OldGreyEagle

I cant take it anymore, I have tried to ignore this for weeks and I cant stand it. I hate to be the one who asks it, but I have a feeling unless I do, I will never understand Just what does IHMO or LHMO or whatever that is mean? I was hoping to figure it out in the context it was used, but I admit I cant. Please, tell me, what does it mean?

As was commented elsewhere, when an Eagle project consists of paving a path 10 feet, then its not the scouts fault, its the adults fault for approving it. In my son's tenure as a scout I have helped on the following: Planting over 100 flowers around a Middle School entrance ( they were perrineals) Rebuilding a stream bank with logs and stone and planting over 60 trees along the stream bank. (Actually did this twice, at two seprarate locations, was done with a privaye conservation group that had goverment grants to buy the materials) collection of old video tapes and games to be donated to the local hospitals pediatric dept Building of wing dams in a nearby creek Covering city park trails with stone Contruction of a memorial garden at the local ASPCA, this was a lot of work, inovolved laying paving stones, supervised by the eagle candidiate who practiced at home building shelves in the church basement (our chartering institution) for storage (of non boy scout stuff natch) One bright scout (my son) helped the local American Legion replace American Flags at the graves of Veterans and ran a flag collection campign for flags that were no longer fit for display both in the schools and for the general public and then held a flag retirement ceremony for all the flags that is my favorite, but I could be biased Another scout's project was the repainting of a park district building inside and out. the point is, there is no set formula for an Eagle Project, the only given is it cant be for the scouts and the district advancement committe must approve it

I agree with Chippewa. If a presentaiton needs to be done, say for the communications merit badge, then the scout should go through whatever procedure the troop has to be placed on the troop meeting's agenda. Learning process is as important as any other skill we teach

"I know the Scouts in my Troop who spent 1 1/2 hrs looking for the shore line can't wait for "new blood" at summer camp." Its nice to know the tradition of being Friendly, Courteous, and Kind is alive and well.

Yes, as our scoutmaster is fond of saying, usually to the boys, the troop is boy led, but the adults are reponsible... Our troop, rather, our scoutmaster has "fired" scouts in positions of responsibility. The time doesnt count for advancement since its done before the time minimum is up. The SPL isnt learning anything except its great to have a title and not have to do anything. He should be counseled to show more invovlement, mentored, helped in any way possible, but if he is not up to it, remove him. It will be a lesson for both him and the troop.

Seems like that scout should consider the law merit badge some time soon But I would point out to the scout, the merit badge has a picture of a bird on it ostensibly in the wild, and definitely not in a cage, so only birds seen in the wild, in nature, in their habitat would count.

I guess it depends if you are a letter of the law fan or a spirit of the law follower.... Never have been a fan of a Merit Badge College either, the term collge tends to add dignity to the true intent of the event, that of a Merit Badge Mill

yeah, farm mechanics would be tough for a city boy to do, but thats because I dont think it was intended for him in the first place... Notable exceptions excepted (and I know that was redundant), I dont think every scout has to have the opportunity to earn every merit badge. If an urban scout has a burning desire to get the farm mechanic merit badge, then he will find a way. I beleive its up to the scout seeking the badge to come up with his own creative solutions.

Mr T? isnt he the guy who does telephone commercials featuring grandma's? Any way, I was at the National Jamboree this past August. The Army Action center is where most of the scouts in my contingent spent most of their time. The scouts were impressed by the soldiers, sailors, and marines that were there. All the shows featured the soldiers in full dress uniform and the kids were always impressed by them. I asked the kids why they were so impressed by the soldiers and they said, they look and act so cool. Then I pointed out they were all dressd exactly alike and no one had a chain hanging from a belt, a gold necklace from a neck and GASP, all had shirts tucked in and pants up where they belong. I didnt get much of response, as most had chains and necklaces on and their shirts werent as tucked as they could be. They did straighten up for a few days.

it would have to be the scoutmaster of the troop the Eagle candidate is in whoose approval is needed to start another troop. This seems beyond the normal scope of an Eagle project and will be a tremoundous accomplishment

Brad, the group authorizing the Eagle Project of starting a new troop would have to be the chartering organization. The First Baptist Church of Wherever for example. Starting a troop would then be for the church, not for the scouts, although I am not sure there is a razor sharp enough to cut through the distinctions between what benefits the church and what benefits the scouts. I have heard the Eagle Project described as a lesson in project management. Get an idea, plan it and make it happen and then consider how it turned out versus what you planned. Its a great introduction to the real world. Will be interested in seeing what alternatives are suggested.

