skeptic

Just had one of my current leaders show up on my training report as expired on YP. Just happened 2 days ago. I am going to look into making our own aging report to warn us a couple months out, though would be great if we got a message from National or local councils. Not holding my breath on that; just glad I was able to see it at all. Turning it over to my computer gurus.

Numbers of other updates, additions, and clarifications. Six total nights of camping for FC; sheetbend is now required for FC; actually demonstrating using clove hitch and timber hitches for each lashing, and making the device as well; using a GPS as well as compass; choking added to tenderfoot FA; specifying discussion of 4 laws for each rank, but must be different each time, so cover all of them; Star reviews the parent guide again that is needed to join; FC adds boat descriptions and their oars or paddles; Life service to include minimum 3 hours of conservation; other minor changes; and additional specific detail added to most of the requirements so can be far less conjecture. They also have officially made Scout a rank, and it has double the original joining requirements, many of which were in Tenderfoot before. Time will tell, but to me, they seem to be tacitly making advancement at the lower end far more challenging, which is a good thing.

While there really are many inefficiencies in council offices and most any office, really, it is not completely their fault. Much of the problem is plain carelessness and lack of completeness on the part of the volunteers. The paperwork may be tedious, but it is part of the process and normally flows fairly well when properly done to start with. And much of the nightmare is caused by our litigious society and tendency to take the easy way out if we can. Missing required info, especially complete names, phones, and signatures will always foul it up. Over the years I have had numerous occasions of having to return an application or other form to the parent or other individuals. They too often seem to think they only have to furnish the parts they want to, or info that they cannot remember, so it is left off. Before it is turned in, someone should carefully review it and try to assure it is less likely to be kicked back. When you have issues, you at least can be fairly sure it is not being caused in part by you or your other leaders. Then also try to not lose it with the staff, especially the office people that are generally overloaded. Treat them well, and they are more likely to find a faster solution.

Not on the White House lawn, but on the Mall. The 37 Jamboree was there. Few more than 50 scouts; was 25-30K if I remember.

What does not appear to be clear is if this was actually ever brought to the council's attention way back then. And, as noted, very convenient that the alleged abuser died prior to the claim. Was this dredged up by a lawyer from the "files"?

