloud". Ah, memories of having to memorize "Annabell Lee" by Poe in 10th grade English. My sweet, sweet Annabell Lee