Trevorum

Gern, I think I'd like your dad.

Also, it is always appropriate to wear a National Jamboree (oversized) back patch centered on the back of your red jacshirt.

OGE, My guess is that a special accomodation has been made for students whose faith requires that certain rituals be performed during the school day. My guess is that a special place - probably an unused room - has been designated for use by these students at certain specified times. I wouldn't call that a chapel, but I can see how it might acquire that label. As far as I know, Islam is the only major faith that requires such rituals at pre-determined times during the school day. If a Christian denomination (or any other faith) could demonstrate that their faith has a similar requirement of similarly long standing precedent, I'll bet the school board would be equally accomodating. (But again, that's just my guess.)

Gonzo, I think you miss Merlyn's point. Where previously many public schools embedded much religious content (generally Christian with token nods to Jews) into the curricula, today tax-payer supported schools are (mostly) secular. That is not at all the same as atheistic. Secular means not including religious content (of any spin); to be labeled atheistic, schools would have to actively teach that there ARE no gods - which schools clearly do not do. As a result, teachers can now focus on the reading and math while leaving the religious instruction (or lack thereof) to the parents. IMHO, a major benefit is that kids of minority faiths (yes, they do exist) are not forced to endure the dogma of the majority (at least at school).

If a school teaches that 2+2=4 without mentioning gender, is that sexism? If a school teaches that 2+2=4 without mentioning allele frequencies, is that racism? If a school teaches that 2+2=5 for very large values of 2, is that math?

I believe Philmont requires all participants to sign a talent release.

IMHO, this is another example where the "Rule of 25" is an unfortunate obstacle for minorities. As long as the award curriculum is approved by BSA as being in accord with BSA principles, what difference does it make if there are 5 Chartering Partners nationwide or 25, or 250? All Scouts should have the opportunity to earn the religious emblem of their faith and wear it on their uniiform.

Gunny, Our troop has two brothers who tell me they are also registered in an LDS unit. They are active only with our troop because "we do cool stuff". Council has always accepted our registration paperwork; I don't see a problem.

Welcome, Jim! Glad to have you join our campfire!

I've just learned that Laguna Station will be offering a surfing adventure beginning next summer (2008). This camp is on South Padre Island in way south Texas (almost Mexico!) - our fellows had a terrific time there last summer. see http://www.lagunastation.org/

Hey there Big Ed! Haven't seen you since Lost Pines a couple of years ago. Welcome to the forums! So you'll be helping Scouter Terry, huh? I haven't met out new SE yet, but reports are he's good guy.

Robert Baden-Powell (18571941), founder of Scouting, is listed as #13 on the 100 Greatest Britons of all time (ahead of Queen Victoria, Paul McCartney, Queen Elizabeth II, Stephen Hawking, William Wilberforce, William Blake, Charles Dickens, William Wallace, Alexander Graham Bell, JRR Tolkein, Sir Walter Raleigh, etc. etc.)

Moses: "Children of Israel! The Lord thy God has given me these fifteen... [crash] ... (Oy!) ... Ten! Ten Commandments!"

Well, I don't think ANY of you are going to like this, but MY opinion on this subject is (This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle) (This message has been edited by Merlyn_LeRoy) (This message has been edited by packsaddle) (This message has been edited by Lisabob) (This message has been edited by evmori) (This message has been edited by Eamonn)

I think there is also a provision for adults to be elected from the district and possibly council level as well. So theoretically, a Cub Scouter who was active in the district might be elected.

Oh my! I think I'm in love!

Anyone saying "Howdy' has got to be from Texas! Howdy back atcha'!

Ed, Ed, Ed, Ed. I thought we covered this already. People don't CHOOSE to be gay any more than they CHOOSE to be AB+ or redheads or 140 IQ. That's just the way we come out. Sexual orientation is not a choice like wearing a moustache or playing the piano or worshipping Allah.

"If you allow gays as leaders, are you going to allow them to discuss homosexuality with the boys?" Why in the world would anyone think that??? We don't allow anyone to discuss heterosexuality with the boys now, so why would we allow anyone to discuss other kinds of sexuality? Sexuality has no place in scouting, period. That argument is a red herring, plain an simple.

Thanks for that link, meamemg! The policy must have been changed since 1968!

scoutldr is correct. Both lodges need to OK the plan in advance. As a youth, I was tapped out and went through ordeal with Tah-heetch at an out of council summer camp, but became a member of Walika when we returned home.

Welcome, skeptic. I share packsaddle's views on these issues. You may be surprised to discover that many others also would openly welcome these Scouts and Scouters without hesitation. As pack says, these folks are already in Scouting, and more to the point, they have been since 1910. "Celebrate Diversity"

"There is a time limit for JSP ..." This is a common misunderstanding. Council shoulder insignia do not expire. Position insignia and jamboree unit numerals should be removed from the uniform within six months. This does not apply to council insignia (unless the patch incorporates a temporary unit numeral).

welcome back! We'd much rather hear YOUR stories from camp than rehash our own last week!

Texas Gets Break From Torrential Rain Jul 22, 4:11 PM (ET) SAN ANTONIO (AP) - The sun was finally out over South and Central Texas on Sunday after days of torrential rain that left an Amtrak train stranded, flooded roads and sent Boy Scouts on a camping trip fleeing for their lives. As much as 17 inches of rain had fallen in some areas between 10 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday, said Pat McDonald, a National Weather Service forecaster. Dozens of people were rescued, some by helicopter, but no serious injuries were reported in the state's latest round of flooding. A Boy Scout troop from suburban Fort Worth camping on the Guadalupe River had to make a quick getaway early Saturday when the water rose rapidly. No one was injured, but the troop lost five vehicles, including its 15-passenger van, to the waters north of San Antonio, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. "I've never seen water rise like that," Juan Ramirez, one of 15 Scouts on the outing, told the newspaper. "We barely got out of our tent."