Eagle94-A1

@sst3rd, I hear ya. I know that ceremonies are not the focus of the OA. But they are the things that inspired us to do cheerful service and lead by example. I have seen and used ceremony teams as a way to inspire Scouts and Arrowman, and rebuild active chapters. When I became chapter advisor, the chapter was dead. No one knew or cared about the OA. All they saw us do was run the trading post at camporees. Starting a AOL/Cross Over ceremony team was one of the first things I did. It helped reignite the chapter. We went from doing only camporee trading posts to chapter work days at the local camp repairing structures, doing camp promotions, and doing service at the day camp and council family camp out. With public ceremonies in regalia taken from us, as well as they silly ceremony scripts they are telling us to use, I do not see the OA as viable in a few years.

That's the funny thing, many nations are happy with the OA. Many lodges have have worked with local nations. Heck I remember seeing a Tribal leader wearing his OA sash at their annual powwow when he found out Boy Scouts were going to be there and dance! And the OA was founded at a time when it was a federal offense to practice Native culture. OA was used as a means to preserve customs, traditions, and crafts. I know Arrowman who have assisted in gaining state and federal recognition of tribes. Now I will say that National has been trying to improve the situation and have been having classes on conducting research, building accurate regalia, etc., I know my local AIA guy was not a happy camper when he first heard this may happen because we have been improving as an organization.

The chapter I was in was essentially dead when I became an Arrowman. No meetings, lack of communication, you name it. heck I think the election team came from another chapter so the lodge could meet goals. I tried to be active, got frustrated since no one showed up or communicated with me, and gave up on the OA. Fast forward 4 years, and the chapter was given a rebirth because of the ceremony team. That got people aware and interested in the OA. It got me back as an active member. I've used American Indian Affairs twice to either start a new chapter, or rebuild a dying one. Ceremonies inspire folks. Public ceremonies like the AOL, Crossover, and Call Out make people aware of the OA. These two scripts appear to turn an inspirational ceremony into ridiculous skit. And people wil be turned off of the OA. That is why I said it will kill the OA over time.

Would you cite the source of this announcement please! I was afraid this would happen. When I was discussing this with other Arrowmen, to say they were ticked off would be an understatement. And I know of one WDL who has been planning their den's AOL and Crossover since they became Webelos. She wants the ceremony her older two sons had. EDITED: OK found out the announcement. https://oa-bsa.org/article/official-arrow-light-and-crossover-ceremonies This will kill the OA in the longterm. I see a lot of rogue chapters and lodges.

One reason why lifeguard training required a lot more hours of instruction than a lifesaving MB class. And like Q said, the constant drills were not to instill an illusion of competence, but to realize how dangerous a rescue can be.that 130# soaking wet cheerleader can kill you just as easily as the 320# head wrestling coach who cannot float to save his life due to muscle mass.

I'm a former lifeguard and lifeguard instructor. I cannot tell you enough how dangerous ANY type of GO rescue is. And I was an instructor back when they taught you how to make rescues without equipment, something they no longer do today. EVERY TIME YOU GO YOU PUT YOUR LIFE AT RISK.

While I am not SM, it is affecting the other Scouts in the troop. The Scout is already Second Class, a rank that not only I and several other adults disagree with him holding, but also other Scouts in the troop. I know the SM made a deal with him in order to sign off on that rank: from that night forward, he would be sleeping with his patrol and not his dad. That has not happened. The other Scouts believe he is being rewarded for his bad behavior, and it is affecting morale. It is creating a lot of resentment, and we almost lost one Scout over the issue. When something is affecting the number of Scouts that it is, it is my and other Scouters' problem that needs to be notified and rectified.

It sounded a few posts ago that you were leaving the forum. I was hoping that you were still around reading, but not posting. Lurking is the term for that. .

After 90 days, there needs to be a petition to national explaining why the BOR could not have been held prior to the 90 days. If that post 90 day paperwork was not completed and approved by national prior to the EBOR, IT IS NOT A VALID EBOR! That may be the issue. Someone screwed up, did the EBOR after the 90n day deadline and did not have approval. Had that happen to one of my Eagles. If the OP is lurking, please PM. I have some experience in this type of matter.

CONGRATULATIONS! Yes the Venturing Silver, which is now called the Summit, and Leadership Award knots can be worn on the tan uniform. While the Ranger Medal can be worn on the uniform on special occasions, the Ranger Bar is currently not authorized for uniform wear. The only Ranger Knot I know of comes form the 1940s or 50s, and they no longer make them. Plus if memory serves, it had different requirements, and was the then highest award in Exploring. You can also wear your GOLD and Bronze medals on special occasions, but the ribbons on the ribbon bar form that time are not authorized.

