9muckraker7

I think the feeling of respect ties closely with the bond of brotherhood that scouting often brings. When I see someone else in uniform I would feel both respect and sympathy for the man or woman, as I feel that both myself and the person in uniform have shared common joys in scouting. I just came back from NOAC, and I was amazed to see so many people in scouting uniforms, and with that came such a warm feeling of respect and brotherhood of which everyone at the conference seemed to share with each other. When I came to realize this brotherhood of scouts, I came to realize how truly magical

I didn't know where to post this, so I guess this forum is a safe enough to post it... I know of a troop whose rather strict scoutmaster isn't very well liked among the troop, both by the boys in the troop and by the adult leaders. Though he hasn't done anything to get himself in trouble (anything against BSA policy), nobody really wants him to retain his position of scoutmaster. The Charter Organization Rep. is probably the only one most opposed to him being scoutmaster, and the COR also realizes that he is in a high enough position that he can do something about the "renegade" scoutmast

I just googled your question and I came up with this webpage that may have the answer: http://www.pacificforest.org/news/pdf/spring2001.pdf

Wash or don't wash--This really is a matter of how one looks at it. I'll use the analogy of the "ragged old flag" poem many have probably heard once or twice in their life. One can fly a clean and new flag to honor and to glorify his/her country, or one can continue to fly the same flag day in and day out, with respect for the strife the flag and his/her country has gone through. Do you want to wear the sash to look presentable, to demonstrated the honor and respect that you have for the organization of the OA, or do you want to reflect the service you've given, not caring what others think, s

Interesting that this thread was closed before anyone replied to it... I agree with Scoutingus in that there should be some sort of knot recognizing those scouters who are merit badge counselors; however, like other service knots, they should be given to those who have distinguished themselves over the years. Most likely, a merit badge counselor deserving of such an award would be very much involved in his/her council. Like other service awards, though, earning such an award should not be a conscious endeavor...

Amen, scoutldr. I know several "eagle scouts" who have absolutely no interest in scouting or camping or "setting a good example," and I think that shouldn't be. The requirement of "living the scout oath and law in one's everyday life" should be elaborated a bit, so that only those truly deserving of the rank can get the award.

This is probably against national policy or something but I'll mention it anyway... I once saw a scout wearing his rank badges on the back of his merit badge sash. It seemed like a pretty good idea..

That's easy to say for someone from New Jersy, there being no "feral dogs" in or around New Jersy forests. Sure there are plenty of bears and enraged turkeys and rabid raccoons, but feral dogs certainly are something different. Bears usually only disturb campers when they smell food, and they live a good distance from the camps. "Feral dogs" (i'm guessing that's a euphemism for wolves) travel in packs and they are very defensive. I don't really know what to say about this particular camp, other than to have the camp ranger (who would have access to a firearm) closely situated to the part

AHHHH!!!! AHHH!!! AAAAHHH!!! I was hoping that this incident would remain at low-profile for a while, as I learned about this Sunday night at NOAC as I read a newspaper left on a table... In fact, I was about to """""announce""""" that in this forum, but after much brooding, I decided that it would be better not to. I am in no way affiliated with the Western Region Chief or the National OA committee; i'm simply an arrowman expressing his views. As I do believe I know a little more than what the media seems to know regarding the topic, I will choose not to disclose any specific information

Oh dear... something must be done about this "council in turmoil." I think it may be time to take the issue to a higher level, if anyone who opposes the SE would have their membership revoked... My best advice would be to get a few of those dedicated leaders who have had their membership revoked (because of a disagreement they might have had with the SE) to write a letter or something like that to a national or regional officer, and ask them to step in and resolve the situation. Present the national or regional officer not only with the reasons why you think this SE is abusing his power,

"Any ideas who, at the council level, would be the right person to talk to?" Have you been to your council's website? That should be of some use in finding contact information. http://www.twinriverscouncilbsa.org/trc-phone.html If in doubt, contact your Scout Executive about this issue.

