acco40

Cito & Tokala - do the SPL and ASPL in your troop wear patrol patches?

The SAs (assistant scoutmasters) should perform the duties assigned to them by the Scoutmaster - not act as independent "vice-scoutmasters." The scoutmaster senior patrol leader relationship should be tuned by the scoutmaster to the appropriate level of interaction, oversight, etc. based on the skill level of the SPL. The SPL should be feel free to impart two-way communication - not just be on the receiving end but keep in mind that the scoutmaster - SPL relationship is much like a coach - player and/or teacher - student relationship. They are not peers.

Did they ask the hawk about her sexual orientation?

I think sewing on a temporary patch is self defeating. Some of the adults on this forum remind me of my son. He was very proud of earning the Paul Bunyan Woodsman award. As his Scoutmaster, I presented the award/patch to him at a COH. At home he asked me where it was supposed to go on his uniform. I told it, it isn't suppose to go on your uniform. Well he didn't like it and at an OA meeting he met a Scout who had the patch sewn on above the BSA knots he had earned (above right pocket). Well, I will say that was one patch he had sewn on himself! That was a battle I chose not

And, like my son's Cubmaster, if not active, one may wear insignia that indicate that they were a member of the OA.

Personally, I mock practice boards of review. If one would study up on the reasons for holding BORs (for advancement) one would not be debating who should be eligible to serve on the board, proper attire or the need for practice boards.

I've got a novel approach, why don't we let the CO do their job and choose the Scouters of their unit. I think we should start with a basis of trust.

Should the student tailor his or her actions to accommodate the educational system or should the educational system tailor their teaching approach to accommodate students? In most elementary schools girls do better. They tend to have better manual dexterity (i.e. can hold a pencil/crayon better) at an earlier age than males. Girls also tend to read social cues and have more of a capability to work well in groups. Males have a more difficult time sitting still and quietly for extended periods of time. Look at the top 5% of students at most public high schools - they are overwhelmi

My attitude? You mean my attitude that thinks having a choice is a good thing? Free trade is a good thing. As for the Olympic uniforms, yes, they are designed by an United States of America company (Ralph Lauren), have commercialism on them (polo player) and since the US Olympic uniforms and athletes are supported by a private organization (like the BSA is a private organization) cost is a factor and I think it is a cheap shot for politicians who criticize the US Olympic committee for making frugal choices. I have no idea if the US Olympic committee approached any US firms

In America, we have the opportunity not only to buy apple juice but to buy it from either the USA or China. That's why I love the USA!

I don't own a "Centennial Uniform" but I don't think they have been proven to be of inferior quality. I bought the "switchback" pants and was satisfied with them. Before, some folks would wear the field uniform in the field (camping) but they were really never practical for that. They were "troop meeting" and "COH" appropriate attire in my book. The Centennial Uniform is an attempt to have a uniform better suited to outdoor activity. It is better but for real outdoor use, I'm more of an REI, Columbia, etc. type guy. As for pricing, yeah most things now (excluding electronics) cos

Not too many can earn of living athletically. Not many folks get paid to be a Scout. However, school sports and Scouting can do wonders for boys. My boys did high school football, wrestling, track & field and cross country (basketball was left for my 4 ft 11 in daughter!). They were also earned their eagle rank - and daughter bronze in Girl Scouts. Adolescent boys will put down things they don't understand, are jealous of, and are just not a mature bunch as a whole. I've lost Scouts because someone said it was lame (usually middle school kids with very little self confidence) a

Raising funds via popcorn sales is not effortless! For our troop, we gave parents who were cash poor a chance to raise funds by selling popcorn. We gave parents who were time poor, a chance to open their wallets and provide funds directly to the troop. But via either vehicle, a set amount of funds were expected to be given to the unit by each family for the operation of the troop.

64.3 hrs. As for Eagle Courts of Honor, when I was the Scoutmaster I told the parents of Eagle Scouts that I would assist them via ceremony, etc. in any fashion they wished and the troop would provide at no cost to them the Eagle neckerchief, medal and parent and mentor pins. Some parents desired and bore the expense for lavish recognitions and others for simple affairs and some no ceremony at all.

