acco40

I've heard of swimmer's ear - too much water logged time and infections set in. But swimmer's teat? Is that something only female swimmer's get? Does it have anything to do with the fact that the water is too cold? :0

Read The Scoutmaster Handbook and what it says about patrol outings. They are "doable" from a BSA perspective but for many locations - an adult is required to make reservations (i.e. minors may not). As for a tour permit, with the new on-line system, it needs to be a Scouter so no youth - i.e. a patrol can't file a tour permit. That does not mean they can't go on a patrol outing, it just means that there is a proper way to do it.

I did something many years ago. We had a Webelos visit our troop. Well, I had my two older patrols camp in the next site - much more than 300 ft, more like 1 to 1.5 miles away. Out of sight and out of sound for the most part. Myself and an SA just "happened" to walk by to say hello around 8:00 AM and also around 11:00 PM. During the day, we did a joint activity. The response from the boys was great. The only drawback, the Scout camp insisted on charging us double because we camped like we were two different troops (their words, not mine).

Let me rephrase it another way. Let's say Congress charters a new organization tomorrow - the Acco40 Folks of America. The purpose of the "corporation" is to reduce obesity in our youth. The "method" that this corporation uses is to employ exercise (to burn calories and increase muscle mass) and provide dietary education (portion control, habits, etc.). Now, to exercise we would use treadmills, free weights, Universal machines, etc. Fast forward 100 years and the methods have not really changed - exercise and diet, but technology has now made treadmills, free weights and Universal machines antiquated and rare. Those were not the real methods, just tools. No violation of the Acco40 Folks of Americal (AFA) charter in my eyes.

When Baden-Powell "invented" the Boy Scout program, it was to help foster "Boy Scout" skills. This was needed because it was the time that modern countries wre gravitating toward an agrarian, rural majority to a city, urban majority. The British army needed the youth to have tracking skills, ability to "live off the land," and other skills that were of interest to the military. Also, folks of that time (as always?) thought the upcoming younger generation was a bunch of juvenile deliquents and that a program that tought "character" was necessary. The purposes of the corporation are to promote, through organization, and cooperation with other agencies, the ability of boys to do things for themselves and others, to train them in scoutcraft, and to teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred virtues, using the methods that were in common use by boy scouts on June 15, 1916. Now, how can someone define what "Scouting" is by telling them one of the purposes is to train them in "scoutcraft?" By definition, isn't any "craft" the BSA trains the boys in (automechanics for example) by definition "scoutcraft?" Methods in common use on June 15, 1916 - It tends to conserve the moral, intellectual, and physical life of the coming generation, and in its immediate results does much to reduce the problem of juvenile delinquency in the cities...The importance and magnitude of its work is such as to entitle it to recognition and its work and insignia to protection by Federal incorporation. The Scout scheme is based upon the methods involved in educating the boy. It is a scheme of placing the boy on honor. In addition to requiring him to live up to a standard or code of laws which insure development of character along proper lines, it requires him to study in order to pass certain tests of qualification. The passing of these various tests ~ is recognized by the award of appropriate badges or medals and insignia. - US Congress. So, no, I don't interpret "methods" as lashings, knots, camping skills, etc. I think we, as Scouters, need to employ those tools (the Outdoors) to keep the interest of the boys, give them a sense of adventure, etc. but hey, whatever works.(This message has been edited by acco40)

The Bronze, Silver and Gold award are nice because they formally allow the younger girls to grasp on to leadership earlier than in the Boy Scouts. I think their is too much emphasis on earning the Eagle rank as a goal and not as a process along the way to learning the other things that the Boy Scout program has to offer. Plus, if the real focus is a junior leader training vehicle, I'd suggest JROTC or something of that nature.

At one point I was a Webelos Den Leader (younger son) and a Scoutmaster (older son). During Webelos Woodlands (Council's four day camping for Webelos), I had our den plus two den chiefs. The Webelos den consisted a four boys from my Pack and four boys from another Pack. When it came time for skits, the boys I didn't know real well came up with a farting skit that the den chiefs were embarrassed by and "my" Webelos didn't want to do. I had the boys work it out. The fathers of the other Webelos were not overly thrilled but I think they understood. I've seen many skits where "shooting" (i.e. holding nothing but positioning the body, arms and fingers as if shooting) were done. I've never witnessed any objection.(This message has been edited by acco40)

Recognition should come quickly. Immediately upon earning an award, at the next meeting when the physical award is available (troops are not supposed to have rank badges stockpiled for example) and finally, at a COH. Earning a rank in July and having it recognized in December loses its luster.

What do they do at the academy awards? If they just handed out awards, very few would watch. They hire entertainers to be the master of ceremonies and also separate entertainers to sing, dance, etc. Do the same at the COHs. Have the boys put on a skit. Utilize a very good public speaker as MC. Make sure each scout has a role. Have food. Hand out $100 bills. Lots of ideas come to mind.

