9muckraker7

Great analyses...I agree with everyones'. It saddens me to see those scouts who fall in the third category. I know several of them, some of whom have come very close to earning eagle, but they rarely go to meetings or on camping trips with their troop. Their "troop" (I use this term loosely) consisted almost entirely of such scouts who just didn't care. The patrol method was almost entirely absent in their troop program, and camping trips were simply a means of hanging out and complaining about there being nothing to do. I was extremely surprised and troubled to learn that one of the a

I agree with wojauwe on this one in that an arrowman's first responsibility is to his troop, and not to his lodge; however, it is still good to be helpful around the lodge whenever possible. So long as a scout or scouter applies the lessons learned through his ordeal in serving his unit, the obligation of the Order of the Arrow is being fulfilled. Though the Order of the Arrow is, like scouting, a youth-lead organization, adult training and leadership is often needed, especially on the chapter level (if the chapters aren't quite as developed as they should be). Once the lodge and ch

A good length of rope combined with a knowledge of knots and lashings is the most important tool one can have when working outdoors. All knots have their own uses and therefore the usefulness of a knot depends on how often you come across the right situation to use it. If you're a climber, a figure eight on a bight might be more useful than a taut line or clove hitch; if you're a fisherman, then a square knot or bowline wouldn't be too useful in tying a fishing line; if you work in the outdoors and you need to move a fallen tree, a timber hitch would be more useful than two half hitches.

Welcome back, Eamonn. You're right in taking the quote "the Great Eamonn" as a compliment; it was intended to be so. I was browsing through earlier posts and when I came across that post, I felt it necessary that others (including yourself and Bob White) should read and be reminded of your words regarding such a pertinent topic. Once again, I welcome you back to the forums, and look forward to reading about your experiences and insights.

FROM THE WORDS OF THE GREAT EAMONN: (advising Bob White to stay) While Mr Bob White and I do not at times see eye to eye. I have said that He WOULD be a welcome addition to the District Committee, on which I serve. Sad to say Bob, that I think that you are not right about this one. If you stop posting. Not only will I lose out on your opinions which I do value. It also means that I miss out on disagreeing with you. While I don't wish to be rude about Mr Fat Old Guy. I would think that most of the people who read and post in this forum can see what is right and what is wrong

Could someone please tell me WHAT DOES ANY OF THIS WHOLE "STROM THURMAN HYPOCRISY" HAVE TO DO WITH SCOUTING???

Personally, I think that the immediate past edition of the scout handbook (I think it's the tenth edition, if the current edition is the eleventh) is A LOT more informative than the current handbook, mostly because it contains valuable field information regarding nature and astronomy, something the new book doesn't really do...

I really don't have much advice to offer other than the a troop is a lot different than a webelos den...in theory. The older boy scouts should be more mature than the younger webelos, and it is mainly up to the youth leadership of the troop to set an example. In a webelos den, there really isn't any youth leadership, and therefore it should be mainly the parents' responsibility to see that the boys are maturing, and to prevent bullying. Though it isn't solely the parents' responsibility, as the cub scouts should mature as a result of experiences, the adults of the pack/den should be aware o

I don't find them irritating, but rather informative and insightful. Often if the senior forum members demonstrate arrogance, it's always in good spirits, in an effort for them to stand up for what they think is right. I did, however, find the debates posted in the patrol method section between FOG and BW extremely hilarious...

I'm not sure as to whether venturing crews could hold elections for the OA (I'll take the senior forum members' word that they can't), BUT I understand that if you were elected as a boy scout, you can indeed be active in the OA with a venturer's membership. There are many venturers in my lodge, many of whom are of the vigil honor; some of whom hold important lodge leadership positions. Also, I understand that in order for one to have OA membership, one must be active in his/her unit. Several scouts' troops in my lodge have broken up, or for whatever reason those scouts are no longer able

I'd like to start a forum to share different ideas on cooking on camping trips... any special recipes or cooking methods anyone would like to share. My troop has done a lot of cooking in the past; past meals include: lobster, clams, shrimp, scallops, and potatoes (put all those food items into a mesh bag and boil them together), filet mignon, shovel-pancakes and chocolate chip shovel-cookies (pancakes and cookies cooked on a shovel), fried oreos, and a roasted turkey. I would like to know if anyone in here has ever roasted a suckling pig on a camping trip. I would like to do that

I was just wondering, what is the BSA policy in throwing a scout out of the troop? Sure, blatant and obscene obstructions of rules and regulations regarding such things as violence and whatnot could indeed provoke such a drastic doing, but can something as simple as youthful "disrespect" be a reason for throwing a kid out of a troop? If so, is it the scoutmaster's and/or committee's decision to do so, or must the decision be presented to the local district or council?