clivusmultrum

We had our trailer stollen. I doubt the thieves are worried about registering it.

I am in the +1 column on adult minimalism. I’d be totally cool with it if the Scouts wanted to get rid of epaulets and rank and position badges the size of coffee saucers.

This sort of illustrates the problem. The gaps in our knowledge become apparent. The idea that if good intentions are present that cultural gaffs are forgivable will only get you so far. Aztecs for instance are Native Americans. Their language has common ancestry with Utes, Shoshone, Comanche…. We are not in a position to make assertions. This specific lack of knowledge points at why we are not served well by continuing these practices. ‘Frankly I find it just as "odd and out of the mainstream" to suggest that something as commonplace as feathers is the exclusive domain of one specific

Maybe a difference of time and location. The words I overheard the Scouts using to describe the tap out ceremony were “cringy” and “messed up”. That’s their lingo but I knew what they were seeing. Our Troop has produced only one OA candidate in three years and he politely declined. Some of these kids have a refinement of sensibility beyond my own. But, I can learn. Here is a personal analogy. I have hearing aids. Hearing aids now have some crazy attributes from recent technological advancements. For instance my hearing aids prioritize available sounds. Don’t ask me how to explain the pro

As to regalia, each Lodge is supposed to get approval from the Native American tribes in the Council locality, and if they don't approve, the Lodge is supposed to cease using regalia. I am pretty sure that the Native American tribes in my area that were not eradicated were relocated to Oklahoma. Having no one to ask?

We are just back from Merit Badge Camp. My son took Kayaking, Canoe, Chemistry and Camping Merit badges. He helped some of his buddies with Wilderness Survival which has been one of his past favorites. He has awesome stories about everything but chemistry. He will glad he has it on his sash I bet. He will be taking a chemistry class in the next couple of years in high school. The other stuff will not be taught in his school. Of course STEM is important. For a lot these kids its not what draws them in and holds them. He will be telling stories about recovering a swamped canoe when he’s a

For all the good the organization has done in fostering my interest in First Nations it baffles me that they can’t come up with an approach that honors their contribution and incorporates their interests. I suppose we could ask. Maybe we are afraid of receiving a Cease and Desist.

+1 for Pack liners. Pack covers aren’t really waterproof either. They never weigh less. Even if you have a pack that will soak up water, it will dry. Myriad places for leaks. Covers Prevent access to outer stashes you may need at rain or shine. The Liner always works. If for no other reason, to segregate possible spills in the pack from things you don’t want to put at risk. It need not be expensive. Mine is a construction site 3mil trash bag. It is bigger than my pack. I roll down the top portion like a drybag. There are lighter options out there that are real champs. Before I worked as

Our Troop had developed a practice of dividing for summer. 14+ to high adventure, under 14 went to merit badge camp (if you didn’t have anything you’d rather do). Consequently we were producing cohorts instead of Patrols and a Troop. This also set up a Cub Scout-like dynamic where adults are directing too much stuff because the Scouts do not know what to do. Not always, but often enough that the Scouts looked hen pecked and indecisive. This year we got the band back together. The older Scouts joined in at summer camp. It was just a few of the older Scouts but it was enough to make a diffe

I am just back from my third summer camp as an adult. I was a Scout in the 1970’s. So I am constantly trying to reconcile memory with current observation. The first summer camp that I participated in as an adult we had one Scout called out for OA. I believe that was the last OA election the Troop had. The fellow that was chosen declined the honor. . The next years no elections. I watched our Scouts during the OA ceremony at summer camp and I was pretty sure there would be no interest in OA nominations going forward. Dutifully eavesdropping after the ceremony this year, I heard a couple

I think STEM is overrated. There are STEM this-that-or- the-other in their schools. I’m watching the kids glaze over at all the extra homework activities that go with a lot of the merit badge work. It feels like we are just hooking on to a hot topic while neglecting our core appeal. Let’s go hike, get the canoes in the water, figure out the difference between a cotton mouth water moccasin and a plain bellied water snake- set up some tents- we’ll be back Sunday afternoon with some great stories. Yes you need to overhaul your leadership model. What’s the point of having this inbred model if

This is where we need to be heading.

