RememberSchiff

I was not aware there are US Border agents working pre-clearance to US at Canadian airports (currently 9). The procedure is also in effect at the Port of Vancouver, at Vancouver’s train station and on some B.C.-Washington ferry routes. Pre-clearance is expected to be introduced at Montreal’s train station for Amtrak’s Montreal-New York City route later this year. http://www.rcinet.ca/en/2017/03/30/canadians-growing-uneasy-about-more-power-for-u-s-border-guards-in-canada/ http://www.rcinet.ca/en/2017/02/13/bill-c23-proposed-legislation-would-heighten-powers-of-u-s-border-guards-in-canada/ An international agreement with the US in 2015 permitted U.S. border agents to operate on Canadian soil, in airports, rail, bus and other terminals. This was to create “pre-clearance†to reduce delays at US entry points. Now a new federal proposal, Bill C-23 would give U.S. agents on Canadian soil, even more powers, including the power to detain Canadians, conduct strip searches of Canadian travellers, and to carry sidearms. “A Canadian going to the U.S. through a pre-clearance area [on Canadian soil] can say: ‘I don’t like the way [an interview is] going and I’ve chosen not to visit your country.’ And they can just turn around and walk out,†says Calgary immigration lawyer Michael Greene, the national chair of the Canadian Bar Association’s citizenship and immigration section. “Under the new proposed bill C-23, they wouldn’t be able to walk out. They can be held and forced to answer questions, first to identify themselves, which is not so offensive, but secondly, to explain the reasons for leaving, and to explain their reasons for wanting to withdraw,†Greene says. A survey released today by the polling firm Angus Reid Institute shows Canadians are becoming more uneasy about giving American authorities more powers on Canadian soil. IMO, very odd, sounds like the movie Casablanca.

“People in Canada used to take it for granted that they could just go to the border . . . but that’s no longer the case,†he said. Sigh, people in the United States too.

Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly visited Detroit on Monday (3/27/17) in part to allay fears from local Hispanics and Muslims about President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, but the results were mixed. ... “No one is targeted, regardless of what unfortunately gets reported sometimes,†Kelly said. “Every single time a foreigner or American citizen comes into this country — and there are millions every day — they generally move straight through the process. A very tiny number are set aside for additional screening. That’s not based on religion, color or politics, and I reject anyone who makes that claim. “The conversation today revolved around ... how ... we look very, very hard at terrorism (and) terrorist initiatives. ... Generally speaking, I think they were most interested in hearing from someone who has this job and makes no distinction between race, color and politics. It’s all about protecting America.†... "If they're in Canada legally, and they have the proper paperwork, they don't have to worry about anything," Kelly said. "I don't get it. But it's their business. And if they feel that way, that's their loss, I guess." http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2017/03/27/homeland-security-secretary-visits-detroit-area/99690472/ http://www.npr.org/2017/03/29/521920595/canadians-report-more-scrutiny-and-rejection-at-u-s-border-checkpoints

I worry more about real estate agents on local Council Executive Committees. Hello mergers, good-bye camp(s).

Regarding "entertained", show Cubs how to start a fire when it is wet out. Most young kids assume it cannot be done.

Maybe our BSA membership card should include our insurance underwriter (MHBT?), policy number, Council point of contact. I have not seen or read the actual policy, Anyone, anyone ...Bueller, Bueller? I have read the Council-issued sparse insurance certificate stating general liability insurance coverage exists. Why not a link to the insurance policy pdf on the Council website?

Does your Pack have Den Chiefs (Boy Scouts)?

Wouldn't it be something if there was online BOR/Advancement etc. training with renewal required say every 2 years?

I considered myself fortunate as a scout to have had scoutmasters and assistant scoutmasters who served during World War II. A few had been scouts, most wish they had, but all of them taught self-reliance (learn this skill it saved my life, it might yours) and teamwork (patrol method). If the answer wasn't in the scout handbook, they taught us to figure it out ourselves. Adults in scouting were fewer then but IMO the scout association with adults was stronger than today. My $0.02,

