RememberSchiff

So while Mr.Guerlain is cleaning up trash, are you saying I probably should not send a scout over to sell him popcorn?

Good response from scout leader. I wonder if the "instigator" Thierry Guerlain will volunteer for clean up? Found the answer in the AGC article.... "Guerlain, who started the whole debate, is among those volunteering to pick up trash Thursday, as are Councilor Dona Bate, Mayor John Hollar and members of the Montpelier Alive board."

Due to National's membership policy, Montpelier (VT) city council denied scouts a vendor permit to sell bottled water at the July 4th celebration, however scouts could still pickup trash. So... "The Scouts declined that invitation  and pulled their application to be a vendor at the parade. Now the group of Scouts, which included two troops and one co-ed "venturing crew," have decided against volunteering for the clean-up crew after the parade, too. The Scouts have been involved for the last three years, but after the city council kerfuffle, "we're going to steer clear of Montpelier for awhile," said Leslie Sanborn, a Barre resident and longtime volunteer with all three scouting groups. "It's left a very bad taste in our mouths." The Scouts aren't the only one who feel that way. Yesterday, Associated General Contractors of Vermont pulled its longstanding donation of safety vests and cones from the event, citing dissatisfaction with the city council's treatment of the Boy Scouts. Casella Waste Systems and the local sheriff stepped in with safety equipment to fill that gap. City councillors and other community volunteers are stepping up to fill the shoes left behind by the Scouts, said Ashley Witzenberger, the executive director of the event's organizer, Montpelier Alive." ... "I thought, 'Let’s send a message to the Boy Scouts headquarters,'" said Thierry Guerlain, the City Council member  and former boyhood Scout  who first raised objections to what otherwise seemed like a straightforward item on the consent agenda at the council's June 11 meeting. Guerlain said he didn't realize at the time that the Scouts volunteered for clean-up duty at the event. He simply had concerns about what it meant for the city to be endorsing an organization with a policy he called "abhorrent and outdated." As for the Scouts' decision not to participate in the event? "They went from teaching the boys discrimination to also teaching them spite," said Guerlain, who called the decision not to volunteer at the event a "spiteful move" on the part of local Boy Scout leaders. "I’m surprised that we’re even discussing the fact that it’s more important to get the trash picked up conveniently by the Boy Scouts than to respect the civil rights of lesbian and gay parents who are disinvited from the Boy Scouts." .... http://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2014/07/01/boy-scouts-bow-out-from-montpelier-parade-over-national-policy-on-gay-leaders http://www.timesargus.com/article/20...STIN/706169942 Personally I never go where I'm not wanted. IMO, plenty of other places to do community service.

I would contact the camp merit badge councilor and/or the camp program director for clarification on any merit badge requirements discrepancy. Mistakes happen, but ff not satisfied with their explanation, complain to Council. A follow-up talk with the scout about the Scout Oath and Law may be needed. There is still time to set matters right. Unfortunately, this situation is not uncommon with summer camp.

The day got worse with another fatality on a scout rafting trip on the Salmon River in Idaho. Father and son were ejected from their raft at the river section known as the Slide. The father, a Seattle Fire Lieutenant, drowned. http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2014/06/poulsbo-man-50-drowns-on-boy-scout-rafting-trip-in-idaho/

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/boy-boy-scout-camp-dies-gunshot-wound-24368133 No firearms activity at this camp, apparently someone brought a firearm to camp.

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/loca...265229971.html "A boy has died after shooting himself in the head Monday at a Boy Scout camp in San Diego, officials confirmed. San Diego police were called to a suicide attempt at the Fiesta Island Youth Camp and Youth Aquatic Center in Mission Bay at 7:35 a.m., Lt. Mike Hastings said. Officers were able to get the gun away from the 12-year-old scout but by then it was too late, Hastings said. Paramedics tried to revive the child, but he was pronounced dead at the campsite, according to a spokesperson for San Diego Fire Rescue. Investigators have blocked off the camp entrance and are interviewing scouts and leaders, including the child's father, who was present at the camp." What a sad day for all.

The prevailing wind around says it is okay if you or your family (and no other scouters/scouts) appeared in uniform for your campaign(good PR for Scouting). You and and your family could not wear the scout uniform to promote another political campaign as that might seem a BSA endorsement of a candidate. Seemed reasonable. Many local candidate will include in their campaign a military service photo, particularly in they still serve in the Guard or a reserve unit. The wind may be from a direction where you are.

As stated in their 2010 Annual Report, the Trapper Trails Counicl 2015 Obective of bringing their Endowment Fund to $5 million may be delayed. There is no mention of the Endowment Fund in their subsequent, less transparent annual reports.

