OldGreyEagle

After reading many postings on being PC, I would like to ask, where do you draw the line? When my holiday greeting has to be reduced to "Have a Wonderful whatever it is you celebrate, and if you dont celebrate anything, have a nice day" I think we have ventured over the top, off the edge, hit rock bottom, etc. At the same time, I am not sure I would like to see a black faced minstrel show at my next council event either or have jewish scouts referred to as kikes. Does anybody have exmaples where sensitivity has been shown when needed that succeeded? Celebrating diversity is a good thing, Inclusion is what I would like to see, not the exlusion of all things remotely religious, or ethinic related What say you?

Well, I am not sure, given your background, that YOU will get anything out of the training. However, I do believe your prescence will enrich the class. I negelcted taking training for quite a few years after my son got into scouts. I am an ASM and figured being Eagle and all, I didnt need the training. Finally, a group of the leaders got together and we attended training mostly to appease the SM. I was sure I wouldnt get anything out of the training. I was wrong. The central most important thig I learned was just how darn complicated and involved Scouting can seem. When you "grow-up" from the inside it doesnt seem that way, its simple. But when you are in the training sessions with people being introduced to scouting for the first time, its amazing. Requirements to join, what is a rank, why have a troop committee, what is the role of the charter organization, whats a Board Of Review, etc. Things we lifers take so much for granted are like a foreign language to the unititiated. If you play baseball starting at little league, the rules just seem come to you, but have you ever tried to explain the "infield fly rule" to someone totally unfamiliar to the game let alone the concept of a force play? I learned just how much most "new to scouting" leaders dont know, and learned to explain things in a way they can understand, and learned not to assume every one had some form of scouting background. I did learn that Board of Reviews dont have to be Just for Advancement, they can be motivational for a scout who hasnt advanced. TO let them know the adults care about him and are willing to help (not do though) .. him advance. I did learn that planning the Troops program is aided by picking a theme for the year, and then all the meeitngs and outings are tied to the theme. SO I leaned a few things and met some great people I see at district functions, the time was very rewarding Unless I miss my guess, while you may not learn anything materially new, you will be an asset to the session. Having people in the "audience" familiar with the subject is always a good thing. And who knows, you may pick up a point or to for your unit

How About a Grocery Shopping merit Badge, requirements would be to locate and explain why sweetened condensed milk is neither with the regular milk, or the baking goods. The scouts could explain the ettiquette of not blocking the aisle when seeing a neighbor/relative for more than 20 seconds. They could explain why coconut comes in both cans and bags and what each one is good for, They could explain just what the heck Marzipan is and the difference between real vanilla extract and imatation extract and when either is best used. Why is Bown sugar both dark and light and they would have to know that confectionary sugar is not a brand name, but what some people call powdered sugar. My foray to the local market for baking goods was somewhat vexing this year. Anyway, Merry Chrismas to you all, whether you want to or not, suit yourself, you always do....

Dad, you do need to put in your username and password, and even them sometimes it doesnt work anyway. Besides, using the edit feature just broadcasts the fact I cant type, as if you couldnt tell

Chief, thats a wonderful idea. Just like the NFL has had a degree of sucess with its "throw back jerseys", why not have "throwback" series of meritbadges, all being applicable to electives in Star and Life and Eagle ranks. it could include the already mentioned BeeKeeping, Signaling, learning both semaphore and morse code and sending/receiving a message of prescribed length. The design would be crosed flags over a telegraph key. The series would either reserect old "retired" badges or be composed of skills not associated with life today. I know there is a horse/equestrian meritbadge, but is there one dealing with hitching horses or oxen to sleds, wagons, or buggies? WOuld be a thrill at summer camp or a Klondike Derby. Or a Lumberjack merit badge featuring non-motorized lumbering. Chop down a duly selected tree, trim it, use a two man cross cut saw, use wedges to split the wood and make planks, and then make a bench without any nails, just drill holes and use plugs. The design would be an axe, a 2 man buck saw over a bench One more, Have the scout(s) make a birchbark canoe or dug out. Study how it was originaly done and try to follow it as much as possible. Use the canoe to carry supplies for an overnight, the food being based on anative american tribe, dried meat, fruit, roots, etc. The design would be a canoe on a shore with a fire and shelter More? Would be fun to see the kids learn this stuff and them appreciate what we have today.

We do have a Venture Crew thats Co-ed. The problem is the Senior High School girls run it, and as an advisor I am glad its youth run, but the girls tend to scare the 14 year old scouts away. I have tried to talk to the girls, but they dont see a problem. I would like to keep both 14 year olds and 18year old active, thats the real key

The Venture Program has an elective called Living History. Something on that order, to learn about a period of time and participate in a re-enactment would be good. Not at the same level as the Crew requierments, just a little less

We have our Etiquette dinner, (see previous posting), but it was a hard sell to the boys to make them see the reason they should care how to eat correctly. And sit straight and drink properly et al. They said to do so was wussy and non-macho or words to that effect. They werent convinced it was relevant. I asked them who was by far the coolest charactor of all time on film. After several names came up, I tendered one, it was accepted as the best instantly. All I said was Bond, James Bond. They all agreed Commander Bond would be able to mend his pants, cook a goumet dinner, set the table and be able to tell if the glassware came from tuscany or the rhineland. I asked if any of them thought James Bond was a wuss and got no response. I told them Sophistication and self-reliance are not incompatible. Manners and Survival skills can co-exist as Bond proves in every adventure. (as a side note, we model the monogamous married James Bond, before his wife was killed, the widower Bond would have a slight problem with the morally straight thing by anybody's book, I hope)

