Eamonn

" I will of course hope that the Republicans put their foot in their mouth, but these things are so well planned and scripted that I really don't see that happening. This years race is so very close that I bet the entertainment value will be better than ever. I of course didn't know that Clint Eastwood was going to attend and have a chat with an empty chair. Am I the only person who thinks that he just might might have spent a little bit too long in the VIP area?Maybe he has an allergy to peanuts? Ea.

" so we turn off people who would have been happy to do something, but who don't want to get suckered" -How very true! "Hi Mrs Jones, thanks for volunteering to be a Den Leader. Here is the directions to the Council Service Center you'll need to go there and buy a uniform and once a month pick up the pins, beads and badges that you will need. Then there's the directions to where we have the monthly Leaders meeting, we also have the Pack Committee meetings there, you don't really have to attend but it's the only chance that you'll get to see the treasurer and get reimbursed for any money you spend. The monthly Round table meeting is a must that's held in the church hall. Because of the problems we have had in the past we do ask that you don't bring any children with you. But it's a good time and a lot of fun. I'll contact you later with the dates of the training's, the Halloween party the pop corn sale and by the way how much can I say that your willing to donate to the FOS?" Ea.

NJCubScouter Maybe this link might help? http://www.abcofcricket.com/cfb1/cfb2/cfb3/cct/cct.htm As I sit here I see an ad for the Mitt Romney official site, asking me to donate $5.00. There is an ad on the TV not telling me to support anyone, just saying what a loser some poor chump really is. The amount of money that is spent on these elections is just daffy. Needless to say Mitt is not going to get my five bucks. Ea.

There are a number of reasons why after all these years I'm still around Scouts and Scouting. Lord knows I have more than my fair share of knots, beads and all that type of stuff. Part of the reason is that some part of me wants in some way to pay back the guys who back when I was a little Lad invested so much of their time, energy and treasure in little me. I had a wonderful time as a Scout and later on as a Venture Scout. Of all the recognitions, beads, knots and badges I've ever received the one I hold most dear is my Queen's Scout Award. It's strange when I think back, I don't dwell on marching into the chapel in Windsor Castle. I dwell on me freezing my tail off while hiking over Dartmoor or feeling sorry for myself as I hiked the Pennine Way. More than anything I want the kids I serve to get as much out what they do in Scouting as I did. To this end, I've sat on committees that were supposed to ensure that this would or might happen. I have trained other leaders, some who had all the skills and know how. Some who had no knowledge what so ever. Along the way I have as an adult made some truly wonderful friends, in fact most of my best friends are Scouter's. I've been allowed to be part of the lives of a great number of great kids and been welcomed into their families. The sad part is that I'm painfully aware that I'm not as young as I once was and trying to keep up with a group of teenagers is now almost impossible. Something I found out a few weeks back when I took a group out on the water kayaking. They were kind enough not to say anything but I knew I was holding them back. Next time I'll take them sailing! Scouts and Scouting has to be all about the youth. When we lose sight of that we open a can of worms that causes more harm than good. Harms many great volunteers who do what they do just because they have the good of the kids at heart. I'm comfortable enough in my own skin not ever to have to compete or prove myself capable to anyone. "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things" Ea.

A question I get asked a lot is how long have you been here? This is often followed by -But you still have your accent! Sometime in the past year or two I passed the line. That line being that I have now lived in the USA longer than I lived in the UK. I can put my hand on my heart and say without hesitation that I love America and really like Americans. This country has been more than kind to me and my family. After all the years of being here I kinda sorta have an understanding for American Football. At one time I didn't understand why they kept stopping to have a little chat. That was before I found out that there was an offense and a defense. While I wouldn't plan my Sunday around a Football game, I will on a winters Sunday when I have nothing to do watch a game on the telly (Just joking!) I do not and now think that I ever will understand baseball. I don't feel bad about this as most Americans will never understand cricket. Then there is American politics. While it is fair to say that having not lived in the UK for a very long time, I don't know how "Down and Dirty" things have become in England. Still I can't help but feel things are more down and dirty here on this side of the pond. While I'm very much to the Left and don't have much time for the Right, putting that aside. Just watching and following American politics is the best reality entertainment on the TV and the media. Just like almost everyone else I get fed up with TV ads that fill the airways with ads that slam the other guy. Still two of the things that I've always admired about Americans is how honest they seem to be and how brash they are. Now of course these ads don't always tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, still they give a great inside look at what that side or what they group is really thinking. It's all very much in your face. Where as the English way of politely shaking your hand and stabbing you in the back both at the same time, now just seems a little sneaky. This week the Republicans will have their convention. Guys who six or eight weeks ago were out for each others blood and didn't have a good word to say about each other will kiss and make up and join sides to go after the blood of the other side. Both sides will try and sell the idea that their values are better than stronger and better than the guys on the other side. To this end they will both wheel out their kids, their wives but I kinda think one side might do better not to bring on any family pets. These conventions seem to me to be a complete and utter waste of time. Still it's fun to watch and try and see who is being groomed to be the candidate four years from now. I will watch it all. No, I still don't like popcorn, but will enjoy a nice cup of tea or maybe something a little bit stronger. Me being me? I will of course hope that the Republicans put their foot in their mouth, but these things are so well planned and scripted that I really don't see that happening. This years race is so very close that I bet the entertainment value will be better than ever. Much better than baseball. Eamonn