Absolutely no reason I know of at all. You have just opened my eyes to possibilities is all

WOW, mr bowen, you certainly have challenged my idea of what boy scouts could do and where they can go. I realize you said the kids all know what they are getting into when they join the troop, but WOW, the kind of stuff I wish I did now, not just as a scout. How much did climbing in Mexico cost anyway? Just a hint, and the logistics of transportation would be phenomenol. You dont need to be on this forum, your guys should be in Boys Life or Scouting magazines ::Best three fingered salute I can muster::

I would not be in favor of changing the traditional class uniform at all. That being said, I think JMQ may have an excllent suggestion. The traditional Class A becomes the "dress" uniform and then a real "outdoors" uniform could be developed in the BDU, Tech style. Will there be complaints becuase of two uniforms? Perhaps. but kids have to wear something while camping and its not going to be the class A all the time. Something better suited to the rigors of the trail while producing an "uniform" appearance may be the ticket

Le voy, I like the wilderness rescue idea. As our troop ages a bit and we do more extreme things, the First Aid Boy Scouts teaches becomes less adequate all the time. Learning how to react in real outdoor Emergency Situations is needed. Just a thought, Rather than just restrict the badge to those 15 or older, make the prequisities all the first aid requirements for ranks, the first aid merit badge, the camping merit badge and emergency preparedness. Or some other combination to be sure the scout has the knowledge base to absorb the skills. Wilderness Rescue/First Aid is a skill which requires more attention by scouting(This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

I realize we may be talking around the same issue, and not realize it. Try this link: http://usscouts.org/venturing/VenturingCommissioner.ppt its from the USSSP Venturing website. Amoung other things it lists the responsibilities of the local council to crews. If you think your idea fits into these responsibilities, by all means do it.

Le Voy Whatever you call it, a Reference List, a Resource List, A commisioner or whatever, providing such help is contrary to the Venture Program. The crew is supposed to find these people on their own. The experience of finding out what is required to know to do an activity, finding people who can provide the training, and then doing the activity is all part of the total experience.

I did not mean to infer you had "helped" me prove anything although when I reread my posting, I see what you mean. I apologize

I am not saying any Crew or any group should not receive expert training from experts. The adult leadership of the crew is responsible to be sure the crew does not attempt anything they re not properly trained for. I am saying it is up to the crew to find the qualified people, that is all. How that is construed to be an edorsement of inadequate training is beyond me.

Thank-You for the information KC, this website verfies my theory. This website is sponsored by a group of gay men, lesbians and bisexuals. I would expect their website (Pro Gay) to refute the arguments of Anti-Gay (Narth, Exodus) Is there a such thing as an Independent source of information?

I beleive BP himself came up with the term, try this link: http://www.usscouts.org/advance/boyscout/bsmotto.html and here is a printed interview by Lord Baden-Powell, this may help you as well http://www.pinetreeweb.com/bp-listener.htm

Dad, thanks for the links, I did peruse them and while interesting, both are sponsored by groups that see homosexuality as unnatural. So I will not trust them implicitly. Using anything posted on those sites to "prove" your point would be like using information posted on a Pro Gay website to prove homosexuality is natural. I did read the article "The Innate-Immutable Argument Finds No Basis in Science" and from it understand that no study mentioned by the author supports homosexuality as inate. However, if there was such a study, and I dont know if there is, I dont expect I would find it here. But, I will do this, Imagine I am a space alien freshly arrived on earth with no concepts of human traits what so ever... How would you "prove" to me homosexuality is an aberration? If you give me links, I promise I will read them. If you wish to do this over Email rather than in the forums, I would welcome that as well. (This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

If I ever came across a troop of scouts in the "wild" wearing class "A"s, it would be me you would have to find since I would have fainted dead away. Such scenes occur only in Norman Rockwell illustrations. And you are right le Voy is promoting the buddy system, and I am sure in your troop all the 11 and 12 year olds.... as well as the 17-18 year olds always always do as they are told. And is wearing camo illegal or is it illegal to have camo be a part of a "uniform" ?

Not that any crew would refuse such information, but the intent of the program is to have the crew seek out people with the credentials, not have the people handed them on paper

Dad, help me out here. I have no knowledge of any of the studies you list and honestly, I wont be spending much time tracking them down. But do any of the studies you mention explain the following: I have met quite a few gay men who tell me they always knew they were gay from the first time they can remember anything. Pictures of them in their earliest childhood show them demonstrating feminine poses and other "gay" traits. This all occurred before they had any notion of sexuality. Is this phenomonom explained? I understand your stance on homosexuality, and I am not challenging it, I just would like to know how these situations are explained.