Scouting Pet Peeve?

[InquisitiveScouter]

On 10/6/2025 at 12:53 PM, RememberSchiff said:

Reciting the Scout Law too fast.

IMHO, there should a slight pause after each Law to reflect and change facial expression for the next Law. Serious looks for Trustworthy and Loyal, Thrifty, Clean;  smiles for Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Cheerful;  stern for Obedient, Brave, solemn for Reverent. 

We should not be spitting back the Laws like alphabet letters at a traffic stop. 

I like this pace. Say the Laws as Scoutmaster Oborny signs them.

My $0.02,

One way we have developed to slow it down, and to make sure Scouts know it, is to do a repeat after me Scout Oath, Law, and Outdoor Code.

A little pressure is a wonderful impetus to learn something well 😜

[mrjohns2]

12 hours ago, Jameson76 said:

A National Organization that continues to believe the infrastructure needs to be reflective of the 70's (almost 5 million) rather than today (less than 1 million). 

I think one link can simply sum up a lot of issues with National: National Staff Cufflinks | Boy Scouts of America.

I like local councils for running summer camp, though. 

[yknot]

Scouting America still selling cringe Indian Lore merit badge craft kits through online store... complete with medicine pouch and "proud hunter" necklace. 

[Tron]

8 hours ago, yknot said:

Scouting America still selling cringe Indian Lore merit badge craft kits through online store... complete with medicine pouch and "proud hunter" necklace. 

I don't get the indian lore stuff at all; with all of the headaches, people looking for a fight, politically correct paths to navigate; the whole indian lore thing is a liability with no redeeming quality. 

[FireStone]

Unpopular opinion I'm sure, but: 

Eagle Scouts who can't congratulate a new Eagle without making it about themselves and mentioning that they are an Eagle (usually along with the year they earned it as well). Why not just a "Congrats, huge achievement, best of luck in your future endeavors." 

[skeptic]

It is often expected to identify if you are part of the group.  At many COH's they even have all the Eagles gather around in some manner.  For years at our Eagle recognition gatherings they would do some type of "who is the earliest Eagle here" type of thing.  But, bragadocio is misplaced too often and can be annoying.  But, Kind is one of the points of the Law.  So, smile and go with the flow.  I have learned after decades that it is not worth the sour stomach to let it bother me.  

[scoutldr]

1 hour ago, FireStone said:

Unpopular opinion I'm sure, but: 

Eagle Scouts who can't congratulate a new Eagle without making it about themselves and mentioning that they are an Eagle (usually along with the year they earned it as well). Why not just a "Congrats, huge achievement, best of luck in your future endeavors." 

I do it not just to congratulate the Scout, but to let them know they are joining a Brotherhood (Sisterhood) of Eagles who are welcoming him/her to the fold. Many went before you and we are glad you are joining us to continue living by the Scout Oath and Law.

Eagle Scout, Class of 1970.

[InquisitiveScouter]

1 hour ago, skeptic said:

It is often expected to identify if you are part of the group.  At many COH's they even have all the Eagles gather around in some manner.  For years at our Eagle recognition gatherings they would do some type of "who is the earliest Eagle here" type of thing.  But, bragadocio is misplaced too often and can be annoying.  But, Kind is one of the points of the Law.  So, smile and go with the flow.  I have learned after decades that it is not worth the sour stomach to let it bother me.  

Avoid calling attention to your own deeds.  Allow others the opportunity to ask about them, or recognize your achievements.  We should all practice humility.

Edited Wednesday at 05:14 PM by InquisitiveScouter

[FireStone]

I just don't know of any other areas of my life where people congratulate someone for something and feel compelled to say they've done the same thing. I've never congratulated someone for a graduation and felt the need to immediately say that I also graduated from a school. In a broader conversation, sure, things like that might come up. it's just not what I would say in a brief offer of congratulations, basically in the same sentence. 

It's my pet peeve, I know it's not everyone's. I guess I just like to be more understated. 

[InquisitiveScouter]

OK... a pet peeve... yelling "Signs Up!"

 

[InquisitiveScouter]

And another... and this will (as it has in the past) generate controversy... 

Pet peeve:  Requiring a Scout to say "Thank You" when handing a folded pocketknife.  And admonishing them when they do not.

Read your Scout Handbook.  A "Thank You" is required only when handing an axe.

Should a Scout say "Thank You"?   Yes, of course, a Scout is Courteous.

Must a Scout say it, as a matter of instruction and requirement?  No.

If you say "yes", then do you impose the same requirement for the exchange of all other items?  Pens and pencils, books, papers, spatulas, first aid kits, food items, etc, etc, etc. that have as much risk as a folded pocketknife?

[AwakeEnergyScouter]

Being told that I have to believe in the Christian god, or at least be a monotheist, because of the legacy phrasing of the spiritual duty Scouting America uses.

The Law I have made the Promise to do my best to follow many times as a youth starts "A scout seeks their own beliefs and respects that of others." I have to do no such thing (be a monotheist), thank you very much, and you don't get to tell me what my spiritual beliefs are.

[skeptic]

2 hours ago, AwakeEnergyScouter said:

Being told that I have to believe in the Christian god, or at least be a monotheist, because of the legacy phrasing of the spiritual duty Scouting America uses.

The Law I have made the Promise to do my best to follow many times as a youth starts "A scout seeks their own beliefs and respects that of others." I have to do no such thing (be a monotheist), thank you very much, and you don't get to tell me what my spiritual beliefs are.

Not sure what you are saying.  It specifically states "respect others' beliefs" and does not mention anything about monotheism or otherwise.  Pretty broad and subjective it seems to me.  But, whatever floats your boat, as some say.  

[SSScout]

"It is a puzzlement"...   "The king in The King And I"

We all have to find our own way in this world. If , as a youth, you join Scouts and are asked to make that Scout Promise (it is not , after all, an "OATH:), and you decide your "Duty to God" is not to believe in it/her/him, so be it.  There is something out there that will draw you, whether it is the Three Laws of Newtonian physics or some spiritual awakening ("aHA !"). 

My dad was a good man. I feel blessed to have had him , or did he have me? No matter. He often told me he was uncomfortable with "Organized Religion".  I came to find this rather curious, because he was a 33rd degree Mason, which is a very spiritual and very organized organization, when you think about it.

AwakeEnergyScouter,   no one is asking/requiring you to be a monotheistic believer. If someone is, then they need to be reminded that the Scouting movement , at least in the US of A is "non-sectarian".  It professes no particular faith.  True, some Troops/Packs and around the world other Scout orgs do require some religious connection, that is their right, and you and your family can choose accordingly. 

As a Scout Chaplain, I have had some good conversations with Scouts who come and say "I'm not sure about this God stuff."   Yeah, me too....

You can look up B-P's quotes about religion and faith.  Remember, he came from a Church of England start, but became very  "universal", shall we say. 

Did you hear about the agnostic, dyslexic insomniac?     Poor fellow lay awake all night wondering if there is a dog.......    

 

 

[mrjohns2]

10 hours ago, skeptic said:

It specifically states "respect others' beliefs" and does not mention anything about monotheism or otherwise.  Pretty broad and subjective it seems to me. 

The declaration of religious principals, god is male and pretty much defined as monotheistic "The recognition of God as the ruling and leading power in the universe and the grateful acknowledgment of His favors and blessings are necessary to the best type of citizenship and are wholesome precepts in the education of the growing members."