SemperParatus

Speaking of dead horses and smoking... Anybody remember the episode where Mr. Ed is playing poker with a stogey in his mouth? Ahhh......Wilburrrrr.

sparkie, That is a common misunderstanding. The religious square knot does transfer to the boy scout uniform. Please read the discussion on the above link. But caution, I am far from being a uniform expert - if the information on the link is incorrect, I am sure one of the more knowledgable forum members will set me straight.(This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

1 award = 1 knot. He can wear the knot on his boy scout shirt after crossover - pins can be added for additional religious awards earned as a boy scout. http://www.mninter.net/~blkeagle/devices.htm (This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

Your analogy is ridiculous. The BSA policy is not. Sometimes, the majority wins. Good luck to you, I am glad you have found your cross in life to bear. "I love the culture of victimhood...nothing I do is my fault" - Calvin & Hobbes

Here is an easy one - buy those flimsy, glittery, plastic top hats at the dollar store. Get colorful tissue paper and stuff the hat with the paper so that it 'poofs' out. Put a little styrofoam block inside with a stick coming out topped with the 75-year logo. Probably talking $2 (or less) a table. Very colorful and easy. I'm with ScoutNut, its best to let the boys do it and come up with their own ideas but it sounds like the decision has already been made.

How is it detrimental to the BSA? It may be keeping you out (and others with a similar view), but I suspect it may be keeping many more young people in. If the BSA changed its policy on atheists (and homosexuals), the likelihood is that membership will decline, as many of the church-sponsored units and its members pull out. Serving fewer youth is not 'good policy'.

Here is one off the web that is pretty good. Its for a CM, but should work just as well for an ACM. http://my.dmci.net/~dmanchester/Ceremonies/Inductions/CEREMONY_FOR_INSTALLING_A_NEW_CU.htm Rather than presenting ribbons - maybe spruce it up by presenting gifts to outfit the new leader for life in the scouting trenches (e.g., responsibility - a 'paper' millstone to hang around the neck, knowledge - an encyclopedia volume, hard work - a shovel, etc.) If you want to add a little humor or light-heartedness, you could have some folks showering him/her with lollipops after each item is presented while yelling 'sucker'. The scouts enjoy it especially when they are released to gather up the lollipops once the ceremony is complete. (This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

Here is the last one I wrote. I try and fit them to one page. Good luck. Scholarship Committee National Eagle Scout Association Boy Scouts of America 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane Irving, Texas 75015 Dear Sir/Madam: It is my honor and privilege to recommend XXXXXXXXXX for a National Eagle Scout Association Scholarship. I have known XXXXXX for nearly ten years, both through his involvement in Scouting and as a neighbor. Over these years, XXXXXX has impressed me with his positive attitude, maturity, concern for others, intelligence, and leadership. Throughout his Scouting career, XXXXXX has been an inspiration to not only younger boys, but also his peers and adult leaders. Always one of the most active participants in his unit, XXXXXX is blessed with both a strong spirit of service to others and tenacity for personal development. His positive approach and desire to help other Scouts has made him one of the finest leaders in his units long history. Supplementing his natural abilities, XXXXXX has further sought out opportunities to develop his leadership skills through active participation in Council-wide leadership courses and the Boys State program. XXXXXs Eagle Project was certainly a testament to his ability to organize and lead a large community effort, but it is in his deep caring for his fellow Scouts throughout the past decade that has endeared him to his fellow Troop members. While Scouting has certainly been a major part of XXXXXXs life, his interests and involvement extend far beyond the world of Scouting, making him extremely well rounded. At his school, XXXXXX is a leader both in the classroom and in his athletic pursuits. A perennial straight-A student taking the most difficult classes offered, XXXXX particularly excels in science and art where he has earned several awards and honors. In sports, XXXXXXXs discipline has helped him to become one of our states best long distance runners and his leadership is again evidenced by his being elected captain of the cross country team. As if school, sports and scouts has not kept him busy enough already, XXXXXX has already begun to explore a professional career in engineering. XXXXXX is truly a remarkable young man and is certainly worthy of your consideration for the NESA scholarships.

Is there a theme that your pack is using for the B&G?

