acco40

For us, a pay phone is available at camp. It can be a long trek (.25 to 0.50 mile dependent on site location) and Scoutmaster approval is needed for youth to use. Many adults bring a cell phone (all but me). I ask that the youth do not bring a cell phone and I ask (repeatedly) that the adults do not use their phones in front of the boys. I treat cell phone much like the G2SS treats smoking! Yes, having a phone call with mom (especially) or dad usually worsens the homesickness problem.

First, I'm sure this is a minority opinion but ... Too many Eagle projects are "build something" projects. As BW said, an Eagle project should demonstrate leadership skills. I've seen too many who believe an Eagle project exists to highlight their landscaping, carpentry, or masonry skills. Yes, one can manage and lead a team that whose individuals posses those skills but the key is that the project should highlight leadership skills. For example, I would be more impressed if a Scout organized and created an endowment for an inner city baseball league for 6 - 10 year olds. No, nothing would have to be "built" necessarily but it would take much organizational, people, fund raising and leadership skills to pull off. Good luck!

WARNING WARNING WARNING Going off on a tangent - We just lost the 17th Puerto Rican US Army soldier in Iraq. Unfortunately, our military is made up of far too many "kids" from rural, poor, and foreign citizens seeking to improve their lives. I don't mean that to disparage those folks, they make fine soldier, marines, sailors, etc. but our military doesn't accurately reflect our society. The white middle and upper middle class isn't represented in numbers as well as it should be IMO. The solution is not to ban those folks from the military or the BSA but I believe our politicians would be more judicious in utilizing our nations youth if it was filled more with the youth of the UMC. Back in the day, the Kennedys, Kerrys, Roosevelts, Eisenhowers, and sons of many a privileged felt a sense of honor and commitment; much more so than today.

Drownings were quite frequent in the early days of Scouting as compared to today. I have read far too many instances of trees falling onto tents killing or injuring the occupants. Be vigilant in looking out for diseased or dead trees. On our May outing we camped next to a river. One tree looked "suspicious" and I made sure nobody camped underneath it. That tree posed no problems but the next day a tree on the other side of the river yielded a big "crack" and a large limb came crashing down to the forest floor. It DID get everyones attention. My deepest sympathies go out to the family.

Citizenship is "required" but caveated. On page 3 of The Scoutmaster Handbook the minimum requirements for SM (or SA) are listed as: 1) Be at least 21 years of age 2) Be an American Citizen 3) Agree to live by the Scout Oath and Law 4) Be approved by the troop's CO That is the source many may quote who believe US citizenship is a hard requirement. However, just to make things interesting the BSA also states: The citizenship requirement listed for leadership positions is understood as follows: "For citizens of the United States, individuals serving in any official relationship with the Boy Scouts of America shall subscribe to the statement of religious principles, and the Scout Oath and Law." "Adults who are not citizens of the United States, but who reside within the country, may register with the Boy Scouts of America in any capacity if they agree to abide by the Scout Oath and Law, to respect and obey the laws of the United States of America, and to subscribe to the statement of religious principle." (Article VIII, Section 2, Clause I of the Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America) I'm no lawyer but my interpretation is that if a BSA troop in Germany or Korea for example had a German or Korean citizen who worked on a US Army base, had a son who was a US citizen and a member of a troop wanted to be a leader (den leader, Scoutmaster, Asst. Scoutmaster, etc.) he could not be because he 1) was not a US citizen AND 2) does not reside in the US. My question to KoreaScouter and others, I'm assuming that a US military base located in a foreign country is NOT considered "within the country" (i.e. the USA). Do you concur? FOG may have field day with this!(This message has been edited by acco40)

As an adult, I felt really weird planning my own Wood Badge ceremony. I have no problem with an Eagle candidate assisting or giving his blessing on his Eagle COH ceremony but I'd hate to but the complete burden on him. The wedding comparison is similar. I've seen too many brides (not so many grooms) sink much effort into planning out their wedding and when the big day comes they spend too much energy worrying about the flowers, caterers, music, etc. and don't really enjoy the event. Kind of sad really.

