skeptic

Thanks for not calling me a "liar" too.

Moose'; You do realize don't you that no matter what you say, it will not appease him? If he disagrees with something, and another suggests that there is room for the awful "compromise", he starts shouting somehow that is making atheists (him) a second class citizen or something similar. Reality is that he is only made one if he allows it to be so; it is a personal problem, and none of us will solve it or his insecurity. JMHO of course.

The old furry beast has stuck his snout into the boards again. Good to see you Beavah.

An interesting piece from across the pond, guaranteed to stir the pot. http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/seanthomas/100231060/are-atheists-mentally-ill/

It is interesting the stories some post here, and the ones so far gotten from leaders and scouts just returned. Most of those with whom I have spoken have mostly positive comments, though they do note there were short comings in some areas. Still, it "seems" that the overall feedback I have gotten is no where nearly as awful as a few here seem to state. But, there are various levels and types of response to disappointment and discomfort by individuals. Maybe those I have met just have more flexible and positive attitudes and can look at difficulties and less than perfect experiences as opportunities for improvement going forward, rather than an excuse to complain and throw rocks. Just a thought and observation.

Thanks JoeBob; the positive always outweighs the negative.

All went well, and was a real sharing of scouting and family fellowship followed with an outstanding barbecue. Seems he will continue to aid his troop as he is able, though he will be a senior and is a full bore A.P. student. Thanks to all that offered congratulatory words.

Yes. One of his uncles on his mother's side is a doctor there, and helped him set it up.

For whatever reason, cannot PM you; not authorized. It is at the Las Flores School on Antonio Pkwy tomorrow. His name is Kathan.

Have waited a long time for someone in the family to complete his Eagle. Neither nephew did, nor my brother. But, the son of my older nephew has done it in spades. He will be presented the award on Saturday evening in Orange County. His project was making a special video to help families understand and cope with the challenges of a child in CHOC. He not only worked to do the the film, but also obtained the equipment and donated it to them. This has led to his further interest in film as a possible vocation, and he has since won honors for student film work at his high school. Hope to get a photo of him and me together to enter in the family list in the NESA Magazine.

Good to see you have returned. Always enjoy your well thought out posts and comments.

Our office no longer keeps a copy of the blue card, just the advancement report. So, if a merit badge is to verified as from a registered counselor, then it is up to the unit to do it. Most actually do; but I am sure there are a few that just shrug it off as a minor detail or unneeded chore.

Unneeded adult interference in growing up.

Please, lets not continue the vendettas against everything National into this too. While the original patrol system is not the same, it still exists; and in many units it does a very good job of doing what it was developed to do. Certain realities in our society dictate many of the rationales in today's softened strictures. We live in a super litigious culture where much of what we did easily and with little concern as youth (those of us from the earlier periods; the old guys) is now simply not allowed due to fears of legal issues and overly protective and fearful people. Ironically, at the same time, we allow things today, actually almost encourage some, that would have gotten people beat, jailed, or worse forty or fifty years ago. Still, while we continue to fight to keep the basic skills in the program, good units do. We also do things that would never even been attempted back then, due to newer technology and superior equipment. Most camping in the old days was done with the assistance of vehicles of some sort, either wagons, carts, pack animals, and so on. Almost any early memoir predating 1940 talks about getting there without carrying anything but basic stuff on their backs. I am not claiming that today is better than yesterday. What I am saying is that many of the comparisons are simply not true. I have a troop that is 92 years old; and fortunately I also have many photos from early days, as well as various short write ups of activities. They camped in orchards, on farms, and sometimes "drove" to the end of the road, set up camp, and day hiked. They also took their fishing poles, rifles, and sometimes small game traps, while having staples on the truck in which they arrived (literally; on top of the gear). The animosity a few continue to post is often simply over board and often, to anyone who has done any "serious" readings, obviously slanted and sometimes inaccurate. Am currently reading a book from 1961, THE BLACK PANTHER BANNER, about a Lone Scout group in the Wichita area in the thirties. Read the book THIRTEEN YEARS OF SCOUT ADVENTURE by Walsh, or early boys' magazines. You will see something of what I am speaking.

According to the IG, you should NOT. Can you? Yes, but it does not really belong there officially. It is not a National or World patch.

