Eamonn

Unc As you know I am really big on values. The Scout Law and Oath are not something that can be taken lightly. I know that there are and always will be "Different Courses for Different Horses." I see some troops that camp at our small camp site every month. They don't seem to have any program, they just camp. The kids I see do seem to be having a good time. But looking at their membership something isn't working. We have the troop that wins the First Aid Meet every year, their leader is a Doctor, they do a lot of First Aid. Basic Scouting Skills are important to me because I see them as being the key to open the world of adventure that Scouting can offer. I hate to see a Lad hang back from doing stuff because he doesn't have the skills. We in our vision statement talk about Fun and Adventure. I get miffed when I visit troop meetings that are merit badge classes. Worse still is when the badge is given for just attending the class. I see no merit in them what so ever. I know that any normal kid is not having a lot of fun and the adventure factor is about zero. Some years back there was talk about putting a new building in at camp and filling it with computers. Do we want to send our Scouts away for a week in the summer to sit in a room full of computers? I hope not!! Sure we can send the Scouts who want to do this to some place where they can compute till they fry their brains out maybe a local community college? To me Scouting is about the methods of Scouting, outdoors is still on the list. Making yourself comfortable and enjoying the great outdoors is what we should be good at, the road to First Class is supposed to make this possible. Once we crack this nut we can really go to town and hold the interest of the Lads. Which gives us more time to work with them on the values of Scouting and have a lot more fun. Eamonn.

People tell me that I Goff Off all the time !! I tell them that I'm busy growing a chive Chea Head !! (Sorry Unc. It was too easy!!) Eamonn.

Rory is now getting big and requires a good walk at least once a day.The Doctor tells me that walking is a good way for me to get back in shape. I really enjoy walking and love watching him play as only puppies can. Our normal walk is about an hour or so. Mostly over fields, when the wind blows you really know that it's blowing. I dislike the cold and hate being cold. We have had some really cold days. They say with the wind chill it has been around ten degrees Fahrenheit. I bought some of that high-tech underwear, which is high wicking and has silver in it. I paid a lot (About $50.00) for the set and I don't like it. Normal everyday thermal underwear seems a lot warmer. My Mum was the world greatest knitter. She would only use wool. I love wool sweaters, but have found that a blend of cashmere and some sort of nylon is as warm but not as bulky. I bought the high-tech sock liners, but have not used them (The underwear didn't work!!) So I use a pair of wool socks over a pair of cotton blend socks. I am using a pair of Columbia Gore-tex, Titanium boots, with a vibram sole. These are working out well. I have sprayed them a few times with water repellent stuff. I don't own a good pair of walking pants, so I wearing a pair a Gore-Tex rain pants over blue jeans. They do keep the wind off my legs. I wear a cashmere scarf inside a Columbia Summit Zone Jacket. It has a fleece liner which I think can be removed, it has a hood and good pockets. The zippers can be managed with gloves on. I have a Columbia hat that isn't very good the wind seems to get through it. So I have a another thing that I'm not sure what it is called. It is just a ring of fleece material. It does cover your neck and when it gets real cold you can pull it over your nose. I pull it over the back of my head. I am very disappointed with the gloves I have, both are made by Columbia and both pair are not keeping my hands warm. Mittens would be better but I need to hold the dog leash. One pair is very bulky. I thought the bulk might mean they would be warmer. They also have very long cuffs which is great for one glove. Once you put the other one on trying to get the Velcro on the jacket over it becomes a pain. I'm thinking a good pair of Polartec Power Stretch fleece gloves are the way to go. They cost about $20.00 but maybe they will work better than the underwear. I know that we as a rule look at high-tech camping equipment in this part of the forum, but I think that I can use a lot of what I have learned from these walks to help me if and when I ever go winter hiking or even just attend the winter Camporee. Eamonn.

While the Ideal Year Of Scouting is used by a lot of Councils, it is worth remembering that the company that puts it out is trying to sell more popcorn. While I am almost sure it would never happen, all unit accounts are in fact owned by the CO. A CO, could get a flea in his ear and close the account and put the money back into the coffers of the CO. Back in the day... We held our Annual Pack Planning Meeting. Some things were Pack Events. I was at that time also the Day Camp Program Director, so I pushed for making Day Camp a pack event. We added the $15.00 it cost into the "Pack Obligation" The money that each parent had to pay or raise for a years worth of Cub Scouting in pack 155. Some events were not Pack Events. A few Den Leaders wanted to take the boys to a ice hockey game. This wasn't covered by the money paid into the pack obligation. If the obligation had been met and there was extra money in the individual account the Cub Scout could use that money. We didn't put Cub Scout Resident Camp,under Pack Events. This again could be paid for with money from the account that each boy had if the other money had been paid. The budget ideas in the Ideal Year Of Scouting are great. But at the time our Council was only paying 25% commission. So if we were to put everything into popcorn sales we would have needed all of our Lads to each sell about $900.00 worth of popcorn. Eamonn.

