OldGreyEagle

...our Troop quit using tents about three years ago.... You can't do that, thats whats best about scouting, it's supposed to be in tents

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we are an eclectic crew, we backpack, we hike, we build cardbord boats, we go to Etiquette Dinners, we camp at Council Events, we organize Council Wide Crew Education week ends, we go to Cabela's for the day. Three Crew members are officiers in the COuncil Youth Crew COuncil We whitewater raft and enter Venture Crew FIlm Festivals (well one) and want to host our own Film Festival. We go to Assateague We do what the youth has an interest in, Our Specialty is adventure, where ever we find it, be it on the Staten Island Ferry, The Appalachian Trail, in a Japanese Steak House or posing as SPeed Racer Charactors at the District Pinewood Derby Venturing is limited only by the imaginaiton of the Crew (This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

Would it help if it was spelt ALTAR BOY?

On the Literary Angle, I always thought Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird would have been a great Scoutmaster, we know his moral compass was well founded and he already had a Scout in the family. Robinson Crusoe should be a great scoutmaster, had plenty of survival skills and lead many great adventures after he got off the island. Although with the way he let Friday pamper him, he might have a hard time grasping the Boy Lead troop concept Now Gulliver, from Gulliver's travels had many adventures, but as he kept getting lost and running into all manner of disasters, I think we best just pass on him. The Pied Piper of Hamlin seems to be the model Venture Advisor, he had both girls and boys follow him, I mean when membership is down, just fire up the flute and walk through town and membeship swells, who wouldnt love that. Now of course his youth return rate from outings was not as good as it should be and may be considered as a negative, (or not) Now Ralph and Piggy from Lord of the Flies would make a great SPL and ASPL team. They knew the rules and tried to follow them. The were in the first true "boy lead" troop England had seen. Too bad they were swept aside by an unruly choir member Huckleberry Finn would make a great Instructor for Pioneering Skills, but his tendency to smoke a pipe may make him less then a wonderful role model. Natty Bumpo, Deerslayer, Hawkeye, etc from the leathestocking tales would be a great scoutmaster, he did seem to have leadership skills but sharing the load wasnt his forte, he liked doing it alone, or with just one helper, the last of the mohicans Then again, Lem Siddons has to be the best from God and My Country

Just so no youth misunderstands Mr FatOldGuy here, he is just using his well known acerbic wit and Curmudgeonly sense of humor. A "wedgie", while no reason to call the authorities such as the police or the scout executive, the first time, it is something that should be reported to the troop adult leadership and should be made to stop as it is inappropriate behavior

Now, this isnt as bizarre as it sounds, I hope. I have a chance to attend Hawk Moountain Camp School in June to be a Shooting Sports Director, no, I wont be employed as Summer Camp Staff, but there never seems to be a qualified Rangemaster around. Our Scout Executive has even offered to pay for some of the tuition if I will open the Range during the year. For those who have gone to Camp School, are there many civilians there? The Shooting sports will cover Archery, Rifle, Muzzle Loading and Shotgun. Not bad for a weeks worth of training. What do you guys think?

...nothing special... Maybe in a neighborhood such as your, but a committment of $1, 000 is pretty healthy here. I like Pounder's "put your money where your mouth is"(This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

We either can debate/argue like scouters or we are not fit to wear the uniform. We may not like what others have to say, but all forms of expression are either allowed, or no one can consider himself free We could dissent without resorting to personal attacks however...(This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

Huh? What?

Rover Scout, I will be in the Chicago area in early june, where do you guys meet and when ? SOunds like somehting I would like to know about.

I beleive thats Oscar de la Renta and I also think FOG knew it all the time, its that avuncular, acerbic wit that endears him to us all...except maybe merlyn

Congrats, The Wood Badge Lodge can always Bear to have another member

Merlyn, I will try once more to explain this, and I do this only to try to defend the honor of all scouters to the myriad of readers who will follow. The reason why I would not jump on FOG, nor do I expect a lot of people to do so is because he has shown himself to be a an inveterate curmudgeon ( I love that word) he is not above yanking anybody's chain on any topic and is as acerbic as they come. Now I can say, FOG, get off it, and I may as well be talking to the wall for all the good it does. He is as he is, and I really dont think the BSA can take any credit/blame for his personality. Saying that FOG is representative of all scouters is like saying Lyndon LaRouche is representative of all politicians (with apologies to Mr LaRouche of course)

Just as FOG said he knew better, I do too, but that doesnt matter Merlyn, I know you are a single issue fellow here, and you probably dont read a lot of the threads unless your hot button comes up, but I wouldnt hold my breath about many people jumping on FOG over his language as most of us know what a Curmudgeon he is. Besides, he is just expressing his first amendment rights and while I dont like the way he expresses himself a lot of the times, he does get to post how he feels.

