desertrat77

I'd applaud the wearer for their initiative and thrift.

The strongest, most formative, scouting memories are those in the outdoors, "with your true scouting friends" as the old lyric goes. Those hours spent in the camp mess hall, or church basement, listening to lectures on how to give lectures, are such a waste. Same with the "homework" merit badges. Though its been well over 30 years, I still remember them with more than a little disgust.

Yes, an Eagle can be SPL. Keeps him engaged in the program, and he serves as a visible example for the scouts. Could also prevent that "what do I do now?" feeling that happens to many scouts after they make Eagle. JASM can be a good job, but it can be a "Maytag Repairman" gig in that there may not be a heck of alot to do, depending on how a troop utilizes their graduated Eagles.

No.

I get no sense National understands how painful the cost of scouting is to the average family. When I was deployed last year, I found a Boys Life magazine someone had slipped into a care package. There was an article on light camping--great, I thought...less weight to tote around the woods, and it can be done cheaply. I was only half right. The whole article was nothing but an ad for by-name brand expensive gear...two hundred dollar sleeping bag, pricey tarp and ground cloth, etc. What was wrong with a sleeping bag from a troop equipment locker? Or a couple of shower curtains from the dollar store to serve as tarp and ground cloth? Yes, thankfully, the troop/pack/crew/ship can tackle and reduce costs. But as long as National continues with its present image, it takes a bit of tarnish each time a new high-dollar item is touted on the webpage, or a parent reads the article like the one I did in Boys Life. Scouting's best seller--camping, the great outdoors--can be had for alot less money, and is a historic, proven draw. Why National would ignore this, and portray the movement as an upper middle class effort, is beyond me.

Bart, great idea! Twocubdad, superb requirements...may I add a Food Industry sub para? Complete two of the following: Continuously operate deep fat fryer for an 8 hour shift Prep 20 lbs of onions (diced) Wash and stow all dishes, flatware, and pots/pans for one shift Serve as bus boy for one shift Serve as omelet chef for Sunday brunch

I agree with AK Eagle...it was the old honor unit patch. First year it was fielded, it had no stars, second year had one star, etc. I think National stopped using that format after 3 stars, then switched to a patch that had words and year earned ('78 I think was the first). I've got 1, 2, 3 star patches on my old red patch vest.

Welcome jgreenewv!

Ask the scouts to develop a special skit for the occasion. And congratulations!

Concur with the Swiss Army Tinker suggestions...price, size, functions, reliability are tops.

Recommend zero beer on scouting weekends, henceforth. Also recommend the adult leaders convene now and again, in the boonies, hold a non-BSA event, and partake in cold beer, cheap cigars, big steaks, large caliber handguns, and giant bonfires. No laws broken. Great camaraderie. Even for those with a powerful thirst, they should be able to get thru 1 weekend without beer at a BSA event. The suggestion above is a good outlet.

Kudos to the professionals who planned and executed the operation. A great victory, to be sure. But there is still much to do. The public support for our men and women is uniform is amazing...the goodwill is appreciated.

That's true--the kids want a challenge. The requirements, as determined by National, are important indicators of what the "corporate" part of the organization believe. And the organization will recruit like-minded individuals. As a scout in the '70s, we still backpacked and went outdoors regularly. The troop leadership set the tone. But that was only one troop. Nationally, the dumbed-down, lackluster, ho-hum program put forth by National in the '70s was a disaster in every sense of the word. Not much benefit if a troop here and there succeeds, and the BSA as a whole suffers from portraying a "cupcake" image...I think Kudu is right on the money when he articulates that viewpoint. Sedentary programs attract sedentary leaders and kids alike. Adventure minded folks will find something else to do. I think the adventure angle is the most important selling point the BSA has to offer...it not only stands the test of time and generational differences, it is also a unique aspect that few other organizations utilize. Soccer, science projects, and all that, are done by other organizations, and done quite well.

USMA Eagle, Welcome home, welcome to the forums!

Eisely, thanks for sharing that...appreciate the perspective.

Tahawk, "Carrot" and "Stick" would indeed be memorable for uniform combo titles!

I agree with BrotherhoodWWW.

Nolesrule, well said, couldn't agree more.

K1986, welcome!

Skeptic, thanks for the update, sounds like a great scouting event. And thank you for your leadership.

Eagle92, it's interesting that National has flirted with using class A/B, and then backed away. I'm willing to bet it will be official one day...or maybe not. Either way, I fully support unit leaders' right to call their uniform combos anything they wish.

True, official publications do not refer to the terms class A or B...but I think it's okay to use the terms anyway. They are not inappropriate and do not bring discredit on the BSA.

I was at the '79 NOAC and had the good fortune to see E. Urner Goodman tour an events venue with several hundred Arrowmen present. More than a few sashes had beads and legends and a bunch other "unauthorized" stuff sewed or pinned on. Somehow, inspite of these horrendous violations of official sash policy as per the OA Handbook, everyone had a good time, and Mr. Goodman was enjoying himself quite a bit, shaking hands and visiting. I didn't seem him correct one Arrowman. In fact, I don't recall one person correcting another over uniform trivia that week, and people were definitely being creative with patches, beads, pins and other doo dads. How could this have happened? Didn't we realize that that page in the OA handbook dictating sash policy was more important than spirit of brotherhood and cheerful service? I guess we just didn't know any better. Thank goodness we have people quoting uniform guidance these days. I guess everyone has a role in the BSA, and the guide quoters usually consider their efforts as "service." Bless them as they perform their "duty."

No sin at all to use the A and B classifications. Easily grasped by adults and scouts alike.

Bet that stew is going to be good! Best wishes, sounds like a great weekend awaits.