scoutingagain

While I support Fuzzy's sentiment I have to agree with ScoutNut that service hours for Star and Life are not the same as planning and carrying out a service project for Eagle. However, I agree with all, that service hours should not be performed for the benefit of the troop. In the unit I serve, we recognize service hours as labor performed for the benefit of our CO, work on Eagle projects under the direction of the Eagle project leader, and work in support of Cub Packs in town among others. SA

I knew from the title of this thread it would be a tough one to read through. I didn't know how tough. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Eamonn. May God Bless you. SA

Some may not like this idea, but it worked. We had a day outing last year to the science museum. Normally at a public outing like this we would get poor uniform participation, especially from the older scouts, who heaven forbid might be seen in public in a scout uniform. The committee offered to buy lunch for all scouts who participated in uniform. We had 100% uniformed participation. SA

"My question was concerning knowledge about FNC shows, not knowledge in general. Some posters here really despise Hannity and O'Reilly." Oh....Well I can honestly say I don't despise either one. I just don't regard them as news sources anymore than I do Stewart. BTW, O'Reilly & Stewart have been guests on each other's shows I believe. Not that I believe either one really likes the other even has a strong opinion abouth the other, they both know it's good ratings. I heard something about Saddam on NPR today. SA

" Am I wrong to assume that knowledge was gained by tuning in to Fox?" Brent, didn't you read the article that indicated Daily Show watchers on Comedy Central were more informed than Fox News watchers? They were more informed than CNN watchers and regular newspaper readers as well for that matter. From the article, "On top of that, "Daily Show" viewers know more about election issues than people who regularly read newspapers or watch television news, according to the National Annenberg Election Survey. (Pop quiz) Dannagal Goldthwaite Young, a senior research analyst at the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, said "Daily Show" viewers came out on top "even when education, party identification, following politics, watching cable news, receiving campaign information online, age and gender are taken into consideration." And: ""Daily Show" viewers are 78 percent more likely than the average adult to have four or more years of college education, while O'Reilly's audience is only 24 percent more likely to have that much schooling." So keep watching Fox and we'll let you know if the Republicans lose the House and Senate in the November elections here in the Forum. SA

"However long that the people of this country worship unleaded gas, that is how long it will take to solve the Mid-East conflict. " That might solve our Mid-East crisis, but it wouldn't solve theirs. The Mid-East would just become Sudan. SA

I mentioned Jon Stewart because he admits he's an entertainer/comedian. But based on this article: http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/28/comedy.politics/index.html his viewers were better informed on the issues during the last Presidential election than regular viewers of most other comedy and entertainment "news" shows. SA

That's why I asked why they weren't in the same category as O'Rielly and company. SA

So where does Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert fit in? SA

"I truely believe that you will see our troops come home and our foriegn policy drastically changed when Bush leaves office....regardless of which side of the aisle wins the Presidency. " I know I said I'd stay of of the Iraq thing but here goes... I agree with some of the above. Our foriegn policy will change significantly once GWB leaves office. However I'm afraid the blunder in Iraq has committed us to a generation of involvement on the ground there. Regardless of why or how we got there we cannot afford to let the country sink into civil war and become a playground for oil financed terrorism, which it is very close to becoming. This morning there is discussion of sending addition troops to Iraq and any thought of a troop withdrawal in the foreseeable future is wishful thinking. George Bush has comitted the blood of our youth and maybe trillions of dollars over the next 10 - 15 years at least and I can see no good way out of it. I cannot think of a greater Presidential blunder since the Bay of Pigs. Maybe the biggest of all time. SA

I'll agree with those that indicate the reason a large number of units go with just a shirt is cost. However, I'll point out the cost issue is not just with scouts. Youth baseball in our town is mostly a baseball shirts only uniform as well, to try and keep costs down. Youth Soccer, same deal. The only sports teams in full uniform are travel teams which represent maybe 10-15% of those that participate and the high school vasity sports. Now lately, we have seen more of our younger scouts wear both pants and shirt. Why, well now when you go to a troop meeting you at least see some of the adult leaders, including me, and the SPL in full uniform. Several years ago that was not the case. Setting the example does work, even if you don't notice the results right away. SA

An interesting thread. I'm going to stay away from the Iraq thing. We've hashed that out before. I'm in general agreement with Lisabob. I think the appropriate forum for detailed discussion of some of these topics is in the Citizenship MBs. I counsel the Cit. in the World Badge and occaisionally the issue of Iraq or other foreign policy issue comes up. I do my best to discuss the issue, whatever it is objectively, without inserting my own political ideas into the discussion. Scouting should be non-partisan, as much as we can make it. As an aside, I grew up as a scout during the Vietnam war. '68 - '73. As an 11 year old I hardly new what Vietnam was, what it was about. While as a grew older I became more aware and learned more, I do not recall Vietnam being discussed at any scouting activity. SA

I think folks are reading more into the G2SS than is there. Under the Transportation section of the G2SS, under boats it states: "For regulations that govern cruises by private powerboat or sailboat, refer to Motorboat Regulations, published by the U.S. Coast Guard." As a passenger on a boat operated by a private operator, US Coast Guard regulations apply and as noted above, while PFDs are certainly recommended in many instances on smaller vessels, there is no requirement to wear PFDs on a cruise boat, or passenger ferry. The vessel must have them available for all passengers in case of an emergency. Now how can I get to be a MB counselor on that MB cruise to the Bahamas? Sounds like a great opportunity to volunteer to serve scouting youth of this fine country. Of course such charitable volunteer work is tax deductible. And I don't believe scouting ducks are required to wear PFDs either. SA(This message has been edited by scoutingagain)

