“From the cabin of Integrity here, as we surpass the furthest distance humans have ever traveled from planet Earth, we do so in honoring the extraordinary efforts and feats of our predecessors in human space exploration. We will continue our journey even further into space before Mother Earth succeeds in pulling us back to everything that we hold dear. But we most importantly choose this moment to challenge this generation and the next to make sure this record is not long-lived.”
 

https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasas-artemis-ii-crew-eclipses-record-for-farthest-human-spaceflight/

So I have been  both surprised and gratified in how diverse and advanced some of these Scouts are. For instance, there is a Russian Philosopher named Ivan Goudinov (you can look him up).  How is it these young kids know of his writings? 

Like, when the Scout, in my instance, plays one of the calls and then asks  "Mister SSScout, is that Goudinov?  "  

Indeed.....   

The biggest challenge was time, made worse by the lack of parent involvement in the actual running of the Troop.  Of those who were willing to volunteer time, I'd say about 80% of them only wanted to be in an administrative type position - committee member, advancement chair, service chair, etc.  Of those who were ASM's, one never came camping even on the trip they were in charge of organizing, and one needed to be hand-held through everything to the point it was faster and easier for me to do it myself.  (Crazily, this parent is an Eagle, yet can't cook a meal or put up a tent that isn't their own.)  

Anywho... it's been great, and awful, and everything in between.  God bless those of you who are in this role.

I figured I'd share the message I sent to our Troop after the latest political issues, because I think it's a message that's needed no matter what we're facing, but didn't want to clutter the other thread.

Although I have just one more week as your Scoutmaster, I wanted to issue a statement of support for ALL our scouts, our friends, and our families.  I wholeheartedly believe in the overarching mission of Scouting, which is "to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law."  That doesn't change how we are meant to treat others, no matter what is said by outside individuals or administrations.  

Trustworthy and Loyal means a scout can be relied upon to act with understanding, Kindness and Courtesy in their interactions with others.  Scouts should strive to be non-discriminatory and Helpful to everyone around them.  In short, the same principles that Baden-Powell espoused when forming this organization still stand today.   Do your best to continue to be the amazing young people that you are.

At first, the Tenderfoot, 
Huffing and aching in the Patrol Leader’s gaze.
Then the willing Second Class, with his backpack
And shining new boots, creeping like snail
Willingly to camp.

 And then the First Class,
Working like journeyman, with a woeful ballad
Made to his buddy’s ’ cookset.

Then a Star Scout,
Full of fun tales and dirty like the worker,
Jealous in honor, sudden and quick to help,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the campfire’s smoke.

And then the Life Scout,
In fair proud and downlooking to the Tenderfoot,
With eyes severe and mien of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part.

The sixth age shifts
Into the sage and sought after ,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side;
His youthful face, well shaved, a world too wide
For his Eagle earned, and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound.

Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is Scout Leader, signed and devoted he,
Sans time, sans money, sans gear, sans everything but Scouts to inspire. 

 

Case in point:::   Some years ago,  our camporee was  interrupted by police being called because some unfortunate vandalism occurred to our host's  headquarter's building. This occurred during the Saturday night.  Since Scouts were "officially" the only folks on the property, it was strongly implied that a Scout person(s) had done it.  No one ever came forward and admitted, no one was ever accused, but....

Our Camporee SM, a very long term,  Scouter's Scouter,  took the assembly the next Sunday morning  for lowering the flag to close the camporee to give a talk.  Everyone there knew what had happened, the rumor mill being alive and well.   He mainly spoke in general terms,  never mentioned the actual event . I remember the period was very somber, serious, instead of being happy and glad to have had the challenge and games of the previous days.  I wish I could remember the definite things he said, but even in my adult hood, I was impressed with the way he said it.  Scout ideals, Scout behavior, Scout responsibility for decisions and actions and their results...

Do you, does your SM take that time at the end of the Meeting to send the Scouts back to "the Real World"  with something to consider?  

Well, first they earned astronomy merit badge, then Orienteering . While working on personal management, they built up a stash of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They kept themselves physically fit, studied nature, transportation, and citizenship in the empire. Then one clear night, while watching Jupiter retrograde around Leo, one of them said, “Hey let’s go venturing and see where that will take us. I bet we’ll have a royal time.”

