Boy Scouts 100 years old this year!

[nervous]

The Boys Scouts of America celebrates it's 100 Birthday this year.

I was a Boy Scout made it to Life. I wished I finished my Eagle, got a job instead.

I later worked at Camp Boxwell for 2 summers, I was also a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader.

Nervous

 

[Rhys]

Re: Boy Scouts 100 years old this year!

I knew that had to be here pretty soon. Got my Eagle at 14 damn that was a few years ago. A few years later I instructed Rifle, Wilderness Survival, Metal Working (blacksmithin), and Indian Lore for a camp here localy. I was able to instruct at the instructor camps, and made 2 trips to Philmont. I was asked to become involved again as an adult leader this past year, and was depressed with how the program has been gutted in recent years.

 

[RJW]

Re: Boy Scouts 100 years old this year!

Have been working with Scouts for 40 years. Still hear from a lot my Eagle Scouts and have watched their successes in life. What a reward.
Still teach a ton of merit badges for several troops.
With the knowledge and skills of the members here, I encourage everyone to get involved in Scouting. The rewards you get from giving your time will be unbelievable.

 

[Raven 6]

Re: Boy Scouts 100 years old this year!

Wish I could make it to the National Jamborie this summer, you know it is going to be special. My son will be getting his eagle presented to him this Sunday, damn I will be relieved, when they get about 16 the percentage goes way down.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Boy Scouts 100 years old this year!

I made it to 100, and I think I'm getting ready to hang up my hat soon. My Bobcat card is dated 1953. I wear my Jubilee Camporee patch (1960, fifty year) on my Venturer Advisor shirt. Made First Class, Cooking, Camping, Canoeing MB's, then went to Explorers, became Council Delegate to the Region II Convention. Many, many years doing Committee, Scoutmaster, and Advisor positions. Most recent Eagle got his award two weeks ago.

Greg

 

[budman2791]

Re: Boy Scouts 100 years old this year!

I got my Eagle in 95, and have worked off and on with the Scouts since then both on troop level and district level. Loved the program then but it has changed for the worse unfortunately. Henry repeating arms has two rifles out this year to commemorate the Boy Scouts of America. One is for the Scouting programs 100years and the other is for rank of Eagle. Both are very nice looking guns.

 

[SmokinAce]

Re: Boy Scouts 100 years old this year!

Eagle Scout here as well. It has changed in many ways in the last few years and not in a good way.

 

[ewoaf]

Re: Boy Scouts 100 years old this year!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SmokinAce</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Eagle Scout here as well. It has changed in many ways in the last few years and not in a good way. </div></div>
+1


'98 eagle
98-99 camp grimes, NC staff

 

[crumpmd]

Re: Boy Scouts 100 years old this year!

I am an assistant Scoutmaster and am staffing the medical at the Jamboree this summer.

Scouting has changed because of the general pussification of America. They are more concerned with risk management than training leaders. The last Jamboree there were deaths associated with some numbnuts putting up a GPMedium and hitting a power line with the support pole. This kind of stupid is why we are hamstrung at every turn and you can do nothing of value that involves any risk whatsoever.

Another asst scoutmaster and I are planning a rucksack weekend campout soon with the participants taking a mre and some water. Whatever else we eat will be what we find or kill. We will refill our canteens from water sources as we camp. It will be interesting to see who wants to come. Since it is not a Troop campout there will be no tour permit, no trailer, none of the things our scouts think they have to have to go camping. My gut tells me it will me my sons and his sons and the other kids and dads won't care to do it.

 

[bohem]

Re: Boy Scouts 100 years old this year!

99 Eagle myself. My brother finished in 2007 (barely).

My dad taught all the shorting sports merit badges for my brother's troop up 'til last year. Now they require NRA Certified Instruction for the badges. Nobody's earned one in the 3 area troops since then.

 

[Spazz.]

Re: Boy Scouts 100 years old this year!

Second generation Eagle scout, from the same troop no less. My dad got his in 1974, I got mine in 1999. We're both still active - more in the OA than with the troop most of the time though. We're also both Vigils from the same lodge.

