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Post by unojuno on Feb 2, 2004 22:01:00 GMT -5
We'll keep this one very open, topic wise. I'm not going to post all my personal views right now because... well, i want to see what you guys know.
Keep an open mind on things and dont generalize. If you dont know anything about the organization, dont say anything at all.
So I'll start. Single sex. You look at the US, and we're the only country that has segregated scouting by sexes. Of course the BSA has venturing and exploring that are Co-Ed, but what do you think? Yay, nay? I give the move a yay myself.
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Post by scott on Feb 2, 2004 22:21:25 GMT -5
Well I was a Cub Scout and then finally an Eagle Scout.I have been in scouting since like first grade.
The funny thing is I never liked it,except when I was screwing around.And they were just starting the both sex thing as I finally left,so I never got to try it out,but I can imagine it would be better I guess.Who knows...
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Post by Liek on Feb 3, 2004 19:44:27 GMT -5
The young kids wouldn't be able to handle it well. Maybe for 14 years+ or something. My troop went to camp in Canada, and most of the Troupes (I think that's how they spelled it...) were segregated within themselves (the boys didn't hang out with the girls.)
The system we have now is standard and traditional. It's been called the "Boy Scouts of America" for as long as it has existed. Things would just get too wierd if they changed it...
And Scott's right, it it more fun when you are doing nothing and having fun. This is a bit off topic, but the BSA has gotten really stupid. All anyone cares about is making Eagle. They've sucked all of the fun out of the program now. This was especially obvious to me when I went to "Trail to Eagle," a camp entirely dedicated to cramming merit badges down our throats. They literally forced me to go and earn more useless badges (they even tried to make me do one I already had...) Also, there was cheating on badges of the likes we see in high school. So many kids get the badges without doing the work. To compensate, the BSA has made some badges near impossible to get. The program is so broken now... if you don't believe me, check the requirements for "Cycling." It will take me aproximatly 26 more hours to finish, and I've already done 15. Sure, I could forge a signature and be done, but what would that prove?
The BSA's so screwed up... I'd quit if it wouldn't involve turning my back on some friends.
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foehammer
Big Gulp
and...bring me that horizon!
Posts: 209
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Post by foehammer on Feb 3, 2004 19:54:39 GMT -5
I am also an Eagle Scout, and I've been in Scouting since second grade, about 12 years now. Wow, that makes me feel old. What I have heard about the single-sex thing is that Great Britain finally gave in to that (I think they were the last other country to integrate) because theie membership was dying. Boy Scouting seems fairly popular still in the US but not Girl Scouting. And I think the only thing I'd regret losing there are the cookies - if we integrated who would sell cookies, everyone? That would mess some things up. Scout cookies just doesn't sound the same. I enjoyed being a scout, and being an adult is fun because the youth leaders no longer breathe down my neck, but the focus on becoming an Eagle Scout did seem a bit much. Many not-so-right things occurred that I have seen so that this goal could be reached, none of which I participated in, except possibly once. Like many things in our society there are things wrong, but I think there are a pretty good number of things right. Good friendships form, good lessons are learned, and if the Eagle title is earned people still have extra respect for you at times. I enjoyed it and I'd be sad if it all ended, but I don't think it would collapse our society. Except for those cookie addicts...
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Post by flamenco on Feb 3, 2004 21:02:39 GMT -5
a guy i know, andy, is a boy scout of some sort....he got a little card and flashes it at people to try and impress them.
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Post by BELETH the Mighty on Feb 3, 2004 21:44:43 GMT -5
Just what does becoming an eagle scout....do? What do you get out of it? Furthermore, what do you, well, you know, DO? Even furthermore, why aren't there any Badger Scouts, Muskrat Scouts, Weasel Scouts, Otter Scouts, Lemming Scouts, or any other titles that involve amusing/charming woodland creatures? It seems they picked the more mundane ones. I mean, who wouldn't want to be a Weasel Scout? That would be the sweetest title ever. And if it gave you the ability to telepathically communicate with and control all weasels, that'd be the coolest thing. Or you could transform into a weasel at will and go slinking around in disguise, all stealthish-weasel like. Oh my God, I wanna be a Weasel Scout.
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Post by Megzymeg on Feb 3, 2004 22:14:15 GMT -5
I was a Girl scout from 3rd grade to 6th grade... i quit in 6th grade because i hated going to camp cause it was worse than home cause they made you do chores and we sang retarded songs and it was very lame and everything we did was lame.... and the leader was a health food freak so we always ate carrots and milk for snacks.... YUCK
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Faye
Big Gulp
Fear me! If you dare.
Posts: 190
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Post by Faye on Feb 3, 2004 22:17:59 GMT -5
my friend jenny is 15 years old 16 in july and shes a girl scout
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Post by scott on Feb 3, 2004 22:37:00 GMT -5
Just what does becoming an eagle scout....do? What do you get out of it? Furthermore, what do you, well, you know, DO? I wanna be a Weasel Scout. Well I hope it gets me a job or into college of some sorts... And yes,on the inside we all want to be a Weasel Scout.Someone should design a Weasel Scout badge,then we should make patchs/stickers with the picture and sixswitch.com.That'd be a hoot and a holler. At the same damn time.
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foehammer
Big Gulp
and...bring me that horizon!
