shortridge

Speaking of Scouting in the media... If you happen to have a local newspaper that still carries "Blondie," today's strip features a boy (Elmo) selling a "Cub Scout raffle ticket for a Christmas turkey." http://tiny.cc/KzZdV Wonder how long it'll take Irving to fire off a letter in response, saying that raffles are against BSA policy?

BobWhite, I would respectfully request that you re-read the original post. Nowhere did I "jump to a very unsubstantiated conclusion." It's clear that extrapolating local conditions surrounding a once-a-year event to the national level would be futile. Neither did I ask why certain local troops weren't marching; you're right, that would be a silly question to ask of an international Internet forum. My question, "Where were the Boy Scouts?" was a rhetorical device. The exact questions I directed to the forum regarded ways that members have bolstered parade participation.

After attending a local Christmas parade tonight with my daughter, I found myself wondering: Where were the Boy Scouts? There were two Cub packs, but no one older than 10. There were honor guards and flagbearers, but they were from the state police and JROTC. Not a single piece of khaki to be seen. The same thing was evident at a Fourth of July parade I attended this summer, but I chalked that up to the local troop being off at camp that week. I know that some older boys are generally turned off by parades and riding on floats - that's kid stuff, y'know? But a sharply-turned out troop, ma

Horses, what the?????? Are they crazy, horses are way too expensive for a council to maintain. A high tech equestrian facility?????? Girls + Horses = Obsessive Combination. My daughter's only four, and I've already learned that lesson.

Troops and badges will still exist but girls can also choose to take "journeys" instead, opting, for instance, to make a six-week foray into the community for service, rather than meeting once a month in a church basement. I'm genuinely curious: Was there anything in the "old" program stopping troops from doing this? I think the "meeting once a month in a church basement" phrase hits the nail on the head with regard to two problems. First, monthly meetings. I don't know how widespread this is, but if that's the information the Time reporter was given by the national folks, that

It is sad when Scouts show up for a campout with their clothes and blankets in a plastic trash bag. It is heartwarming when a leader or fellow Scout helps them out. You're not a softy - just someone who's dedicated. It sounds like you're doing everything in your power to make sure these kids have a good, positive Scouting experience. Bless you!

Touche - I certainly see your point. However, it's not an impossible task to set up camp even for such a sizeable contingent, and it shouldn't take an entire extra week. A day or three ought to do it, if the staff and gear are organized and the equipment is in good condition. The camp I used to work for had 360+ people per week. Every tent, tarp, cot, picnic table, fire bucket, bulletin board, latrine broom, stove, propane tank and full chuck box (in the glorious days before the dining hall) was checked out and set up by the staff during staff week. That week also included the n

I'd agree with that assessment - camp setup and takedown IS just "scut work." It's not meaningful, lasting service, and the candidates know that. It may be meaningful to the camp staffs, who don't have to do it themselves, but it's nothing you can point to and be proud of years later.

That memo, as I understand it, is not part of the Rules & Regulations. Its contents are not reflected in the Boy Scout Handbook, the Scoutmaster's Handbook, or any of the countless other training materials out there. The only thing we know about it is that Mike Walton had a copy at one point, and quoted a paragraph from it. Quite frankly, I think we may be making a mountain out of a molehill here.

John-in-KC Thanks for the clarification. Now I know we're talking about the same thing. But I'm still not entirely clear by what you mean in your reference in this thread - the prohibition is against military uniforms, not camping gear.

John-in-KC, What are you referring to as the "prohibition" in the BSA R&R? The salient point quoted in the Insignia Guide just speaks to "imitation of United States Army, Navy, or Marine Corps uniforms," not gear usage. Or is there another element in the R&R?

Thanks - just making sure I had my sources lined up. So it goes back to the 1994 memo that Mike Walton quoted from, stating that "equipment like pistol belts, suspenders and military field gear" is not to be worn "with official Boy Scouts of America clothing or in the place of BSA uniforms and outdoor clothing." First, that's such a poorly written statement, I can't even begin to analyze it. (What is "military field gear"? Does that include field gear once used, but not presently used, by the military? What is "outdoor clothing"? Does "outdoor clothing" only include "BSA ... outdoor cloth

Sorry for the interruption, but I'm confused - where is it written that surplus military equipment - such as packs, sleeping bags, BDUs, belts, canteens, flashlights etc. - can't be used by Scouts?

