These just in: The latest BSA headlines from around the country\u2026<\/p>\n
Bag Those Square Knots!<\/strong><\/p>\n The BSA has introduced over 200 new \u201csquare knots\u201d that leaders can earn in their spare time. This, in an effort to assure that adult leaders\u2019 uniform shirts are no longer \u201cnaked\u201d in the upper-left quadrant. The new awards include: Unit Driver (black square knot with flattened bottom\u2014just 3 trips required), Popcorn King (Yellow square knot with superimposed caramel-colored dollar sign\u2014one knot for every case sold, multiples may be worn), Double-Duty Award (miniature multi-colored knots appear to be chasing a beaver\u2014one knot for each pair of registered positions, multiples may be worn), and my personal favorite, the Job-As-Hostage Knot (Sanguine \u201cHangman\u2019s\u201d knot on a black background, no borders\u2014award based on how many threats of \u201cif I don\u2019t get my way, I\u2019ll walk out and take my den with me and then where will you be?\u201d can be made in the month of September). For the complete list, go to www.thechaseison.org.<\/p>\n \u00a0No More Set Camping Nights!<\/strong><\/p>\n The BSA has officially rescinded the longstanding (and odious) 20 days-and-nights requirement for Camping Merit Badge. Effective immediately, so long as a Scout thinks about camping, that\u2019s enough. (It\u2019s a known fact that when we burden our youth with requirements, they get bored and don\u2019t try for stuff. Henceforth, Every Scout An Eagle Scout!<\/p>\n \u00a0Corporal Punishment Out\u2014Hazing In!<\/strong><\/p>\n Although BSA Youth Protection has prohibited corporal punishment, leaders have been granted hazing as a way to get these kids in line. When a kid starts acting up, razzing him publicly, making him \u201csing for his supper,\u201d and using the famous \u201cDrop and give me ten!\u201d are all OK methods for controlling and suppressing youthful enthusiasm.<\/p>\n Patch & Pin Randomization Approved<\/strong><\/p>\n To the chagrin of the Patch Police, the BSA has, after years of discussion on the matter, decided that wherever a patch gets sewn, there it is. The BSA has also approved the wearing of random pins, randomly. Cubs, Scouts, and Scouters across the country are already in full compliance, commented the BSA spokesperson.<\/p>\n Eagle Age Restriction Removed<\/strong><\/p>\n Effective immediately, all Scouts desiring to earn the Eagle rank can continue working toward it past their 18th<\/sup> birthday. This age restriction is completely lifted, thereby further guaranteeing Every Scout An Eagle Scout!<\/p>\n Airstream Efficiencies Coming To Philmont<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cTreks take entirely too long,\u201d commented the Trek Director at Philmont Scout Ranch. Thanks to a generous grant from the Airstream Company, all treks beginning in 2010 will be using Airstream trailers towed by back-country-equipped Jeeps\u2014two rigs per crew. This will reduce treks to no more than four days, tops, and will result in Philmont being able to accommodate over 100,000 trekkers each summer from now on. Every Scout A Philmont Trekker! Hoo-Hah!<\/p>\n \u00a0Leave No Trace National Fundraisers<\/strong><\/p>\n In an effort to raise money to fund higher awareness of its national \u201cLeave No Trace\u201d initiative, the BSA will be promoting high-fructose-and-carbohydrate backpacking water packed in special polycarbonate bottles and flown to the U.S. mainland direct from Guam. These will be trucked to and go on sale throughout all council camps and at all three high adventure bases beginning this summer. To accommodate the back country, all bottles are biodegradable (15 years, maximum) and, for Sea Base, the specially weighted bottoms will help to sink them when disposed of while at sea. In addition, special orange neon glow-in-the-dark \u201cTP\u201d will be marketed through all Scout shops and camp trading posts. The special paper not only aids in disposal (\u201cif you can see a glow, it ain\u2019t covered, Joe!\u201d) by also in emergency trail-blazing.<\/p>\n Every State A Council<\/strong><\/p>\n Continuing its effort to streamline the BSA, each of the 50 states will become a single council by 2012. Regions will be reduced to two: North and South, per the original calculations of Messrs. Mason and Dixon. All packs and troops in the North Region will wear the new blue neckerchiefs and their counterparts in the South Region will wear the new gray ones.<\/p>\n \u00a0Booze and Boys Mix Just Fine<\/strong><\/p>\n Beginning today, any council, district, or unit event may serve alcoholic beverages to adults, even if in the presence of youth. \u201cThe old method of separating boys from booze was just too restrictive,\u201d complained a staffer who chose not to be identified. \u201cAfter all,\u201d he continued, \u201cwhen we\u2019re running a fund-raising reception and we want to soften up our audience, even though we have boys right there as a color guard, money always talks!\u201d Opening this door of course also makes beer bashes on the trail and wine for \u201ctroop parents\u201d while little Fargus and his friends are drinking cocoa both perfectly \u201clegal,\u201d too!<\/p>\n \u00a0Girl Scouts Go Co-Ed<\/strong><\/p>\n Taking their cue from Smith, Vassar, and other formerly distaff universities, the Girl Scouts are now fully co-ed, and any boy who wants to can be a Girl Scout! The GSUSA has even introduced gender-appropriate cookies this year, including \u201cLumberjack Lemon Wafers,\u201d \u201cBack Woods Biscuits,\u201d \u201cHe-Man Ho-Hos,\u201d and \u201cThunder-Thud Thin Mints.\u201d<\/p>\n Happy Scouting!\u00a0 (and grin – April Fools)<\/p>\n