Boy Scout Jamboree returns to Fort A.P. Hill

Small Troops do give all the Scouts a chance for leadership. Our Troop has about 20 Scouts, and I think that's a great size. I do hope that your Scoutmaster makes sure that the Troop is boy-led. I have had problems more than once in restraining the other leaders in my unit from taking over when they didn't see Scouts doing what they thought the Scouts should.

The swim test has been the stumbling block for First Class for more than one Scout. But it takes approval from the Council Advancement Committee to defer a requirement, and that's only available if there's some kind of disability.

Once he gets through that, he can earn Eagle without ever stepping into the water again. While Swimming merit badge is required for Eagle (Swimming MB is usually one of the ones that the Scouts get their first or second year at summer camp), you can earn either Cycling or Hiking in it's place. And instead of Lifesaving, you can earn Emergency Preparedness.

Merit badges are required to advance from First Class to Star, Life and Eagle. There are 12 merit badges you must earn, and these are the Eagle required ones. You need 4 of the 12 Eagle required merit badges (and any 2 other merit badges) to fulfill the merit badge requirement for Star, 7 of 12 for Life, and of course all 12 for Eagle. However, there are alternatives for 2 of the 12, and they are basically designed to allow a Scout to get Eagle without having to swim any better than it takes to get First Class. Those are the ones I listed above.

Bill doesn't have a disability - just an aversion. He'll do it, but he'll whine A LOT!

My husband is more in touch with what the boys are doing, but the impression I get is that the Patrol Leaders are making most of the decisions, with input from the younger boys.

The Boy Scout Pledge: On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country ... to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

Here's the thing: If you are an atheist, then you believe you have no duty to God, because you believe God doesn't exist.

Therefore, a pledge that has you pledging to "do my duty to God" is a pledge to do absolutely nothing. So, how can that be offensive . . . unless you really do, in the innermost recesses of your mind and heart, know that God exists. Then it's a reminder you'd rather not hear.

Oh well, my reply is mostly OT, so I'll drop it there.

We went to Fort AP Hill in 1981 as a Troop. Flew in to D.C. Toured the White House. Saw the sights.

...and got interviewed by the Washington Post. They asked me if I was afraid of nuclear Armegeddon now that Reagan was President. I said "No, it takes his kind of courage to prevent such things. Look at Iran releasing the Hostages peacefully." Keep in mind that lots had just gone on in 1981.

They didn't publish the interview (held on the escalator at then Dulles airport) the next day, but it came out on Sunday and completely misquoted me. I was appalled at how they framed the interview.

That was my first direct experience with the lying news media. Up until that day, I'd always trusted them.

Had a great Jamboree, too. Went back home a little wiser.

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