maurergj

I am saddened that people on this forum are calling me a liar. I was the Scoutmaster in Chesapeake, VA in 1994 and 1995 at Troop 228 before I was transferred to Hawaii. The Free Lance-Star of March 19, 1992, is on-line and has an article on page D8 that reports that Rodney Almond, 33, former director of the Scouts' Camp Pipsico, has been charged with sodomy, sexual battery and taking indecent liberties involving two Scouts". I don't want to judge homosexuals nor make their lives miserable, but I do think that Scout Leaders should lead life styles that we, the parents of Scouts, want our boys to emulate. The BSA has decided that homosexuality does not meet the moral standards set by BSA. I support the program and that decision.

Sorry, it should absolutely be a single COH for the Eagle unless the Eagle Scout and his parent want something else. Your Troop should not force an Eagle Scout to accept a combined COH with other events against his wishes. The Woods Wisdom Book, which every SM should have, gives specific ceremonies and they are all separate from Troop COHs.

I disapprove of wearing of any unauthorized knots. But, in regards to gay scouts, I'm under the impression that gay scouts are not prohibited. Neither are gay parents. What IS prohibited is registered scout LEADERS being homosexual and that for very good reason. The Scout Camp in Chesapeake, VA had to be shut down for three years because of a gay ranger sexually harassing older scouts. There is a requirement for the scouts to be morally straight and do their best for God and country. I've had two scouts who thought they might be athiests. My guidance to them was that I would never kick them out, but they were honor bound to follow the oath and law, which satisfied them. My advice to any scout is that if they are following the oath and law, they're fulfilling the expectations of Scouting.

Interesting comments. I'm currently teaching the Citizenship in the Nation MB and am emphasising that our government is a Republic. That means that our representatives are allowed to vote their own opinion. Believe the House Reps are elected every two years so that they can be quickly fired if they don't pay attention to the polls. The Senate, not so much. I don't favor the health bill as it is and I'll be voting to fire my Rep in 2010. But he's got the right to vote any way he wants and I don't believe it's an act of arrogance any more than staying in Afghanistan is an act of arrogance.

I have the unique honor of being the father of three eagle scouts (brag every chance I get). My oldest made eagle at 15years, 7 months. My second son, who was the first one to make it, made eagle at 14 years, 1 month (and could have made it 4 months earlier but didn't want to be a "13 year old eagle"). My youngest son made eagle at 17 years, 5 months. They all stayed active until they were 18. The two oldest loved being camp staff and didn't do much with the troop in summer after they turned 14. The youngest is the only one that earned the religious badge and the only one that went on a 50 miler (he went on two). They all loved it and we had a great time. Doesn't matter when you make eagle, or frankly, even IF you make eagle. What matters is having a great time and becoming a self-sufficient honorable man. Scouting is the best thing that ever happened for my sons and I had the time of my life helping them grow up!

I'm new to this (first post actually) but I've been a SM or ASM for 15 years and helped 25 boys make Eagle, including my three sons. The recommendations I've seen here seem sound. I would add that you don't have to save the world with your Eagle Scout Project, and you don't have to think up something original. If you go online searching for Eagle Projects, you'll get a thousand ideas. Of course, if there is something that you, your church, your school, etc, would really like to accomplish, have at it. You should search out Eagles in your District and ask them for a copy of their Eagle Scout write-up. Not to copy but to get a good idea of the format your District is familiar with. Lastly, there are literally hundreds of people willing to help you, they are only waiting to be asked. Good luck!