13.2 Hz. Seriously, the Pack does not set den meeting frequency. That is the task of the den leader(s). I've seen dens hold meetings once of month for half a day (4 hours). I've seen weekly meetings of one hour. In my judgement, given the boys ages a one hour a week meeting once a week works our best. Back in the day when I was a den leader we would meet every Thursday except for the week we had a Pack meeting during the school year. During the summer months, we would attend either day camp, Webelos Woodlands, Parent-Cub weekend, etc. and meet once a month (July and August) before resuming back up in September. For June we met on the once a week schedule until about mid-June when school let out.

One thing I admit about myself, I hate to shop. Scouting gives me only a few choices, long sleeve or short sleeve shirt, shorts or pants. The rest is easy! I like the fact that when I attend a Scouting function I know exactly what I'm going to wear! The only times that I don't wear my uniform at Scouting functions are 1) swimming, 2) bathing, 3) sleeping and 4) most winter activities. The first three have obvious reasons. The latter is because when the temperature drops below freezing I go toward survival. At our last Winter Camp-o-ree, the temps were below 10 all day and below freezing at night. Polyester pants don't cut the mustard in that environment.

If one would care to look at the mosquito reproductive cycle, a weekend campout with stagnant water in the fire buckets provides no benefit to the mosquitos. "Because of West Nile and they say it would not do much good if a tent was on fire." I'm missing something here. How does West Nile disease have anything to do with the ability of water to put out a fire? Has your fire department gone to another source for extinguishing fires? Only a certain type of mosquito carries the West Nile virus. The heavy rains that the midwest experienced this spring will ensure a bumper crop of mosquitos but will greatly REDUCE the threat of West Nile because the type of mosquito that harbors the disease doesn't do too well when the storm water basins are repeatedly "flushed out" by heavy rains. (This message has been edited by acco40)

Gadzooks! Does this mean that "the media" is not a liberal tool after all?

We use the 6 month "term" and the vast majority of PLs, and the SPL is re-elected and serves two terms. The kids are smart enough to realize that the ones that have advanced on the learning curve are worth keeping. The ones that hold office and just don't gain much, for whatever reason, don't last more than six months.

Better yet, conscript the whole population and no civilians will die!

The ACLU usually defends - big news flash here for the thought impaired - CIVIL LIBERTIES! Now, when the majority defends an action there is rarely a need for the defense of a civil liberty. Often, when the action is not held in high esteem by the majority (such as flag burning), the need (as defined by some) to defend the civil liberty arises. Many times people have problems seeing the forest from the trees.

President A sends hundreds of thousands of American youth to die in a foriegn war for debatable purposes and cares very deeply about the lives lost. President B sends hundreds of thousands of American youth to die in a foriegn war for debatable purposes and does not care very deeply about the lives lost. From a big picture perspective, I fail to see a difference in their ACTIONS. That is why, in responding to a post on this forum many months ago about a President that stated (cried?) that he cared very deeply about the loss of human life had no impact on me. Heck, Clinton was the master at "feeling your pain." How many funerals of fallen service men/women has the President attended? Zero. And seriously, I don't disparage him for that.

What may have changed (just conjecture here) is the fact that if a Scout started a MB with counselor #1 and then later (years later) restarted his efforts and attempted to complete the MB with counseor #2, counselor #2 is usually more willing to accept the partially completed MB now than many moons ago.

We have a hard and fast rule, no more than 16 consecutive six month terms for any youth office. The only exception we make is for Junior ASM. For this office we limit it to no more than 4 cnsecutive terms.

Unfortunately, IMO, the BSA erred when the Pack committee began to allow den leaders to sit on the committee. I believe it should be set up like the Boy Scouts, the committee is there to support the SM/SAs to deliver the program. Having parents come from a Pack committee environment, they get easily confused about who should sit on the Troop Committee. Only half in jest, I've stated that only trained committee members while in their "required" field uniform should be able to vote! That got a few inidividuals attention. I'm curious. How many troops have fully uniformed BOR for the young men to attend?

BW, Scouting requires savant/leaders.

On the BSA web site: http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/faststart/committee/positions.html it lists the Scoutmaster as a member of the Troop Committee and states that the SM "not a formal member of the troop committee, has no vote" which implies what about the "formal" committee members? Not all agree on the fact that committee members "get to vote" but what I think everyone can agree on is that the committee, led by the CC, should work toward a consensus.

