FScouter

BSA places a lot of importance on it, ref the Insignia Guide. It is (some) uniform wearers that don't place importance on it.

Ah yes, the ol' "rule" trick, wherein all rumors must be accepted as "fact" unless one can prove otherwise. How about the latest rule, direct from "national" that a Scoutmaster can fire committee members he doesn't like? Look it up. Though the "rule" is a bunch of hooey, the objective may be sound. Scoutmasters do best Scoutmastering, not MB counseling. Leave merit badges to those that are expert in their field. And might I suggest to blow off the district MB seminar giveaways, and summer camp freebies too. Frank

My experience has been if adults "don't care about advancement", neither will the boys. If the adult method is to withhold advancement recognition until the next court of honor (weeks or months down the road) no boy will complain about it. On the other hand, if recognition is immediate, with a little flair and ceremony at the next troop meeting, boys will relish that. Skip it, and they will say "why didn't I get my recognition?"

Ahem! The OP said "... one day short of the 4 months tenure required..." That doesn't sound like a mistake. The boy was short, and it is now being suggested that that the dates be "adjusted" to fool the computer (and others?) that the boy did indeed complete a full 4 months when in fact he did not. The ethical thing to do is as Eagle309 has done, explain the fact that the boy is one day short, and let the council advancement committee make a ruling. I'm failing to understand how intentionally reporting a different date for the purpose of fooling others that the boy has compeleted a full four months when in fact he has not, is "ethical". Refer to our Mission.

"They may need to re-enter dates of rank completion ..." Falsify the records? A good question for the board of review. "Son, there's a problem with the dates and we're thinking about 'adjusting' them. Do you think we should do that, or what should we do?"

He was eleven years old and went fishing every chance he got from the dock at his family's cabin on an island in the middle of a New Hampshire lake. On the day before the bass season opened, he and his father were fishing early in the evening, catching sunfish and perch with worms. Then he tied a small silver lure and practiced casting. The lure struck the water and caused colored ripples in the sunset, then silver ripples as the moon rose over the lake. When his pole doubled over, he knew something huge was on the other end. His father watched with admiration as the boy skillfully worked the fish alongside the dock. Finally, he very gingerly lifted the exhausted fish from the water. It was the largest one he had ever seen, but it was a bass. The boy and his father looked at the handsome fish, gills playing back and forth in the moonlight. The father lit a match and looked at his watch. It was 10 P.M. - two hours before the season opened. He looked at the fish, then at the boy. "You'll have to put it back, son," he said. "Dad!" cried the boy. "There will be other fish," said his father. "Not as big as this one," cried the boy. He looked around the lake. No other fishermen or boats were anywhere around in the moonlight. He looked again at his father. Even though no one had seen them, nor could anyone ever know what time he caught the fish, the boy could tell by the clarity of his father's voice that the decision was not negotiable. He slowly worked the hook out of the lip of the huge bass and lowered it into the black water. The creature swished its powerful body and disappeared. The boy suspected that he would never again see such a great fish. That was 34 years ago. Today, the boy is a successful architect in New York City. His father's cabin is still there on the island in the middle of the lake. He takes his own son and daughters fishing from the same dock. And he was right. He has never again caught such a magnificent fish as the one he landed that night long ago. But he does see that same fish - again and again - every time he comes up against a question of ethics. For, as his father taught him, ethics are simple matters of right and wrong. It is only the practice of ethics that is difficult. Do we do right when no one is looking? Do we refuse to cut corners to get the design in on time? Or refuse to trade stocks based on information that we know we aren't supposed to have? We would if we were taught to put the fish back when we were young. For we would have learned the truth. The decision to do right lives fresh and fragrant in our memory. It is a story we will proudly tell our friends and grandchildren. Not about how we had a chance to beat the system and took it, but about how we did the right thing and were forever strengthened. James P. Lenfestey

The world is full of examples where alternative choices may all be correct, or incorrect, or a little of both. We have an entire branch of government devoted to interpreting laws. There is no judicial arm of Scouting. Each member interprets for himself. We use Scouting to prepare boys to make choices. We ought to be able to make choices ourselves too.

Instead of contemplating ways to exclude boys from an activity, how about figuring ways to include ALL the boys? Train all boys to meet SSD guidelines, get another canoe, recruit another adult.

