OldGreyEagle

You could do a frostbite award for troops that tent camp in below freezing//below 0 weather the "wanderer's award" for the troop that travels the furthest while camping The William Sycamore award for the most primitve/frontier camping Actually the possibilities are endless, the only catch as I see it is getting troops to provide enough information to determine your award recipients Making a goal of half of the district to earn the National Camping award would be great as well

... And of course everyone knows that which is public knowledge is 100% correct 100% of the time, never wrong and always the truth...

Kudu, I realize you want to follow the original teachings and intent of Baden-Powells program and Bill Hillcourt and have real passion for it. I submit many people have as much passion for the current program. Rather than ramble on though, lets do discuss a specific topic without an attack on the person. How would you like to start

Scouter4321 who is "we"? that can defer the Eagle Board of Review ?

Based on a comment from another thread, I have to point out that in BSA literature there is no such thing as three "required" reference letters for the Eagle rank. This is what point 5 from the 12 steps to Eagle brochure says: "When the completed application is received at the council service center, its contents will be verified and the references contacted. The council advancement committee or its designee contacts the person listed as a reference on the Eagle Scout Rank Application either by letter, form, or telephone checklist. The council determines the method or methods to be used. The candidate should have contacted those individuals listed as references before including their names on the application. The candidates should not be involved personally in transmitting any correspondence between persons listed as references and the council service center." It's up to the scout to ask people if they will be references and then list them. That's it. No three letters of reference. The Eagle apllication has 5 lines and requires at least 4 names (parents are considered as one). Its those 4 names that are contacted for a reference. I understand how prevalent the three letters thing is, but challenge someone to produce where it says 3 letters are required, or that the scout is supposed to ask for them and see what happens. Certified troops look better and better every time

One must note our buddy Hans does not exactly fit the mold of an impartial well balanced journalist without an agenda to sell Then again, I am not sure such a critter exists.

Scouter4321 I in no way mean to direct this at you as you can see similar things have happened before. Whenever an incident like this comes up there is a hue and cry to seemingly lynch the youth before all the facts are known. Those who want to bounce the boy out of scouting should examine why do they feel such vehemence in their heart and assure its the passion for Scouting that is talking and not a manifestation of holding power over a weaker individual. During the Eagle process, the candidate is to list references, the Council should check those references. One reference is for a Religious reference, I know a parent may also attest to this but then call the parents, ask if the scout is living up to his obligatons in his faith. There is a spot for an Educational reference, call the person, ask about that persons thoughts on the scouts charactor. Employer and two other refrences are listed. Nothing in the rules say they cant be contacted, actually they are supposed to be. Why go rushing to be sure everybody knows everything about this boy. Has he been convicted? Charges filed? Everybody knows he was involved, did you see the movie "The Ox Bow Incident"? I understand how the treamemt this boy receives will be a lesson to the younger scouts, why not let that lesson be that protocol is followed,that one is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Why not look on the entire life rather than one short segment?

on the topic of Venturing Couples where one is 20 and the other turns 21 and registers as a Crew Leader, the Venturing Youth Protection Guidelines are quite clear. The relationship is to end. Venturing adults socializing with Venture youth is called Fraterization and is prohibited. Check the online Youth Protection for Venturers for BSA. I make no statement for or against this policy.

Ok, so what I get is that the Supreme Court can and has reversed itself, well if not "itself" as in the same 9 justices, at least they do overturn previous "administrations" as if a judicial branch could be called an "administration" So, why was the call to be sure the justice "nominee" was pro "Roe Vs Wade"? Why was it necessary for Roberts to say that Roe vs Wade was law of the land, or something like that? If the court can reverse itself, why the harpings to replace judges with like thinking people? Ok, you are conservative +1SD you need to be replaced with a conservative +1SD. but your liberal justice is a +2SD liberal, you need a replacement of a +2sd liberal, where did that come from?

PanGea?

The Easter Bunny is a myth? I always thought he was a Mister!

Do a search on this site for Spiral Scouts, we have discussed them before

I am about to go where angels fear to tread so I admit my status up front. During the Supreme Court Hearings, and I don't just mean Alito I mean Roberts and well, I have heard a lot about past Supreme Court decisions and how some considered them to be "law of the land" to which I thought. "Huh?". I would like some of the lawyers on the board, as well as the constitutionally enabled to talk about Supreme Court decisions that have been overturned, well actually have any ever been? What were the circumstances? I know a certain Supreme Court decision really burns my bum whenever I think about it and think it should be overturned and I think you all know which one I mean. I can't beleive a governmental unit can condemn private property so that commerical enterprises can be built. I am not talking about building a road, I mean building condo's where single family dwellings were. Anyway, what would it take to reverse that decision? or any?(This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

Sounds like Gern has a modest proposal for us to consider

theme from Chariots of Fire Bobby Goldsboro's "Watching Scotty Grow" Popcorn by Hot Butter 2001 Space Odyessy Theme

Spun over from the PETA thread the question of whether or not a buffet approach to LNT was scout like and I answer yes, it is. The way I understand it, LNT mean many things to many people. I beleive we should all adhere to the LNT principles whenever possible but there are some LNT concepts that I don't follow. I will hike down the center of the trail when its raining and muddy so as not to widen a trail by stepping in the "clean grass border" but I will wear fluorescent orange clothing so the youth can spot me if they are lost, or so I can be spotted if I am lost (it could happen. Judy Tenuta). The tents I use are bought based on qulity, use and price: color is secondary although I know darker green would be preferred. I am not necessarily concerned if the youth make a lot of noise during daylight hours holding dark for quiet, I know some would say to avoid loud noises at all times. We were talking about cat holes and tent depressions, in the true spirit of leave no trace we should be packing out fecal material and the subsequently used paper as is required in Denali. To me the absolutes are take nothing but pictures, do not molest, hinder, annoy pester or otherwise harm wildlife, when leaving a campsite be sure all trach is with you or disposed properly What are your LNT absolutes and where do you "Cheat" and why?