In our unit, we have not counted fixed leanto shelters, cabin camps or lockins towards camping MB either. We have a fairly active outdoor program, and anyone in the unit that wants to earn camping MB has the opportunity to get in 20 nights easily within 2-3 years. While reviewing advancement reports this past spring for some of the older scouts working on Eagle, most have racked up anywhere from 60 - 80 nights camping in 4 - 5 years. That does include attendance at summer camp every year, plus participation in a Troop summer trip that usually lasts 4 - 7 days. Last year we went to High Knoll, and between the drive down to Virginia, the 5 day hike and drive back, scouts racked up 7 camping nights on that trip alone. With that trip, along with summer camp, and with 10 camping nights available in the year,(We also did a cabin camp, and an overnight at a ski lodge that didn't count as camping.) An active scout could have picked up 23 camping nights that year and a couple did. Camping MB is one of those MBs scouts still get the old fashioned way. They have to EEAARNN it. SA

In our unit, the troop generally pays for site fees. Food & transportation costs are paid by individuals, scouts and adults alike. Activity fees on an outing may vary. If they are nominal, such as $50 for a group activity, the troop usually pays. More expensive activities, like rafting or skiing, the costs are paid for by individuals. Sometimes, the troop will pay a portion of the fee for scouts. SA

I like Fuzzy Bear's techniques. Let me add one of my one, that I find I do quite frequently. When I feel the need to "pounce" on some completely rediculous comment I type out the most vicious response I can think of, totally destroying the author of the offinding message in the most eloquent prose I can come up with. Read what I just wrote. Select all and hit delete and write something else, if I respond at all. SA

Eagle 76, In our council, MB Counselor lists are maintained at the District level by the District Advancement Chair. We also recruit MB Counselors from the ranks of parents but, they are asked to fill out an application and it is submitted to the District Advancement Chair. However, my real peeve with MB's in our District is how in frequent the standard MB process is used. Most scouts earn 95% of their MB's at summer camp, in classes, at a District Sponsored Merit Badge University, in classes or at MB specific camporees or camp weekends, in classes either sponsored by a specific unit or the District. Very few, go the standard route of getting approval from the SM, and then individually contacting a MB Counselor. SA

"Berkeley's duty not to punish or discriminate against the Sea Scouts for utilizing their constitutional rights is imposed by the Equal Protection Clause. " I wonder if Mr. Johnson is a fan of the Dixie Chicks? I tend to agree with Gern. The government shouldn't be in the business of providing free berthing to anyone. If it's that important to area supporters of the Sea Scouts, or any other particular non-profit group, they should chip in to pay the going rate for the berth, or find a private marina operator to donate a berth. I would also wonder why the government is in the marina business anyway. SA

"OSHA has developed a resource kit designed to help prevent injuries related to landscaping. " Which is a bit ironic, since in my area at least, very few teens seem to work for landscaping companies. SA

Laura, Sorry to hear your son's staff experience was as bad as it was. Like yours, my son has finished his 4th week in staff, but is not on the waterfront staff, and does not have the schedule you described. He does get some down time and a chance to interact with other staff his age or a little older. While he seems to be enjoying the experience, I don't get the impression he's having as much fun as last year when he was a CIT. This year he has more responsibility. He's a lead instructor for several MBs, not just an assistant. He has to keep attendance, record who completes what requirements, keep records etc. He takes his job responsibilities seriously and I can tell it weighs on him a bit. I'll be curious to see if he wants to work staff again next year. By way of comparison our council camp costs around $265 for the week per camper. Still a bargain compared to other private camps. Our camp does have a beautiful lake, that is exclusively for the scouts. The water is clean and warm and there is a full waterfront with canoes, rowboats, sailboats and sailboards. The camp is very active and serves around 400-500 scouts/week. Laura, I hope your son recovers a bit and has a chance to enjoy the rest of the summer. SA

And another thing... To quote the Marx Brothers, why a duck? Why not a chicken or a rooster? SA

My mistake. Obviously the ducks, dissatisfied with the BSA's membership criteria, and other rules they didn't like, (like having to wear pants to be in full uniform) went out and started their own scouting organization, but to stay clear of the BSA named it after Woodchucks. Now why would ducks name a duck youth organization after Woodchucks? SA

Our introductory backpacking trips have been about 1.5 miles through a state forest, with some stream crossings, with no net elevation change. The trail meanders up and down a bit, but it is mostly level. It is only overnight, and water is available at the site, although it needs to be purified. Scouts are expected to carry everything they need. Much of the patrol gear, such as stoves and cook kits are carried by older scouts. At 1.5 miles away from the cars, with no other access, there is no cheating. Most of the packs end up in the 30 - 35lb range, and some of the scouts struggle a bit, although it is not necessarily the younger, smaller scouts. After this trip they learn quickly they don't need to bring a six pack of soda, personal food in-case they don't like what the patrol is cooking, a large knife, and an extra, extra set of everything. This goes for the adults that have not done much backpacking either. SA(This message has been edited by scoutingagain)

OK question. If Donald doesn't wear pants, as shown in the stamp images provided by OneHour, why is he wearing a belt? SA

Donald Duck was an SM of a Troop in the Duckburg council back in 1938. He took a Patrol of nephews on an outing to Yellowstone park back before the days of YP although at the time he may have been the young duck's legal Guardian. Apparently the Troop is one of those that didn't like the offical BSA pants. Although there is reference to somekind of Woodchuck organization, the uniforms and references are clearly scouting. The Chronicals of this outing are available on a Disney DVD. See. Good Scouts (1938) (7:37) Donald goes camping with his nephews at the Yellowstone National Park. As Donald tries to instill good scouting skills to the boys, one mishap after another occurs. A petrified tree, a hungry bear, and Old Faithful Geyser all bring Donald grief, and when Huey, Dewey, and Louie try to help, things just get worse. SA