evmori

sst3rd, That's just what we did. My son created a logo for our Troop & we had it put on t-shirts. He is excellent with designing logos & I might be able to talk him into designing one for you. Let me know. You can check out the logo at http://www.bsa.net/pa/t1. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Going to start their own Troop? How many Webelos are there in this group? I think I would take them on a camping trip but they would have to have at least a 5:2 ratio of leaders. In fact, I might require all the dads to be there since they are trying to start a new Troop. This is an interesting situation. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

sctmom, I don't know if I would say anything to the coach. I probably wouldn't unless I had hard evidence the boy was in the wrong age group. If I did, I would turn it over to the league not the coach. I would tell my Scouts that what this boy & his parents are doing is wrong and what it is teaching the boy is wrong. I would stress "A Scout is trustworthy". I would explain that sometimes doing the right thing isn't fun and isn't always easy. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

I really don't see the problem. I don't feel it is the Troops responsibility to set up the Eagle Court of Honor. It is up to the Eagle. After all, he earned the award, not the Troop. I would deliver his Eagle package to him & explain that I would be willing to help arrange the ceremony, but it is his responsibility to secure the place & all the other necessities. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

sst3rd, For Troop meetings, I require they Scouts wear their Troop 1 shirts (shirts we had made). For Courts of Honor, Eagle Courts of Honor, Scouts Sunday, Scoutmaster Conferences, Boards of Review, etc., I require a full uniform. My Troop doesn't require Scout pants for full uniform but the pants must be other than blue jeans. I would say 95% of my Troop shows up to Troop meetings & special events properly dressed. I always wear my full uniform (pants included) to all Scout functions. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

I have to agree with andrews. Being active in the Troop is as important as completing merit badges. If the Life Scout shows up when he wants to, then I would question the reason he wants to be an Eagle. Sure it looks good on a college application, but if that is the primary reason the Scout wants his Eagle then he wants it for the wrong reason. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

We don't do this as a pre-meeting activity, but at least twice a month, we hold Knot of the Night. Each Scout is required to tie at least two knots they need to know for rank. This has worked well and the Scouts have retained what they have learned. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

OGE, I agree with you completely about merit badges. But, when it comes to rank advancement, I feel it is up to the Scoutmaster during the SM Conference to determine if the Scout is ready for his BOR. I will hold a SMC for any Scout who feels he is ready. The 1st thing I do (after they recite the Pledge, Oath & Law) is hand them a piece of rope & have them tie the knots they are required to know for rank. If they can't the SMC is finished. The Scout is advised to learn the required knots & come back when he is ready. I also tell the Scout I will work with him on his knot & any other requirement he needs help with. All my Scouts know this requirement BEFORE they ask for their SMC. The person who "stood in" for the SM should not have let the Scout get past him. Just because a merit badge has been earned doesn't mean the necessary skills have been. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

The 1st one sounds like a nice Troop service project, not an Eagle project. The other two could be Eagle projects. I would need more details to make that determination. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

I just had a discussion with my Troop about their dress for Scout Sunday. We are not holding our Scout Sunday until 2/24/2002 due to conflicts. In my Troop, I require the adult leadership to be in full uniform (shirt, pants, neckerchief, slide) for formal events like Scout Sunday. I require my Scouts to be in their Scout shirt (with patches correctly sewn on), nice pants (no blue jeans, sweat pants, tearaway pants, athletic pants), nice shoes(no athletic shoes, no sandels)and socks are a must. This isn't a problem & I will not let a Scout participate if he isn't dressed properly. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

OGE, Not your fault! Your intentions were good. A couple of ...... decided to taint the intent. Don't let the exceptions become the norm. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

I didn't know we could vote for what is moral & what isn't! If we could, think of the ramifications. Beastiality might be considered moral. I don't think morality is the issue. I think the issue is how many institutions can the homosexual agenda bash because they can't participate. Well guess what, being able to participate in everything isn't a right. Certain organizations have membership requirements. There is a club in my city called the University Club. The only membership criteria is you must have graduated from a university. If you are black & graduated from a university then you can be a member. If you are black & didn't graduate from a university, then you can't become a member. Simple as that. There is no difference between this requirement for membership and the BSA requirement for membership. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

