sctmom

I like the look of that pot. Even as a car camper I'm always looking for ways to pack lighter.

Also teach the boys that if they get overheated, sit down and take off your socks and shoes. You can lose a lot of body heat through your feet. At Cub campouts I've gotten overheated and have seen boys do the same, I have everyone sit down and remove their socks and shoes (some are afraid to do this for some reason). I don't let them get up and walk around barefoot. Drink your water while you sit. It's amazing how much better you can feel in 10 to 15 minutes of airing your feet, resting and drinking water. Also, a "trick" I recently learned. In trying to tighten my mid-weight, mid-height boots at the ankle, I was making the toe area too tight. In no time, my feet would hurt. When lacing up my boots, I put a simple knot about at where my ankle starts. Then I can tighten the top all I want without squeezing my instep.

Not only does technology fail at times, but if you learn to do something manually you understand it better. The boys should also be able to tell if the answer from the GPS system looks reasonable.

In my opinion, not offering a merit badge because it has no "practical" use in today's world is a little strange. There is a lot the boys learn that most people get through life without ever knowing (like how to set up a tent). It's not just the "hard" skills but also the process of learning that is important. The Girl Scouts produce books of the requirements for each badge but not all the background information like the BSA Merit Badge pamphlets have. Should the Merit Badge phamplets still be used? Do most boys have access to this information from other places -- library, school, MB counselor, internet, etc? I hope they are not using only the info in the Merit Badge book, even though I like the phamplets. I like the idea of different levels of merit badges. To mention Girl Scouts once again, they have more age levels than BSA. So 11 year olds are not working on the same requirements as 15 year olds. They may earn the "hiking" type badge at 10, 13, and 15. Each time it has a slightly different name and more difficult requirements.

Rather interesting statement...Abortions have been around since the beginning of time. So have unplanned pregnancies and homosexuality. Otherwise they would have not had to been mentioned in the Old Test. I'm currently doing some family tree research, it's quiet interesting the hush-hush stories of changed marriage dates that don't match the official license, unwed mothers, the girlfriend who died in the flu epedemic (when her boyfriend died, she refused to take her medicine, she was pregnant). So let's not blame it all on Roe v. Wade. Ever meet anyone who had an abortion? Oh, they live with it the rest of their lives, rest assured. Do I think that should be a first choice or justifies abortion? HECK NO! I think our society needs to offer viable alternatives to those young girls and women who make a mistake and get caught (lots make the mistake just don't get caught). While on this subject, I met the birth mother of my son. She was 21, had 2 kids already she could not care for adequately, no high school diploma, small town with few jobs. Had a 1 night stand --- made a mistake! She could have had an abortion. She choose not to. She wanted to do the "right thing" for the baby. She tells her welfare/social case worker she wants to give the baby up for adoption. She is told "you give it to the state, and it goes to foster care for up to 2 years." Or at least that is what she understood. She said "geez, I can bounce the kid from relative to relative, I want him to have a stable home." They were putting her in touch with a private lawyer when we found out about her. At the SAME time, this state tells people to wait 10 years to adopt an healthy infant. It's one of those systems that really stinks (to be polite). Haven't we all made mistakes that we really don't want published on the front page of the paper? What happens with a young woman or girl who gets pregnant out of wedlock? She can lose her job, her family and even her life (parents get mad and beat her or throw her on the street). If first we all did a little more up front work on kids making choices and parents being involved, we wouldn't have the same issues. Weekender says: "The moral backruptcy being taught in our school systems is one of the main reasons my wife and I homeschool. " I don't know where you live, but the schools in my area teach very HIGH values --- but I know that is not always the case. I went to a private school for 11 years, there were just as many problems there as in the public school. I'm more concerned about the lack of intelligence and common sense by some school faculty and staff. (such as throwing the baby out with the bathwater when they think a child cannot bring a Bible to school, etc.) Okay, I'm stepping down off my soapbox for now. Have a nice weekend! Let's all go make a difference in the life of a child.

Rooster, I agree I'm impressed with the boy in this article as well. Also, keep in mind that the comment about "collecting merit badges" may not be what the Scout said but what the reporter said. I think we all know that reporters are not always complete and accurate. I talked to a father a couple of years ago who had twin sons in Boy Scouts, each at a different rank. They were a lot alike, did a lot of things together, but one put a little more into scouting than the other. Again, it just depends on the boy. We are each different progress at different speeds. Which is why I envy those of you who can make the choice (and sacrifices) to homeschool. (I can't, I'm single...only income around.)

"There is very little, if any, evidence homosexuality is inborn. The few studies widely trumpeted as such were later shown to be flawed, usually in the size or selection of the sample. " Where have you read that these are flawed? "But that would not negate my role in whether I become an alcoholic or not. Even if I was predisposed to it, I can make the choice to not follow that tendency. " So does that mean I can just "choose" not to be depressed, even though I inherited it from my family? I do CHOOSE to do something about my depression, i.e. take medication. My depression or someone's acholohism makes them unable to function in society (basically any society), it also effects others in very REAL ways. Does the gay down the street have an impact on my life if he/she keeps to himself?

