acco40

Similar to SM conferences, BOR can be held at any time, not just for rank advancement. Saltheart, in your profession, you have reviews. So do I. On the appraisal form is a place for my signature that by signing it simply states that I had the review. Not that I agreed with it, liked it, hated it, did well, did poorly, etc. Just simply, that I had a review. It does not guarantee a promotion, raise, demotion, firing, etc. Similarly, the SM conference requirement is the same. It is a simple as "participate." By participating, it does not mean that the SM has recommended the Scout is ready for advancement.(This message has been edited by acco40)

And you don't see that as a fashion statement?

Am I missing something or can't Venture Scouts (Crews) choose their own uniform so the question is moot? (Uniform is a method of Boys Scouts but not Venturing).

littlebillie, I think that there are extremists on both ends. Some would like to see the end of Scouting. Others, would just like Scouting to "open its doors" a little wider. Yet, some see the "opening of the door", to any extent, as the ruination of Scouting as we know it. C'est la vie.

A boy cannot "fail" a SM conference. The requirement is to "participate in a Scoutmaster Conference." If the boy comes to the conference, listens to the SM and then calls him an SOB, he definitely participated and thus has met the requirement! Now, showing Scout spirit, that is an entirely different story!

Below is a quote from the books author. I think it sums up the opinion of Scouting for the vast majority of Scouters that I know. "I think most of Scoutings values are wonderful, and the fact that Scouting can be a little square and behind the times is part of its charm. Scouting really is built upon wonderful values of fairness, inclusion, honesty and decency. You cant teach a kid anything more valuable than the Scout Law. A lot of the privileged, sophisticated urban and suburban kids who are least likely to be Scouts are the ones who could use it the most. That said, I think the underpinnings of Scouting and the teachings of Scoutings founders are often more worthy and creative than the way they are interpreted by Scoutings leadership today. Scouting was created by three fascinating eccentrics, all of them writers, artists and iconoclasts -- the English war hero Lord Robert Baden-Powell, and the American naturalists and youth leaders Ernest Thompson Seton and Daniel Carter Beard. Their view of Scouting is more interesting and inclusive than the one being retailed by Scoutings current leadership at the national headquarters in Irving, Texas." - Peter Applebome

For most of us who live in the civilized world, a backpacking adventure us usually a day long event and a week long at best. Most of us could survive on water alone for that duration. Eat what agrees with you. Complex carbs help glycogen stores (long term energy). Simple carbs (aka sugar) break down quickly into the bloodstream and provide immediate energy (or more usually fat when most of us do not expend that energy!). If your primary goal is caloric density per weight, oils are a good bet (soybean, olive, etc.)

As long as we are getting into picayune discussions about words: dynomite - an expression by Jimmy Walker dynamite - a highly volatile substance

Volatile can also denote "explosive", which black powder (an explosive mixture of potassium nitrate or sodium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur used especially in fireworks and as a propellant in antique firearms) obviously is. IF you poured black powder out on your sidewalk and lived anywhere close to my residence, I would become very volatile!

As a nation I believe we are becoming more civilized. However, we are becoming less and less adept at handling personal relationships because of the time we spend alone with the TV and personal computer. Our global civility is increasing but our personal civility is lacking.

When I was in college, a l o n g time ago, a student was killed firing a cannon with black powder (Kappa Alpha frat I believe). Black powder is dangerous stuff. A very, very small cannon can make a very very large noise. These "ceremonial" cannons can be as small as a few inches in length and with an inside bore of one inch or less. Every year at camp, I know that they are going off and I know exactly when but I still instinctively flinch each time.

I'm guessing that similar to a MB sash, the OA sash rear may be adorned with OA patches (legend, etc.).

I bet he lost.

Sorry, MR LB. Mea Culpa.

Wrt "Bob White" question. If littlebillie was really only interested in BW's opinion on the subject, she should have sent a personal message to him. When a poster posts a message in a forum, I fully expect that that poster is interested in a "community" response.

In my Council, they require a certified (BSA or Red Cross) lifeguard to conduct and sign-off on the beginner and swimmer's test for summer camp. For 1st Class requirement 9b (Successfully complete the BSA swimmer test.) who can conduct the test? Because it obviously requires water, my interpretation is that anyone trained in Safe Swim Defense may conduct this test. In the description of the BSA Swimmer's Test (see: http://www.usscouts.org/safety/g2ssII.html#RTFToC7) it simply refers to the "test administrator." Comments?