 

[SmokinAce]

Re: Boy Scouts 100 years old this year!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: crumpmd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Another asst scoutmaster and I are planning a rucksack weekend campout soon with the participants taking a mre and some water. Whatever else we eat will be what we find or kill. We will refill our canteens from water sources as we camp. It will be interesting to see who wants to come. Since it is not a Troop campout there will be no tour permit, no trailer, none of the things our scouts think they have to have to go camping. My gut tells me it will me my sons and his sons and the other kids and dads won't care to do it. </div></div>

I have done this type of thing a few times and it was only myself and 2 other eagle scouts no one else wanted to take the challange on. Sad! We had a blast and when we came back to the pick up point 3 days later everyone was amazed we made it and all we said was "this is what we learned to do in boyscouts" now it is all about poptarts for meals lodge style camping etc.. IMO.

 

[Queequeg]

Re: Boy Scouts 100 years old this year!

I was a cub scout in 6th and 7th grade then later a boy scout for 3.5 years. Never went past 2nd class! Three merit badges; 1st aid, swimming and camping.

Our troop was led by a Navy dept. engineer who had a lot of stress. Thus we were in the NH or Maine woods about every other weekend of the school year. He had Sea trials in the summer so we didn't do much at that time which was fine as we all played base ball and camped and fished on our own.

Jim Bentley was our Scout Master and was often frustrated at my (and several others) lack of initiative in knocking out the merit badges and moving up in rank. But we learned a ton and I always feel more comfortable in the wilderness than in the hood!

I know a couple eagle scouts who row on my daughter's crew team, as well as a couple who graduated last year. They are all squared away with great grades, good character and make me quietly regret my indifference to such a profound acheivement.

Happy Anniversary Boy Scouts of America!

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Boy Scouts 100 years old this year!

I was very fortunate to find the unit with which I've been most recently associated. More like the old Scouts. Leadership is the key. The unit is fading, since there's only one boy left who's going for Eagle, and the rest of the most active boys have made Eagle and aged out. Looking around, all the other units in the area are New Age, and I have better uses for my time; hence the hanging of my hat. I'm just not young enough anymore, or I'd give serious thought to another unit startup. I have a Grandson who's reaching the age.

Greg

 

[Bigwheels]

Re: Boy Scouts 100 years old this year!

I made it to Star,& was just a few badges short of Life when I was reprimanded for saving a younger scouts life. I told him verbally several times, until I had to physically pull him away from a nest of young rattlesnakes, that he was tormenting with a stick about 14" long. We had no transport at the time, & even if we did it was a 3hr drive to the nearest paved rd. I quit after that. I have no patience for stupid, or disrespect for the wise.

 

[atticus]

Re: Boy Scouts 100 years old this year!

Eagle Scout, Vigil Honor, Lodge Chief, 2 NOACs, 1 National Jambo, counselor and program director at camp....you get the idea. I have been out of scouting for about 10-12 years and have young kids now. Had a blast and hope that scouting still has relevance when my kids are old enough. With popular culture, public schools, and the current govenment I think I want my kids to be "prepared" like I am. Wilderness Survival may be all we need to rely on in a few more years.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Boy Scouts 100 years old this year!

Scouting will be as relevant as you make it. The tone and content of the unit is a reflection of the commitment and determination of the leadership.

Our sponsor organization is a VFW post. We provide most of their community service involvement by means of Adopt a Highway, and providing color guard service at local public events.

In return, they provide meeting space and the freedom to run the programs according to our own views. We train our own adult leaders, and remain in general accordance with BSA guidelines of adult/youth conduct, hazing, and water safety. Beyond that, our involvement with the organization and its activities is practically nil.

We do not use their camps or participate in their events. We run our own Trek each year, and all our outdoor activities are on private property and utilize individually owned resources.

We have been blessed with parents who provide their own time and resources to support the troop. There is no shortage of adult participation because we configure our program around providing the entire family with activities they will want to share in.

So it <span style="font-style: italic">can</span> be done, but it needs to be organized your way from the ground up.

Greg