SeattlePioneer While I have friends who are professional Scouter's, coming from the UK I know and have been part of a Scouting organization which works well without professionals. A couple of years back part of the strategic plan of the BSA stated that we would recruit a million more volunteers. As we all know these plans are little more than a wish list. When I looked at the two threads that dealt with the District Commish and the Cub Master, the replies seemed to assume that the District where this was all happening operated as the BSA thinks a District should work. I think that I was very lucky when I was serving as a District Commissioner and later as a District Chair. That I live in a place where the BSA is looked upon with friendly eyes and where old time traditional values are still in place. Finding parents who were willing to tag along with their kid, serving as Den Leaders, ASM'S was never a problem. Asking and finding people to fill a spot on a committee was hard work. To do things the way the BSA suggests they be done means that we need another million volunteers. But that just isn't happening. We need to take a long hard look at: How we select/recruit volunteers. What we need them to do. What they are willing to do. I can sell someone the idea that they will serve on a Membership Committee that will meet 3 times and put an all out effort into two weeks work a year. I can recruit four or five people who will donate a large sum of money and each ask three or four friends to do the same. When the District calendar is being put together the Chairman can ask a couple of people to take care of the Camporee and people to take care of the training's. Other than ESBOR's what else does the Advancement Committee really do? I think the time I spent sitting on different committees that did next to nothing was a real waste of my time, Especially when more got done in the parking lot after the meeting or when we met for an adult beverage later. Long before Units started worrying about the guy from the District coming to push popcorn sales or FOS, the units in the area where I live worried that the District was trying to poach their best leaders and adults. Ea.

Of course I don't know the Lad or the Troop which he belongs to. I don't hold with "Road Blocks" or any sort of minimum age for ranks. The Lad has met the requirements and as such is worthy of all of our congratulations. But... I have to wonder what I might do if I seen that the program I was responsible for offering was this sort of thing? While at one time or another we all have had Lads who set the world on fire and seem to just breeze through requirements. Still I have never had a case where someone so young has reached Eagle Rank at this young age. Why? I'm not exactly sure. Tend to think that I'm to blame as I've never pushed or made a big deal about advancement. - Most of the time we were busy doing other stuff which very well could be tied into meeting requirements but until I was reminded or made see the light I never thought of it that way. Advancement is about recognizing a Lad for a job well done. I see the requirements that lead up to a Lad becoming a First Class Scout as being the key that opens his door to bigger, more exciting and more challenging things. At times the required merit badges get in the way of some Scouts -They hold little or no interest for these Lads. In my book that's OK. Of course there is time for this young Eagle Scout to find things that are a challenge and time for him to master whatever he might want to master, Still most Lads of 12 or 13 do what they do in order to please others and still have to find what it is that they themselves really want to do or really want to get involved in, Eamonn