I just signed up via online to have a donation taken from my paycheck. It is the United Way drive but the best part is the choices. I can choose to give to United Way, or I can choose specific organizations to give to (and their are a lot, including BSA), or I can choose certain organizations to EXCLUDE. You don't want to give to BSA? Fine, don't give to them. If you want ALL of your donation or some part of it to go to BSA, then make that choice. Isn't that what a free country is about? Isn't that truly "diversity"?

Weekender, My sincerest thanks. I was not trying to argue. I was trying to be open minded and look at both sides. Stan, there is a difference between inborn and genetics. One may be born with a physical or mental handicap that is not inherited. I fully agree there are some who try the homosexual life that are just making a choice. For some reason they have some serious problems and this helps them. They feel rebelious? They feel loved in the homosexual community? They want to be different? They want the attention? Those people will make other destructive choices in their life as well -- drugs, crime, etc.

I HAVE performed my own due dilgence, thank you. And EVERY thing I have read that is scientific fact says it is inborn. Survival of the species? Let me blunt -- do you only have intimate relationships to procreate? I don't really want you to answer that, just ponder it. Roe v. Wade is not about "I'll do whatever I want", it's about a women's choice of what happens to HER body. Completely different discussion. There are some Christian churches that do NOT say being homosexual is a SIN! Major churches and denominations. I just keep reading people one here saying "it has been proven to be a choice." Show me, I really can't find that information.

Weekender, thanks, I'm familiar with those verses. Some of the posters on here say there is scientific proof of this also. I'd like to read that "proof".

Will someone please enlighten me as to where you get the "facts" that sexual orientation is "behavior / choice" not inborn?

I've been thinking about this thread over the last few days. First, I wonder if this "collect all merit badges" is somewhat related to our society's materilistic attitude for some boys. Our kids (and ourselves) are bombarded with "pokemon - gotta catch them all", "collect the complete set of this TOY at burger heaven", "drive the latest car", etc. Brad, You said you home school your children. Also, based on your posts, you are a very involved parent and teach strong values to your children, so the above is not about you. In fact, I hear many home schooled scouts doing more merit badges because they have more time (a lot of time at regular school is wasted), they have involved parents, they have parents who set a good example, and the parents can easily see how the merit badges tie into school work. Also, I bet they are more independent in their thinking and their actions than their peers. Finally, let me tell you about a young Eagle Scout I know. He is in 8th grade and had his court of honor in the fall. So he's 13, maybe 14? He was a Cub Scout in our pack. He is a great kid. His dad was a Cub Scout leader and is now an ASM. It doesn't take you long around this kid to know he EARNED that Eagle badge. I don't know the family well, but I have the scout in action at a troop meeting, a troop campout, and most recently at our Pack's Pinewood Derby. He was asked to help with the weigh in at the PWD. He did a great job, helping people fix their cars, add weights, etc. He is always great with the Cubs and other Boy Scouts. He wore his uniform with pride at the Pinewood Derby. He gave up his Saturday evening to do this because he cared. He's not going for "hours of community service". He is tall for his age, and with the maturity he has, very few people realize how young he is. He is also in 4-H and I'm sure other activities. His dad is not the type to push his kid to get Eagle too fast or to let him get away with pencil-whipped requirements. Talking to a few other Webelos's Parents,we all wished our kids were like this one. Also we don't think our kids will be that mature in 2 1/2 years....we wish, but are realistic. In fact we keep discussing the troop we really like EXCEPT "they can get their Eagle in 3 or 4 years, And after that they quit." Something just doesn't set well with anyone on that attitude. We want our kids involved in something they will do throughout their teenage years to keep them out of trouble. We live in an area where there are few choices about activities -- sports or scouts.

You all know where I stand on gay rights...but hey this is absurd! I can't give my money to who I want? These people need to get a life and do something productive to help those less fortunate in their community.

My Webelos are very proud to wear the flag on their sleeve. I agree with OGE that flags on little toothpicks is a bit disturbing. As a Webelos leader I had to do some research on the flag etiquitte myself. This was before Sept. 11. There is part of the U.S. Code that says flags should not be printed on disposable items such as napkins, cardboard boxes, etc. that will be thrown away. Wow, ask around and see how many people know that! I'm glad people are taking pride in the country and its flag, but do a little research and find out the proper way to display it. I was also amazed at the number of adults who did not know the proper way to retire a flag. Brains -- we have them, let's use them!

Member of Girl Scouts of USA actually have been trying to figure out how to get the US flag BACK onto their uniforms after Sept. 11. Even before Sept 11, I think the flag should stay on our sleeves. With or without the flag, our boys need to learn to respect their clothing, particularly their uniform.