So, it is the beginning of prime summer camp and high adventure season. Where, when, what is unique or a major challenge, what might be new. My unit goes to a week at Camp 3-Falls in Lockwood Valley in mid July; http://campthreefalls.blogspot.com/. About 20 miles off the 5 Freeway near Gorman, it is easily accessible from the L.A. area and Kern County. It is the more remote of the two camps in Ventura County Council. This year is its 82nd year. Our troop goes back to its start and before, even having its own site for the first couple of decades or so. Capacity is about 150 to 175, and the facility has a dining hall, health lodge, trading post and office, staff cabins, a nature lodge, and a chapel overlooking the camp and valley. It is at 5700 feet on the east side of the transverse ranges, and has easy access to Mount Pinos at close to 9000 feet, above Frazier Park, the nearest town. While it is one of the smaller camps in Southern California, it has a continuing strong program, even with the loss of our reservoir lake due to the drought. It has a three sided climbing tower that includes a mid level and top rappelling face, with a height of 57 feet; it also has a low scramble wall. Ranges include ten position rifle, archery, shotgun and black powder. While boating is on hiatus until we get water again for the reservoir, the pool hosts all the water activities common to most camps, and also teaches special training to leaders. It continues to develop STEM, currently having Space Exploration, Geocaching, Astronomy, and photography. Pottery is the most recently added to the crafts area. Welding is now in its third year, and we are privileged to have Jack Compton, one of the developers of the badge, as the counselor. We also have fire safety, which includes the local fire department interaction, as well as the Forest Service. Trail to First Class is one of the best such programs in any California camp; they DO NOT sign off scouts, but only keep track of areas covered, expecting the troop to review and finalize. They do the second class cooking requirements one evening as part of the program, from planning to cooking, to cleanup. Merit badges only have four sessions, allowing more time in the groups, as well as afternoon free time. Formal flags occur in the morning before breakfast and evening before dinner, and include flagpoles for troop flags from each campsite. The most unique part of the camp is the Fort, an authentic one quarter scale rendezvous fort circa 1850. Three teepees are pitched outside the fort, which acts as the center of frontier activities that include tomahawks, branding, metal work and blacksmithing, Indian Lore, bull whip, and is the home for older boy programs and wilderness survival. The senior scout challenge, which has no merit badges per se (though mountain biking is part of it, so can apply there) includes backpacking to the back side of Mt. Pinos, then seeing sunrise from the peak before biking back down to the camp. On the last night of camp, a shredded beef barbecue is held, the beef buried in the morning for slow cooking outside the fort, and the special camp root beer is brewed. Basic awards are handed out at the campfire bowl there, mostly after dinner, and it is closed with a patriotic retirement of flag(s), which includes recognition of veterans that may be in the audience or staff. They also have various hikes, mountain biking, and of course the normal nature and basic skills such as First Aid, Pioneering, and Orienteering. Camp wide games, a scout leader splash contest, a couple of special challenge courses, and 3 campfires are part of the schedule. They also have two nights of night climbing on the tower with floods and generational music, and a cantina night with board games and snacks. A number of leader training courses also are offered, including one week of the entire course, as the instructor brings his troop that week. More or less standard platform tenting in sites with portable outhouses, water and washing center, tables, flagpole, and shade covers in camps with little natural shade. Fires are not permitted other than in the two camp fire bowls, and cooking can be done in a central barbecue and dutch oven center next to the assembly area. The camp is also open for off season activities from scouts and other groups; it also includes three winter camp sessions in mid winter. This summer will see the opening of new showers to replace those build in the 70's, though likely will not be ready for actual camp. Sea B's have set up temporary showers while the construction continues. If anyone reading this is interested, you can see the plans here; http://us10.campaign-archive2.com/?u=614cfabc9fca1fe50e97ffdbe&id=74027a8c7b&e=c7027d9175. Look forward to reading about some others, as well as possible special trips and such.

New world order: "Mind your own business, and leave others alone as long as they are doing you no REAL harm".

Took scouts on a short day hike to a local swimming spot on a nearby river. We had about 2 hours of almost no company. Floated on my back watching blue damsel flies, red and blackish dragon flies in pairs, swallows swooping for insects, saw a fairly large turtle (for our area), lots of wild flowers still, a loud frog, and simply peace. When a large contingent of families showed with many under ten kids, I was please with my boys' giving them room and letting the parents know where deeper spots were, or rough bottom. Had to dowse a small campfire still smoking made by fishermen that left when we came (mentioned the fire to them, and they sort of put sand on it), along with picking up beer containers. Only two of them, so not too bad. Overall, just a relaxing short hike and refreshing float with scouts being scouts, and families letting kids be kids.

Actually, in regard to surveys as to lost members, it is a part of the on-line recharter process. But, how many accurate answers they may receive in the section "Why did they leave?" on the recharter paperwork is a big question for sure. Some of the older charter info I have seen had similar surveys, but many times they were left completely blank, even then.

Our council had paper files going back about 10 years available for troops and such; then they were archived, but kept. We still have rosters and charter paperwork dating to the start of the council in 1921, which I spent weeks organizing a number of years back while searching for other things. Found lone scout registrations, Rover unit charters with cards attached, and lists of members for all the charters going all the way back. I was able to verify my unit membership through them and have copies of them all in my own archives. Every once in a while I check to make sure they are still there; think I may need to go into them and straighten them out some again, as they have been dug through a few times since I did it. Scouts were not registered as anything but First Class with merit badges until the war years. So, it is hard to determine that data. After about 1943 they are showing ranks all the way to Eagle on recharter rosters. It can be both tedious and fascinating to go through these things. But I guess we are more fortunate than other councils in actually had someone with the foresight to save them.

