BrentAllen

kb, I'm not sure of how the tradition started. We don't do much splicing in WB, but for our course, we raise two 40' x 60' tarps that overlap. This covers our Troop Learing Area, a space big enough for all 8 patrols and staff members. It is a real job to get them up and spread out correctly. Part of this is a team building excercise for the staff, as well. We use lots of 550 cord to pull out the sides of the tarps. That is a lot of rope work, and some of the knots get jammed pretty tight. The spike on the Marlin Spike comes in real handy getting those lose. I have also found it handy to untie the ties on the summer camp tents, after they have gotten wet and pulled tight (boys going under them rather than untie them). They also come in handy in tying some of the "fun" knots - monkey's fist, etc. Once you start carrying one, it is amazing how many times you find yourself using it. We all carry ours in the leather one-piece fold-up sheaths, on our belts. I'm not sure if that sheath has a specific name, but it is made from one long piece of leather that folds up on itself to make the sheath. No sewing involved. It can be used to carry knives, leatherman tools, etc. Anyone know what I'm talking about? The boys have even made them at Day Camp (after adults cut out the pattern).

As Gonzo mentioned, we have talked by phone, and I'm sure we will meet before long. Cubmaster Randy and I attended the same WB course back in 2004, and we are both Troop Guides for the current Summer WB course.

I HATED the garters and tabs! But I wore them with the uniform. Who says we haven't seen any improvements in the uniform! I'm pretty sure Trev is talking about the current knee socks, with the red tops that fold down. "Knee High Style. Socks are 6" x 2" ribbed knit leg with elasticized red top. Best style for hiking. Made of polyester/cotton/nylon with Terry-padded soles. Treated with Triclosan to inhibit bacterial growth." http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/ItemDetail.aspx?ctlg=05NDC&ctgy=PRODUCTS&c2=UNIFORMS&C3=USOCKS&C4=&LV=3&item=BSKS&prodid=BSKS^8^05NDC&

I should have done this a long time ago, but the final straw has fallen: "He's a kook, and people like Alicia Colon and Fred Goodwin who propagate his idiocy are fools." Congratulations, Merlyn - you just became the first person I have placed on my Ignore List. I feel better already!

Here in our council, the WB staff have a tradition of carrying Marlin Spike knives. At one time, new staff members were given one as a "thank you" gift. These knives used to be made by Camillus (http://www.fernknives.com/camillus/us-navy-marlin-spike/736/index.html), but they have gone out of business. I think that is when the tradition of giving them to new staff stopped. Do other councils have this same tradition of carrying Marlin Spikes, or is it just local? I picked one up on ebay, really just for the tradition, but now it is one of my favorites. It is great for untying really tight knots.

Since I want to be a Scouter, I wear the Scouter uniform. (That's not gettin' "down" on anyone, is it Beavah?). If I ever made the Atlanta Braves team, I would wear their uniform. If I were a police officer, I would wear their uniform. Anyone seeing a pattern here? What I wear for all uniformed Scouting events (Scout's Honor): Official uniform shirt, short-sleeve, with the correct patches. Wood Badge beads (I recently received my third bead, and the SM/CD made them from wood he saved from our Council Gilwell Field, when it was cleared and created 25 years ago) I have Scout shorts, Scout long pants and the new Switchbacks - the weather usually dictates which I wear. Scout socks - I don't wear the knee socks, I have started wearing the Scout Thorlo hiking socks, hoping the color will last longer. Brown leather hiking boots, most of the time. I wear my Wood Badge Staff belt and buckle, with a leather WB knife holder. The knife is our traditional Marlin Spike, with red/green cord, in round barber pole braid, attached. For formal or Council occasions, I wear the WB neckerchief. If the event calls for an Activity Uniform, I wear the above but swap out a t-shirt for the Scout shirt. If there is a uniformed Scouting event, this is just what I automatically put on. I don't even think about it - I just throw it on. See how easy that is? No decisions about "do I wear the khakis or the blue jeans?" You have to wear something, why not wear the correct uniform? Are our egos really too big, or are we too proud to wear it? Around here, if you ever want to staff a WB course, you wear the complete, correct uniform. And Beavah, nothing looks sillier or sloppier to me than a well "rounded" Scouter wearing a Scout shirt and blue jeans. I do cut the women some slack, because they often have a very hard time finding anything in the Scout Shop that fits them at all. From the Insignia Guide, Official Policy, Personal commitment: "The leaders of Scouting - both volunteer and professional - promote the wearing of the correct complete uniform on all suitable occasions." Wearing different pants would not be promoting the correct complete uniform.