His buddies said, “Okay, wise guy! Saddle up!”

And that, my fellow scouts, is how being prepared can help you find what you’re looking for, and found a holiday that puts smiles on children’s faces everywhere.

Still, it didn’t click as to why this meant so much to Dad … even after years pocked with  many conversations — with veterans of various countries, former POWs (their and ours), self-described freedom fighters, occupiers and occupied. It didn’t click until last month as we witnessed the post-modern world’s most magnificent tyrant expend a tenth of a division of the most formidable army on the planet … as we are about witness him hazard as many more soldiers and arms in the coming month. Some think he didn’t expect such losses. I think he knew his special military operation would be very, very costly. Why squander so much? Why provoke the Free World?

Because, scouts, this dictator’s neighbor had taken up the the most feared weapon on the planet: a populace able to speak their mind — in the language of his citizens, no less. Precious little could pose a greater existential threat. Over the past century, men like my father, the teachers who assisted him, our scoutmasters, and many other volunteers in this country and around the world have spared time to train youth to master speaking their mind trustworthily, courteously, kindly, and bravely. If you’ll allow, we will train you to do it too.

When A Scouter’s not engaged in his employment (his employment)

          or planning to go camping with his Troop (with his Troop)

               his capacity for innocent enjoyment  (-cent enjoyment)

Can easily be knocked off for a loop (for a loop)

Our feelings we with difficulty smother (-culty smother)

        When some  Scoutmasterly  duty’s to be done (to be done)

            Ah, take one consideration with another, (with another)

               A Scoutmaster’s lot is not a happy one.

Ooooohhhhh…

When Scoutmasterly duty’s to be done, to be done,

A Scoutmaster’s  lot is not a happy one.

When the  helicopter parent is  not  hov’ring (is not a hov’ring)

       When the Scout is not a-cutting off their thumb  (-off their thumb)

            He loves to hear the  bug-a-ler a-bugling  (bugler bugling)

                And enjoy his tea while sitting  on his bum (on his bum)

When the  PLC has finally decided  (has decided)

       Where the Troop should hike on  weekends  yet to come (yet to come)

             Ah, take one consideration with another (with another)

                   A Scoutmaster’s  lot is  not a happy one.

Ooooooohhhhh,

When  Scoutmasterly  duty’s to be done, to be done, ,

His duty  oft is not a happy one.  (happy one). 

https://www.liherald.com/stories/nicholas-sincinito-is-the-lynbrookeast-rockaway-heralds-2021-person-of-the-year,137386

Scout Salute and please say a prayer for him and his family,

 Campfire safety being of utmost importance (I hope and pray you never find yourself saying, "I thought I put it out"), I find myself remembering when I used to heat my modest cabin with wood.  I thought I might record  some ideas in that vein,  (please bear in mind , this is past history.....) therefore:

How to Heat with Wood for Free!

            It is easy to heat your home for free with wood!  I have done it for many years , and I have been asked by many to detail the economics of it. Here, then, is my accounting of heating with wood over the last few years!

            Wood is available for free from many sources. Neighbors may need a tree cut down. Road crews leave wood by the road for picking up. Untended lots need thinning.

One just needs a little equipment.

Build wood rack from scrap lumber :  FREE!

Install catalytic equipped wood stove, double wall stove pipe: $5,432.

Purchase chainsaw, case, chain oil,  hardhat, safety goggles, Kevlar chaps & vest, heavy gloves, wedges, maul for splitting, :  (“on special”!)  $844.95.

Two gallon gas can and 2 gallons of gas: $15.48.

Buy old second hand pickup (to haul wood ! ) from cousin: $850.

Rebuild engine, new clutch, new tires, pass state inspection, tags, title, insurance:  $3,547.85.

Pay fine for cutting wood without a permit on park land: $350.

Replace rear window in pickup (threw log thru it): $207.

Sharpen saw chain after hitting rock in tree crotch:  $18.

Buy 2 extra saw chains:  $66.05.

Repair neighbor’s roof edge after maple fell the wrong way:  $427.

Repair chainsaw after using regular gas in it (needs 2 stroke mix):  $98.47.

Buy two gallons gas and pint of 2 stroke oil:  $14.48.

Doctor visit after wood rack falls on foot:  $20. Copay.