I am not a patch collector, the Tupperware Box system works fine for me. Our everyday CSP is about the worst patch I have seen. I don't post where I am from in the profile because at times I have called Field Directors "Twits." If you work it out for yourself, than thats not my fault!!! Our normal CSP has what I thought were two animal pens on it. I was shocked when I found out they were supposed to represent, Fort Ligoner and Fort Necessity!! Any how the Jamboree patch will have a picture of Mr Rogers on. I don't think it will be as hot as the Blues Brothers were in 2001, but it beats the sheep pens that we have to wear most of the time. Eamonn

Back home in the good old 17th we had a lot of brothers in the troop. At times I was and still am amazed at how brothers can be so different. I don't know if it was because I was England or if it was because it was the 70's but I had never heard of ADD or any such disorder. We had the McFeve Brothers. Andy, the oldest by just over a year, was a super Lad. He really enjoyed anything and everything that came his way. The bad thing was that he couldn't sit still for anything over a minute and would take off on some half baked idea without any idea where he was going or why he was going there. He had a wonderful sense of humor and at times used it to cover the mishaps that he got himself into. He was by far about the worst PL we ever had. His younger brother Bruce was a different sort of Lad. Where Andy was skinny and tall, Bruce was very square set. He was much quieter than Andy, but everyone was quieter than Andy. He seemed to weigh up the pros and cons while processing any information that came his way. Sad to say when things didn't go his way he would get into a fight. Of all the fights I ever had to brake-up Bruce was in at least half of them. He did turn out to be an OK PL. Looking at the two of them Andy would more than lightly today be termed ADD. While I know it isn't right to have favorites, Andy was one of mine. He seen things as an adventure, I felt really happy to be around him. Even when I was balling him out for doing something that was totally stupid, it was impossible to be mad or upset with him -Because he was Andy. Bruce on the other hand never really gained my entire trust. There was something there that I didn't like. He looked for the loop holes and short cuts. Both Lads joined the British Army. Andy found a home and made a career of it. Bruce did three or four years and went to work for a security company. I do keep in contact with both of them. Andy is still getting himself into dumb situations and Bruce is now a Cubmaster back in England, with his two boys. Andy is thinking about getting remarried. I think that if Andy had been on some sort of medication, he might have done better at school and maybe working with him might not have been such a challenge. But I hate to think that something might have squashed the great spirit that he had. They were both two great Lads. They came from a very proud and very Scottish family. I think that's were the fighting came from!! Eamonn.

Looking back at the injuries that OJ has suffered, I thank the Good Lord that they have all been small: Insect bites and Bee Stings,Twisted Ankle,Black Eye (Twit, walked into a tree!!)Split Lip (Bit it while playing Frisbee) Worst injury at camp over the past few years was a broken collar bone. Tree limb fell on a tent with two Lads sleeping. One Lad came away without a scratch the other had the broken collar bone. Camp First aid team led by a EMT managed the situation well till the Lad was transported by ambulance to the local hospital. Eamonn.

Got my catalog in the mail today. Some of the stuff is a little pricey. But glad to see they still have the old style shorts at a good price!! Cheap shorts show off my knees better than expensive shorts. I only glanced at it I will have a real look over the weekend. Eamonn

Thank you Red feather, For years I thought St Pat was the patron saint because he had something to do with Bushmills. Eamonn.

Show me a Lad in Scouting who is having fun and is involved in a program that is both adventurous and challenging and I will bet my last cent that the uniform is in no way a hindrance. Working with our youth leaders we need to make sure that each and every meeting is really the best show in town. When we do this sales of Scout uniforms will soar. Eamonn

I can see how if a skill is not used it can become rusty. I in no way think that tyeing 101 knots is the be all and end all of what being a Scout is all about. I do wonder what Scouts do? Surely there is more to being a Scout than rushing around camp at summer camp chasing merit badges? I don't think that First Class Scout Rank, being accomplished in 12 -18 months should be that much of a stretch for a Lad in a active troop. I do think the adult working with these Lads does need to have the skills to start with. If we go with the NSP, we need to put a Leader who knows his stuff in charge of working with these young Lads. Just for the heck of it tonight I asked the Life Scout who lives in my house to tie a bowline. He couldn't, I hung my head in shame. 39 nine merit badges, eight years in Scouting, ex-SPL and he can't tie the basic knots. His mapping and compass work isn't that great either. The troop does do an outdoor activity every month. Heck he has the Pioneering merit badge. Am I really that much or that far out of touch?What do troops do? Why do we have to teach Scouts attending the Jamboree, who are all First Class and above how to tie a tautline hitch? I am going to bring a lot of rope to the next R/T, maybe if we do one knot a month there, things will improve. Eamonn.

