OldGreyEagle

See, and I always thought it was a literary reference to the Ballad of William Sycamore by Stephen Vincent Bent: "...When I grew as tall as the Indian corn, My father had little to lend me, But he gave me his great, old powder-horn And his woodsman's skill to befriend me." I always thought the Powder-horn was symbolic of woodsman's skill passed down

Hops, I hadn't thought of that, but yes, it does fit

I dont know why I get a strange sense of foreboding, but I will do this anyway: First of all, the Venturing Crew Committee does not have to be the same as the troop committee. Next, just what do you have to do to earn: 1. Red Beret 2. Silver Stag 3. 14 Mile Hiker's Award (Hike 14 mile? There has to be more, right?) I understand you are 14 years old, and you have bronze completed and are just 2 requirements from Ranger? Has your Crew been organized yet or not, if it has it must have been in existence for quite awhile and I am suprised at your questions, and if it hasnt been organized, how can you have earned Bronze and only be 2 requirements from Ranger? Not saying you couldnt be, just elucidate me

Ed, with your Basshole Patrol... Have you ever received comments from other than patrol members who thought the name inappropriate?

I wasnt aware adult leadership's position was to determine what patrol's could name themselves. (Within reason of course, there has to be some control over unsavory names)

oops I didnt mean to imply that the professional scouters had any obligation to welcome new leaders, or that they didnt either for that manner. my point was when terms like "Council" and "Disrict" are used I cant always follow if its the Professionals or Volunteers or both that are suspect. I apologize for my obtuesness

Yes

Our troop has a policy againsr wearing Camo with the Field Uniform, while its ok with the Activity uniform. This came about when our scoutmaster wanted to ban camo. We had a Committee discussion which got a little heated, probably because I said I thought the idea of banning camo was "stupid", didnt realize I verbalized the statement until I saw the Scoutmasters reaction. Well we worked up the compromise and its been ok. One note though, over the years I have noticed an interesting phenomona, you take a seemingly normal kid, have him show up in a complete Camo outfit (though NOT imatation military uniform)and some kids have a personality change. Now they think they are invincible and do things they wouldnt in every day garb. At times I have contemplated reversing my view on Camo based on the kids reactions to wearing it. This attitude when wearing camo may just be a local thing, but its enough have me review the situation, but not change it, yet

KA6BSA Just so I understand, your Roundtables consist of topics the RT Staff thinks the youth want to know about or topics the youth have told you they want to know about? I in no way wish to appear snotty, but I have learned if you want to sell Venturing as the Youth's program, then they need input in all phases of the program. You are correct in saying the Youth can't run it all, but their finger should be in every Venturing pie going. Then again, just how far should Youth led extend into the program?(This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

The transgressions of a segment of society should not determine who defends that society. If both sexes enjoy the benefits, then both sexes need to share the risks.

As Officer Tooddy would say: 0ouuuuu ouuuu, When we talk about Council and District, lets be sure we talk mention if we are taking about professionals or volunteers. I like our District Executive and the Council Exec, its the Volunteers I would like to administer a few wake up calls to. When we post here, it would help if we differentiated between problems with the Pros or the Vols. So Fotoscout, what would help you feel more welcome, contact from the Pros or Vols?(This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

Had to combine the FLaming Arrows and Raccon patrol once becasue of numbers at a Camporee, entered the patrol competition as the Flaming'Coons My son's last patrol was known quite aptly as the Pyros, patrol yell: More Wood More Wood, Pile it On Another one of my sons Patrol's was the Great Plains Walking Herbivores (wore the buffalo patch) And we have had the Gumblob, Bushies (a political statement) and OBS (official Boy Scouts)

I want to do this carefully because I do not wish to offend any of my good buddies on this forum, but just consider, could the problem be in the present leadership? It has taken six years, a sledge hammer and a chiesel to make any type of inroad to the District. You've heard of Artic Musk Ox standing shoulder to shoulder? You havent seen our District Committee. Perhaps newcomers would be more apt to help if they were warmly greeted and invited to help on a personal level.

As the other threads appear to be headed into a rehash of the Gay Debate, I want to start a thread on another political, through not at all scouting related topic (sorry Terry) My son YoungSpikedEagle tuned 18 in June and had to register for the selective service, its as the ads say "what a man has to do". OK, its done, well it was done a long time ago. Now, I was comtemplating life and it occurs to me, why don't women have to register? Women serve in the Armed Forces, they now are in most combat situations, should not a women have to register as well as a man? Women are allowed to drive, to vote, to own real property, etc (ok, some tongue in cheek here) Is there a reason women should not register? It seems a male political candidate needs to serve in the armed forces to be consdiered worthy of office, should not the same qualification be made of a woman? Do any ACLU members see this as discrimination? Why force a segment of the population to register with the government due to a criteria settled at birth? Love to get Merlyn LeRoys take on this. In Summary, Is the Selective Service registration of only males unconstitutional? Oh, and to get things started, I say whats sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander, both sexes register or neither.(This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

