Leaderboard

I had a discussion with the Scout last night when he wanted to test for Second Class and couldn't tell me when it is appropriate to use a fire for cooking or other purposes. I pointed out that there are people with the Eagle badge and people with the Eagle badge who actually know the stuff, and asked what type he wanted to be. He said he wanted to be the latter. I pointed out that he couldn't list the Leave No Trace Principles, let alone tell me how to apply them, for example, when it came to fires. I signed off some other stuff, but he will need to return to studying the material.

Two things occur to me: First, "the work is done by whoever shows up". Very often the job is given/assigned to whoever raises their hand, regardless of anything else. Second, I suggest as required reading, Kahlil Gibran's book "The Prophet", in this case the chapter on Children, a portion of which I quote here: "Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, and though they are with you yet they belong not to you.... You may give them your love but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams....." See you on the trail......

Hammers? Totin' Chip traditionally asks the Scout to MAKE a really good tent peg. Hatchet(s) part of a Scout's kit, yes? Our Troop used to (I should check on this) make poles out of saplings and the tent pegs were kept for use and as examples for the next Scouts.... As for the tarp/ shelter, the Troop of my yoooth made them out of 4 mill plastic and heavy duty duck tape and grommet sets. Ten by ten, made shelter tents and dining flies and such. Older Scouts took 'em to Philmont and Jamborees, said others ooo'ed and awww'ed at them...

Yesterday it was revealed that 14.000 survivor claims where Slater Slater and Schulman were the representing attorneys have been on hold since June 2024. Judge Houser sent a letter to Judge Silverstein telling the court that all 14,000 claims will need to go thru an independent third-party review to check for validness. The Slater Firm has admitted to their clients that they have used improper procedures, and the trust used the wording "that there are procedural and factual problems in some of the Slater Firm’s claim submissions to the Trust.". The cost of the Independent Third-Party reviews will be borne by the Slater Firm. https://casedocs.omniagentsolutions.com/cmsvol2/pub_47373/4edc6640-5bce-4b58-99e2-e8cfb2c6484a_13103.pdf

That they would be independent thinkers and learners is hardly socialism or communism.

Interesting to read Troop 26 SM M-J Hey's account of this rescue in Outdoor Life. “When we got to him, I asked him where he thought he was and he was a complete 15 miles off course,” says Hey, who’s been a scoutmaster for six months. “He did bump into hikers and they gave him directions but no help. More than anything, I was upset to hear that. He was anxious and concerned. He was in a bad spot.” ... Three hours after the troop’s Garmin inReach transmitted a call for help, a chopper retrieved Montgomery from a nearby meadow. He made a full recovery and is now traveling in Europe. As for Troop 26, rescuing Troop 10’s former leader goes well beyond merit badge recognition. “We sat around the campfire that night and I was peppered with questions,” Hey says. “I thought it was so lovely to be able to go through the entire thought process with the boys. What I saw, what my options were, why I made certain decisions. They were really engaged. It was a powerful moment. What I wanted the scouts to get out of it was how they can really have a huge impact in the real world. I wanted to look after Montgomery and save him, but I also wanted the scouts to see how important their skills are. And they got the message in droves.” Source: https://www.outdoorlife.com/survival/boy-scouts-rescue-backpacker/

On a bike ride, Scout uses CPR to help save a Scout dad's life....

I do not think that Baháʼu'lláh, or Gibran would agree with your comment. A Scout is Reverent...

This is not new for deep water swimming (as one might do from a boat in a lake/river of any substance). In the 70s, ARC swimmer classes included practice jumping from a diving board with a PFD. An increasing number of recreational boaters came with an increased number of accidents, and media campaigns encouraging PFD use arose in response to this.

While the Scouters in my district were skeptical of me being their DE, I was #3 in a 3 or 4 year period, only had one long time Scouter try to intimidate me. I didn't know who he was, but he made some comments about me "sleeping in a mudpuddle" at an OA Ordeal. Since he was spotless, I replied with my home lodge's old mantra, " a clean Arrowman is a lazy Arrowman," and walked off to join my chapter.

I realize this is a dog eat dog world. And even more so, these days. But this group, along with their representatives, exhibits greed and hate that is off the chart. While many survivors are passing away each month, this group of 144, who have already received substantial compensation, sticks a dagger into those who have received nearly nothing. What ever happened to the golden rule and the Scout's Honor? I have been careful not to violate any standards in this statement, but if you want to know how I really feel.........

Biggest drawback is time prep. We did our own summer camp during COVID, and although I was an essential worker and had to go in to work, I had a lot more time to create a program. I do not think I could do the same thing now. Plus most of the adults are now focused on advancement and MBs, and not adventure. And this attitude has gone down to the Scouts. I have 2 scouts whose last summer camp will be 2026. One of them's attitude is the same as their parent's: they have all the MBS they need for Eagle and do not need to go to summer camp. The previous SM and I had to talk about HA activities at various camps. neither the Scout nor their parent realized they could do those activities. Funny thing is the ones who went to COVID CAMP said it was the best summer camp ever, but would not want to do it again. When asked why, they said no MBs. Even though every activity was part of a MB, and several MBs were started. Absolutely correct. Especially when camps are up for sale. Understatement. Same thing has happened in my council. Now some districts have less than 30% of the district positions staffed. It is not stupidity or ego, rather it is their superiors pressuring them to get agreeable, or as one SE called them "Pro-Council" committee members instead of the best possible choices. At least when I went thru the DE training, they taught us the right way, and would not talk about how folks are being told to do it. So the problem is known.

