Stosh

Personal preference is the #1 rating of sleeping bags. Everyone is different, sizes vary from one company to the next, degree ratings are arbitrary at best and the only way one can know what works for themselves is to try it out. I have a Kelty 0-degree bag. At zero degrees I need a wool blanket lining to work for me. I have used NorthFace -24 degree bags that are excellent at zero degrees. I find that I can take colder temperatures at night if I wear a cheap wool stocking cap and wool socks. In cold weather the pad is often times more important than the sleeping bag. Cots are no good in cold weather without an insulation pad. Poly-lined wool long-johns goes a long way to compensate for having to add a fleece lining. There are a lot of variables that will play into your choices and in the end, only your opinion really counts. Stosh

One does have to remember that Scouting is an out-of-doors activity and if one is going to accommodate today's world, one needs RV's, B&B's and organized nature tours to be in with the world/society of today. However, scouting has always been on the outside edge of society, doing things differently, setting high character standards, being close to nature as no one else does it, go to places very few ever venture, being recognized as something that is not common or ordinary, etc. So to evolve Scouting into the regular or ordinary of today's world would be a major mistake to the program. My boys don't do what everyone else does and that makes the program effective, at least for them. My boys are still trying to figure out how I can operate in today's world without a cell-phone. A scout is thrifty, just borrow someone else's or just enjoy life without the interruptions. Both work for me. Stosh

Daisy Duke wears short shorts. :^) Stosh

"I don't know, jblake, it seems to me that if the BSA makes the Scout go through multiple levels of reviews, approvals, changes, and having to conform to the different opinions of different people, the boy is being treated in basically the same way he will be treated when he is an adult in a few years." Makes the scout????? Sounds like the adults are anticipating him following along, doesn't it? If I read the requirement, there is no need for review, that is something that adults add to the requirement. If I read the requirement, there is no need for changes unless the project is rejected by some adult committe along the way which will occur only if the boy is unable to show his leadership while conducting the project. If I read the requirement, there is no need to conform to some adult's opinion. If the boy was ultimately responsible for a project, even in the adult world, that person is allowed the authority to make all the calls regardless of someone else's opinions. It happens all the time. And unless the boy is going to be told what to do for the rest of his life, there's not much need for any leadership training on the part of the BSA. Sorry, I for one believe that the leadership project of the Eagle candidate is to give the scout the opportunity so that he DOES NOT "go through multiple levels of reviews, approvals, changes, and having to conform to the different opinions of different people". Instead, he takes the lead, does the reviews, seeks solid approvals as necessasry, evaluates and analyzes the changes and leads and directs other to conform to the results HE SETS as leader of a project, task, etc. in the real world he will be going into in a few years. I'm thinking that most people believe the scout should be following the rules of the adults, when in fact he should be leading others in HIS PROJECT that will benefit others along the way. Surely one cannot say a scout gains particular insight into leadership by following. Give the boy the chance to lead. If he isn't leading, tell him so, and then give him another chance to lead and keep doing this until he figures it out. Directing him, steering him, coaching him, mentoring, getting him straightened out, etc and all such ways are designed to make him follow, not lead. Stosh

It's too bad that only a few of the BSA organizations get to play the fun stuff. With a US History crew we often times (at night) infiltrate the "enemy" and play "Capture the Flag" on a majorly grand scale (WWI and WWII). Of course rubber knives, blanks and low charge grenades replace the laser tag gear, but it's still quite the game. Of course the game lasts all night long, which is quite a challenge of staying awake as well as staying "alive". Stosh

