frank10

I feel that we deliver a program that is great for many boys but not for all boys. Some scouts need more structure in their program than we deliver. Some boys can't meet on Mondays nights due to CYO classes at ST. Francis church. Point is we need other troops in town, one size does not fit all. We will even take a leaving scout to their first meeting at any of the area troops to be sure they get credit for anything they are working on.

Have him start asking everyone what they need. When he finds a need that he can fill he will know it's right. One Scout ended up painting numbers on the curb in an area where the houses are set too far back for emergancy workers to find them.

Try cooking it in a pepper, an orange or a grape fruit. Or you can always use the old fall back of an unwaxed paper cup (won't burn as long as it has water in it.) or even a paper bag. Good luck.

If you use your SMC to retest the scout you are wasting it. This is your chance to sit with the scout one on one and find out what is important to him. A chance to talk about how things are going so far, where he see's himself in the next 3, 6, 12 months (and more), a time to build a bond with him, a chance to let him know that you are always there for him not just for the troop as a whole. If you need to know if he can tie a clove hitch, work it into game or an activity. But don't miss the best chance you will get to sit with a young man and get to know him. As for failing a SMC, I don't see in the requirement that that is an option.

Ed, my line about the scout "getting his money's worth" refers to M.B. classes that are not delivering what the scout paid for. Far too many times my scouts tell me that the class is a joke. That's when we send an adult in to do a bit of quality control. Not to baby sit.

If a boy doesn't want to go to class that is his choice. We do ask them about the class and how it is going. If the scout complains about a class we will send an adult to see that the scout is getting his moneys worth. In our troop two things drive summer camp... 1) Scout Spirit. 2) The simple fact that if they win the B.O.S.S. award one of the adults is going home bald! (again)

acco40: I feel that one for one trades of current CSP's is fair game. Trading of vintage / limited items is another story. On the other hand, I think we all have to be aware that many of the users here are youth members and we should act as we would with our own scouts. Some of the rants here (in the other topics) cross that line.

try: http://www.shopgoodwill.com/search/searchKey.asp?itemTitle=scout&catID=0&sellerID=all&closed=no&minPrice=&maxPrice=&sortBy=itemEndTime&sortOrder=a&submit1=Search (none there right now, but book mark it and check in latter. As for a uniform bank, ours was always empty until we started buying and selling uniforms. $5 for a shirt or pants. We buy from the boys and sell to them at the same price. Now the boys remember to bring them back and there's no "shame" in taking one out.

Hands on is best. Our unit does flint and steel. there is always a line and we have "encorage" scouts to move on. How ever this would require working out doors and you didn't state if it was indoors or out. (invest $122 on ten kits and when the show is over you have a new troop toy - where to order? ask me) We had thousands of boys try it that day. My second choice would be rope making (see pioneering MB book for simple to make jig). Third - free food is always a hit. Dutch oven demo, whole turkey on a chain, fried dough...

you can find a photo of a six at http://www.troop46.com/ you can find art work of all the numbers at http://sne.tripod.com/troopsct.htm#ct but they may or may not be right. (you can see our 115 at http://onmyhonor.com but that won't help you much)

I think it's a great idea and you'd be able to count me in if some one would just be willing to explain it to my wife why I needed another weekend off. Really that's the only reason I wouldn't be there.

A man walks into a bar with jumper cables. The bartender says, "You can come in, but don't start anything!"

F.B. I agree, but at the price most of my scouts will not own a copy.

Ok F.B. you started and I was never know for self control.... Horse walks into a bar and the bartender says: "So, Why the long face?".

What about requirement number seven of Citizenship In The Community - Select a city, county, or school problem or issue under consideration from the local newspaper or news broadcast and write a letter expressing your views to the mayor, administrator, or school board president. Show this letter and any response to your counselor. Can the scout use Email for this? NJCub - What if I keep my E-books on an E-shelf? (Grin) Would that be E-nuff?

Hands on is best. Our unit does flint and steel. there is always a line and we have "encorage" scouts to move on. How ever this would require working out doors and you didn't state if it was indoors or out. (invest $122 on ten kits and when the show is over you have a new troop toy) My second choice would be rope making (see pioneering MB book for simple to make jig). Third - free food is always a hit. Dutch oven demo, whole turkey on a chain, fried dough...

Wheeler, Thanks for taking the time to tell us about your self. Your "profile" is very interesting. I've wondered how the world would be diferent if your mission in Iran hadn't failed due to the sand. I think there's a good chance that Carter would have been re-elected if not for the hostages. (That along with his Playboy interview proved too much for him). Not claiming that his re-election would have changed things for the better or worse. As for transportation, how about piccking up a nice used motorcycle? Something smaller and older. You might find it fits your style and budget. If it seems like foks here are hostile it is because most here try to keep their post here directly related to scouting. Most have limited time and your post impose on that time. Your post here are seen much the same as a math lesson would not be welcome on a forum dedicated to philosophy. While the math would be vaild it would still not be of interest to the readers. You might do better on a forum dedicated to philosophy or general interest.

First four signs of hypothermia are the "umbles"... stumbles, mumbles, fumbles, and grumbles. Watch for them in your self and in your scouts. Watch for changes... Happy scout complaining, unclear speach, having trouble zipping up coat, draging feet... all signs that things are going too far and time to take action. Take the time to read: http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/safety/hypocold.shtml It's not just the normal high level treatment. Best write up I've ever seen. (give a copy to your SPL too)

Wheeler, Any chance of you filling in your profile? It would be interesting to know a bit more about you and your involvement in the program.

The boys in my unit found a connection to the oldways using flint and steel. Since then they have shown thousand of others how to do it. They even use it at the Klondike for the fire building event where matches are the norm. Never met a boy who didn't love fire. Find out more at http://onmyhonor.com

I just wish they would revise Computers MB. Requirements last updated in 1993! Get real. With such hard requirements as send a message over a network and Visit a business that uses computers. It's now about on par with basketry. No wait, that's not fair, in basketry you have to make something.

W.J. (or any one else) Do you have a set of plans to make one? Basic layout, steel gadge and best leg design?

It's a bit to expencive. I had hoped they could keep it down to a point where the scouts could all have a copy of their own.

Twocubdad, an other way to look at is that the cub sold $262 of which $72.32 goes to the pack. Total loss would be $17.68 . Doesn't change the problem much but at least most of the $$ is the profit. If they hold the prize it's almost even.

Most of our adults are in church on Sunday so Saturday has to do.