sctmom

We used a new plastic track for the first time this weekend. We don't time our races so can't say if it was faster or not. We also do the "three x's and you're out" elimination.

We have an electronic gate to tell us the different places. It's a good thing because 4 of us standing there would see different cars finish 1st. Then 2nd, 3rd & 4th were really difficult to tell.

Our pack also helps anyone who needs weights, graphite or adjustments. If we weigh someone in and they aren't near 5 ounces, we hand it back with some weights and point them to the person with the glue. We also checked each car for graphite. All the parents and older brothers pitch in with helping.

Also, make sure that all that fun stuff the Webelos see on their visit is what they get to experience. We saw some great stuff at a Webelos only campout put on by the troops and at troop visit. Then once in the troop we found out the focus was merit badges.

Even here in the deep south, it is too cold out there for people. We had temps down below 10 last week.

Some of the merit badge requirements haven't been updated in over 20 years!!

The way the merit badge books are written (having lots of info, not just the requirements), it takes BSA a long time to update each one. So they can only do a few a year.

Personally, I like the fact that they at least look at the rank requirements every year and the try to keep the merit badges up to date. The merit badge books aren't the way I would design them, but I don't run the world (at least not yet...hehehe)

Kwc,

I know I'm not the only one with a martyr of a mother. Speaking generally, women are the ones who keep going when sick, put everyone else's physical and emotional needs ahead of their own. Women run themselves into the ground doing for everyone else. They do more of the housework, even when they holding a paying job (there are stats about this). They are the ones most likely to be up in the night with the children. I could go on and on.

Traditionally men have had things like hunting, fishing, ballgames,etc. to "escape". But women haven't been taught how to "escape".

Again, not all people fit this. But it is the general trend.

My father worked hard and also rebuilt the house. Did a lot of things himself because of no money to pay someone else. I admire him for that. At the same time, he did put himself first. My mother didn't. She still doesn't. It almost killed her at more than one point in her life.

Twocubdad,

Actually some of the existing ones DID change. I can think of Swimming pin and Bicycling pin off the top of my head. So, best to double check if you don't have the current book.

I think if they printed the belt loop & pins requirements in the Webelos book, then you get into that issue of the Webelos book doesn't match the latest Academics & Sports Book.

The latest Webelos book came out in 1998. The Academics and Sports was updated in 2002, with some changes to the requirements for belt loops & pins. So which do you use?

Know what I mean?

"We did that one the year before last."

Okie Dokie, but you can earn the same belt loop more than once. No big deal. A 10 year old will learn more than he did as a 7 year old.

I'm sitting back and waiting for Ed, Rooster and a few other of our conservative Scouters to jump in here. { smile }

Kwc, where did you read that?

They were working on a badge, that has ONE requirement about coming up with ideas to beat stress SUCH AS bubble baths, listening to music, etc.

I hope Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts do NOT merge. Girls have to learn to take care of themselves because we are taught to always put other's needs first, no matter what the cost. Boys aren't taught this. They are taught from day one to look out for themselves first.

Recently read about a woman near Chicago (I think) that had people believing her daughter had cancer. Had the daughter wearing a hat to make people think she had lost her hair to chemo. Even had the girl convinced she had cancer. Talk about sick!

I see more parents who think that sports is more important than Scouting. I see parents who don't want to take the time to drive their kids to and from Scout meetings. I see parents who don't spend any time with their kids. Parents who don't understand the importance of having a child a group like Scouts. Kids who have so many other choices.

I'm sure others can add to this list. Girl Scouts is also dealing with how to get more members, this is not just a BSA thing or a GSUSA thing.

I live in a very conservative area of the country and we still don't have many kids in scouts. It's not about the gay issue, it is about ALL KINDS OF REASONS.

I didn't even know this was a big issue until I started reading this board. As someone else said, it is not something we all stand around and talk about at meetings.

I have a couple of friends who are gay and they aren't happy with the BSA policy but even if they policy is changed, it isn't going to change their lives one bit. They have other things to worry about -- like paying the rent, taking care of family, etc.