This is the kind of publicity that grabs; but it is seldom noted outside the actual Scouting publications, even though it was probably published widely in many periodicals. http://scoutingnewsroom.org/blog/eagle-scout-with-an-edge-inside-nitro-circus-rider-wake-schepman/

It appears that Greenbar Bill has been reinstated in the hierarchy; they may actually listen sometimes? http://scoutingmagazine.org/2015/06/get-to-know-the-bsas-founding-fathers/

You mean I cannot just hang a rock from a tree?

"What about district , council, regional, and National events how will these leaders and units interact with each other? Will dining halls have a Gay and Straight section?" Simply not an issue for any reasonable individuals. These people all existed prior to the paranoia that began about 1990 with the indirect change away from what had always been "local option". If it was not a problem back then, why should be now, other than people choosing to make it one? If we can survive other public contacts with those with whom we do not normally intermix, why can we not do so in Scouting. Everything in our lives does not have to, nor should it be, shared with everyone else. We can choose with whom we socialize, and still be polite when on occasion we may have to interact with those with whom we normally would not. It only is an issue if you choose to make it one. Follow the YP rules, be vigilant as a leader, and work the program in your units. Why should that be so hard?

Yes, a scout salute to Mr. Wallace. I am still waiting to see National acknowledge Robert Dick Douglas Jr. of Greensboro, who is also an Eagle and will be 103 in July. He also is one of the Eagle's that went to Africa in 1928, as well as having gone to Alaska twice. He wrote books about the Alaska adventures, and co-authored Three Boy Scouts in Africa. I have given the info to National a couple of times, after speaking with his son last year, who said he was still mentally active. He sent me a copy of his auto-biography last year, and it is very interesting and includes a good deal related to Scouting. He wrote it when he was 90. It can be found in digital form on line; https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Best_90_Years_of_My_Life.html?id=H5o1F2AXTioC&hl=en .

Very likely will be a number of issues and reports forthcoming once the meeting comes to a close. So, be patient; you may even get the info you are speaking of. The meeting is still in session as far as I know.

Yes, NESA membership is required; they are all administrated and vetted through NESA and are offered through them. Not a big deal, as there are very affordable NESA short term membership.

http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2015/05/22/here-are-the-outstanding-young-men-who-won-2015s-top-nesa-scholarships/ Interesting and encouraging news; lesser awards to be announced mid June.

While I thought asking for a thorough reading of the speech, and comments regarding it, would mean we would see something outside of the "local option" and its related concerns. Obviously, I was not as bright as that average bear. So, please, if you have thoughts, rational and non hysterical, about other parts of it, please consider talking here. Executive pay and contracts; getting back to the volunteer focus; dealing with fundraising, and so on. Personally, I like the fact they have changed the Chief Executive pay package; though it still seems a bit too high to me. It is a start in the right direction. Whether or not the switch to more focus on the volunteer and units' success will happen is again a good idea; but will it actually happen? In today's cultural environment, the funding issues are very difficult. Finding working solutions is necessary, and we can hope they find some. I would really like to see National come up with a way to stabilize councils and also save the local camps that still exist if at all possible. If that means working to some extent from the top, then maybe that should happen, especially in the smaller, more budget challenged councils that NEED to not disappear. So, lets see how this one goes.

Here is the first paragraph of my original post; Please review this, as I did, and pose comments based on what it says, rather than emotion. Lot to process, but I see him basically proposing "local option" as the only really viable response to the rapidly changing political and cultural challenges. Guess my mistake was adding the second short paragraph which mentions "local option", and not noting other parts of the speech. Kind of thought that would be obvious from the first paragraph; but keep forgetting to be exact or I will get slapped. So, I will now start a second thread that asks to discuss the other major comments, other than Gay things.