http://atlantajewishtimes.timesofisrael.com/thankful-josiah-benator/ by Rabbi David Geffen The year 1950 was momentous for me and subsequently for many other young men. That year Congregations Or VeShalom and Shearith Israel founded Boy Scout Troop 73. Josiah Benator, a World War II veteran and who made Eagle Scout during his teen years, became the scoutmaster. He has held that title with Troop 73 ever since. Born in Atlanta in 1922 to an Or VeShalom family, Benator grew up in the Depression and joined a Scout troop at the Jewish Educational Alliance in the 1930s. He quickly became not only the head of the troop, but also the assistant scoutmaster and then scoutmaster. ... Mr. Benator was not satisfied that he was an Eagle Scout; he wanted to earn more “palms†by completing additional merit badges. When we went to the Bert Adams Boy Scout camp in the summer, he went with us. That first summer he worked on the Indian lore merit badge. To complete the requirements, he had to participate in the Indian Pageant held on a Thursday night. As that event began, Mr. Benator, with his face and body painted and wearing a loin cloth and one feather in his hair, danced with real excitement. We cheered him loudly: He was more than a scoutmaster; he was a vibrant Boy Scout leader. In 2009 he was designated by AARP’s magazine as one of the great seniors in the nation. I wrote about him in The Jerusalem Post, and he appeared in a picture with Judge Stephen Schuster, one of his Scouts and my cousin. ... Check out the rest of his interesting story in link above. "I'm from the old school," Benator said. "Oh yeah, definitely the old school." http://www.11alive.com/life/a-boy-scout-from-the-old-school/425954661 A long Scout Salute,

A dangerous idea. I like it. Maybe the only challenging (not tedious) MB's would be ones we or scouts create. Consider that some troops have their own outdoor skills Woodsman/Outdoorman/PaulBunyan/DanielBoone patch.

Many of us scouters have struggled with community emergency action plans (Emergency Preparedness MB) - some emergency directors just want scouts to stay safely at home and out of the way. After reading this book's summary, maybe patrols can be "wellness checkers" for elderly and others during emergencies?

http://thefacts.com/article_3ae69ee0-55ef-58f5-95d9-13f8a237c363.html Recently a community event was held in Angleton, TX where an author spoke about how scouts were first responders during the Texas City disaster of 1947. Former Eagle Scout Frank Urbanic Jr. presented a slideshow about his book, “We Were Prepared,†an account of the Scouts during the Texas City disaster April 16, 1947. “There’s no book, at least none I can find, about how the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts were mobilized as first responders,†Urbanic said. (so he authored one -RS) The city was in dire need of first responders that day. Down at the docks, the S.S. Grandcamp was on fire, surrounded by frantic firefighters and curious bystanders. They died in a flash of fire when the ammonium nitrate inside the ship exploded, propelling fire and molten debris in all directions. Five hundred and seventy-six people died and 2,000 were injured, and the area was leveled. The blast destroyed ships, planes and cars for miles around. More than 100 buildings were destroyed and hundreds more were damaged enough to be condemned. “This black cloud of tar, debris, oil and soot descended on Galveston,†Urbanic said. “The sun was suspended like yellow ball. I had on a white shirt that day … it’s no longer white.†The explosion blew out windows in Houston and registered in Louisiana, and the call for help went out. The first Boy Scouts arrived on the scene within two hours. They delivered telegrams and alerted citizens about what had happened. As they went, they looked for victims of shrapnel or those pinned under debris knocked down by the explosion. Some houses were entirely reduced to rubble, and the Scouts sifted through it, looking for survivors. Others reported to the hospital. “I carried bedpan, blankets and dead bodies as a Scout,†Urbanic said. “When you’re a Scout, and you see an accident … you’re gonna react because you’ve been trained.†About his book We Were Prepared From Amazon Never before told stories of how Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts were mobilized for emergency services during the Texas City Disaster of 1947; the deadliest industrial accident in American history. After a ship loaded with 2,300 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded, officials immediately requested the assistance of Scouts because they were trained to follow the Scout Motto, "Be Prepared." Scouts as young as twelve years old were involved in rescue efforts while braving choking fumes and dodging hot shrapnel from exploding fuel storage tanks. Frank A. Urbanic, Jr. personally interviewed most of the Scouts involved in the Texas City Disaster featured in this book to produce this dramatic and authentic story, which includes his personal experiences. He is an Eagle Scout, Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow, and a former assistant Scoutmaster. Frank graduated Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering. He is a retired U.S. Air Force officer, served as a base commander, a research and development program manager, a disaster preparedness officer and as a combat fighter pilot, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Frank Urbanic is recognized as a pioneer in the development of laser weapons systems of which he authored numerous technical papers. He lives in Friendswood, Texas. https://www.amazon.com/We-Were-Prepared-Frank-Urbanic/dp/0988902400/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1490442819&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=We+Are+Prepared+Frank+Urbanic

