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, mi

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 cou

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 i

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

"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 someon

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 wel

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 pro

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 be

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 t

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

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

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 no

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 hi

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