Parents are the most challenging part of Scoutmastering. National should create a course to prepare for how to respond to them. It takes practice. We had a few families leave because we didn't budge on our program philosophy. One mother took her new tenderfoot son out because I wouldn't delegate him as the Patrol Leader. But we lost several scouts because of our approach to Eagle. And, the parents of the ones who stayed despite their parents' wishes would never speak to me again, even when I ran into them at the grocery store. Barry

Even at a full sprint, joining to Eagle takes 19 months: 30 days for Tenderfoot physical fitness requirements (all Scout and Tenderfoot requirements could be done in this period by a precocious Scout) Four weeks for Second Class physical fitness requirements (cumulative now 2 months) Four weeks for First Class physical fitness requirements (cumulative 3 months) Four Months as First Class to Star (cumulative 7 months) Six Months as Star to Life (cumulative 13 months) Six months as Life to Eagle (cumulative 19 months) I have never seen it done that quickly. The fastest I have seen it happen is a young lady who, already having her Venturing Summit Award, Congressional Award Gold Medal, and GS Silver Award, joined a Troop at 16 years old (under the waiver), and completed in 20 months to become one of the Inaugural Class of female Eagle Scouts. And, other than school work, that is all she focused on. (She dropped out of GS, and said the Gold Award was not worth it for her...) Show Mom the math...

Here's an examination of the case regarding Israeli flags: False claims about burning Israeli flags, based on ToI report, reach Congress The underlying case involves someone who was wearing an Israeli flag being briefly choked when someone tanked on the flag from behind. The case was not about flag burning or damaging a flag; it was about whether the physical assault on a person might be construed as discrimination based in part on the flag used as part of the assault.

From Michigan Crossroads Council: Want to test drive Scouting before a full-year’s commitment? Want a way to offset the membership fee associated with the application? We have options that will allow you and your youth the ability to learn how amazing the Cub Scout program can be. The 2025 membership fee is $170, which for some families is a large commitment, especially if there are multiple Scouts involved. Here is how the Trial Membership works. Step 1: Once you know the Cub Scout Pack that you would like to join, fill out the form below requesting the Trial Membership. Step 2: You will receive an email with a coupon code that can be then used in the Youth Application process. Step 3: Complete the online Youth Application, entering the provided coupon code. Your Cub Scout Pack should provide you a QR Code or link to their Application page. If not, you can go to https://beascout.org, enter in your zip, find your Pack, and click APPLY NOW. NOTE: The coupon does not cover the Scout Life subscription. If you optionally want to subscribe to that, it will be a $15 fee. Step 4: Enjoy the fun of Cub Scouts until December 1, 2025! You will be asked to sell popcorn to offset the balance of the $170 membership fee, if any, to continue your Cub Scout journey beyond December 1. Check your email for details on the Trails End sale. How it works: Upon completing the Online Application (with the discount coupon code), you will be asked to sell $570 in popcorn per registered child ($170 commission). If your Pack sells popcorn, you will be immediately included in their fall sale. If your unit does not sell popcorn, you will be contacted by a district popcorn lead about the options for selling. It’s easy! On average in Michigan, a Scout that sets up a table at approved stores will sell $48 in commission ($158 retail) in one hour! Set up for two 2-hour storefront sales, and you should exceed your required amount. Scouts not selling the full amount will be expired on December 1 unless the membership fee balance is paid. You must agree that your family will sell $570 in popcorn for each Cub Scout taking part in this trial membership. You will need to agree that you will sell the popcorn or return it as directed prior to the dates specified based on your application date. You agree that if you do not sell your allotted amount, your memberships will be expired on or around December 1, 2025 unless you pay the balance of your application fee for $170/Scout. You are responsible for returning popcorn product in a timely fashion. Have questions? Contact us at info@discoverscouting.org Sources: https://michiganscouting.org/trial-membership/ https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2025/09/09/scouting-america-offers-trial-membership-program/

Update Sand Hill Scout Reservation 09/2/2025: " The Hernando County Commission voted 4-1 Sept. 2 to approve rezoning that will allow the Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative to purchase 52 acres of Boy Scout land for an operations center. The proposal has drawn fierce opposition from residents who argue the sale violates the wishes of Larry DiePolder, who donated the original 1,300 acres with the intention that it remain undeveloped Scout land in perpetuity. Critics organized protests and created a website opposing the plan. Commissioner Ryan Amsler cast the lone dissenting vote, criticizing both the Scouts and the utility for their handling of the controversial proposal. "The way this is moving forward, how the Scouts got themselves in this position in the first place, and the way they've continued to go after this — I don't think they earned their 'ethics' badge on this one," Amsler said. The approval establishes a Public Service Facility Overlay District on part of the 1,251-acre Sand Hill Scout Reservation. Under the agreement, WREC will relocate its western Hernando County headquarters to the site, while the Scouts will use proceeds from the land sale to improve their remaining facilities." More at source: https://www.suncoastnews.com/news/commission-oks-rezoning-for-overlay-district-for-wrec-on-boy-scout-land/article_d890376b-0a3b-43d6-840e-3a6e6fb5bc4a.html

Hopefully the donors, or their trustees/descendants, will not sign over deeds outright. We had that happen, and the camp got sold. And not a thing we could do about it to stop the sale.

But Marx, Lennon, Mao, and every other communist leader would. BP would probably say something far worse than me considering his views on socialism and communism in his original guide to scoutmasters.

more courteous .... that's some communist nonsense.