If you think explaining Cracker Barrel to Oz was fun, just imagine what I went through to explain what a "campfire" was to Outdoor Thinker and her sister Girl Scouts. I mean, they all knew Boy Scouts had a fire in camp, but the term Campfire eluded them until Outdoor Thinker participated in the opening Campfire of Summer Camp

Parachuting, Bungee Jumping NFL Football, Motorcycles... GE, it may or may not surprise you to know all those activties are not allowed on a Boy Scout outing either.(well football, scratch the NFL) I know you are upset at the way the BSA policy was communicated, and you don't agree with it, but I dont see it changing any time soon. With your passion and intelligience, I think you would make a great adult scouter. I am sure your son's unit could use you. (This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

Wattchatalkinabout? Gud English? Fuggedittaboutit

Heck Mark, I was just pulling your leg with the apology thing. Growing up being a Boy Scout was the best fun I ever had. As a youth I went to the Grand Canyon and Glacier National Park with the troop, and we lived in suburban Chicago. Being in the woods is where I feel the best and scouts gave me the perfect way to enjoy nature. As an adult, I wanted my son to have as much fun in scouting as I had, and then when I really got into it, I wanted as many youth as possible to have as much fun as I did. Well, YoungSpikedEagle does love the outdoors. When I was a scout, I had a role model scouter, the troop cheermaster, long since passed on, he knew more songs than I could count. I learned all his songs and at times he would refer to me for the words because he sometimes forgot them. Even now, when I lead a rousing chorus of Green Grow the Rushes Ho, or Johny Verbeck or The Boy Scout Sunday School Song, I can hear him singing with me. And I think, thank you Mel Brockman, thank you for giving me these songs and these experiences. I hope in the future, when I am no longer of this earth that songs are sung around campfires because they were learned from Mr Brockman through me, that would be ultimate victory.(This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

"an advisor of the crew and his son surprised me by presenting me with my very own orienteering merit badge." Heck Outdoor Thinker, that was me and my son YoungSpikedEagle, how soon we forget... BTW, the scene of the Orientering Merit Badge Campout was Hawk Mountain Scout Camp, I mention this because Ourdoor Thinker completed Camp School there as a Scout Craft Director in June, 2003. oooh ooooh mark this as another Victory for scouting(This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

(Crew member 1) What? Going to Philmont costs how much? (Crew member 2) How will we get that much money together? (Crew member Mickey) Hey Kids, I know what we can do, lets put on a show! (Crew member Judy) Thats right, we can use my Dad's old barn (Crew member Darla) I'll make the costumes (random Crew Members) I'll get carbon black to light the stage I'll play the accordian for background music We can use barrel staves and some old hoops for scenery We can use my dad's surplus parachute for a curtain My dad's a blacksmith, he can make the lantern holders (Crew Members in Unison) It'll be the bestest show ever Gee, why dont they make them like that anymore? Oh, and FOG and Ed, I didnt post clearly enough. The patrols that had events happen did plan them by themselves, they just had parents concerned enough to provide transportation. The patrols who didnt have events come off didnt have parents who do more than drop off in the church parking lot. And considering where that is, I dont blame the patrol for not camping out there(This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

My most sincere apologies?

We have scheduled the troop campout the last past couple of April's to be Patrol Outings. Each patrol is expected to plan and carry out a campout of at least one night. The results have been mixed, some patrols have events, others don't. I am not sure the events are looked at as "real" as a few patrols tend to blow them off as soon as one person can't show. Oh, and BTW, the patrols with the most active parents(Scouters and parents who drive to events have the most success) Patrols with parents who are not active seldom have a patrol event even when the adults volunteer to provide transportation, 2 deep, etc.

older brother boy-man, have the boy spirit places himself in his boys lives realisze the needs, outlooks and desires of boy life. deals with the individual boy promotes a corporate spirit for best results.

Victory in scouting is: Seeing a First Class Patrol Leader, who was all thumbs as a Tenderfoot, teach knots and tell his pupils, its ok if you don't get it right away, I didn't either. And when they are done, the pupils know their knots. Seeing the glow in a scouts eyes while he pins his mother with his latest rank Seeing a shy, retiring scout, one who was almost afraid of his own shadow develop into a charismatic SPL who gains the respect of the troop Seeing a young man receive his Eagle, when you were sure he could barely find his way home from school. Seeing the faces of returnees from Philmont or the boundary waters, asking them how it was and getting a unanamous "GREAT" Seeing a 25 year old man set up in a business that he was first exposed to by the merit badge program. Seeing the look on the Crew Member who has just rapelled down 200 feet, and she smiled all week. Making a difference in a young person's life. Listening to a confused scout, angry because his parents are divorcing, and letting him know it isn't his fault and being glad he trusted you enough to talk about this. Seeing a Troop acheive true. pure boy lead status. Actually while this is a Victory, failure to be such isnt a loss, it just means the games not over yet

Drat, the curse of the double post(This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)