acco40

mmHardy, thought you'd like to hear a recent (last week) LLSR tale. Our troop had quite a few first time campers this year, about 15. I gave the boys my annual, "no food in tent" speech about racoons. Honest, I didn't make it all that scary. However, two of the youngest boys were spooked! Even at noon, they would sit on the picnic tables, afraid the racoons would cary them off if they wandered alone on the treacherous soil. When bed time came around they were still frightened. They wanted to sleep in the other boys tents (safety in numbers I guess). Well, one of the SAs trying to assuage their fears told one of the boys that, "unless you put a hamburger on your stomach when you go to sleep, you'll be alright." The young boy then lost it. It just so happens that the pillow he brought was a round "replica" of a cheeseburger! The fabric print had the bun, burger, lettuce, cheeese, pickles, etc.! Explaining to him that the racoons go by smell and not sight was to no avail. Needless to say, he slept with a pair of other boys that night. By the end of summer camp, he and his tent mate were bravely spending the night in their tents. Once again, no boys were lost to racoons - another successful summer camp!

Who is your sponser? I doubt if it is Merrian-Webster!

Forum quiz: What do you find more boorish? a) A "born again" Christian spouting off about his new found enlightenment. b) A former smoker lecturing about the evils of smoking. c) A former (recovering?) alcoholic blathering on about John Barleycorn?(This message has been edited by acco40)

I lost all respect for the ACLU when it defended that drug taking, wind bag who swallowed so many chemicals he lost his hearing!

"Just by saying to a customer that "proceeds will be donated to the Scouts" is using the reputation and name of the BSA to sell the product, and would require the seller to secure permission from the BSA." I don't know if I agree with the above. Now, certainly, if family members are either registered Scouts or Scouters, yes the BSA has some recourse. If not, the only recourse the BSA has is not to accept the money. As long as the sellers are not claiming endorsement by the BSA, no harm, no foul IMO. This reminds me of the lottery winner who donated a portion of his winnings to his church. The church had a very strong stance against gambling and considered lottery participation as gambling (duh!). Therefore, many did not want to accept the donation. Ethical decisions are not always black and white. The BSA did not seem to have many qualms acquiring Florida Sea Base. Now, what's this about Scout Units not accepting donations? Our unit participates in the Trail's End popcorn fundraiser (officially sanctioned by the BSA) and sell in full uniform. We always have on our table, a donation jar for those who want to donate money but not buy product. It was my understanding that this was perfectly acceptable. Our unit has also done bottle drives (filing the appropriate paperwork with the council). When conducting the drive, we do not wear our uniforms but participants are made aware that it is a unit fundraiser for a BSA troop. I consider the bottles/cans that we receive donations because no real service is provided. I'm not aware that this violates any BSA guidelines.(This message has been edited by acco40)

BW, I'd recommend reading the post again. The Leader's Guide, issued not by the SM but by the council itself, recommended the 100% wearing of the uniform. Now (said tongue in cheek), I'd hate to dissent from a higher authority in the BSA!

At our summer camp, where many youth take the Wilderness Survival MB, the MB counselors are indeed 15 - 20 yr. old "boys" but no overnighter is allowed without adult (

In college, I voted straight "Birthday" Party ticket. In Presidential elections, my guy usually doesn't make it as the party candidate (where have you gone Mo Udall?): 76 - Ford (maybe, voted absentee ballot while away at school and after the election, media stated that many absentee ballots were never counted). 80 - Carter 84 - Anderson (great minds think alike eh OGE?) 88 - Bush (Sr.) 92 - Clinton 96 - Clinton 00 - Gore

You make the call (shades of the old MLB TV show!) - Troop attends summer camp. Summer camp Leaders' Guide recommends that Scouts wear their uniform (field) 100% of the time but especially to dinner and flag ceremonies. All boys bring as a minimum a pair of scout socks, shirt, shorts, belt, neckerchief and troop hat. Time to go to dinner and flags. Troop is assembled by SPL. All boys except two (out of approx. 30) are in uniform, all adult leaders except one are in uniform. What action, if any, does SPL and or SM take? (This message has been edited by acco40)

Now that I have "grown up" I've become a father, husband, uncle, and Scoutmaster. I still remain a brother, cousin, nephew and friend. Unfortunately, I'm no longer a grandson or son. I had no real career aspirations growing up. It wasn't until my third year of college that I realized I had to be "something." Like most adult males, I struggle not to let my job define who I am. The more I mature, the more I realize the triviality of my career and the importance of my less lucrative jobs that I have - father, husband, etc.

Lost Lake Scout Reservation, near Clare MI.

Similar complaints exist from individuals who want to bring in their own bows, guns and rifles into camp for shooting sports. Enough idiots exist out there that all outside "equipment" that directly effects health and safety are not allowed into the camp.