Posts: 209
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Post by foehammer on Feb 3, 2004 22:39:17 GMT -5
Weasel scout? Interesting thought, not my thing, but it might be fun for a while. I think they chose those particular animals because they're symbolic of things they want us to be - a bear is a big strong furry monster - well, that's not a good example but I think you can understand why they took the eagle, it's regal, and it's high on the food chain, and a symbol of America and all that (the British equivalent is the Queen Scout). Being an Eagle Scout can get you hooked up very nicely if you're in the military, in the form of a promotion and pay raise. And putting it on your resume really does mean something. Maybe not as much as finishing school, but it's helpful. As for what Eagle Scouts do, that's a different thing. We're expected to be better than the average bear, but as to whether we are or not that depends on the person, as usual. We've learned a few things (hopefully, there is a standard set of skills we're supposed to learn like first aid, knots, making fire, things like that. An Eagle Scout is an eagle scout for life, the same can't be said for lower ranks. And no one's supposed to know about the telepathy thing, just keep that on the DL, all right?
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Post by scott on Feb 3, 2004 22:40:50 GMT -5
And no one's supposed to know about the telepathy thing, just keep that on the DL, all right? The secret is safe with me.Wait,I didn't even need to type that...tee hee hee(in a high pitched school girl voice).
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Post by unojuno on Feb 4, 2004 21:19:56 GMT -5
I never was a cub scout. My dad didnt let me, and now that i look at it, Cub scouts is a day care for parents to get rid of their kids. I have had several adult leaders support me on that statement.
You can get alot out of an eagle scout award. Yes, jobs, college, but also (from what i have been told by adults) if you're an eagle scout and you go into the military, when you get out of basic training, you move up one or two ranks automatically. Also the Eagle award can get you out of tickets from cops (as proven by a friend of mine 3 times). And more. Most people dont just do it JUST for that, but yeah. It's a perk. If anything, you get personal satisfaction.
Now, as Liek put it, yes, the eagle award has lost its worth. It lost it's worth in the 50s. My dad never wanted to be an eagle because everyone he knew that was one in his troop was an ass who didnt know anything or a 12 year old just into scouts. I've ran into many of those (esp in Detroit area council), but i have ment twice as many more who i highly respect. Not because of the silly red white and blue patch, but because they are good people.
as for telepathy...
I say i give Co-ed scouts a "yay", but i do stand divided on the issue. I went into scouts a year before i went to U of D. I have just done better in an all Male environment. I never bought into the whole immature thing (and i know all of you are rolling your eyes, but i dont give a shit what you think on what you think i am), but boys act different in a all male environment. I think they form better people. They dont show off nonstop because girls are there. They just ARE (as in they just exist as boys). Though i feel a Co-Ed evironment is necisarry because many boys (esp at U of D) dont get out and meet the opposite sex. Our society trains people to feel cut off from the opposite sex and society tells the individual to not know what the other person is saying or feeling. I feel a Co-Ed scout environment (along with motivation) can add on to young people's character and help them communicate and work better together. Also, Co-ed Scouts, i feel, would not lead to more sex between people. I think the same percentage (if not less) would have it as they do now.
Also, hangin out with girls is just fun. Most of my friends are female, and that's why i do supposrt, in a way, integrated scouts.
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Post by Liek on Feb 5, 2004 16:01:19 GMT -5
About why it's Eagle Scout... America's bird and symbol is the Eagle, so I guess that's why. Like the hammer said, in Britain it's "Queen Scout" (what a bad name...) and in Canada it's "Chief Scout." Weird. Also, thier requirements and programs are different.
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Post by BELETH the Mighty on Feb 5, 2004 18:25:21 GMT -5
Well dividing between the sexes (especially during the teen years) is part of what contributes to the insane divorce rates in America. Guys just aren't getting the kind of knowledge they need about handling girls. Plus being around them enough gets rid of all the nervousness and anxiety that guys develop around 12. And I think getting laid at camp is far more educational than learning to tie a knot..
And how about The Black-footed Ferret Scouts? Now that's got a ring to it. Hella yeah. Who doesn't like Ferrets? I mean, have you ever been talkin' to a guy and you're all like "Say, ferrets are pretty cool." and the guy says "Nah, I don't really like ferrets." Never. Never ever. And ferrets are a proud and majestic triumph of nature, just look at one you'll realize their ferrety-power. C'mon, who's gonna start the Black-footed Ferret Scouts with me? You need soldiers to have an army, dammit!
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Post by unojuno on Feb 5, 2004 21:09:44 GMT -5
And I think getting laid at camp is far more educational than learning to tie a knot.. Or you could do Both... But i dont know if you want to bring sex into the issue. I dont think sex would occur any more often than in a single sex environment. And, personally, i dont think most teenagers are mature for sex. I view sex as more of an adult thing because adults can take it seriously or do it and think nothing of it. I dont think that sex should really be too much in focus to shap a young person's mind. Though i do believe that it shouldnt be blocked out like the current BSA is doing. Sexuality should be discussed and learned, but it shouldnt be treated as an animalistic quality. There. Think i explained myself. Hey, i'd like to be a ferrit scout. "What rank are you?" 'Yeah, i'm "plastic Maze" scout.' Just think, the highest rank could be the "Prerrie-dog Killer"
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