Trevorum

Gern and Barry are right - this episode was mid-trek at Philmont. The new Scout had recently joined our crew from another unit that is located in a different part of town. We had all been on a few shakedowns together and I thought that everyone was getting along pretty well. Some of our guys were clearly very easy with racial interactions, but there was one other fellow who always kept his distance from the new guy. He was barely polite. I surmised that he probably had some hidden prejudices - probably learned at home, but I have known this kid for years and I honestly never thought that this type of venom would spew forth. It was cracklingly offensive. To his credit, he later told me it was a problem he knew he had and that he was trying to grow past it. I hope the episode, and everyone else's responses to it, perhaps serve towards that end. I still feel really badly that it happened at all. I know that our guest has returned to his home unit with a mixed bag of memories from Philmont, and of our host unit.

The current thread about sending scouts home from camp got me to thinking about a recent experience. We were cooking dinner after a long, weary day on the trail. A couple of fellows who had been getting on each others nerves all day started to bicker about some nonsense. Suddenly, the comments turned personal. One fellow then retorted to the other using a notorious racial slur. There was a slit second of stunned silence by everyone. I remember thinking, "Did he actually say that? Then, our SPL jumped in with both feet, letting the fellow know in no uncertain terms that that kind of language was NOT going to be tolerated under ANY circumstances. The offending scout mumbled an apology and slunk off. Terrifically proud of the SPL, I did not step in then myself but I later talked privately to both fellows, apologizing to the one for the hurtfulness and making sure the other knew why his apology was necessary. Later, the rest of the fellows chewed on this unexpected drama for a while, expressing their disgust at the offending scout and his archaic opinions. The following day it was clear that he was being subtly shunned by the whole group. After a couple more days, things reached an equilibrium and everyone was again joking together. I doubt that the slur had been forgotten, but the other guy was willing to let it go, at least in public, for the sake of teamwork. This was the first time in Scouting I had experienced this type of blatant racism and it totally took me by surprise. I guess I had assumed that scouts were beyond that type of thinking and that we were all "brothers to every other Scout." So, has anyone experienced this type of overt racism in their unit? How did you handle it? Thanks, trevorum

Kinda reminds me of a patrol meeting I overheard recently ...

A colleague and I were discussing the upcoming election and this year's unique political dynamics. He observed that several otherwise stalwart Democrats with whom he's spoken have come up with surprising reasons why they will not vote at all in November. So I asked him , "Because Obama's Black?" He replied, "Well, either that, or it's the color of his skin ..."

Interesting ... Any intel on rank badges or POR badges?

Snow was an avid musician. He played the trombone, flute, piccolo, accordion, saxophone and guitar, and belonged to a cover band, Beats Workin', which featured fellow Washington-area professionals. Beats Workin' played publicly with a number of rock bands, including Snow's friends Skunk Baxter (The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan) and Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull. He was featured on an episode of VH1 Classic's Rock 'n Roll Fantasy Camp.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Snow) D.S. al fine, Tony.

"100 pages" ummm... Huh? Who said that? Did I miss another memo from National????????

New councils are formed all the time - but only through the merger of two or more smaller councils. I think the last time a new council was formed out of whole cloth was probably in the 1930s. Since then, all territory has been taken.

Books!

I've recently become aware of several districts which hold annual competitions between units. These competitions aren't scout skills at camporees, but are more administrative in nature. Units are ranked each year according to criteria such as percentage membership growth, percentage rank advancement, number of Eagles, etc. and then the top ranking unit gets awarded a ribbon or some such recognition for the year. Are any of you aware of such competitions? Do you think it is a good idea?

Back from both Philmont and Seabase, our V Crew started their annual planning last night. They came up with a list of a half-dozen great ideas for a 2009 adventure. Northern Tier was there, along with whitewater rafting, and something they called a "triathalon". They described this as a single trek involving cycling, hiking, and rafting/canoeing. Has anyone heard of this?

For the Scouter.com record, I wanted to post some feedback concerning my son's recent experiences at Philmont. 1. Before leaving, he calculated the quantities of meds he was likely to need. We added a 50% safety factor, and then we each carried that amount in an insulated container. (My supply was the emergency backup, in case his was lost, damaged, etc.) Because of the strenuous daily exercise, he did not come even close to using his own set of meds despite the high-carb diet. BUT - within one week after returning home, he determined that ALL the meds we had taken with us were no longer effective because of the lack of refrigeration and we had to obtain full new prescrption refills. In retrospect, I should have left my backup supply of insulin in the refrigerator at basecamp. 2. He took several packets of flavored "energy gels" we found in the local sporting goods store. He kept one of these (unopened) in his boot at night.

Is belief in a deity required?? I've come to the conclusion that BSA is decidedly - and purposefully - ambivalent on this issue. They don't want to be pinned down. The folks who insist that belief in a supernatural deity is a joining requirement (the "letter" of the DRP) are happy, and the folks (including Buddhists) who interpret the requirement more broadly (the "spirit" or the DRP) are satisfied also. If BSA were to clearly side with one interpretation or the other, they would loose big membership numbers, and that is a line that no executive will cross.

This year our V Crew did back to back SeaBase and Philmont adventures. Two fellows actually did both. They enjoyed each for different reasons - apples and oranges (I suppose NTier would be bananas). But don't let the SM decide what next year's adventure will be. That's up to the boys!

OGE, that's the point. After you make the edit, other readers will know that I have some very strong opinion and that I expressed it in an unacceptable manner. They don't need to know the actual redaction of course, but knowing that I expresssed it should be part of the record. Of course that means more work for you, you lazy #####.

Barry, It's not clear whether by "Religion" you are referring to your Christanity in the limited case or the broader phenomenon of religion in general. If the former, I might agree with you (discounting variable views on slavery, etc. as Merlyn notes). However, if you mean the latter, I would strongly disagree. Approaches to religion vary tremendously across the globe (much more so than our limited exposure to monotheism would suggest) and even more so across the depths of history. (And thanks! So far my day is going pretty well. I hope you have a good one too!)

Agree strongly with LisaBob Moderators should (1) wield their scalpel delicately and excise only grossly offensive words/phrases or commercial messages, (2) indicate the removed portion using ellipses or some symbol, and (3) sign their edit. viz: "Packsaddle, sometimes you are a real #####." (edited by Moderator OGE)

vol_scouter says, "I do believe that society's value system comes from religions (even if from false beliefs) and not from basic human nature." Anthropologists suspect it is more likely that religions are cultural developments from fundamental human value systems.

That reminds me ... ... one of these days, I'll have to get around to sewing on those last several knots.

I am completely in favor of small councils. It makes for more patches to collect.

I can see nothing gained by excluding atheists. If Buddhists can be good Scouts without belief in god(s), why exclude others who do not believe in god(s)? It just makes no sense.

Neil, I did not know you were a Walika brother! Small world! And a SM in 1970? You don't look that old!

Our crew just returned late last night from Philmont. (It has been absolutely terrific being away from electronics for 10 days!) The fire on the Tooth was small and was contained quickly the same day (6/22). No crews were seriously rerouted. Our crew hiked up through Ponil Canyon and the Valle Vidal, portions of which were serously burned in 2002. Some ridgetops still look like war zones, but most of the terrain is stunningly beautiful. I strongly recommend the Valle to all! I wanta go back!

"Snakes ... Why did it have to be snakes?"

I take my role as a troublemaker very seriously. Only one? I'll have to get busy ...