Trev, I came from a Troop that was pretty demanding. And pretty challenging. My view is the boys will get away with whatever they can - they are always pushing the envelope. They won't tell you this, but they want to know where the boundaries are, and they do like to have them set. If you set the expectation that they will look like Scouts, it is my experience that they will follow. If they don't want to look like a Scout, then what are they doing in Scouting? It comes down to respect and discipline. Those are certainly huge parts of citizenship and character development, at least in my book. Whenever I hear or read any type of meaningful reflection about an individual in a leadership position (teacher, coach, Scouter), whether in a card, yearbook, retirement ceremony, Eagle COH, or funeral, I never hear "I really respected him because he made it easy for me." Think about it. The leaders you hear the most sincere comments about challenged and pushed the students/athletes/Scouts to do their best, do what is right and exceed their own expectations. Will a Scout despise or respect you for insisting that he wear the uniform correctly? They may grumble now, but it has been my experience they will respect you in the long run. Convincing Scouts that wearing the correct uniform shows respect for the organization and to those who wore it before them may be a small thing to some. I see it as an integral piece to the much bigger picture.

If the boys want to vote on their uniform, they need to join Venturing. Otherwise, the only choice they have is for the hat and neckerchief. Troops do not have the authority to set their own policy regarding anything else. There are 4 parts to a complete uniform - Scout shirt, Scout pants or Scout shorts, Scout belt, Scout socks. That is BSA policy, and it can't be modified by a Troop or Pack. "Attitude reflects leadership," said Julius.

Gern, We used to bareboat over to the Bahamas during college Spring Break - but we weren't racing. Did you watch any of the America's Cup? I think it was race 5, where the Kiwis had the lead and tried to run up another spinnaker before a tear in the one flying blew apart. I think someone missed a bowline on a sheet, and the spinnaker turned into a pennant, flying from the top of the mast. I imagine there was a little shouting then. :-)

You say the SM has a great deal of knowledge about Scouting. If he does, he sure isn't applying it. What makes you think he has a great deal of knowledge? Sounds like he has no idea! We joined a Troop back in March that we have a difference of philosophy with. Nothing nearly as bad as you are dealing with, but not what I want for my son. We are starting our own new Troop. After going to summer camp with this troop, I decided the easier path was to start a new unit. If I was in your shoes, I wouldn't have any trouble deciding what to do. That Troop is too far gone to rehabilitate - start a new Troop with your son and his friends, and do it the right way. Good luck!

"Position 2 is EITHER unit numerals OR district/council position patch, not both (touches the bottom of the CSP)" Where are those instructions listed? My IG says District Badges of Office go in position 3 only, 4" below the shoulder seam. (pages 42 - 44).

scoutldr, Actually, Council professionals are authorized to wear the Regional Insignia. IG, page 54 "Regional Insignia This insignia is reserved for regional officers, regional committee members, local council professional Scouters, and national staff with a regional responsibility and is worn on the right sleeve in position 2...."

You guys aren't playing along. You are supposed to say, "Which day is Atheist Day?" Answer: Check Psalm 14:1 or Psalm 53 and see if you can figure it out. Yes, it's some of that Bible humor. :-)

I've never had the opportunity to tie it at night on a pitching deck in the rain, but yes, I can tie it one-handed. Why was that person screaming at you? :-) In addition to those you listed, I find the timber hitch and Alpine Butterfly to come in very handy. The Overhand Bend (also called a Climbers knot or Tape Knot) is also useful.

Yeah, but can you tie a one-handed clove hitch? In 2 seconds? 75 year-old 4-bead SM's can really teach you a thing or two. :-)

Hey Gonzo, Does your son's school celebrate Atheist Day?