Crutch rental:  FREE (local service club)

Clean rug and smoke damage when wife forgets to open damper:  $380.28.

Lawyer visit, recommendation of marriage counseling:  $350.

            As you can see, it is easy to heat your house with wood for FREE!  Of course , not everyone is as adept at wood cutting as some, so your experience will no doubt be different.  Good Luck !

So every morning that week Paul and Alex spent an hour in the class, and every afternoon they spent at least that long practicing together.  To everyone's surprise Alex passed the test and earned his first merit badge. Honestly I think Alex was more surprised than anyone else.  It seemed to make quite the difference in his demeanor. He had faced his fears and beaten them.

At the Court of Honor when they were both presented with their badges, the SPL noticed that Paul already had a swimming MB on his sash.  Afterwards he and the ASPL cornered Paul in the parking lot. " Paul, I'm hoping you didn't lie here, but didn't you tell Alex that you needed to earn the swimming badge?" "Nope, Paul replied with a grin, " I said I needed to take the class. And I did."  With that he walked off. 

"So did he actually earn the swimming badge since he already had one? " asked the ASPL. " I'm not sure about the merit badge" replied the SPL " but he absolutely earned his Patrol Leader patch!

I had to agree with him. And so he became interested in the history I had lived thru, that I had actually seen. 

I have to plead guilty in not asking more questions of my parents and grandparents. The "elders"  I grew up with, who knew the world I inherited.

My grandparents lived thru the flu epidemic of 1918, read the newspapers about Charles Lindbergh flying  the Atlantic in 1927. My mom watched the dirigible Hindenburg fly over Boston on it's way to Lakehurst New Jersey in 1937. A distant cousin was Captain of the Hindenburg.  Years  later, she and dad watched (and with a young version of me laying on the floor) a fuzzy tv screen as Neil Armstrong stepped off a metal ladder onto the Moon.  That is a "life stretch", from biplanes and dirigibles to space travel.....  My dad had other "stretches" to share, to think about. 

History is made, remembered and forgotten by PEOPLE. Often the people we know. 

How about you?  Can you ask your folks, your "elders"  about their "Life Stretches"?   Are you "paying attention" to the history you have seen?  Lived thru? Inherited?   What can you tell  your children and grandchildren (we hope !) ?

As the philosopher reminds us....  "those that do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it".   Will you say YOU have learned anything from our history?

Good Scouting to you, safe journey home.....  

14 minutes ago, FaithfulScouter said:

Sadly the Charter Org has known about the deterioration in program for more than a year, however no one would step up to take the Scoutmaster position.

I've seen units with 12 scouts and 120. I've seen units with 1 ASM/Den Leader and 12. The one thing I have consistently seen is a complete and total lack of succession planning for Scoutmaster/Cubmaster (I know there's difference, but bear with me).

I know it isn't about the awards/knots, but I wanted to point out the following is part of the Unit Leader Award of Merit.

Quote

Yes, the unit has a replacement recruited and committed to take over the nominee’s position as unit leader if necessary.

Replacement’s name ________________________________________________Unit committee chair initial  ____________

Think about about that: It is an "Award of Merit" item to have a succession plan for the Scoutmaster/Cubmaster.

The result has been time and time again that someone is forced/shoved into a position not because they want it but because they are, in effect, threatened: you are our last hope, if not you then no one (and in the case of the 12 scout troop the person was told "if not you, we fold.")

And sadly, in 11 years (this was a post from 2009) nothing has changed.

On 3/5/2009 at 8:57 PM, rkfrance said:

Before I took on the role of a commissioner, I had been involved with several units. None of the units I served had any real plan for leader succession. It was always milk the poor sucker dry who was in the position at the time until he/she either moved on, got burned-out, or just disappeared without notice. Then it was the mad scramble to find the next sucker, er... volunteer! Many times the scramble turned into plodding for months, until the next roundup or right before recharter. Then, many times, someone was cornered for a signature with little or no expectation of that person stepping up to take on the responsibility of the position.

Cornered.

Threatened.

Do it or we are screwed.

Not knowing what they are getting into.

Etc.

Of course you don't want a succession plan that looks TOO much like you are plotting to toss the existing unit leader, either.

Has anyone figured out a better way to square this circle?