&@$!&$%&!

“Ice Tea, my condolences. Hope Monday finds you mellowing out.

On my Philmont trip back in 1967, our group was made up of scouts from various troops in the council. Once we got to Philmont, we were organized into patrols. No one else wanted to be the leader of our patrol and all looked at me since I had the highest rank, Life. I was leary since I really didn't know the others, but I accepted. I was raised to think this was an honorable thing to do. I was an experienced patrol leader from my troop (also other leadership roles). So I methodically set about dividing up duties and assigning them as fairly as possible (stupid me). No one did anything beyond their own personal needs without a lot of griping and b!tching. The others only wanted someone else to blame. After two days I quit and told our adult leader I was now a solo unit (other than my tent mate who was ostracized for peeing his sleeping bag -- ahh, the compasion of teenage boys). The best revenge was to continue on the trip, use my skills to get the most out of it, and let them stumble along suffering their own shortcomings. One put an ax in his foot hacking at a bent green sapling and made everyone else carry his gear for the final two days.

You will have to suffer a lot of fools in your life, Ice, so start figuring out your tactics for dealing with them. Sometimes you ignore them, sometimes you grin and bear it, sometimes you outwit them and turn their foolishness to your advantage.

As for Eagle, I discovered girls and quit 4 merit badges short. We had moved and my new troop never went on any good camping trips, hikes or canoe trips anymore anyway. That was why I was in Scouts, not for rank and authority. Eagle's a great goal, but not reaching it hasn't ruined my life either. Make the decision that is right for you and then live it out.”

“Ice,
Sounds like you got screwed, but were the ballots in anyway confusing? What were the real intents of the other scouts? Did they mistakenly vote for someone else when they thought they were voting for you? What about chad? Were there any ballots with hanging chad or dimpled chad? Demand the ballots and have your friends recount them trying the assess the intent of each and every scout.”

“Tell them You went to Florida once and you DEMAND a recount.”

“The ballots where crazy, but now I'm not going to do any thing like that”

“My experience is that the Boy Scouts are a pretty good judge of character. I don't think the Boy Scouts are the problem.”

“SGT ROck has given some great advice. I love the last part. Reminds me of my Gramma. When someone cuts her off or flips her the bird, or whatever, she smiles sweetly and blows them a kiss.

Man do they get mad!!!!!”

“My Grandmother told me if I acted as good as I looked I would do just fine. Of course when you look this good it don't really matter.

Somebody let me know when Sgt. Rock starts following his Granny's advice. LOL”

“Im only fiesty to those I care about Bacpac. Can't we all just get along.”

“pekka - Your Philmont experience is a classic example of what can happen with a council contingent group that hasn't had time to form into a team.

Our crew (803-B in 1993) gave their leader a bad time, but I think it was because they liked him. Anyway, by the end of the trip they were a team.My son and I had a blast. We didn't miss one activity and squeezed in a few more.

Don't pass up Eagle lightly. I got mad at our new Scoutmaster and quit with 3 MB to go. I could have been done in one day. I felt justified at the time, but have regreted it ever since. I also found out I missed Vigil by one vote the year before and would have that also just for sticking around. DON"T GIVE UP.”

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“Ice, you've got an Eagle Service project to do, right? Chill out. You'll need the support and participation of your troop.
Congratulations for getting out of being Treasurer! Be happy for that one! Let the little kids have their chance at leadership. This will give you more opportunity for track, solo hikes, and other pursuits. Don't rub their noses in their failures. I imagine that you had your share of failures, early on in your Scouting leadership. Thats how we all learn best.
Continue to participate fully. Don't bag the trips. Make it a personal goal to help the newest kids in the troop to rip through their advancements.
Show them (by example) the TT thick skin! Just go with the flow. There is a certain liberation in no longer being the one calling the shots. You won't have to food shop (be sure to take some emergency oatmeal and your pepsi stove, a scout is prepared) and don't complain or rag.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
JMHO”

“One last thing... Every troop has a boy who niggles, someone who complains about most everything or always has a better way. Be aware of who he is. If you can't find him, look closer.
JMHO”

“Sometimes you just have to lick @-holes, but it will get you a long way.”