dsteele

Not yet. Holding pattern. Unc.

Something is definately amiss here. In the words of Mr. Banner, "Don't make me get angry. You won't like me when I'm angry." Unc.

I've been reading these posts with interest. I'm an Eagle Scout myself. To me, it's a moot question. Whether an award or a rank (I believe it's a rank, but that's not my point,) Eagle Scouts are expected to live their entire lives according to the Scout Oath and Law. Period. End of Report. If an Eagle Scout does not live according to the Scout Oath and Law, his actions diminish the badge for all of us. At my Eagle Court of Honor, when the medal was pinned on me, I had just finished reading Frank Herbert's Dune trilogy. I felt like the Kiwsatch Hiederach (sp) -- that I had just found my place in the hall of heros. If I should fail, we all would fail. If I were to succeed, all would be the better for it. To me that is the reality. Call it what you will. Unc.

Max: Raffles are a no-no in Scouting. It smacks of gambling because most will not get anything for their money, or something like that. However, if you want to do a desert auction -- where people decide what they're willing to pay for what they want, you're back on the legal side of the tracks and will probably make more money. Unc.

Marvin: Did I miss a memo? When are the GOOD posts supposed to start Unc.

I think that a nickname given and cheerfully accepted by the recipient is a good thing. I also believe that a nickname given and not accepted (particularly if it's an unflattering in the eyes of the recipient) is hazing. I've had both kinds. Fortunately, I only remember the ones I liked. Unc.

I don't know of any way to tell if the merit badge pamphlet in your hand is the most recent version or not. The year of the printing will be inside on the left on the first paper page. That may give you a clue. Given your sense of humor you'll probably understand why they don't print THIS IS THE NEWEST VERSION on the inside front cover of every merit badge pamphlet. Unc.

I've stayed silent on the "too young to advance" topic, thus far, because that particular shell lands a bit too close to my foxhole for comfort. I won't tell you how old I was when I passed my Eagle Board of Review, but it was roughly 380 days prior to my 15th birthday. Yeah, you read that right. I believe that the program calls for each Scout to advance at his own pace. There are time requirements for star, life and eagle which I believe coincide with the leadership requirements. At the time I earned my eagle, there were time requirements for every rank, but that's a different story. I believe that a Scout earns a rank by meeting all the requirements, no more, no less. That includes Scout Spirit, but not age. It also requires some ability. I've told you I was a young Eagle Scout -- in this post. Let me also say that I failed my first board of review for Second Class. I'll never forget it. They were asking me questions about the skill awards (that dates me) that I earned, and there were several where I tried to fudge an answer. They failed me in the board of review. It hurt a lot at the time. They let me re-take it a month later and I passed. It was one of the best lessons I've ever learned. To quote Barry, I love this Scouting Stuff. Unc.

Time marches on whether we're ready for it or not. Glad to hear your Eagle Project lasted for 32 years. Not sure how long mine lasted. I know it was there for five years, but never returned to the site after that. Heck, I've barely spent more than 20 nights in the town in the 20 some years since then. Unc.

Man of Steele? Sounds like a comic book character to me. Unc.

Does the Scout have reading problems? I ask because it seems that he did all but the written requirements. I wouldn't put too much effort into Dad. Scout leaders aren't here to fix him. You gave him an opportunity to spend a wonderful week with his son. He chose to stare at a book. I phrased it that way on purpose -- he may have reading problems as well. Unc.

Sorry. My apologies to Zahanada. I'm a Social Science guy, not a mathematics guy. Wrong field. Zahanada is correct. Unc.

This is a slight tangent (remember your geometry) to Fuzzy's post. I do believe that some content on these boards needs to be controlled. I also believe in an individual's right to chose. I beleive the moderators (whom I support whole-heartedly) have a responsibility to keep these forums worthy of Scouting discussion. HOWEVER, I also believe in an individual's right to squealch or ignore other users writings. I, for one, would rather read an opposition opinion than ignore it and would certainly not deny myself the right to read what someone is saying. I chose not to do that, but leave you be with your own choices. I also respect the right of an individual, however how erudite or prolific, to stop giving his/her wisdom to us, the masses. It's about choices and options. Those we take and those that are taken from us or for us that helps shape who we are. Unc.

Oaky -- The theme running subterraneously through this thread is one of loneliness and abandonment -- at least the way I'm reading it at the moment. We are not lost! I know the scene in the Disney Jungle Book to which Eamonn refers. It is on a bleak background, but there's a lot of humor there. I submit that there remains a lot of Scouting knowledge here. Yes, among us regular guys. Some tout the BSA line, and some do not, but between our shared resources, we have all it takes to answer one anothers questions, or at least point one another in the right direction. Then lay on, MacDuff! Let's go and get the job done. We can do it. If the forum leaders of days gone by come back, so be it. We'll welcome them. In the meantime, they've taught us how to kindle a flame, find a reference and/or pick up our chins when we are down. We'll just have to read a few more manuals. All of us. Unc.

