Trevorum

EagleScout, I think it's a fine idea. Think globally. Act locally.

Hello jmenand and welcome to the forums! Your question is interesting and understandable. We've talked here before about mixing uniform parts from different eras. While all earlier BSA uniforms are still official and may be worn by any registered member, the wearing of parts from different eras is frowned upon. In other words, you shouldn't wear a 1960s shirt with 2006 trousers. I don't know if the "Uniform Police" would issue a ticket, but it is BSA fashion gauche. Now, patches are another story. I believe that all previously issued emblems are still valid for uniform wear. For example, a 1950s Eagle medal may still be worn with the 2006 uniform. In like manner, I still wear my 1969 jamboree patch. Similarly, any past council shoulder patches (CSPS) may be legitimately worn (as long as the council hasn't merged or renamed itself), including the earlier red and whites. In fact, while the CSP was authorized for uniform use on April 17, 1970, the old city and state red and white strips were never actually de-authorized - they were simply not manufactured anymore. I know several old-timers who proudly still wear their old community strips, and I have heard of whole units that stick to tradition and have NEVER adopted CSPs (I believe they have their own community red and whites, long out of stock, privately manufactured.) I believe the same is true for OA flaps (although I am not positive; some lodges get sorta weird about their emblems and flaps...). However, many old OA flaps are worth their weight in gold dust and that's probably the reason one doesn't see them worn too often on uniforms.

When I lived in the country, I marveled at the newborn lambs in the springtime. The were so white, so fresh, so full of hope. It is not surprising that Christianity adopted the lamb as a potent symbol of life and the renewal of life. You are right, watching the sun rise on a beautiful spring morning seems to wash away the weariness and infuse us with fresh hope for life. Whether done in congregation, with a few loved ones, or in solitary contemplation, this experience can remind us all of the deeper meaning of reverence.

wow! now THAT's an idea!

Gern, After reading the above posts, I realized my son really needs to wear a tag or wristband. He's been reluctant (not cool, dad!). Looking on eBay, I just found those same wristbands yersterday. However, I think what I might do is make a custom black leather wristband with some studs. He plays heavymetal guitar and I think that style might satisfy both of us!

Old Baldy council (Ontario, California) will vote this week on a proposed merger. Members from Los Angeles County would join the San Gabriel Valley Council and members from San Bernardino County would join the California Inland Empire Council.

Oooh, good stuff! Very powerful. I will definitely borrow this one!

Thanks! You guys are great! (And again, my thanks to Scouter Terry for creating these forums, where I can tap into such a wealth of experience and knowledge.)

My 14 year old son is anticipating his first summer camp as a newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic. I've searched the forums here for previous threads on diabetes and have found some good advice, but I'd also like to ask if anyone has experience with diabetic youth at summer camp. Any and all advice and perspectives will be most appreciated. Thanks!

We'll all miss the old ronvo, but welcome campcrafter!

I think I mentioned this before, but one time this good ol' boy saw my UCLA card in my wallet and frowned, wanting to know if I was one of those "commie New Yawk lawyers that's allus stirrin' up trouble..."

And Pesach begins tomorrow! Say, what do y'all have for dinner on Easter? I mentioned to my boss that we always have lamb with mint jelly and she looked at like me like I had gerbils crawling out of my ears! To my family, that is traditional!

A couple of years ago I remember a similar problem with one young fellow. His parent took me aside and briefed me about the fellow's occasional urinary lapse. He tented alone and had a stash of absorbant pads. He would use one each night just in case of a problem. They were sort of like diaper material, but he used just a pad in front rather than the whole thing. None of the other scouts ever knew a thing.

Don't forget

Pack, Rooster hit 2000 posts and has decided to hang up his hat - see his thread titled "Goodbye".

Dang. Now I'll never know. I'll miss him.

Rooster - say it ain't so! Please let us cajole you to stay!!! Regardless of your ultimate decision, please know that I, for one, have honestly enjoyed your throughtful, articulate posts. I haven't always agreed with you (hey, we HAVE agreed now and then!) but I have grown to respect your steadfastness. Hundreds of posts downsteam, I can truthfully say that I WOULD enjoy enjoy knowing you in real life (...and I deeply regret my childlish rudeness a long time ago when I called you a name...). For me the bottom line is this: I am 100% positive that your three Eagle Scout sons are fine young men, due to your steady influence and love. My best wishes for your post-forum endeavors. -Trevorum

Rooster, I am very curious about your view of the Gospel of Judas. I fully understand your opinion of the Dan Brown fiction, but I would have thought that you would have been excited to learn of the translation of the ancient Coptic texts, a genuine biblical-era artifact. Do you have a similar opinion about the Dead Sea Scrolls? I am genuinely curious about your views.

Michelle, I believe that eligibility for SPL and other PORs is set by each troop.

Michelle, what is an Arrow of Light "trek"? I presume it's some special part of the ceremony?

Excellent advice all! I sincerely wish there had been an active Girl Scout unit nearby when my daughter was of age. (Alas, she's off to college next fall.) I think I would have enjoyed sharing my love of the outdoors with Girl Scouts. The outdoor component of the GS program seems to be much more hit or miss than in Boy Scouting. I think the basic reason we like to go camping is for the adventure. Not the swashbuckling pirate kind of adventure, but simply putting ourselves in situations where stuff MIGHT go wrong. But stuff we can handle, like getting wet, or cold, or uncomfortable. We purposely put ourselves in situations that are just a little outside of our "comfort zone". In addition to the "thrill" of "danger" (maybe this is why boys like camping more than girls, on average) we instinctively know that stretching our limits in this way is how we grow. The "hard" part is what makes it worthwhile. Among the young fellows I know, Wilderness Survival seems to be one of the most popular merit badges. Our troop has a "Survival" themed campout every year. Last year we did the Shoebox Campout. That was memorable, and I've heard veterans of that campout reagaling the new guys with stories about how cool it was - going into the "wilderness" for a weekend with nothing but the clothes on your back!

Ya know, I'm thinking that pre-cooling one of the liquids may work. The fellows hold the votive, wrapping their hands around it to transfer body heat to the glass. The other liquid ("lake water") is kept in a small cooler with some ice. The initial glow reaction should be dim because of the low temperature. As the mixture warms up, the reaction should get brighter. It may work - you'll have to experiment a bit. I wish I had thought of this when I was a CM!

Rooster, I never said that. I don't believe in your definition of god. There is a big difference.

Rooster, I thought we had covered this before, but I know how persistent you are , so here goes. I don't believe in a heaven or a hell or a deity who sits in judgement on petty human concerns, so your question has no meaning for me. Really. It's like me asking you why don't you put that tooth under your pillow at night -- just in case there really is a Tooth Fairy. You reject the whole premise of a Tooth Fairy and so you don't worry at all about potential quarters under your pillow or potential lumps of coal in your stocking. (OK, so that is mixing myths ..) I do good for reasons that have nothing to do with anticipated rewards in an afterlife. I shun evil for reasons that have nothing to do with fear of supernatural punishment.

nld, that's a common concern of parents, but it is unfounded. The devices "are not recommended for children under 5", but are non-toxic, non-corrosive, and non-irritant. Washing hands is recommended if some is spilled, but under adult supervision, these sticks should be safe for Cub Scout ceremonies.