I know that there are times when I'm not the brightest light on the Christmas Tree. I read the two threads about the District Commish and the Cub Master and I found myself being kinda confused and my head was spinning. To be honest I didn't get a lot out of them and didn't post anything due to this confusion. As I read some of the replies I couldn't help but think that the answers were based on Scouting and the BSA should or might work in a world where everything was in place. If everything and everyone done and was doing things the way the good books say that they should be done. I do not, at least most of the time? Have a problem doing things the way the good books say and suggest that they should be done. But... The truth is I've seen a lot of times and places where for lots of different reason things are not done "By the book." Sometimes this is due to someone who has some sort of power thinking that his or her way will and does work better than what the good books suggest. Sometimes things have to be done the way they are done just because there are reasons why they need to be done that way. Used to be when someone had a problem the easy answer was to tell that person to have a chat with their U/C. The sad fact is that in the area where I live there are less then seven U/C's for 68 units. District Commissioner has become a title handed out to some poor smuck who will get lumbered with ensuring charters are in and any idea of Commissioner Service is long gone. District Committees? Are a joke. They consist of a bunch of old timers who maybe should have been put out to pasture long ago? These well intentioned few, wear too many hats and spend way too much time looking back talking about the way things used to be. The good books seem to work on the idea that Scouts and Scouting is like the Field Of Dreams, with people just waiting to volunteer and take on tasks. If only that were true. Parents today are both working. Many don't work Monday -Friday 9 till 5. Their kids are involved in other activities along with Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting. Local business people are fighting to survive, they don't have the time or the money to support local Scouting like we seen in them good old days. They can't take the time to attend endless meetings and plan FOS campaigns. In many schools the mention of the BSA brings up fear of repercussions from groups who are unhappy with the BSA. School night happens when schools are busy. Busy with setting up after school activities and school programs. Making time for Scouting volunteers to come in and do boy talks and have teachers hand out yet another flier is a pain. While many of us forum members have a real passion for Scouts and Scouting. I sometimes wonder if we really understand what's really happening in the real world? What the young parents of that cute little Tiger Cub is going through? The good books are great, but if only we had the manpower to make it all work the way the good books say. Maybe the time has come for us to look at other youth organizations and see how they get things done? Maybe the time has come for us to say and admit that we just don't have the people to do things as they are now set up. Maybe we are not using the people who are willing to volunteer in the places where they can do the most good? Maybe they look at old codgers like me and think "I never want to end up like him!" Eamonn

It's kind of a silly situation. All volunteers serve from year to year. Our Executive Board are nominated by the nominating committee and can serve form year to year. Council Presidents and District Chairs in our Council serve a 3 year term. Council and District Commissioners do not have any term limits. District Commissioners are selected by the Council Commissioner and voted in by the Executive Board. Of course if it becomes clear that someone isn't working out the easy way of having them step down is not to place their name on the charter when the time comes. Eamonn

Some years back I called the loops epaulets and a good friend in the forum put me right! (Hi Bob.) I personally think these loops are a big waste of time and do nothing but cause problems. Sorry BSA24 But your wrong! When I joined the Area Committee, I was asked to wear a uniform with the yellow (Gold.) Loops. These silly things are listed as a "Restricted item". Talk about a "Red rag to a bull" - Yellow loops seemed to make me a target for any and everyone who had or ever had a beef with the BSA. I'd be happy if we all wore the same uniform with no silly loops or extra beads for WB. But, I don't see it ever happening. Ea.

Of course all of us are saddened when we see and hear about this sort of thing. While this is upsetting, I wonder what good it does posting it here? The BSA has many thousands of adult volunteers and over the years has taken steps to try and keep the kids we serve as safe as is possible. But, like it or not there is and always will be a few rotten apples. I feel sure that the good people in Colorado have everything that they need to deal with this situation. While I might ask where the Lads Mother or parents were when he was doing what ever it was he was doing in front of his computer? Still I can't help feeling that this problem is a local problem that will be dealt with locally and seeing it here? As far as I'm concerned serves no purpose. Sorry if I come off sounding harsh. Eamonn

If there is such a forum? I missed it. Values are strange things. Many of us share very similar values, but may not them in the same order. When it comes to the points of the Scout Law, I might struggle with being obedient, but have little problem with being kind. My own thinking is that living the values found in the Oath and Law is a life long quest. Just when you think that you've got it the bar is raised even higher. I also think that a lot of people want to bash others especially young people over the head with their own interpretation of the Oath and Law. We are not in the brain washing business our goal should be to give young people the tools needed to make the ethical choices and allow them every opportunity to put the good stuff found in the Oath and Law in practice. This means that if we want a Lad to be trusted we need to trust him. If he messes up then maybe he did his best and we can reflect with him and start again and if need be again and again. For the record I get up most days at 03:15 and need half an hour and two cups of coffee before I'm willing to talk with anyone let alone be cheerful - If your lucky you might get a "Bar Humbug" This half hour is my time and I'm busy petting which ever dog gets up with me. Ea.