Gern, Sorry to hear they didn't include that information in your training. I personally don't see it as a stupid requirement. The only way to keep any organization going is to bring in new blood. I think we need to teach that lesson to the boys, as well as how to build a fire. The Boy Scout Requirements book is mentioned in the training materials. See Scoutmaster's Handbook, pages 124 (in the box), 127, and 128.

Gern, I was trained to use the current Requirements book as the authoritative source for both rank and merit badge requirements. Does every boy need a copy? Probably not. If the ASM for a patrol and the PL have copies, then every boy in the patrol should be able to get the information they need. How about a copy or two in the Troop library? I can see where the Scout Shop needs to move the books. A Scout is thrifty. Instead of trashing them, use them with the Requirements book. You'll have to do that in another year, anyway. Things are always changing. Is every boy in your unit going to buy a new Handbook everytime a requirement changes, and then get all the signatures moved to the new book? I hope not. The Requirements book is about half the cost of the Handbook. Find a way to use it in conjunction with the new or old Handbooks.

Or you could just pick up a copy of the Boy Scout Requirements 2007 (or 2008 for next year). Are you not using these booklets? They list the "official" requirements each year. As it states in the front cover, "The requirements for merit badges, ranks and Eagle Palms are effective January 1, 2007. These requirements are effective throught December, 2007. The requirements listed in this book might not match those in the merit badge pamphlets because the pamphlets may not have been recently revised. The requirements in this book are the official requirements of the Boy Scouts of America." And, yes, it does list requirement #11.

Dan, I'll get back to you on that subject, but no time right now. I'm off to staff a Wood Badge course. Y'all have fun without me! Brent

Longhaul, Have you heard about the books some school systems are using to teach "cultural diversity?" Kindergarten students get "Who's In A Family" while 2nd Graders get "King & King", a fairy tale about two princes who fall in love and marry, and kiss at the end. Age appropriate? I don't think so. We sure don't see those books in the schools where I live.

Lisabob, If you visit http://www.timcurran.com/scouting/ you will find that Tim Curran was an Eagle Scout. His SPL described him this way: "In my seven years as a Scout, I never met a boy who conformed more to the Norman Rockwell image of clean-cut, good-natured service to others than Tim did. To no one's surprise, Tim rose rapidly to the rank of Eagle, which, as everyone knows, is the pinnacle of a scouting career and is often assumed to presage great success in the business world." So, if the BSA policy was changed to allow in gays, are you going to tell Tim Curran he can't join?

OK, OGE, let's get specific. Assume Troop 100, now allowed to exercise the "local option", decides to allow in gay leaders. One happens to be Tim Curran. Day Camp needs a Boy Scout leader to supervise a group of Boy Scouts who teach Scout Skills to Cub Scouts. Tim volunteers and is accepted by the Camp Director to fill the position. He decides to teach the Cubs that homosexuality is OK, in addition to teaching how to tie a square knot. Maybe there is a different answer depending on where you are geographically, but how do you think the parents are going to react? Second scenario - Tim Curran teaches a Merit Badge at a District Merit Badge clinic and does the same thing. How are those parents going to react? For the sake of the argument, let's say Tim did a great job teaching the merit badge/skill.

My point exactly, OGE. A decision made by a certain CO isn't just going to affect that unit - it would affect the District, and even the Council. Will gay Scouters from that unit participate in District and Council events and committees? How will the other units in the District feel about that? Yes, our Scouters Academy is staffed by Scouters from around the Council. Same with Day Camp staff, Unit Commissioners, etc. If a "local option" was allowed, how would you suggest Districts and Councils deal with it? The "local option" isn't just local to the unit, is my point. Ea. I'm not sure your prediction would be supported by the reality in Scouts Canada. Am I wrong?

OGE, Your idea about COs choosing their leaders might work, if those leaders were only involved at their unit. Who makes up the District Committee? Who teaches at Scouters Academy, University of Scouting, etc.? Who serves as Unit Commissioners? Who serves as Camp Directors at District events? Who are the volunteers who staff Day Camp? Answer: Scouters from Packs and Troops. Are we then going to have a policy that states gays can serve as unit leaders, but not in any other capacity? Sounds like a huge conflict, waiting to happen.