gwd-scouter

There is no BSA requirement for insurance or any other reason that a scout must wear his uniform while traveling. You're right to be confused. Just think for a moment. If such an insurance requirement existed, why would it only be for Boy Scouts and not Cub Scouts? Sad to say, but you've been the recipient of one of Scouting's most often told myths.

Lisa, I think you got up a bit early this morning, too. Interesting idea though.

Unfortunately, I am an early riser and without much else to do at 5 am I like to get a few chuckles by reading the forum. Yeah, I'll stir the pot too a little bit at that early hour. My better nature doesn't start to kick in until much later in the day. I don't begrudge the lady her chance to make a buck. Her launch into stardom from obscurity is a compelling story. Maybe her book will be filled with that good 'ol folksy Joe six pack common sense that endeared her to so many. I, too, believe Hillary will make a good Secretary of State. What I meant by her not going away was all the news about her after she lost to Obama. She ran a great campaign? Really? She's still in massive debit to vendors. Obama owes his victory in the general election to Hillary? Really? She won it for him? Indeed, no loser in our history has ever campaigned as hard for a rival as she, but to say she is somehow owed something for that is ridiculous.

I hear on the news that Sarah Palin may get a book deal. I don't remember the loser in an election ever getting this much attention, - except for Hillary Clinton, she won't go away either. I wonder who Palin's ghost writer will be? Undoubtedly the book will sell millions and the Palins will reap the rewards. The conservative-leaning news shows will promote the book - the same news shows that slammed NBC for its video on Obama. I wonder if Palin will still shop at her favorite consignment shop?

Packsaddle, you do live in an interesting community. I was going to guess the lady with the pot on her head had a Ron Paul sign in her yard. I have no idea why she would wear plastic bags on her legs except for CalicoPenn's guess about fire ants and chiggers. I think every Southern town has a few crazies everyone talks about, but no one really knows - just part of the fabric of our lives. "In a stunning development it should come out any day that Obama killed JFK, he eats babies for breakfast, and plans on outlawing Christianity with a massive Bible burning on the front lawn of the White House." Sean Hannity is breaking the story tonight...

Oh for God's sake people - couldn't you wait until the man actually IS President before you get your bumper stickers?

If your 'affiliated' troop will not provide a Den Chief, it is their loss if boys in your pack decide to crossover to another troop that. A lot of folks out there think that somehow when a CO has both a troop and pack, they are joined together. The troop gets angry if another troop tries to poach scouts from 'their' pack. Hogwash. If the Den Chief is doing a good job with the Bears and he wants to continue, keep him through their Webelos years. Then, if all or some of those boys decide to join his troop, it will be great for them to already have a friend there. Maybe he could be their Troop Guide at that point. As a Scoutmaster, if a den needs a Chief and I have a scout who is willing, off he goes. Hopefully at some point the boys in the den will join our troop. If not, no hard feelings. We lose so many scouts in the transition from Cubs and Den Chiefs are a fantastic way to get boys excited about joining a Troop, wherever they choose to go.

Hmmm...could start with renegotiating the auto worker's contracts and set their pay and benefits more in line with others in the manufacturing industries, sell the corporate jets and make the execs fly commercial, seriously question the worth of men making millions a year in salary who let their companies lose billions, force them to raise gas efficiency standards, remove the light truck status of SUVs so that they fall under the same rules of gas efficiency as passenger cars. Most people I know that drive SUVs are parents driving their kids to school and running errands - a passenger vehicle. In full disclosure, I have a 1996 Explorer bought because of its utility on scout outings, but I also drive it to take my son to school and myself to work. It's old, it's paid for, and it's gone when scouting for me is over. I don't know the auto makers' corporate structure, but I'm sure the big three each have twice as many VPs as necessary so time to trim the fat. I watched a bit of the congressional hearings of the big three and the CEOs were silent when asked if they'd be willing to sell the corporate jets. Oh well. Really audacious to come to DC begging for money after stepping out of a multi-million dollar aircraft. Lastly, I would expect the taxpayer-supplied loan to be paid back in full before any bonuses and other perks are dolled out.

resqman - last May our guys built a cargo net type thing just as you describe. They all piled on and then each Scout took a turn untying a knot. Boys would lose their balance and fall off as the ropes got fewer and fewer. The last guy on won. They call it the shipwreck game.

