Adam S

I have to agree with Baden P, I am not being pessimistic, I am being realistic. College's have Alumni associaitions specifically for economic development... Both for the college and for Alumni to help each other. The recent survey many of us got was centered around an Alumni association and how open we were to solicitations and of what fashion... So, clearly they have if not a plan, an inclination to go in this direction. Because otherwise you would be a registered Scouter active with a unit. right? I would like to see them develop the brotherhood side of it first/more but I

They are both "temporary" patches You can either a) put both on the red vest or b) sew ONE on the right shirt pocket or c) sew a loop of thread at the top of either and let him wear whichever one he wants from his right pocket button. They do sell plastic sleeves to slip the patch into that has a button hole also My preference is option C as I like to keep my patches

@Moosetracker You are correct National does not require Outdoor Webelos Leader Skills for normal Pack Operations. It is a requirement of the Webelos Den Leader Training Award. It is a requirement for the Pack Journey to Excellance Gold Level. As to a counci requiring it, I know our council required Youth Protection in person for the first time until last year because NJ has very strict Child Abuse laws and they felt it was best conveyed in person. That stopped when National asked them to do so, this ocurred right when national updated all the online training last year. So it s

Baden P I absolutely agree with you opinion on the Mazzuca and the fact that BSA seems to be a fund raising organization now. I also absolutely agree camping is important (in fact it is my single fondest memory from when I was a scout), I was only pointing out that there is room for the science stuff. Adam

BadenP is spot on. From http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS.aspx (not quoting the whole page) The purpose of the Guide to Safe Scouting is to prepare members of the Boy Scouts of America to conduct Scouting activities in a safe and prudent manner. The policies and guidelines have been established because of the real need to protect members from known hazards that have been identified through 100 years of experience. Limitations on certain activities should not be viewed as stumbling blocks; rather, policies and guidelines are best described as stepping-stones towa

In reply to BadenP "Adam You just plain missed the point, the BSA mission is not to create scientists, that is for our school systems. It is fine to have scouts interested in science and we have MB's, etc. to address those needs. The BSA has its own special focus and the more we veer away from that focus the weaker the program becomes replacing scoutcraft skills with robotics or computers as a primary focus the organization ceases to be the boy scouts." Nerd/Geek types really can use the boy scout program to learn that the world does not revolve around a computer or a lab and to he

If it is so bad to have "nerds" in your troop then why does BSA brag about Armstrong and almost 50 astronauts making Eagle? Besides, who needs scouting more then the kids who don't want to go outside? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Eagle_Scouts_(Boy_Scouts_of_America) The boys who do not want to go camping are the slackers, We won't get them for anything and that is fine (even though they need it most) BUT I would love to get some highly motivated scouts who are interested in science into my troop! While many of them may enjoy the outsdoors the reality is if they are focused o

I think this is a troll... It is horrific if it is genuine, but too many things do not make sense.

Something I posted started a spin off, I am flattered LOL Sasha, I can and do sew all my own uniforms, and have since I was a scout many years ago. BUT I have big hands so fitting my mitts in the little pocket results in a few drops off blood. It is doable but a hassle I have seriously considered using badge magic but cannot bring myself to do it.

UCEagle72 - I get what your saying, I know it is out there, but much like my grandparents hated people wearing jeans if they were not actively working (They were always "dressed up") I just cannot dig the neckerchief over plain clothes, I admit I am a fossil. I like their clean patches better then the 2010 rank patches national put out last year. I thought the 1910/2010 thing was ridiculous. Then I saw the commissioner patches and really knew they went overboard... I have always been a fan of the friendship knot, but have carved to many of my own woggles to abandon them.

That is in Central New Jersey Council http://www.cnjcscouting.org/ https://beascout.scouting.org/BeAScoutMap.aspx No troop 198 but there is a 199 which means they might be in the area and a 1980 so maybe there was another 198 durign a merge and they opted for 1980... Of course it could just mean 198 exists but is not listed...

