Eagledad

>>I have always been under the impression that the BSA policy towards homosexuality was based on a fear of child molestation.

>>On the issue of belief in God. Perhaps it would be more of a universal and acceptable for those other than Christians for the BSA to "have a belief in Deity" for admittance.

>>For example, if a boy was caught stealing from another boy, then the SPL with help from the PLC would discipline the scout. If it were a first time episode, the boy would have to return the item and then perform some service while at camp

>>I understand your vexation Dan, but I also understand the parents view as well.

>>Bobanon, using terms like "religious reich" detracts from (destroys, really) your ability to persuade anybody who doesn't already agree with you.

Good Morning All >>Religion belongs in the Churches and the daily life of the individual and should not be watered down or disturbed by school activities.

You may have been right back when the leader of a state was also given the title of god. But God today is more a reflection of moral concious, and at the state level the assumed ideals the county represents to its people. However my question was toward people thinking for God. Are we putting ourselves above God, or are we really showing our disapointment in man, but we just don't know who to blame. Barry

>>I don't believe God thinks one way or another about us actually. If he did, he would love all equally, and maybe a little more for the poor, suffering and destitute.

>>Actually, I did let the District Advancement Chair know (he insists on attending all Eagle BOR's). We had a SM conference and a troop BOR about it. Parents present. He was given some suggestions & told to wait for maturity. When the time is right, the DAC wants to know & will to schedule BOR. As a team, we are all working to help this young man advance...and I don't just mean get his Eagle, I mean advance in maturity, knowledge, etc. To BECOME an Eagle.

>>Your 'go getter' will have his time.. if he is as good as you think he is, he'll earn the respect of his peers and get elected.

>>Not to sidetrack this thread too much, but Eagledad, can I ask what the accomodation you made for this scout was?

I had a similar situation with an autistic scout and while I agree with the other posters, I found that our Council was very lenient on the procedures. Our Council just kind of wanted a heads-up, but pretty much left it to us in determining how to modify requirements. You may be surprised, weve had experience with several mentally handicap Scouts and they usually end up completing any requirement they try without modifying the requirement. The only requirement we had to change was the swimming requirement for an autistic scout who was deathly terrified of water, even in a glass. My neighbors Downs son is about to earn his Eagle at age 17 and I dont think they changed any requirements for him either. God bless you and your Troop. Barry

>>but the Jamboree tragedy is the most likely culprit in this instance - regardless of your 5 categories.>Now that the 2005 numbers are out I will forward the following unfortunate observation. I have the 1st quarter numbers and it looks as if there has been a dramatic loss in membership over that 3-month time period.

>>does not every youth deserve a trained leader?

>>That being said, there was a distinctive drop since 2005, probably due to the Jamboree tragedy, but the scale was not in the order of Merl's numbers.

My gosh you are good. You hit the nail on the head. What makes scouting so hard is while the program is for our sons, it is an adult program. That can be good or bad but I find in general that it is bad bcause we set the limitations on the boys in their activities. What makes your post so hard Eamonn is that I've come to obseverve that most all the limitations we put on these boys in our program comes from our fears, not our dreams. I was talking to a new father yesterday and I was telling him that boys are natural dreamers, but our culture today fears new ideas and tends to hold dreamers down. I suggested that when his son gets around 10 or so, find a place, maybe a scout troop that will allow his son to express his dreams and pursue them to their end. I can think of very few other programs where a boy can dream of being a man and try to make that dream come true except a Scouting Unit. But the adults of such a unit need courage to watch a dream different than their own. Adults need the patience to watch failure and the humility to watch success. Scouting is safe because the adults hand over their trust that they will follow boy on his path to manhood and not lead them toward their own fearful visions of a man. Eamonn is right, Scouting is the real world scaled down to a boys size. For a boy dreaming to be a man, just how much better can it get than a Scout Troop where the main restrictions are only the law and oath? Is it so hard to imagine sailing around the world? Is there any more honor before God than helping a our youth might live that dream? What a wonderful place a Scout Unit can be. Thanks Eamonn for for your wonderful thoughts. I love this scouting stuff. Barry

We like chicken in a dutch oven mixed with rice and chicken soup, broth or cream. But I had a friend who cooks chicken like turkey in a can. The turkey uses trash cans, but he uses gallon coffee cans for the chicken. Its easy, no mess and a lot of fun. Place foil on the ground, push a stick through the foil in the ground, set the chicken on the stick then the can over the chicken. Then put hot coals on top and around the can and stand there with a goofy smile watching. He told me it doesnt take to long either. Do a search on turkey in a can on Google and you will find a lot of information on how to do it. Just use a chicken and gallon coffee can instead. He will be the talk of the Troop for sure. Have him get a picture and maybe somehow you can get the picture up on the forum so we can all see. Barry

>>If we really want to help the Scouts we serve make ethical decisions we need to place them in situations where they have to decide what is the right thing to do.

>>If it is a boy run troop the first line of response should be coming from the PL then the SPL. If the SPL cannot get satisfaction then HE should go the the SM for assistance.

>>Scoutmaster to young Scout trying out new words: That kind of talk is offensive to a lot of people. Are you trying to portray a low-life image or yourself? Using those kinds of words shows others how limited your vocabulary is and how self-centered and offensive you can be. How about using other words to express your thoughts that are not offensive to others, get your message across, and dont diminish your good character?

I really like the sound of your Troop Anarchist. I try and teach taking away a many limitations to the scouting experience as possible. A program based on maturity and experience instead of age and rank does just that. Great program Anarchist, great adults. Barry

>>Yeh really think so, Eagledad?

>>or use the "Demonstrate Scout Spirit" as a catch-all?

I dont think there is any wording that suggest one way or the other. I do think it is bad form, but that is a different discussion on another day. As for you and this scout, he did signed the contract in good faith and there is the pesky Demonstrate Scout spirit requirement. Good luck with mom he said walking away quickly. Barry

>>I was just thinking of Beaver's tracking suggestion. It's always more fun to have a way to "tag" someone who has been found;