Trevorum

Most of our Eagle ceremonies have been on weekends or other evenings. All of our Eagles choose their own ceremony date/time. We don't dictate. Three years ago we had a very impressive quintuple ceremony. The fellow under consideration has a guest speaker who is only available that night of the week, so I agreed to having his ECoH on the meeting night. Within the last year, we had one other Eagle who scheduled his CoH on a meeting night. It was a welcome change of pace and exposed the younger crowd to the impressive recognition ceremony. I know many of them were motivated. However, I don't want Eagle COHs to replace our regular troop program! As unc. points out, not all of our Life Scouts will go the distance. But their track record over the 5 years I've been with the troop is pretty darn good. I estimate that 90% of the boys who make Life in our troop will earn their Eagle. If those guys see a couple of ECoHs on meeting nights, they might think that is a good option; if too many want meeting nights, I will have to say "no". I'd like to avoid that sticky situation in advance. So my question (still) is: Can the committee set a restriction on scheduling ECoHs? Or, on second thought, maybe I should just counsel each candidate at his SM conference...

Who says, "poor example"? I'd much rather have fat folks who are patient, helpful, generous, fun, etc. as role models for our scouts than tri-athaletes who are brusque, intolerant, impatient, etc. The point is that character is a complex thing and many of the most important aspects of character are NOT immediately visible.

Last night I was contacted by the parent of a newly minted Eagle. He wanted to coordinate with me in setting the date for the ECoH and requested a regular meeting night next month. Figuring that I'll just ask the SPL to reschedule the program that had been scheduled for that night, I agreed and asked him to confirm with the CC and the CO. After penciling the calendar, this got me to thinking. Our troop currently has more than 25 Life Scouts, many of whom have completed all requirements or are very close to doing so. If very many of them want their ECoH on a meeting night, that's all we'd end up doing for the next year! We've never had such a densely packed cohort before and we've never had to set a restriction on scheduling ECoHs (a good problem to have!). To avoid having to tell a Mom or Dad that, "No, we can't have your ECoH on a meeting night even though we just did that two months ago..", I'd like to get the committee to address this issue in advance. What are your thoughts on this? Can the committee set a restriction on scheduling Eagle courts? Is this a bad idea? Is there another way to handle this?

I'm looking for the "Brand Awareness" MB . I think golden arches would be appropriate...

NEWS FLASH! The Dutch Oven is now the official cooking implement of the State of Texas! And the BSA gets some of the credit! WHEREAS, The State of Texas traditionally has recognized a variety of official state symbols as tangible representations of the proud spirit and heritage of our state; and WHEREAS, The bluebonnet, the pecan tree, the Guadalupe bass, and the lightning whelk are examples of some natural specimens that serve to symbolize the great diversity of the Texas landscape, while the state dish, chili, fittingly represents another aspect of our shared culture as Texans; and WHEREAS, In keeping with this custom, the designation of the cast iron Dutch oven as the official State Cooking Implement would provide suitable recognition for this sturdy utensil; and WHEREAS, A welcome and dependable fixture at campfires across the Lone Star State, the Dutch oven was used extensively by Spanish explorers, early settlers, ranchers, and chuckwagon cooks over the course of Texas' history; and WHEREAS, The Dutch oven has also remained a popular item with a vast number of Texans today, and in January, 1995, the Lone Star Dutch Oven Society was founded to promote its use throughout the state; and WHEREAS, Ideal for use in moist-cooking methods, such as braising and stewing, the Dutch oven's versatility has made it the food preparation implement of choice of both the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of America; and WHEREAS, Renowned for its portability and durability, the cast iron Dutch oven has been a cooking mainstay of Texans from the time of the pioneers to the current day, and it is indeed appropriate that it receive special legislative recognition for its role in our state's history and culture; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby designate the cast iron Dutch oven as the official State Cooking Implement.

Vicki, I'm curious about that too, and would welcome a clarification from tortdog or LPC. My guess is that boys earn their ranks according to the standard requirements and at their own pace, but move up into the next age cohort (12 & 13 year olds, for example) on their birthday. But what effect does this have on patrols? Are patrols constantly changing membership as fellows age in and age out?

ahh. Well, that's a separate issue from "God and His place in Scouting."

If I recall correctly, the Spriral Scouts are not atheistic, just Pagan. Pagans are also welcome in BSA, as they recognize a higher power(s). Remember, "BSA does not define what consititutes belief in God or the practice of religion."

Dug, 2+2=5 for very large values of 2

Hello Dan, and welcome to the forums! I've never heard of a Weather Burro, but it sounds like a nifty idea for Cubs. I've seen lots of "Weather Rocks", though. Same concept - "If rock is swinging - windy; if rock is white - snowing; if rock is hot - sunny", etc. They are a lot easier to make than Burros...

Hello back atcha and welcome to the forums!

