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 question is one of implementation. Do we return to our units and instill the same kind of atmosphere and knowledge that allows Scouts to be awash in the Patrol method and spirit? Do we know how to do this or can it only come from knowing the world of the young and being adults at the same time in a WB program? FB

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 but many times had little substance. The reason that Don and I had taken on so many events over the years was because we were always there and volunteered early. It felt good to be running things the right way.

The last two years before I moved, I didnt take any official position, I became a MAL. I decided that my job was to recruit new event persons and train them. I had matured from experience, training, and my own critical attitude. I had learned what a poor event looked like by being an expert at it so I was able to assist others by steering them into proper planning procedures. I saw some of the best events in my Scouting career to date during that time and it was done by rookies, newbies, first timers.

Looking back, there had to have been people sitting or standing around ranting about me and pointing out what a poor job I had done. I deserved it. It took me a long time to figure it out. FB

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. The culprit was not Arthur.

Another time, I was off to a conference. Upon my Monday return, the money jar was missing from the cabinet. It wasnt much but it belonged to the all of the students. It was money that they earned from their projects which provided funds for future projects and sometimes pizza. I took three students I suspected into the hall and questioned them one by one. The young man that took the money confessed after we talked. He couldnt pay the money back but his Mom was notified. I liked this young man because he had promise. A few years later, he stopped me in the street and updated me on his progress. Reggie had grown and in part to his taking responsibility for his actions.

Julie gave me fits from the start. What made it worse was the lack of backing from the new administrator. Julie chewed gum, talked continuously, skipped class, and cussed me to my face. I would give her a detention, send her to the office and then she would be sent back with a warning. I called her Mother and the Mother cried because she faired even worse than I. I finally gave up and just charted her behaviors, one by one until it filled a folder. Her last act was to disrupt an entire class period. I called a meeting with Mom, the new administrator and I called in the Head Principal. I began to read the litany of behaviors and dates. Mr. Wallace stopped me after about five minutes. He suspended Julie from school for the rest of the year. A year later, Julies husband shot her in the head.

I did my best, in part because I got to know and appreciate these young people. I was able to teach some of them and others just passed through onto other things. They made their mark on me and I know that I was responsible for helping a few of them. I didnt always know the right thing to do but I tried. Some kids defy standard punishment. Trying to be fair and balanced is difficult when stressed but it is a must. Trying to get students to accept responsibility and then to talk about their actions is next. Then it is important for them to go on and succeed. FB

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 resources. At anyone time, all a person has to do is pick a subject, do a search and good to great answers will magically appear by the boatload. I don't worry about how a person will handle that kind of wealth. Good information can be mishandled as well as bad information whether it is a Newbie Momma or an old Codger. Information doesnt kill ideas, people do. I trust people to act within some kind of ethical boundaries when speaking or using information, especially in a Scouting program.

What happens to us as we are trained is a question regarding change. How we handle change and if we are ready for change is a standard problem at anytime. Since we deal with people and lots of them, then we must be ready for the next turn in the road. There will always be one and then another and so, on. FB

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 Scouters with various backgrounds and similar training attempting to answer questions in written form without any of the physical cues that we normally have in face to face communication. I believe that this one makes most of us stumble more times than trying to write or figure out the answers.

Thirdly, there is a hidden IQ factor, emotional stability factor, environmental factor, and other possible physical properties that MAY inhibit an effective exchange of information.

We never know how people will use the information. We just simply have to trust that they will use their head and heart when engaging what they have learned.

I am sure there are exceptions to this one but most Scouters here try their best with all of their thoughts and knowledge to answer questions or replies to their utmost ability. My experience here has shown me that no matter how good an answer one has, there is always something a little or allot better just around the corner. Sometimes it is more of a Hegelian Dialectical spiral than simply opposites taking potshots at one another.

On occasion, I take a topic and dump all of the answers in a Word file. It is amazing. FB

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, equipment, etc. Scouts were encouraged to enter into Fund Raisers to generate money for their accounts. We also had a Uniform closet run by one of our Committee persons. Our bead program had a bead for 100% uniform for the year. A Scout could earn the bead if he owned a complete uniform or had a plan with a due date to purchase the uniform or parts thereof. So, we generally had 100% participation and compliance even though we always had Scouts with partial uniforms but they were actively engaged in the process of obtaining the complete uniform.

The same could be said about being properly equipped for our monthly outdoor activities. We expected every Scout to be prepared even if they were in the midst of purchasing good equipment. They still needed to be able to know about and use secondary type equipment that would fulfill the mission. They got a bead for going on each excursion. Each activity was Scout planned and Committee and Leader supported, so in effect they were rewarded for doing what they wanted to do.

Overall, learning Thrift through one Method was essential to obtaining their goals and along with it came a few unexpected things such as, fitness, citizenship and character development.

I hope this helps to understand my reasons behind supporting the full uniform.

FB

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 when used.

I sincerely like the integrated features of the Scouting program and how it works as a whole. When looking at the individual items, it is easy not to remember the other Methods or that all of it is moving in one direction and relies on each of the parts to get there. That is the reason that I support the Methods of Scouting because each one helps to achieve the Aims of Scouting. I believe that the Aims of Scouting are the best our Country and the World has to offer youth today.

FB

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 also had Saturday morning TV and assigned chores, always the mundane to bring Superheroes into a kind of a homeostatic balance.

FB

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.

Any more ideas?