"All youth elections are done by youth and us Adults can not override them or wave any of the requirements. There are many of us who are frustrated by this." I believe adults (SMs) have the authority to okay the list of youth running for the OA. For example, a youth may be first class and have spent the requisite number of nights camping (and while doing so was disruptive, setting off firecrackers, shirk all of his duties, etc.). However, if the boy is "on the ballot" and receives the proepr number of votes (majority) I don't believe the SM can veto the results.

I thought one of the basic tenets of the Christian religion(s) was that man was born in sin, lives a sinful life and yet, yes, may "make it" to heaven because someone in the past "died for our sins." A few stipulations exist, according to what religious doctrine one references, but leading a life free of sin isn't a prerequisite. Thank goodness for me!

Just a bit of trivia here (but it does have some relevance to saluting the flag) ... The term "under God" (and for FOG, notice no comma!) in the Pledge of Allegiance is garnering much press these days but an earlier Pledge controversy existed many years ago. The original Pledge (written by a socialist mind you) read as follows: 'I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.' The word 'equality,' was considered for the Pledge, but the author knew that the state superintendents of education were against equality for women and African Americans so he left it out so as not to create controversy. Now as told to me by my father, when reciting the Pledge in that form, many immigrants, who still felt more loyalty to their place of birth, would place a small flag of their "home" country in the palm of their right hand so when they placed their hand over their heart, concealing their flag, they would in effect be pledging allegiance to the "wrong" flag. To remedy this, school children were taught that when reciting the pledge they would place their hand over their heart (when not in uniform of course) and when the phrase "my flag" was spoken they would remove their hand from their chest and hold it straight out with their palms facing outward (very similar to the not yet existing Nazi salute that was to come a decade later!). This was all remedied in the mid 20s when, spearheaded by the American Legion and the DAR, the phrase "the Flag of the United States of America' replaced "my Flag" in the pledge, (against the wishes of the author). It wasn't until the "red scare" of the '50s when we wanted to differentiate ourselves from the "Godless communists" that the phrase "under God" was added making the pledge not just a patriotic oath but now, a public prayer.

Trailpounder, showing your ignorance again?

Maybe they will transfer him to another council. Seems to have worked for another prominent organization - NOT! Not that mug shots are very often complimentary - but what a scary shot. Just to fan the flames, notice that the accused, as is so often the case, is married. Yes, it is sad for the BSA. Obviously, unless another Scouter or Scout is to blame, youth protection guidelines were not followed. All, please stress YP guidelines to all adults & youth who are in your unit or who may come into contact with your unit!!(This message has been edited by acco40)

Scouts AND Scouters (including committee members).

Which would mean what if a Scout was wearing his troop T-shirt (Class-B shirt for those who like that lingo), cargo pants, white socks, and sandals? I agree with the use of a Scout salute when in uniform (I think we all do) but my interpretation is if one is not in "full" uniform, one is not in uniform. Therefore, if one was "wearing a class B shirt" it would depend on what else the Scout was wearing to determine the proper show of respect. Now, on a scale of 1 - 10 of importance, I would rank this near the bottom of importance on the behavior scale.

What is a Webelo?

The best kind of citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs don't refer to others as "Moi-lin", Fathead, etc. Come on boys, grow up!

As a Scoutmaster, am I obligated to share the contents of the SM conference with the Scouts parents? I've had Scouts tell parents (according to the parents) one thing and tell me another in a meeting. For example, when discussing a position of responsibility a Star scout candidate expressed zero interest in becoming a PL, ASPL or SPL in the future. However, feedback from his parents were that I told him he couldn't hold those positions. I handled it by telling the parents what the requirements were to hold those positions. I did not share with them the contents of the discussion I had with their son. Should I have volunteered that information?

Personally, I don't think God puts too much emphasis on human derived territorial boundaries. Was Alaska, Hawaii and Oklahoma not "under God" and now they are? What did God do during the Civil War? Who is in charge of updating God's USA map? Does He (feminists forgive me) recognize a 12-mile or 25 mile or even a 200 mile territorial limit? All those who profess to know "the truth" please enlighten me.

Arg! Darn double posts!(This message has been edited by acco40)

SM conference is not pass/fail. "Demonstrate scout spirit ..." and "Serve actively ..." requirements are pass/fail or maybe did or did not do. Similar to a BOR, I would ask the SM for specifics. "Be more assertive" is NOT a very good suggestion. What if your son turned around and told the SM to go jump in a lake ( )! That would show assertiveness in spades but not really fit the bill. Many of the higher rank requirements are judgement calls and SMs do interpret them differently (just peruse this forum!). I'd ask your son what he would like to do. How you or your husband want to handle the matter should be a don't care. In fact, I would ask your son how HE would like to handle it. Not how he would like YOU or your husband to handle it. Use that approach and he would be fulfilling the SMs wish! (This message has been edited by acco40)