King Ding Dong

So I was looking at the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award today....and I wanted to ask others.

 

While I love the idea of this award....I feel like it's whole purpose is to promote, there-by raising money for, District/Council Cub Scout Resident/Day Camp.

 

I'm curious how others feel about the award.

If you go to "Get involved" on the homepage of scouting.org, it links you to beascout.org.

Try finding a troop by going to scouting.org. Oh, everyone knows you need to go to beascout.org for that.has anyone seen a link to beascout.org on scouting.org ?

At some point in your life you have to learn to say no. Next year I will inform the den we will be working on building a birdhouse. You may bring your own kit or I will have some available for purchase. No money, no kit. Just can't deal with "I will bring it next week" parents anymore.

With the troop if you show up at departure and are not paid up, you better hope YOUR parents are driving you and feeding you. Although there are only one or two problem families with the troop. The thing is, if the parents or Scout came to the committee and explained they were having financial difficulties we would find a a way for their son to participate. Every child deserves the opportunity of scouting. It is just the freeloader attitude we just can't deal with.

Females generally disapprove of boys behaving like boys.

 

Really? How about some examples?

What if, as a second class scout, you have completed the requirements for camping and swimming and received the merit badges for such. Shouldn't you be signed off on First Class requirements #9a, b, &c (from swimming MB #3) as well as requirements #4a and b (from camping MB #8c&d)? If not, then in theory, a second class scout must perform a line rescue two times to be signed off on both the First Class requirement and the merit badge? I just don't see this as double dipping but as requirements defined by the merit badge.

 

The requirements for the merit badges are much more detailed and rigourous than the parallel requirements for First Class. I think that if a second class scout completes these merit badges, he has clearly demonstrated these skills and should be signed off on the First Class requirements.

 

I can see that if one is already First Class and is THEN going to work on these merit badges, one must demonstrate (again) that he has mastered these skills. You couldn't just say "Oh, yeah, I did that last year at camp..."

The parallel requirements in the swimming MB book are not more rigorous than for 2nd class and First class. They are exactly the same.

Yes, if a Scout was signed off on First Class requirements over a year ago, I would require a BSA swimmer test before proceeding with the rest of the requirements.

Do you dare put that down for fear you do not KNOW the stance of the college admissions counselor who will read your application?

Unfortunately' date=' that may have already happened. At my last college reunion, I was with a group of alums and university folks, one of which worked in the admissions office. She said that mentioning you were an Eagle Scout on the application was a negative because of the association with bigotry. She recommended leaving any reference to the BSA off any application. Very sad. I didn't follow up, so I don't know if she was just giving her personal opinion, or the official opinion of the admissions office.[/quote']

 

 

I'm not sure I would want my son in a college where being an Eagle Scout is considered a bad thing......

Yeah I would take a pass on that diploma mill.

On a rainy campout when a few of the boys start getting stir crazy and start a mud slinging fight I bet the girls will want to jump right in' date=' at first. Then the boys keep escalating and all of a sudden we have girls in tears. At 14, there is less of that type of thing, but we need to let the younger boys be boys, tell their gross stories and sling the mud. If the GS program has a problem, it needs to be addressed.[/quote']

 

 

There will be a boy in tears when the 11 yr old 45 lb scout has a load of mud poured on him by the 14 yr old 200 lb scout. On a rainy campout, our boys started to play a version of dodge ball with a frisbee. One of the smaller boys got hit in the chest by a throw from one of the larger boys, and he was complaining about his bruised chest for weeks.....

I do not doubt that your scout was injured. However, in general, when boys get into a spat it is over in 5 minutes and they are back rolling around before the dust has settled, with girls the emotional drama takes far, far longer to settle out.

 

At a recent pack meeting the leaders failed to end the meeting and stood around chatting. The kids starting getting restless and a six grade girl sibling started "mothering" the younger boys. No one is sure what happened but allegedly one of the 3rd grade boys did not take kindly to this and physically resisted. The mother was livid, just livid and caused much distraction for the committee while we attempted to sort it all out.

