skeptic

So, we should find ways to expose them without trying to influence them seems the answer. How to do that is not clear, as I have been accused of being "woke" and also disrespectful when I have pointed out what seems to me to be blatant bending of our ruling documents and poor examples being portrayed by elected people. I will not call them leaders, though I guess that too could be considered disrespectful. A very fine line and hard to toe.

Thanks Matt. You are right in noting the comparison between now and my era. I was in Germany for three years during the worst of Vietnam, and I heard some really scary stuff from guys rotating in, as well as some truly emotionally destructive attitudes. Then when I went home and went back to college on the GI Bill, I encountered the on campus issues and also traveling in uniform was often a toss up as to what type of reception we might get. I rotate back in December of 68 and entered ASU the fall of 69. Here is a verse I wrote about that time. It shows my confusion, as I honestly had already began to see much of the truth few of us wanted to accept, but also my realization that the problem was beyond me to solve. Safe Diana Ross’ plaintive “Baby, Baby”, vibrates from 1965. Chanute Air Force Base, Rantoul, Illinois. Late summer cumulus mount over the plains as Vietnam becomes more than a remote question of geographic trivia. Elvis and John still live; so do “Bobby” and “Martin”. I walk though the town streets in fall, shuffling through leaves, watching grey plumed squirrels, marveling at the crispness of air and colors. Desert autumn is dryer, more subtle. Soon Germany is my place, its myriad distractions, mini-skirts in London, streetwalkers in Paris, Swiss Alps and cows, skiing in Garmisch, and ever present beer. But I’ll not be able to forget my true mission. F-105’s roar, Phantoms scream, NATO planes attack daily the bombing range in Siegenburg where Hitler once dropped real ones. Letters arrive from home, news of high school friends injured or killed in the Far East. Here, “Six Day War” evacuees arrive, Czechs flee Russian tanks, and “rotatees” from ‘Nam are posted, tormented by fear, guilt, and hate. 90’s Finished 8-12-04 I went to HS in Twentyine Palms and of course I had many friends whos families were Marines. I lost at least one classmate, and know of others badly damaged both physically and emotionally. Today, some still live that era, but many say that they now understand the protests more, and while not forgiving the over the top nastiness much of the time, aimed at those least responsible, they at least get it a little. And I never was comfortable on campus during marches, as I was still in reserves, though no duty due to time in active duty. I have thought a lot about these things over the years, and I wish I could somehow understand better why so many are so dogmatic and unwilling to see others as simply people. Few of my peers are truly comfortable with that time, and a few are in serious inner struggles now that they have kids and grandkids and see similar stuff. That is why I want to share with the youth, but I also do not want to overstep or cause issues that affect them as people and as Scouting youth. Th blinders are a problem, but I do not know if those that wear them do so because the already recognize the problems and do not want reminders, or if they simply do not want to confronted with so much that is obvious. Well, since I have decided to be the first centenarian in my family, I have some time to work on it. Meanwhile, good Scouting. And may we all find a way to Do Our Best to live the Spirit.

ng from making mistakes and learning from them so does society. This post is a serious question that is challenging me, and I suspect may challenge others as well. How do we live the Spirit of Scouting when we live in a very challenging political environment that can easily grate against the basic precepts of Scouting?

Simply, how do we work around the huge issues that our political circus now presents, especially without being accused of trying to force personal opinion on our youth? I try to not discuss things of that nature directly with youth, though sometimes they specifically ask me my thoughts. I refer them to parents and suggest if they want to find their own position, that they do it by examining things from all sides. hopefully sources outside their normal interactions. But, as it gets worse, the concept of Citizenship gets really fuzzy, and steering clear is hard to do. So other than referring a youth back to family and so on, and suggest they read and maybe form an opinion of their own, how do we manage this. I am almost 81, and I do not remember a time when the political environment was so muddled and frozen by blind opinion. Do not know if there is a good answer, but just asking, as it is coming up more often, even from younger youth.

I hear you. Of course, we could simply teach this stuff for fun, but based on our litigious society, we probably need a release for even sewing; after all, there are sharp things involved, and some youth's feelings might be hurt if someone laughed at his sewing his finger to the shirt, or how crooked it was. I have been posting articles from our council history from almost a hundred years ago, newspaper coverage (imagine that) of camp activities and such. The youth are noted to work with the adults to improve the camp, and actually build parts of it. But today, the bad word insuranceies and the insurance companies and the black feathered lawyers make things nigh unto impossible.

Key word: Lawyers. Enough said.