Very little has changed in the Insignia Guide over the last 20 years, other than a few items being added. The positions of various patches has remained basically the same for decades, including what goes above the right pocket. Way back when, you could wear two jambo patches, if one was world. Technically, the IG says jambo patches must be current above the pocket; but few of us would say anything about a past one there I am sure. It also says only two can be worn at a time, a world on the pocket and the must current National above it. Definitely says training course patch, even the one from Philmont, is worn on the right pocket. If is a losing battle though with some I am afraid, as they simply do not care.

Not sure if you are talking about the scout council or your group council. The scout council should have NO say in approval of a prayer; their only participation is the award itself and whatever the unit and family asks.

That is why we have pre sell scheduling at the favorite locations. No troop can set up their own at any of those sites on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday during the selling period. The management there is assured there should be no issues, and if there are, they have a contact to call. Since we started this, there have very few conflicts, other than one year having to deal with some church group who just came on the site at Lowes. Store front is hit and miss anyway, depending on what is happening in the area, and the weather. Cubs always do better, because they have the "cute" factor, as well as more overall enthusiasm. Older boys are not that into it; they just do it because they are asked most of the time, and some opt out anyway. We are considering doing only personal sales this year.

Once again I simply do not understand how this negatively affects anyone other than maybe their feelings. And if such a thing hurts your feelings, then that is your issue, not theirs. Certain people can be honored or remembered without others being dishonored by the memorial. If you are somehow dishonored, then you have greater emotional issues than will be fixed by disallowing the memorial. JMHO

When I met with the group of scouts at the group session the first time, I added Green Bar Bill and Edward Robinson to the list of possible bio's. Both are very important in the history of the program. Another is Norman Rockwell; of course he fits with the Boy's Life info too. I like your approach to the prep, especially if it is to be a group session. Thanks for sharing.

One of the best quotes from the Old Testament supporting the ambiguous nature of faith is, "I AM, therefore I AM". Really does not have to apply to any particular religious belief; simply says there is something, and it is simply a fact.

Kahuna: I have been a counselor since the outset; the only one for a short time in our council. Still not very many. While most scouts that see displays I put on two or three times a year are mildly interested, there are few that spend any time with in depth viewing or ask me specific questions. On the other hand, at the last Eagle dinner in Spring I could not find one of my history books and got worried; finally discovered a scout and his mother sitting on a bench pouring over the book. Every once in a while, when I ask my Scouting History question that is now a part of our Eagle boards, I have one very well versed; but most have the bare minimum from the handbook. Other than after a merit badge gathering the first year it was available, I have had no calls. But it still has its place. Not sure how to get more interest, as almost all scouts focus on the Eagle badges, a few really fun ones, and the easiest outside of the Eagle.

If I am fortunate, I may be able to pull off something similar. When I attended on staff in 2010, it was my 3rd; 1960, 1985, 2010, making it every 25 years. Have one shirt with the 1960 patch on the pocket, the 1985 name tag, and the 2010 in its normal place. Occasionally someone notices them. Have never had the opportunity to sit down and talk with any from 1937, though have met one or two briefly. Do have one in our church who attended 1950, and he has some stories, as well as photos that he shared with me. For us crazy historians, this is really interesting.

Bando; You have to understand that we are now dealing with "Me first" scouts and scouters in way too many instances. Their personal definitions of the law are contingent on what is the most enjoyable for them, unless something better comes along in the meantime. Ultimately, they make their choices; and the image they leave is not always one they might like later. We have similar attitudes at local levels, often having to expect about 20% fewer to turn out for things than said they would initially.

We simply continue to have a great many individuals with half empty glasses. If anything, BSA should be looking to do even more service, as that is something that can overcome considerable negative publicity on other things. I feel they miss the boat on all levels by not assuring that the amount and often quality of service by troops, districts, and Eagles is almost mind boggling. Yet we are lucky to see much more than "Joe Scout" was awarded Eagle or something along that line most of the time. And it is usually buried so you have to search for it. But, anything negative will likely be front page, or front of sections. As far as the OA is concerned, it is not its intent to do all levels of service, but rather service to encouraging camping and supporting camping development in Scouts and the community as well.