TAHAWK

While waiting for National to reply, and NOT holding my breath, I thought I'd give the community a crack at this. Preparing for IOLS, I again read SC-4, and pondered on what in the world BSA means by "10 kinds of wild animals (birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, mollusks)" Mollusks are a phylum. The other four listed are classes in the subphylum Cordata. Strange sort of examples. Like "10 kinds of plants (Edicots, Serbian spruce, Colorado spruce, Norway Spruce, Black spruce)" -- in the sense of different levels of abstraction. If we are sorting "kinds" at that level of taxonomy, the five listed parenthetically must be merely examples. You can't get to ten with an exclusive list of five. So amphibians are OK. Insects? Worms? I hope so. "Kinds"? "Kind" is not a conventional scientific term. Since the examples of "kinds" are one phyla and four classes, are "kinds" at that level of abstraction? Examples from ten different phyla / ten different classes? 1. a Bony fish.; 2. a Cartilaginous fish; 3. a Jawless fish - and so on? Or is it ten animals that are different is some undefined way we get to define, thus adding to the requirements? "Wild" animal. Easy, right? What makes an animal "wild" for advancement purposes? Are feral Felis catus or feral Canis familiaris or feral Quaker Parrots “wild†for advancement purposes? Does it depend on whether they escaped from a pet shop? Is a domesticated Canis lupus or one habituated to man NOT “wild†for those purposes? What if is kills a Homo. sap? If the adjective does not matter, why is it there? Again, we could decide, but . . . . I pointed out to the advancement team ten years ago that the three fires requirement for WIlderness Survival allows for electric BBQ starters, kerosene blow-torches, thermite grenades, butane lighters, naphtha lighters, railroad flares, and propane torches as not "matches." No action. So every MBC still writes his/her own requirement, differing from place to place (6 volt batteries?). Perhaps we should rejoice in the practical freedom to "roll our own."

Two more. Otherwise blank BSA patrol patch with black stitching forming a 1/4" irregular dot slightly off center. "The Distant Birds." Call: mouths open and close with no sound emerging. Solid black patch. "The Event Horizon" Call: "Lights Out!"

All true. My company sent me to Situational Leadership led by Blanchard personally thirteen years before I attended the latest WB. That experience reduced the "newness" of many of the concepts. Still, it was a chance to watch the presenters and try to pick up lessons technique (good or less than that) and to try to figure out what was going on co,pared to the first two versions of WB. The debriefing after the Game of Life was new to me and made sense given the difference between Scouting, where we need more adults, and the business world, where companies do not need the hyper competitive who won't be team players.

They can be relevant - if the patrol and troop program allow them to be relevant. One might start by removing the "sliders" from all the tent ropes. Erect a flag pole at each patrol or troop campsite using lashings. Tug-of-war after safe rope is assembled using appropriate knots. "Knot Club" with beads on a thong for accomplishing designated levels of understanding, with beads forfeited if the bearer can't tie the knot on demand after it has been originally earned. If it's actually useful or a game . . . .

Probably the favorite Scout knot - the Severe Tangle and Half Hitch

There is a theory that it is inefficient to spend "sales" effort on either those who support or those who oppose an idea. Each of those groups already has ego invested in a position - for or against. Instead, the theory goes, the target should be those who are neutral - open-minded on the question.

That comports with an officially BSA recognized religion. But it makes me wonder about what I did in the prior life.

HANLON'S RAZOR Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.

If you assume the worst . . . .

That low-growing plant covered with bright yellow flowers growing along the side of the road in front of the church? What if I were to tell you it comes from the area where Asia and Europe meet? How do you suppose it got all the way to Ohio? That raucous call that sounds like it came from a movie about the jungle? See that smallish bird climbing up the trunk of the old maple in short bursts? You're right; it's making that big sound. What sort of bird do you think it is? A lot of "nature" can be observed in the semi-urban, and even fully-urban, areas.

What spelling error? You are really working at being offended.