NJ, I appreciate the empathy. Really. But I have never been made to feel like a 3rd (or 2nd) class Scouter (except perhaps by those on either end of the extremist spectrum - from Rooster on the right to Kudu on the left - who for different reasons think I and other UUs should be BSA pariahs because of our faith). While some people would like us to be casualties of the culture wars, I and other UUs like me have continued to go on campouts, earn badges, participate in service projects, and attend Eagle CoHs. The people in my troop know that I do not define God in the same way as do they. That's not a problem. I am respectful of their beliefs and they are respectful of mine. The people in my troop know that I think sexual orientation is irrelevant to Scouting. We may disagree but it's not an issue that we let interfere with our program. As Bob points out, UUs have always been welcome as members. There is really no debate about that. For a while however, there was an absence at the top which created a perception (to some) of an official policy of intolerance towards UUs. But, for the last several years, UUs have been attending the BSA Religious Relationships subcommittee meetings. I have found, without exception, all of those folks to be welcoming and tolerant. They are genuinely glad, as we are, that UUs are again actively participating at this highest level. Bob, perhaps you missed (or have forgotten) the recent thread about the reinstatement of a religious award for UU Boy Scouts. Actually, there are two awards. As you have noted, the one sponsored by the official church organization is not recognized by BSA for uniform wear. The newer award is sponsored by an independent organization of UU Scouters and has been approved by BSA for uniform wear.

Bob, In the thread on LDS scouts, you implied that largely eliminating the Outdoor Method for 11 year old Scouts was an "acceptable modification" of the program. Can you explain how you square this view with your statements in the current thread?

Fuzzy said, "Each religion generally casts all of the others into outer darkness because ultimate truth is thought to be at a premium.". I disagree. Many religions do this, but not all. This is one one the reasons I find Unitarian Universalism personally fulfilling. We believe there are many paths to spiritual enlightenment. As I told Rooster once, "Your path is as right for you as mine is for me". (He didn't believe me.) Diversity without Division.

Anne - I don't know. How are these different as far as Scouting would be concerned? Bob - I didn't say "restraint", I used the word "constraint", which I think is is an accurate term. A rule by a Chartering Org that doesn't let 11 years olds camp more than 3 days that year is a constraint in my opinion. I'm not criticizing it, just describing it. tortdog - our scouts seem to handle the camping on Sunday issue as you have described (in fact one fellow just completed an Ordeal weekend). At least for our guys, I don't this this is a problem. But what about the requirement to rank advance by birthday (is this for Cubs only?) and the rule that age cohorts do not mix with others (if I understand that right?). Are there special considerations a SM should know about?

The threads on Blazer Scouts and Varsity Uniforming were informative. I did not realize the constraints that are placed on the program for LDS boys. Do these constraints hold only for units that are sponsored by a LDS Chartering Org? Our troop has several LDS scouts. I always try to be aware of and respectful of the variety of faiths in our community and I am wondering if there are any considerations I should know about for LDS boys in mainstream units such as ours

I agree with Ed on this one. The methods are NOT requirements. They are tried and true WAYS of achieving the aims. They are strongly suggested by countless successfull units for the last 95 years, but they are not requirements. Beaver - bad analogy. Scouting is not engineered with tolerances like an internal combustion engine. It is a social construct. There is a much greater degree of variability in the personalities, needs, and abilities of any given group of boys than any gallon of gas, or any set of plugs. Hopefully, all units will use all of the methods. However, it is a certainty that units will use different MIXES of the methods. Some stress uniforms and insist that everyone go camping in full field uniform. If that works for them, great. Some stress advancement (and end up being called "merit badge mills"). Some de-emphasize outdoors (see thread on Blazer Scouts, for example). Some teach leadership more than others. The point is that trained adult leaders should use the tools the programs provides (read "methods") to create an optimal environment for achieving the goals of scouting. After all, that's the whole point, isn't it?

I can imagine your sister also calling up the Room Store for delivery of a king size mattress.

Mark, Those are some excellent questions (perhaps deserving of their own thread). I see a wide range of variability between troops in how the advancement method is applied. In some troops ("merit badge mills"), it is probably overly stressed. This may be a reflection of our resume-driven society. Other troops are more laid-back about advancement and there is considerably less emphasis. It's the same with the other methods, most notably in uniforming, but to some degree in leadership, outdoors experience, and others. I guess each troop seeks a natural balance between all the methods. This provides the prospective Scout with a variety of troops from which to choose.

As a youngster, Lake Arrowhead Bighorn Camp (55) Lake Arrowhead Northrop Village (56-63) As a Scout, Camp Whittsett (65, 66) Camp Chawanakee (67, 68) As an adult, Lost Pines Scout Reservation (01, 02) Spanish Peaks Scout Reservation (03) Buffalo Trails Scout Reservation (04)

Bob, that would be the Direct Service - Hereafter Council.

According to adherents.com, an independent research endeavor to track religious membership, Catholicism is growing in the United States, both in terms of percentage and absolute numbers. Between 1990 and 2001, Catholics in the US grew from 46M to 51M. The 2004 estimate is 72M See http://www.adherents.com/rel_USA.html#Pew_branches

Yes, that raher neatly sums up the difference between the secular and religious perspectives.

Biological evolution is a proven fact. Abundant evidence exists in many diverse field of science to prove beyond doubt that biological species change over time. Religious beliefs notwithstanding, the overwhelming majority of scientists who are knowledgeable in these fields agree that evolution is as reliable a fact as gravity. What is a theory is the mechanism by which evolution proceeds. There are several competing ideas that explain how and why evolution occurs. The idea that explains the most of the evidence with the least amount of difficulty is the theory of natural selection. This is the 'theory' part of evolution. When people refer to evolution as a 'theory' they should properly refer to the 'theory of evolution by means of natural selection'. (sigh)

So Ed, I take it that you think the Archeology MB is heresy?