TAHAWK, I too have struggled with "Obedient" discussions with my scouts. I think we should teach a Davy Crockett mindset "Make sure you (they, Akela) are right, then go ahead." and the historical lessons of American disobedience from JFK's Profiles in Courage. Our program focuses on character-building, leadership-building but seemingly skirts teaching "doing the right thing" in favor of blind obedience. I would prefer Strong (Courage), Alert, Aware, ...even Hawk-eyed enter Roland Steele, the fictional football captain of Notre Dame https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY0LUIIwo8k

Speaking of girls, I could not find the number or percentage of members who are female in programs of either Scouts Canada or the BSA.

As part of a five-year revitalization of Scouts Canada's programming, a new youth-led Scouting program called The Canadian Path is being introduced. "Education research has shown that learning is most successful when children and youth drive the process," said Dr. Judith Newman, education consultant for The Canadian Path and former Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba. "The Canadian Path's learner-centric approach fosters an environment that gives youth control of their learning and inspires them to figure out things for themselves with the help and guidance of volunteers, providing greater opportunity for individual and team growth." The Canadian Path is comprised of several components: A non-formal approach to learning The seven components of the Scout Method The Four Elements: Youth-led, Plan-Do-Review, Adventure, and SPICES (the six attributes Scouting aims to foster: Social, Physical, Intellectual, Character, Emotional and Spiritual) A balanced program in six Program Areas: Environment & Outdoors, Leadership, Active & Healthy Living, Citizenship, Creative Expression, and Beliefs & Values A personal journey of growth The Canadian Path was developed by hundreds of individuals across Canada with a broad range of backgrounds and professions including educators, social workers, outdoor educators, spiritual leaders, project managers, youth members and adult volunteers. Scouts Canada consulted thousands of members throughout the process, surveying youth members to determine what they most wanted to get out of their program, and travelled across Canada to test out programming with different Scout groups to garner their feedback. Although adult volunteers are still actively involved in helping to support and guide local groups, Scouts aged five to 26 are taking on more responsibility and a hands-on approach to choose, plan and run their own activities and adventures. "By putting the Scouting Movement in the hands of Scouts, we're able to challenge young people in new ways by encouraging critical thinking, and provide them with a greater sense of personal progression, engagement, fulfillment and accomplishment," said Doug Reid, project lead for The Canadian Path. "Through this process, Scouting becomes a leadership apprenticeship, providing youth with tools, knowledge and skills to be strong leaders in every part of their lives." The Canadian Path was developed in consultation with different Scouting programs around the world, including Scouting Ireland's successful One Programme, on which many of the principles of The Canadian Path are based. Scouting has always been about helping youth grow and develop, and The Canadian Path sustains this tradition with a progressive awards scheme that recognizes youth for their continued growth and development in key areas of tangible skills and knowledge. http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/apprenticeship-for-leaders-new-scouts-canada-program-the-canadian-path-empowers-youth-to-call-the-shots-614868253.html

Guys from Joisey were spreading nationwide confusion long before the internet. As a yute, I remember hearing on the radio that the Martians had landed at Grover's Mill, NJ. Seemed to happen every Oct 30. Scary, but we were more worried about Communists back in the day. As a joke, my father had me listen to this "true story" about a boy scout in Springfield who unwittingly joined a communist high school club the Pioneers. I googled and found it was actually Episode 3 The Pledge which was part of the If Freedom Failed, a syndicated radio show produced by The Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. http://afrtsarchive.blogspot.com/search?q=IF+FReedom+Failed&max-results=20&by-date=true Hmmm, imagine if as a Scouter, I officially posted on the internet that the Pioneers (they are real) will replace the Boy Scouts. It will be coed, fully government funded, meet in public high schools... just memorize and follow the Pledge... and make sure everyone follows it. Have a listen particularly when the Dad says "A scout is trustworthy". Cold War propaganda of the 50's or a lesson about the Scout Law? My $0.02,

http://usscouts.org/eagle/eagleastronauts.asp So far, the same number of Second Class scouts walked on the Moon as Eagles did. Eagle Scouts: Neil Armstrong (Apollo 11) and Charles Duke (Apollo 16) Life Scouts: Edgar Mitchell (Apollo 14) and David Scott (Apollo 15) First Class Scouts: Alan Bean (Apollo 12) and Alan Shepard (Apollo 14) Second Class Scouts: John Young (Apollo 16) and Eugene Cernan (Apollo 17) Tenderfoot Scouts: Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin (Apollo 11) and Harrison Schmitt (Apollo 17) Cub Scouts: Charles "Pete" Conrad (Apollo 12)