I don't think that I ever heard the word "Shunned" used in regard Scouting before!! There was a movie a while back something to do with the Amish. During my time as a Scoutmaster there were some Lads that were a real handful and I kinda think that the PL's used a very un-scout-like approach to bring things around. I of course would not suggest that sort of thing to anyone. Looking at what you posted I think I see three problems. 1/ The Lad who has all the problems. 2/ The Patrol Leader. 3/ The Scoutmaster. Most of us volunteer leaders do not have all the skills needed to deal with problems that are of a medical nature. If this Lad is really disrupting the Patrol and causing a lot of problems that he really has no control over, it is different than a Lad who is just misbehaving or just having a bad day. I think I would have a face to face meeting with his parents and see what is going on. Maybe his medication needs to be adjusted? Maybe a lot of things could be the reason or could be done to accommodate him and his disability. The PL, may well have overstepped the mark and does need to be informed that Shunning is not the way we do things. But if this Lad is a first class pest that adults are having a hard time with I can see that he may be completely overwhelmed and at his wits end. The Scoutmaster is supposed to train the Patrol Leaders. It would seem that there is a lack of communication if a Lad can get kicked out of a patrol. Surely the adults in the troop must have seen this coming? The Scoutmaster if he was supporting the PL should have sensed the frustration that the PL was feeling. The Troop Committee needs to meet with the Parents of the Lad and see what can be done if he has a medical condition. The Lad should meet with the SM and some ground rules need to be set. After the meeting with the Lad, it might be an idea to have the PL come and join the discussion, so everyone is on the same page. The SM needs to work more closely with the PLC and go over how things are done. The first item on the PLC Agenda should always be: How is it going? This shunning idea has a lot of merit, maybe I do use it in the District? (Just joking.) Eamonn. Welcome to the forum.(This message has been edited by Eamonn)

Chives? No. Grow sunflowers and see who can grow the tallest. Then have Sunflower seed spiting contests. I have never heard anyone say "Hey Kid that's a good looking looking bunch of chives." Eamonn(This message has been edited by Eamonn)

If the two received their award at a lack luster ceremony and all the plugs are being pulled out for the B&G, I would present them the award again. You could make mention of the fact that they did receive it before. I don't think that we can over recognize a young Lad and the person who might say anything would have to be a real green meanie! Eamonn.

Please explain what you mean? When you say "participating in the "service" and "work" performed by the OA at various Council facilities. I can see a young Lad helping with Camp Promotions, helping with the Scoutreach program , helping with next years unit elections, getting involved with what the OA is doing with the Cub Scout program. Doing Conservation work at at camp and a lot more. Eamonn

Hey no one ever said Scouting was a democracy!! Only one vote counted!! Eamonn

Talking to a few Scoutmasters last night at R/T, it came to light that at the First Aid Meet which was held over the weekend the Scouts were asked to tie a bowline. I have no idea about the how or why they were asked. But it turned out that hardly any of the Scouts in the District could tie a simple knot. I find this utterly shocking and almost disgusting. OK, I know that this year I will meet my half century and I may well be a traditionalist. I don't see any harm in the "Other Stuff" that we do. The troops that go off and see a movie or play crazy golf and all that good stuff. I do however firmly believe that we should be good at Scoutcraft. Looking at the District, each and every troop does have an adult that knows this basic Scouting skill. We have 21 Troops, 19 of these have Scoutmasters who went through the old Boy Scout Wood Badge course. They were there when the Commando belt and pioneering project were part of the course. So I'm guessing that they ought to know how to tie a darn Bowline!! This sort of thing really makes me very upset. We have almost an entire District that is full of Scouts who will hang back from doing the adventurous and fun activities because they have never mastered the basic skills needed to take the next step. I was in my "Your just the person I needed to see" mode last night. This is where I help fill in the spots for different District Committees. Normally I have it all done by now but this darn back of mine has me playing catch up. The now District Commissioner, was the District Activities Chair. I had selected his replacement,back in November and I was helping him select a group of leaders that would be the new Activities Committee. I had also changed the job description slightly. We used to have High Adventure, come under the Camping Committee, but they never seemed to get around to it, so I moved it so it now comes under the Activities Committee. The new Activities Chair. Is very much a traditional Scouter. He is an ASM in the troop which OJ belongs. After the meeting we discussed things and this bowline thing came up. I think just about everyone who was there last night was aware that I was appalled. He said that he was worried about the troop and what had happened at summer camp. They had 28 Scouts attend Summer Camp and 15 or 16 leaders, most of these are on the charter as being ASM's. He said that they rarely if ever left the site apart for at meal times and that while they are all nice guys, they don't know anything. Most are trained, but they have no idea about the basic Scouting skills. We try to have a couple of Scoutmasters or guys who do know basic skills offer a session at camp for guys like these ASM's. But this bunch decided not to leave the troop camp site. I am all for parents getting involved with the troop, but it would be a very cold day down yonder when I would want a couple of adult patrols at summer camp doing squat. I think the only reason they were there was to keep an eye on their kid. Even this is not good. What happens when their son asks Dad who is also an ASM for help and Dad says that he doesn't know. What message are we sending to the Scout? Is the message "Hey my Dad is the ASM and he doesn't know, so it can't be a big deal?" Eamonn