I'm no expert on this by any means, but from what I have read The Orienteering Merit Badge and running an O-course are different animals. The O-club pages I've looked at say they are not about using a compass and map the way the scouts do it, in fact they recommended a small thumb compass without taking bearings. Hopefully someone else on this board will elaborate on this.

If your pack doesn't have a part of the race that siblings and parents can enter, then make one NOW! We just had our Pinewood Derby on Saturday. I think we had more in the "outlaw" race than in all the other races combined! A 4 year old girl took home 1st place, a 5 year old girl took home 2nd place, a cub scout took home 3rd place. Not to mention the fun EVERYONE had. One dad had his car he had made 26 years ago when he was a Cub. The boys loved looking at it. He pointed out to the boys his dad handed him some sandpaper and a chisel and said "have fun". He didn't get to use powertools! The girls who won the outlaw race were so thrilled. As one dad pointed out, it was a little sad that his daughter attended more Cub Scout events than some of the Cub Scouts. We use a triple elimination system for racing. Pretty soon most of adults were OUT. Rules were thrown to the side about working on your car during the race. Adults stood there next to the line with graphite for the kids. LOL The crowd was going wild when it got down to the last few kids. The 4 year old is very self confident and knew this was HER race. The trophy had to be pried from her hands to get her coat on to leave. The boys in the meantime were over in the foyer of the school having their own races on the floor with their cars! Also, our pack did a great job of having weights and graphite there to help those who needed it. A couple of Boy Scouts (former Pack members) did the weighing, also putting on weights and applying graphite. Sure leveled the playing field for those who had not done this before.

And let's not forget that ever important insurance. Last year an adult Cub leader broke his leg at the Council camp. What his personal insurance did not cover, BSA insurance did cover. Also, BSA insurance covered his salary while he was out of work for 4 to 6 weeks. There are also outreach services to some high risks groups of kids. I agree that a bit more disclosure up front makes you feel a little better about donating. Our council letter from FOS does mention how many boys are served in our council. We have only one council camp but it is a great one, and they are planning a Cub World.

Great story. sniff, sniff, let me wipe my eyes. That had to have been so touching to witness. Both that others cared enough to track down how to give this man his award and to hear him speak.

Recently at a troop visit, I overhead the conversation about a scout that was to have his BOR that night. The people standing there were SM, ASM, scout and scout's mom. The scout had on his uniform shirt and basketball shorts (he had practice after the meeting). The SM and ASM commented on this. Then asked for his handbook. Oops, he forgot that. They said NO board of review. Show up next week in complete uniform and with your book, you have to have your book. Scout goes "I know, I know". Mom goes "If you knew you would have done it." SM and ASM said "mom, he did KNOW. trust us." I also noticed same SM telling a scout to put his neckchain INSIDE his shirt before going into the room for his BOR. The SM was doing little informal uniform inspections before the boys went in there, very discreetly but effective. I liked that. I was impressed with their attitude about it. No, these boys weren't going to pass a Marine white glove uniform inspection, but they were learning and making progress. That's important. If you show up for ball games without your uniform you don't get to play. My son's age group has to tuck in their shirt to play basketball, otherwise no playing. That might be a better analogy to use with the boys. What would they think if they saw a professional team playing ball and they weren't in complete uniform?

At last, some good explanations of how to use a milk jug for handwashing. I kept hearing about it but couldn't figure out how to make it or how it worked. I know the Cub Scouts loved to wash their hands with a bar of soap I tied into a piece of cheesecloth and called it "soap in a sling". I bet they would love to wash their hands out of a milk jug.

My son is one of those "challenge" scouts. He HATES boats, a fear he was born with. He is also very small for his age. Troop activities should be planned for the majority of the troop. If he chooses not to go on this one outing, that is his choice. Don't punish him about not going. Not everyone is going to like white water rafting regardless of their size (uhh, like me..hehehe). I would check in advance with the outfitters about size and age limits. Even then some of this is about emotional maturity. If the kid gets out there and freaks out and can't do his part, you are putting him and others in danger. Something I think a lot of kids (and parents) need to realize is that you cannot participate in EVERY activity. And every event can't be planned to suit everybody's tastes and schedules. That doesn't mean you plan stuff to purposely leave out someone, but this is what the group wants, do it. Perhaps the dad who wants to do the same thing as last year could round up enough parents and younger scouts to do the same thing. Talked to a troop who did this last year and everyone who went loved it! Good luck and have fun.

Congratulations Mike. You life will never be the same again.

Weekender says: "It's not an easy pill to swallow but as the saying goes, It's easier to build boys, than to mend men. I know that some people will see this as cruel treatment but what kind of character gets built if you give privilege without requiring responsibility? " Requiring a boy to wear a uniform you know he owns is not cruel. This is very painless and very easy to do. Yes, they may have to plan ahead to have it washed. Maybe even to have it with them and change in the restroom before the meeting. Not wearing the uniform to a board of review is like saying "oops, I forgot to put on good clothes for my job interview."