They are tying to kill me here.

[riverrat]

They are tying to kill me here.

I was approached by the Boy Scouts in the area to help them reinstate an old merit badge.

History for today:
In 1910 when the Boy Scouts were started they had a merit badge for taxidermy, in 1952 they quit it. Now with the 100 year anniversy of Boy Scouts, this area wants to get the badge reinstated. The old Requirements were they had to mount a bird and tan a hide for a rug.

I had to go to what was like a merit badge fest to try to explain taxidermy, what they were going to do, the safety side, the amount of time and work that was involved to finish the project, etc.

Now I have 5 with the potential for 7 more boys and fathers coming to my shop to mount a pheasant and skin and tan a coyote.

These kids are working me to death!!!!

Ten hour days in the shop are cutting in to my NAP time

[jscanlan1]

Sounds like your being a good role model Don.

[jwj4856]

Now you do not have to wonder what you are going to do with all your idle time. Besides it is for a good cause, but it sure will wear an old man out huh?

[riverrat]

What we are doing is a pilot program. Other troops want to get involved and they are going to present it to the National Boy Scouts of America. They have asked for taxidermist to help present it to the National.

I have talked with the Illinois Taxidermy Association and they are going to present it to their members at the convention, from their we want to present it to the to taxidermy national organizations.

The problems I see is finding taxidermist willing to work with 2 or 3 boys in their areas.

This is not a money maker, but at the same time you can charge for all the supplies you use.

At the present I am working with 5 boys and their fathers. One of the requirements I put on working in my shop is that a parent has to be present. We work with so many different sharps and I am not running a baby sitting serves.

[cecil]

Mar 1, 2010 10:02:28 GMT -5 riverrat said:

I put on working in my shop is that a parent has to be present. .

Actually Don that may be a good idea for another reason. I wouldn't think it would happen in the Boy Scouts but we've had a few cases in my area of kids saying they were hit on by a teacher when it wasn't true. One coach was exonerated but not after it pretty much ruined his life. Personally I'd be scared to have boy in my shop without a parent. Keep in mind I do know there are also cases where the teacher really did.

Even a prof I had once would make sure the door was wide open when you met with him his office. He was terrified of the potential of having his career ruined.