ehcalum

One of the things I've noticed in many Troops, both the one I was in as a youth, the one I was a commitee member in during college and the one I work with now, is how much the parents influence the scout. from observing there seem to be 4 different types of Scout/Parent relationships: Parent active in troop and excessivly pushing the scout to advance and not giving the scout time to have fun or really learn, Parents active in the troop yet let the boy do his own thing at his own pace, but guide the boy, parents not active in the troop who let the boy do his own thing and guide him, and finally parents not active in the troop who overly push the kid to earn ranks ect. I've also noticed the driving and pushing is more common with Eagle Legacy families than those of which the boy is the sole Eagle (such as myself). We need to remember that this is a Boys Program and we should be in it for the youth. We are their mentors and perhaps role models. A boy should be allowed to advance at his own pace and if he doesn't want to make Eagle or if he rushes through the ranks then so be it. Just remember, its HIS program and those who are excessivly pushed and driven by their parents are less likely to be true Eagles, and scouts in general, than thouse who guide and work the program themselves.

Didn't know if this should be posted here or under Program. What are your alls opinions if the BSA were to become co-ed on all levels, not just Venturing and Exploring. This doesn't have to be a direct all units must be co-ed, but can be more of a Units Choice. I ask because it seems the total youth aviable and FOS numbers are down, and thus making Scouting co-ed would be a wise move. I would like to see at least the Boy Scout program go co-ed to increase diversity, community, and teamwork. Let me know what you all think. Thanks

G'day all. Being an Eagle myself and having earned the award when 17, i'll put in my 2 cents. I personally cant stand to see Eagles at 12 yrs old. This is saying a couple of things: 1. The troop rubber stamps eagles (more on this later), 2. the kid is highly motivated or 3. they really do the min amount of time required. You can recieve an award, but you may not know what comes with the award: As an Eagle I promised to give back to Scouting, and I do so as an ASM, and former Crew Assoc Advisor. I don not think that 12 and 13 yr olds dont have the maturity and they dont see the imapact they have on scouting and in the community. We recieve lots of boys in our troop who transfer from a "rubber stamp" troop. This Unit flies through the requirements. We has a Scout who was going up for his Life SMC and didn't even know basic scoutcraft! Myself and one of our Committe members have taken it upon ourself to reteach him the stuff he should already know. Now if a kid is really driven and mature (yes some 12 yr olds are more mature than a 17 yr old) the by all means have him be award Eagle, BUT charge him to stay active in the troop, shoot for palms and guide younger boys (rank wise). I HATE it when kids make Eagle and then quit.

Bobwhite: I am sigining up to be the counsler and offer the merit badge as one of my goals. Anothe rone I am doing is to recruit a local boy who is also hearing impared into the troop and guide his advancement to Tenderfoot and/or 2nd Class. Yes i'm asking "what if no one signs up?" will I need to set a new goal or what? Thanks!

Greetings all! Beginning the 2nd weekend the weekend before Memorial Day. I have started to draft of goals, and one of them is to offer Disabilities Awareness merit badge to scouts in the district. I am, for what I have been told, am the sole D.A. Counsler in the district, perhaps council. I am offering D.A. as I am hearing impared myself, and my brother is hearing impared, and lack one eye from cancer. My vision is to become a more effective trainer. Anyways, before we all get tearyed eye and such is: What do I do if scouts do not sign up for D.A.? I have some backup goals just in case. Thanks! Cheetah? What Cheetah?

Hey all, Does anyone know of a source that lists all editions of the Boy Scout Handbook/Handbook for Boys? I am collecting handbooks and would like to find a list that I can work off of. Thanks!

The case was ruled by the court against the Repent America group. They appealed and will go to trial again on the 17th of Feb. Personally, I cant stand hard core people of any type, being right, left, homosexual, or evangelical. The Gay Pride group had the right to their gathering, and due to the tecniques of Repent America, their peaceful gathering was disturbed. This guy has been arrested may times before, so perhaps he's out for shock value and such. Free speach is a good thing, as long as its used properly. Protesting a peaceful gathering, using words that may not directly say hate, but incite hate and are announced in a hateful manner is considered a hate-crime. Many states do have homosexuals protected under hate crime laws. If the Repent America people had reworded their words and changed their actions, this probably would not have happened. It just seems to me that if we all respect others decisions and rights, we would all get along togeather more. If christians really want to convert people to christanity, or if a person of any religion for that matter wants to convert and/or being in new followers, the I'm Right Your Wrong so go to hell, approach isn't the right way to go. You'll make more enemies than friends that way.

I'm with you all on this. The bowline is one of the 1st knots a scout should learn. not to mention one of the most usefull. Now I can only tie a onehanded bowline about 3 out of 10 times, but a scout, by the time he is 1st class shoud very well be able to tie the thing blindfolded. You all are right with the just getting the book signed off. While we're at it, I think the most recent edition of the Handbook stinks! Its not nearly as detailed and organized as the old book was when I was a youth. This may be a personal problem but the book and everyone in my council stresses a boy going from tenderfoot to 1st class in a year. If the scout does the minimum time reguirements and joins at eleven, he's looking to make Eagle when hes 13/14 years old. It took me almost 8 years to make Eagle. Anyone see my concern with this. So Troops should hold scoutcraft related games and competitions at troop meetings to foster learning. In the end, you'll always have that paper, but with out the knowledge to back it up, its worthless.

