Fuzzy Bear

Over the years, I have witnessed Eagle Scouts that slipped in the back door at the last minute, one that ripped off the ASM's home about a month after receiving the high honor, one that denied God before getting it, one that ripped off his fellow Scouts/ers at a Camporee and a few that just didn't seem to measure up. I have also witnessed those that grew Scoutingly over the years and were the best examples of where we were supposed to be going with this program. Some of these Scouts appear to bigger than life. If you stay around for awhile, there will be a mixed bag and sometimes, it is just too much to handle. It is my hope that everyone that receives the Eagle is a good example of physical and moral fitness, good character and citizenship but it just won't happen but when it does it is a breath of the best fresh air that we can breathe.

I also realize that the benefits may range from only one or two getting a scholarship and maybe one getting into the Air Force Academy based on obtaining the Eagle but for most, the highlight will be their ECOR and some later small recognitions for them just having it. As for me, I see the Eagle mostly in the light of a young person having the opportunity to grow up in the best program ever. If they are staying in until the last minute before they turn 18, then they will have all the benefits due them in growing in the Aims and Methods and that is worth it, even if a few fail to accept any of it at all. fb

This isn't too far afield but there was a recent report on global warming. We need to sharpen up our sea-faring skills. It looks like Sea Scouting is fixing to take off for the millions along the coasts. fb

I cannot count the number of times that I have gone to District Committee meetings and heard Committee Chairs say, I need help for... This happens monthly and by almost every Chair. Visit any unit Committee meeting and there will be the same requests being made. Yesterday, I went to our monthly OA meeting and the Advisor began his lament. 'The OA is going under, nobody will...on and on.'

I volunteered.

Here is what is different about my assuming another position than in the past. I define what job(s) are essential to fix the problem. I define what job (only 1) that I am interested in and have the ability to do. I define the amount of time that I am willing to commit to getting that job done. I also define the length of time of that commitment. I do not commit beyond 12 months.

I should write a 12 step program for Scouting. (It would go something like this...)

Hi, I my name is fb.

I will volunteer for only so much time away from my family per week, month, year.

I will only take on selected jobs.

I am not here to save Scouting from going under. It takes a community.

I am but one person, no matter how talented and how little money.

I am willing to assist on several time limited tasks.

I am not always available.

I have other things to do in my life that are also very important.

I get paid for doing my day job and that is where the bulk of my time needs to be spent.

Scouting does not pay as well as my day job.

Scouting is meant to be fun.

I may sacrifice myself for my family but Scouting needs to find other martyrs to do its' bidding.

If I pay close attention to the few jobs that I accept in Scouting, I may find that I can do them well.

Satisfaction is found in doing things well.

I could go on. I know this subject well. I have been severely wounded. I survived.

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Most all of us that are in Scouting for any length of time will wind up without a son or relative in it. Having a son in Scouting may be reason enough to join but to stay beyond that time takes a love for the program. There is no reason to condemn someone's love or to make one feel guilty for finding a second home there. People today are more aware of the kinds of problems that some have had that work with youth but that is the minority. The Catholic Church has had its' share of problems but all priests are not to be condemned because they are single and love serving God. Care and awareness are to be observed at all times but we need to be careful not to go beyond that point or we will keep people away that have only their best to share. fb

The statistics on the Webelos remaining show that retention is difficult, regardless of approach.

Food, Fun and Fellowship is a good combination for welcoming new Scouts and parents.

Forming a new Patrol for the newcomers and adding a Guide and an ASM is also good.

Integrating new Scouts into established Patrols with traditions can also work.

I would add that a good Boy-led program that is consistently evaluated along with solid committee support and requesting that one parent per Scout do one thing (i.e., office, event or fulfilling one need) per year works.

I have also used the SM minute and SM conferences to let each Scout know that this is their unit. If they are proud of their unit, then it is their responsibility to reach out to others, including their friends. fb

I teach that the best axe is a good pair of leather gloves for gathering and breaking small deadfall but only if we are not using stoves. Gloves are lightweight, multi-use and can also be used as hot pot-grabbers. We dont use that which is needed for the habitat or beauty unless it is necessary. If we must build a fire, I bring along a small back-packing saw for cutting one to two inch deadfall. I contrast this method, LNT, to the exclusive use of fires when I was a Scout and prefer the LNT, even though I love the warming and cooking of/on a campfire. fb