Can it be done, yes. Should it be done, no. As Scouters, we've pledged to deliver the Scouting program. Not just the parts we like.

On Monday's, 7:00 PM four times a year. Recognition should be given three times. Immediately upon earning, next meeting with badge/patch (specifically rank) and formally at a COH. A "quality" troop holds at least four courts of honor a year.

Have not read it. Would like to read it but my cheapness will make me wait until I can get a copy from my local library. George Bush has stated that he believes waterboarding was legal (US Law) and provided valuable information and has recently shown no regrets. One can argue the morality of that decision just like another - Truman okaying the use of the A-bomb on Japan - until the cows come home. I did not care for Bush but his waterboarding position was the least of my worries about him.

The Boy Scouts used to teach a whole slew of "hand signals" that can be much more effective than verbal communication. It trains the boys to be more visually attentive too.

Shortridge - I agree completely. However, what I struggled with going from Tiger Den leader to Den Leader to Webelos Den Leader to Scoutmaster is the adult / youth roles wrt program. I know what it is supposed to be. As a Tiger Den Leader (actually, I'm lying, their were no den leaders then, only partners and a secretary) I'd help arrange the "events" - fire station trips, etc. that the kids enjoyed tremendously. Same for Wolf, Bear and to a slightly lesser extent Webelos. When Boy Scouts came and I asked them what they wanted to do, I sometimes got lots of blank stares. Entertain us like before was the usual response I got (but of course not in those words). When I helped them get through that stage and then prodded them to start taking on bigger and bigger role in planning these events/outings - more resistance. Some of the parents and scouts "got it" but many did not. We built trbuchets. One group (two patrols) built a fine one out of spare lumber, a metal bar, weights, etc. The other group (two other patrols) stood around as the parents built a supreme, $500 contraption. Yes it was better but they still had the Cub mentality. One of my sons were on different groups. One was enthused, one not (guess). Some of the boys dropped out. Others, stayed and went to Jambo, Philmont, Sea Base, Double H and other exciting places and had a fantastic time - and they did the planning and leading. Yes, I did my best to train them and had my ups and downs but some of the boys just seemed to be resistant to taking it to the next level and dropped out. I think we, as Scouters should not blindly accept attrition and I think it is way to high but I also feel that Boy Scouts is not necessarily for all boys up to age 18.

Unfortunately there are colleges out there that will accept anyone. Personally, I prefer they let anyone in, flunk out those that don't cut the mustard philosophy as opposed to being very restrictive to who got in and then tutoring, mentoring, etc. those who got in to stay. The freshman dropout rate when I was in school (University of Missouri-Columbia in 1974-75) was approximately 50%. There's too many kids going to college. College for many today is remedial high school. So many high school graduates can't read, write or have a basic understanding of math that it is disgraceful. I think that there are too many under educated kids going to collage. Enough said. Tracking students - Packsaddle, there is the European system as you mention but when I was in high school and junior high (middle school for all those under 40) we were tracked wrt math, English, and science. Tracked in the sense that about the lower 1/3 were grouped, middle 1/3 and upper 1/3. Right about the time I graduated, they said that system was not fair. There are advantages and disadvantages to tracking students. My issue is that we seem to spend too many resources propping up the bottom end and not optimizing performance on the top end. In the 90's and now, the appearance of "AP" courses started to appear. Simular to tracking but not quite. Also, from my academic days - 95% and above were an A grade. For my own children, it is 90% and above so yes, grade inflatioin exists. Right now, I'd say that 70% of our students are above average! I was lucky. I got Algebra (8th), Geometry (9th), Algebra II (10th) Trigonometry 1st Semester / Calc I 2nd semester (11th) and Calculus II and III for 12th. My high school math prepared me well for my engineering degree. My high school English and science, not so well. )(This message has been edited by acco40)

There is no hard and fast rule on which ones to wear - all, none or something in between is all acceptable. However, if you wear them, wear them correctly. I follow these guidelines: 1) Order - place them in order you wish. Some have, like VigilEagle04, a distinct preference on where they go. Others simply sew them on in the order they earned them. 2) Placement - if you wear a knot, please make sure it is properly placed (there is a left and right or if you wish top and bottom orientation. My preference is to have the knots centered; so if you have five, three on the bottom, two above centered. Some don't like this because they have to resew the row after an additional knot is earned. Another alternative is to simply start at the wearers inside (right) and add to the left until one gets to three and then add another row on top. 3) Number - I wear all the ones I've earned on some of my shirts and none on others. I rarely only wear some. It is considered "bad taste" to look like a Panamanian General (my apologies to any Panamanians out there) and have in excess of 12 or 15 knots. However, it is not a hard and fast rule.(This message has been edited by acco40)

Stupidity and good looks exist in both parties. Pelosi, possibly. Reid and O'Neil - most definitely not - looks that is! Edwards, well, possibly not stupid in the classical sense, but wise decision maker? I don't think so.

