Chadamus

I had a similar thought abput Trail Life, Stosh. More power to them but not at the expense of the BSA. I can understand the Catholic Church as a whole or any Diocese within making the choice to go with AHG instead of GS. Or even BSA. Their right to do so. What bothers me are the kids that potentially miss out of an opportunity because of it. I am Catholic and a leader in a Troop chartered by a Catholic School. Every day I am thankful for the opportunity our CO provides for the boys in the Troop. If they decided not to charter the unit anymore, it's the boys that would suffer at no fault of their own.

The Archdiocese in Kansas City is the winner. The girls are the losers.

The opportunity is not going away. It is just going somewhere else. GSUSA can go to all those groups which they supported politically and see if THEY will sponsor these troops. It's up to GSUSA to take care of their troops.

 

Did you feel bad for all the boys whose units lost their CO when BSA made their membership changes? We had 27 units fold in our county that never got new COs in time.

Having a vested interest as a Scouter and as a father of a Scout makes me feel worse for the boys.

I will not assume opportunities will present themselves for all the girls affected. The 27 units in your county are a great example of why. 

While i may not personally agree with every decision BSA makes, I value the opportunity it provides for boys. I feel the same about the GSUSA. It's a shame those opportunities will be fewer for girls.

What view and/or mission of the GSUSA would a CO oppose?

Upvote for providing the source. Not for the decision. Thank you NealOnWheels.

I chaperoned a school trip recently where a student had one. It was definitely a distraction to several other students. I have yet to see a Scout with one.

Hey! Spoiler alert us next time Schiff!!

scouter.com took too long to respond.

ERR_TIMED_OUT

Across multiple devices. Numerous times. Anyone else?

All those Scouts reading on campouts are working on their Reading Merit Badge. You know that, right?

You might be surprised at how appealing thay sounds. Cuppa joe around a campfire with some stories would make for a great time.

So post #3 was right! May I have my MB now counselor Stosh? 

I take it as:

As much as some bash the "classroom" approach to teaching a Merit Badge (Cooking & Personal Finance for example) at least basic skills are being taught. Which are apparently lacking for many adults.

Maybe?

Nettle caused us some grief this weekend. Until I looked I had no idea it was native to almost all continents. Anyone have a bread recipe? ☺

Hi, swilliams. Welcome to the forum!

Aside from the apparent headaches caused by the ten, the change in the requirement from "found in your community" to "found in your local area or camping location" is a good one. Being able to fulfill the requirement from (almost) anywhere on Earth is a plus.

MattR, since you're interested in newer members' opinions, i'll share mine. After lurking a while, my first post included:

Discussions on uniforms brought me here. The discussions on topics I hadn't even considered have kept me here.

I found Scouter.com to be helpful before I officially joined. I still do. I read most everything posted, but as was stated earlier I gloss over some. For example, certain Cub topics don't interest me as much since my son crossed over. And while Col Flagg's thread tangent road sign could be used almost daily I often enjoy the alternate paths thru the woods that some topics take. It certainly does seem that the few are making the majority of the posts, but what bothers me are the one-and-done posters. Far too many, but that is the reality of forums I suppose. So to your question - how to get them to stick around? Service Stars!  Seriously, IDK. For me it's summed up so well by Barry: "I love this Scouting stuff." I'll continue to sponge it up as much as I can because I'm passionate about it. I don't have as much to contribute as some, but I've benefited from the thoughts of many. So yes, MattR. You are really helping people. 

Any scouters having a tough time with this, are welcome to come camping with any unit I'm involved with, I'll hold your hand through the entire process.

Well done, sir.☺

Stosh, somehow I knew you had that story in you. I love it. My version is cooking my breakfast quiche in a dutch oven and hearing the boys say "That smells so good." I said "It will taste even better. The great thing is it's so easy almost. . . anyone. . . could do it." I expect to smell quiche from my sleeping bag soon. ☺

Just last night I overheard the SPL tell one patrol grubmaster "No poptarts." It's nice when they can decide for themselves. Even if that decision is pop tarts for breakfast.

I can't help myself anymore. Usually I'm content to sit back and listen.

 So are EagleonFire's adult rules more important than my adult rules? I'm with TAHAWK. Yes, they are. For his boys they trump any rules any of the rest of us make up. Because they're his boys. And there's a huge difference between a boy that can drive and one that has just started school. 
 

Is a coke all that much different than candies, cup cakes, Pop Tarts, cell phones, and techs like Gameboys? Health depends on the balance of mixing treats within a healthy diet. Of course we adults can restrict temptations from scouts for their own good, or we can allow those choices in a safe environment where they face the consequences of their choices. The more consequences they face, the more they learn of themselves.  I found cokes, and other treats, to be a very good test for scouts to see themselves.
 
Barry

What if they enjoyed that late night cigar with EagleonFire? A ridiculous question maybe, but where do we draw the line? Sugar is ok? Tobacco no? Alcohol? EagleonFire, I share your views on alcohol at campouts. I wait until I get home. Guilt is an unwanted ingredient in my beer.
 
With all due respect Barry, the short time I've spent reading your insights and perspectives have helped me immensely. The constant reminder of your decades of experience however can come across as condescending. Since this thread has broached that issue as well.
 
And tyke, if you can tell me I can buy gallon of carbonated 100% prune juice from a grocer on your 'side of the pond,' i'll be right over.
 
Back to the tent with my wife...

Did your Scouts successfully orient themselves back to their starting point? If so, what was their prize? ☺

We had a patrol practice map and compass skills at a campout recently. They plotted a three point course. 300 yards between points. To their amazement (and my pleasure) they finished within 15 feet of their starting point.

On the rare occasion when my wife (MC) joins myself (ASM) and the Troop on a campout, we tent together. No one has a problem with it.

Crossover campout maybe? That would explain it.

Shame there's no e-book.

I don't assume the best. I expect it.

Two threads were merged, but that's not the point.

Interesting thread indeed.

If I were the one that could give some clarification and did not then yes, disappointment from others would be expected.