mlaccs

"Finally the extension device used creates issues. a) The device is seldom properly sanitized between uses. Often dirt and fire are used as sources the removal of debris from the extension device. b) The extension devices have and been used as improvised swords in a would be pirate battle. C) They could poke an eye out." ###### Very good observation. I have seen several cases where younger scouts have used tent poles as swords. in simulated (or real) battle. If the folk as Health and Safety were really concerned they would immediately act to ban tents that use these dangerous tent poles. This brave act, if done now when the credibility of the National Health and Safety team is at a high point, would go a long way in showing how serious they are about safety. It would be a huge help for all of those WEBELOS III, IV, V leaders who are already concerned that dirt and bugs in the food could cause a problem and are happy to do all of the troop camping in cabins and trailers.

flashlight tag = lazertag Where there are no lazers There are not real guns There is ZERO safety risk when compared to the things that we do participate in. Actually the technology is the same used for bar codes in supermarkets so in fact we should ban our kids going into the grocery store since those places are full of danger. I understand that the ban is in place because of political reasons. Might even agree if there was a document of things that we ban because of political reasons but to bury this under health and safety clearly demonstrates that either the BSA thinks the Volunteer leaders are to stupid to understand the difference between political policy and health and safety or they simply don't care about us or maybe they just make rules without thinking them thru. And that is exactly why national has to step in on Don's joke. They have a history of such silliness.

The problem with this Joke is that it was way to easy for it to be true. While it makes zero sense to require this training many of the other things that have been forced from a National Level have made little sense and are clearly decisions being made without regards to the VOLUNTEERS that actually work in the program. Example - The ban on flashlight tag then the removal of the ban for 24-48 hours before putting it back in place. Example - The sudden requirement for Weather Hazzard training to get a Tour Permit (training is not bad, way change was implemented was terrible) Example - Constant loss of adult training records in many council's across the country. Example - My council (Golden Empire in CA) still not having the Registrations completed so we cannot even get rank or MB advancement for our Scouts. For all we know the new adults are all on parole for axe murder and the council would not know as they cannot register Scouts, let alone do background checks. Example - New Physical form rollout. Not a bad idea but one of the worst rollouts of a national level change you could have come up with. Example - Whoever got off with a LOT of money on the NESA knot screw-up last year. Betting that those who have a few stashed away will do very well in the coming years. Much better to let the bad run out then fix but instead a new rare and expensive item was created. And the list goes on and on and on. Result: Membership continues to drop and then we spend more money trying to figure out why.