SharonNC

Scoutmom, I've not been as active here, as I was for awhile, because of so much of the negative. I'm not into all the back-biting and fighting. I'm into Scouting with a capital S. First of all, women (my being one has nothing to do with this comment) are valuable to BSA for many reasons. Baking and check book balancing not being two of them exclusively. In my community, we'd have way fewer troops, crews, ships, AND packs........we are a military community and lose both male and female leadership to the ills of the nation on a frequent basis. This past summer, I was the actin

"The bickering clogs up this valuable asset to leaders. If people would read the entire post/thread and read between the lines a little most of the miscommunication would end. " The bickering sure keeps me from posting much, or reading it much anymore...........can't we all be 'gentler,' more patient, less angry? Is there room for jealousy of 'knowledge' in scouting? Is that what a real leader shows in daily life? I had encouraged the scouts in the troop to become members here, but I really have backed off on that, there's just to much anger and backbiting, as evidenced by the post

Yaaaaaahoooooooo!!! I'm afraid we'll have some rough times ahead yet, but now the real Iraqi people will be free to begin a true life. They've been to afraid that the rat would return up until now. Osma----------we're watching, patiently waiting until the second rat peeks out. If he weren't a rat he'd show his face and give us a clear shot. Congratulations to all the military serving on hazardous duty, be aware and be safe. We're supporting you in every way we can!

S & S crafts also has leather to use for projects that is reasonably priced. I've used them for day/resident camps craft supplies. They are fast on turn around on the orders, also. Sharon

SPLT15, You've lots of responses, but I'm going add my two cents.......for what it's worth. Our District Advancement committee does not approve blood drives. It's one of those things that doesn't follow all the prerequisites for a project, in their opinion, but there are other districts in our council that do. It's matter of talking with the Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster should know what the guidelines from the district advancement committee. In the troop I'm CC for, the Scoutmaster is the first person to talk with about a project. He knows from attending roundtables and from

Hey Dave, ever heard of Southern hospitality? We welcome everyone until they begin to try to change us into their 'norm'..........lol! I didn't tie in my crying paragraph very well to the train of thought, but what I was trying to say was that some of the professionals I'm associated find it very easy to make fun of me on the issue and that I think detracts from the boys recognizing that some feeling is good. Not that they need to cry. Thanks for acknowledging my post.

Wear your uniform! I wear mine proudly, as troop committee chair to the meetings, even when I'm the only one in uniform. I have my committee patch on the sleeve and have never been confused for the SM, except.............when I've been filling in for him while he was on overseas and I counted that as a pleasure, but wore my CC shirt all the same. The boys learn by example..........right???

Dave, this is a wonderful thread. I've admired your 'style' since I joined this board, but this opened you up even more. Thanks! I have been a leader in one form or another since 1976, beginning as a den mother (dates me doesn't it?) for my son's den. I'm female(like the name doesn't give that away). I'm currently an Activities and Civic Service chair for the council and a committee chair for a troop in my district, as well as a new unit chair for the district. I'm not a slacker, I take each of my responibilities seriously. Some of the positive 'extra mile' stories I have woul

I used to be a Bear........a good ole bear, too!

Hi Sctleader, Your camp and ours. Herbert C. Bonner Scout Reservation in East Carolina Council here in eastern NC is on banks of Pamlico Sound. The Sea Base lost the dock, the sea wall, trees down one hitting the edge of the main lodge. The summer camp has so many trees down, we couldn't get to the waterfront area at all, Saturday. We lost a power station that feeds the dining hall, pool, and all the front campsites. The damage is just so high that we all shook our heads well trying to drag branches and limbs off the main roads and trails. We had a few volunteers there Satur

When I put my beads on, I'm reminded of all the sharing and learning that took place in my patrol and troop of SR-56. But most of all, I'm reminded of the confidence it gave me to work with the boys of the troops, to give them the resources they need to progress. Sharon

Thank you for all your effort to remember those lost in the attack of 9/11. As I view the memorials today the tears still fall as the towers, the plane in PA, and the Pentagon walls fell. We've lost more military due to the attack that fateful day, we'll continue to lose lives until the world begins to join together instead of allowing jealousy and greed to dominate! Prayers for all those lost, those affected by the attacks!