Maybe the resident council camp disallows non-adult supervised patrol camping for some reason (liability purposes, perhaps). This doesn't mean that the boys still cannot camp in a local county or state forest or park or campground. The way I see it, the council does not have jurisdiction over those state-owned areas, and therefore should not have much say in allowing or disallowing the boys to camp there. Maybe the state or county regulations would also disallow this, but I think that's highly unlikely. If the council did in fact completely disallow individual non-adult-supervised pa

Let me put aside the FACT that the SPL should indeed possess good leadership skills and doing so, ALWAYS set a good example in his actions. I do not think that it should be the SPL's job to get people to stand in a straight line and do other things like that...that should be left for their patrol leaders to deal with. If for some unexplanable reason you do not either remove the SPL from his position OR put him through leadership training, then at least try to instruct him to work more with the patrol leaders for them interact with the patrol members to take care of any problems with them,

"By the way, I don't think there is such a thing as too sharp a knife. An important part of working with my son on knife skills is teaching him to sharpen his knife. If done correctly it will end up very sharp." --Good point. I must have been thinking of a switchblade or one of those large hunting or self-defense knives with a serated edge or something like that when I commented about a knife being too sharp...

This should help: http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/2016/ This site (scouter.com) should have definitely already gotten the three-fleur award. If not, someone should nominate it...

Hey I just stumbled upon a theory (somewhat impractical) that just might work! The theory is that mosquitoes find their way to humans (and other animals) by the amount of carbon dioxide concentration in the air from which we respire (if that is a word). Therefore, if you could somehow MISGUIDE the mosquitoes away from you, using dry ice (frozen CO2), it just might work! If you were to use dry ice for refrigeration purposes earlier in your camping trip, you could find some use in disposing of it...

After reading about William Hillcourt on this site, I find it apalling that there is no mention of him in latest edition of the Scout Handbook. ...Just thinking out loud...

Heyyy welcome to the campfire! It's good to have people with such devotion and experience active in these forums.

After he has gotten his "whittlin' chip" in Cub Scouts, I think it would be a good idea for him to have his very own official Cub Scout pocketknife. Still, after he has gotten his "totin' chip" in Boy Scouts, the scout should be allowed to use whatever knife he wants; HOWEVER, it should be limited to something reasonable, like an official Boy Scout pocketknife or Swiss Army knife. Sheath knives should be used sparingly. A leatherman tool should be given to a scout with a bit more experience in dealing with knives. Personally, I think that any scout who has earned the totin' chip and thereby de

Interesting thoughts... The only commercial bug "repellent" that I've ever used that was the least bit effective was a bug spray with a high concentration of DEET. Other than that, my personal experience has shown me that the only thing that really is guaranteed to work in repelling bugs would have to be smoke-- from a campfire; from a punk stick; from a cigarette; from a candle. It's only the smoke that works, and not the natural citronella scent or anything like that... I have heard, but I'm a little skeptical, that ferns are a natural bug repellent. I once participated in a w

Hope this helps: http://www.scoutstuff.net/scout3.html (item 371)...

Have you tried dryer lint? A good size ball of that stuff works extremely well and ignites literally with the touch of a spark. Also there is something called "charcloth," which is little 1 inch squares of cotton material (an old t-shirt will do very well). I've never tried this method, as it requires too much preparation... Have you tried using magnesium flakes? Sporting goods stores or any other store that sells Boy Scout hot-sparks should sell magnesium blocks. You'd take an old pocket knife and shave off a good amount of magnesium flakes; these also ignite with the touch of a sp

Surely, this was simply an unfortunate accident. Such an accident could have very well happened if the kid was on a bike, or simply crossing a street. My condolences to him and his family.

I don't see what everyone's problem with gays in scouting is. No, I am not gay, nor do I agree with the homosexual lifestyle, but I think that tolerance should be a quality of all scouts. Let us remember that a scout is friendly, courteous, kind, and reverent, and respects all people and their beliefs or lifestyles differing from his/hers. Suuuure this is a bit idealistic, as no one can be such a "flawless" scout, but tolerance doesn't mean AGREEING with something, it just means putting up with it. We've all put up with some pretty ignorant, arrogant, or incompetent people in the past, so w

I think I got this quote from one of these forums... "The Constitution was never meant to prevent people from praying; its declared purpose was to protect their freedom to pray." I agree with that wholeheartedly...