TAHAWK

They already make better stuff. The make it for sellers who demand quality. That, of course, requires competence in those whose job is to insure adequate quality. Benchmade and Spyderco have such persons, as do a number of Chinese companies.

The troop parents should be "invited" to a required coffee: http://www.scouting.org/Training/Adult/Supplemental/OrientationforNewBoyScoutParents.aspx It's not the whole story, but it's batter than the Scoutmaster training.

I remember boxes of Japanese nails being returned when I worked at a building supply wholesaler in the 1960's. The problem Stosh mentioned. "J*p Junk" China can make quality goods. We know this because they do. (Including all - all - the propellant for our Hellfire missiles.) Why do they also send us junk? 'Cause we buy it. When Camillus went under in 2007, B.S.A. tried to replace them with U.S. suppliers. One U.S. company supplied the Cub knives for a time, but it turned out they were not made in U.S. after all. Another U.S. company made several other B.S.A. knives, but the quality was very inconsistent - lots of returns. When B.S.A. asked for better quality, the maker was unwilling to commit to better quality. CHINA knives followed. Ford is moving "small car" production to Mexico, which has lost 100,000s of jobs to China.

I thought it was "There can be only one."

I think there is no need to call it anything but what it is: "B.S.A. branded clothing."

No. Not even in that is B.S.A. 100%

It will be forty-seven years June 1st, and in all that time, as Stosh has pointed out, "Scout Spirit" has been clearly defined as living by Scouting's values as set out in the Oath, Law, Slogan, and Motto. Now we have Google, so one not even own and read the Handbook. B.S.A. says on its 2016 website: "4.2.3.2 Demonstrate Scout Spirit The ideals of the Boy Scouts of America are spelled out in the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan. Members incorporating these ideals into their daily lives at home, at school, in their religious life, and in their neighborhoods, for example, are said to have Scout spirit. In evaluating whether a member has fulfilled this requirement, it may be best to begin by asking him to explain what Scout spirit and living the Scout Oath and Scout Law mean to him. Young people know when they are being kind or helpful, or a good friend to others. They know when they are cheerful, or trustworthy, or reverent. All of us, young and old, know how we act when no one else is around. 'Scout spirit' refers to ideals and values; it is not the same as 'school spirit.'" And there is no "uniform." Instead there is only BSA-branded clothing, with dozens of combinations across a wide price-range. A uniform would be - duhh! - uniform.

n“Scouting offers what boys want: outdoor adventures, being with their friends….†B.S.A. website, 2016 n “they self-select and they are friends….†B.S.A., Scouting blog, 2015 n“Scouts should be encouraged to invite their friends to join the troop and become a member of their patrol.†B.S.A. website, 2016 n“ ‘You set up a structure—six to eight Scouts—and let them figure it out,’ he says. n‘Boys are going to want to stick together if you can use their friendships to put together a team.’ †B.S.A., Scouting (May-June 2012) So why not start with who they want to be with rather than random chance? It ought to be possible to have every Scout in a patrol with one or more of the Scouts he wants to be with.

In 1927, the BSA created Honorary Scouts to distinguish “American citizens whose achievements in outdoor activity, exploration, and worthwhile adventure are of such an exceptional character as to capture the imagination of boys.†Among the Honorary Scouts were Orville Wright and Charles Lindbergh. http://www.scouting.org/JamboreeMedia/100Things.aspx

They all finished the course. The two assigned to me for ticket purposes finished and got their beads. As in any system, there are policies and practices and the two may not coincide. Another example would be the "mandatory" Patrol Method that is rarely observed.

Last time I staffed WB, four of "my" six Beavers had completed no training whatsoever prior to starting WB. Turns out there are practical barriers to "Do it our way or else." Along those same lines, how about "Honorary Scout" for the Scouts who insist on avoiding the Patrol Method?

Bill is listed as a recipient of the Danish equivalent of Eagle Scout, "Knight-Scout," and recipient of B.S.A.'s Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.

The OA has always expressly been a service organization and recognition for those Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the oath and Law. It was never about recognizing camping skill.

No! 0___0 Really?

No! 0___0 Really?

At least three councils have ticket-like processes and recognition for completion - in one case a special neckerchief. "It seems that many small things have had an impact on our son's life. But a more significant one is when he saw three of his fellow scouts receive their Silver Bear Awards from NYLT." I too recall the 2009 dictated death of special local names such as Golden Acorn. The dictate was not obeyed.

Adult staffers who have passed the requirements can earn beads for serving as course SM or course SA Every adult staffer is undoubtedly someone's "son." The insignia for a youth who has completed NYLT is the NLYT strip.

How about a month off per year for Dunlop's Disease?

If every SM can make his own rules, what does "right" mean?

Are we having a conversation about the "complainant" rather than with him? I have no problem with having a conversation about someone based on facts assumed to be true. How else can someone come here for advice? But all parties need to acknowledge that different facts will produce a different outcome. It's all theoretical, is it not? If X, Y, and Z are true, then what are the opinions.

It is often easy to assume the worst.

Interesting issue. BSA says we are on our honor to "support and use the recommended literature, materials, and procedures as I carry out my training responsibilities." Does one fail to support and use the recommended literature" by adding to that literature? What is consistent with the "values" of Scouting if the BSA literature is, beyond any doubt, incorrect and inconsistent with other BSA literature? Now for the tougher issue. What if the "recommended literature" is simply incorrect - even teaching procedures that are contrary to law?

"Common sense" from a culture where the biggest kid in class is "Tiny."

I have swords that, I assure you, have sharp edges and were made that way. A katana or a tachi is not a saber and yet, unless in poor condition, defines "sharp." As for a sabre not being a "sword<" that would depend on what definitions are being used. The Model 1913 Cavalry Saber has a straight blade. Of more funniness, at least two BSA publications, both on wilderness survival, advocate carrying short swords for wilderness survival - khukuris and bolos. But since swords are typically carried in scabbards, and not sheaths, they do not fall afoul of the G2SS "large sheath knife" advice.