skeptic

Interestingly enough, I have had my older scouts ask if we can find a few more, so they can wear them like class B's at camp or COR. We have a few in the closet, but not enough for them all. Have had a couple still use them for backups at camp; and I have no problem. They tend to bring mostly positive feedback when they do.

twocubdad: There is an actual significance to be selected a jamboree leader of any sort. While I certainly realize that many care very little about these things, for memorabilia 30 or 40 years later, the special border, or whatever, would show that the person was a leader in a more select group in some capacity. I have a blanket, and it would be nice to have an ASM patch that immediately indicated I was that for our council troop that year. The same goes for the youth who were the junior leaders. I agree that sometimes the patches are over kill; but to me, this makes a lot of sense.

Our unit was officially chartered in December, 1921, and we have all the paperwork to support it, including the original application. We are fortunate in that regard; and I was able to fix an error in the tenure because we had that material. The other two oldest units in our council also have most of the documentation. We are the second oldest continuous troop; the 3rd oldest lost 5 months when they had a lapse in rechartering, but did recharter in the contiguous year. National did not give them credit for the 5 months they missed, but did keep them as a continuous troop. My understanding

The link below was posted on Scouts-L. It is truly a huge undertaking by this dedicated scouter. I am grateful for his efforts and attention to these things. This covers material just published in the brand new requirement book for 2010, including major merit badge changes, and even the "historical badges". Great resource. http://usscouts.org/advance/changes/advchanges10.asp

Now there is a suggestion that would make sense; having a bar with the troop's year of founding. Then, those of us in long time troops would not need to change the bar every five years. Next year we reach 90, and I will then have to order the bars, as we will be only the 2nd such troop in our council, then try to get current scouts to change them out. Have one scout still wearing an 80; gave up trying to get him to put the 85 on. Another idea I feel should be seriously considered by National, is a special border on leadership patches for Jambo troops. I was an ASM in 1985, but the p

Another thing from the site with the trailer is that the supposed maker has some connection to an LDS activity related to films or something. That also surprised me, as one would think that overall, anyone associated with them would strive to be a bit more accurate, especially since a couple of the "real more negative things in the news the past few years are from the Utah area scouting community. Something I found a bit amusing in the thing was the microphone lettering; PCHS. Could not help but think an acronym of some sort relating to political correctness, though the HS did not hav

Why in heaven's name would anyone put such foolishness on the net? While the attacks on Scouting are real, this film, based on the flyer, is absurd. Either the maker is not really cognizant of the Scouting program, or has been seriously misinformed. The main character is wearing a circa 1973 shirt (has a Jambo patch) with a 2nd class badge; so getting to Eagle would be pretty hard given his age. The innuendos towards the current president and the ridiculous charges from the far right regarding his supposed glorification in schools, the completely illogical camp scenes at the start, and the

Maybe it is simply time to CLOSE this thread. With this suggestion, there have been 500 entries. If she wishes to let us know a "final" outcome, she can always simply repost a new one.

No indication whether or not these are official or not. If they are, then they will be the only ones you can use I would think. If optional, then I would think you would ask the scout themselves. As a memorabilia collector, I will likely want to have a set just because.

"Basically,I want to do the job right. It's about them, not me. I don't want to ruin it for them. I do not care how I look as long as it works for them." Good for you; that is the spirit we all should strive for. I could use someone with that attitude in my unit(s).

The leader of boards in our area of the council brings one of those "That's Easy" buttons with him. He also has a tiny folding chair, along with an adult one at the start. He asks the candidate which chair he wants, after introductions to the board, and recitation of the Oath and Law. None has chosen the little one yet; sort of casually symbolic I think, as well as comedic relief to start. Then, before he sits, he is asked to push the button. If things seem to be getting too tense for the candidate during the board, the chair again has him take a breath, get up and push the button. Seems

Interesting discussion on Scouts-L regarding how to avoid, or lessen the moisture related problems such as body fungi and heavy perspiration. Seems pretty much accepted that a good body powder, such as Gold Bond or cornstarch based brands are a good idea. Also, it is highly recommended that boxers, rather than briefs be worn, to allow more air circulation and lessen chaffing. Various types of fungal gels are discussed. I have discovered that diaper rash creme works very well on under arm and groin rashes. Other suggestions as we prep for the event?

"V". The problem with your comment, from my perspective, is that you have completely ignored the intent. In other words, the basic concept of the Oath and Law, with no one pushing their "agendas". The real shame is that this is still the main thrust of almost any unit, to try to instill these basic concepts, while having fun. All these other distractions are not the focus for most of us, only annoyance in that they take so much away from the best we have to offer. Please consider keeping these kind of comments on the Politics forum. Thank you.