Huh? I’m not sure if I read you on this one Fred. I was specifically calling attention to ONE person that called out a group, in this case atheists (who are not actually a group) about language describing them as inherently unethical. That described a bigoted comment. You may have conflated that with my answer to Quazse was about having the comment misunderstood to assume I am unfamiliar with the concept of being in a perpetual state of penance. Hence failed ideal. If I did not word this in a way that you could unravel I certainly apologize. The guys who seemed to have been in on

(There is nothing intrinsic to Christian principles that suggests its members are incapable of falsehood. In fact the opposite is true ... they are in a perpetual state of penance for a variety of sins, or they aren't Cristian.) Thanks Quazse. I was raised with the concept of sin, repent cycle. My comment really didn't have anything to do with the Christian’s failed ideal. It was more about calling out the idea that atheists are liars because they have a different value system. I see the statement as an unnecessary display of bigotry. I see some fairly nuanced thinking in ou

At our unit level I can tell you that none are excluded for religion or lack. I can also say there is a disinterest in what the Natl. Org. Is up to. The young people in our unit came from one of two or three different Cup Packs. I’m pretty sure that not a one of them has read any such thing. The Troop recharters, dues are collected and they keep on Scouting. I think Scouts BSA will eventually land on the right note. It might be a few decades after everybody else. I was talking to some of our guys about what it is to be reverent and it quickly jumped over religious views and went to th

I think this assertion about atheists does not serve you or the organization. Scouting encompasses a lot of views. We have medallions in Scouting for religious practices with many gods and with no gods. Buddhism doesn’t reference a god for instance, but there are awards in Scouting that recognize them. I’ve known lying Christians and honest atheists. I think the kids in my unit are savvy enough to realize that the Scout Oath was written in the very early twentieth century. They take it in the spirit of Oath’s intention. I don't see evidence that Atheists work on different values. I thi

I looked at the new shirt. I was warned that buying my Scout the next size up wouldn’t work because they are running small. His next size option is in the men’s small and it looked like the shirt tail would drag the ground on the guy. Maybe I can locate a copy of the discontinued version for him. To me its funny, when I was a Scout I loved my uniform. We actual kept ours on for the camping trips. The kids in this troop just hate the uniform. If they designed their own I bet it would look like a soccer uniform.

Are you sure? I think first person singular would be IBELOS. If you are addressing one of same you call them YOUBELOS. Where I am writing this you might hear the occasional Y'ALLBELOS in lieu of WEBELOS - regionally accepted. Glad I could help. Clivus

I am a den leader, we are just moving into Webelo. Parents are giving me that sideways look at the prospect of paying out for yet another uniform change. I think they are are starting to suspect they've signed on to some sort of pyramid scheme. Each rank has had a different, expensive and not super useful neckerchief, rank specific gimme cap, etc. Cross reference that with your little Cub Scout pressed into selling amazingly expensive popcorn- the organization loses some of the luster. Okay- I think I see a plan forming. The old school neckerchiefs were useful and I think these guys will

Stosh, I could see you're a character when you rolled out the story about Indian ponies verses city ponies. Hey- you asked a question about why I wear closed toe shoes when cutting the grass- I'm sure you meant that as a rhetorical but I'll answer anyway. Really it's the same reason I often wear shoes on date night- Superstition. When I was a kid I saw the immediate aftermath of my father's foot and work oxford encounter with a lawn mower blade. Putting on shoes isn't buying you much. Same deal on date night. On those occasions I'm not in shoes for long enough for it to be too big a bothe

blw2 the newer ones might be great but I stick with the originals. In fact I recommend you noodle around with this: http://www.chacos.com/US/en/mychaco/?sma=sm.0001o9dffv193le67ull6oo1j85aq Gives some clues to how they're made. If you find they agree with you that site will guide you through the custom made process. The custom sandals and repairs are made in Rockford, Michigan. As I mentioned I've had pairs rebuilt and resoled. I like to keep them going and it's nice wearing a pair that I've already walked off the newness.

blw2, I tried to reply to this earlier but it appears to have not posted- My go-to sandals are Chaco Z/1s. for everyday wear I use Piper sandals made by Dave Piper and family in San Antonio. Chacos have been my mainstays since about ~1996. When selecting I recommend a dense mid sole and a strapping system that will hold you in place. You still have enough movement for your foot to act like a foot. They can be re-strapped and resoled. I have pairs that have undergone restoration several times. The polyurethane midsole doesn't get crushed down like you'd expect from EVA, they are extremely du

My everyday sandal is often a pair of Piper Sandals, made by Dave Piper and his family in San Antonio https://pipersandals.com .Though usually for serious hiking I use Chacos. When Alp sandals was bought by Decker I started making my own. That lasted until I tried a pair of Chaco Z/1s. The Chacos have been my go-to since ~1996. I steer away from soft EVA midsoles or anything with strapping that does keep your feet in place on the foot bed. Soft midsoles tend to deform which puts more strain on muscles and tendons. Chacos have a dense polyurethane midsole that is supportive and doesn't deform.

My point in examining this thread has more to do with what is an actual rule. When thru-hikers discuss differences of opinion on gear, method, technique , the conversation usually ends with "well, you gotta walk your own walk". As I am re-entering the BSA I am running into people, BALOO trainers and such, that will state something like it is a hard and fast rule and I find zero to support that written down anywhere. I want to make sure I can walk-my-own-walk without undue conflict. Why not get a pair of Oboz or Merrell's and get by with everybody else? The absolute most candid answer for me i