skeptic

As constantly suggested, local CO decision; it becomes a non-issue. But, it still is pretty petty from my perspective, as the only people being effected are the kids in the troop that need to find another CO and place to meet. Their meeting there hurts no one.

Once again, it would be time for the SM to do his job. I once gave a boy an ultimatum almost exactly like this. He chose to leave. The good thing was that he showed up clean and sober a few years later with a fiancee. I did not recognize him, but he did me. He told me who he was, then thanked me for doing what I did. So, you sometimes think you lose, then find out you didn't.

E; to the right of these listings there is a click on about the "original scouter magazines" Terry published briefly. It indicates what transpired, and supposedly allows orders of them. But the order function does not work, so imagine they have long been out of stock. They are really pretty good references; too bad they could not get a foothold. Anyway, take a look at the link.

Just a note that I have listed 5 of the original 7 Journals on line on eBay. Just in case anyone is interested. Includes the GBB cover and Philmont cover.

The hardest part is not feeling "you" failed when you lose one. It took me a long time to realize that "we cannot save them all". On the other hand, when you see the break through, or years later, as an adult, one of them you thought you lost shows up in good shape and says "thank you", it makes it all worth it. Based all on scout age and above. Have to agree that overall, most issues are more parent related, either directly, or the parent simply refusing to admit their child may have problems.

If a monitor feels the urge, maybe you could move this thread to "History". Just a thought.

"This was discussed by the task force, which decided that Journey to Excellence would be better understood by the majority of volunteersespecially new volunteersif the program followed the bronze, silver, gold sequence." Maybe they should have retained the tradition, and let the "newbies" learn the history of BSA and its awards. Kind of like going to red for scouts, and green for senior boys for so many years, even though tradition had it the other way with year pins and tabs for socks. Just an "old guy" blathering on of course.

I like the "BSA should never be more liberal than the city of San Francisco" test. Love it; thanks.

Moose; I believe you are confusing the project with turning in the application as an 18 year old. There is a 90 day limit after the paperwork is accepted in which they should have their board, then another 90 days with a letter explaining to the local council the reason for delay, such as away at college. After that, he has to file a special appeal through National to have the board. At least that is the way I understand the issue. But it has nothing to do with the project. A project can be done before he even finishes the merit badges; it simply has to happen after he becomes Life.

Today, even the standard grocery stores have many options that are far less expensive than regular backpack brands. Knorr has expanded, and is often on sale. Instant stuff is widely available, and if bought in larger packages, can be used for a number of meals in a mix and match way. Easy additions include seasonings, various dried and chopped vegies in bags, and bullion for additional base (though needs to completely dissolve). Add in things such as tuna in a bag, small cans of potted meats (now some are coming in packages too if you can find them. Another great method for simple overnig

Is the question about a folded flag, or one on a staff? Makes a difference. Like most things related to the flag, there are traditions, general instructions, and absolutes. This appears to be a tradition to me.

*http://tinyurl.com/4xzce4t*

In 85 the SPL for the jambo troop had MS. He was over 6 foot by then and would be up on his own early, moving to special crutches late morning, and then usually in a chair by afternoon. We never had a shortage of scouts who helped with the chair, including getting him up and down stairs. Granted, a cart or electric chair would have been great, but we got through the whole jamboree with him, though it was a bit of a challenge, especially during "Bob" and his lead-in squall line. A couple of years before the jambo, Jason's troop went to Chawanakee in the Sierras. He was their SPL at the

Thanks to those that responded, reminding me that "embarrassed" is the wrong word. It is also correct that seldom does anyone note the errors if they occur, at least not to my face, or those of the scouts. But, if we are asked, I always point out to the boy in charge that they need to be serious, and perhaps practice some, reminding them that people will be watching. A few times they have opted out, which is fine; and we had a small group years back that chose to learn serious drill maneuvers. They were in demand for a couple of years, until the leader aged out and it fell apart. My p

A comment about not marching and drilling was made. Am not sure that there is any harm in basic drilling at times. It is very helpful in many ways. Teaching the scouts to listen to a leader, and to coordinate their movements. Learning to do a sharp set of maneuvers for flag ceremonies. Discipline perhaps. And it can be fun as well. There is something special about a well groomed group marching in good cadence and form. It engenders pride in the marchers too, or at least it did for us when we did it in the 50's. Frankly, I cringe often when I see scouts doing flag ceremonies in p

"But is being Fat a disability????" Depends on how good your lawyer is!