Here we highly encourage all registerd adult leaders to wear full uniform. Most of us are MDC's as well. Our Committee Chair and about 1/4 of our committee are in uniform. One doesn't have to be trained to wear the uniform, you just can't wear the "trained" patch under your badge of office. Many of our adults just wear the uniform witout an ASM, Committee, or SM patch as they are registered for the sole purpose of trasportating scouts and provideing additional adults when needed (we are a huge troop.) But hey thats how er do it.

If I wanted to take over a small country or end a war, I would drop lawyers over the capital. If that didn't work, then I would provide the lawyers with parachutes. And as a final drastic measure: Spam bombs.

Are you a fan od Dave Barry? He has a very funny Bill of Rights in his book: Dave Barry Slept Here: A Sort of History of the United States of America. Remember in 1812 Francis Scott Key wrote down the words that strike pride and honor in every american... Take me out to the ball game......

Hey all, I have skimmed over this thread a bit to get a general idea of whats going on (please excuse me if i'm repeating anything). 1st allow me to point out that I am "disabled" and thus protected under ADA. I am legally deaf and wear binural hearing aids. I am ASM for your status quo scout troop which is highly active in the outdoors. I am also a Trainer for all Red Cross certs and a guide for a local outdoor group. From what I've read, the youth has not improved in his settings. Dr's are great but if one is a family member it is easy to get personally involved in the case. I would say that the youth should not be allowed to attend the Philmont trek, this time around. He seem to hold not only potential harm to himself, but to those in his crew/troop as well. From a safety standpoint alone he should not be allowed to attend. However, if he improves over time, say a year of light hikes and backpacking trips that grow harder throughout the year AND attends with a leader who is skilled with youth that have his type of situation, then he should be allowed to attend a trek. ADA is great, but many people abuse it for personal worth. I have only had to claim ADA once when in college when I was discriminated and put down by a professor due to my hearing. if a youth with a disability wants to go on a trip it should be up to the parents and leaders to guage this persons situation. Parents should be mindful of their sons situation. Also remember the BSA offers alternate requirements for the ranks and many merit badges. The troop I work with thinks hughly of me and respects me for who I am. They also know that if I don't feel safe or If I think that I could cause harm to the troop during an outing, then they know that I wouldn't attend. Sorry for so many "I's" Hope this gives you a perspective to see whats its like on the disabled side of the line.

My council will not be holding Wood Badge till April 06 due to the Jamboree. Two neighborhood councils are holding the course April and May of this year. What do you all think of attending or trying to attend a neighborhooding coucils course instead of yuor own home council? Thanks!

I have taken Fast Start, BLT, YPT, and Outdoor Leadership Skills from a council i was in when i became a leader, I have joined a new council as an ASM. Do my trainings transfer over as well or should I retake training? Thanks!

Any general roar should work, as well as sayings: Be nice to dragons, as you are crunchy and go well with ketchup. Be nice to dragons, as they know where all the good bones are. Ehcalum.

1st. Thanks for all of your input. Trev. I thought #3 as inappropriate because I was in a Troop the had several members on the Committee who did not like me, and let it be known. I could have transferred out, but I was always told to never quit at something, so I stayed with the Troop. Anyways, these members wanted to try to peg me as being bi or gay, neither of which I am. I always answered the question with: It means not to steal, to respect others beliefs, to be tolerant, and to follow your heart. Call it a personal matter they had, but i just think their reason for asking was not appropriate for a BOR.

from the Merriam-Websters Dictionary: Main Entry: religious Pronunciation: ri-'li-j&s Function: adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Old French religieus, from Latin religiosus, from religio 1 : relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity 2 : of, relating to, or devoted to religious beliefs or observances 3 a : scrupulously and conscientiously faithful b : FERVENT, ZEALOUS - religiously adverb - religiousness noun So according to that defination, does that make athesim a religion?

An Eagle Scout myself, congrats mhagar. I think the police on Religious discrimination is not a good policy. Yes the BSA is a private club and can such make its own laws, membership requirements, ect. However, I believe the BSA teaches a youth and adult leaders to be model citizens: helpful to all, nonjudgemental, law abiding ect. Thus, by enforcing a policy of discrimination they are going against the very ideals that they are trying to teach boys. As was mentioned eariler the Bible says judge not least ye be judged yourselves, why discriminate? I have a disability, I'm legally deaf with a hearing loss of 68%, yet I do not say i am handicapped. I have been discriminated many times and understand what mhager is going through. If you look at the Scouts today you will notice the formation of Disabled Specific Units as well as a still generally segergated organization. I'm not trying to start a flame war pr anything here, just making observations. I just think that before people start blaming others for problems and wrong doing, look at yourselvs and see what you can cange about yourself. Then maybe one day we all woun't have to worry about discrimination, bigorty, ect because people have changed and becoming accepting and tollerant of others unlike themselves.

I am helping some boys prep for their Life and Eagle BOR's. I am giving them sample questions similar to what I was asked at my Eagle BOR. There are 3 questions that I did not think were really appropriate to the Spirit of Scouting that I was asked at my Eagle BOR. 1. If we were to not award you Eagle, what would you think of the past 7 yrs you have spend in scouts? 2. What do you think of/how do you interperate(tion)of the Bible. 3. This was asked at every BOr of mine since 1st Class. What does Morally Straight mean and how do you stay morally straight? Please give me some insight on what you all think of these questions.