Here is an example of how the requirements are worded:

Earn the Art belt loop, and complete six of the following requirements:

KWC,

You are right, I didn't make myself clear. What little I do know about these people, I don't think they disagree with the BSA policy. I think this has nothing to do with BSA policies or politics.

I've yet to have anyone say that is why their child is not involved.

Would be curious who has experienced that.

Maybe some parts of the country, but I doubt it is widespread.

Part of earning any Academic or Sports pin is "earn the belt loop".

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PHYSICAL FITNESS SPORTS BELT LOOP

Complete these three requirements:

1. Give a short report to your den or family on the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

2. Practice finding your pulse and counting your heartbeats per minute. Determine your target heart rate.

3. Practice five physical fitness skills regularly. Improve performance in each skill over a month. Skills could include pull-ups, curl-ups, the standing long jump, the 50-yard dash, and the softball throw.

You can find more about the belt loops and pins at:

http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/home.html

I don't agree with the gay policy but I don't see this great attack. I would not dare compare it to the KKK.

My son asked the kid next door about being a scout. Yesterday the boy said "my mom said I can't". Come to think of it, this is the response he gave a couple of years ago about Cubs. I think this family is just overly protective about their children. All I said to my son was that some people just think the Scouts do some wrong things and dont' want their children there. I got one of those looks of "what are you talking about?" So, I have a hard time believing most middle school students are concerned about the political issues we all debate. The boys want to have fun and be with friends.

The only people who has said anything negative to me about BSA has been my sister and a couple of their friends. They were not rude but stated their objections to BSA. Come to find out they were very misinformed. Most of what they said was based on activities about American Indians that was in Cub Scouting some years ago. They don't begrudge me for being involved.

What makes one law worse than another? I think most of us wear clothing that is woven of more than one material.

Keep reading Leviticus.

Leviticus 19:19

Do not approach a woman to have sexual relations during the uncleanness of her monthly period.

Lev. 20:19

Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material.

Lev. 20:26

Do not eat any meat with the blood still in it. Do not practice divination or sorcery.;

27: Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.

Well don't all our sons have something else to do, like homework and music practice, etc?

Sounds like you need to say "Yes, I know a lot of the boys have homework and music practice to get done. The sooner we get things cleaned up, the sooner we can all leave. I think I hear your patrol calling you."

Eagledad, I know you are new to this board so this is not just directed at you....but is Le Voyageur the one name calling and foot stomping?

The policy is about intolerance. Most of you don't tolerate gays or anyone who does tolerate them. So that word IS called for and IS approriate!

Meritbadge.com doesn't have any info. Neither does usscouts.org.

I haven't been to the store to get the new book.

I just thought someone on here may have seen something.

Sorry to hear this. Hope you find another way to work with youth and teach them the many things you know.

Anyone know what changes have been made for 2003 in regards to merit badges and/or rank advancements?

Hadn't even been reading in this area for awhile, popped over here. TJ's post caught my attention, I thought it was going to be a story about a Scout or Scouter who had come out of the closet with his unit and what happened.

TJ, You are also welcome to sit by my campfire and any campfire my son is at.

Keep on Scouting.

And by the way, I'm not "hidden" on here. Some people in my district know who I am and have met me.(This message has been edited by sctmom)(This message has been edited by sctmom)

Talked to my son some more about scouts and what he wishes it was. Basically he wants boy-run, boy's decide what activities to do, do the cool cooking and building stuff, community service, helping Cub Scouts, and NO pressure about merit badges and rank advancement. He asked, once again, if I would start a troop.

I told him you must have 5 boys and 5 adults. If he finds the 5 boys, I'll find a way to start a new troop. He has started asking friends!

I told him there are certain guidelines but the boys will decide what direction the troop heads in. I feel that a few suggestions in the right areas will keep them in the scouting framework. When I mentioned some pioneering type projects I've heard of, he became excited and told me about the ones he saw at summer camp last year (that I had never heard of before). I keep telling him that many things he does on his own with friends IS scouting stuff --- ropes from trees, homemade clubhouses, sports, etc.

We will see what happens.