Let's see, the maximum one could pay into the social security system this year is $6621.60 per individual (or 13243.20 if self-employed). For the year 2000, the maximum was $4724.40 per year. For 1990, $3180.60 For 1980, $1605.80, 1970 only $483.60. So let's say jblake47 has for the past 48 years (1963 to 2010) worked for ABC Corp. earning $1,000,000 per year (I'm generous in my examples) - he would have paid in $135,197.20 (average of $2816.61 per year or a whopping 0.28% of his pay!). The Governmnet does not invest social security funds for few reasons. The main reason is not because of the fear / risk of loss. The main reason is do we really want the Government to be investing in the stock market and deciding which companies to back or not back? Think of what corruption that could lead to! So let's say jblake47's contribuions earned something like a 4% (modest in some years but great for now!). He would have just under $250,000. Not the millions he envisions. He would be earning something like 27,000 per year (over 10% of what he put in) so all in all, not too bad of an investment. When I was born, the country had a about a 16 to one ratio of folks paying in to those receiving benefits. The time I was a father & husband (no, not in that order) it was more like 3 to 1. In 2040 it is assumed to be around 1.8 to one and by 2070 something like 1.3 to 1.

Yes, how times have changed. Seems that maybe to rise up in the Republican party looks may count for more than brains? Palin, ODonnell, Bachman, Angle, etc? Or maybe our bias of "if you look good, you must be stupid" is showing?

The "media" gives us what sells. If TMZ sells more than Nightline is that the medias fault?

Color Guard Retreat (Yes, they do retreat sometimes). - acco40 The color guard does not retreat. - jblake47 Did I anticipate this or what? From Meritbadge.org The Color Guard leader only needs to remember 21 words in this simple Presentation of the Colors. Boy Scout flag ceremonies are always led by the boys. You salute any time the US flag passes and until it is out of sight. Ceremony Color Guard leader brings room to order. (Raise the Scout sign if needed.) The Color Guard leader walks to the front of the room and face audience. Color Guard leader: "Will the Audience please rise?" Give the audience time to rise. Color Guard leader: "Color Guard, POST THE COLORS. SCOUT SALUTE." Scouts carry the US & Pack flags walking double file. Color Guard leader: "Please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance." "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all." Color Guard leader: "TWO." Color Guard leader: "Please join us now in the Scout Law. Scout Sign. A Scout is" Color Guard leader: "Please join us now in the Scout Oath. On my honor" Color Guard leader: "TWO. Color guard, Retreat." The color guard walks back out double-file to wait at the back of the room. Color Guard leader: "Color guard, dismissed. Please be seated." The Color Guard leader and color guard return to their seats. From usscouts.org Speaker orders: "Color guard retreat." Color guard is dismissed. Color guard is drummed back as they retreat. From ushistory.org Speaker orders: "Color guard retreat." Color guard is dismissed. Color guard is drummed back as they retreat. (must have used the same source?) There are retreat flag ceremonies, trumpets/bands sound retreat, but no color guard commander ever utters the work "retreat?"

Verbally stating signs up is akin to the old Mad magazine cartoon of a mother spanking her son repeatedly while chastising him by saying - "How many times have I told you to not hit your sister?" If it is a Tiger Dens turn to perform a flag ceremony and the den leader deems that none of the boys is gregarious enough to get the pack's attention, have an adult state the opening "Please stand for the presentation of the colors" or some such attention grabber before letting the Tiger procede.

We may have the straightest drawn districts but we also have the highest unemployment. I'll trade. Michigan, for better or worse, will now have a Republican Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Republican House, Republican Senate, . . . and, if you are convicted of violating the public trust - no elected office for you for 20 years! (Kwame law).

My favorite President, Harry S Truman had some apropos quotes. Those who want the Government to regulate matters of the mind and spirit are like men who are so afraid of being murdered that they commit suicide to avoid assassination. Whenever a fellow tells me he's bipartisan I know he's going to vote against me. My choice early in life was either to be a piano-player in a whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference. No member of the United States Marine Corps has ever been elected President of the United States.

Starting with a "signs up" either physical or verbal is somewhat counter productive. Start a meeting by presenting the colors. For an indoor ceremony, the Color Guard Commander should address the Troop/Pack and guests with a "command" loud enough for all to hear. Something on the order of, "Please stand for the presentation of the colors." Then have a slight pause for everyone get situated and then begin utilizing something like the following: Attention! Color Guard Advance Color Guard Halt Color Guard, Post the Colors Scouts, Salute Pledge of Allegiance (say Pledge) Two (return to the "2nd" position - a leftover military term) Color Guard Retreat (Yes, they do retreat sometimes). Color Guard Dismissed That gets everyones attention and along with a retiring of the Colors, gives everyone a specific start and end the meeting/event.