 

Again I have not seen any persuasive argument for mixing it up. Why do the girls need to join the BSA ? If the Girl Scouts are not delivering a completing program, fix it.

 

On top of that, at the PLC level you will have much conflict in event planning.

Pg 25 He respects the beliefs of others.

I am not seeing much respect for the beliefs of others. A Scout should be able to join a unit that has beliefs he can respect. Be it a Catholic or Evengelical unit or a public school unit that has more open beliefs.

On a rainy campout when a few of the boys start getting stir crazy and start a mud slinging fight I bet the girls will want to jump right in, at first. Then the boys keep escalating and all of a sudden we have girls in tears. At 14, there is less of that type of thing, but we need to let the younger boys be boys, tell their gross stories and sling the mud.

If the GS program has a problem, it needs to be addressed.

This new topic policy is disastrous for the BSA. There is absolutely nothing positive that can arise from this new topic. We have enough problems as it is than creating new ones with new topics. Just leave it alone!

What's wrong with the old topics ? When I was a Scout that's the way it was and WE LIKED IT!

If all the big three pull out, can the BSA weather the transition ? Will the schools and others come back ? Or does it lead to a permanently smaller BSA ?

 

Other than the meeting space and trailer storage, do the churches provide any other meaningful resources to the troops ?

So if there will not be a mass exodus, what's wrong with the local option from the viewpoint of National ?

Can that Pastor really look that group of boys in the eye and tell them they can't go camping anymore and all that work they put in working in their eagle is over ? That's cold.

If all the big three pull out, can the BSA weather the transition ? Will the schools and others come back ? Or does it lead to a permanently smaller BSA ?

Other than the meeting space and trailer storage, do the churches provide any other meaningful resources to the troops ?

All COs will HAVE to accept registration from openly gay youth if the resolution passes? I think most (but not all) LDS wards and Catholic churches can live with gay youth in their midst, but what is the Southern Baptist Convention units going to do if this passes? It will be just a matter of time before a gay activist teen registers with a troop chartered by the SBC just to cause a stir. The BSA will have to back the gay youth's registration. That would be interesting.

I am new to BS ANC am having a little trouble understanding the requirements. The way I read it the Scout has to cook all meals for at least 2 others on a campout and a backpacking trip. Intake thins to mean as an individual with no assistance. So in order for a patrol of 8 to complete the badge it would require a minimum of 8 campouts and 8 overnight backpacking trips for all 8 to complete the requirements. Unless of course the patrol was split in two for cooking purposes on each activity. My AC believe it can be done as a group activity as long as the scouts participate. The campout one should be easy enough to complete just in normal activities, but our troop does not do many overnight backpacking trips. ( 14 and out )

How do you handle this one ? I have heard it is scheduled for revision by thanksgiving.

Is the purpose to determine if they are fit or can they do a pull up? I am in the same boat with my new scout son. Zero body fat and strength. We are working on it with assisted pull-ups but is going slow. He also can't squeeze the knife to unlock the blade. To me that is the bigger problem. Half the NSP can't really pass the swim test but last Saturday he swam 25 laps just 11 short of the mile swim. So is he "not fit" ?

I've got a novel approached that worked wonders for another great institution that I believe in wholeheartedly - let's allow three-fifths of a gay member, adult and youth, to join the BSA. :-)

Just a curiosity type question...let's say Tommy comes out at 15. He stays in and earns his Eagle Scout with palms. He's a respected leader in his troop and has been through NYLT. He's served on camp staff and is a member of the Order of the Arrow. He also maintains a membership in the camp staff venturing crew. He hits the magic 18 in Boy Scouts and is out, but maintains his membership in Venturing. Now he's 21 and has to kiss the whole thing good-bye. Just a question, BSA...you will not accept this man as a leader; will you solicit and accept his contributions through Friends of Scouting? If he hits the lotto, will his money be good enough for you when he isn't? Just being curious here.

