fling1

Like Fuzzy, I'll offer an alternative solution you did not ask for... I made Pinewood Derby medals each year. 1st, 2nd, 3rd place medals for each den plus the "Open" class (adults, siblings, etc.) Here's how: I cut up the trunk of my Christmas tree when I took it down. Sliced it into ~1/2" thick medallions, sanded them, and urethaned them. Put in a little screw-eye and laced a piece of leather through it. I used a sharpie to write 1st PWD Tigers 2004 (front side) (back side) With 5-7 dens + open, that was as many as 24 medals, each one unique and obviously "pinewood" with the bark still on. Cost was primarily in the leather lacing. As for the little stands... this is a great idea too. We encouraged the dens to make these things as a den project - it is good for a requirement at just about every level.

It says to "Show improvement... after practicing for 30 days." (emphasis mine) It doesn't say "show improvement after 30 days." When my son did this requirement, we were a bit unsure if he had to: a) practice for 30 consecutive days, finally showing improvement 30 days later, or b) practice 30 (perhaps non-consecutive) days and show improvement after whatever period of time that worked out to be, or c) practice some number of times > 1 in a 30 day period and show improvement after 30 days. He kept a log and, after failing to practice on consecutive days, decided to run down path (b). After about 20 practice days, we were a month and a half into it and he decided to ask his advancement chair if he was doing the right thing. The Advancement Chair said, "In all my years I've never seen anyone keep a spreadsheet! You pass." I take that to mean that for this particular Advancement Chair, the answer was ©. I still believe the wording can be interpreted in any of the three ways above. ymmv. I feel sure that this requirement exists to demonstrate to the scout the value of regular exercise, a practice that will help him achieve the Aim of Fitness. For this reason, I don't believe that you can simply do the exercises twice, 30 days apart, and meet this requirement. About the pullups... He still can't do a pullup. He did modified pullups where he kept his heels on the ground but leaned back from the bar. (When I was in school we called these "girl pullups") He was able to improve quite a bit with these, but not enough to do a real pullup. (This message has been edited by fling1)(This message has been edited by fling1)(This message has been edited by fling1)

Thanks for the replies... they are in line with my interpretation. No dissenters? I have to ask: fling1 what? Pumpkin, of course. What else?

I've read through a bunch of forums and have only seen this question addressed directly one time. I'd like to ask it again explicitly and reassure myself that I understand the answer. The Age Appropriate Guidelines chart at http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/resources/18-260/chart.html appears as an "Appendix" to the G2SS.. at least that is how it is listed at the bottom of http://www.scouting.org/pubs/gss/toc.html ) The G2SS is a "guide" which spells out specific policy that may not be violated (under penalty of wet noodle lashing and withholding of insurance protection). Is the AAG chart similarly ironclad, as an appendix of the G2SS? I have definitely encountered people who believe this is the case. Or is it "not so much rules, as guidelines?" In other words, insurance protection cannot be withheld because Cub Scouts used a palm sander (power tool) or because Boy Scouts went caving. (Since G2SS has specific requirements for Boy Scouts to go caving, I think the answer is clear enough, but I'm asking anyway.) ("Welcome aboard the Black Pearl, Miss Turner!")

We have "BSA" plates in Ohio and "Eagle Scouts" too. Girls Scouts and Rotary Club and Future Farmers of America, and a bunch of others as well. You can see them at oplates.com Click into the "special plates" sections and browse around.