It is my understanding, although my understandings have been wrong before, that a scout/scouter may wear any Uniform piece that was ever part of the "official" uniform as long as it is still in "good" condition. Such as the overseas/envelope hat, the red beret, the old cotton twill green shirt, and that of course would include the spats. Now, I think grey spats with the grey pants would be spiffy as well for Ventures.

AB 139, your secret is safe with me,although I may "wink" at you at the next VEB meeting and give you the lowdown on Outdoor Thinker, Campaholic and Campfire Fairy, all members of the Venture Crew

Unfortunately the paperwork black hole exists for our troop and Crew as well. As Advancement Chair, MB counsleor Applications get lost as frequently as any other Districts (often) and our adult applicaitons get lost as well. Angry Beaver139, are you the Council liason for Venturing? Did you used to be the DE for SM? Did you get your Wood Badge Beads in December 2003? (This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

Rover Scout, do you know where Wood Dale Il is? or Elburn Il?

Thank you merlyn, I dont have time to read the refrences right now, I will later tonight. But my first response is there is a compelling state interest to discriminate against white male business owners? if this is answered in the links, I will read it later, but I have to say that now

I have to thank Merlyn for getting this section out of its moribund status. Merlyn, you last post gave me pause to think. And as I have quite often demonstrated I often think things are one way when in reality they are something completely different, so if I am wrong, I know you will correct me but I have no malice in asking. Now, you said the following: "In this particular case, what's being fought for is equal treatment by the government, by not subsidizing a group that discriminates against gays and atheists." Now, unless I am wrong, and I admit I might be, but didn't/doesnt the goverment actively encourage discrimination through its Affirmative Action legislation? When minority and female owned businesses get breaks on bidding for government contracts, isnt that state sponsored discrimination? WHen a city gets a federal grant and has to contract with a set percentage of minority or female owned businesses to keep the grant, isnt that state sponsored discrimination? Its discrimination based on race and sex which I thought was unlawful. What is the justification for not declaring such minority clauses in governmental contracts illegal?

Just so I understand, Proud Eagle, I guess those who explained the rules to me took a more conservative approach that your interpretation. We can agree its appropriate that the sash be worn at OA activities. Now, at a Troop Court of Honor, I would say no sash, but if the scout is representing the OA, then its ok. I can see that as a huge loop hole. All members of the OA in theory represent the OA at all times, so shouldnt they wear the sash at all times? At all scouting functions? I thought I had it down but now I am not so sure

I loved reading Hermann Hesse, I could just see this little german man talking to me while I read his books, from Siddhartha, Steppenwolf, Journey to the East, Demian, Rosshalde, Magister Ludi (the Glass Bead Game) and Narcissus and Goldmund I found he spoke to me in a way few authors have then again, reading Beowulf in middle english is a trip without luggage

I can see happy go lucky Bob Scout come cruising into the the Board of Review. All is right with the world. Mr Scoutmaster has signed off his position of responsibility and he just has to talk to these guys and be done with it. What a a surprise he has comming... Before you ambush the kid, and I undestand he hasnt done his job, why not ask the scoutmaster prior to the scoutmaster conference what kind of job the scoutmaster feels the scout is doing? Why wait until the Board of Review? Let the scoutmaster know that the Board of Review will most likely turn down the scout based on his position of responsibility performance. I think it would be best for the troop, the scout and the scoutmaster if its addressed privately. The scoutmaster should provide a path to advancement, what needs to be done so the scout may advance. Now, if the scoutmaster signs off on it anyway, you have two issues, a recalcitrant scoutmaster and a boy who should not advance. First the Board of Review has to turn his rank down and provide a path for the future, what needs to be done to advance and them the scoutmaster needs some type of counseling. HAving the Board of Review turn down a scout based on a topic the scoutmaster signed off on is embarrasing to all concerned. But just becaue its embarrassing doesnt mean it shouldnt be done. It needs to be done in support of the kids who take their positions seriously and do the work. Good luck FOGGER

I am not a Scout Professional nor do I play one on TV, but we have the Council Executive's son in the troop I serve. Dad is an ASM who comes to summercamp with us all week and routinely leads week end trips. He finds the time to camp with us and be active.