berkshirescouter

I still can't edit my profile

Muslim requirments are very close to or are the same as Kosher. I think it is mostly no pork products. I would ask the scout. This should not be hard for the camp to do. OGE as usual you have the best advice Paul

As far as Kosher meals go. There is a company that sells boil in the bag meals that are Kosher. (If they are marked Parv they contain no meat of any kind.) I think its myownmeals.com. The Jewish committee on scouting may have info on the subject. I don't have the web site handy but a web search would find it. Paul Rokoff ASM Troop 12 Dalton Ma

Rooster7 keep posting. You give me a reality check all too often. Also its fun to read.

The question is what are 'today's' traditional values. Values change and so do traditions. A 100 years ago many marriages is the US were arranged today they, by and large, are not. 20 years ago it was 'traditional' for some scout troops to go skinny dipping. That is now not allowed. Did our values change? Do we still live by traditional values? I can't answer it. I do the best I can by my own religious beliefs. Even these traditions have changed. The best value, brought up earlier, was bring up your children to be able to cope with a changing world.

Robin I was there 1982-84 BC (Before children). I was active in the local amateur radio club at the time. Paul

Robin Great story! Where in Scotland are you from? I lived in Helensbourgh for two years while working as a field engineer in the area. Paul Rokoff ASM troop 12 Dalton Ma troop12dalton@yahoo.com

How about this for an issue; Is the Guide to Safe Scouting getting too detailed? Should the specifics be dropped and only goals listed? Are the threat of lawsuits driving the program instead of whats the best for the boys? I have noticed that the Guide is getting bigger and bigger. That is what is driving my question. What do you all think?

enouf said on thiss subjext

Scoutruud Welcome to the forum. "I feel that if in America scouts are send outof the scout movement as soon as the say they are gay, this clearly limits their freedom of expression... I even read that there is a rule in america that as soon as you express that you thin being gay is not a problem you can be expelled. How does that limit your freedom of expression? " I want to submit that the above is not correct, at least in our council. The policy as I know it is that a boy who expresses his sexuality is told to get counciling from parents, clergy etc. We as scouters do not discuss it. If public comments become distracting from the program after warnings action may be taken. To my knowledge no boy has been forced out of scouting anywhere in the US over this issue. Leaders are a different story. Again Comments in a public forum are not considered proper. However our Council Exec. has told me that if he catched any Adult leader asking someone if they are Gay he will remove that leader. The policy is "Don't ask Don't Tell" It is none of my business what a person is however if that person makes it my busuness then the policy kicks in. I hope I have not confused the issue any further then it is

Does your son have a friend joining the troop at the same time? Working with another boy and competing with him to get things done has helped. Get involved in the troop yourself to teach something. I agree (I also fall in the trap) don't be overbearing.

We have merit badge counselors who are committee members only. I am an ASM and also counselor for most of the High Tech badges, Electronics electricity etc. The only other requirment is set by council that the person be registered and to do this yearly.

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I would start with the basics, but within an event. A campout would work. You can cover pitching tents packing for a campout, cooking etc. Its a little early for plant recongnition but tracking might work. I hope this helps. Paul

Let me add one thing. The BSA standards also consider it not moral to discuss ones sexuality. Ergo any person who makes his sexual activity known in a public forum is not moral. That is the definition of avowed.

Camping Hints* (It's Never Too Early To Make Plans to Camp.) When using a public campground, a tuba placed on your picnic table will keep the campsites on either side vacant. Get even with the bear who raided your food bag by kicking his favorite stump apart and eating all the ants. A hot rock placed in your sleeping bag will keep your feet warm. A hot enchilada works almost as well, but the cheese sticks between your toes. The best backpacks are named for national parks or mountain ranges. Steer clear of those named for landfills. While the Swiss Army knife has been popular for years, the Swiss Navy Knife has remained largely unheralded. Its single blade functions as a tiny canoe paddle. Modern rain suits made of fabrics that "breathe" enable campers to stay dry in a downpour. Rain suits that sneeze and cough, however, have been proven to add absolutely nothing to the wilderness experience. Lint from your navel makes a handy fire starter. Warning: Remove lint from navel before applying the match. You'll never be lost if you remember that moss always grows on the north side of your compass. You can duplicate the warmth of a down-filled bedroll by climbing into a plastic garbage bag with several geese. The canoe paddle, a simple device used to propel a boat, should never be confused with a gnu paddle, a similar device used by Tibetan veterinarians. Take this simple test to see if you qualify for solo camping: Shine a flashlight into one ear. If the beam shines out the other ear, do not go into the woods alone. A two-man pup tent does not include two men or a pup. A potato baked in the coals for one hour makes an excellent side dish. A potato baked in the coals for three hours makes an excellent hockey puck. In emergency situations, you can survive in the wilderness by shooting small game with a slingshot made from the elastic waistband of your underwear. The guitar of the noisy teenager at the next campsite makes excellent kindling. The sight of a bald eagle has thrilled campers for generations. The sight of a bald man, however, does absolutely nothing for the eagle. It's entirely possible to spend your whole vacation on a winding mountain road behind a large motor home. Bear bells provide an element of safety for hikers in grizzly country. The tricky part is getting them on the bears.

I put a web page up on geocities.com for free. I will move it soon because of the ads but it is a good place to start. We have had it for about a year now. Its at: www.geocities.com/troop12dalton

In this sperit; I know you think you understand what you thought I said but I don't think you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. Also for you Rocky and Bullwinkle fans; Don't just do something stand there.

It would be interesting if twenty years from now a study was done to compair the outcomes of the children home schooled, public schooled, scouts, no scouts etc. to see which, if any, or all, of these factors had the most effect on there lives. I think it will come up that family involvment will be a big factor followed by scouting.

Chippewa29 I agree with you and add, every child is different, every school is different you just hope you make the right choices. When you deal with special needs I tend to think public schools have more to offer. But in big cities this may not be true. I have a cousin who has an ADD boy who cannot handle school at all. They are home schooling him now and I have suggested Scouting for him. It makes the point that all children are special needs in one way or another.

Le Voyageur I have to disagree with what you said in your last posts. As a member of the Jewish faith and the only one in a troop sponsored by the RCC. I have to say I have not experienced what you have said. I have seen the opposet by all Scouters. Following scout principles everyone has bent over backwards to show respect for my faith.

Ten thousand lashes with a wet noodle. Anyway. My son who started scouting late (13) is now a patrol leader after 1 yr. and will go to Philmont next year. He is learning social skills he cannot learn anywhere else. He is the type of boy who is very smart but has a hard time making and keeping friends. There are still problems but scouting helps here where IMHO would not be found anywhere else.

I need to correct one thing from my last post. I DO agree with the current policy.

On the poll If Avowed Gays were let in Boy Scouts I would STAY. Not because I disagree with the current policy, but because it would subtract from the boys program. If you stay active, you can make sure the program runs the way you want it to. National guides the program but SM's & ASM's run the program with lots of help from the committee. Just my two cents.

I keep thinking something by Poe might be intresting. but 'Nevermore'