Some of you may have noticed that Ive been away from the forums for awhile. Well I guess a break from anything can be a good thing. But Im back now, at least in a limited way. It was September 11 when I got an unexpected ride to the ER. Severe abdominal pain and a drop in blood pressure to half of normal was enough for the paramedics to call for an ambulance. I was bleeding internally, quite a lot as it turned out. Exploratory abdominal surgery did not determine either the source or cause of bleeding. The condition is referred to as abdominal apoplexy, is very rare, and is usually fatal. In my case the bleeding stopped on its own so Im here to tell about it. Though the cause is unknown, I lay it to a high level of stress and turmoil in the weeks prior (including maybe a tiny bit from the forums!) Also unclear at this point is why God chose to give me another chance. Lots to think about as I continue to recover. In any case, I love Scouting and will contribute to the forums from time to time. Frank

Yeah, there's far too much paranoia. I don't fear any furor over being "caught" alone with a boy because simply being alone is harmless. The furor would be over molesting a boy, and then it matters not if it was alone or in the middle of a parade route.

Nobody knows what a boy is worth, A boy at his work or play, A boy who whistles about the place, Or laughs in an artless way. Nobody knows what a boy is worth, And the world must wait to see, For every man in an honored place, Is a boy that used to be. Nobody knows what a boy is worth, A boy with a face aglow, For hid in his heart there are secrets deep, Not even the wisest know. Nobody knows what a boy is worth, A boy with his bare, white feet; So have a smile and a kindly word For every boy you meet. - Margery Isabel

? Patriot's Day is right around April 15, no?

Wanted Man to Lead There isnt a boy but wants to grow Manly and true at heart And every lad would like to know The secret we impart He doesnt desire to slack or shirk Oh, havent you heard him plead? Hell follow a man at play or work, If only the man will lead. Where are the men to lend a hand; Echo it far and wide, Men who will rise in every land, Bridging the Great Divide, Nation and flag and tongue unite Joining each class and creed, Here are the boys who would do right But where are the men to lead? - unknown

The Troop Committee Guidebook has a number of ideas about selecting a Scoutmaster.

If you're new to Scouting, you hear tons of "rules". I used to say "I can't remember all this stuff, would you please highlight where that is in my book?" Strange, there were very few highlights.

Most of what you're complaining about sounds like those internet warning e-mails, a grain of truth (maybe), 99 44/100 percent hooey. No, you cannot beat the kids into submission. "Cannot touch"?

Move away from the alcove.

"Real" or not, it's an interesting topic.

Watch it. Wrong thinking will be quickly punished. Right thinking will be as quickly rewarded. The secret forum censor

"The Guide to Safe Scouting doesn't say anything about alcohol and unit events, and it is worded that way on purpose." The entire G2SS is aimed squarely at units. Read the title: "Guide to Safe Scouting A Unit Leader's Guide for Current Policies and Procedures for Safe Activities". There really is no need to argue what the intent of the G2SS is, or whether there is liability insurance, or whether its a "national" COH, or a family event, or a unit event. Call it a Scout-related event or whatever you want, it matters not. The underlying point is alcohol. I'm really dismayed at the comments in this topic that support the idea of booze at a court of honor. The Boy Scout Handbook is full of references to avoiding the use of alcohol. How can one recite the Scout Oath or understand our Mission to prepare boys to make ethical choices if we're so easy to incorporate booze into a Scout-related event. I'm really dumbfounded.

Sounds like a great place. Around here, Cub leaders can learn about new places from reviewing the council list of approved camping locations. If it's not already on your council list, you could volunteer to do the inspection and get it added to the list.

Its a small thing, but still worth noting that Boy Scouts run in a patrol, Cub Scouts run in a den. A Webelos den may call themselves the Badger Den wear a Boy Scout badger patrol emblem but theyre still a den, fka Den 4.

I do like to glance over a candidate's blue cards: dates earned, who signed (SM, dad, or the same guy over and over), summer camp stamp, etc. It gives a little bit of a picture of the boy's history and a possible lead into discussion. If he doesn't have them it's no big deal.

"I think the idea is, once you have called your political opponent a "Nazi" or have said he is like "Hitler", where do you go from there? The discussion is really over." Yes I think that just about sums it, at least as far as carrying on any further intelligent discussion with that individual. If the rest of the participants would ignore that perverse brand of hyperbole, the discussion could continue.

A Scout is thrifty. He works to pay his way and to help others. Paying your way with money you have earned gives you independence and pride. When you save your own money to buy a Scout uniform or something else you need, you learn the real value of those items. You will also be sure to take good care of them. On Scout campouts, you will learn to live comfortably with little more than the clothes you are wearing and the gear in your pack. Likewise, you can live other parts of your life simply and well, taking care of what you have and being generous to others. -Boy Scout Handbook The purpose of fundraising is a LOT more than getting money to buy things. HOW you get the money is more important that getting it.