From commanding ships in World War II and the Korean War to becoming a prolific artist to being active in the Boy Scouts of America for 88 years as an Eagle Scout and Sea Scout Quartermaster, Hessemer has done it all. "(The) scouts are responsible for everything I've accomplished in my life as I've followed the scout law from day No. 1," the retired Naval Reserve Commander said. "Becoming a Sea Scout Quartermaster is what got me commissioned as an officer in the Navy, and I've always remembered that." As Hessemer caught up with family and friends, he smiled about his memories and read letters from the families of deceased crew members either from his Landing Ship Tank 573 in WWII or the U.S.S. Chimon in Korea. http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/in...nder_from.html Happy Birthday Wayne. Thank you for your service to this nation and scouting. Scout Salute.

Council Endowment Chairman recommended an investment on a condo complex which promised a 12% return. Not quite Bernie Madoff but an interesting read and IMO shows a need for better disclosure of Council finances. http://www.standard.net/Courts/2014/06/20/Randall-reportedly-defrauded-Trapper-Trails-Council-hundreds-more-in-scheme.html

This is why we use the buddy system in Scouting so one does not get lost and wind up in Argentina, Brazil, or Vegas.

Meant this to be entertaining as it reminded me of former SOUTH Carolina* Governor Mark Sanford ( Republican and Eagle Scout) who told everyone he was hiking the AT but instead flew to ARGENTINA, so here we actually have a politician who will hike and is honest about it. Added some pack's voting options. Oh I set up poll to allow multiple voting but no voter id. We run a fair fake poll down here in Scouterville

Your are an elected representative with an upcoming budget session which is the same time that your son is going off on a "scout hike". Seems obvious, but here's a poll. http://www.citizen-times.com/story/e...sion/10857185/

It wasn't so long ago, that a camper was required to hand over his epi-pen to the nurse who locked it away with other meds. In NH, it took the death of a camper to change protocol. an oldie but goodie http://www.scouter.com/forum/open-discussion-program/5474-how-to-deal-with-nut-allergies-amp-parent

When it stops being fun, get out.

Darwinism...we may be evolving into the first known species whose body (immune and digestive system) killed it. Food allergies and intolerance (two different things) are increasing at an alarming rate. Currently about 1/4 of the scouts and adults in my unit have some food issue and for our unit peanuts is not the #1 problem, glutein is, followed by diary (lactose, casein, whey), then peanuts. Back in the day, a PB&J with a glass of moo was the universal meal for kids.

I have not attended any of their programs but I am somewhat skeptical of their approach. Their website http://www.shineinitiative.org is strong on flash but weak on substance. Not interested in raising awareness (code for donations) of the obvious, I need some pointers in working with spectrum kids, kids with anxiety disorders,... Better yet, it would be very helpful if some specialists could drop in at summer camp or another activity, see the situations, show me and others some techniques, and give specific advice. JoeBob, I thought "parity" was ironic as many councils around here have not held or required "physical" first aid training for adult leaders. Still it's a start.

Odd photo selection. I have not known fly fishermen to compromise and put an occasional worm on a hook.

Who: 36 teams of Sea Scouts from Brazil, England, Finland, Ireland, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States qualified for the event. Where: Long Beach, CA (previously held Chicago, Cape Cod, Miami, the US Naval Academy, the US Coast Guard Academy, ...) When: Every two years, this year June 22-28 http://www.ocbsa.org/news/announcements-news-2/oc-scouts-sail-to-defend-the-international-sea-scout-sailing-championship/

Yes our camp is around that price point. We had an interesting suggestion at Troop Committee, "Why don't we just arrive on Monday morning instead?"

In the late 70's to 80's, because of the increasing distribution of child porn via the emerging boundary-less Internet as well as interstate mailing, the federal government became involved in making child pornography illegal, e.g., Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation Act of 1977 which was later amended. Some interesting reading of that period is in this Senate Hearing on the Child Sexual Abuse and Pornography Act of 1986 https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/106466NCJRS.pdf Pages 25 thru 30 "Prepared Statement of Bruce A. Taylor" is particularly informative of this time period. "Timeline of Significant Events in Child Pornography" 1977-2008 http://www.uscourts.gov/news/TheThirdBranch/09-12-01/Timeline_of_Significant_Events_in_Child_Pornography_Legislation.aspx Child Pornography on the Internet http://www.popcenter.org/problems/child_pornography/ Another $0.02,

It really isn't that difficult, what we (you and I) proved is that local option does not imply a BSA national policy.

The BSA has since 1988 allowed female leaders, local option is a don't care in your logic statement.