Eagle92

I wear my medal on formal occasions for several reasons. 1) I earned it and am darn proud of it too 2) It sets the example for the youth and other adults. 3) It can inspire not only the youth, but also the adults, to work and play hard in Scouting and in their lives.

Short, how about an SE actually doing manual labor at an ORDEAL? Yep I got photgraphic proof of that one.

1) Handwash with Woolite 2) "press dry" i.e. place it on 2 towels doubled over, then place 2 more towels over and "press" or walk on towels until mots of the qater is dry 3) get new towels, lay on top of them flat, and let dry overnite. Don't want to hand as that stretches the material.

BP made a good comment about corporate giving being down and the BSA hurting. I know that the UW agency I volunteer for didn't meet their goal this year, and several of the corporate donors either didn't increase their pleadges, or simply ignored requests to give at all. As for UW, there is a very strong anti-BSA bias in my neck of the woods that affects my council ( FWIW the UW agency I volunteer for is proBSA, but gives to another council). Several of the large UWs only do designations only for my council, and it's getting worse. On of the smaller UW agencies is now either substantially lowering their gift or doing designations only for my council (sorry can't remember which one)b/c of the success of the local council's FOS and the need of other agencies who are not surviving. So I fo one think it's time to look for some self sufficiency.

Mike, if memory serves from discussions elsewhere, for jambo if you do not meet H/W guidelines, you will be sent home at your own expense. They may have changed that since I last heard a few months back though.

F, Unfortunately the Niihau Incident DID influence public policy for the interment camps. Sorry I don't have the references I had, no longer in the history field, but I've copies of the the USN report on the matter as a friend of mine was working in that area of history. Wikipedia has a good summary of the incident found here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niihau_Incident It was sad in what happened, esp. in light of the 442d's combat record in Europe. But Nisei were involved in the matter, and it seemed prudent at the time. Pity they never taught this as the cause of the internment camps while I was growing up; didn't hear about it until grad school and my friend above was talking about his trip to NARA and the USMC Historical Center

I just found this today. http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/jamesdelingpole/100020126/climategate-goes-serial-now-the-russians-confirm-that-uk-climate-scientists-manipulated-data-to-exaggerate-global-warming/ It appears that the AGW proponents are cherry picking data to suit their needs. le V, Didn't know you were Tsalgi.

Sequoiya (sp), You need to stress the MAYBE for the dads. I'm a TCDL, and I am surprised at the number that have never been camping before ever. Over 50%. And those that have done camping are usually car campers, only 2 of the dads have ever done any type of backpacking.

http://www.bemidjiwoolenmills.com/details.php?id=voyscout Voyageurs Scout Jacket $162 A hurly burly classic with slanted slash pockets and tailored styling. This jacket's generous fit, substantial fabric, quality sewing and broad color choice feels good and looks right on the roughest of trails and the most stylish of streets. 100% Pure Virgin Wool 28 oz. This jacket has 2 buttons on the chest pockets and comes with the Boys Scout patch as shown in the pic. Northern Tier sells it as well at $115! They just don't tell you it's not THE official red wool jac-shirt. Me personally I went the ebay route to finally get mine. Did need place a few stitches in one of the pockets, but I paid about $70 I'm THRIFTY. http://www.northerntiertradingpost.org/boy-scout-jacket.html

I can relate to you on some of the History Channel Programs that either inconveniently leave out facts or are out of date, i.e. new information has just been released from an archive somewhere to contradict the program or adds more background. Wife refuses to watch WWII and Korean War programs on History Channel because of it. Speaking of Farbs, farby things,etc ever read Confederates in the Attic

I'll be honest, the oath and Law were not what attracted me to Scouting. It was the activities and chance to go camping as a CS, although that didn't happen much, but the promise was there. As a scout, what kept me going at first was the fun, excitement and adventure of Scouting. After, how many 14 yos have taken an advance leadership course, which if taken as an adult could lead to college/continuing ed credits? How many 15 yo could say that the did a 64 mile canoe trip in the Canadian Wilderness? But after the big trip, two things kept me motivated. 1)getting Eagle. not goingot lie, that was a very big factor in keeping me active at 16-18. Yes I got Life at 14 and wanted Eagle, but I did have alot of fun on the trail The other reason I remained active, and do so to this day even before I had kids in the program, was obligation. As a youth, I felt obligated to give back and help those new scouts and everyone really along the trail. As an adult, I wanted to give back like some of my leaders did for me. My SM, ASMs, and MCs were soem of the best role models I ever had and cannot forget what they did for me. Now it's payback.

Ray Franks is his name, and you can't have him, he's ours . One of the things that really appeals to a lot of the old timers is that he is a "local boy," growing up in the council as a youth, and having his 1st professional job here. So he has lots of roots and connections in place. That's got to help with some of the difficult things that sometimes needs to be done. I like him because, as one of my former peers in PDL-1 commented "program freaks...we smell our own." And Franks is definately for program.

What's wrong with using a hot spark fire starter? grant you it's not best to let a CS use one (found out the hardway, DON"T ASK ).

I was in HS late 80s early 90s. I didn't care who knew I was in scouts and didn't care what their attitude was. Although occassionaly harrassed, I had a pretty thick skin. While I never wore my scout uniform to school, my HS had a school uniform, there were occasions where after an JROTC or other school activity was over, I would change into my BSA uniform to go to a meeting or outing. Remember doing 2 JROTC change of command ceremonies, which were mandatory, then changing into to uniform with all the extras ( MB sash, trail medals, etc), and racing to the cathedral to recieve my Ad Altari Dei and Pope Pius religious awards. Also remember the football game where i changed out of my cheerleading uniform and into my scout uniform to go camping.

