Tampa Turtle

I was reading a very old journal article on Florida in the 1920 and plume hunters (who killed the birds in the process)for womans hats was a major cause of depopulating many bird species in the state. Was pretty apparent even then. Apparently changing fashions was what stopped much of the slaughter.

One of our best scouts is our "worlds oldest Tenderfoot" as he calls himself. Made 1st Class at 17. Was good sport at Summer camp Mountain Man program (way taller than everyone including most instructors). Patient with the younger guys, insisted on being retested and showing what he knew with knots, firestarting. I think he is great PL material. Overheard his BOR and made me proud to be associated with such a young man. Will never make Eagle and doesn't need to.

I did cubs for 6 years and now am in boy scouts for my 2nd. I noticed the same thing as Mom of cubs. A lot of snobbery toward cub scouts. While cubs has a heck of a lot less bureaucracy than scouts it sure seemed a LOT more work to run the meetings right. Now I always try to be helpful to Cubbers. In my experience of the 40 guys we have recruited over the last two years all but 4 were Webelos crossovers from 3 packs. Of the other 4, 1 was new to scouting (and one of our best new scouts), 1 was a transfer from a dying Troop, and the other two were transfers from parents moving into the state.

Yes. I just thought they were REALLY short newbies. We are a pretty big Troop and I was ASM-nudger to the already 14 strong New Scout Patrol. So 3 more do Wasn't until I started asking around and asking our Troopmaster record keeper that I figured out what happened. I think people thought they are ALMOST 10 (in 30-60 days) and HAVE their AOL. No one on our side thought to question the AOL at the Pack end. They kinda slipped by. I would be OK with filing it under "lessons learned" if the Dads were not so dang protective of their wee ones. You push them into scouts early and then you wish the older scouts were not so rough and tumble? Should not want it both ways. It also caused a bad taste as we were just starting mixed-age patrols. The older guys were less than thrilled with "baby sitting" the newbies who had been there 6 months much less even fresher fish. I have asked our new SM and CC to be a little more careful in the future. The boys would have been welcome to do an extended Webelos shadowing if they wanted to. I am sure the boys in question would be surprised over the controversy. They think they are just super achievers wonderkinds. Well 1 of the young'uns is a super scout and volunteered to clean the latrine at camp. Also we got to eat early one night during the "send us your smallest guy" competition. So there is an upside. As to the original question our optional Arrows were loving hand made by our cubmaster but she has been overwhelmed in recent years as 18-24 guys make AOL at the B&G.

Ouch!

Perdidochas, Yes I figured that out. The SM should have questioned it but didn't. Eventually I saw the old Pack CM was just passing on her problem to us; super fast-tracking dad. Now the kids are 10. Besides you want to tell the boys --hey you should have not gotten that Arrow! I made it really clear to the CM not to do so again...it presented too many problems for us. I also volunteered to talk to the Webelos leaders at their leaders meeting to not rush it any faster than it is supposed to. The other boys figure it out pretty fast. The shame of it is it robs the Pack and the boys of the benefit of having some experienced top dogs at campouts, flag ceremonies, etc. But I now see the dad's involved and understand. Real "Attack Helicopter" dads. Like the boys but sure wish the dad's would transfer to another Troop. Maybe do Eagle by 12/13 and never seen again.

We had 3 newbies all before turning 10, still in 4th. grade (two months from end of school year) all of whom had been awarded their AOL from the Pack. They had done all the activities. Kids transferred over at once to the troop with their brand new AOL. Drove me nuts!

Had a few barely 10 with AOL join as newbies this year. Must have gotten AOL before grade requirement. If you have paper Eagles you can have paper AOL's. Dad is guy pushing 90 day T-1. Giving me grey hair. 13 year old Eagle, maybe 12? Talked to CM of Pack not push them through ahead of time; make sure they meet requirements. They are good kids but just physically and socially immature due to age. You got 10 year olds hanging with 14 year olds and they pick up some "rough talk". The parents get very protective but what do ya want--they could have waited a bit longer.

I never found the deduction that helpful when I had the mortgage. I know it is for some folks. It was always understood to be a government inducement to encourage home ownership for social stability; if the economic crisis sufficiently threatens social stability then I think it is fair to put it on the table. And yeah if it worked for me sure I will use. I play the tax game too though I play honest. I take the IRA deduction but if it wasn't there I would still do the IRA.

Man my boys hit 21-23 by the time they were Webelo I's and we were a non-camping Pack. They did 6 in Tigers...