The saddest part of all of this is that the National leadership is incapable of taking and holding a firm stance on this issue/policy. The May policy change on their site is so wishy washy and hypocritical that all it will do is alienate all sides in this debate. In my area three churches ,long time active scouting supporters have suspended all scouting until National comes to some kind of supportable solution to this issue. In our communty the BSA has become the butt of anger, indecisiveness, and a "bad influence on the youth". Parents have been pulling their kids out in droves. Even in my church the parents have begun asking me about alternatives to scouting for our church youth. Bottom line it is time for National to put up and deal with the ramifications or leave the decision entirely to the CO's. Their current methodology will do nothing but lead scouting to a slow agonizing death.

Mother Jones has an April 12 article about the LDS that may provide some insight as to why they are conspicuously silent right now on this issue and appear to have not taken part in the survey. Basically there was a huge internal backlash with prop 8 and at best the leadership is gaining some compassion or worst they do not want more negative publicity. That is not to say they are rolling over as i am sure if they feel shoved hard enough they will push back.

It is very interesting and I suggest you have a look.

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/04/prop-8-mormons-gay-marriage-shift

A majority of Boy Scouts and Venturers oppose allowing chartered organizations to follow their own beliefs if that means there will be different standards from one organization to the next.

That is most important result of the survey. That is huge. Game over. We all now know what the eventual BSA will look like, how we get there and how quickly is the question. That's a very big Band-Aid that is going to have to be ripped off.

Congratulations on your Eagle! You are a fine example of the future of our great country. Now go away and don't let the door hit you in the @ss on the way out.

Statistics being what they are, survey results are summarized at http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/MembershipStandards/Resolution/Summary.aspx.

The Youth Study Group (teens 16 to 18) was charged with listening to the voice of youthâ€â€both current members and nonmembers. Harris Interactive was contracted to survey both current youth members as well as general population teens. Key findings include:

Among general population teens and Boy Scouts and Venturers alike, a majority oppose the current Boy Scouts of America membership policy.

A majority of Boy Scouts and Venturers oppose allowing chartered organizations to follow their own beliefs if that means there will be different standards from one organization to the next.

According to a majority of current Boy Scouts and Venturers, the current policy does not represent a core value of Scouting.

Tried to post this here once but failed.

The old Goat Patrol never fails to throw Boy Led out the window at every opportunity.

Youth Study Group

The Youth Study Group (teens 16 to 18) was charged with listening to the voice of youthâ€â€both current members and nonmembers. Harris Interactive was contracted to survey both current youth members as well as general population teens. Key findings include:

Among general population teens and Boy Scouts and Venturers alike, a majority oppose the current Boy Scouts of America membership policy.

A majority of Boy Scouts and Venturers oppose allowing chartered organizations to follow their own beliefs if that means there will be different standards from one organization to the next.

According to a majority of current Boy Scouts and Venturers, the current policy does not represent a core value of Scouting.

The Old Goat Patrol never fails to throw Boy Led out the window at every opportunity.

I like the entire integrated approach of troopwebhost and have sent about 12 inquires to troops using it. 90% glowing responses. However, there seem to be limitations on the advancement module. TM seems to handle some automatic functions better in regards to special awards. Such as automatically awarding world conservation award when requirements met. I am not sure how big a deal this is, but my advancement chair is not going to accept anything less than TM so if TWH falls short in that area I am hosed. The TM to TWH data transfer from what I am told does not transfer incomplete MB data. Not good. I certainly don't want to run two systems and without the advancement data TWH loses a significant amount of its punch.

It is like a review on amazon with 150 5 star reviews and 5 1 stars, but the 1 stars have a valid point.

Does the greater good of having better transparency with the troop outweigh the robust functions of TM. I feel it does but selling that to the committee is hard.