Government support? Please, don't tell the Supreme Court or Merlyn! :-) My high school buddy went to the national jamboree in Idaho. I thought scouting was something I couldn't afford - and I was correct at the time (parents had no money and I was saving my money for college over Scouts and other things). I think it's nice that Philmont, Sea Base, Boundary Waters and now Summit exist but they are not "required." Almost everywhere in the USA is less than 25 miles to some sort of park, forest, farmers vacant lot, etc. to allow low cost camping. One of the draws of Scouting should

Buckeyes have reefer trucks? I take back all those negative comments I've ever uttered against those children of the nuts. As for your brother, tell him to get a good nights rest, eat a well balanced diet and don't over do it and he should be feeling better. (This message has been edited by acco40)

Have half of your unit set up a lemonade stand in "civilian" clothes and the other half set up 100 yards away in their field uniform and see who raises more funds. That is why the BSA has a vested interest in how their brand, not yours, is being used to raise funds for your unit - and not them. They don't necessarily expect a cut from your fundraiser but they don't want to catch flack from the "fruit smoothie" store that lost business because you set up your lemonade stand next to their store.

Where does it all end? I live in southeastern Michigan - a state that has had its economy shocked by the decline in manufacturing. Tonight, watching the MLB All-Star game, I see a commercial, narrated by Tim Allen, promoting "Michigan" milk. Heaven forbid I buy that rancid Buckeye milk and support another state! If someone can make a product on the other side of the planet and bring it to my doorstep with better or equal quality as a local manufacturer for a lower price, why should I support inefficiency? Yes, child labor, working conditions, pollution, etc. all enter into it too

I had an adult (drinking soda, overweight, on antibiotics, working in the hot sun) go into heat stroke - vomiting, disoriented, etc. We had him in a cold shower but to no avail - nothing that an hour on IVs and air conditioning couldn't "cure." I will gently remind the boys but guess what, getting bitten by mosquitoes is a great reminder to bring bug spray, getting a painful sunburn is great learning tool in assisting one to remember to bring sun screen, etc. At a beach outing my I suggested to my son he reapply sunscreen - naw Dad, I don't need it. Well, I caught hell from his mot

I think I've related this story before on this forum - but it has been a few years. When my second son attended summer camp (I was the Scoutmaster) his mother gave him a disposable camera (digital cameras were an expensive item at this time - about 8 years ago?). His instructions were to take pictures and she would get them developed when he got home. My wife knew that to have me responsible for picture taking was a losing proposition - I don't like taking pictures when I've go so much else going on. Well, fast forward a few weeks and she picks them up from the store and is aghast

I find many of the political ramification of religion fascinating. Kudu seemed to recoil in horror when Christian Scientists practiced their religion by letting "God" heal their sick children with diabetes, etc. In France, the wearing of head scarves in school was prohibited (I think). Here in the USA, some female Muslims were not allowed to cover their faces for driver's license photographs. However, I was able to sing Silent Night in my (public) grade school in the '60s during the Christmas season. My kids sang Kwanzaa songs (and others) at their "Holiday" season assembly in grade

White liberal here. Became a liberal because of scouting. Learned about conservation, the trees, the birds, the wildlife, labor unions, and other cool topics. Been a liberal ever since. Was raised in a conservative/moderate family. I like how study and believing in "conservation" makes one a liberal. Also, the fact that wanting less government intrusion (against laws for gay exclusion, abortion, etc.) makes one a liberal. You'd think folks wouldn't bandy about these talking head labels so freely before thinking about what they are saying/posting first. Mr. Takei is in the s

Before we all debate with a bunch of rhetoric, let's get down to brass tacks on some current political issues. Q1) Should pregnancy be treated as an illness? Q2) Is access to health care a "right" or a privilege? For the first question, if an illness, then prenatal care, delivery, etc. should be covered by medical insurance. So should contraceptive devices - they prevent this illness. If not an illness, don't cover prenatal care nor contraceptive devices - for both are choices folks freely make. For the second question, if government laws can dictate treatment, they should

Read the UNIT MONEY-EARNING APPLICATION you filed with your local council before the fundraising began. It should answer your questions.

Sorry, I guess I'm too old school and don't understand the random capitalization of words. Also, with your proliferation of pronouns, I'm don't think I understand your post. Please edit and clarify the multitude of "they" in our post?(This message has been edited by acco40)