"On my honor I will do my best' "To do my duty to God and my country" By capitalizing God, Scouting is refering to the Chrristian God. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

I would leave. A homosexual has no place in Scouting. And to a previous post, any Christian church should have an anti-gay stance if they are truely a Christian church. In that case, not only Scoutint loose the Mormons, they would loose the Christian churches as well. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

My feeling is when it stops being fun, it's time to run. I have been the Scoutmaster of my Troop since 1997. I was an ASM & CC prior to that & have 11 years in Boy Scouts & 3 years in Cubs. For me, it is still fun. I love teaching the Scouts & watching them grow up (most of them that is). The man who was SM prior (he is now an ASM) really got to be a grouch & it was time to step down. So in answer to the question, I don't think there should be a term for a SM. Once it stops being fun is when I will step down. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

If and I think this is a big IF, the BSA changes their policy to admit homosexuals & atheists, the BSA will not be long for this world. I for one would not stick around. I couldn't support a group that has beliefs that are completely against what I believe. It is good to see & hear that the majority involved in the BSA feel the way I do. If homosexuals & atheists want to be part of a scouting group, why don't they start theit own! Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Bob, Thanks for the info. I have always been one to let the Scouts progress at their own rate. There are skills involved with the ranks up to 1st Class that some Scouts need more work with than others. Sure, there are Scouts who are ready for 1st Class in one year and that's great. But those who aren't shouldn't be pressured to "hit the mark" if they can't. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

SCOUTER-Terry, Thanks for your comments & a great site. I know we tend to get a little out of hand at times. Sometimes we need to bite our tongues before we type. With some of the issues we are debating, it can be hard at times. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

I know I shouldn't be doing this but I have to ask? When did atheism become a religion?

While we can't add to BSA policy, I feel each unit has descretion as to what is "dressed properly". Some Troops don't require Scout pants but require the Scouts to be in pants other than blue jeans. Some Troops don't require neckerchiefs. Some Troops require a full scout uniform. To me, these are all different views of the same policy. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Merlin, You ignored my one post requesting you to explain your position, so I will try another one. You stated "That isn't what I've been talking about; I've been talking about government support of the BSA's religious discrimination." What religion does the BSA discriminate against? Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

I like the new requirements. Might be a little difficult to complete at summer camp, though. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Bob White, I agree with three of your four points. The one I don't agree with is First Class First year. While this is very doable, I don't think it is necessary to retain Scouts. I have had some boys who aren't ready to advance that fast. Most of the Scouts I have had that reach 1st Class by the time they are 12 tend to get bored with Scouting. Most aren't ready for a position of responsibility at that age. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

yarrow, I feel that if a Scout earns money as part of a Troop/Pack fundraiser and the Scout gets a portion of the funds earned credited to his Troop/Pack account, that money is to be used for Troop/Pack purposes like summer camp, dues, rechartering fees, camping trip fees, etc. This isn't a "savings account" for the Scout or his family to draw on when they need money. Also, if the Scout transfers to another unit, the funds in his Troop/Pack account should be transfered to the treasurer of his new Troop/Pack. The funds should not be given directly to the Scout or his family to give to the new treasuer. I agree that the Scout who is in the hole $50-$60 should be required to make ammends, unless there is a hardship in the family. If that is the case, this needs to be dealt with privately with the Scout & his family and on a case by case basis. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1 Hey, I'm a senior member! When do I get my AARP card!

"Much of the Bible is legend and myth as well. Recent article in National Geographic about Abraham was wonderful. Some of the religious leaders interviewed said they had no proof that man named Abraham as described in the Bible had lived, but it was a great story to believe in. " I have to take issue with this. As a Christian, I believe the Bible to be the Word of God. Therefore, the content of the Bible is the truth. Stating much of the Bible is legend & myth is a false statement. The proof comes from faith. And yes, it is a great story. A TRUE STORY! By stating the Bible is all smoke & mirrors denies belief in the one true God. I can't accept this. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1