It is too early to tell, but in our council, there is indication that we are slowly seeing the trench workers taking charge. Out pro, is not one really, though a nice person with I think good intentions. But, putting things out publicly and following up are very slow or not happening. Our council website is an embarrassment in that it has mostly dead links and so does little to help if someone goes to it. The notice of the final sale of our now lost camp has still not been noted, and so some of those dead links relate to it. Somehow, we are continuing, and historically it is again on the backs of the volunteers, though reality is that community support is still there if Council pays attention and makes the effort. But just begging for money is not what is needed. JMHO of course,

And maybe a branch at the Isthmus?

This is wonderful and terrible sad as well for us in VCC. Our council "leadership?" chose to sell our camp rather than find a way to reinvent it. And we were well on the way to what this is. We had aa welding program that was always full an waiting for room, for at least five years. We had just arranged to do automotive repair at the camp, as well as some of the other badges noted, though they were still in the planning modes. Then, due to the infrastructure issues, and a seriously flawed decision pushed by our (now forced into retirement) SE, they closed the camp and put it up for sale. OUr local communities had twice stepped up to make scouting happen at our first camp, and then 3F, which is lost now. The first camp went with a highway put through it, but remnanst are now a FS camp. Yes, costly repairs needed at 3F, but instead of moving with the newer concepts being suggested, they just threw the towel in. And now we have NO viable camp, though still property that could be used, but that is wilderness for the most part, though easily accessible. It too is on the market, but it has a lot of donation issues. Anyhow, I am glad to see this, and I do hope Mike may be involved, though my few attempts to contact him were blocked by his handlers, or he just is no longer supportive, which I hope is not the case. As partnering with his already established programs is a win/win.

This is Scouting. Taken two days ago at just above 3250 feet at Middle Lion Camp in the Los Padres NF above Ojai, Ca. The group stayed there after hiking in, and woke up to snow. And they loved it. The scout is part of an all girl unit, though they do on occasion work with other units.

This is from a dig mid last year when making a general comment on local service, a figure the general public seldom hears of sees, and one that is only important from the standpoint of how much Scouting does return to communities. Much of effort by Scouting America is almost unknown by the regular public, as media no longer publishes such things unless it is exceptional, or worse negative. The Current Estimated National Value of Each Volunteer Hour Is: $33.49 Volunteers in the United States hold up the foundation of civil society. They help their neighbors, serve their communities, and provide their expertise. No matter what kind of volunteer work they do, they are contributing in invaluable ways. Independent Sector, with the Do Good Institute at the University of Maryland, announced on April 23, 2024 that the estimate for the value of a volunteer hour was $33.49 in 2023, a 5.3% increase from 2022. Read the full report for national and state-by-state data on the value of volunteer time.

What if we leave the Youth program to the Youth?

Very early there were no age limits. Adults could earn all the same awards as youth. Few did, but some pursued them and adult age Eagles were not overly uncommon in the first decade or two. The official bar on adults becoming Eagle Scouts, went into effect around 1965, though it was discouraged starting as early as the late twenties. In verified cases, adults still can be honored if they find documentation indicating they would have been honored as a youth. Most commonly, it seems related to WWII enlistees whose paperwork fell into a crack or was forgotten. Of course, today, challenged adults can still earn Eagle under special documentation from an early time as a member. It may be important to remember that again in the early days, Life, Star, and Eagle were glorified merit badges that had several early changes in their requirements, eventually leading to their officially becoming a rank.

While that may be lore in your area or unit, it was not the case. 20 Days or nights was the amount needed, and, at least in the 1960 HB, which still had requirements in the back, there was no specification regarding summer camp. Now in the pamphlet, which I may or may not have avaailable someplace that may have been discussed. It is hard to overcome the lore from the past, much of it being simply poor memory or units that chose their own interpretations and so on. For example, here we had one unit that added in pioneering and wilderness survival for their youth in order to become Eagle, It had its purpose, but some choice to leave and go elsewhere, or sadly just left. It may that type of thing that brought on the specific publication by National regarding adherring to official requirements. Sort of like the long time story that the earliest scouts had to light a fire without matches to advance, but even then matches were allowed; only two max, but allowed. Friction and spark were common though, and many did it regularly.

This latter added is interesting, as I chose, as SM and counselor for the badge to do just that almost from the start. It just made perfect sense to me that we should not penalize a youth for participating. If it had been simply a weekend two night outing, we would have counted it, so why not longer term programed camps? Now, I did make a judgement call if a youth was never doing the shorter outings, and the max was always two. So IF the youth only went on long term summer camp, not treks to Philmont and such, then it would gen really never be a real issue, as the totals would take too long. It was my prerogative I felt, and still do.