"I also wish they'd focus more on cooking over fire than with camp stoves." Certainly a useful skill, but because of the severe drought in many parts of the Southeast we have fire bans almost year-round and are limited in cooking over an open fire. The adults were talking about this very topic the other day. Knots seemed to be highest on the list of things Scouts learn and almost never use. That is, like many of the other skills they need to learn for advancement, the Scouts will never use them if not given the opportunity to do so. To me what is important is the mastery of the skill, not whether knowing that skill will ever be useful later in life. The skills are building blocks. Scout learns to tie a knot. Perhaps he struggles with it. Finally gets it on the first try. Big smile appears. That Scout then teaches a younger Scout to tie the knot. Younger Scout struggles with it but finally gets it. Big smile on both - younger Scout for the accomplishment, older Scout for the feeling of pride in helping another. I see that happen over and over again in our Troop. Last month we had a new Scout camping for the first time. He shared a tent with another relatively new Scout - a Scout that always seems to disappear when work is to be done. I watched as the Tenderfoot Scout helped new Scout learn a few things. Walked up when they were rolling their tent to put away. Older Scout was beaming as he told me he was teaching new Scout how to do it. Dated requirements? Depends on how you look at it. One way to view the requirements is that they are a skill set to build a super "technical" Scout. The other is using them to build a super young man.

A lot of people post that all one has to do is read the insignia guide. Yes, the guide is very helpful. Proper uniforming and patch placement is also nice. It is certainly something we strive for in our Boy Scout Troop. I'm thinking back to my years as a Den Leader. The only thing I knew about patch placement was the inside cover of the handbooks that showed where the council strip and unit number were to be sewn. No one, not during training, not other leaders, not the Cubmaster, not at roundtable, ever mentioned a uniform guide. All manner of temporary patch placement arrived every Monday (that is, of course, if the cub was actually wearing a uniform shirt). Medals from several years' worth of pinewood derbies were displayed. Multiple temporary patches hanging from both the right and left pockets. It was not until I took Cubmaster training that I learned about the insignia guide. At the Cub Scout level I admit that I really didn't care about proper patch placement. The parents got the council strip, unit number and den number on correctly thanks to the helpful inside handbook covers. Good enough for me. The boys were proud of their achievements and wanted to show them off and I wasn't going to step in and stop them. Now back to the original question - other posters are correct - the Whittlin' Chip patch is not worn on the pocket flap, but worn either as a temporary patch on the right pocket or sewn on a patch blanket or vest.

I don't think Bill Maher, Michael Moore, or Chris Rock represent the views of the majority of American any more than I believe Rush Limbaugh, Anne Coulter, or Sean Hannity do. Your views may vary, of course. Oops, edited for spelling.(This message has been edited by gwd-scouter)

Boys all have different motivations and reasons for being in Scouts. We had a boy who was first class at the time he turned 18 and aged out as a youth in the Troop. Heck of a nice guy and really great with the younger Scouts. He just wasn't particularly interested in advancement. When my older son was a youth in Scouts, he plowed through the advancements reaching Eagle at 14 1/2. Younger son has been sitting at Life for a couple of years now, but has begun planning his Eagle project. Not because of any newly found personal motivation in advancement, but because he has applied to attend a residential High School in our state and if accepted will move away next year, making it difficult for him to complete the requirements for Eagle. An external pressure causing him to rethink advancement. Our guys in the Troop are getting very good at planning advancement opportunities in their calendar for meetings and outings. Some guys eagerly present their handbooks for sign-off. Others seem to care less. I do take the time to talk to those guys that have stalled to find out what's going on. In many cases the Scout has no idea that he has completed a requirement - you know, probably hasn't even cracked the spine on his handbook. That is a topic for another thread.