And yet this is one more reminder for the boy to assure him of who's running the show, keeping track of the process, and making sure everything is going to be successful for their dear little scout. The bottom line? "This ain't your project until a major handful of important people tell you it is." That is NOT part of the requirement, but it sure seems find it's place in the process. Wouldn't one assume that if the boy read the booklet, understood the parameters of the requirements (asks questions if need be), designed the project accordingly, and presented it to the CC (or substitute if CC not available) and SM over a cup of coffee, that the process could be handled in about 30 seconds? Everything beyond that are dynamics that add to the requirement. The reason for the added "security" of the adult-led processes is to make sure the boy really knows what he's doing and that his leadership judgement is being drawn into question. As SM (CC is of the same persuasion), I generally know the boy, have discussed a number of different projects and pretty much know which project he has selected long before he begins to write up the application. I trust his leadership skills to 1) make the right decisions, 2) follow directions of the booklet and 3) write up the application to the best of his ability. For me, that is the reason why he's doing what he's doing and part of the show leadership as expected by the requirement. He doesn't need me to lead him through any decisions, processes, requirements, etc. It is expected he do it for himself. If he doesn't, the project is rejected by the council and he has to start over again. So far only once did the council call and ask about a boy's project that they thought was different than the norm. They asked me what I thought about it and I said I signed it, and they approved it on my word. To me a lot of this adult involvement in the project is not an issue of "helpfulness" and having to lead the boy, but is an issue of trusting the boy's leadership judgement. When I read the requirement for the boy I'm not trying to justify any adult involvement in any step of the process, but instead, trying to stay out of the way of the boy and let him demonstrate his leadership on his own. When all is said and done, there's some EBOR that's going to determine whether or not that was done and was correct, not me, not my CC, and not his parent. Get out of the way and let the boy take the lead. Stosh

There's a lot of stuff that has been dropped out of the program since the days of B-P. Does the term "Parlor Scout" ring a bell? That's a term that goes way back and has historical significance for today's program. Even as recent as the 1940's and 50's the boys were still making their own equipment rather than simply swinging into REI or Cabelas for gear. Some of that stuff was kinda... you know... Fun! And if one really knows their scouting stuff, there were certain world scouting organizations that actually armed their scouts with bayonetted rifles. Percy Keese Fitzhugh also had many of his literary characters armed in his fiction writing. It's too bad Pee Wee Harris has ended up nothing more than a humorous cartoon character today. It would be interesting to know whether the new versions of these books have been re-written to accommodate the PC crowd, because the originals were written at a time far different than what we have today. Stosh Stosh

Sometimes self-training is the only route to go. A number of years ago our Council offered no Webelos Outdoor training. A buddy of mine got the syllabus and taught ourselves and went on to lead the training for another 6 years until it was established enough that the council wanted to take it over. Surprisingly they did accept as valid our training, even if they weren't doing the training. Stosh

Most scouts have no idea how easy this sewing stuff really is. Badge Magic might be a cop out for those who don't know how to sew, but those who do sew are far more versatile. Before I bought multiple uniforms, I was spending at least 10-20 minutes sewing FOR EVERY EVENT I attended. I also sewed at events for maybe 1/4th of the time. One winter I made 12 full uniforms (North Carolina Civil War state grey, both coat and pants). I did cheat and did some of that on a machine, but buttonholes are all hand sewn as were the buttons. I hand sew shirts with $5 worth of materials and sell for $75 for those around me. It helps pay for my hobby. Who taught me? My mom when I was still in high school. I can even darn socks. This stuff isn't all that difficult. I carry a sewing kit and on an event back in the early summer, I tore out a seam on my backpack and made field repairs in about 20 minutes. No big deal. I tore my shirt on a tent pole last spring and that got mended within 30 minutes as well. For those who can't handle a simple patch, really should be looking into a basic sewing class. Stosh

Most scouts have no idea how easy this sewing stuff really is. Badge Magic might be a cop out for those who don't know how to sew, but those who do sew are far more versatile. Before I bought multiple uniforms, I was spending at least 10-20 minutes sewing FOR EVERY EVENT I attended. I also sewed at events for maybe 1/4th of the time. One winter I made 12 full uniforms (North Carolina Civil War state grey, both coat and pants). I did cheat and did some of that on a machine, but buttonholes are all hand sewn as were the buttons. I hand sew shirts with $5 worth of materials and sell for $75 for those around me. It helps pay for my hobby. Who taught me? My mom when I was still in high school. I can even darn socks. This stuff isn't all that difficult. I carry a sewing kit and on an event back in the early summer, I tore out a seam on my backpack and made field repairs in about 20 minutes. No big deal. I tore my shirt on a tent pole last spring and that got mended within 30 minutes as well. For those who can't handle a simple patch, really should be looking into a basic sewing class. Stosh