OGE -- I find it highly amusing that you felt the need to explain the meaning of F 451, but did not explain un-erudite. I know what it means, but I wonder how many others do? Please apply only 450 degrees to any reply to this post. Having a little fun this evening, Unc.

I just went through this discussion with one of our district's newer unit commissioners. I'm not the district commissioner, but the young man came to me for answers. If one reads the wording on any (or just about any) BSA form, the questions are answered. When do you need a tour permit and when should it be filed? It's on the form. Answer the questions on the form and secure the signatures of the people holding the identified positions, and you're okay. If you have to squint, ignore boxes, and leave blanks, you're probably missing something. Call someone (commissioner, council office, etc.) for clarification. For example, if the form requires the signature of the Troop Committee Chairman, then he/she needs to sign it. Not the assistant tour leader -- unless that happens to be the same person. The next part is tongue in cheek: What are the cons of filing a tour permit? Someone at the council office will know where you were, how many of you there were, and who your automobile insurance carriers were. What's the harm of that? What's the help? I dunno, but I would guess the safety of youth is at stake somewhere in there. As well as the safety of adults -- no uninsured or underinsured drivers risking anything. You have to plan your trip. You have to have met the safety and training requirements for the activity. You have to know how many are going and who is driving. You have to have adequate leadership. And know them well enough to supply basic information. Just a few thoughts. IMHO -- the Tour Permit does not exist in order to be a thorn in the unit's side. It exists as a safety measure to make sure all parties have thought things through and have the basics covered. Just a guy thinking out loud. Unc.

What do we tell the kids? Interesting question, as always, Eamonn. I'm not a parent and will resist no argument telling me to shut up and that I don't know what I'm talking about. I don't. That doesn't stop me from having an opinion on any topic. What do we tell the children? This is a question that has been aroudn for years and generations. It applies to all questions and to all who have a hand (or finger) in child rearing. We tell them what we want them to believe and to live. It only sticks if we live it ourselves, regardless of what we tell them. So, to boil it down to a somewhat mathematical formula: Tell the child + live it yourself = (hopefully. This is the variable) what the child will grow into as an adult. _____ This philosophy is brought to you by Uncleguinea and the people who told me and lived it along with a variable called the BSA and the morphing into a man. Unc.

I have to agree with silver-shark on this one. Making a Scout sing for lost items can be hazing and can even be fun for the Scout. Not usually, but even if the Scout is having fun, it's sending the wrong lesson, IMHO. It's sending the lesson that "your friends will take care of you if you misplace something, but you'll have to pay for it in some fashion." I think this will tend to make that singing Scout want to find something of someone elses so that person will have to go through a similar experience (punishment, whatever.) I'm reminded of one of the first things I actually lost. Lost as in not-recovered. It was my favorite swiss army knife. Lost it at a camp site or on the trail on Isle Royale. There was no threat of making me sing. I just wanted my knife back. To the troop's credit, a number of guys hiked with me on the trail back to the previous day's camp (luckily it was a short day) and we looked. They then walked all the way back with me. I learned that Scouts help each other. I learned that my losing a knife effected us all and that it was my fault. I also learned that I would never see that knife again. That lesson stuck with me in a way that singing for a cap never would have. Just something to think about. Unc.

. . . And what recruiting lesson can be learned from it? Did you join as a youth or an adult? Unc. PS -- This is the first time I have seen no topics under "Open Discussion" in the Today's active topics list. UG

Dancin Don't forget to kiss the Moose! Unc.

I like tatoos and body piercings -- the next generation learns from the mistake and eschews them. In spite of my opinion, I don't think anyone should be judged adversely because of them. What one does is one's own choice. Unc.

I think that there is no list because "Best Camp" is at best an opinion. How do you define best? It depends on what's personally important to you? Do the number of campers make it the best? Which do you prefer, high numbers, low numbers, or is staff ratio a consideration? Do you want dining hall, patrol cooking, or both? Is advancement the goal? Open program, or scheduled classes? Get my drift? There really isn't a way to quantify. One of my favorite camps is exclusively patrol cooking and is very small in numbers. Another is mid-size in terms of numbers and does one day of patrol cooking and dining hall the other days. Best of luck in your shopping and happy camping to you and your boys! Unc.

Are these navy blue campaign hats by any chance made for state troopers? I have no trouble with that. In fact, I think the price is probably reduced because of the number sold. Do you also sell the straw version. I dislike my BSA campaign hat simply because it is too hot. Are your hats also available in straw in olive? If so, I will buy one. Unc.

Eamonn: I think dyeing your uniform shirt would be a violation of the Uniform Insignia Guide Unc.

Why not just have an adult run them all through a regular washing machine? I seem to recall (I was on staff, not a camper) having washing machines available at the Jamboree. Unc.