The way I understood it, Joe Biden told Ruth Bader Ginsberg during her confirmation that she didn't have to answer questions on cases she might have to rule on. She didnt answer and was confirmed, so why should anyone else?

You might call your council again and ask where it it written that a family cannot fund an Eagle project, expect alot of hemming and hawing as there is no documentation that a family cannot fund it. That being said, I think its an overall better experience if the scout does find funding other than family. You mention this is for the church/cemetery, will they provide materials if you son provides the leadership? Other than repeat what Semper said let me just say "ditto" to his suggestions. I don;t know about "grants" but what the heck, where did you hear about them? Let your scout hunt them done, just because I havent heard of them doesnt mean they dont exist

I don't think its a good place for an Servie Project. I do place a distinction between building a putting green and singing carols at Christmas. The singing session is a one and gone occasion, it improves the quality of life of the residents while the visit lasts, but its not like the Nursing Home owners will advertise in the paper in July, come live here because Troop 65 usually visits and sings for us at Christmas. They may very well advertise come live here, we have a putting green. The putting green represents a tangible long lasting improvement to the facility. The facilty charges its residents rent to live there and promises Room/Board and a recreational program if its a standard Nursing Home. Why should a group donate time for something that is being paid for? From the guidelines for an Eagle project it reads: "Routine labor (a job or service normally rendered) should not be considered. Work involving council property or other BSA activity is not permitted. The project also may not be performed for a business or an individual, be of a commercial nature, or be a fund-raiser. (Fund-raising is permitted only for securing materials or supplies needed to carry out your project.)" This is for a business, if you can't pay, you don't live there anymore. I understand about Medicaid payments to private Nursing Homes, but I know several for profit hospital's that accept Medicaid and Medicare both and they end up paying taxes on their profit, so accepting government money doesnt make them public places. I am not saying it wouldnt be great for the residents to have a putting green, but unless its a county or state run home, I don't see how to fit in into an Eagle Project. I think going to an elderly persons house and doing a bang up job trimming hedges, trimming trees, painting the exterior, painting the interior and refinishing the floors is a great thing to do for any youth group, but it still wouldnt be an Eagle project.

Right you are, if this is a proprietary Nursing Home, operated for profit, then this would not be a good service project.

"Every time we criticize da kids the criticism rebounds back on us" reminds me of a song, anybody remember: Times have changed, Our kids are getting worse They won't obey their parents, They just want to fart and curse. Should we blame the government, or blame society, or should we blame the images on tv No! Blame Canada! Blame Canada With all their beady little eyes, their flapping heads so full of lies Blame Canada! Blame Canada! We need to form a full assault, it's Canada's fault! Don't blame me, for my son Stan, He saw the darn cartoon, and now he's off to join the klan! Well, Blame Canada! It seems that everything's gone wrong since Canada came along Blame Canada! Blame Canada! They're not even a real country anyway. My son could of been a doctor or a lawyer, it's a true Instead he burned up like a piggie on a barbecue Should we blame the matches? Should we blame the fire, or the doctor who allowed him to expire. Heck no! Blame Canada! Blame Canada! With all their hockey hubaloo and that singer Anne Murray too Blame Canada! Shame on Canada! The smut we must stop The trash we must smash Laughter and fun must all be undone We must blame them and cause a fuss Before somebody thinks of blaming us!

one of the best things about the Rose Bowl is that it's over and now that the game of all times has been played, no other college football game need ever be played. Or as one football player said, if the Superbowl is the ultimate game, why do they plan to play another one next year? Actually you could develop a Scoutmaster's minute on the game, USC had the two "best" collge football players of the last two years on its team, yet they were beaten in large part by a player who was disappointed he did not win the title "best player" The moral? If people doubt you, all you need do is prove them wrong OK back to the subjectt(!) at hand Prairie Scouter, if you say "...when humans come in, nature suffers" do you mean that man is not natural? He then must be supernatural, Anatural,? What would you call us? A species uses what it has to survive. Predators use their incisor teeth to eat meant while herbivores use their "molar" shaped teeth to grind up, well, herbs/plants etc. Man uses his intellect to survive and is given an opportunity to make decisions and shape his enironment. And man also learns from his mistakes, although not nearly as fast as I would like (and I am sure most of us as well)I don't buy that man is apart from nature, (cue Disney Singers & Sir ELton John)we are all fellow passengers on planet earth participating in the circle of life. (music fades) e all passengers on planet earth and

Semper, Trev, enough already, you have already proven you don't know jack. As a moderator I must caution you to stay on topic.

I apologize Kudu, I was more than a little testy when I posted that. It does seem you slam the BSA program any time you get a chance and I was reacting to that. (This message has been edited by a staff member.)

Kudu, I must have missed the memo, I didnt know you were appointed international mouthpiece for the BSA. Just how do you know how the troop I serve regards the Oath? Congrats on your new position