skeptic

I should add that Scouting and the hundreds of outdoor experiences with them, especially my bed beneath the stars so many time, solidified a lot, though for some reason I again find myself searching. Possibly the hint of a trail nearing its apex could have something to do with that?

For me, the Atheist issue is mute. I say that because the definition of Atheist is a denial of God, and thus, a denial of "something", which negates their concept at the beginning. That is just me, and some can say I am nuts. Still, we always get to similar questions that at some point will necessitate accepting something we cannot see or explain. For many of us that is God, in some form or sense. Eighty years of life has strengthened this for me. Others must live with their own beliefs or lack thereof.

On a related note, there appears to be an April Fool joke posted on a Philmont site as well, something about turning Baldy into an image from Willy Wonka, a green toupee of sorts.

This should be fun. Guess we will see how many will not over react?

It depends on the person I suspect. There was a time I would have jumped at the opportunity if I could have worked it out. But, focus changes, and priorities do also. Likely a great experience if interactions happen that are worthwhile. I know that the best things I brought back from the jamborees I was able to attend were all NOT patches and such, but the meetings with other Scouters and youth from around the world and the U.S. But, the pressure schedules of many of the Scouters with whom I would liked to sit down and talk negated real substance, and I have never been able to get respons

With the ongoing back and forth relating to girls and boys and Scouting, I found this historical synopsis of the interactions of early youth serving groups being established very interesting. Take a look. It seems clear to me that major players in BSA, along with other groups of the time were very interested in girls and boys being involved, often together. Take a look. Historical origins of Camp Fire - by Alice Marie Beard The organizational history and the story of the origins of Camp Fire are complex. There is the official version presented in the book Wo-He-Lo: The Camp Fir

A bit of a reach, but cotton is not the best choice often. Modern wicking type materials are generally a better choice. On the other hand, a uniform worn for formal and indoor use is fine, though they likely could simply use all the modern materials and then have no issue. For info; Here is an article that quantifies the heat loss effects of cotton, polyester and polypropylene: Rossi et al., Dry and Wet Heat Transfer Through Clothing Dependent on the Clothing Properties Under Cold Conditions, International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics (JOSE) 2008, Vol. 14, No. 1, 69–7

"Encounter a Cougar while hiking ...what would your scouts do?" Hopefully not say "here kitty, kitty".

Follow YP guidelines, live the meaning of Scout Spirit, and let the youth be youth as they figure it out. We continue to try to make a mountain, and Scouting is only one more opportunity to find a path. Balance and that shady concept, common sense.

Few, if any World groups would face what the BSA has and does. Our legal system is a mess, and totally illogical in many instances. Add on the "sympathetic jury" awards, and judges that will not use their legal knowledge to over ride pie in the sky monetary damages, and it is no wonder we have issues. JMO of course. Balance, as I continue to suggest, is the key.

This fits into the general subject, though it may need to be moved. I found it interesting that it discusses similar concerns that seem connected to the BSA problems. And it too has been apparently swept under the proverbial rugs. It relates to the staging and filming of preteen and early teen TV shows on Nickelodeon and other similar channels. https://www.aol.com/why-quiet-set-documentary-nickelodeon-204637311.html

Sadly, at least in our society, it seems as if the concepts on which Scouting is built, again what we all Scout Spirit, are too often seen as out of the main stream, or quaint. We come back to the slurring tone of "you are such a Boy Scout", and so on. Well, being a Boy Scout is a positive thing in my view. And that includes the modern model that includes girls, women, and any that can abide by the Spirit.

The sad thing with this is that historically, BSA has been very inclusive overall. They were far ahead in acceptance of other races, especially Blacks, though dealing with the larger society was a real challenge. Yet even in the South, there are historical proof that some found a way for them to be involved. Similarly, when the Gay issue hit the fan, the issue was forced on BSA from society, rather than BSA making it an issue. I still feel that the Dale fiasco was brought on by people outside the actual unit and it members. They were aware, but simply had not felt it worth worrying about.