Rules are great when I'm the person who knows what they are and can use them for my benefit. Rules stink when someone else uses them and proves me wrong and then wants to rub my nose in my wrong doing. I'm not always sure what I want or expect from the rule, but know that things tend to work out better when the person charged with carrying out the rule or enforcing the rule is fair, firm and consistent. Many of us, or maybe I should say me? Often look for loop holes in rules. While finding one is often seen as getting one over on the system, I can't help feeling that this sort of thing sends the wrong message to the people (Youth and adult.) That we hope to lead. Still there are times when I'm willing to not follow a rule that I see as being silly or having little or no merit and use my own judgment in place of the rule. Even knowing that the example that I'm setting is not the best. Thinking about it, I'm guilty of not always following a lot of rules a lot of the time. Why? A lot of the time it's because I think that I know better than the rule or the person who wrote the rule and a lot of the time, it's just because I know that I can get away with it. Ea.

How someone opts to follow or not follow rules, regulations, call them what you will, is I think a personal choice. Very often here in the forum when someone posts a question about the rules that have to do with committees, elections and responsibilities. They want or seem to want this information in order to bash the heck out of someone that they are not getting along with or someone has bashed them and they want to find out if the bashing was sanctioned by the rules. My own view of rules and how they should be enforced has over the years softened. I was at one time very much a book thumper. Looking back I think that working as a member of the District Key 3, I needed the rule book and followed the rules so that I came off as doing the right thing and looking like I was acting in a fair and unbiased way. Still being a Baby Boomer, I unlike the generations before me who blindly followed rules and regulations, asked "Why?" Again talking personally. I at times think that it's odd that someone who likes to see himself as being a free thinker works in a place where there are lots of rules that are followed and sees following these rules as a way of ensuring my own safety and the safety of others. Eamonn

Hi Tim, Maybe, just maybe? I should take some of the blame for your disappointment. As a moderator, maybe I'm not doing such a grand job of moderating? But... (Yes you knew it was coming!) While it might be wrong of me to speak for the other moderators, I like to think that for the most part we try and keep out of the way and try not to interfere. Of course just because everyone doesn't see what we are up to, doesn't always mean that nothing is being done. For my part, if I think someone is behaving badly, I do send them a message asking them to cool it. A good pal of mine is a moderator on one of the other Scout Forums and that forum seems too, at least for my of thinking at times go a little over the top and if anything is "Over-moderated". I would hate to see that sort of thing happen here. Some topics (The 3 "G's - God, Girls and Gays.) Do at times get a little heated. Then there are times when a couple of Forum Members seem to want to take each other on. While there is entertainment value in this, sadly after a very short time it just gets old and doesn't show adult Scouter's in a very good light. There are times when I sit here at my keyboard and see something that upsets me. Someone posts what I think is nothing but twaddle. I've lost count of the times that I've written a smart reply, but have got to the "Submit Your Message" and hit the "Clear". Of course there have been times when I wasn't that smart and ended up looking like a real twit. While many of us have been posting and around this site for sometime and we feel that it's OK to let someone have it. In part because we get a feel that they can take it. We forget how it might look or seem to a young Scout or a Scout parent who might have just stumbled across this site by accident. If you choose to stick around for a while, I'll bet that over time you will get a feel of who you respect and who you might want to ignore. One of the best bits of advise I ever got was from a wonderful barmaid, a little Irish girl who when she seen I was getting upset or hot under the collar, would say:"The best thing is to take plenty of no notice." (Then I'd have a pint and the world looked a lot better.) Ea.

Can't help but think that if we try hard enough we can find reasons to ban just about any and everyone. Even the unkind people who want to go on about banning people. Surely they are guilty of not being kind? Ea.

I'm unsure what age group your working with? Everyday stuff that kids face are: Saying that you are going to do something or be somewhere, then at the last minute you get a better offer. I'm thinking about weekend camp outs where an older Scout who has others depending on him decides at the last minute that he is not going because his non-scout friends are doing something else. Bullying. The group thinks that it's funny to pick on someone who is in someway different. Do you join in? Or do the right thing? Saying no. Saying no to alcohol, drugs. Even though your friends are trying these things out. Right now at work, it seems that the gangs are having a recruiting drive! The younger more impressionable guys are having a hard time saying no. There are advantages that come with being a gang member, but there are also disadvantages. What do you do? One that came very close to home was with my son. He knows that I strongly disapprove of body piercing. Despite that he went behind my back and had his nipples pierced. For almost a year he hid the fact that he'd had it done. He thought and still thinks that this was and is something that's really truly great! I was hurt that he did this behind my back and hid the fact. My thinking being that if you really believe in something you ought to be able to stand up for it and face the music like a man. Ea.