FB

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 outdoor Scouting activities where the BSA does not expect the official Uniform to be worn? The BSA Website and handbooks are not the final authority. If you look at the Scouts wearing hit pins in the official Boy Scout Handbook, for instance, you will see that they are ALL wearing the adult hat pin."

BSA writes:

the official BSA handbook, which was quoted.

I am unsure of another final authority, save God, now there is a final authority for all of us!

As you pointed out and I also realize that pictures are worth 1,000 words but sometimes the words under them have some value as well.

FB writes

Sometimes we get far more from a Duck than just a quack and then the bill.

FB

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 within a unit if the unit decided to wear the official Boy Scout uniform?

No wait lets make it even more difficult

Lost extends, say that 50% of the Scouts could not purchase the complete uniform in a unit, wouldnt that even be more of an undue hardship?

Lost questions, Where do we possibly go from here?

BSHB, Lets try Thrifty?

Lost asks, How does that Law apply, anyway? Are you trying to use subterfuge?

The Scout handbook may help us

BSHB, A Scout is Thrifty. The Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for the future. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property. Paying your way gives you independence and pride. When you dig into your own pockets to buy a Scout uniform (and other things), you learn the real value of those items. You will also learn to take care of them.

Lost, But, that is a tall order, buy a uniform, help others, save money, protect and conserve. That is too much to ask of an eleven year old. There are no jobs and the boys are too young to work most jobs, what do we do now, Mr. Smartypants, BSHB?

BSHB, Did you consider the Troop or District Uniform Closet, did you?.

Lost, We dont have one of those, should one be started?

BSHB, We have discussed attrition in Scouting on many occasions at length right here in this Forum. Where do all of those unused uniforms go anyway? Dont most people throw them away, give them to Good Will or sell them in garage sales? Couldnt we get people to throw them in the Uniform Closet when they exit? We would just need to let everyone know about what we are doing and keep reminding them.

BSHB, I could go on with the Methods of Scouting, Leadership skills, WB skills, and the Aims of Scouting to let you know more ways to achieve Scouting goals but this should suffice.

BSHB, You are not being taxed unfairly when you decide to use the Boy Scout program. The uniform is just one part of a whole lot of things that a Scout will learn about. Numerous surmountable challenges are intentionally set so that each Scout that comes this way will learn many useful things, Thrift is just one of them. The BS Uniform is another.

BSHB, It is a fun program, filled with things that are rich and subtle. There are Adventures galore, trust me.

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 reflection of the suns rays

Cut the 8 2 X 10 into four equal boards about 2 each.

*a secondary feature may be employed by cutting the top edge of each of the boards with a 45 degree angle. This disallows water from setting on the tops of the boards when it rains or is watered.

Measure the diameter of the galvanized nails and select a drill bit one-half the size of the nail.

Drill three pilot holes near each end of 2 of the cut 2 X 10 s.

Paint each side and ends of each of the 2 X 10s with the tar paint.

Let dry and then paint a second coat.

Nail the boards together using the pilot holes as guides.

Paint all sides with the white exterior latex paint.

Allow to dry and then paint with the latex paint a second time.

Questions:

How many seasons would this project be expected to last?

Being that the box is setting on the ground but well painted , would there be any protection from termites?

What other improvements could be made without using treated lumber or plastic materials?

FB

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 are ideal for outdoor adventures.

Wear your complete uniform correctly and proudly at all Scouting events.

*Scouts involved in conservation projects may wear work pants or jeans with their Scout shirts.

It doesnt say anything about the Troop wearing the same kind of pants for Conservation projects but it is a possibility. Many Scouts may already have jeans, so purchasing another pair of expensive pants may be an extra cost that the Troop might want to avoid, since the Scout uniform is already quite the investment. FB

*I wanted to make a humourous note about my first spelling of Conservation. I spelled it Conversation projects. I suppose I should be wearing a pair of jeans, instead of the complete Scout uniform, just kidding of course. All I wear is a pair of workout shorts due to all of the exertion of typing.

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 Scout goes in for the BOR, he is asked about his Service Project. He tells the BOR that he picked up his room for his six Service hours.

The BOR personnel scratches their collective head but they pass the Scout on.

Later, the Committee asks the SM what he is doing. The SM reads the requirement and tells the Committee that they are not to add to or take away from the requirement or how it is implemented. He has done his job and done it to the letter.

Now, BACK to the Forum where we are discussing and making suggestions.

Remember, MAKING SUGGESTIONS.

The question is what ethical goal did this Scout achieve by doing his Service project?

What ethical goal should the SM be trying to help the Scout learn by doing a SCOUT Service Project?

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 Service Project. He tells the BOR that he picked up his room for his six Service hours.

The BOR personnel scratches their collective head but they pass the Scout on.

Later, the Committee asks the SM what he is doing. The SM reads the requirement and tells the Committee that they are not to add to or take away from the requirement or how it is implemented. He has done his job and done it to the letter.

Now, BACK to the Forum where we are discussing and making suggestions.

Remember, MAKING SUGGESTIONS.

The question is what ethical goal did this Scout achieve by doing his Service project?

What ethical goal should the SM be trying to help the Scout learn by doing a SCOUT Service Project?

FB

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, if dogs can be sane. She is probably just hyperactive. If something were to happen to her, I would be greatly saddened. FB

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 prices get so high that the Middle Class finally breaks a sweat.

The same ideas are found in Scouting in Texas and probably other areas of the nation as well. People must first change their attitude toward how they live before they change the way they live and spend their money.

There are hundreds of ways to save money but as long as a person's attitude toward life is less Good Turn and more My Turn, then all good suggestions about saving money will be Out the Window.

FB

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