Stoutwalker

Eamonn, Please ignore our peeing contest. The main thing is that the Youth get the guidance, support, and help they need to have fun, learn, and grow. You have the right idea. I know that I, for one, cna get lost in the minutia and details, most of which our charges could care less about. Go for it, do it, start a Ship, and deliver the promise, show them what being a Sea Scout means. I , for one, have faith in you. And, don't lose sight of what is important. The Youth. Pat "Stout" PS- If you are ever in Tennessee, feel fre to look me up, and we can both take a walk for a fine stout.

I must have some of the earlier Crew 697 knots. I felt the colors were just a bit off, and that the dimensions were off from Ofiicial Supply Division stuff. There used to be a group listed on the old Sea Scout site named 'Why Knot' and they seemed to have a full compliment of colors and knots, but sadly, I haven't been able to actually contact them. And, I agree, Knots like the Youth and Adult Religious awards, the DAM, and others not on a 'uniform' backing color, shouldn't be altered to match.

Thanks. I have a bunch now from Crew 697. Craig Murray's look very nice, too. Have you noticed any difference in quality between the two?

Do you care to share your two sources? I am always looking for knots on spruce green. (See, I didn't say it this time!)

I still wear my Universal Arrow, with Vigil pin attached. I even still have the 75th anniversary award Univeral Arrow (same ribbon, gold Turtle pierced by an arrow, with 1915 on the turtles shell) on one of my uniforms.

TP, leadership in Venturing is not laizze faire. It is placed in the hands of the youth. And, if the Crew/Ship really is there for the Youth, then they should be allowed to dictate what they wear, what adavncement scheme they wish to follow (Yep, they can choose not to use the traditional Sea Scouting advancement scheme), and what sort of program they have. I agree with you about the traditions, and that the Ship should wear the standard uniforms. BUT, even more than I agree with you, I believe that the the Sea Scouting/Venturing phase's needs, nor the youth's, would be served if we didn't allow them to make thier own choices, decisions, and lead for themselves. Sea Scouting, Venturing, should not be Boy Scouts beefed up. Forcing the traditional uniform on the Young Adults because thats what they've worn since 1912 doesn't serve the needs and wants of the youth. Allowing them to decide IF that's what they want DOES.

acco40 wrote: "One more thing - if the troop decides to wear the neckerchief, the troop needs to decide if it will wear it under the collar or over the collar (collar should be rolled under) and ALWAYS with the top button of the shirt unbuttoned. The whole troop should wear it the same way." YES! AMEN! THANK YOU! I, personally, prefer over the collar, in the metod described, and have NEVER worn it any other way (but, then again, I am not in a Unit currently, but a district volunteer).

On the subject of uniforming: Not to contradict, or disregard, what Trail Pounder has to say, because his suggestion is economical and still well within tradition, I would suggest that if you do organize a Sea Scout Ship, you have the Sea Scouts themselves vote and decide what uniform, if any, they desire. But, the Scouts should be equipped with the proper info to make a reasonable decision: pircing, appearance, expectation of durability, etc. After all, Sea Scouting/Venturing is supposed to be their chance to make their own decisions.

I am in a new council (well, new to me, that is) that doesn't have a strong Venturing program. I spoke with the DE of my District, and he said they haven't been able to excite local kids about it. I would like to help the council (my district in particular) to build the program here. It's a favorite program of mine, one I wish was around when I was a youth. Any ideas on how to get kids interested and excited about Venturing? Kids who aren't Scouts already, perhaps? Just out fishing for ideas!

emb021 said: "Also, the Eagle, AOL, and Hornaday knot can be obtained on green backgrounds." Did the BSA issue official knots on Venturing Green again? Or are you referring to non-BSA issue insignia? No that I will split hairs, I have a Scouters Trainign Award, James E. West Fellowship, and Eagle Scout knot on one of my Venture Shirts that are in Venture Green, but not anywhere near official issue. Just curious.

Eamonn: There are directions and proceedures for creating a 'Land Ship' for Ships that do not have a vessel. It can be done pretty simply with basic carpentry skills and ropework, or even just creative positioning of a meeting hall. I know, not the same, but it helps until the Ship can afford to purchase some means of aquatic conveyance. Check out the current Sea Scout manual (it may have the plans for the Land Ship), if not, the older editions definitely do contain them. Basically, you set the meeting place up in the outline of a ship, with ropes, chairs, benches, whatever. On Uniforms: There is also a Tan Uniform. The BSA was selling Sea Scout tabs for the pockets out of the Nat'l Catolog a while back. BUT, the Ship can designate whatever uniform they wish. I knew a Ship on Long Island that used a T-Shirt and Jeans as thier official Uniform, I tried to organize a Ship when I was a pro that was thinking about adopting a more'Yacht' like outfit, shorts and T-Shirt, with a historical 'Pirate/Privateer' unifrom for special functions. As has been pointed out already, you do not need to use the traditional Naval uniforms, although they do look very nice. And, you should get the Sea Scout Manual. It is (IMHO) one of the best publications the BSA has produced. It is CHOCK FULL of nautical info and tradition. I showed it to the curator of a Nautical Museum on Long Island, NY and he almost signed up to charter a ship on the spot (had it not been for the Supreme Court case, he would have!). Go for it, search a ship out, start a new one. It's a great program that I wish was available back home when I was a kid (Yes, I grew up on an Island that had NO Sea Scout ships. That number grew to 2 when I was an Adult).(This message has been edited by Stoutwalker)

Yes, it does seem you can become an honorary member of Clan McLaren, but that site (at least what I read) makes no mention if you are 'entitled' to wear the Tartan thereafter. But that the family reaches out to Woodbadgers is encouraging, and most likely profitable for their Clan society. And, hey, the 'uniform is the uniform' arguement is a big one. But nothign says you can't wear a kilt as part of a 'Class B' (although the Boy Scouts of America does not recognize any differing class of uniform), with a troop T-Shirt. Of course, I want to try to trade with someone from the U.K. or Ireland for a Scout kilt from their society.

"Dare I ask what ya'll wear under them?" Well, generally, I find it impolite to ask anyone about the state of thier undergarments, or lack thereof. Now, I know that it is usually the first question many folks ask me when I don my kilt in public, and it is usually females (of varying ages) who ask. The worst incident was at a wedding for a friend, and his grandmother actually lifted the front of my kilt to see. Her daughter had lifted the kilt of one of my groomsmen at my wedding a few months earlier. Depending on the situation, the people involved, and the location, my answer varies. I usually ask the curious party what they are wearing under their clothing, which generally embarrasses them more than them asking me. Around close friends, my answer tends to be a bit more colorful. I will say, if you must know, I prefer to be tradtitional.

Hey guys, Thanks for the warm welcome! Patrick

Hello all. I am new here. Currently I am a Roundtable Commissioner in eastern Tennessee. I the past, I have been a lot of stuff in this wonderful program. I am not going to bore anyone with the list. I believe wholeheartedly in the Boy Scout movement, and all the great things it can do in the lives of our youth. I joined the forums here to share ideas, get and give advice, and to make contact with Scouters around the country and the globe. So, hey. There. (FYI, the thread title is in fact a joke.)