As in the posting DD so graciously shared with us, 8 of 100 boys will choose a career based on having been exposed to it by a merit badge. However, As our Committee chair is fond of saying, all merit badges are not created equal. Some you can do in a few hours, IE Basketry, others take 3 months because of time requirements, IE Family Life, Personnel Fitness, others are just involved IE Environmental Science. They do span an eclectic range of topics, but I am not sure they represent many possible vocations or avocations. This could be improved. WHich career would you like to see represented?(This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

OH HECK DAD, CONTINUE ON I was wrong to make my earlier hijacking posting, but I do sinecerely apologize to Chippewa. Like the feather in Forrest Gump, these threads go wherever they will and who am I to try to direct them? Lay on McDuff

oh, heck the spirit is willing but the flesh weak Sctmom, Our Venture Crew, which came out of our Venturing patrol, has a tradition of an Ettiquette Dinner every spring. It is done at the Local Community College which runs a Gourmet Restuarant as part of its Food Science program. Students cook, budget, run the place. We contacted them about teaching the guys the proper way to eat, choose forks etc. This came from an event in my old troop. You are right, the guys want to date and go to "fancy places" but if the fanciest place you have ever been is sirloin stockade, Chez Paul can be scary. It has been a success and the college looks forward to having us return every year. They serve a 6 course meal with an explanation of how the courses fit together and what utensils to use etc. Similar programs may exist in other community/trade schools, they loved the idea of teaching manners to the youth. Oh no!! There ARE times when body noises are NOT funny???!!! (This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)(This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)(This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

Chippewa, Mea culpa, Mea culpa, Mea Maxi a culpa All I wanted was a forum for new merit badge ideas, not a discussion of whether or not there was a movement to feminize men. I may have fed the fire a bit myself, so I am to blame as much as anyone. I imagine I feel as you did when your left handed smoke shifter thread got "hijacked" and I apologize for my involvement in that effort.

Sctmom I love it, what about this: A section on Eating Etiquette, a section on how to formally set a table, tieing two knots with long ties and tieing a bowtie. How to prepare a gourmet dinner, (for two rather than eight)how to dance the waltz and at least two other "classic" dances. When it is proper to wear a tuxedo and when not and perhaps how to tie a cumberband The merit badge design would be a single pearl, as in cultured

And if you really like an idea, this is the process to get the badge approved: http://www.usscouts.org/usscouts/mb/proposals.html

For the New Year, is there a new merit badge you wish to have established? Lets see what we would like to have added to the mix. Personally I would to see a Gourmet Cooking merit badge, this would have cooking as a prerequisite, but expand on the variety of dishes prepared and also have a few domestic (at home) requirements, such as a dinner party for 8 or something. And then a Linguistics merit badge where the scout must learn another language or two, or at least have a working knowledge of them. What do you all think?

I think that would be a great idea. Another would be a tailor merit badge where you learn to hem and iron pants, sew pockets, fix a seam, make a red felt patch vest.

I dont know how I would have handled it had it been differently, I only have my experience to go on. But you understand my point, if people know whats comming, ala Chippewa's posting, and the rules are followed its great. Its the escalation part that causes problems.

now that's entertainment

Every thursday during our week of summercamp, there is a Camp wide Chili contest. For three years running I was the Chief Chef of our troops entry. Last year I was an ASM at the national Jamboree and this conflicted with our Summer camp. As luck would have it the two guys from the troop who did chili won. (DRAT) I mean, good for them! The problem is, both have moved away, leaving me again responsibel for the chili preparation and defending the troops title. I need something unusual, I think white chilli would do it, does anyone have a good recipe for it? And how do I keep it white? The stuff I have made so far looks more like grey oatmeal that chili. It will be the Camps 50 year anniversay, I want to make white chili and color it Gold Any hints?

Interestng Question, I would have resented that people I trusted would do something that would embarass me just so they could laugh at me. It was the misuse of trust that was the worst. My point is this: Whether it is only for a short period of time or not, making someone the butt of a joke, the object of entertainment through discomfort, without the consent of the "victim" is wrong. I told my story so you all would see why I am so vehement on this suject. I made my peace with this event by making sure others wouldnt have the same experience. Now, as soon as I can collect the group hug sctmom prescribed, all duly authorized that it will be totally Platonic and everyone signs off that they allowed the physical contact and I can get it notarized (tipping hat to Rooster) I will be done with this subject.

No, the adult leaders didnt know, they had sent us poorsuckers off with the older scouts and the routine was the older scouts were supposed to round up the laggards before retiring. The adults went to sleep, trusting the guys would get us. For some reason the older guys wanted to see how long I would hold out, well they fell asleep, I didnt. In the morning the adults laughed at both me for staying up and at the older scouts for falling asleep.

Ohhhh now you are qualfied to get .... ah, ah... its right there on the tip of my tongue, now I am qualfied to get...... will get back to you

Okay, now I understand, it was up to me then, and it is up to younger scouts now to know when to trust older scouts and adults and when not to. I beleive the drug analogy is lame, as I was enagaged in a Scouting activity and had adult complicity, I thought I was safe.(This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

Actually in our unit, the younger scouts tend to be the most uniformed. They cross over in full uniform and wear it all the time. We have a saying, the amount of uniform is inversely proportional to the rank of the scout. As they get older, pants get out grown and then the shirt. At BOR we insist on a full uniform, in fact the only time I saw one scout in a complete dress uniform was for hie eagle BOR. It was brand new, not sure if he ever bought it again

The patch can be lightly tacked on, as it is only for 6 months and then easily removed during a ceremony as JM mentions