Don't want a new SE, like the one I got thank you very much Seriously though John gave some great advice. For me the quality I like the most is the attitude that "This is for the youth" and then follows through. Yes SEs have to make some tough decisions, but the ability to focus on what's best for the youth AND communicate it is very important. Seeing what their track record is with programing is key. My philosophy has been that if you have a great program, they will come. And my SE is the first one in a VERY long time that I've seen with that attitude, and ability to communictae it to the volunteers. Do I agree with every decision he makes, no I do not. But ee does take the time to explain the rational for doing it, and whether you agree with it or not, you will undestand the purpose of it. So don't be looking to steal my SE

Well, I was one of thsoe nerds/geeks in HS, and so were a bunch of us in the troop. But we also had athletes as well. One common trait all of us had, as you stated, was the ability to stand on our own two feet and do things outside the group. I think that can be evidenced by several of my role models and peers who have gone on to serve their country, several in special ops and security forces roles. But the other driving force was that we wanted adventure. Let's face it how many teenagers can say they did a X long trek at Philmont, a X long trek at N. Tier, etc? While I may have been considered a nerd, and yes I was hassled occasionaly for being in Scouts, Scouting gave me the self confidence to know that if things were to hit the fan, I was prepared to deal with them. And I beleive everyone in my troop First Class and above had the same self confidence, and those S-T-2s knew that when they became First Class, they too would be fully prepared.

Agree with Boyce, i haven't been to a black tie affair in years. As for wearing Eagle award and other wards in formal attire, it is authorized. For Eagle: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Media/InsigniaGuide/06E.aspx Eagle Award, silver medal suspended from scroll, No. 00135; sterling silver, No. 00112; Boy Scout. Adults wear only on formal Eagle occasions. http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Media/InsigniaGuide/10F.aspx

Not everyone has GPS. For my OA chapter I'm one of the principle drivers and I don't have it. Maybe someday, but still too expensive for me. As for maps, Yep they are cheap, and more reliable than MAPQUEST. Although that is a great tool to use in conjunction with a map.

Pint, Thanks for the link. Going to try it after work tonite.

Dean, Unfortunately the situation above, minus the comment to media, is SOP for BSA. The word of a youth trumps the adult. Had a good friend have their membership revoked b/c of the accustaion of a known liar. The "scout" in question had a history of running around and misbehavior after hours, and when the leader caught him out after hours on her way from the showerhouse to camp, he accused her of making a pass which led to her dismissal. I had a similar run in with the "scout" in question and was accused of some things a year earlier. Luckily I had 2 other adults with me and the scouts accompanying him eventually told the truth. And this all happened prior to being reported to the SE. So yes BSA will revoke a membership on the accusation.

How have I found units? When I joined a troop in Pine Burr Area Council, I saw a charter with the service organization I belonged to at the time. That had me asking questions and I got involved. When I joined a troop in Istrouma Area Council, I was passing by the scout hut, which is on a busy street, and saw the troop number and CO. I contacted the CO and joined that way. How have others done it. I knwo of several packs in my area have websites. When you google the city name and scout, they show up.

THANKS FOR THE IDEAS AND KEEP THEM COMING! I like the AQUANAUT idea, btu at this time the camp doesn't have a pool or established swimming area.

B, The challenge I see is that there has been no serious debate or discussion on this topic in which which both sides have come together to rationally discuss this matter. Rather one side has monopolize the literature which should promote discussion (Climategate), attempted to discredit those who oppose their viewpoints (the Weatherchannel folks), refuse to acknowledge discrepencies and dissent from publications (see the UN report and those scienteists listed as being a part of the group yet dissented) recruited non-scientists to propagandizing (Inconvienent Truth, et al). Yes it's become politicized, but one one group has done it. And to me that weakens the argument. Now in reference to Americans not beiNg the shapest tool in the woodshed at times. Agreed. History has shown that folks do get complacent and beleive what they want to beleive. The best example for me is the Triple Entente powers that refused to see Hitler as a threat and allowed him to repeatedly violate Versaille(then again I am in the process of reading Churchill's THE SECOND WORLD WAR).(This message has been edited by eagle92) (This message has been edited by eagle92)

E, The the "morally straight" reference is point out that most Christian religions do not support homosexuality and do view it as amoral. The COs would view this stance as antithical to their mission and drop the troops. While Homosexuality does not equal pedophilia, in many Americans' minds it does. So parents opposed to homosexuality will be afraid to let their kids join. Now in reference to declining membership, I think everyone knows my position on it. Don't trust the old stats.

GB. We cross posted Ok in reference to the dismissal, the purpose was to illustrate that yes we do have homosexuals amongst us already. The point I was trying to illustrate was that he did cross the line by approaching several staff members. One youth staffer contacted me about the individual, and I went up the chain of command. He was dismissed quietly, and after wards several folks mentioned that they were glad he left, because of some of the inappropriate comments and suggestions he had made. A sign of old age is that it sometimes take a while to remember things in the past, esp. when physically dealing with three children while you are typing. In thinking about the situation, the youth who eventually talked to me had to be coaxed to talk. For whatever reason; afraid to get a coworker in trouble, fear of being labeled a homophobe, afraid that he led the kid on, whatever, it was difficult for himto talk about it. It was alike like "A Time to Tell," but the two youth were the same age. But as I mentioned above, once he left, folks started talking about him in the open, and some of the things he said when not working.