It is a continuing mystery to me why some cannot simply separate themselves mentally, and if possible physically from things that annoy them. We all hear the comment, "turn off the TV" on a fairly regular basis. That more or less is the same thing. IF it bothers you, separate as you can and then stay away as you choose. In most cases nobody is forcing you to do anything other than be in the same vicinity. JMHO of course.

Some very cogent statements here, and it seems to me to verify my oft made comment that the changes in BSA, or our society in general, have to occur in the normal evolutionary way. Almost every forced change finds serous societal kickbacks, and sadly, tends to bring out the worst in those with the least aptitude for interpersonal living. We again come back to the simple premise of the "Golden Rule".

While I have never contributed much to FOS, as my donations go to the troop first, then in support of specific programs, I have not donated to the endowments directly either. On the other hand, what I have donated into is similar to what the idea of endowments is, but more immediate. But, I think it is clearer to me now. Thanks.

Many things that make it more difficult are basically our of the direct control of BSA, or for that matter, any youth serving agencies. It is our legal system based on greed and the foolish idea that personal responsibility is not first and foremost, and that somehow human nature will NOT intrude too often and make things worse. Civil cases are built primarily on the foolish idea that it is always someone else's fault, and so anyone remotely connected can be held accountable, with few or no limits. Add human emotional empathy in many juries, and it explodes. Meanwhile, we have more and mor

Interestingly, to me, is that most longer term scouters likely have qualified on their own for the West award, just by hanging around and putting in their dollars over time. As far as I understand, the award does not need to be a single gift, but can be over time. Most of us likely never even considered that of course when doing what we did and do. I was honored with the West award in the name of one of my Eagles that had died in service to the country, but I was not comfortable wearing the knot at the time. I still keep the cert in my memorabilia, and now I do wear the knot. But I starte

Schools of thought will vary, partly dependent on how far your personal history may go back. For me, we still had basic khaki with simple embroidery; 1955-62 as youth, and did not see the more colorful ones until they first were issued, and I was an adult. Not sure if that sways me towards the earlier, less brash coloration, or if it is something else. I still like the more simple designs personally; but I like the modern merit badges better, as they help identify the subject a little better. Indirectly, I would love to see OA become less over the top. Patches that cover the entire pocket

Are you suggesting common sense enter into the game? 🤣

The issue is unique to our society and legal system. Most of the world recognizes that bad people are part of the larger society and precautions are warranted to take note. They are not paranoid that somehow it is being platted by every person around the corner or that does not fit the accepted stereotypes. In a way it too many people seeing shadows and believing the worst.

And it is that litigation shadow that is the problem, and why in this country it will linger unless we fix our broken legal sysem.

As someone hinted, this is a lean towards protection of the CO. The legal black feathers continue to look for ways to go after CO's, and one of the issues that made the current legal problems so bad was/is the lack of involvement of too many of the people supposed to monitor. Also, I was glad that one poster noted the CO owns the unit, so complaining about them taking some modicum of oversight is showing a lack of comprehension of the process. On the other hand, we are still trying to determine who our CO is. We were pushed into the modified Methodist agreements, and our charter stil

Like many things, it is the intent. Do we want youth to be uniformed, if possible? If the answer is yes, then we surely either find a way to overpay BSA, or fill in with more cost efficient close proximities. The uniform is NOT required to be a scout, nor is it a reason to NOT advance them. It is their personal actions and efforts to live the concept of Scout Spirit. And that has little to do with clothing. If you look at many parts of World Scouting, the neckerchief is the only fairly universal item.

As an added mention: Today, the noted man is a father with two kids. His daughter just earned her Gold Award in GS and is an honor student, soccer player and part-time referee, and has been a national GS representative. His son is now a Boy Scout and has just completed Life, also an honor student, musician, and winner of science fairs.