Change, often called evolution is part of life and extends o our groups and organizations. Scouting history shows many adjustments and some fairly radical ones early on, and BP was often the one to put them forward. IF, and that is in big caps, we just stay on course with our Scouting compass we will get there. The "New World" was of course NOT. Time will tell, and here with Scouting America, our options are broad, but also shaded with a broken society and legal system. JMO of course. Focus on the Spirit, and the rest will follow.

https://www.facebook.com/ The So Cal fires have taken historic Camp Josepho today. A huge loss for not only scouting in LA, but overall.

We likely can be assured that the black-winged birds with ugly beaks will find a way if they can. Since many in our legal systems have not spines when money is involved, or "reputation", it could still be lost. I hope not, but since our local camp is now gone, and the only other property in limbo due to attached stipulations to a sale, I am not overly confident in the systems. Beyond our own issues, simply take a review of the National disgrace currently in process. My opinion, so please, I am old; do not waste your energy on verbal spears and arrows.

https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2024/12/30/jimmy-carter-was-a-scout-leader-and-silver-buffalo-winner-known-for-telling-great-stories-around-the-campfire/

Wow; a very overly detailed, though well-documented analysis. I have to wonder how in the fifty years from 1925 to 1975, which encompasses the peak membership, they somehow managed to more or less keep it working. We know there were some issues with inflation and fake membership, but overall, it was fairly accurate from what I have read. Perhaps we have the same issue here that the retail industry encountered and maybe still encounters. Somebody has what seems short term a great concept or idea, so let run with it. But, they do not really listen to those that may really be affected by it, or may have an inside perspective, like those at the level of the consumer. In our case, the membership bodies in real units. In retail, the store management that interacts with the real customers and their needs. I will never forget how embarrassed I was observing what we called the suits ignore the customers' needs as they walked the floor with store personnel and there were not enough associates to take care of the customers. We had, in that store on any day a third or more of the registers unattended, which meant lines at the ones that were in use, and not enough workers to clean up the departments consistently, leaving stuff in dressing rooms and just lying on wraps. In this instance, a half dozen corporate big shots were visiting, and three were walking with the store manager and his underlings for that area of the store. A line was at least six to ten customers long at the "only" wrap with a working clerk. The customer approached the "suits" and asked if they could help them. I could not help but hear the response; "you will need to have that done at the wrap over there." No explanation, no apology, and not positive vibe. And I know that they likely did not know how to ring a register anyway, as our own store manager barely knew, and was very slow. and error prone. And they wondered why their once thriving store was losing business.

"As we celebrate the joys of the holiday season, we are reminded of the timeless stories that inspire us—stories of hope, light, and faith. The Christmas story teaches us about the power of compassion and the humble beginnings of a journey that changed the world, while the story of Hanukkah reminds us of the strength found in perseverance, the miracle of light, and the importance of standing firm in our values. In Scouting, we share in these values of family, reverence, and service to others. As we gather with those we love during this holiday, we are given us a chance to pause, reflect, and appreciate the blessings we have, while also giving back to those in need. As we come together with family and friends, may we carry forward the spirit of generosity, kindness, and faith—values that both the Christmas and Hanukkah traditions highlight, and values that we continue to nurture in our Scouts. Wishing you a season filled with peace, love, and light." Am I getting too cynical to think this may be a mass piece sent to SE's by National? Just wondering, though I do appreciate any pleasant communication, even if likely canned.

Thinking about the Aaron item above, I feel I should note that the number of Eagles, though impressive obviously, should not be the focus, or so it seems to me. Eagle "is not the goal of Scouting". Note what this veteran says in his discussion with Aaron. He stresses the "boy leader" focus and the concept of let them do it. "Keep your hands in your pockets" and let them run with things. As far as Eagle is concerned, it comes on its own for those youth that truly care to make it happen. And they are likely the strongest of the many. But, all of us that have likely shaken our heads about "paper Eagles", have seen some of those somehow rise from their misguided concepts of importance and become what we hoped at the start, or what we should hope for anyway. Over my many years trying to sit back, but not doing it well too often, I have seen youth never become Eagle, yet they took control anyway, and got it done. It is not the rank, it is the skill and character that should be the goal. Or that is how I have come to feel.

Today's Aaron on Scouting; https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2024/12/23/scouts-bsa-troop-celebrates-1000th-eagle-scout-all-under-the-same-scoutmaster/ https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2024/12/23/scouts-bsa-troop-celebrates-1000th-eagle-scout-all-under-the-same-scoutmaster/

I have tried to NOT think in that vein, and there still are some glimmers, but I am afraid you are closer to right than I would hope. But, we can still work on it locally and who knows, something might happen.