ethic noun a set of moral principles. ORIGIN Latin ethice, from Greek he ethike tekhne the science of morals. Sorry, but one who does not conform to moral principles is unethical. Moral principles are codified norms by which people have agreed to live which direct what is acceptable actions to live by. To think ethics are independent from morals, codified principles, etc. simply doesn't understand what the word ethic means. To think these moral codes, principles, and or agreements by which people live are not rules and regulations, is simply not defining the words properly, or at least not with commonly accepted definitions. To think that following principle noun 1 a fundamental truth or proposition serving as the foundation for belief or action. 2 a rule or belief governing ones personal behaviour. 3 morally correct behaviour and attitudes. 4 a general scientific theorem or natural law. 5 a fundamental source or basis of something. 6 Chemistry an active or characteristic constituent of a substance. PHRASES in principle in theory. on principle because of ones adherence to a particular belief. ORIGIN Latin principium source, from princeps first, chief Redefining words doesn't really change anything for the general public, only those who are making up rules as they go. Stosh

the Ten Comandments the Golden Rule the Bill of RIghts the Scout Law Are all codified rules/regulations by which ethical decisions are made. Without such codes, there is no such thing as an ethical decisions, only a decision based on an individual's personal "code" of their own creation. It is ethical only to themselves. Stosh

I have a small plastic storage unit that holds everything I need for a kitchen except for a Dutch oven. Bowls, spoons, sponges, tablecloth, etc. and the whole thing fits into a BSA canvas Yucca Pack. A boy can strap it on his chest and still wear his backpack. Works great for me and it floats when the canoe tips. Stosh

Principles, morals, character and knowledge are the rules and guidelines. The two statements contradict themselves. That's why one would ask for clarification. Stosh

Yep, it's a crap-shoot. Some will over-react, some won't react at all or not enough and some will be just plain lucky. But be prepared to live with your decision, a lifetime is along time to think about the what-if's. Stosh

Too many well-meaning people have not acted on initial cries for help from individuals they thought were 1) immature, 2) just kidding, 3) poor choices, 4) etc. 5) etc. 6) fill in your favorite excuse. If this boy is calling for help and it's kept "in-house" it could be a disaster. Get professionals involved, if it's not a call for help, then the pro's will be able to tell the well-meaning novices exactly what it is. This goes way beyond what the scouting program is capable of handling. I may be embarrassed, ridiculed, sued by parents, etc. for taking such drastic measures if I'm wrong, but if I'm right, I'm the hero. How much is one willing to gamble on this boy? When in doubt, call in the big guns, those that really know what's going on. The boy may be mad because someone over-step the situation, but the boy may be relieved that someone finally cared enough to help. I'd rather say I was sorry for doing too much than saying I was sorry for not doing enough. Stosh

A lot of people follow a carrot on a stick, but that doesn't make the carrot a good leader. A good leader will lead whether anyone follows or not. There is such a thing as a poor follower as well. My leaders are all taught to follow before they lead. Stosh

If one is exerting oneself to the point where the dress uniform becomes untucked, it might be a good time to take the dress uniform off for a more casual wear. If one is dressed up, they are to look their best and that means tucked in. Otherwise, why would BSA put so much effort into a belt that no one's going to see. And when all is said and done, in any business setting, even with business casual, it expects the clothing to be worn correctly and that means shirts are tucked in. Sorry, but sloppy is not dress in anyone's book. When people show up at a wedding with a tux and shirt untucked, I'll reconsider, or asked the gentleman to leave because he's obviously had too much to drink. Stosh

My boys are all "encouraged" to wear the full uniform. Most actually do. It's a hodge-podge of uniforms because they usually get their pants and socks off of E-Bay for about $5-$10. Not a problem. Their peers usually police the process. We had one PL hold up the flag ceremony while one of his patrol members refused to tuck in his shirt. We all stood for about a minute or two until the boy realized his PL wasn't going to back down. The PL then went over to the boy with the American flag and had him hand it to another scout because he didn't have his necker on. It wasn't any big deal, it was just the necessary process every PL does to make sure his patrol looks its best for the flags. I did ask a boy that was traveling back from last weekend's outing why he wasn't wearing his uniform? He was the PL and his APL was the other boy in the car with no uniform on. I asked them if this was a message they were trying to tell me about the uniform. They said no, they just didn't want to wear them. I had a brief comment about how important it was to have a PL that leads by example, and how important it was to represent the Troop as a DC in full uniform, something the APL was aspiring to become next month. The ball is in their court. We'll see what happens. Stosh