"Unlike the bitterness and vitriol that accompanied Gore's loss to Bush?" My memory is not what it used to be, but I do remember the anger by many Democrats who felt the election was stolen by the Republicans. I do NOT remember President Bush being treated to the kind of personal attacks that continue, or have gotten worse, against Obama. Using the Muslim thing as an example: just how many more years will Obama have to sit in a Christian Church before the fear-mongering religious bigots believe he is not a Muslim? What an amazing hoax the man has perpetrated on the American people. OK, a good many of the folks would argue that his former Church is not a REAL Christian Church and his former pastor is an American hating racist. Whatever. It's still a Christian Church. He's a smart guy, but I think it's giving him more credit than he's due to think that he has hidden his Muslim faith all these years. He even went so far as to be married in a Christian Church and have his two girls baptized in the same. Now that is some serious long-term dedication to hiding the truth. Sheesh.

King.fish. Let me applaud you for your individual stand against the ever encroaching liberalism in America. While you are boycotting those companies in the blue states, better make sure you check out other things that may permit the dreaded left into your life: Before you put anything in your grocery cart, check out its provenance, especially those sneaky fruits and vegetables which are very likely to have been grown in California or. Oh wait, only liberal elitists eat fruits and vegetables, real Americans eat meat and potatoes. In that case, just make sure where your taters come from and where the cattle graze (probably pretty safe there). Keep up the good fight.

Based on your post scoutmomrn I can't offer any advice since I don't know personally the level of the boys bent toward violence. I can offer my own experience with my younger son: He has always been destructive. Not in a vandalism sense, but since he could wrap his fingers around an object he has taken things apart, smashed them to pieces, or otherwise destroyed things. Most times in an effort to see the insides of a small appliance or electronic device. That was interesting curiosity. The thing that drove me mad was after he had carefully taken something apart he then felt the need to smash it to pulp with a hammer or some other heavy object. Violent depictions in pictures? Absolutely. In Cub Scouts, his den cut out and decorated wooden turtles for a turtle race. The other boys painted their turtles with varying degrees of skills and themes. My son painted his as if it had been run over by a car. Much blood and gore. For several years in middle school he drew a comic book series featuring the grim reaper. Now in high school, his favorite drawing subject is World War III or some other type of violent endeavor - usually involving the end of the world. He's 15 now and still takes things apart. Fire and explosions have crept into his repertoire. He helped with space exploration merit badge at summer camp and was the 'rocket guy'. He found an outlet for controlled explosions and loved it. He even used his talents to build a shoulder mounted rocket launcher. On the flip side, his creativity and imagination also show in music and art. The boy's creativity and curiosity are boundless. Husband and I have tried to help him channel that curiosity without stifling it. Who knows who he will become as an adult? A chemist? A demolition expert? An engineer? Of course, I know there are some that will read this post and think the boy could become an arsonist, a terrorist, the Unibomber. Right now he says he wants to study music education in college. He differs from the boy you describe in that he doesn't have violent outbursts and has never vocalized or demonstrated a desire to destroy someone else's property. Perhaps the boy you mention just needs an outlet.

This one happens to me all the time: One of nature's creatures invades your office space. Your coworkers call on you to come get it. Not only do you catch and release the invader, but take the time to explain to everyone what it is. Of course, if you can't immediately identify the species, you go on the internet to find out and then tell everyone what it was.

We were working on a service project yesterday. We have a new Scout who joined a month ago. He has Asperger syndrome. A very nice lad who has taken quite a liking to me. As we were getting ready to leave he said to me, "this is kind of an insult, but you're sorta old. Will you still be my Scoutmaster when I earn Eagle? I hope so." I just loved that.

I think we need to be careful about making generalizations about Scouters wearing row upon row of knots, or not wearing any. We have a couple of Scouters in our District that have numerous rows of knots. Both, I consider, to be wonderful examples of adults leaders. Both are gentleman I enjoy talking to and seek advice in ways to improve our Troop's program. I also know leaders who have earned, but do not wear, knots. Again, long time Scouters doing a great job. On the other hand, I know Scouters with shirts full of knots who in my mind are poor examples of leaders. Others probably have earned knots, but don't know about the program for adults, or they simply choose not to wear them. For me, I have seven knots with one more on the way. I just bought a new uniform shirt and haven't sewn the knots on yet. I have to say, I rather like the very clean look of my new shirt and may sew on only a few knots with special importance to me. Perhaps since I'm now working at the Boy Scout level, I may decide to leave the Cub Scout leader knots off the shirt.