HiLo; Right, back to the actual thread. The other issue is on the politics board anyway. Poll should focus on current users, past users, and possible users of the program. What should be asked, and how, would have to be tempered to the target, as those within will have a different perspective probably. Also, different wording at least if aimed at youth or adults; both should be part of it if possible. Should the BSA change its basic foundation in order to cater to a greater number, or should it remain faithful to its core? Certainly a query for current adults within the pr

The issues in San Diego are technically related to the religious element; but really probably is more due to the Gay issue. But since they could not attack them on the Gay issue, they found an excuse on religious grounds. It has been appealed to the Supreme Court now, and hopefully will finally get a proper hearing, as the 9th Circuit is obviously biased from the start. The plaintiffs in the case have very little "real" standing it seems, but somehow they continue to get enough sympathy from the PC crowd to hang in there. But the latest decisions had some interesting vibrations hinting at

Beavah; I do not know where you get the idea there is a general problem out West. Yes, like anything scouting, if something bad happens, it makes the papers. But scouting in our area has very good repoire with most of the federal agencies. Most units DO leave things better than they found it; they do try to be considerate of others, but groups will make more noise than two people; we do regular trail maintenance in the local forests and parks, as well as Eagle project. When one of our groups does do something out of line, or becomes known for bad habits, they generally are made aware

GaH, Vol, and others. It is hard, but rather than responding to our favorite gadfly, or whatever he is, just ignore him. If it happens enough,perhaps he will go away. Or, maybe he will resort to disagreeing with himself, and calling himself names. Give it a try. It certainly feels less frustrating.

Simply stated, the Law is a positive statement of expectation. "A Scout Is"; meaning that our expectation is that he will be trustworthy, and so on, to the best of his ability, and he swears this on his honor. But the idea of honor seems to have become pretty ambiguous at best. When I first became a scout in 1955, the fine print of trustworthy said, "A scout's honor is to be trusted. If he were to violate this honor by lying, cheating, or not doing exactly a given task when trusted on his honor, he may be directed to hand over his scout badge". For some reason, most of us took that to hea

Whatever you might think about some of GAH's comments, I think he has posted something to discuss here. There is too much truth to much of his comment on this element, I fear. So, where are we in reality? Do we really have the willingness to hold our scouts to a higher threshold and real effort to "truly live" the fundamental intent of the Oath and Law? I have to agree with GAH on much of this. Too often I see leaders unwilling to make the "hard" decision to hold a scout truly accountable. Too many are afraid of what others think, of parents coming down on them, or other such things.

HiLo; What I think you are saying is that "no asks", so it is not an issue. That is the way it is supposed to be here. The problem in the U.S. is that we have a loud political wing of Gay individuals who want to be "out" and included. The BSA ban is on these individuals who feel it is necessary to "make it an issue". Those in the group who have chosen to continue on, what seems the Australian way from what I read, are still involved and not a problem. If someone in Australia were to make their lifestyle a focus, rather than simply "play the game", would they be asked to leave?

Having read a half dozen various bio's of BP, I am fairly cognizant of the basics relating to the program development in England, and much of the other countries. BSA is for the most part the farthest from the original in many aspects, and always has been since its founding by Boyce and the other prominent gentlemen of the time. BP definitely felt the patrol system should be the core of the boy leadership model; that has little room for debate from my readings. It certainly was a concern of his when he met with West in the early stages. GBB finally coerced West into allowing the basic mode

Am well past half of the book HOBNAILS and HEATHER, a book about the first international hike by senior scouts from BSA, taken in England and France in 1928. They had the honor of meeting with B.P. at his estate, "Pax Hill", and having lunch and conversation. They mention B.P. asking one of their leaders about how did BSA scouts use the "patrol method". So, there was, it seems, an interest, maybe even a small concern, that BSA was not quite using the system as he felt it might be best used. I suspect, that a little digging would turn up other hints at this. But, B.P. was known to be v

For me, the whole intent of this new requirement is to try to help the scout to focus on these things themselves, rather than our impression as to how he lives up to them. We should already be observing these elements regularly anyway if we are doing our job. This requirement seems to aim the scout to reflect a bit more on the actual meaning of the law, and yes the oath. For many, it is so repetitive, that it almost has no meaning. So, knowing that they will be asked this they may actually begin to think a little more about it directly. Keeping track, as noted already, simply requires a m

Yesterday it got to 78, and today is in the low 70's. We are sooooo spoiled.

Philmont is the diamond, but there are a number of others as well, and looks to be another good possibility coming on line. Besides that, there are probably at least a couple of dozen exceptional camps belonging to councils that have extremely good programs, like Emerald Bay on Catalina, a couple in the north Great Basin area and Rockies, and from what I have read some in the Great Lakes and northeast mountains. So we are blessed, even with the sell offs of some camps and council issues. Room for growth, and a new century to work at it. Meanwhile, find ways to keep the "outing" in th