skeptic

Back in "the day", in California, you had to take what was called the "Constitution Test" in order to graduate from 8th grade. Teachers were considered valid counselors for some merit badges automatically then, and Citizenship in the Nation was one of those. Almost every scout I knew passed that badge after passing his test for 8th grade. My teacher made me review a couple of items that were not specifically covered on the test or the prep; but do not know if others had that experience. It was pretty much a slam dunk anyway, due to the entire semester of study. Reading and Scholarship

Wilton; The situation you delineate happened in 2005. They learned a lesson, and they did as much as possible to try and make sure that did not happen again. Part of that was due to the security "required" for Bush's visit. That was one of the factors last year in NOT having the president visit directly. If you think the Bush security was severe; imagine what they would have needed with Obama, based on comments constantly seen on the internet, tv, and even on these boards. The level of "hate" by some is scary. They had water available everywhere they could in 2010, and they had

"There isn't any reason they couldn't make the knots with the devices embroidered on them." While true, it would not serve the purpose then, as adding a device for each area is the point of the devices. Then they also would have to have more knots, as the embroidered device would differ on each one. Most people would not need to worry anyway, as few earn the comparative award for more than one area, and those that do mostly would wear only two devices, cubbing and scouting.

Eamonn; Always the voice of reason. Thanks.

Found this particularly interesting and applicable for those willing to look beyond their noses, so to speak. You need to read the whole piece to get the best idea as to what the author is speaking. But here are a few quotes I pulled out that I thought addressed the issue well and are food for "thought". "I no longer assume that machines can solve all of our problems for us. The task of thinking is still ours. When you are no longer engaged only in optimizing your productsand you let go of the technotopian viewyour world becomes larger, richer, more mysterious, more inviting; more

Jay K So, according to the current thought, not only were you guilty of hazing, but so was the guy with the oil and metal. Shame. (;-}

So Basement; is that it, or do you have a list of terrible experiences to share? That particular group would have been reported by me to their council when I got out, as they were not living to the standards of Scouting. Did you explain to them the facts of the situation, and they still were rude? Lot missing here. Perhaps you missed an opportunity to improve the leaders' skills, and set an example to the scouts.

I think the merit badge midway confusion comes from the statements that it will not all be in one place. Badges related to particular activities, such as shooting or pioneering, for example, will be in an area where those activities occur. So boating would likely be near the river access area, and so on. The badges without specific active activities will still be in a midway. At least that is the way I understand it. If I could be sure that I would be working with a merit badge, I would still enjoy attending. But last time I got put in an area that almost did me in, even though I had

Emerald Bay has some explaining to do, if pirates are no longer allowed.

Acco You do realize that BSA paid millions of dollars to the government each time they had the jamboree. They also built things that were kept by the government. But the biggest thing was that the Army got valuable training in dealing with large crowds and events, as well as many emergencies; training that would have been much harder to do without the scouts being present. The use of the site was never free.

Yep, some of my best assistants or adult helpers were recently aged out scouts; and a couple were not even Eagles. But, I do not see Engineer giving up his bias. Whatever the REAL reason for it is, it appears to be emotionally embedded. JMO of course.

KC9DDI; Now let's not be too rational here.

Let us remember ALL those who served in the military so that the rest of us can have our lives less disrupted. While this day began as a celebration of the end of WWI, it soon became more inclusive, eventually officially becoming a federal holiday to honor anyone who served in the various branches of the military and their peripherals. So thank you to all who fit this description, including those now gone. A moment of silence with the sound of Taps in our thoughts.

While we can make all kinds of dire or glorious predictions about 2013, we cannot really know how well the new direction will work. While I may sometimes be a bit polyanish (sp), it seems to me, having attended three, 1960-85-2010, as a senior scout, 1st ASM, and staff, it sounds as if they have actually listened to those actually participating. I personally would love to give it a try, but realize it is unlikely for me because of age and health concerns; though I might still visit if possible. Restricting visitors to part of the event makes very good sense, as they were a huge part of t

Glad someone thinks similarly to me. Putting some of the restrictions back, along with a bit more mystery could not hurt, as I noted earlier in the thread. But, that is unlikely to occur as long as the adults in higher levels are in charge. My encounters with them at jamboree in 2010 were to say the least, not particularly positive. If there is a higher level "good old boys club" in the BSA, this appeared to be one. Just my personal view and experience.

Been there, done that; sort of. Maybe a good 2X4 and a count? Thanks.

"What's Become of Scouter Magazine". It is halfway or a bit more down the right side.

And from one of those old manuals, pre 1975 or so, put the honor of being elected back in it by having limitations on how many each year. When a large troop who had 25 webeloes join two years before has most eligible at once, and is able to "elect?" them ALL, it takes away most of the so called honor and prestige. Granted, they still have to go through the Ordeal, but that too has had much of its spirit removed by restrictions and the general climate of today. JMO

Oh, I also agree that we really need to start being a bit less confrontational about poor decisions and questionable skills, and more proactive in "learning from them". That might very well be something National should SERIOUSLY consider doing. It might very well pay off in spades.

Comment regarding the map is pertinent to this discussion as well. If the map was NOT a topo of some kind, then it is fairly useless for locating yourself. Without terrain being accurately discernible on the map, it is not a very good tool, even with the compass. Though, even an up to date FS map would be somewhat useful if you know "how" to do it. Of course, topo's also have issues, in that half the trails in use today are NOT on the topo maps; so you need to overlay with current trail info. While I am fairly confident in my orienteering skills, I have to admit that I need to go back

They also could simply make the knots half the width; then you could twice as many in half the space. LOL

CA Scouter; Jumping up and down reminded me of 1971. I lived in Riverside then, and there was a Wisconsin couple from March AFB living upstairs across from me. Right after the shake, I got up (thought my ex was shaking me to get up) and opened the door to the walkway when I heard this screeching across the way. The wife was running down the stairs to the lower level where she shrieked to her husband that she was going back to Wisconsin "NOW". It was quite a scene, especially as I watched the little tsunami in the pool sloshing end to end. Think she got over it, but cannot remember fo

An article in the weekend paper talks of Network Advertising Initiative and its "opt out" program. You are able to go to the site and see who, of their members, has advertising cookies on your computer, then opt out if you like. Take a look; any help is good in that area. http://www.networkadvertising.org/managing/opt_out.asp#

For little rattles like those we simply smile and keep doing what we were doing. LOL Seriously; stay away from windows, especially big ones, and get under a doorway arch if possible. If you choose to exit the house, or are outside, stay away from anything that might have pieces fall off that could hit you. Generally, anything around 5 or under will do little or no damage; but in areas where they are not common, some damage might occur in the way of cracks of facade crumbling; or if at the epicenter, possibly collapse of older, less sturdy structures. Inside a car is almost always safe

Many of the larger universities and colleges have Alpha Phi Omega fraternities, which is a service group aimed at BSA and similar groups whose past members are attending the institutions. Of course they were also the forerunner of NESA. They have a web site, and were represented at the jamboree in 2010. As noted, there is really very little reason to NOT accept the young man's help, as long as you check his credentials and references properly. But that should be done with any adult app.