perdidochas

Not if the Scoutmaster doesn't sign off on the SM conference as successful.

Pocket knife. Cub Scout leaders can't have enough pocket knives.

Question: Do Scout units have to take any boy, or to be relevant, can you have a Catholic only (or Methodist only or Jewish only) Scout unit?

I'm Catholic, and am a WDL for a Cub Scout Pack and Advancement Chair for a Boy Scout Troop, both chartered by the Catholic Parish I belong to. I would have no problem with the Wiccan/pagan boy being in either the pack or the troop with my sons. I don't see it as a danger to their spiritual well being.

Question: If you agree that the BOR did the right thing, why did you let him proceed to the BOR in the first place?

While compared to last century, our manufacturing seems to have gone downhill, we are still the biggest manufacturer in the world, in terms of dollar value of products (yes, even more than China). Yes, we don't make nearly as much consumer products as we have in the past, and our lead over other countries isn't as great as it was, but we are still the largest manufacturer. Those machines that China uses to produce junk for us are made in America. http://investing.curiouscatblog.net/2009/10/13/data-on-the-largest-manufacturing-countries-in-2008/

Packsaddle, I agree with you on the Fair Tax. It would be the best thing for our trade deficit by making U.S. goods more competitive. It would also be revenue neutral, and easy to adjust, although visible (both a good thing).

There's no national policy banning cell phones, but there is also no national policy protecting them either. I say Scouts should leave all electronics besides GPS at home. Let Scouters have them for emergency purposes.

If the tax cuts expire, a family of 4 making $60k a year (two salaries of $30k a year) which, IMHO, is hardly rich, will have their income taxes almost doubled from about $2190 a year to $4333 a year. I don't know many families who won't feel $2k a year out of their pockets. A family of 4, with each parent making the median salary in the U.S (two salaries of $23k a year) will have their income taxes also go up by about $2k from $90 a year with tax cuts to $2233 a year without them. Again, a major difference. Calculations by http://www.mytaxburden.org/ I just remember for myself that when the Bush tax cuts came about, my family of 4 was making about $25k a year. It definitely helped us out. Also, the Bush tax cuts did get us out of the End of Clinton/Start of Bush recession. In terms of Clinton, the only reason that the economy was so successful under him was the same combination that we are about to be in. Republican control of Congress and Democrat control of the White House. I'm hopeful that the threat of gridlock will get the government to do the people's business instead of the Republican party's business or the Democratic party's business. Shortridge, The estate tax is only a small part of the Bush Tax cuts. The ones in question are the income tax cuts.

The omelet in a bag is good for breakfast on the day you leave (beats cold cereal). Less dishes to clean (and barring leakage) you already have hot water to clean the plates/utensils.

Troopmaster

This is a spinoff of GS vs. BS for Leadership Skills: "'Leadership IS the main reason I have my son in boy scouts and why I encourage him to be in it.' But is that the main reason your son is in Boy Scouts? " Why is your son in Boy Scouts? My son is in Boy Scouts because he enjoys it. I encourage him because I believe in the ideals of the Scout Oath and Scout Law and think that they are good things to live by. If nothing else, Scouting encourages boys to learn to be self-sufficient. The T-2-1 skills (with the exception of lashing) are good skills for everyone to have.

Momof2cubs If he's not ready to take care of himself on BS overnight trips without you, just keep him in Webelos. Would it be possible to find another pack that has a more active Webelos den?

I think formally helping out (i.e. by signing up to be Assistant Den Leader) would help.

We ran into a similar situation. My son has a late birthday, and we held him back in the 2nd grade. It was a good choice, just wish we had done it earlier. You have a choice to make. AOL or straight to Scouts. If he's enjoying Webelos, just let him do it. You can't do both. My son will have until the summer before his senior year to finish his Eagle. As he entered Scouts at a late age 11, he's got 6 yrs, 5 months from entering Scouts to get Eagle. That should be enough time. Also, if you don't think the Den leader is doing enough, you should step up and become an assistant Den leader, or stop complaining. He/she's a volunteer, and if he need help, you should provide it (if it bothers you that much) or get him out of the Den (which is an option).

We have that. First, how large are the dens? The larger the dens, the more this is a problem. When we went from 10-12 Cub dens down to 6-8 Cub dens, this problem was much better. The other is simply for the den leaders to step up their game. If kids are interested in what you are doing, their minds (and eyes and feet) won't wander to other dens doings. I also like to take my den outside as much as humanly possible. 3/4 of Scouting is Outing, even if that out is only on the grounds fo the CO.

When I got my training for WDL post Centennial uniform, I got a green one. Before that (pre centennial uniform) I got a red strip after Tiger Cub Den Leader training.

Our council bans the use of fixed blade sheath knives. The claim is that if you fall with a sheath knife on your belt, you are likely to have a serious injury. Personally, I think it's irrational, and probably comes from the day of the "Rambo" style survival knife. I think the other restrictions on pocket knives (length) probably has to do with state/local laws. For example, Atlanta has a law that bans lockblades over 3" blade.

"AA does not require a belief in a high being to be member, its just part of their program. The BSA could learn a lot from them. " On my honor, I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

Bathroom (or should I say outhouse or latrine) humor has been popular for as long as humor has been recorded.

John, What is the unit leader's signature on the Applicants record, if not an approval by the Unit Leader?

A Scoutmaster has to approve a MB before it's awarded. My son's troop's general rule is that a parent should only be MBC if his/her son is not the only Scout working on the MB. That said, we did have a problem with an ASM/MBC that was really being Akela for his son, rather than an ASM/MBC for the troop. The SM had words with him about this, and his son transferred out of our troop soon afterwards.

I heard this a few weeks ago at the campfire of our Webelos Weekend. I don't think it's inappropriate, I just think it's worn out. In my 5 yrs with Cub Scouts, that's about the third time I've seen the skit.

SMT, You'd be surprised at how well a 5-10 minute catnap can help. That shouldn't alter your schedule too much.

Gklose, Exactly. I'm one of those on a CPAP machine. It has revolutionized my life. Without it, I fit most of the symptoms in the checklist you mention it. In the year or so I've been on it, I'm much more awake. The only time I don't use my machine is when camping, and if I could find a lighter battery (12-volt), I'd use it then, too.