________________________________________ HOW WORDS CAN DIRECT—OR MISDIRECT—THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS The great semanticist, S.I. Hayakawa informs us that, “of all forms of symbolism, language is the most highly developed, most subtle, and most complicated.” He correspondingly advises that “there is no necessary connection between the symbol and that which is symbolized.” Wearing a Dodgers baseball cap, he […]

________________________________________ (This should have posted automatically last Tuesday… Obviously, something went wrong.  Please help out fellow Commissioner Paul Geissler ASAP, with my thanks!) The message and request below is from fellow Commissioner Paul Geissler, of the Laurel Highlands Council in the Pittsburgh, PA area. This is a fabulous opportunity for pack, troop, and crew leaders, […]

________________________________________ VETERANS DAY The aftermath of an appendectomy gone bad, producing a lower intestinal infection that plagued me for several years, I was physically rejected by the U.S. Army on three separate attempts to enlist, which effectively eliminated any possibility of military service for me, even though I was otherwise healthy. This was at the […]

________________________________________ (Here are two letters that follow up on last week’s troop “horror story”…) Hi Andy, Thanks for sharing the letter from “Puzzled & Confused” last week. Sometimes, when I think our troop is all messed up, I open your column and when I compare ours to others, I realize we’re doing more things right […]

________________________________________ (This conversation is from early September…) Hi, Andy, I’m a Den Leader entering my second year and having a grand time. My den has grown to a good size—12 registered and about 10 showing up regularly, and continuing to receive inquiries from prospective new members, too. Problem is, I’m not eager for this den […]

________________________________________ (Nope, this isn’t a pre-Halloween horror story… It’s real.) Hi Andy, Our son joined a troop of his choosing when he crossed over as an Webelos, and my husband (an Eagle Scout, former Assistant Cubmaster, Wood Badge) and I (Pack Committee Chair, Wood Badge) followed along as Assistant Scoutmaster (my husband) and Committee Member […]

________________________________________ Dear Andy, My son is working on Camping merit badge and I’m wondering if there’s any guidance as far as what constitutes “planning and carrying out a snow camping experience.” Is the goal specifically pitching a tent and sleeping when there is an accumulation of snow on the ground? Or being prepared to handle […]

________________________________________ The rumors of my… Well, you know the rest. Been traveling out of state and out of the country for the past several weeks. Back in the saddle now, so here we go… Dear Andy, Thank you for your commitment to Scouting. I thoroughly enjoy reading your columns and the insights you share with […]

________________________________________ Today my 500th issue coincides with my very first, published 15 years ago this month. That first issue was published in the monthly newsletter of a single council. Today, these columns are regularly read in every one of the BSA’s nearly 300 councils, including the Direct, Far East, and Transatlantic. Readers also hail from […]

_______________________________________ This issue is an extension of my earlier column this week (No. 499—8/30/16), thanks to four dedicated Scouters who have information expanding on or fine-tuning answers to three issues in that column: Bob Elliott, Bob Firriolo, Mike Walton, and Robby Wright. Thanks for your insights, Scouters! Here are the issues, each followed by supplemental […]