I'd use this map since it has a lot more detail. Over 500 indigenous nations in North America at the time. http://www.tribalnationsmaps.com/uploads/1/0/4/5/10451178/s366865341169104376_p38_i7_w2560.jpeg One interesting thing I am remembering from a NOAC a long long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, one lodge straddled a state line. On one side of the state line, one tribe was dominant, on the other side of the state line, another. Both tribes had nearly identical regalia, only certain colors and patterns differentiated the two. While the chapters would be specific in their regalia, when they competed at NOAC, the team was a lodge team, and combined the the regalia of the two nations. Only someone extremely knowledgable could tell the difference. I agree. Especially with the history of the OA. I've commented on other threads how the OA has helped Native Americans since its founding in 1915. A lot of people do not know or comprehend the good the OA has done. It reminds me of BLAZIN' SADDLES. It was a movie to fight racism and racial stereotypes. Today it is viewed as racist.

Don't know where @Oldscout448 is hearing his rumblings, but I am hearing mine from several Facebook groups for Arrowmen. ( or shall I say Arrowfolk?) One person commented on how their SE has banned the OA from doing Arrow of Light and Cross Over ceremonies in their council. That led to a discussion about how the OA is going to change policies soon regarding regalia. I'm thinking at NOAC. Another FB group dedicated to ceremonies and has folks on the national OA committee discussed how to get symbolism without wearing regalia. They mentioned wearing color specific shirts for the ceremonies. Then I heard something from a section level AIA officer. I asked him about the above, and he told me there is a discussion at National on the topic, and it appears the OA will eb moving away from regalia.

For some lodges, yes. A few years back, National made a bog push top do away with "Hollywood Indian" image. Wanted lodges to go local. Some lodges had challenges, depending upon the time frame. SE Louisiana Houma didn't wear much until post contact, and with Jesuit influence.

Sometimes there are situations where a specified parent's time is SUPERVISED (emphasis) and they are not to be alone with the child. Judge was shocked when I as a teenager requested supervised visitation for my father. To all outside appearances, he was a nice normal person and not the physically and mentally abusive individual my siblings and I knew. My request was granted, and thankfully he never tried to force me to visit. We have one Scout whose mom can only have him in a supervised situation. Not going into details, but it was over 10 years before she was finally able to see him, and it was at the grandparents house.

I was in a similar situation when I was a Cub Scout Day Camp program director. Mom was on the not to pick up section of the health form we received prior to day camp. The parent/guardian told us they wanted her banned from camp, and they told us about the court order. I told the parent/guardian that until we had a copy of the court order, we could not ban her from camp, just from picking up. Next day, we got a copy of the court order, and the key staff was notified. This was something we did not want broadcasted everywhere per request from parent/guardian. Since everyone needs to check in and get an ID badge, the thought was we would catch her if she showed up. Thankfully she didn't show up. I would have a discusion with the camping director and/or SE.

If the Scout Shop is any indication, they either are, or will be discontinueing the program as those medals are on sale. That doesn't happen unless they discontinue something and trying to get rid of them. https://www.scoutshop.org/national-medal-for-outdoor-achievement-610646.html

There is an approval process for Eagle. First there is the BOR. Once that is completed and signed off, then it goes to council and national. The purpose of that is to review records and make sure everything in is order on the council level, and pro forma at National. If the council is sayin no, something may be wrong regarding the records, and a simple updating of the records may work. I know of 2 cases where the council either had the wrong dates for the various ranks (my case) or had incomplete records ( one of my Eagles) I was denied my Eagle after the BOR until I was able to submit my handbook with all the signatures which updated the records. My Eagle was able to submit copies of his handbook, as well as advancement reports to update the council's records. A more serious problem which happened this year to one of my Eagles. His entire Eagle project book and application was "not turned in" after the board of review. We discovered this 3 months after the fact when I inquired for him. Thankfully, the district advancement chair requires 3 copies of the Eagle application ( Scout copy, unit copy, and council copy) and 2 copies of the service project book (Scout copy and council copy) so that the Eagle was able to resubmit the completed paperwork. How old was he when he had his Eagle Board of Review? It sound like he had the BOR when he was 18 years, 4 months. If that is the case, He would be ineligible for an Eagle BOR without NATIONAL (emphasis) approval. That happened to one of my Eagles. He was unable to get an EBOR before 18 years, 3 months due to boot camp. He was 18 years, 3 months and 1 day old. Came straight home from boot camp to the EBOR only tpo be told he missed it by a day. He had to appeal to national, get approval, and then conduct the EBOR. He earned Eagle, but never had an ECOH because by the time everything was done and approved, he went active duty. Sounds like a paperwork issue on the council level is the problem. Your son should have received a letter why his Eagle was not approved and the process to appeal it if that is the case. I'd start calling council.

Is the Court of Honor, the ceremony celebrating the the accomplishment, being denied, or the Board of Review, the meeting that reviews the Eagle Candidate's requirements and awards the actual Eagle Scout rank being denied? If it the Board of Review that is being denied, there is a process to called "Initiating Eagle Scout Board of Review Under Disputed Circumstances" that the district/council will have to become involved with. If it is the actual Court of Honor Ceremony, different units do different things. As Q noted, some units have it all on the Eagle and his family. Others take full responsibility. Some units do them as part of regular COHs. Some do special Eagle COHs as needed. And some units only do 1 Eagle COH a year and celebrate all of that year's Eagles at one time.