Let's take it down a notch. All depends on context. Tenderfoot and Second Class may sound derogatory and First Class and Star elitist, but in the general Scouting context, that is not the case. They are just names. Could they be used in a not courteous way, yes. In the end, it is the perception of the person who is being called that name that matters. If someone called me a paper Eagle, I would not like it.

The Eagle "service project" requirement was not added until 1965. Before then, merit badge work. From 1958 to 1965,sixteen of the 21 were of the required category. In my experience back then, Eagle service projects were mostly solo efforts - a scout's own labor. The scout already had experience planning and leading patrol and troop service projects. NO GSS (OMG I used ladders and power tools). No workbooks, no Eagle advisors beyond SM. http://www.troop97.net/bsaeagle.htm

Update: March 16, Found guilty in criminal case and now the civil case. Fast forward to March 2017. It's been about 10 months since Kelsey was found guilty of first-degree sexual abuse and first-degree attempted sexual abuse, both felonies, along with forcible touching and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, all misdemeanors. Kelsey, 38, is serving his seven year prison sentence (plus a decade of post-release supervision). And the families of the two teens young men who both testified, during the trial, that they had trusted and looked up to Kelsey, which made his actions even more inexcusable have launched a $320 million civil lawsuit against Kelsey, Troop 95's former Scoutmaster Rich Robbins and the Boy Scouts of America organization at local and national levels. For nearly two months, the Boy Scouts of America, including its Hudson Valley Council and Robbins, knew about the accusations against Kelsey, but did not alert authorities or the teens' families, according to the lawsuit, filed March 16 in the New York State Supreme Court in Dutchess County. ... The Boy Scouts of America and Hudson Valley Council say national protocols were followed and immediate action was taken to remove Kelsey from the Scouts. Robbins could not be reached for comment. Kelsey plans to appeal his criminal conviction. His lawyer, Shane Hug, could not be reached for comment. Kelsey was suspended from the Scouts in October 2014, state police have said. But neither the boys' families, the police, or other Troop 95 families knew about the abuse or Kelsey's suspension until the teens told their parents that December. "The Boy Scout organization never reported anything until after they were confronted by the parents of the victims," said state police Senior Investigator Timothy Peets in September. The Boy Scouts obviously thought the allegations were serious enough to suspend Kelsey, said Edward's father, *John. And Kelsey was not "some guy who had just joined the troop — this is a life-long, prominent figure within the Boy Scout organization. But you don’t think it warrants calling the authorities or at least notifying the parents?" ... more at source link http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/2017/03/23/local-families-boy-scouts-failed-sons-sexual-abuse-case/99409696/

Since I was OP, a summary so far. - international scouting groups may have concerns about entering the US - whether certain members will be denied entrance or treated in a less than friendly manner based on religion or national origin. Should the State Dept respond to these concerns? - these scouting groups might pass on US trips, including World Jambo 2019. - traveling with electronics (laptops, lithium-ion batteries, cameras,..) internationally is becoming more problematic. Maybe this is a friendship opportunity for Jambo hosts or US scouts to share smartphones and laptops?

Like David CO, our scouts are not the popular, cool kids that win school elections, nor are they school politics savvy. Our scouts have lead robotics teams, chess clubs,...

We're old school. Scout is responsible for keeping track of his advancement in his handbook. He loses handbook, he has to work the problem just as he does when he loses his homework. We have had a few scouts lose their handbooks, but they don't do it twice. They do learn to keep their blue cards. We continue to believe this is an important life lesson - that a kid should learn to keep his own records whether its an exercise plan, bank account, schoolwork, scout handbook... PL is responsible for knowing what his guys need to advance and brings that info to PLC for meeting and activity planning. A leader looks after his men. SM or Advancement designee (adult) updates scout record at SMC/BOR and submits up the chain when earned. No real-time tracking, no report generation, no JTE paperwork, no software, minimal adult paperwork processing. We are the Boy Scouts not Goldman Sachs. My $0.02

I remember a cheap Casio watch was banned a while ago as it could be easily hacked into a time detonator.