FYI, the CO for our troop is an Episcopal church. However, none of the members of the troop belong to that church. We perform service projects for the church, attend Scout Sunday at the church and have a good relationship with the church. I have no idea what the thoughts of the majority of the congregation at the church are wrt this topic. But I do not feel that it will impact our relationship with them and/or their relationship with the BSA.

Boys love awards and prizes. The following craft is good for Bear age boys. I collected the metal tops of orange juice "cans" (cardboard center, metal ends). Then I gave each boy a wooden board (safe surface) a small nail and a hammer. The boys would make "medals" out of the lids by forming letters (1st, 2nd, TOPS, #1, etc.) by punching out holes in the lid. Afterward, I punched a bigger hole in the top (bigger nail) and then added a ribbon so it could be hung around the neck. The boys had fun making and wearing them (you don't wear the one you made). One note of caution, the back surface can sometimes have sharp edges so I would glue a "virgin" lid on the back.

Allow me to rephrase the question, "When should the individual be allowed to make the choice about medication for himself?" I was asked to supervise my nephew (actually my wife did most of the supervising because I work for a living) who was taking Ritalin. He was 15 at the time. I told him that it was up to him to decide if he should take his medication or not. Granted, he was not in school (summer vacation). He ended up not taking it after a week or so and other than a greatly increased appetite his behavior was not much different in my eyes. We all have our foibles. The "smart" ones learn to adjust. OGE, to answer your question, my older son's elementary teachers asked that we have him tested for ADD (non-hyper). We did not. Now, I'm not phobic about psychologists or psychiatrists (I'm the son of a shrink!) but that was our choice. He is not disruptive, fidgety, talkative, etc. but does have trouble "zoning out" sometimes. Yes, regimentation for him does help. However, it is a weakness he needs to learn to compensate for. It is not something society needs to change for him. One thing I've noticed about some of the boys in our troop that take medication (adderall, ritalin, etc.) is that they generally take it during day for school but usually not for camping trips or in the evenings. I don't know if the "coming down" off of the drugs intensifies their troubles or not. However, I have noticed that many of the boys excuse their bad behavior to themselves (in Scouts) because they know they are not taking their medication. They rationalize their behavior when not on medications feeling (subconsciously?) they have a free pass.(This message has been edited by acco40)

Individual sales (door to door) go into the Scouts own "scout account" to be used to finance scouting activity and material only. The monies remain with the troop. Store sales go to the troop. Yes, some always manage to "be busy" on the weekends that we sell but that also teaches the Scouts a valuable life lesson. There are shirkers in society. Deal with it. Life ain't fair.

Remember this (I'm sure KoreaScouter can remind us) that many BSA units are overseas. You don't want 12 year old boys running around a foreign country to be mistaken for our military (or vice versa). The BSA does try to distance itself from hunting and also overtly military overtones. These endeavors go in and out of style and may offend some. Therefore, you see no hunting requirements or MBs (but many Scout Reservations allow hunters to hunt on their land, but not as a specific Scout activity). BSA also does not want to give the impression of anything para-miltary. Heck, I live in the home of the infamous "Michigan militia" and really don't want Scouts to be associated in any shape or form with survivalists (a la OK bombers). (This message has been edited by acco40)

Bob Whitish. Sorry, it makes sense to me. P.S. And somebody is such a FOG.

Were they tring to promote the Rifle Shooting merit badge? Bad form in my book.

Blade & Rooster, That is why an organization such as BSA is so important. They emphasize the "do good" and "have faith" but don't get caught up in the dogma like so many individuals do. For example, instead of the pro-life, pro-choice vehement debates (and worse violence), why not emphasize the common ground that 95% of both side agree on and work together to prevent unwanted pregnancies? (P.S. Blade, if you are going to capitalize "Catholics" you may want to do the same for "Protestants" unless that is your youthful education in the "true" religion coming through!)(This message has been edited by acco40)

I don't quite understand this ruling. I can see why some may not like it, but why can't a city government (San Diego) lease its land to a private organization? The amount should not be the issue (it is not just $1/year). If Mr. Budd (ACLU lawyer) or anyone else felt that, "We believe it is long past time for the City Council to end its affiliation with this discriminatory organization and to keep open this public parkland for the use of all citizens of San Diego on a fair and equal basis and not just those citizens preferred by the Boy Scouts" why don't they work within the political arena (change the City Council) to get the policy changed. I don't see why it is considered unconstitutional.