I like the idea but think we would have a hard time finding the staff to present the training. I kinda like the idea that it is run as a troop would run a weekend camp out. - But that's just my take on it. Eamonn

My dislike of these books of unit rules is I think well known. Reading this rule only helps me prove my point. I am more than happy to leave the who is and who isn't authorized to wear the uniform of the BSA up to the BSA. We do have a lot of people who do a lot of good for Scouting and the BSA and are registered who never ever wear a uniform. Come to think of it the last batch of Silver Buffalo recipients that I seen in Scouting Magazine were not, if I remember correctly wearing a uniform. Very few of the Executive Board members in our Council own a uniform. I do think that those of us who choose to interact with our youth members should try and set the example for our youth members. I find myself not wearing the uniform as much as I used too mainly because I'm not around or with our youth members as much. The chap that we are grooming to be the next District Chairman does not at this time own a uniform. I think that him being a bank president that it is not the cost. He would be able to perform all the duties of a District Chairman,without having to wear a uniform. I have a very dear and close friend who sits on our Executive Board and is a District Member At Large. He is a Doctor and the corporation that he owns organizes and runs our District golf outing.He has been honored by the Council with the Silver Beaver. He is an all round nice guy. A couple of years back after playing in the golf outing he changed into his Scout uniform. He was the only person in the room in uniform, before dinner was served there was an open bar. I had the sad task of asking him not to drink the rum and coke that he had in his hand. The golf outing brings in over $5,000 for the District. The people all knew that they were helping raise money for Scouting, but they were they mostly because of him. One drug company picked up the tab for the dinner and the bar. His opting to wear a uniform wasn't such a great idea. He was a good sport about it. Last year he left his uniform at home. Eamonn.

Our Council and the good looking Director of the last Wood Badge Course, that we hosted is very much of the opinion that the participant / recipient is the person in charge of the What, where and when of their Wood Badge Ceremony. The good looking Director does have a few ceremonies that he can offer. But if someone has something that they want to do, it really is their ceremony. We have presented people their beads at Dinners, B&G Banquets, R/T meetings, training's. One Venturing guy is into civil war reenactments and has asked to have his presented at one of these where the crew is part of the reenactment. Once it was made very clear that there would be no live ammo and that English men were not going to get shot, we agreed. We have at times presented the beads more than once. At unit meetings and again at events where the entire Wood Badge Patrol is in attendance. Back when I got my Cub Scout beads, we had a course reunion and did the ceremony at a camp fire. It was kinda neat as the people who attended came from all over the region and we didn't get to see much of each other in our day to day Scouting. Some people came for the entire weekend and some just for the day. On a sad note of the six members of the Bear Den, only two of us are still in Scouting. I think that the best Wood Badge Ceremonies follow the KISMIF rule. Eamonn. I like the bridge builder, but it is now part of the NLE course and it is being a little over used.(This message has been edited by Eamonn)

Information packets are a real good idea. However I think that it is really very important to visit the parents at their home. This really does open up two way communication, it gives the parents a great opportunity to meet the guy or girl who they are trusting with the most important person in their lives. They can openly ask questions that they might feel awkward about asking at a meeting and address delicate problems that their Lad might have. He might have a learning disability, which makes the Handbook not such a great tool. He might have 101 things, that a home meeting will bring out. This meeting also offers the leader a opportunity to see where and how things are in the Lads home and you can find out if the parent has something that could benefit the troop. Maybe a skill or a lot of time that could be put to good use. I also found it was really handy to have a strong Leader - Parent relationship if the Lad had missed a couple of meetings.When I phoned or went to the house the parents met me as a family friend not some name that was heard but never seen. It does take a little time, but the dividends can be enormous for the Lad and the troop. Eamonn.