"BSA created this policy in response to its members. When they review the policy, they poll the members. At least they claim to be polling they members." I suppose this might all come down to how you interpret the word "Members"? I know for a fact that no one has ever asked me and I have never spoken to anyone who has been polled or asked. So my guess is that the rank and file members do not have any input. The "Members" Asked are the reps of the CO's that sit on the National Council. From where I sit, I see that the BSA has spent a great deal of money defending itself and the policy it has in place. It seems to not give a monkey's uncle about what the trends might be, is nor worried about losing any income or funding from the corporate world and it very much OK with things the way they are. I seen yesterday that major league soccer is cutting ties with the BSA. I'm unsure what this means or if or how it might effect the soccer program that was supposed to invite Hispanic boys into the BSA? I also tend to think that while people who really care about this are making lots of noise, but there are more members, kids and their parents who don't care one way or the other at this time, but if pushed would come down on the side of the BSA. Thinking that the policy in some way protects their kids. Eamonn

I love the summer. No matter how hot it gets or how many storms it brings. I still love it. Summertime is the best time to be a boy. Along with the great benefit of there not being school, summertime is a great time to hang out with your pals, try new things and have boyhood adventures. The long days offer lots of time to do the things that boys enjoy doing and for having fun. In my book each and every Lad somewhere between the ages of 12 and 16 should have a summer that will be a time he will fondly remember for the rest of his life, spent with friends who may not always be around, but who's names will never be forgotten. As an organization and as Scout Leaders we can play a big part in making this happen. It's a shame that the term "Boys will be boys" Has become associated with boys being involved doing things that they shouldn't be doing. (Even if doing things that you ought not to be doing is a part of growing up!) Boys need to be boys and need time to do the things that boys like to do. Not every boy is the same and allowing him the time to do the things that he dreams of doing and not trying to over organize, over schedule or over anything else is very important. As adults we sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that to provide that special summer we have to travel far away from where we live or do some complex and exciting activity. While there is nothing wrong with doing this stuff. I have talked with adults who were once Scouts in the Troop that I was Scout Leader of and these guys talk about hiking through forests early in the morning, sitting on a big rock or watching the fading embers of a camp fire. - Not a mention of the places that I worked my tail off trying to get them there. Sometimes it's hard being an adult in a organization that's all about boys. It's hard to remember what it was like to be a boy and try and see the world as they do. But it's something we all need to try and do. Summertime is a great time to allow boys to catch their dream. Eamonn

Back home in England, my old GSL (Group Scout Leader) Charlie Reed, who had served as a Cub Master and District Secretary for a very long time (I'm not sure how long, but know he served during the years of WWII and was still serving in the 1980's!) Received the Silver Acorn and later the Silver Wolf. Charlie and myself crossed swords a lot when I became Scout Leader. I was full of myself and very much like a bull in a china shop. Charlie had lots of time in had been there and was always telling me "Slowly, slowly catchee monkey!" At the time I seen him as an old stick in the mud and of course thought I knew what was for the best. While we did learn to work together, we were never close. It wasn't till I found out that he had passed on that I took the time to look back on what I had learned from him and found that he wasn't really a stick in the mud, but really did have the kids and his beloved 17th Fulham (Pioneers) at heart. Eamonn.

To be honest, I really have no idea. I'm thinking that maybe I'm the only person on the planet who thought that change was near and might happen this year. The BSA is between a rock and a hard place. With so many members belonging to groups chartered by religious organizations who disapprove of homosexuality and these groups having strong representation on the National Council any sort of change that upsets these groups is a very big risk. Even allowing the local option, might not be acceptable to them. I don't know hardly anything about the teachings of the LDS Church, but have been led to believe that the LDS Church views homosexuality as a very big sin. As a Roman Catholic, I'm thinking any change on how the church views homosexuals is something that would need to come from Rome and the Pope. Lord knows that my church has had a lot of problems with child abuse and while I know that abuse is not about sex, my thinking is that the Church isn't going to want to expose it=self to anything that might rekindle the PR nightmare. So will distance itself from anything that might seem or have the appearance of placing youth at risk. Along with the Catholics and the Mormons, there are other organizations that are not in favor of change. Of course on the other side of the coin there are organizations that feel the BSA is wrong and have walked or will walk away. - I'm not sure how many members these other groups have? But my feeling is that they don't carry the weight that the other ones do. While I have been around a little bit and seen Scouts in action in a good number of other countries. I never took the time to look at or understand how things are set up. Of course, having been a Scout Leader in the UK, I do know how things were over there at that time (28 years ago!). While the Scout Association did have close ties with a lot of religious organizations, there never was the same ties or Chartered Partners, like we have here in the USA. Adult leaders received warrants from the Scout Association with the Association having the power to grant, revoke or not grant the warrant. - A lot like how I think the Girl Scout here in the USA are set up. Maybe one day the BSA will look at how things are done? And make changes. But my feeling is that the fear of losing so many members and harming the relationships that are in place, means that this is not going to happen any time soon, if ever. I don't have a crystal ball. I don't know what sort of pressure might force the BSA to want to change or be forced to change? I'm 56 years old and I don't think it will change in my life time and I'm planning on being around for a while! Eamonn.