Sorry to hear, the professional staff in my council has always been competent and personable in their dealings with us so it is upsetting to hear that, of course the BSA does not have the same people working everywhere so it is not just possible, but probable. Of course the old boys networks are illegal and have been diminishing in other industries but maybe this is persisting in BSA because of exactly what you said "Many people have suggested that she sue the council and scouting but she doesn't want to do that as she loves scouting." If she loves scouting force them to follow the i

I just looked at the Canadian Uniforms. For the older levels, I have to say I do NOT like them, it looks like casual day at the offices of IBM They opted for a left arm pocket which I am not a fan of (granted it does not look like they had the stupidity to put patches on it which is my main source of dislike, the Canadian flag is there and I am presuming pre-sewn, good design!) Their patches are vastly different then ours, simple and clean and smaller. I have to say I am conflicted, I think they look good but the patch trader in me squirms a little at it. Overall a nice way to go tho

I am a firm believer that when you are correctly dressed a. the world treats you better and b. you treat yourself better. I agree with the observation that no other child activity makes the uniform optional I agree that the BSA uniform IS expensive especially in light of the rapid growth of some children (I have 3 sons, I REALLY understand this) I know the woes of buying clothes and finding knee holes but I would challenge ANY uniform cop to have a problem with well patched pants using as close a color cloth as possible. Remember, as scout IS thrifty! I most definitely bele

I know in our Pack it is sometimes a problem because teh schools where we hold our meetings have zero tolerance for weapons, pocket knives included. So that might be one source of your problem, maybe a change of meeting locations is enough?

The Boy Scout shoulder belt loops ARE changing, to what exactly I do not know. But last weekend we had our Council training for district volunteers, heavy focus on the Journey to Excellence and it was revealed that the scouts like the Jamboree epaulets so much they would be giving the different levels of J2E special epaulets so maybe green with bronze, silver or gold pips on them... dunno

IOLS & OWL make a great idea for combination, theo nly people who take owls now seem to be those working on the Webelos Den Leader training knot. These are also typically the people who move up to scouting with their sons so saving them from redundant taining is a good idea. But Baloo, this makes no sense. Many of the people who take Baloo have no outdoor experience, this class gives them basic ideas about gear and organizaing a trip... Far below the expectation of IOLS.

The wife got gold beads? Does this not seem to anyone else like when they give moms a gold pin when a scout gets rank? Adam

I would expect someone representing the HONOR SOCIETY OF SCOUTING would not need to be told about being in uniform especially on official business. So while the SM might have been more tactful I do not think I disagree with him. And heck offering them pants from his units uniform exchange is pretty nice...

As training Chairman for the Fishawack District of the Patriot's Path Council in New Jersey, we only charge for actual costs. This is done to encourage attendance. We have occassionally reviewed this as there is always the worry people will sign up and not show if there is no repercussions, or experience has been that you will have "no shows" wether or not they pay and there is always at least one unregistered walk in to take there place... Training should promote strong leadership to deliver the program to the boys, let fundraising committee's worry about making money.

Training! All of it is online now - there is no reason for a new leader not to be "Trained" Resources - so many great books at the scout shop. The Meeting Resource guide, the how to book, websites like this and US Scout service Projects Baloo's Bugle Support - The Cubmaster should be meeting regularly with ALL the Den Leaders and stopping by for a den meeting or two for the new leaders But the biggest thing to remember about scouting, we are here to make MEN, the achievements all culminate in a young man who is a part of his community and can lead people in making it a better pl

A step backwards... An electronic form is easier to fill out and saves trees... I will grant you the BSA Tour permit was not easy for anything but causing rage but it was a start in the right direction.

And tio muddy the waters, Camp Sommers which is part of the Mount Allamuchy Scout Reservation of Patriots' Path Council is one of the National pilots for an ATV program, scouts can legally ride ATV's as part of this camps program.

I have sooo many thoughts about what you said, Cubby's Cubmaster 1. Is the world only comprised of leaders? By my thinking thats's the mentality that offshored everything BUT mangement... 2. "However, how useful really is it to know 10 knots or so" I am a firefighter I have saved lives with many things I learned in scouting, ESPECIALLY knots, I use them EVERY SINGLE DAY Those points made, we are helping these boys become citizens who respect the world they live in and can cook for themselves without a microwave. I think that is pretty spectacular. "It won't be long before m

The Getzen Field Trumpet is a nice horn, http://www.getzen.com/trumpet/specialty/field/ As to playing it, Jari Villaneuva is THE MAN when it comes to Bugling lots of great resources from this site. http://tapsbugler.com/