Yes, of course, Packsaddle. Once again something I wrote that can be open to interpretation. [wish I knew how to add those winking smiley faces]

"I wonder where the GOP is holding their anti-Obama protest(s)?" Spend some time in the mornings listening to some of the folks that call in to Washington Journal on C-SPAN. You'll get a good dose of anti-Obama rhetoric. Granted, there was also a good number of anti-McCain callers during the campaign. But, some of the criticisms of Obama I've heard since he was elected are, frankly, incredible. As for the gay marriage thing. I imagine it will one day be accepted everywhere - much like at one time it was illegal for interracial marriage but is pretty commonplace now. Oh yeah, our President-elect is a result of an interracial marriage. How times change. I really don't get the argument that somehow allowing gay couples to marry will destroy the meaning or foundation of marriage. As I see it given the divorce rate in this country, heterosexual couples haven't done a very good job of upholding the sanctity of marriage.

Lisa, from reading your posts over the years I cannot imagine you dropping out of Scouting altogether. To me it seems you just have too much passion for the program to give it up. Plus, all your great insights and thoughtful comments show your experience would benefit Scouting in whatever position you chose to serve. Serving on the Troop Committee no longer brings you pleasure, so move on to something else or just concentrate on the District membership. You do not need to be on the Troop Committee to support your son and the Troop. Your son certainly doesn't need you there. You say you don't want to be one of those parents that doesn't play a role in supporting the troop, but you've helped for four years. I think you could safely say you've done your time and could help out somewhere else without regrets. I was in a similar situation a number of years ago when older son was in his fourth year in the Troop. I had been helping as Advancement Chair for three years, but became disenchanted with the way the Troop was run. I quit the Committee to concentrate on my position as Cubmaster for the Pack my younger son was in. I did tell the Troop leaders why I was leaving, but my concerns fell on deaf ears. The break did allow me to put all my energies into the Pack and I had a great time for a couple of years until younger son was ready to join the Troop. Hah hah on me. Troop was still struggling which led to me becoming the Scoutmaster after younger son's first year. That was four years ago and I'm hoping that within the next couple of years we will be able to make a smooth transition to a new Scoutmaster. Then, I'd like to help out with struggling units as a Unit Commish or something along those lines. I think your District would welcome your interest in serving as a Unit Commissioner or as a Den Leader in a struggling Pack. From what I've read in the forums, you'd be very good at it too! Good luck.

Welcome to the forum HobcawChaos (love to know the meaning behind your screen name). I'm in Greenwood, SC. Love your shout out to ClemsonScout. I know he will appreciate it.

Welcome to the forum legobryson. The flyer you posted states that unit leaders should sign up for this event. Has your Cubmaster signed up on behalf of the Pack? Your Den Leader? The flyer also states that personal gear will loaded onto a camp vehicle and taken to your camping spot. The RV idea probably won't work in this case. This also indicates that the camp is strongly recommending that you do not register as an individual cub scout and parent. Since meals will be your responsibility, it is also much easier to do it as a group (a den or a pack) than having to provide your own cooking equipment for just you and your son. Check with your Den Leader or Cubmaster. As for individual gear needed, others have given you a very good list. I'm in South Carolina and the nights can get quite cool so do remember a knit cap (watch cap) for sleeping. Also, if you don't have a 30 degree rated sleeping bag, a fleece liner is a great option to add to the inside of whatever bag you have. Walmart sells them for about $10. Dry clothes, including underwear and socks, absolutely essential for sleeping in cool/cold weather. Extra socks and and extra pair of shoes or boots. Even if it's not raining, it always amazed me how Cub Scouts could find a way to get their shoes soaked. Heck, even some of my Boy Scouts can't get through a weekend with dry feet. Don't forget water. Even at cooler temperatures, you can get dehydrated. You may want to bring along a school-type backpack to carry things around while you and your son rotate through the daily activities.

OK, with a few states still uncounted, it's 62 million Americans and 6%. Maybe not a mandate, but he won by a larger margin than G. Bush.