You don't mean the survey where 16% disagreed with removing time requirements for Palms and 78% STRONGLY disagreed with removing time requirements? And while we are on surveys. What about the survey results on the membership policy changes 5 years ago? Slight majority opposed those changes. BUT why wasn't Western Region's LDS members' vote counted in the results? I'm sure that an overwhelming majority of members disagreed with those changes. And why did National unveil the "Family Scouting" member Town Halls with such short notice, and limited the member surveys to those who attended? And why have those results of the members surveys NEVER been published publicly? @RichardB can you see why those of us in the ranks are not happy with national? As to your survey, YES and YES YES and Yes YES and only the stuff relevent to program. Lots of the stuff is fluff, and one entire issue, the family camping issue, IMHO had no reason for being published. Yes MEMBERS AND THEIR PARENTS SHOULD GET LETTERS AND?OR EMAILS! Not everyone is a Scouting junkie.

I complained to my SE when the rules first came out. He was one of the good ones and went up the food chain to National to find out why. The rules are based upon DOL and OSHA laws, and were implemented at the request of one non-profit that BSA does work with. If memory serves, it is Habitat for Humanity that requested we follow these rules when working with them. For whatever reason, National decided to implement them in the G2SS. Agree 100%.

Sorry, I left a lot of details missing on the camporee situation. Mom was there and fishing too. So all three of them were fishing, not just him and his son. I've been in the situation before, i.e. 2 events at the same time, and have gotten the wife to help out so I could keep the commitment. If the wife wasn't there, I could understand a little better. And I can understand medical emergencies. Guy who scheduled the Cub event had one and was not present. Also another staffer was in the hospital, and his display had to be cancelled. Thankfully I found out in advance, and was able to change things last minute. Dad also didn't do everything that he agreed to do. He was suppose to arrive early the day before to set up a bunch of different exhibits. Instead he showed up with the troop that nite. Set up was done by the replacement during the scheduled activity. Some of the things that were suppose to be done were not. And so patrols didn't see much of anything when they showed up. I overheard one PL telling another that the display was cancelled because nothing was there. Another detail left out was the person he got was suppose to help run another event. That event was short staffed as a result, and had lines waiting. In fact, they had to send people away in the morning because there was too many folks. So while he didn't leave me in a lurch, he did cause headaches and complaints as a result. And then the straw that broke my back was him complaining about where I put him and how not many showed up in the afternoon. I politely told him that A) Thaat was why I did not want to place him in the location he requested, and wanted to put him in a more visible one and B) since the display was not set up at the start of activities, groups that went there thought it was cancelled and the word was spread. So those are some of the reasons I just don't rely on him anymore.

Update. Meeting with the MC and Scout didn't take place. Another issue from summer camp, one that everyone thought resolved, took precedence and lasted all nite. Going to be a long week.

No medical reasons for him staying with dad. And the kid is not afraid to camp, but is afraid to sleep away from dad. We have one Scout with a medical condition already. No one, except the Scout himself, has a problem with him sleeping with dad. That Scout is working on independence from dad, and was in his own tent the entire week of summer camp. Precautions were made, and dad was in a tent next to him. But That Scout is slowly getting independence. As for abandoning his buddies, yes. This past week, he abandoned his buddy. Previous camp outs he has abandoned anywhere from 1 to 2 Scouts, and in one case his entire patrol as they built a group shelter.

My wife "forced" me to go to summer camp with the oldest the first year, and is forcing me next year with the youngest. I've mentioned the Scout with the medical condition previously. He cannot camp unless dad is with him. And we have one other mom who forces dad, who is currently a MC and working on becoming an ASM, to go camping. Difference is that medical dad does not interfere and lets son do what he is suppose to do. Other dad went to camp, took classes, and only took pictures while at camp. He pretty much left son do his thing, and he did his. There is no bullying, and it seems as if the parents are not letting their son fly. I believe the SM was pressured by the parents to let him have a BOR for Second Class, and he gave in. Currently I am an ASM. And I did try to discuss the matter with the dad twice. First time dad dind't say a word, and it went in one ear, out the other. The second time dad got defensive and threatened to leave with his son and family. This was at the camporee I was running, and he was suppose to run one of the key events at the camporee .I walked off since I had bigger issues to deal with at the camporee. I brought the matter to the other Scouters in the unit, and they thought it was no big deal. If I would have known he was going to skip out 1/2 the day like he did, I would have told him to leave. That is what I am trying to do. But the problem seems to be getting worse. That family keeps coming on camp outs. And the troop is not doign a camp out next month. Instead a "group of families" are going whitewater rafting. This was something the Scouts picked to do, and was turned into a family event. While my middle son would love to go, he when he was told it's family event, he decided not to go. And there are others who want to go, but because it is a family camp out and a parent needs to go, they cannot go. And then there is the issue of dad and son staying in a hotel one night during summer camp with mom and little brother. Funny idea popped into my head of doing a lost camper drill next time this happens. wake up the entire troop and send out search parties to look for him.