Tampa Turtle

Scoutx (the x is for the shared chromosome.)

I am not having a tizzy over it just felt odd. Whatever. BS4G policy (as stated) seems to not be what is happening in our unit. Has COH last night and sat in the audience with the parents (we had 15 newbies come over so it was a good night). Over heard several scouter-committee moms who are also GSUSA leaders say that they are planning to bring their daughters over (and some friends) next year to our Troop. (The exact words used were "I do not care what a few people say we are going to STORM this Troop." (Her emphasis, not mine) Also "If they say we need two female scout leaders we can do it on paper none of us have to go camping or anything." Two said they were going to start the beginning of next school year and not wait until 2019 because what is the point. The pastor of our CO on Scout Sunday announced how girls are coming to the Troop (surprise!) after an email from a Bishop that our denomination was going to support Girls in the Boy Scout units along with GSUSA (we have few Packs). I do not think there will be any serious discussion about parallel Troops. What I especially do not like is when the news came out I tried to parrot the official line about "no"coed units" (I kept my opinions to myself in front of the boys) and now several came up to me and confronted me with what seems like is going to happen is not what "I" said. I do not like losing their trust over something that is outside my control. I would be more upset but the unit is sliding into a parent-centric Eagle mill (We had a campout with 18 scouts and 16 adults and 6 siblings--give me a break) and have bigger fish to fry,

I think I had the same sprinters on the same hike! The "wait at the fork for the group to catch up" was ignored. Eventually took more than an hour before we got in contact with them (an angry bull blocked their progress) and I was a little anxious.

Very helpful. He is doing a lot of 'unofficial' stuff in the Troop--maybe he should just make up a title and I will buy him a patch.

Son#2 who is 18 and still hanging around the Troop is active in OA (Brotherhood) and wants to know (as he is searching for a roll the last two years of High School) if there are any OA rules against him being the official Troop adviser?

Well they are going to have to make those changes at some point. Interesting that they used the words 'coed' for venturing, etc but not Boy Scouts. I do not think, despite the 'Brand Value' the "Boy" is going to stay long in "Boy Scouting" much longer. Just looks weird.

Laugh laugh mockers. It's all a big game until the little red wagon of death puts you on the 4'-1" ladder to eternity.

It would be a not-unreasonable request but wow what a risk (and am Eagle-killer for a deathbed Eagle attempt). A big problem would be if there was anything major wrong with the proposal or worse yet for a non-eligible beneficiary. We had a similar issue once with a 'horse farm for sensory students' (autistic kids would get horse therapy). Scout (who often avoided meetings and scouters on his race to Eagle) jumped ahead on his project (building a pole barn for said farm--good project) without any discussion with the Troop leaders. He did not get the District Eagle project approval and it ended up that the farm was a private business rather than a non-profit and it would not get approved anyway. Upon discovery he had to redo his project (I think a lame canned food drive that just met the letter of the law). But IF he had followed the procedures we would have taken the time to review and help and much pain would have been avoided. Alas the pole barn was pulled down for work without permits by the City as well.

I would like to know WHY that was included? Previous leakers?

@walk in the woods....Stegasaurus Husbandry? The neighbors complained about all the noise on friday night.

I had to work hard to pass the swim test too. Made me more sympathetic to the youth who struggle and it was good for the boys to see the old guys had challenges too. I too had some Scouting goals....I had to lose weight to participate (my doc holds that annual physical over my head every year ) and doing 60 miles on the AT was a real physical challenge. I am a slow bit consistent hiker (hence the 'Turtle' in the handle) always bringing up the rear. It can be a humbling experience but I believe their is great virtue in humility and it pays off in authenticity when I am out with some of the boys. Another goal for me was to make Scoutmaster training at Woodruff SR. I had to be persistent over a couple of years to get a slot the week I was there but it really benefited me as a Scouter. I am very proud of my training patch, probably as proud as some of my academic or career achievements. It reminds me that some of the "requirements" can be a personal challenge for some boys and it varies by individual --some it is organizational, mental, inter-relational, physical, or phobias. Sorry for ramble @5thGenTexan...Scout On!

WOW I work in government and the vague sloppiness of the the primary responsibilities speaks volumes about the Irving dis-organization.

"WOKE!" MB will start in 2019 (will be fast tracked for Eagle required-rumored to replace Camping in that list). CisMale Scouts outside the state of California may only get Partials, however. \~/

Sometimes the Patrols meet up for a movie, a house sleep over, or meet up to eat. I see that as a plus as long as some camping gets done too.

I have been in enough Troop photos to know: short newbies to the front, fat old guys to the back. I like my first years to be belly shielding height.

Inter-racial parents. Fat Parents Fat Turtles

I feel left out only having two boys. I guess you can't be a gay couple either.

Threat (Social Media) to high school near us in Tampa, arrest made. Son's school announced all classroom doors locked at all times now. I am not going to debate the issue on this forum. As this is a Florida issue I have already made my opinions known to my state and federal representatives. I am surprised at how quick parents have organized in the last 24 hours; I imagine it is more intense further south. It is an election year for many.

We just had an election and a (new?) OA video discusses that if you have no opinion do not turn in a ballot and if you think no one deserves it then by all means turn in a ballot. Then the Lodge representative mentioned the options again. So, at least in our Lodge (good 'ol Uh-To-Yeh-Hut-Tee) progress is being made. (Thanks Gene!)

If you are the cop school resource officer. I am not so sure about arming teachers...some of my son's teachers seem nuts. Really.

Nothing new does not equate with doing nothing. Fire Codes were strengthened after Our Lady of the Angels.

Bad timing. Nothing new (I knew about that one BTW) but what would the historic pattern per 1,000 student population be?

Oh how I mock them but there have been some campouts those logs feeling pretty hard... (They are a nice looking group)

This is what I meant.

I made one (a scout is thrifty) it has a plywood seat, is orange, and says "home depot". The seat is bolted, sealed with silicon, and attached to one of those water proof screw lids. Good for canoe camping.