Eman

What's the word on the OA access? I've not been able to open it.

I was always under the impression that an Eagle project had to be something outside the BSA. Just read where a boy got his Eagle by starting a new Scout troop as his project. This was in the Knoxville News Sentinel.

The idea of a 12 year old in a Scout troop that can exhibit leadership over the troop, I'd like to think an Eagle Scout held the position of Senior Patrol leader, sounds unbelievable. Especially an established troop with boys up to 5 yrs. older than him. Also the idea of a boy completeing all of the Merit Badges sounds impossible if the badges are done properly. I'm not talking about just completing the requirements. I'm talking about the first step where the boy, on his own, shows interest in the badge and contacts the merit badge counselor. Which are the lessons he needs to learn to be able to complete an Eagle project. As far as an age requirement for Eagle rank it seems as though the time required for leadership positions to attain rank would have been enough. But now that we live in a fast society maybe an age requirement is necessary. What does a troop do for a 12 year old Eagle Scout that has been there and done that? How do the other boys in the Toop react to his rapid advancement? How do the older boys treat him? As far as an age when boys start to drift away I have seen it most often at 14-16. It happens when they are uncomfortable trying to be leaders or when the program is boring and not challenging. This is also when peer pressure at High School becomes strongest. I would say that this was the reason for the Venture program. I don't have any experience with Venturing and haven't yet seen a functioning Venturing Crew, but I have seen a lot of dark green shirts, so I don't know if that is the answer.

Is it your or your troops opinion that if you break a point of the Scout Law you are thrown out of Scouts?

As I said in my post I partially disagree about the price or complaints about the price of the uniform. I do want a uniform that is made in the U.S. I agree that someone is charging too much for the uniforms but you'll have to answer my question about where the money goes. As far as the costs for a boy in Scouts I feel this argument is unfounded. First a used Scout uniform is as good if not better than a new one for a boy. Especially if it is presented in the proper way as an experienced uniform that carried the previous wearer to accomplish great tasks. I am listed at many thrift stores and anytime a uniform comes in they call me. I then sell the uniform to a boy for what I paid for it. That's right I sell it not give it. But I give a money back guarantee with no time limit! Second, there aren't many organizations that provide the opportunities for learning economics like Boy Scouts. First economic lesson is if you want something, earn it. Our spring fundraiser every year is Scout Expo tickets which are coupons for area businesses. The prizes consist of items from the Scout catalog including uniforms. One of the prizes is also a week of camp that many of our boys earn.

Well maybe a change is coming. I just got a call from someone on the council board informing me the council exec is leaving.

I can see where our council spends a lot of their money. They just built a very impressive council office that looks a lot more impressive than the national headquaters sounds. My questioning in no way infers stealing. I just don't think that the paid organizations focus is on the boys.

I've read posts on here complaining about the costs of uniforms , which I partially agree with, but which there are ways around. And I've read posts on here about wearing the uniform in public. I was always taught that the uniform was used to make all the boys the same no matter what backround. Second it was used as a tool for neatness and pride. Then after all that it was used for public recognition. So why are we always trying to change the "uniform" to fit our particular needs?

Just what in the world does the paid part of Scouting do with all the money they beg? The only place I've seen them spend money is building a new council office, but I rarely see any boys there. Our camp needs work and every year the equpment is in worse shape. The latrines had no toilet seats until some troops bought them and installed them. The camp had a sailing program until the man that taught it (probably a volunteer) got hurt. Then they used different volunteers each week until they were told the equipment was not up to standard. So that was the end of the sailing program. I'm sure I'm not the only one with this point of view. It seems the paid people use the boys like "Jerry's Kids" to get the large businesses to donate money. Whenever I speak to a business person that donated they are surprised to find that the money doesn't go to the troops. What does the paid part of Scouting do to promote Scouting? It doesn't seem to me they are doing their part. I don't see any national or local advertising promoting Scouting. It's all we can do to get any help with a school roundup to recruit new boys. The only thing they are interested in are numbers not building quality programs. I'm done with my rant, but am interested in other peoples opinion. Is this something that goes on nationwide or is my council the only one? And when you respond tell me about the condition and the programs at your camp.

Is this a Scoutmaster competiton or a Troop competition?

We're having a similar problem with lack of participation in our troop also. When the troop was run so that the Scoutmaster and his assistants planned all the trips and did all the work attendance was very high. In the last 2yrs. our troop has tried to become more of a patrol based boy run troop. I would say that the scouts we have now are better scouts than the older ones. But there is a lot of apathy when it comes to meetings and outings. One 14yr. old raised his hand and said he wanted the adults to plan all the trips because it was more fun. One of the biggest things I see is with Scouts you're competing against so many other activities. With most of these other activities the boys don't have to "do" anything just go along for the fun.

I have a printout from a site called pinewoodderbytrack.com . I think there are plans in the How-To book for Cubs. I was a Cubmaster for my boys cub career and ran quite a few Pinewood Derbies. This is probably the most memorable event for Cub Scouts. Grown men will carry on for hours about their old cars. Try and make the event special and create great memories. You can get a lot of auto related decorations and door prizes donated by approaching parts stores , dealers and race teams.

Here's another soap idea. Make a washing station with a gallon plastic jug (I use a auto washer fluid jug or a bleach jug). Punch a hole in the side at the bottom and stick a nail in it. Tie a string to the nail and the other end to the jug handle. Then tie your stocking with the soap in it to the jug handle. With the jug full of water when you pull the nail out and loosen the cap you will get a small stream of water to wash your hands. Just hang it from a tree or a pioneering tripod and you have a wash station.

Isn't it amazing that after all these years this organization has this much of an undefined gray area.

The candidates Woodbadge Scoutmaster should handle the ceremony. All you have to do is have the candidates contact their Woodbadge Scoutmaster and he will handle the ceremony. Where the candidates receive their beads is their choice as is who is present.

When a boy turns 18 he is no longer a youth member of scouts, correct? But I have been told that OA considers them a youth member until 21.

At every campout we have a campfire ceremony. During the day we get any new scouts or visitors that will be at the fire to find a stick. After our opening of the fire which consists of adding the ashes from our previous fires the visitors and new members are asked to come foward and add their stick to our fire sot the ashes of their stick will always be part of our future fires. We also have a triangle of cedar logs which are bolted together and large. The lower log has 3 candles for the Scout Oath and the 2 upper logs have 6 candles each for the 12 points of the Scout Law. As each candle is lit the section of the Oath/Law is read. When it's completely lit it's impressive.

I'm a new member here, but not a new Scouter. I have seen many of the ceremonies change so the many can please the few. As the ceremonies and other traditions of Scouting change I see the mystique and enthusiasm die off.