TAHAWK

1. Effort at convincing the opposition is a waste of time. Aim for the uncommitted. 2. Venturing.

Boy Scout wants you ! Now is the time to join the fun and excitement of America's foremost youth program for boys... Boy Scouts. Designed for boys ages 11-18, Boy Scouts combines fishing, archery, camping and other outdoor activities and academics. The program helps Scouts learn ideals such as honesty, good citizenship, leadership skills and respect. Elkhart County Boy Scouts will hold an Open House and invites all interested young men to check what Scouts is all about. The Open House will be at the Concord Fire Department located at 23625 CR 18 in Elkhart from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m

I too have experienced unqualified trainers, but not all trainers are incompetent. Tomorrow I will take Catholic YPT, and the trainer has won his high school's Distinguished Teacher award eleven times. I've seen him work. He's good. If you encounter a bad trainer, have a calm talk about him or her with your district or council training chair. If not for you, do it for the next batch of victims.

1. Try very hard to find a job for everyone who is willing to help. 2. Encourage use of the Patrol Method by awarding an annual ribbon to those who do use it. (Requires someone who knows what it is.) Publish those Troop numbers in your news letter. (Recognition - in almost all endeavors - works.) 3. Try to get back-ups in every key job. Until you do, you are a clot/transfer/unhappy spouse away from recruiting someone to step in on the fly. 4. Public praise (every chance you get to give honest praise) Private evaluation. 5. Constantly ask volunteers if they know anyone who could help. 6. Training is the most important thing that you do, if done correctly by competent, enthusiastic staff. 7. Do not believe that the UC's will, in fact, do what they are in theory to do. They simply are very unlikely to be in place. 8. The Key Two is you and your DC. Paid Scouters come and go and have different objectives than you should have. 9. Don't make the DE's job more impossible than it already is. Keep him informed. Ask his opinion even though it may be useless.

I am told annually by Council that my YPT has expired and reminded that I need to take it every two years. Invariably, they have the wrong date for when I took it last. Invariably they want me to "print" a copy of the "certificate" and "email" it to them. BSA, of course, is the ultimate record keeper as the certificate copy is at its site. .

Do you wear one?

I am aware on no unit around here where the Scouts do not wear neckerchiefs. In some units, the adults do not wear them.

Exactly.

"Retreat" is, of course, the ceremony where the flag is lowered for the day.

"The first count of the movement is executed on the command of execution, [e.g.] FACE. The second count is executed on command, TWO of READY, TWO." U.S. Army FM 22-5 at p. 9. "When “SALUTE†is given, raise your right hand smartly in the most direct ... At the command “TWO,†return to attention." Coast Guard Drill Manual

Speaking of Marines: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/images/mc_colorguard.pdf "Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies Manual (MCO P5060.20) : "1. The purpose of the hand salute is to demonstrate mutual respect and courtesy between members of military organizations and to show respect to national colors. It is executed in one count when halted at attention, marching at quick time, or seated in a vehicle. The command is "Hand, SALUTE." To return to the position of attention the command is "Ready, TWO."​ http://drummajor.net/documents/USMC%20Drill%20and%20Ceremonies%20Manual.pdf

No specified ceremony, as you say, but many believe that they have "the" answer. All good if: 1) dignified; 2) looks like you know what you are doing; 3) practiced "Color Guard - attention." "Troop - (camp) attention." "Color Guard - advance." (Color Guard marches to position and rigs flag for raising. When flag ready for hoist, senior member of Color Guard looks at formation commander. "Color Guard Raise the Colors/Hand Salute/Bugler Sound off." When flag is at the peak: "Two" When flag has been secured: "Color Guard - retire." (Color Guard marches off.) When Color Guard has retired: "Troop (camp) at ease."

"What is their intent?" appears from time to time. 0___0

But is it their intent to be obtuse?

There was a "Pathfinder" compass by Silva in the 1950's - aluminum compass attached to plastic card - much like today's basic models but not liquid-filed. https://books.google.com/books?id=G1kR2H3VhhwC&pg=PA53&lpg=PA53&dq=boy+scout+pathfinder+compass&source=bl&ots=t6qBi8GBUk&sig=jvgSh046hoIk0sjjnbzNTbJS_dc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CFsQ6AEwB2oVChMI-5yv5MWXxwIVA5INCh3FDw09#v=onepage&q=boy%20scout%20pathfinder%20compass&f=false Same item? http://www.antiquesnavigator.com/d-1195000/pathfinder-brass-pocket-compass--leather-case.html I found three images on line. All said it was a 1960's item. If so, it was not BSA issue. It's not in the 1960's equipment catalogs.

And yet, as Horizon again reminds us, BSA has had Buddhist troops since 1920 and specifically recognizes the Buddhist religious award. And Buddhists do not even believe in a creator divinity. Young people need faith. There is abundant evidence that children benefit from the moral compass provided by religious tradition. We acknowledge that faith can become an important part of a child's identity. Each of the major faiths breeds hope, optimism, compassion, and a belief in a better tomorrow. Scouting encourages each young person to begin a spiritual journey through the practice of his or her faith tradition. One of the key tenets of Scouting is "duty to God.While Scouting does not define religious belief for its members, it has been adopted by and works with youth programs of all major faiths. " B.S.A. August 7, 2015 at http://www.scouting.org/Visitor/WhyScouting/FaithTraditions.aspx

Buddhists.just knock that argument into a cocked hat. The policy is as clear as mud.

Refuse an adult with a felony record for violence? You have discriminated. Refuse a pedophile? You have not only discriminated, you have done so on the basis of sexual orientation.

Is it politically incorrect to disagree with a definition of "political correctness"?

"assumption"

-17 f Two feet of fluff BUTANE does not work below 32 f. Propane heats some houses in this area throughout the Winter. Waterproof-breathable stops working at some point when the little breathing holes freeze shut. Then you are wearing a plastic bag, NG!

"There is more to merit badges than simply providing opportunities to learn skills. There is more to them than an introduction to lifetime hobbies, or the inspiration to pursue a career—though these invaluable results occur regularly. It all begins with a Scout’s initial interest and effort in a merit badge subject, followed by a discussion with the unit leader or designated assistant, continues through meetings with a counselor, and culminates in advancement and recognition. It is an uncomplicated process that gives a Scout the confidence achieved through overcoming obstacles. Social skills improve. Self-reliance develops. Examples are set and followed. And fields of study and interest are explored beyond the limits of the school classroom." "Earning merit badges should be Scout initiated, Scout researched, and Scout learned. It should be hands-on and interactive, and should not be modeled after a typical school classroom setting. Instead, it is meant to be an active program so enticing to young men that they will want to take responsibility for their own full participation." "The sort of hands-on interactive experience described here, with personal coaching and guidance, is hardly ever achieved in any setting except when one counselor works directly with one Scout and his buddy, or with a very small group. Thus, this small-scale approach is the recommended best practice for merit badge instruction and requirement fulfillment. Units, districts, and councils should focus on providing the most direct merit badge experiences possible. Large group and Web-based instruction, while perhaps efficient, do not measure up in terms of the desired outcomes with regard to learning and positive association with adults." "Scout-driven" seems to mean that earning the MB is the Scout's idea.

According to BSA (and for generations) ALL Merit Badges are supposed to be Scout-driven. One assumes they exclude MBs required for advancement.

I found this in five minutes. I have no idea if it is accurate.