slontwovvy

It's been my experience that most (90%+) of 12 and 14 year old Eagle Scouts are fairly useless in camping and leadership needs. The best reason I can use as to why: they don't know what to do with what has been entrusted to them. They can hold a position fine--just so long as they can avoid leading. Some of the "positions of leadership" still amaze me at their inclusion on the list--positions of dedication maybe, but for all but one or two exceptional scouts nothing but that. 13 and 14 year old Eagles (again, the vast majority, but not all) do not understand the power that has been entrusted to them as an Eagle Scout, and the subsequent obligations that come with such an honor. They ignored the "simmer" method of Scouting, instead heading straight for the "serve" stage--they ignore the fact that most of their growth in Scouting does not take place rapidly, but instead slowly, over time and experience. As such, their leadership and camping skills have not been given time to develop. I'm reminded of the movie where the kid wakes up as an adult (though I forget the exact title). He's been given great new powers, but hasn't a clue how to use them. IMHO, young Eagles are much the same way.

Slont

Clap clap clap to SagerScout for an excellent analysis and proposal.

In my opinion (and I don't have BSA literature to quote, just my version of common sense), the committee should make the decision--more people results in more views and a greater support network for implementing the decision.

I'm not sure if doing the fire safety merit badge is the best idea--too many counselors for that badge seem to pencil-whip. What I'd do is invite a firefighter to come to a troop meeting and give a talk about why playing with fire is a bad thing to do--one in my area does this and has several burn pictures to show. The boys never played with fire again.

It is reasonable to put a scout on "parental supervision," but know that it will not work with all boys. If the father is going behind the scenes to try to save his kid, it is likely that the parent is more "friend" than "parent" and will do little to curb his boy's actions. However, do the probation, with endpoints--consequences for actions both good and bad.

Slont

The question I've always asked myself (and I know someone will likely take this the wrong way, so in advance don't) is "Would our nation be worse off without the Scouts or without the gay/atheist activists?" I've gone with the first answer, and followed my heart with it.

Also, one more I remember. It was pre-9/11 and our troop went to an Air National Guard field (one of the dads was a former Navy pilot with connections). We spent the weekend in the pilots' barracks (very, very nice), received guided tours of the "top gun" system and other base facilities, and got to watch three private fly-bys by two F-16s.

On Sunday, we drove to another base, where we toured the hangar. An F-16 pilot spent over three hours with us, letting us look into the cockpit, talk with maintenance personnel, fly the flight simulator, and more. Why? "We like to help out the Boy Scouts, because many of our best recruits were Boy Scouts."

On a troop trip near the Mississippi, we got a private tour of a lock and dam system, one that I'd be willing to bet was more than most other groups received--an hour and a half hands-on tour. Later that trip, the pizza place we stopped at donated all of the soda and gave us ten percent off on the pizza.

Over the past year, the OA seems to have gone off the deep end, imho. When I was talking with an elections chairman and an adult advisor, they asked about my troop's short list of candidates for "Scouting's National Honor Society," to which the other adult leaders and myself responded that we had always held it to be just that--an honor society. As such, we believe in quality, not quantity, and have the eligible scouts apply to be on the ballot, and then have the committee use Scoutmaster's discretion. It's the committee's opinion that boys that want to join the organization would make better members, and that 13 or 14-year-old boys will appreciate the honor and the experience more than 12-year-old boys.

Well, the OA people launched into us like you wouldn't believe, saying OA was all about the numbers and we should try to elect as many boys as possible.

Am I just out of it, or is an honor society supposed to be an honor society?

I'm sure someone has heard the song--"I point to myself, what is das here. Das is mein topnotcher ya mamma dear..."

Just what are the verses? I know topnotcher, sweatbrowser, eyeblinker, hornblower, soupstrainer, lunchmuncher and chinchauser, but what comes after?

Thanks for the help.

Many councils will also offer scholarships for Eagle Scouts, ranging from just a little to over $5000. Many will also offer scholarships for camp staff members. And don't forget the national ones. As a Cooke Scholarship recipient, I know how much they can help.

There was a 12-year-old Eagle Scout in Illinois in 2002. Dad was SM. Unless this boy was a true prodigy, a new Renaissance man, I don't see how this award can be on merit.

