Why I do what I do

[RobertN]

These are the kids from our Boy Scout Troop. My son and I were on this campout.

Local Scout Troop performs solemn ceremony | Mountain Democrat

These guys make me so proud, and glad to be an Asst Scoutmaster and merit badge counselor.

I have been fortunate to witness a number of these flag retirements, both at Troop level and at various summer camps. Our kids always do an excellent, very respectful flag retirement ceremony. It makes all the hours of work worth every minute. So proud of them!

RobertN
Asst Scoutmaster
WE3-47-08
I used to be a Buffalo, a good old Buffalo too...

 

[2LaneCruzer]

These are the kids from our Boy Scout Troop. My son and I were on this campout.

Local Scout Troop performs solemn ceremony | Mountain Democrat

These guys make me so proud, and glad to be an Asst Scoutmaster and merit badge counselor.

I have been fortunate to witness a number of these flag retirements, both at Troop level and at various summer camps. Our kids always do an excellent, very respectful flag retirement ceremony. It makes all the hours of work worth every minute. So proud of them!

RobertN
Asst Scoutmaster
WE3-47-08
I used to be a Buffalo, a good old Buffalo too...

Good for you, Robert. The Boy Scouts...one of the last bastions of everything I believe to be good, still vibrant and healthy after all these years. Too bad every kid can't be a scout; it would sure lower the jail population and the welfare rolls. Keep up the good work.

 

[Garybake]

A great service you provide for Society and this Nation, Robert. Many of these scouts continue on to soar as great Military men defending the flag.
Thank you!:thumbsup:
Gary

 

[RobertN]

An Eagle from our Troop is at West Point now His Dad is an ASM too.

A great service you provide for Society and this Nation, Robert. Many of these scouts continue on to soar as great Military men defending the flag.
Thank you!:thumbsup:
Gary

 

[newbury]

Boy Scouts used to be GOOD.

Until a troop gets taken over by parents that need Eagles on their cut list.

My sons all went to Scouts, I went to Scouts (and Explorers). The first son got to about First Class, the second made Eagle in another district. By the time the third went into scouts I was getting time to spend locally (I had been on travel for 2 to 3 weeks a month for decades), so I became a Scoutmaster.

The "politics" of the local troop did not allow us to question the "achievements" of scouts trying to move up a grade. For the SIMPLEST questions, such as application of a tourniquet we were told we could not question the scout's knowledge. We could NOT ask them to demonstrate, we could only ask - "do you know how to tie a square knot" same scout could not tie his shoes without his mommy helping, he had to be passed. To make Eagle one guy built a picnic bench, it was a kit from Lowes I think.

Sorry for the rant, but I RESPECTED the Scouts until the local troop watered it down.

 

[RobertN]

Really depends on the unit. We have a really good group of leaders and committee.

We test the kids; they have to demonstrate that they know the skills. Not the day they learn them either. No way we'll sign them off after they just learned a skill; they have to show they can perform it later, just like in life.

I have seen folks change units, because of what you mention.

Boy Scouts used to be GOOD.

Until a troop gets taken over by parents that need Eagles on their cut list.Sorry for the rant, but I RESPECTED the Scouts until the local troop watered it down.

 

[aczlan]

To make Eagle one guy built a picnic bench, it was a kit from Lowes I think.

Could be worse, the local council where I lived in GA went through a phase where the ONLY projects that they would approve were picnic tables. Others had better ideas and were shot down by council.

Aaron Z

 

[vwnotrunning]

All scout troops are not the same. My boys ended up not staying in based on the politics and degrading of the processes. Several of the troops organized merit badge fares that allowed scouts to assemble predetermined project in several catagories and for a small fee got passed on what should have been an actual learning experience. It sure demeaned my respect for what an Eagle Scout stands for. Still better than some of the options our youth are exposed to. Just keep invovled so it does not get out of hand.

 

[Mace Canute]

Boy Scouts used to be GOOD.

Until a troop gets taken over by parents that need Eagles on their cut list.

My sons all went to Scouts, I went to Scouts (and Explorers). The first son got to about First Class, the second made Eagle in another district. By the time the third went into scouts I was getting time to spend locally (I had been on travel for 2 to 3 weeks a month for decades), so I became a Scoutmaster.

The "politics" of the local troop did not allow us to question the "achievements" of scouts trying to move up a grade. For the SIMPLEST questions, such as application of a tourniquet we were told we could not question the scout's knowledge. We could NOT ask them to demonstrate, we could only ask - "do you know how to tie a square knot" same scout could not tie his shoes without his mommy helping, he had to be passed. To make Eagle one guy built a picnic bench, it was a kit from Lowes I think.

Sorry for the rant, but I RESPECTED the Scouts until the local troop watered it down.

Sure going to be tough on those kids when they reach the point that real knowledge dictates their success on anything they do. Talk about setting the kids up for a fall...

 

[Garybake]

I think that if children are involved in any type of social activity outside of school it is a step in the right direction. Granted some are more difficult than others but not all communities have junior Macgyver's and therefore cater troops to keep enrollment. It is a positive step to hanging around the streets smoking ciggerettes, spray painting logo's and shoplifting. Those children would never hack attendance alone. Just a perspective in socialization and joint achievement. :thumbsup:
Meetings, achievements (vary with individuals and communities), campouts, working together and feeling proud to belong. Much more benificial to society than getting that same feeling through joining a gang.