NOTICE- NEW FIRST CLASS REQUIRMENT STARTING 2006

[OldGreyBear]

Hubert, what does the expression "showing the courage of his convictions" mean to you?

[Hubert]

OGB,
I am proud of scouting, I have spoke about it to my friends. However, it still wont change the actions of others. No matter how much pride I have, there are always people out there to shoot me down for their kicks.

Years ago, I was constantly made fun of for being a scout. Did I let it divert me from my scouting career? No, Im almost Eagle. Did it effect me? Yes. When I was in middle school, thats all kids did, was make fun of me. I was still proud. But it gets to you when someone constantly bugs you for being a scout. I always got the jokes about "scouts are g--". I hated that. I hated when I would walk down the hall and constantly be pushed around, and harassed because I was a scout. However, I was a proud scout, and did not quit. However, it muted me wanting to speak up. I was always afraid of speaking of scouts, and just being pushed around in the hall. My friends would not, however, anyone in the near area who heard me would.

I am still proud of being a scout, and will not take back what I have done.

People always used to say "Sticks and stones may brake my bones, but words will never hurt me."

However, thats not true. Words do hurt, they create wounds, that are not visible. But, along with wounds, they create scars, and sometimes, you just cant make them go away. Things were said that I will never forget, that I could have avoided by not speaking up about scouts. They will be carried with me for all of eternity.

Am I ashamed of speaking up? Nope, I am proud of it.

But I just wish that the others would have reacted differently.

[scouter01]

I keep them separte. saves me LOTS of stress. You really have to choose between a social life and BSA in middle school, so i keep it quiet. its not that im not proud.

[OldGreyBear]

I know this is like ancient history to the youth, but I was a scout in the late 60's in the western suburbs of Chicago. After the 1968 Democratic Convention (the last political convention in that city) being a Boy Scout was not very popular. We were just "puppets of the man" so I do know all about harrassment and teasing. But the requirement does not ask you to walk down the school hall with a sandwhich board that says join scouts.

You dont have any friends who are not scouts that you could not discuss what being a scout means to you ? Without fear of reprisal?

There were idiots in middle school and high school in the 60's as there are now, and guess what? Now that I am 54, there are idiots that are in the business world as well.

[Hubert]

Ya, I do have friends to talk to, however, they show no interest.

I know there are idiots out there, in all areas. However, I hoped that my Eagle project helped to change that, and it did.

I was congratulated by those who picked on me, however, it took a while for them to see what scouting really is.

[OldGreyBear]

Well then, you talked they listened, said no and you both went on. You DID do the requirement and lived

[Hubert]

That is now however, when we are older, and a wee bit more mature. Back when I was a first class, if I had done so, I would have faced great ammounts of harassment.

[scouter01]

wow that must have been a good project. what was it?

[mhjacobson]

YOu might as well just check off the requirement when the Scout joins the Troop since there is no real way to verify it was ever completed! Actually, all a Scout has to do is say to a friend "Wanna come to a Troop meeting?" & the requirement is completed. Stupid!

The proof is in the pudding -- the invited scout should actually attend one of the stated events.

[mhjacobson]

YOu might as well just check off the requirement when the Scout joins the Troop since there is no real way to verify it was ever completed! Actually, all a Scout has to do is say to a friend "Wanna come to a Troop meeting?" & the requirement is completed. Stupid!

The proof is in the pudding -- the invited scout should actually attend one of the stated events.

[Nuts4Scouts]

The proof is in the pudding -- the invited scout should actually attend one of the stated events.

Nope, no pudding. Requiring that the person the scout invited actually shows up at a meeting is adding to the requirement and is not allowed.

[Hubert]

I dont think they meant to have it be that way, but I htink that it should be. I like that idea so much better, because, I know a scout is Trustworthy, but we all know some are not. I understand again we will have to take his word for it, but, I just dont like the idea in general...

[Fibonacci]

Tell someone who is eligible to join Boy Scouts, or an inactive Boy Scout, about your troop's activities. Invite him to a troop outing, activity, service project or meeting. Tell him how to join, or encourage the inactive Boy Scout to become active.

The Scouts in our troop who have completed this requirement are quite willing to talk about their efforts, and we have trusted that the description is truthful. No one has been penalized for being unsuccessful at getting a friend to attend a meeting. Overall, I have been pleasantly surprised at how well this "new" requirement has worked out.

Hopefully the new 2008 First Class requirement will be easier to integrate into the current requirements.

12. Describe the three things you should avoid doing related to use of the Internet. Describe a cyberbully and how you should respond to one.

[Hubert]

IM liking that new one, for '08. That will relate so well to the kids, because so many things are internet related.

[scouter01]

IM liking that new one, for '08. That will relate so well to the kids, because so many things are internet related.

if theres an internet one, shouldn't there be one for real life too? tenderfoot-1stclass is like camping skills, not what we have to sit thourgh at boring assemblies at school.