I know at several camps, those under 13 cannot even attempt Environmental Science without approval of hte Ecology Director. These youth do as Evmori said. They tend to lack the "big picture," higher-level thinking skills needed to even make a decent attempt.

Amen and God bless all of the soldiers out there.

One fundraiser. We sell Christmas wreaths, which provides us with more than enough to get by.

I ordinarily wouldn't have a problem with it but for a few things. First, he dyed it especially for the COH-he usually does not have fluorescent red hair. Second, relations with our chartered org are rather shaky right now--and our chartered organization's head was giving the benediction. He was not impressed. Third, we have already had a dignitary tell us to not call him for the next Eagle ceremony. My view on the thing is that this Eagle's rights end where the next Eagle's begin. I didn't want what happened--now the next Eagle will not have this dignitary give a speech or whatnot.

Can the Scoutmaster require that a Scout dye his hair a normal color for his Eagle COH? We recently had a Scout come with his hair red; he refused to make it a natural color. I feel that this reflects badly on our troop, as several state representatives and public officials were there. What's your take on this?

Wow, leave for a weekend, and when you come back, this!

Anyway, I feel that these declines are mainly in certain segments of the country. Many troops in my area (including my own) have experienced growth in the past few years. We are now twice as large as we have ever been.

Additionally, we've improved relations with the chartered organization through increased community service--the troop now does over 1000 hours per year (by approximately 40 Scouts). We've tried our hand at plumbing, food serving, insulating, general maintenance, etc. As a result, our chartered organization has begun once again to grow fond of us.

The BSA is shrinking only if we let it.

I most vehemently disagree. I don't know where you live, but I have yet to receive a single comment such as those you are receiving for being an Eagle.

Secondly, there is no comparison between the KKK and the BSA.

kwc57,

Check out the book of Philemon. In it, Paul asks for a slaveholder to forgive his slave and treat him as an equal because he is a Christian.

No, he is most definitely not going to religious services. Past excuses have included homework, a family reunion, doesn't feel well, musical instrument practice, "something to do," etc. I could understand if it happened once, but it happened six times out of seven outings he attended last year, and "requires" them leaving at seven or eight in the morning, after breakfast but before anything is taken down. I really don't think the dad will help out; he's more of a friend to his son than a parent.

I think this boy has to learn responsibility fast-he's headed out to Philmont this summer for the first time.

Recently, there has been one boy in the troop who leaves early Sunday morning from campouts, before takedown has started. He comes up with a different excuse each time, then leaves with his dad, getting out of all of the work. I wouldn't have a problem with this if it happened once or twice, but it has happened on six outings in the past year.

I think that this is a big deal, and should be addressed by talking to the Scout and possibly banning him from leaving early. Other leaders don't see this as a problem. Any other opinions on what should be done?

All my sympathy as well.

Slont

I'll not comment on the changes in the BSA yet, but on the issue of background checks:

They're best for Scouting. All other issues aside, they are best for the program of which we all are members.

It's a necessary change, one that would have come either in the midst of tranquility or in the midst of scandal. The BSA simply chose the right time to do it. Otherwise, it could have been five or ten years down the road or it could never have happened, but the BSA is going to be hit or could have been hit with some scandal. These background checks provide an element of acting upon the information, much as the Catholic Church did not.

All other questions aside, background checks can save the BSA from itself.

Ever since a bunch of Pokmon cards disappeared at an outing several years ago, all specialized card games (normal cards are ok) have been banned.

This whole case is ludicrous.

First, the university would be breaking the law by not allowing these people to meet. Second, since one would consider them an organization founded upon the principles of their beliefs, it is reasonable that the leaders come from people who adhere to those principles.

If anyone can be a leader of the Christian fellowship, I want to see an evangelical Christian lead the school's Gay-Straight Alliance. Let's see what happens then, and how the people who have been brainwashed with political correctness respond.

I think once again we're getting off track and beating the dead horse. Maybe the folks at PETA want to complain about that.

On a more serious note, however, this is ludicrous. Free association, the same freedom of association to which the BSA is entitled, is necessary here. This is an attempt to infringe the constitutional rights of those judges, ironically the very people who have those rights to defend. Why are they so willing to accept this clear infringement on freedom?

No, he just resigned from the position. And his "friends" also have leadership positions (Troop Rep, Patrol Leader, etc.)