"Religion...someone once told me that more folks have died in the name of religion than any other cause" anarchist, I hear that sometimes too...nothing could be further from the truth. http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat0.htm#20worst

Welcome to the forum. Here is an answer - God has been a part of the BSA formula for 94 years now. It has only been over the past ten years that this has become an issue - driven largely by strident activists from the atheist community. The BSA national response to legal action is based on (i) this long history of recognition of a supreme being, (ii) its line in the sand as to its status as a 'private organization', and (iii) probably most importantly, it constituency (members) which is influenced heavily by the LDS and Catholic churches which sponsor a large percentage of units.

I want to thank everybody for the advice. I spoke with the guy yesterday. He was in street clothes. Kind of went like this: Me: "Hey [Guy] I thought I saw you in a scout shirt the other day [did not mention the patch]. Does this mean you are interested in getting more involved?" Guy: "Yeah, I talked it over with my son and I think its time I started helping out more." Me: "Great - what are you interested in doing?" Guy: "Well, I thought about helping you out as an ASM." Me: "Sounds good, we can always use some extra hands around here. Why don't we get you trained and figure out where you would like to focus your energies." Guy: "Sounds good to me." Me: "And at the next COH, we'll induct you as an ASM - I'll take care of getting the patch." Guy: [No comment] In the end, I figured this guy was reaching out by wearing the uniform and I should reach out to see what he wanted to do. While it remains to be seen how involved he will become, I don't think I should stand in the way of the opportunity to help in whatever way he wants. As SM, I should be able to choose my own ASMs. He kind of forced my hand a bit (I would have preferred it if he would have just asked first) but hey, if he gets trained and actually does get involved then I don't care how it all got started. Better that a person comes late to the party, then never at all. Overtime, I hope we will grow in friendship as we work side-by-side in scouting. Maybe I could have been more of a 'man' about this and gotten my way...but then that would have been at the expense of someone else. The Scout Law sure comes in handle sometimes. Thank you all again. This forum rocks!!!

I think the pamphlet exists - it is available for order at www.scoutstuff.org at least. I was previously told it was due out in January. Perhaps contact your Council or National to get someone to send you the requirements, given the short timeframe and importance.(This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

I don't think there is a BSA National policy that scouts attending summer camp have to eat in the dining hall - many scout camps have heater-stack and troop-cooking options, where the scouts do not eat in dining halls. Maybe Webelos is different, I don't know. Personally, our unit seems to prefer the dining hall option. Because of the varying schedules and abundance of activities available at summer camp, our scouts enjoy the freedom to take a break from cooking their own meals. We do usually prepare one meal in camp and volunteer a day at the dining hall during the week.

A quick, but interesting question. I would recommend some period of separation between the BORs for the different ranks, to give the scout some time to process and reflect on what he has accomplished in the earning of each separate rank. Combining two ranks in one review is not entirely fair to the scout, or to the other scouts in the troop who undergo separate reviews.

I don't shop at Wal-Mart.

SPL, ASPL, PL, APL, Guide - from the Greenbars on the position badge. Many troops use this terminology as synonomous with the PLC.

EagleinKy...sorry...I can see that now...I was having a bad afternoon.

Question 1 - Playing head games with the scout. Not very nice. Question 2 - Inappropriate, given the policies of BSA regarding diversity of religious belief. Question 3 - Sounds like a legitimate question to me.

Regarding the Family Activity Award - turn in a copy of the completion paperwork to your Cubmaster or Pack Advancement Chair and ask them how they would like to proceed. In my experience, the patch is only a couple of bucks and should easily be covered by the pack awards budget. Also, I would think they would prefer to present the award at a pack meeting as a motivator for others.

Would you stand in respect for a flag of a nation that your country is at war with, or that has an atrocious record of human rights violations, or both? Sixty years ago, I don't think I would have stood in respect of the Nazi flag had it passed before me. Ten years ago, I doubt I would have stood in respect of the Iraq flag. Today, I doubt I would stand in respect before the flag of North Korea. While I may have compassion and concern for the citizens of these nations, I have little respect for the governments (which the flag is symbolic of) and their actions.

Sharing the Good News that there is salvation in Christ is an act of love, respect and caring for others...not intolerance.

We got our troop bugle on ebay for $15. Official BSA model - a dent or two hear and there. Probably 20 years old. Sounds great.

From the OA website (nonprotected) - should answer your questions. http://www.oa-bsa.org/qanda/

check your pm