Eagle92

Nole, If ya want to get technical, "alumni" is also masculine. Alumnae is the feminine plural.

trust me this policy puts a big damper on my CSDC, one of the highlites was the water pistol wars. On another note, There are lazer tag devices that are not shaped like firarms. I got 4 that look like a Spiderman webshooter worn on the wrist

I got your Klingon right here http://www.boyscoutstore.com/spoof-custom-patches/spoof-interpreter-strips/ amoung others Unfortunately this wasn't the one I saw. The one I saw had actual Klingon charcters.

I cannot answer all of the problems with scoutcraft skills, but I can answer two from my observations and conversations. In reference to firebuilding, several factors come into this skill loosing emphasis. 1)Is local restrictions on fires. Depending upon where you are, this is becoming more and more of a problem. And while I know of one non-stove solution to the problem, one I picked up from an Aussie scout, it's not very LNT: Fire pits 2)Local restrictions on firewood. as mentioned it's getting to the point that you MUST buy firewood from the local trading posts/stores in the parks to keep various pests and diseases in check. 3) LNT. Let's face it LNT promotes stoves over fires. 4) Convience. let's face it, it is easier and less time consuming to hook up a stove and start cooking, than to collect, or buy, wood, start a fire, wait till you got coals, and start cooking. In reference to Orienteering skills I got 3 letters for ya: GPS. Sometime this week I read an article on how countries, government services, companies, and indiviudals have become so defendant on GPS, that if anything was to happen to the GPS system, say an EMP from a terrorist attack, we are all messed up.

Glad the process is slowly changing. But FYI, COR and IH can declare what needs to be done by fiat, and the committee must agree. BUT it looks like the committee has buy in fo rhte process. One thing that got to me, you said next year's election. How often are they?

Skeptic, I'm glad the website is now up and running. I will be looking at it when I get the chance this weekend. In the past when I tried to access it, I have had major problems, usually the site was under construction or nothing there. Revamp looks good. I admit NESA piqued my interest with that Scouting article a few years back. But it is disappointing and frustrating when you ask around and most folks knows nothing about it. And the few NESA members you do run into, tell it's just OK, but not a big deal.

OOE83, For the most part I do agree with you on the use of knots. But some knots like the NESA Lifetime Eagle knot, the Alumni knot I have reservations with. I think making NESA membership a requirement for Alumni is pushing NESA, and appears to be a "moneymaker" Ditto the NESA Eagle knot.

Horizon, Unfortunately it's this line that covers waterpistols, et al. Pointing any type of firearm or simulated firearm at any individual is unauthorized. Cap are my emphasis. What I've found interesting is that their is an exemption for LE Explorers. So I bet lasertag will become a 'training session" since it does teach close quarters searches.

I admit I'm not a NESA member. In the 5 councils I've been in, they have done nothing.

I alligned it with the pocket does look odd, but so does everyoen else. Esp the Webelos who only have enough space for a CSp and unit numbers

NOLE, Also NESA membership is required of Eagles for the new Scouter Alumni Award.

Don't know if national recalled them or not, but try a national scout stop. If they do not have it, they will try and find it for you at another national store. If they were recalled, then you may need to make calls to local council stores as sometimes they have outdated stuff in inventory.

PL, 1) WELCOME TO THE FORUMS!!!!!!!! 2) While I have 2 garrison caps, one scout and one sea scout, Smokey Bears and Expedition hats look better, and the Expedition hat is practical. Sorry I do not see the return of the garrison cap. 3) Ties are ok, but the proper sized necker worn with a collarless shirt, or with a shirt with the collar tucked in, is the way to go.

SP, Now did I say I like that policy? HECK NO! I remember the awesome time 1 OA chapter had at a lazer tag lockin (this was when it was not against G2SS) and when I kicked POME butt with my fellow camp "service crew" members in the UK. But them's the rules, and I will follow them. Will I do whaterver I can to change it, absolutely.

If I can find the link, I will post it. Somewhere I read on a site that the 'reserves" are district/council level positions.

ScoutinGermany, You do know that "every now and then (with approval of parents) we have 3 day airsoft gun battles.' are banned by G2SS? From the G2SS found here on page 33 which the most current version http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34416.pdf 11. Pointing any type of firearm or simulated firearm at any individual is unauthorized. Scout units may plan or participate in paintball, laser tag or similar events where participants shoot at targets that are neither living nor human representations. Units with council approval may participate in formally organized historical reenactment events, where firearms are used and intentionally aimed over the heads of the reenactment participants. The use of paintball guns, laser guns or similar devices may be utilized in target shooting events with council approval and following the Sweet 16 of BSA Safety. Council approval means the approval of the Scout Executive or his designee on a tour permit specifically outlining details of the event. (However, law enforcement departments and agencies using firearms in standard officer/agent training may use their training agenda when accompanied with appropriate safety equipment in the Law Enforcement Exploring program.)