Wouldn't it appear to be rather strange that there's a booklet that is handed out that explains everything one needs to know? Can't the boy read? There's a line for someone to sign, it says who signs? Are the boys too lazy to read it for themselves that they need some adult to read it for them? If a boy can't read through and understand the Life to Eagle booklet, surely he's not ready for taking on any leadership project. My boys know that they have the responsibility of doing their own project, they read the book and then very strangely, they don't have all that many questions. The last boy that did a project, designed it, wrote it all up, applied for it, did the project and wrote it up, all by himself. The only involvement any adult had in the project were application signatures, reference letters, work crew members and eventually the Eagle BOR personnel. I'm expecting that EBOR next month and the Eagle COH before Christmas. Not bad for a 14 year-old that can read. Oh, and by the way, he's a transfer-in, less than 12 months ago from out-of-state. For those that feel the need to have coordinators, fine, but from my experience they are not necessary for the proper execution of an Eagle advancement process. Stosh

How does the boy know who to ask? Well, if he's been around the troop for 2-3 years, he should have a pretty good idea of where to start looking. All he has to do is ask around if he's new to the troop. He does not need a SM or EPC to "guide" i.e. lead him, to resources. One of the main dynamics of leadership is the ability to seek out resources and evaluate their effectiveness with what they have to offer relative to his project. To have a SM and/or EPC guide the boy to those resources reduces his need to actually provide leadership in selecting his resources for the project. Somehow to me, this "need to be sure the boy gets the right person" smacks of adult intervention/interference in the boy's Eagle project leadership. Stosh

And I surely do understand the desire on the part of the adults to make sure the boy gets his Eagle, and that statement alone is the sum total of the problem. Often times, especially with the last minute scout, the adults take over and make sure the boy "earns" his Eagle. "Proofing his application"? No, I only sign it. That's the approval part of the requirement. It's up to the boy to proof it. It's up to him to turn it in, make corrections if it's rejected, and/or anything else necessary to do the job on his own merits. If he asks me to proof it, I will of course. But the leadership and directive always begins in the boy's own backyard. If the project is heading toward a train wreck, then so be it and when the boy comes and asks for assistance in straightening it out, I'm there for him. I find though that the closer to 18 the boy is when he does his project, the more adult involvement goes into the project to make sure the boy gets the patch. When my boys start at 13-14 with their projects, it gives them 4-5 years to make mistakes and learn leadership, decision making, and problem solving along the way, those things I believe an Eagle project is all about. I don't do the square knot tying for my boys, I teach them how to do it themselves. By the time the boy get's to his Eagle project it's time for him to put all that learning together and show he can operate on an adult level. A lot of adults are capable of doing a great Eagle project, but the requirement is how the BSA program determins if the boy can do it. If adults "help" with leadership guidance, decision making, directives, or anything other than what the boy asks for, then it can no longer be interpreted by me as showing the boy's leadership, but the leadership of the adults that want him to succeed and will direct (i.e. lead) the project enough to make that happen. I stay away from the project so that doesn't happen. And by the way, the boys do just fine on their own... Stosh

And what makes the SM better at selecting advice providers for the boy than the boy himself? Of course one could assume such a conclusion if the boy's leadership ability isn't up to the requirements of the Eagle project. What really bothers me the most is that adult involvement in the project has become such an intricate part of the process that no one ever questions it anymore. That is unfortunate. Stosh

SM Fundamentals Wood Badge Cub Fundamentals Webelos Fundamentals Webelos Overnight Venturing Fundamentals University of Scouting Bachelors University of Scouting Masters In that order from 1993-1999

Let's assume for a second the boy is actually the one taking responsibility for his project (I know it's hard for a lot to wrap their minds around this idea). But IF he needs help... who does he ask? SM? Coordinator? ASM? Org Rep his project is for? CC? Menor? Parent? Old guy next door? Why not instead of assigning some arbitrary person, hypothetically, just for fun...-> let the boy take the lead and pick who he feels is best qualified to answer his questions? Why is it necessary for the SM or anyone else to pick someone for him? Let the boy do the project! I know it's a radical concept for a lot of SM's out there, but maybe it's time for the boy to do the project and show his own leadership skills for a change. Stosh