News like this always saddens me. I will of course keep these young men in my prayers. I will also, every time I'm transporting Scouts remember the precious load I have with me and the huge responsibility I have. Ea.

Tampa Turtle Thank You.- I kinda lurking, but got stuck making and preparing a lot of Training stuff for work. I'm now almost an expert on Office 2010! (Note the word almost.) I do think when it comes to "Sticking ones nose in" A lot has to do with how it's done. All to often when someone sees something that they think is not right they climb on their high horse and let the other guy have it with both barrels. - Then wonder why the guy isn't over the moon to receive a helping bit of advice. Most times when I do opt to stick my fair sized hooter in I do so in almost an apologetic kinda way. Having said that I do remember at one District Camporee coming across a Patrol of very young Scouts out in the rain at about midnight. Their tent had leaked and all their gear was soaked. When I found their leaders they were nice and dry and fast asleep. I was not very happy and didn't mince words. Maybe I thought that just because I was the District Chairman I could get away with it. Later the next day I did apologize but I think that I made my point. I have had several run ins with guys who at times seem to forget that this is the BSA and not boot camp for the Marines and guys who think just because they are good at something and have the skills that the rules don't apply to them. Most of the time it falls on deaf ears. But I go on my way thinking that maybe I've done my bit and done what I'd expect of myself. Eamonn

Many years back a very good friend who happened to be a policeman and myself were driving to a Scouting event in Scout uniform. As we were riding along we came across two guys fighting. One guy was beating the heck out of the other with an iron bar. We stopped, my friend who is not small, in fact he is a very big fellow, broke up the fight and then went about attending to the guy who had been beaten, telling me to watch the other guy. I was 147 pounds and the guy I was watching was a good deal bigger, at least 220 pounds. While I did my best not to seem scared, the truth was I was shaking in my boots. I think that if my friend had not been with me I would not have stopped. I'm not sure if I would have gone out of my way to find a policeman or report it? Or if I'd have been OK hoping that someone else would do the right thing. This past week I received a phone call from a Corrections Officer at work, telling me to have a word with my inmates who he had seen doing something wrong in the corridor. He was a little upset when I told him that when he seen an inmate doing something wrong it was down to him to take action and do what was right. The truth was that I didn't have a lot of time for this guy. I didn't like the idea that he was making me a gift of a group of inmates and he seemed more than willing to pass the buck back to me rather than do his job. At Scout camp I have ran into Scouts from other Troops that I've had no connections with who were smoking. I have asked these Scouts to put the cigarettes out and reported what I seen and did to their SM. Again at Scout camp I've come across Scouts using axes near their camp site, in ways that I know if they were in any Troop I was associated with, I'd be most un-happy. But I do nothing. All the media coverage of the Sandusky case has got me thinking about complacency. Not just from the child abuse point of view, I kinda like to think that we all would do the right thing in a situation like this. But there have been times when I've seen and heard Scouts behaving badly or even dangerously, when because I felt I'd be sticking my nose in where it;s not needed I've not done the right thing and have been OK with doing nothing. The other side of the coin is when someone has come to me informing me that a member of a unit I'm with has or is doing something wrong. Rather than thanking him or her I tend to think that they are indeed sticking their nose in where it's not needed and I resent the intrusion. Your thoughts and opinions are welcome. Eamonn

Who said and where is it written that there will be peace at meal times? Surely summer camp offers a lot of times when there is time for peace, time for quite reflection? I tend to enjoy the noise in the dinning hall and think it makes the Scouts think that they belong to a group that is bigger than just their own unit. I agree that there is a time and place for just about every thing, but happen to think that the time for a lot of good natured noise is when everyone is all in one place. I'm sorry if it upsets you, but maybe your just going to have to accept it or look for ways to avoid it? Ea.