Hi and welcome to the forum. I think you might do well to seek out the Unit Commissioner who serves your unit and have a chat with him. While the advise offered by SemperParatus is sound, there is a chance that the unit could end up with lots of people getting hurt and maybe the unit being split or pulled apart. It does sound as if there are a lot of things going on that are not by the book and do need to be addressed. I kinda think I would talk to the Unit Commissioner if you have one? I think this UC is in need of a prod!! If there isn't one or if he or she is too close to the unit, try the Assistant District Commissioner Boy Scouts or the District Commissioner. One of these fine people might be able to do something without the end result being conflict within the unit. They might want to involve the DE, who could have a chat with the COR or the head of the CO. Forcing people that you could end up having to work with for the next 15 years is not such a good idea. The District guys are there to help, they are used to dealing with situations like this. Let them try and work their magic, if they fail then maybe you will have to voice your complaints. As for you moving him. It is worth remembering that you are talking about the two guys who were and are selected by the Chartering Organization. You and the other Committee members, were selected by the CO along with the approval of the Committee Chair. It could very well be that if this is not handled with kid gloves you could be the one that is moved. Reading between the lines - Which is never a good idea, as I normally get things wrong!! It would seem that your CO, is not very active with the unit and the same could be said about the COR. If this is the case, the Chairman could be looking at the Troop as being His. He may have got away with it being his troop for such a long time that trying to change things now, would end up with him "Taking his ball and going home". If this happens the end result could be catastrophic. If changes are to be made, I would go for taking very small pigeon steps. After all as you posted these are good folks. Normally it is the Chairman who keeps the SM in line. - At the end of the day the Committee Chair. Is the guy with the real power in the troop. The SM and the Leaders deliver the program to the youth, under the helpful and supportive eyes of the Committee, who are led by the Committee Chair. Eamonn

The Northeast Region has the following six day course approved: NE-IV-177. August,22-27. Hawk Mountain Council.Reading Pa. I have been informed that 38 Councils in the Northeast Region have reported: 21 Autumn Courses. 9 Summer Courses. 8 Spring Courses. 3 of the courses are week long.34 are 2 weekend courses. 1 is a Religious Observance course. I only get the details about the courses in Area 4. I know these are a long way from where you are located. Hawk Mountain is a nice camp. I staffed what turned out to be the second to last week long Cub Scout Wood Badge course that the Northeast Region offered. The last one was in Germany, hosted by the Transatlantic Council which is part of the NE Region. Eamonn.

VentureScoutNY, Some time back we chatted in the MSN Chat Room and you explained to me your situation. Last week I was talking on the phone to a parent of a Lad who is going to the Jamboree. Her older Lad went in 2001. The family is very much what might be called a Scouting Family, both son's are Eagle Scouts. Mom and Dad have over the years held different positions in the pack and the Troop. The older boy Steve is a great Lad who has done a lot of work with the Catholic Diocese in the area of poverty. He worked as an intern last summer in Washington DC. I put his name in for the Young American Award.He is now 18 and still wants to be registered, but will be off too College later this year and really doesn't have the time to be that active. He does serve on the Catholic Scouting Committee in our area. His Mom asked what could be done? I am going to have him register as a College Scouter Reserve (Code 92). There is also a Scouter Reserve position (Code 91). Being the idiot that I sometimes am, for a number of years I didn't know what to do with older people who for some reason were no longer able to hold a active role. These people were in my case mostly Commissioners (I was at that time District Commissioner.)they had given a life time of service to Scouting and the BSA, but some were unable to drive at night and some had not kept up to date with changes in the program and were guiding the units they served down the wrong path. What to do with these old timers? Was hard,I didn't want them just as names on the Commissioner roster. So I had them added to the District Charter as Members At Large. We did make up titles and jobs for a few but how many people can you have as being in charge of Boy's Life promotion? Or as District Procurement Team members? Once I found out that there was a code 91 and that Scouter Reserve did exist, I slept a lot better. I think it might be where you might want to hang your hat for a while. It's just an idea. Eamonn.

"camp crud" virus. When I was a young PL, Camp Crud was the potluck stew we cooked at the tail end of a two week summer camp. We have found that if you ate it, 40 years later it makes your hair turn white or gray. If you ate a lot of it you go bald. Eamonn.