I'm just catching up on this thread, it's such a shock to me! I can't imagine telling a boy to wait 6 or 8 months. How many boys are in this troop? How could he do that to them? He's bil to the Council President? For crying outloud! I'm meeting with our Council VP of Program tonight, he's an old salt, I'll ask him about the star points. But I'm betting on the man of Steele getting the right answer. We held BOR for 2 of our youngest Scouts tonight, at their campout, they have no fear of us. We gave them a real class in how to present themselves, how to sit (only after being invit

Hi Dave, Thank you so much for sharing yourself with us! We all have so many things that we're taught to hide. As I read your post I was reminded of the cruel way children of all ages can be to those they don't understand. You have helped to break down some of those barriers, thank you! I pray that you will be relieved by the medicines and that you will continue to be the helpful caring person that you have shown yourself to be. Sharon

Welcome back! We're glad you had such a good trip and that all is well! you were missed Sharon

You can contact me, also, I have those books (old and new) and a lot of things that may help already typed into folders on my desktop. Being the activities chair for my district for several years and now the council activities and civic service chairman, I saved everything I could for the last ten years or so. The job can be daunting, but getting good help and experience is the first step. Help him look for resources, by emailing him this website as a beginning.

A Scout is trustworthy and honest. (Think I remember that from somewhere.) Our troop camps every month, 2 nights minimum, but I can see where some would have trouble getting the camping badge if the troop doesn't like camping. I have found that the boys are generally honest, if asked about duties on family campouts, I think they would tell you what they did. Zealous parents wanting to further the child's merit badge sash more than the child's experience maybe wouldn't be as honest but...the boys will generally tell you the truth. I think that the troops that aren't patrol orient

OMG! I wish the child had known his leaders well enough to speak to them at the time of the molestation or prior to it's happening. There is no justification for an attack like this happening. I can't imagine how the camp personnel were asked to help......it just blows my mind. What did the leaders do? I would not have slept the rest of that night.

"involved will learn how stupid they were and get a MB, too" I'm not sure that I'd want to let them earn this merit badge. I just have strong feelings about physical harm. 'Boys will be boys' is shoving and calling names, this borders on a much more serious crime. I love the idea of the MB being used for a training tool, guideline, whatever you choose to call it...but, I'm having trouble with the awarding of a merit badge when someone could have ended up in a burn unit, in a castrophic (sp?) forest/camp ground fire, or worse. It boggles my mind. The parent that is objecting

I tried, too, maybe it is my virus checker. I don't use an ad-blocker, so I know that's not the cause of not being able to fill it out. The thing would let me type the info, then it would blank it out and give me the same page. hmmm, must be me. I'll try later. Nice web page Hops! Sharon

Ed, I'd be very interested in a copy of your cd and will pay all costs. Email me if you will. thanks, sharon

I think it's a wonderful idea. I've built a web page for the camps I've done for many years, but the registration online would really really help in planning. They could do a secure page, adding it to the Council or District page. Let's all put our heads together and come up with a plan.

Hi Barry, Thanks! I love this scouting stuff, too! Makes me happy to know that there are boys that want to do the right thing. Our SPL was very effective last night (at our troop meeting) in explaining the difference in 'jokes' and 'threats' We had a good roundtable discussion of what is acceptable and what is not. The boys decided that suspension would be the best thing for anyone that puts their hands on another Scout or threatens another Scout. They can be very 'adult' like in their discussions. It renewed my 'want to' spirit! Sharon

Congratulations Matua, it's a great experience. I served on staff for the last of the 'old' Wood Badge course in our council. I've been asked to serve on the first of the 'new' in 2004. When I took my own Wood Badge training, I was the only female in my patrol. The guys gave no quarter and none was asked. We became a team, and lifelong friends. (No one can have to many) I am saddened to hear of the bad experience. The skills and renewal in Scout Spirit that I gained are precious to me. That so many in one course have had a bad time, makes me wonder what in the world could h

Eagle Foot, I sincerely hope you will reconsider and maybe start your own troop. I have found over the many years that I've been involved in Scouting that those parents, IH's or CR's that won't stay involved in the troop are truly afraid of being "stuck" with running things if they make waves. I've never understood that philosophy, I'd be more afraid of my child being harmed or taught the wrong things......but to each his/her own. I do feel that you have a lot to contribute to the lives of youth. I've read some of your posts and don't find that I'd be hard pressed to support the Scou