I agree with you to an extent on this issue. I think that the problem we have is that some equate pure numbers with being correct. Therefore, many try to show their affiliations, beliefs, etc. for all to see. Plus, some organizations are well organized and actively promote the public display of their agenda for monetary, political and other reasons. I didn't know fish could be considered as Christians (said in jest). But your dislike of the "Darwin fish" proves my point. I found it very humorous the first time I saw it, but yes, for some, these symbols are just inflammatory statements that provoke, regardless of the owners intent. The same can be said for those that sport the "Christian" fish. Both of my sons proudly wear their "purple knots" but I would be very upset if they approached another Scout and asked why he didn't earn his. From my perspective, the benefit of them earning their religious awards was to increase their knowledge of what their church (or Church as it would prefer me to write) doctrine states in a context that is age appropriate. Those who hold the same belief system at age 12, 23, 33, 43, etc. are rare indeed. Now the insignia guide has guidelines about wearing something such as the "rainbow" knot. For me, it would be like me wearing a Pistons baskeball patch on my uniform. It has no place on a proper uniformed Scout. Exactly what does the knot symbolize? Disagreement with the BSA "rule?" Belief that homosexuality in and of itself is not sinful? A desire to wear a colorful patch? I would have thougt the wearer was a Hawaii alum. (Note: All members of the athletic teams from the University of Hawaii are "Rainbow" except for the football team which because of political pressure changed their nickname to Warriors. How insecure can they be?) For a more informative article check out: http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/index.cfm?archiveDate=11-11-03 (from Berkeley, where else!)(This message has been edited by acco40)

Matches are one of the "required" items that we have the boys bring (sadly, most don't), just like a personal first aid kit. The flint and steel, steel wool and battery, and even the two sticks are popular however. I always have drier lint pack away somewhere. Recently, I had my boys empty our the contents of my paper shedder (cheap kind, got for free at a Best Buy rebate deal or similar consumer electronics store).

I too, don't like the bumper sticker mentality of those who sport rainbows, NRA stickers, party affiliations, pro-choice, pro-life, religious affiliations, etc. To me it displays an in-your-face attitude that I don't like. Now, if a Scout in our troop asked my my beliefs, I'd tell him the honest truth. What I have witnessed in our troop, on a very limited basis, is boys using the term "fag", "faggot", "homo", etc. in a pejorative sense. I don't condone that behavior and let them know it ASAP. It is educational, to say the least, to witness the boys (usually in the 13 - 15 yr. old age group) talk about the opposite sex, and sexuality in general. With their false bravado and attempt at "coolness" many of the words they use are not inline with the Scout Oath and Law, at least in my interpretation. Similarly, I don't think a reference to a "ho-knot" is humorous. I'm sure many would find issue with references to the God knot or Bible thumper knot. By the way, KC, if a Scout asked me a question about sex I would not automatically clam up and I would also not come running to you for permission to speak to your son. I'd follow the guidelines stated in the SM Handbook. Are you so worried about others influence on your son and have so little confidence in your influence on him that you would ban others from speaking to him? Get real.(This message has been edited by acco40)

Requirements (set by BSA): registered youth member of the troop, receive majoprity of votes by youth present Requirements (Set by youth): Age: none Rank: 1st Class or higher (highly recommended) Experience: Previous service as SPL, ASPL, PL, or APL Attendance: 75% over previous 6 months (recommended) The "term of office" is six months. Annually, before an election, I usually review the requirements set by the youth and open up for discussion any changes they may want to make. I give them my "druthers" on the subject but it is their decision. Now for my question, in our troop, we have never had more than two boys run for SPL at a time so the problem of majority vs. most votes never came up. I'm curious, in troops that have more than two candidates running for SPL and none receive a simple majority how do you proceed with the election? Eliminate the candidate with the fewest votes? Keep only the top two?(This message has been edited by acco40)

One of the things that our district has implemented was a joint opening session (Boy Scout and Cub Scout) for announcements, awards, etc. After the joint session, the two areas were adjouned to two different meeting areas. One area that the Cub Scout roundtable struggles with is the fact that many are very green, having attended either none or just a few roundtables and that many have been to almost all roundtables for a few years. Trying to find material that will hold the interest for both groups can be challenging.

Some will state that they died so we can partake in our petty squabbles right here on this forum and elsewhere. Of course, because we can does not mean we should.