I would say the biggest change you need is merging your inductions weekends with your service/fellowship weekends. That ought to make a huge difference. You're absolutely right, service without brotherhood is just seen as drudge work.

There are lots of one-size-fits-all projects out there - building community nature trails, organizing food drives, adding on to a homeless shelter - but in my experience, the best way to go about a service project is to suggest that your Scouts take a very, very close look at your community, and find out what its needs are. What are the small things on your mayor's or school superintendent's personal wish list? A bike lockup outside the public library? More school bus shelters for kids in bad weather? Talk with local service clubs and historical societies, librarians and police chiefs. Fi

I'm still curious how the statements made at OLS stre-t-c-hed the G2SS. Totin' Chip isn't mentioned in G2SS, at least not that I could find. The LNT program is mentioned only in passing, as a reference for training on minimal-impact techniques.

If the PLC is adamantly against changing, you can't force them to do it. All you can do is offer several alternatives - and then, if the older Scouts complain about where they end up, gently remind them that it was their decision, and offer up those alternatives again. One place you might want to consider for your older Scouts is Henson Scout Reservation, near Sharptown, Md. It has a good off-site "Nanticoke Trek Adventure" program - kayaking, hiking and cycling - that takes Scouts through some of the most beautiful and still-pristine areas in the Chesapeake Bay region. Adults are welcome

momof7scouts: That's fantastic that your son's project is under way, and moving rapidly. This is a season when many more people than usual are going to need help. He's got his hands full, but it sounds like things are well under control. Kudos and congratulations to him. Be sure to suggest to him - if it's not part of his project already - not to forget to contact local newspapers, radio stations and TV stations to drum up awareness and interest. That could help spur even more offers of assistance.

Lisabob has the right approach with "trust but verify." It's in the Cycling requirements (since you provide that example) that the Scout has to provide specifics for the shorter rides. If there's something suspicious, the counselor can ask the parents. Simple enough. However, there's nothing in the requirements that says a Scout has to go on a ride with other Scouts, or that it has to be a ride organized specifically for an MB "class." If the counselor says that's how the rides have to be done, he or she is adding to the requirements, which IS against policy.

It could actually be taken as a high compliment, though somewhat skewed, of sorts.

Boy, you're pessimistic! Allow me to present the up-to-date Hallmark Channel version: Lem is an Afghanistan or Iraq war veteran, recently returned after earning a Silver Star for an act of heroism in saving the life of one of his comrades. However, the horrors of war have left him dealing with post-traumatic stress issues - in particular, his memory of a promising young Afghan/Iraqi teenage boy or girl who was killed or wounded in front of him and whom he was unable to save. Back home, he gets a job teaching at the local high school. He finds that his high school sweetheart never ma

Politely speaking, they come out of someone's posterior. Ask the "Eagle Adviser" (and I use that term loosely based on your description), the DAC or the council advancement folks to show where those rules are written. They won't be able to, because they don't exist.

"how to help in case of runaway horse" I can't think of anything beyond getting other people the heck out of the way, and keep from getting trampled yourself! "Use properly an axe for felling or trimming light timber; or produce an article of carpentry or cabinet-making or metal work made by himself. Explain the method followed." I guess this was offered because of the difference between city- and rural-based Scouts. Interesting. I'd rather chop down a tree than try to be a carpenter any day... I can't nail worth anything.

A couple years back, a Boy Scout in Wilmington, Del., helped start a Cub pack for homeless boys. It's still going. http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/PersonOfWeek/story?id=1213805

Troop 89 in Millsboro, Del., meets at the "Scout Hut," which is owned by a nonprofit group (Millsboro Hut Inc.). I believe it also serves as meeting space for local Girl Scout troops. There's space out back in a stand of woods for practicing basic Scouting skills.