The Blancmange

Someone who regularly attends our roundtables arranged to have these made for anyone who wanted to order them for a very modest cost. I don't know where he got them. If no one else posts a response, I will ask him next Thursday at RT. I have never heard anyone complain that they are not "official."

Those aren't "my" categories, they come directly from the statute and regulations. A university certainly may be a covered entity to the extent it is providing healthcare. However, HIPPA regs only to information gathered in that context. I would disagree that the information collected in the context of a job application is covered as well. It isn't "protected health information" within the meaning of HIPPA. Whoever told you that is mistaken. Again, those things may be protected for other reasons (i.e. in the university context, the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) but now this is straying far off topic, so I'll stop there.

You answered your own question in this line: We're not, at least with respect to volunteers, an employer, we're not a health care provider, we're not an insurer, we're not a reporting agency. Does it apply to us? In order for HPPA to apply, one must be a "covered entity" under the statute. Those are: 1. a health care provider that conducts certain transactions in electronic form (called here a "covered health care provider"); 2. a health care clearinghouse; or 3. a health plan. That's not to say there might not be state laws which restrict your disclosure of health info. in your possession, plus the fact that it is simply a good practice to keep the information confidential. But HIPPA has nothing to do with it.(This message has been edited by the blancmange)

Our troop and Pack have a NO TECHNOLOGY policy. No GPS? Gore Tex? Kevlar? Nylon? . . .

. . . and spent the other $60 on a Carolina Panthers jersey. Apparently adherence to the Scout law and good taste are not synonymous. :-) Kudos to Mr. Myers.

evmori wrote: And this is not hazing. Not all pranks are hazing. You're right, there is some grey area when it comes to the definition of hazing. But there is no reasonable definition of hazing that would not include inducing someone to drink a bodily waste. This most certainly is hazing; it is a clear BSA rule violation and probably illegal in most places.

This wasn't a prank, it was hazing. I think more serious consequences should be in order, for all responsible. I agree with the idea of a SM conference with the scouts and parents, and suspension from activities for a significant time.

The mandatory leadership requirements are one registered leader and another adult. For Webelos den camping, there is some flexiblity in the wording, but generally speaking, each boy needs a parent/guardian. You can make an exception where another parent agrees to take responsibility for a boy. IMO, this should be used sparingly, though. As far as training, the only mandatory training right now is that one person must have YP and someone must have the severe weather training. It is not a pack camping event, so BALOO is not required. Both that and OWL are a good idea, though. I have heard of some councils requiring these for Webelos den camping, though.

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The rock stacks you are talking about are called "cairns" Their usage now is discouraged based on LNT priciples. You may find some old ones in historic areas, and they are interesting to learn about, but I don't think that's what the pin requirements mean. I would interpret it as these kinds of signs: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/lincoln/recreation/hiking.shtml As for as rules, I think with Cubs, as long as you follow the leadership requirements and buddy system, along with talking about any local hazards like water or heights, I think you are in good shape. Introduce first aid. In preparation, talk about proper footwear and clothing, and hydration.

Engineer61 - Would you let your son work on the fishing MB, which requires him to clean and cook a fish that he caught?

And I thought my jokes were bad?

I agree - the alcohol will be gone (unless the recipe you're talking about is jello shots :-) ).

Prairie, I think it's great that the scouts wanted to become more proficient at pitching a non-freestanding tent, but just wanted to point out that it was not necessary to qualify for the MB. The requirements make an exception for camp tents that are already set up. Must you sleep in a tent? No, sleeping under the stars is permitted and is a great experience (although it's not a bad idea to have a tent set up in case weather rolls in).(This message has been edited by the blancmange)

Troop489- You need to first find out who hosts your website. You can do that by entering the address in the WHOIS lookup at this site. Once you have that, you will know who to contact. The problem is the accout may be in the name of the departed webmaster, and they may not be willing to give you the password without his consent. Not sure what to do in that case. http://www.dnsstuff.com/ Edited to fix link(This message has been edited by the blancmange)(This message has been edited by the blancmange)

It is not uncommon at all for an adult to be registered in both a troop and a pack. I am registered as a Webelos Den Leader and Troop Committee Member, and I know of many others in similar situations. What you are planning is no problem. Since you mention a lack of experience at the BS level, the only thing I would strongly recommend is to have everyone get trained for their new positions ASAP.

My entire uniform has khaki colored velcro, and it is great. I have visions of the old David Letterman bit where he wears a velcro suit, jumps on a trampoline and sticks to a wall covered with the mating side of the velcro. Might be a fun patrol activity.

Calling the police after the fact would likely not have any effect. Presumably, the evidence is long gone. No prosecutor is going to charge someone with trying to sell marijuana based solely a verbal allegation. I suppose, once contacted, the police might try to set up a controlled buy, but that would be the only way to have him arrested at this stage, and not something I'd really want to be involved in.

I can understand the measured responses in the case of a boy who was caught using or in possession of a small amout. He needs help. But trying to deal at a troop function (or anywhere for that matter)? Would you be tolerant of a scout committing some other felony at a scouting function? If the accusations are credible, he needs to be gone, no questions asked. I'm sure your CO would not be too happy with a story in the paper about one of their scouts being arrested for possession with intent and being associated in some way. I doubt the parents of the Webelos would be too happy to hear of this either.

Stop it, now, or we'll have to tie you to the rack.

As a parent, your judgment controls. If you don't feel comfortable allowing him to go, then don't. Do you have a question, or are you just venting?

asichacker wrote: Inappropriate at best. Dangerous at the worst. You're right. How dare they teach survival skills in the context of the survival MB! I have to ask, though, how in the world is it dangerous to eat a freshly butchered, cooked game animal? You probably have a much higher chance of getting sick from chicken that's been sitting in the cooler for a week in the store.

Scott County Park: http://www.scottcountyiowa.com/conservation/scottco.php

It runs the spectrum in our den. I have a couple who are at almost every meeting and will do whatever is needed. They approach me and ask what we need help with. Others, I know I can call on as drivers or other small things. I don't think they would be comfortable actually leading an activity pin. Finally, there are 1 or 2 that I don't know if I would recognize walking down the street.

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak outbecause I was not a communist; Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak outbecause I was not a trade unionist; Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak outbecause I was not a Jew; Then they came for meand there was no one left to speak out for me. -Pastor Martin Niemller