bluegoose

I was a member of both the 'SXE' and 'co-ed party' patrols. Both times the adults said that the names weren't appropriate for scouts.

I know that this doesn't touch on the original topic too much, but I have been a counselor for the aquatics merit badges for multiple years and if anyone would like specific help regarding these badges and differentely abled scouts, feel free to drop me a line. Peace always...

If changing out of shorts/pants is a problem, I'd reccomend that your crew do the lifesaving merit badge Maybe it's just me, but having changed into and out of various 'regalia' in multiple public places, I don't think a trail would be too much of a problem. But good luck with that anyway. Peace always

When I was on an elections team, during our training it was mentioned that half of the rgistered memebers need to be in attendance to hold an election. I'm not sure where you could find a reference to that, but it's something that my lodge has been doing for several years.

Back when I was asst. handicrafts director at summer camp, I used to give out the finger carving merit badge to a select group, that had proved themselves skilled in that area. One day the district advancement chairman approached me and inquired as to why he had recieved 3 completed applications. Luckily, he had a sense of humor, but we agreed that it would be a good idea to put a halt on it because a few overachievers had to go the hospital, and that filleting one's leg with an axe, however talented, is still not finger carving.

I'm not sure if there is a rule against it, but when I was on an election team for the OA we would explain that it is not a popularity contest, and we had a box to check to have your ballot 'withdrawn' so that if a scout didn't want to have his vote counted(doesn't know candidates well enough, etc.)he could do so with the 'embarrasment' of refusing a ballot. An idea to solve this problem is to hold elections (if possible) before the time that the boys cross over into your troop. I'd ask your lodge and/or district election comittee for advice.

Regardless of whether or not his speech was plaigerized, the idea is to fight for an end to prejudice, and bigotry of all forms. "The price of freedom is that we carry not a shield, but only a sword"(not a reference to violence/military action)May peace be with you all.

Being a trumpeter I figured that I'd add my thoughts here. Any local music store should be able to order a bugle for you, but they are most likely going to be of 'symphonic' quality, and as such will be more expensive. For less money but the same quality I'd reccomend Woodwind/Brasswind, located in South Bend (I think,) Indiana or at www.wwbw.com The downfall to online ordering is that you need to know what you want when you order. Good luck

The camp the I have worked at over the past 5 summers (Napowan Adventure Base, Wild Rose, Wisconsin) has seen the likes of a few coed venturing crews staying for the week. However, our program is mostly geared for Boy Scouts and advancement oppertunities for them, so there is less for venturers to do outside of our one 'venturing weekend.' To solve this problem we created an extensive high adventure program. This past summer we offered multiple weeklong treks including climbing at Devil's Lake, kayaking, biking, hiking at Apostle Island, canoeing the Flambeau River, scuba, and many others. http://www.napowan.com http://www.nwsc.org

I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Till ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South, And with the sound The carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men! It was as if an earthquake rent The hearth-stones of a continent, And made forlorn The households born Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And in despair I bowed my head; "There is no peace on earth," I said; "For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!" Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men." ~H.W. Longfellow I think these words speak for themselves. May you all have a safe holiday, and a happy new year. ~peace always

"...peace on earth, goodwill toward men." ~H.W. Longfellow

Being someone who almost didn't earn his Eagle, I feel that I can shed some light on this topic. My father often encouraged me and my brother to earn our Eagles, and would often lament how he dropped out at the rank of Star. While he never [overtly] pressured us to earn Eagle, I was constantly aware of hiw dissapointed he would be if we didn't. For this reason (I didn't want to dissapoint him, but felt it was overbearing at times) when I was a senior in high school, I decided that I was not going to earn Eagle. About two thirds of the way through the year, I (after speaking to many camp staff freinds who are Eagles) changed my mind, and decided that I was going to earn my Eagle. After a last-minute scramble to finish everything (including all of the personal fittness MB)I finally got my book turned in, and passed my BOR about a month after my 18th birthday. I feel that in addition to a lack of parental encouragement, another important factor is a feeling of 'suffocation' by boys who are subconsciously pressured to earn Eagle, and decide to simply not earn it in order to be 'individual.' Unfortunately, I'm not aware of a good soultion to this problem (if anyone has suggestions, I'd love to hear them.) Peace always

To address all the questions regarding my quote: I am a very symbolic person, and this quote had a deep metahporical meaning. The idea is that there are certain problems associated with free society, and we cannot "shield" ourselves from them while still preserving freedom, all we can do is fight them (sword) once they occur. One example is unemployment. One way to solve this problem is to have the government assign each citizen a job, however that compromises freedom. I hope I've explained it better, but if I'm still confusing everyone, let me know. peace always

I like that quote. One of my personal favorites is: "The price of freedom is that we carry not a shield, only a sword." (note, this is not a reference to violence or military action.) Unfortunately I do not know who said it. If anyone does, that would be greatly appreciated. peace always

Bob White- I am currently an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 76, of Park Ridge, Illinois (Northwest Suburban Council, Blackhawk District.) peace always

I know that this has less to do with Scouting specifically, and more with adult citizenship, but I feel as though it is an important message. Today is the first tuesday after the first monday in November of an election year, so I encourage all of you out there to exercise the privilege and responsibility of voting. Peace always author's note-it is not my intent for this thread to turn into an argument over the merits of one candidate or another. thanks.