"Snide"? I don't understand. I was literally a half mile away when Aggie was culling out the water bottles and insulation. I didn't learn it had happened until Day 3. How is it "snide" to point out that fact? The capacity of containers in a couple of the places I linked agreed with your opinion about a minimum of 4 liters capacity per person. You have a problem with someone citing opinions that agree with yours? That's a new one for me. Or perhaps you are offended because someone else in Scouting asked you for help in understanding your reference to "the Philmont Seven." I Googled could not find anything about your "Philmont seven." So far as I can tell, it is also not referenced at http://www.philmonts...hattoBring.aspx As Contingent Adviser I had a list of things said to be my responsibility, including attending that meeting Watching over the Ranger, in hindsight, might have been on the list, but it was not, and did not occur to me. The four other adults who were at the Shakedown, simply accepted the Ranger as THE authority.

Long "step" from a meeting half a mile away. And your "Philmont seven," can't find it. Please help. The issue was personal water container capacity. The Aggie told them one liter/quart. We had trained them to have three - four liters personal carrying capacity. Plus, we had the water bladders - 6 gals worth. Here is what I can find today: http://www.philmontscoutranch.org/404/Safety.aspx [includes the incorrect statement that filters don't eliminate viruses - untrue of easily-available filters for several years] http://www.philmontscoutranch.org/TrekPreparation/Shakedown/GearSelection.aspx http://www.planphilmont.com/gear/personal-gear/water-containers/ http://www.philmontscoutranch.org/filestore/philmont/pdf/GuidebookToAdventure.pdf[p. 21]

Three Ranger experiences. Two were fine. Other than the obligatory Shakedown, made suggestions to/asked questions of the Crew Leader. No. 3 (the "Aggie") was more directive AND insisted no more than one canteen per hiker needed and no insulation layer. Fortunately, we smuggled extra water bladders as the itin included a period of 21 hrs with no water source in a rugged stretch of terrain. Unfortunately, when it got cold (40 and high wind/rain/sleet), we had to bag three Scouts who got hyothermic. (The Scouts from our troop had retrieved their insulation and extra water bottles when the Agie wandered off after the Shakedown. The three from other units had been more impressed by titles.)

Much good advice. In a feeble effort to contribute "Lunch" for breakfast "Breakfast" for lunch. On the trail when light enough to walk safely. Lots of practice before expedition with loads eventually heavier than you expect at Philmont. Really suitable footwear for rocky trails Dressed like cowboys except for the backpacking boots.

Oh but there is: 1. Describe the first aid for blisters, trench foot, splinters, and the common cold. 2. Describe the origins of the word "necromancy." 3. Is viewing old episodes of I Love Luck "necromancy"? Discuss. 4. Show your mastery of essential technique by digging a hole 3' x 7' x 6' deep in soil typical for your area in not more than seven hours (which need not be continuous) using hand tools. 5. Compare and contrast "necromancy" and "beating a dead horse in 100 words of less in legible cursive script. . . .

I second the observations of El Explorador Latino. Advancement creates a motivation to encourage he who missed one outdoor activity to engage in a different outdoor activity.

STOP BEING REALISTIC!

Wrong concepts.

The intent of today's Wood Badge is to hand out "bags" with unknown contents, some much better other? I'm diabetic. Candy is the Booby Prize. Others might be vegetarians or vegans. Who is the final arbiter of what is of value to each or particular recipients of the "bags"? You? The recipients are not told what they are to accomplish with the contents of these "bags"? You have witnessed the current version of Wood Badge? Recalling that the claim was as to the "intent" of Wood Badge, as opposed to the success with which the intent is realized: Who would the Servant have been? Younger son?

We, at least, had accurate data until all councils were pressured to use national software - that would import the existing data from the local software. NOT. Immediately post-change, I was shown as trained as of 1910 and a district chair before my birth or the existence of that district. Every time the locals try to correct the records, new fantasies appear to replace the old and accurate data disappears.

I feel bad over further evidence of ineptitude.

Not Bob's horse. Bob the horse:

Bob? BOB ?! You talked to Bob? !!

I gave you the link. The quote is from the Robert K. Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership website. Home: https://www.greenleaf.org/Isuppose they could be putting up fake quotes, but it seems unlikely. "[P]ersuasion by any other means than the traditional authoritarian model is the better course of action to follow.†Note "any."