As I suspected, we continue to have the many who focus on the Gay issue, pro or con with little or no wiggle. There was a number of other important comments in the address that are being ignored. For example; the preliminary info on the Chief Executive pay scale and plan. The comments about moving the professionals back towards the core issues in cooperation with the volunteers. It is at least a bit of acknowledgement that some of the complaints coming from the trenches are starting to register, though it is only a start, and they have a very long way to go. In regard to the the Elephant in the room, I am with Calico on this one. Just continue to not understand the fear of letting units continue to do what they already did and do for the most part still, dating to before the Dale disaster. It is simply irrational to be afraid of what another group does. You run yours, and we run ours. As long as we stay within the confines of the basic rules, we will have little problem. And if some other unit prefers to not associate with us for whatever reason, that is their prerogative. And, it is absolutely partly connected to the reality that the continued attacks and lawsuits under the current system are taking away from effectively focusing where we need to, and also taking very large monetary resources as well. As noted numerous times; why not just work your program as you see fit in your unit, and quit screaming that the "sky is falling" because something you may not like or agree with happens elsewhere.

http://scoutingnewsroom.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/DR-GATES-REMARKS.pdf Please review this, as I did, and pose comments based on what it says, rather than emotion. Lot to process, but I see him basically proposing "local option" as the only really viable response to the rapidly changing political and cultural challenges. As he notes pretty directly; we need to face the issue NOW, and get heads out of the sand, or we will have it done for us by courts and so on. Not necessarily what some want to hear; BUT THE TRUTH.

Tried to post the actual jpg, but still cannot figure that part out. Anyway; many may relate. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p9mgdMpCFTg/SXDHsBv_w8I/AAAAAAAAABI/c2Q81BTadmU/s1600-h/Eagle+Project.jpg

New York Times obit; note the familiar name. Terry, where might you be on the noted auto-biography? Will it ever see the light of day? William Hillcourt, A Boy Scout Writer And Columnist, 92 AP Published: November 14, 1992 MANLIUS, N.Y., Nov. 13— William Hillcourt, the principal author of the "Official Boy Scout Handbook" who was known to scouts worldwide as "Green Bar Bill," died Monday in Stockholm. He was 92 years old. Terry Howerton, a friend who was working as a co-author on Mr. Hillcourt's autobiography, reported his death on Wednesday. Mr. Hillcourt, who lived in this suburb of Syracuse since 1979, was halfway through a trip around the world when he was stricken. His body will be returned to the United States later this month and buried alongside his wife in Mendham, N.J., where the Hillcourts lived for many years. Next to Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the British general who founded the Boy Scout movement in England in the 1890's, Mr. Hillcourt was the most widely known figure in scouting. He wrote several of the nine editions of the scouting handbook, which has sold more than 33 million copies since its first printing in 1910. Advice for Patrol Leaders Mr. Hillcourt also influenced generations of boys through the tales he told in the scouting magazine Boys' Life as Green Bar Bill, a name derived from the two horizontal green bars that are the patrol leader's badge. Mr. Hillcourt, a pharmacist who was born in Denmark, joined the Boy Scouts' national staff in 1929 and then began writing for Boys' Life. Green Bar Bill passed along his first bit of advice on camping and scouting skills in October 1932. He continued writing as Green Bar Bill until the advice column, which subsequently appeared in comic-strip form, ended in April 1988. Mr. Hillcourt also wrote "Handbook for Scoutmasters"; the Boy Scout's first "Scout Field Book"; the "Field Book of Nature Activities," a guide to the enjoyment of nature; Baden-Powell's biography, "Baden-Powell: The Two Lives of a Hero," and a 50-year history of scouting in America, "The Golden Book of Scouting." Because he was a Boy Scout employee, Mr. Hillcourt received no royalties for the handbook. Instead, he received six free copies for every 400,000 books sold. Photo: William Hillcourt (Boy Scouts of America, 1987)

While few scouts follow through after meeting me for the Scouting Heritage MB, I always add Bill to my accepted historical scouters to report on, along with Edgar Robins, and Norman Rockwell. I have most of the reprints from the thirties and forties, as well as many from the sixties, in my collection. The earlier ones would easily lend themselves to an actual book. Maybe our illustrious forum founder, who likely has them all, should consider looking into the possibility of republishing them?