Ok off topic again, When I was a CA the first go around, and Cubs was still a 3 year program, we did a District Crossover in conjunction with the uniform inspection. We deliberately kept the ceremony speaking short as we had a bunch to crossover. As a DE my district's Webeloree was in May when most of the packs still crossed over in May. Campfire ended with a Crossover. On topic again Do your lodges' do camp promos, make Where To Go Camping Books, and promo videos for Cubs?

Please keep it coming. And let me expand some. How do you help specifically with Cubs and camping? As an aside on AOL, the way we handled AOL/Crossover requests was first come, first served, and had to be booked at least a month in advance, preferably 2-3, and certain days/nites were off limits.

How did they get BB Gun and Archery Belt Loops, and pins for that matter, Since you can only earn those at district and council events? Now I admit when I planned CSDC, I did have belt loops and pins planned and worked on. If memory serves you could earn the following in the week long, 9 hour day CSDC: Archery BB Guns Fishing Astronomy Hiking Map and Compass Wildlife Conservation Plus advancement requirements. BUT again CSDC was 9 hours a day, so you had 8 hours of instruction per day for a totalof 40 hours. You can do a lot in 40 hours. Now I admit sometimes you do forget what your cubs do at camp, even if you are the one who was PD for camp I had 2 parents that worked camp remind me that I forgot to list some of the pins they earned, so sometimes you do need to play catchup with the awards. But 23 in a month?(This message has been edited by eagle92)

This may seem like a double post, but mods and everyone please bear with me. This thread is for the OA members. Cub Scout leaders will have a thread in the Cub Scout forum. What is the OA's involvement in the Cub Scout program in your district and council? How is the OA doing to help out the Cub Scout program? What would you like to see the OA do to help out the Cub Scout program? What can Cub Scout leaders do to help the OA?

This may seem like a double post, but mods and everyone please bear with me. This thread is for the Cub Scout leaders. OA members will have a thread in the OA forum. Cub Scout leaders what has been the OA involvement in you district and council? What is the OA doing to help out the Cub Scout program? What would you like to see the OA do to help out the Cub Scout program? What can Cub Scout leaders do to help the OA?(This message has been edited by eagle92)

Moose, Never heard of the workbook being called a contract before. That's what thew me off. Trust me, I know all about the Workbooks You can read elsewhere about my EBOR and Workbook situation. As to the "batch of eagles" comment, I know of troops that only do 1 Eagle Court of Honor a year. Usually folks in those units are not rushing to complete Eagle before 18, but rather in time for that one Eagle Court of Honor with their friends. Makes for a long District Eagle Board of Review nite for teh EBOR members.

While I am not in that situation yet, oldest is only a Wolf, my wife has point blank told me that she does not want me as an ASM or SM for my son b/c #1 "I'll be too hard on him" and #2 "He needs some space to be on his own." She doesn't understand what I call the "Al Bundy" approach to being a leader, sitting in a camp chair, drinking your coffee, and saying "have you asked your PL" is a scout comes up to me, or "have you asked your SPL," if a PL comes up to me. BUT she did say that I should pursue other areas of Scouting. The one she mentioned was the OA since that was my passion before becoming a CSDL. Another option would be to remain behind with the Cubs. Sometimes it's much easier to get adults to help run events if they don't need to worry about their Cub as well.

TL, Has your manager thought about hiring young Scouters and Venturers as part-timers? I know when I was a part-timer in college, FT staff would sometimes ask if customers with specific questions would come back when I was on, so I could help them. I know the first time I helped someone outfitting a new scout with backpacking gear, the manager had a conniption after he left b/c I made a lot of honest recommendations on gear and supplies, some of which we sold, some we didn't, and some that could be gotten cheaper elsewhere. I told them what to look for in gear, what to bring when trying out gear, how to properly size, etc. etc. I also told him not to buy anything until he had the scout with him to make sure things would work. Guy didn't buy anything and left, and I got my butt chewed out for not making a sale. About 45-60 minutes later, customer and his new Scout son showed back up with the stuff I recommended he bring for trying out. gear. He made a very large purchase, and son got almost all of the gear he needed from us. Only a few items we either didn't carry, or were on backorder, did he not get. Dad said even though it may be cheaper to go elsewhere and get some of the stuff, with the service he received, and the BSA's lifetime guarentee, it was worth it. From then on camping gear referrals came to me, and when I left the Venturer who replaced me.

CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK!