Fuzzy Bear

Rick Cronk, past National Commissioner, said, kids must be challenged, must learn new things, and have fun.

This sounds funny for me to say but I was in WB last century. The one thing that stuck out among many wonderful things was the Patrol Spirit that we developed. We were adults acting out the Patrol method and gaining Patrol spirit all along the way. By the end of out stay, we were building things, cooking things, singing songs, writing our own newspaper, carving our own flag in leather, on and on. The further we went the more we gave and planned for the group. It was fun. I have to believe that even in this new century and WB that the same kind of Patrol spirit lives and thrives. My q

Don and I had been close Scouting friends over the years. We started with parking lot reviews and moved up to coffee at restaurants and then finally over to his or my house to rant. We were able to identify and solve many problems District and Council wide. The difficultly usually was the lack of implementation. It still felt good to know what was right. As I look back on our accomplishments, we put together many District events and he helped me on a few Council activities. We got to the point of using little preparation to achieve an end that I am sure looked good from a distance bu

Untrained leaders are a symptom of the problem and worse are Trained Leaders that simply ignore what they don't like. Fines and/or incentives for training would hide other problems found in poorly run units. A few years ago at a Philmont Training, we discussed what 10 items should determine a Quality Unit. We wound up with a long list with little agreement. If we discussed it here, I doubt we could achieve consensus on 10 the Top 10 of Quality Units, so let's give it a whirl...

Untrained leaders are a symptom of the problem and worse are Trained Leaders that simply ignore what they don't like. Fines and/or incentives for training would hide other problems found in poorly run units. A few years ago at a Philmont Training, we discussed what 10 items should determine a Quality Unit. We wound up with a long list with little agreement. If we discussed it here, I doubt we could achieve consensus on 10 the Top 10 of Quality Units, so let's give it a whirl... FB

If he had continued on down the wrong trail, he would have found God there as well. You can't really miss him. FB

I was no match for the students I taught for five years. The young people I had were on a first name bases with Trouble. Since they were not Scouts, I relied on friendship and a few classroom rules. I had locks on the doors and cabinets but that didnt stop any that wanted something. One day I left my keys out by mistake so they went missing. I first panicked but thought better and then ran over to Arthurs class, a student in the know. I put the word out that there would be no punishment for the return of the keys, ten minutes later the keys were on my desk. I was lucky to get them back.

I did not know him but from a great distance he made himself known.

When I post, I expect to give a partial answer, be wrong and corrected or be ignored. Few answers that I have read here fulfill anyone's quest for truth. One past contributor could hit an answer right on the mark and did so on many occasions. His style and lack of patience with the rest of us created quite a stir. I suppose he needed a place all of his own. Even though it is a group effort with a few discourtesies, an adequate answer generally floats to the surface. Most that come here lurk rather than share. That is too bad because there is a sense of community and a way to share

Bev, There is always a question floating around regarding what we should be doing in this Forum. Another question is what people will do with the information they read and understand. I see the answers to these questions as being multifaceted. First, we are Scouters communicating with other Scouters using the Scout Oath and Law as a kind of limiting rational for how we communicate. Save Merlyn, there are few non-Scouters that frequent these columns. I have come to really appreciate how important this one factor is even beyond any answer given. Secondly, we are Sco

When I was a SM, there was no option on the complete uniform, including the socks. The reason was that it is a Method of Scouting, the BSA sets that policy and each Scout and Leader chose that program. You might ask the question about enforcement or how was the Method implemented. Every Scout and parent was given a uniform inspection sheet and told how and where patches were to be sewn, etc. We had monthly inspections. Scouts were expected to wear their uniforms on road trips and general assemblies, etc. Scouts were also told about the Troop Savings plan for Summer Camp, Uniforms

Bev, Hopefully, you will reconsider your emotional stand on this issue and with the things that I have written. I believe in the Brotherhood of Scouting and have found great value in every corner of it that I have had the honor to visit since I first joined as a Cub Scout years ago. If you look closely, you will find that your argument is not with me but with the BSA program. Most of what I said was direct quotes from the official BSHB. The Uniform is one of the official Methods of Scouting. I support the Uniform as a Method because of the practical values that are instilled

My brother and I played "Little Man" football to the cheer of thousands. We wrestled with the villains while wearing Superman capes (towels with clothes pins). We flew our 5 cent balsa wood airplanes into history as we competed for time and distance and variations thereof. We built clubhouses out of cardboard boxes, piano crates and Dad's pile of lumber, a slight miscalculation. These were also used as forts, homes, and caves. We had Lincoln logs and firecrackers to blow up enemy bunkers (tin cans). We had street gutter water boat (sticks) races after Summer torrential downpours. We als

Eagle 74, A great list of woods! I am not familiar with the mesh idea. Does the mesh (wire?) come in sizes 10-16? I am supposing that a person buries it beneath a foundation or in the sand? Is it rolled and then laid or cut and laid flat? Sand as a barrier for termites, amazing. FB

Cinder blocks would be good. My wife tried something this year that really got me. She planted a small garden, meaning, four tomato plants, several types of herbs, and a bunch or two of flowers in an area about 36 square feet but in the round. She did not dig into the grass and soil either. She put down a thick layer of last year's leaves and then brought in about six to eight inches of compost from the city. The food that we have eaten has been great. The lack of preparation took all of the sweat out of it, I guess. I am thinking that it will be there again next year.

Kudu writes: "Fuzzy Bear writes: Uniforms build team spirit and are ideal for outdoor adventures. That is more true of the Activity Uniform of Merri's Troop than the BSA Uniform. *Scouts involved in conservation projects may wear work pants or jeans with their Scout shirts. That directly contradicts "Uniform parts should not be worn with other clothing," doesn't it? :-) I doubt if either statement is official policy, because they are not well thought out. If you can wear jeans on conservation projects, why not other community service projects, or for that matter ou

There is some validity to the Bevs point. We should pick our battles, prioritize what is worth fighting and dying for, watch our back, set our sights on winning the war, etc. We should also think about it as a type of ethical dilemma as well. We should ask ourselves if what we are doing will hurt someone or put somebody in a position that will cause them undue hardship. This makes me think about a conversation I overheard the other day. It went something like this. We will now ask the difficult question, Lost asks, Would there be any hardship put on a Troop or individual with

I have a type of thought experiment to present as a related feature to this column. Wood frame box for a tomato plant: Build a small wooden box without a bottom that will sit directly on the ground for growing plants. Do not use treated lumber or the new expensive plastic materials. In the past when attempting a similar project, I built the structure and painted it with a tar type paint (the name, I dont remember). Materials: 1- 8- 2 X 10 pine 6- 16 p. galvanized nails or 2 or 3 galvanized screws may be used 1- gallon of tar paint 1- gallon of white exterior paint for

Here is what the Scout Handbook has to say about the reasons for wearing the complete Scout uniform. (*the reasons only were copied.) It is part of the thrill of being a Scout. When you put it on, you feel ready for hiking, camping, and other Scout activities. You will show that you are equals in the spirit of brotherhood. It is a steady reminder to you and others that a Scout is a person who can be trusted to lend a hand when help is needed. Dressed as a Scout, you want to act as a Scout. You will be recognized throughout the world as a Scout. Uniforms build team spirit and ar

Let's just call this a Thought Experiment. FB It is true that the SM runs the program under and with the adult leadership of the Troop Committee. It is true the SM can approve the Scout doing ANYTHING for service. Lets say that the Scout wants to organize his room for service. The SM approves this as a Service project because the parents have had a hard time getting the Scout to keep a clean room. The SMs response when asked about it is, It is a service to the parents. and therefore a service to Others. Since the SM signed off, it is final. When the Sc

It is true that the SM runs the program under and with the adult leadership of the Troop Committee. It is true the SM can approve the Scout doing ANYTHING for service. Lets say that the Scout wants to organize his room for service. The SM approves this as a Service project because the parents have had a hard time getting the Scout to keep a clean room. The SMs response when asked about it is, It is a service to the parents. and therefore a service to Others. Since the SM signed off, it is final. When the Scout goes in for the BOR, he is asked about his Ser

I have a dog that we rescued from the shelter several years ago. She is a mutt by any standard. She barks when anyone and I mean anyone comes around the house, including skunks (You know what that means.). She even barks at me if I have been away for a day or two. She is frisky and will play until everyone is worn out and then she will make great circles in the yard at a dead run. When the summer rolls around she loses hair in great gobs. Wherever she has been for a while there will be hair balls ready to stick to anyone passing by. I have always been a little unsure about her sanity,

I lived and Scouted in Texas for many years. I have reflected on some things that I saw there. One has to do with the weather and the housing. If you haven't noticed, it is hot about 8 or more months of the year. Developers tend to cut trees down without regard to the weather when building new housing. They also tend to have little regard to the directional alignment of new housing. What does this have to do with anything? Well, these two very simple ideas could cut utility bills, save people money and help the environment. The question is, "does anybody really care?" I doubt it until

God walks with each of us even beyond the horizon. I am sure that you and your wife will come up in our conversation today. FB

My suggestion is...... ....is not adding to a requirement... ...it is making a recommendation. My suggestion is..... aligns with the definition of what a Good Turn is all about. A Good Turn is doing something extra for someone else. The Good Turn is what makes Scouting unique. If we make the Scout Service project 6 hours of helping ourselves, then we have taken something away from the requirement. FB