During my time in Scouting I have encountered various people with various opinions of homosexuals in the program. I have seen the spectrum from people who believe that all homosexuality is wrong, and homosexuals should be banned from scouting, to homosexual Scouts and Scouters who do not see a problem with it. My personal opinion is that Scouting is about providing boys with positive influences so that they may uphold the tenants of the scouting movement immortalized in the scout oath and law. I feel that an integral part of being a 'positive influence' includes showing boys that there are multiple views on any given issue, and that they (not anyone else) need to develop their own opinion based on what they believe to be right and wrong. A Scouts personal views of right and wrong may be influenced by many things including religion/faith/spirituality, society, family, literature, music, etc. My faith (liberal Quaker, in case you were wondering) and life experiences have taught me that homosexuality is not wrong, and is in fact, morally right. Based on those ideals I believe that homosexuals should be welcomed into Scouting, not because they are homosexual, but because they are people who are in need of positive influences or may be a positive influence as well as any heterosexual person. That being said, the last thing I have to say is to those who feel that their religion/faith/spiritual beliefs tell them that homosexuality is wrong. To those of you out there, I am not saying you are wrong in your beliefs, but am asking if your beliefs teach you that all people should be treated with respect and love, regardless of race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, etc. and if not, why? The Boy Scouts of America is a private organization, and as such is allowed to create whatever membership requirements they desire. However, as a member of this organization I urge others to work to change the system, instead of condemning it. In the timeless words of Bob Dylan and his song "The Times They Are A-Changin: "Come writers and critics who prophesize with your pens And keep your eyes Wide, the chance won't come again And don't speak too soon, for the wheel's still in spin And there's no telling who that it's naming For the loser will be later to win For the times, they are a changing" Yes the Boy Scouts is changing, and hopefully it is for the better. For this to come true, we must all work for it though. Amidst all the changes, the one thing that remains constant is our purpose: to provide positive influences so that the youth of tomorrow will grow up to be "trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent" and will "...do their best to do their duty to God and their country, to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep themselves physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight." -Peace always

I saw this topic and couldn't resist adding my thoughts. This past summer (and '01) at the camp that I work at we had an outbreak (50+ sick people) of a 'Norwalk Type' virus. For those of you who aren't aware of what Norwalk is, it is a category of viruses. They are passed through contact, and result in vomiting, diahrrea, headache, and fever. They usually last anywhere from 12-48 hours, depending on the strain. We(the medical staff) believe that the virus was spread by sub-standard hand washing, because all of the medical staff were on hand that night, and none of us got sick, and we wore gloves and washed our hands with anti-bacterial soap often. The moral of the story is: WASH YOUR HANDS, OFTEN!!! and encourage scouts to do the same (lead by example) Thanks.

FuzzyBear- I completely understand your frustration with the things being said, and I higly appreciate the satirical comment at the end...I love this stuff also. Anyway the intended purpose of medical forms is to: 1. Provide proof that a scout has been a physical examination by a physician, and that he or she is physically able to participate in Scouting activities. 2. Provide pertinent medical information to the medical staff at a resident camp, or similar institution. 3. Provide pertinent medical information to medical professionals, in the unfortunate case that a person needs to be treated by them. There may be other reasons for which the medical form was intended, but as we all know, things have a way of not being used for their intended purpose, and sometimes even for things detrimental to their intended purpose. This post was only meant to clarify what FB had asked (yes, I am aware that FB may have meant the question to be of a rhetorical, and possibly satirical, nature. If this is the case, maybe what I have said will provide some insight to those who are looking for a serious answer to the question.) Peace, always.

Over my five years on camp staff, I have witnessed many instances of hazing. These have ranged from simple practical jokes, like sending a unknowing scout to look for a left-handed smoke bender (Just as a side note, I created a left-handed smoke bender this past summer. It resides at Napowan Adventure Base in Wild Rose, WI) to 'pranks' with the sole purpose of harassing others. I feel that hazing is a very gray area, and that to make a definate rule prohibiting it in any and all forms would require much modification to the OA practices, however to do nothing about it only encourages such behavior. I believe that each situation needs to be handled on an individual basis, and thatincidences of haxing should be judged on the amout of harm intended, and the amount of harm inflicted.