Too early to tell; but has possibilities if National takes note and perhaps picks up on the best of things presented.

Learning to float was the critical thing for me. I had been stuck in the beginning YMCA class for half the summer because I was afraid to put my face in the water, and I could not float. Someone coaxed me into trying the cork float, where you curl up in a ball, hold your knees and breath, and bob in the water. For some reason, this worked; and once I knew I would not likely sink, it was onward to fast advancement to Star and Marlin, or something like that. Two years ago I did my 25th official summer camp mile, and I have mastered the float to the extent my feet even come up without kicking

Actually, the wolf is a rational choice because of the history of the founders. Seton was called Grey Wolf and is still considered to have done some of the best work on the Canadian wolf. B.P. was the "wolf that never sleeps" among other things. Of course, Seton would have had a wolf rather than an eagle. Probably many other critters someone can validate for the role.

You can likely find numbers of books and so on from the period on eBay. Also they seem to be relatively common in many used bookstores, those that have survived. You can tell them immediately by their putrid green color. You might see if your local council may have a shelf of older books and so on, as well as the annual reports from that period.

If it was not for the copyright issue, I think, Smokey might have filled this niche. You will find him in a number of earlier scouting materials and posters. Mickey was also an approved rep during the 40's and early 50's; he was an icon for a couple of jambos. There were a few promo items with Ronald McDonald back awhile, aimed at cubs; similar to the Caspar ads for Cubbing. Dennis the Menace was actually used by BSA for a couple of promos as well. Kermit has been a SM or scout, as has Pac-Man. During the 40's and 50's, we had "The Little Scouts". Other recognized comic figures of w

Hey, they do a fine job at Burbank. I lost my beard trimming scissors before the change in that element; and recently, they had no problem taking my 4 ounce tube (half full) of fungal salve when we went to Vegas. Last summer I felt bad for a jambo SM who had two boys forget to put something in checked bags, one was a pocket knife I think that was in his pocket, one of the extra small ones so popular in current scout shorts. They had these kids with 3 agents, as well as the SM. They were still there 20 minutes later when I left the area. Once determined it was a simple mistake, you w

Overall, a good segment. Definitely a positive shot for Scouting. Was great that they did not edit out the "boy" humor when it occurred, such as the baked potato covered with mud. That is exactly the way kids of that age (and adults with twisted adolescent thinking)act and speak. What did not make much sense to me was the uniforming. Reality is that they would not have been doing wilderness survival in a full "class A" uniform with necker and slide. But, it did add to the P.R. element of the segment, showing the uniform identities of Boy Scouts and Venturers. Next we can hope

So, this shows that those least likely to afford it pay very little; but those most able pay the least. The major hit is by those of us that are in the second quartile, more or less. Very few of our "representatives" fall into that level; they are mostly in the top quartile, so of course pay less percentage. And we wonder why they side with the rich; most of them are the rich.

So, now the Republican negotiator bows out (probably a better term could be found), of the budget talks because the other side continues to insist that income has to be part of the solution, either taxes or closing of loopholes that favor a tiny proportion of society (those who have the Republicans in their pockets). Compromise; finding a middle ground, or giving something to get something. What confuses me is that I cannot find many "regular people" who have a problem with stopping the tax breaks for the rich, or closing their loopholes so that they actually pay for their profits. It w