At summer camp I took the "social trail" shortcut to the shower-house. It was through the woods, in the rain, at night. Oh course I did not take a flashlight (its just up the hill!). Man it was pitch black and I got really lost. I couldn't been more than 50-100 yards from the edge of the woods on 3 sides but went the wrong way. Eventually some boys from my troop wandered by and I followed them.

"Don't tax you, don't tax me, tax that fella behind the tree"

Maybe fat camp for old scouters

Son#2 was in FIRST Legos Robotic League and seems to be growing fast. It was started by Dean Kamen (the segue-way guy) and they claim to be in 89 countries. I have been to some of the competition meets and how competitive it is. It was hard for him to do scouts and Lego league. I imagine there are other youth programs out there that we do not even know about. There is a lot of competition these days.

I am confused as to the purpose of this. I am all for a big "splash" event for recruiting cubbies . But is for recruiting cubs or parents or training or what? I have seen better luck with the going outdoors approach. But I could be wrong, good luck.

Can't say I have been fond of the previous Texa's guvs who became POTUS; may be I'll give another state a try.

Cambridge, In my kids church youth group as well as public school they do tell them to stop if they are.

I was told by two parents that some Ivy League and smaller NE schools needed more Lacrosse players and that it was easier to get scholarships. I do not know if it is true. I assumed that it was because it was more fun to play. What do I know? I guess I am old fashioned, I think boys should do things because they like them or find them interesting. Regardless of the truth this was the belief of two parents just like the yellow brick road to wealth, success, and happiness includes a mandatory stop at Eagle Badge somewhere along age 13 or 14.

My brother was classified as accidental but my mother and I (who were the ones close to him) knew dang well it wasn't.

As it has been said this incident presents a teachable moment. Was not prepared and did not follow all the steps. However by building a shelter he did something which is better than nothing and he wisely stayed put at night. Glad he lives to tell the tale.

We have had a LOT of boys switch from baseball to lacrosse; purely because it looks better on the college application.

I had a brother who killed himself at 19. Never fit in, could not connect, very unhappy. Now I think he had Asbergers but I do not think they knew what do with him then. Try to be compassionate with the boys; even the ones I dislike. I saw the church youth (middle and high school boys and girls) write down their fears. So many sad over divorce, death, isolation. Feeling pressured, tempted, isolated. Boxed into a category before they have even figured out who they are. I forget how hard it can be. Good to be reminded.

The current situation makes me feel like a sucker. Entered the workforce during the Reagan recession and thought there would be no SS so we started putting 15-20% away at age 22. Did really good but so much got wiped out in 1987 and the last crash. Have some small pensions from a couple jobs but no faith that the deal I made with them will be kept. We paid off our house by age 30, saved 10 years and paid 250k cash on our addition at the peak. House has appreciated 0% in 27 years at this point. Can I stay in my house in retirement? Probably not. Property Insurance will likely force me out. Down the street nice church going couple went upside down. Owe 250k. Stopped paying on house 3 years ago, just forced out a month. Now renting across the street from me. I got one car they have three. I pay my water bill I see (I work for the local government) they haven't paid there's in months. They went on a nice vacation; we did not because I thought I'd lose my job. I feel like both parties have failed me and both could care less for the future of my kids.

Need the new NSP PL to get A LOT of coaching/support from adult leaders. A good Troop Guide can be a good help IF he is good. We beat the idea into the boys from day one that (while we use Troopmaster) that it is THEIR responsibility to get their book signed off (and NEVER by their parents). The last two years they learned pretty quick. We still keep track of group activities, camping nights, etc in Troopmaster and have to "reconcile accounts" a couple times a year but it works pretty well. If a boy asks an ASM "how am I doing" we always go "show me your book". Sometimes I say that anyway. I might point out all they need to do is study the 3R's of personal safety and look here they tell you the page and everything. This encourages them to use the book. A couple guys are usually pretty zealous and then the competition begins. I will not look at a book brought up by a parent. I tell them I will be glad to see the boy when he brings it up. It is an important life skill. I agree the program in the book is pretty good; just do not rush it.

I concur with E61, the "practice after school" days appear gone at our local High Schools. They are frequently morning or evening, also sue to heat. Boomer, I do not think your football idea is the right way to go, I think it dilutes and confuses the product for those who choose it in the first place. I applaud you for thinking outside the box instead of just complaining about it. Probably a different approach. I think a big reason our Troop is successful is not our wonderful program or august adult leaders but that we meet on a different night of the week than other Troops missing a lot of band and sports conflicts.