Patch Trading Central
Have a patch or memorabilia you're looking to swap? Use this virtual patch trading blanket. (This area is intended to facilitate memorabilia swapping, not necessarily commerce.)
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LATEST POSTS
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By AwakeEnergyScouter · Posted
From WOSM's web site https://www.scout.org/who-we-are/world-organization/about-organization : "A Global Educational Youth Movement Scouting's mission is to contribute to the education of young people through a value system based on the Scout Promise and Law. Through Scouting, we are building a better world where people are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society. To be the world’s most inspiring and inclusive youth movement, creating transformative learning experiences for every young person, everywhere." Point six of the Swedish Scout Law is "A scout gets to know and protects nature." The sixth point isn't above points 1-5 or 7, of course. But having made a promise many times to do my best to follow the scout law, I certainly feel obliged towards environmental activism when the need arises. Point six of the first version of the Scout Law was "a scout is kind to animals". That's not necessarily pointing to environmental activism taken literally, but we as a movement have clearly committed ourselves to being Earth protectors. See for example everything at https://www.scout.org/what-we-do/young-people-and-communities/environment, or more locally https://www.scouting.org/outdoor-programs/scouting-clean-waterways/ "Now more than ever, we need young people to stand up and take action around the challenges facing our communities and our planet. To promote human rights and act against injustice, to tackle climate change and promote gender equality, and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals." Ahmad Alhendawi Secretary General, World Scouting (2017-2024) -
Thanks for sharing. It is sad. I can’t help with STEM days or other merit badge days for the same reason. I can’t be a part of going through the motions, but not earning the badge. -
Things are a lot more positive when you have your hammock on a sandy plain with rice plants and praying mantis nymphs while the Italians host Catholic mass at sunset over the Yellow Sea. But put my biases aside … WOSM and BSA are youth movements. Nothing in either organizations’ mission statements speaks explicitly to environmental activism — certainly not above all other considerations. There is no reason to think that any member should turn down the opportunity to camp on a site merely because of the political controversy generated. Our troop, during pre-tour, was privileged to have a guide who walked us through various challenges and ensuing protests that his country faced. He traced many to population density; some, to superstitions about building homes on mountain sides. Context makes one slower to judge. -
By OaklandAndy · Posted
As a former Camp Director, I can tell you that MB's nowadays is more about "going through the motions" than having any actually....merit. I couldn't stand to see it and also one of the reasons why I left. It isn't uncommon for scouts to leave with 8+ mb's...but like they say...just because you can doesn't mean you should. I miss the days of quality and luckily some MB's can't just be given (shooting sports, swimming, climbing, etc.), at least I hope not. -
By BetterWithCheddar · Posted
To be honest, I recall being very motivated to earn merit badges as a young scout. I flipped through the camp handbook every winter to plan my "perfect" summer camp where I would earn 4 new merit badges. I would have turned down a high adventure outing for the opportunity to earn one more merit badge. I don't think the focus on advancement is a bad thing, provided each merit badge is taught correctly and gives the camper a meaningful experience. I take issue with all of the non-outdoor merit badges taught at summer camp these days - that just continues the "School 2" trend we've lamented about in other threads (how many camps now have a STEM Center?) Ideally, camps should offer outdoor merit badges that would be challenging for a troop to offer on their own (shooting sports, aquatics, etc.). Even if kids are "overscheduled" at summer camp, they are still having unique outdoor adventures.
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