Doug and I, two Eagle Scouts both with their Paul Punyan awards (I suppose the Punyan award allows one to always be a Punyan; once a Punyan, always a Punyan) stood outside the Scout Hut one bright and gleaming Saturday morn. Both of us dressed in our red jackets with the Philmont cows tail over our shoulders and the Punyan above our pockets for cutting down and chopping up some unsuspecting trees in the forest (they really do make a sound). We carefully surveyed the big, old, long dead tree leaning precariously toward our beloved Hut. We knew the job that had to be done was in violation of the LNT, thus the meeting of the few but a job that needed doing, nonetheless. Doug had a small chain saw and I had my bow saw and Scout hand-axe. We figured that we needed to cut a big pie shaped piece from the opposing side of this thick tree so that we could reverse the lean and thus the fall. We cut away, wood chips and saw dust flying. As we reached the half-way mark, we knew that it was the moment of reckoning. Me being a little bigger than Doug, I stood between the Hut and the tree (no doubt, a place I have been able to repeatedly find over the years no matter where I have ventured) to give it a push and Doug to the outer side to give it a pull. This plan was thought to be reasonable but we had failed to take note of the one guiding principle of most all Great Oaks and that is most of their greatness is located in their weight, several hundred/thousand pounds and more. As you can imagine, the tree came down directly into the Scout Hut first and then to the ground with a resounding thud, crash and roar. I barley made it out of the way with my hand-axe flying and me stumbling and falling while Doug went sailing in the opposite direction both of us came up bruised and cut but alive and with bones in-tact.

The next part was to cut it up into pieces, as indicated in the Punyan award. Being that it had few limbs, it was mostly trunk and our wood tools were not up to the job, see last paragraph. Both of us being creative decided to make it into a bench for conferences and such. We then called the CC to tell him to get somebody out to fix the roof due to the dead tree falling in the woods and inadvertently hitting the Hut. fb

I collect Scout books, generally first editions; my goal is to have a small collection. There appears to have always been debates on size, portability and being able to add-to. I imagine that making decisions by committee keeps everyone frustrated. One day (soon), Scout books will be on the Internet, on disc and access will be in any form that one desires. I suppose there will still be detractors. fb

I can't add anything, so I will echo...

Tell everyone that training is required.

Get trained; get others trained as well.

No training within District; go out of District for Training. (Check the Internet)

File a Tour Permit, nothing else counts if you don't.

No Baloo training, no outing, go home.

Be willing to talk to the storm; blame Scouting, it's their game. fb

We never worried about the size of our Troop but I worried that our Scouts would not welcome new Scouts/boys or Webelos when they visited. I made it a point to speak with our older Scouts and make sure that they understood that visitors take seriously their visits. I encouraged the Scouts to do special program features during those times. I usually did not go into the meeting until it was time for the SM M because I was generally in a SM conference or orientating new Scouts to our unit or working with each new Tenderfoot. I depended on the Scouts to do their jobs. They responded positively and many visitors became members. Many passed on to other units and I wished them well.

*Sometimes WDLs would speak about their boys and where their boys would go as if they were holding out a piece of candy. I think they wanted special consideration or something but all I had to offer was our program, so it was always their choice. I wondered about the W Dens coming in as a group because according to the District statistics, only a small percentage bridged and even fewer stayed.

My one regret was that we did not hand out a copy of our program to each visitor because we were active and had a great group of parents and a committee support. I also wish we had filmed our activities and made a highlight film to show everyone that visited. fb

A few years ago as SM our SPL pulled a real bonehead play on one campout. He lead a few Scouts to town during a mid-night run, made purchases against Scout policy, and returned by taxi to enjoy the fruit of those purchases. They couldn't keep their mouths shut and soon all was known without me ever moving from my rocking chair. Of course the story grew in transit back to town that Sunday. More involvement from others, more problems arose and then the telephone began ringing. Even parents that had not been on the campout knew more than I did and our illustrious CC knew even more.

My first act was to remove the SPL and ask a Scout that I trusted to step in. I suppose my boneheadedness was showing on that one as well. I proceeded to learn to let the committee do their job. I didn't need to overstep my boundaries just because I was upset with the Scouts actions/betrayal. Dumb. The Committee did their job and did their best to fix my mistake. I lost ground on that one with everyone.

Do I let the Scouts lead? Sure, but there are limits and boundaries attached, such as, the G2SS, Civil law, distances we can travel and the kinds of programs. We want committee support and will stay within sight of Scouting. I always have encouraged Scouts to get involved with other programs as well, if they have far reaching desires. Scouting is year-round and we will be here when they return. I don't fear losing Scouts just because we don't do everything.

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I find great sorrow knowing that the Punyan award has been dropped without making so much as a sound. fb

gwd,

Female or male you do not own all of the problems of the unit, unless you are the only one in the unit, which you said you are not. Boys join a program and they are there to learn to run it; your job is to teach them how. Let someone else worry about the numbers, like the DE or the COR or the CC.

Ask the Scouts about how they feel about their program. Ask them if they want more Scouts. Ask them if they are willing to bring their friends to the meetings and campouts. Ask them if they are proud of what they are doing and want to share it with others. Recruiting is their job; patches are available. You may want to follow up on leads, make a few home visits, hand out yearly programs, shake a few hands, enjoy it; dont expect everyone to come running.

Do you have a committee and is that committee supporting the program that the Scouts have voted on? Do you have outings or do you have events? If you have done your job and still have time left over, try a hobby to get your mind off other people's jobs.

BP spoke about starting a fire with wood not fit for fire building. He noted that it is patience that allows it to heat to burn temperature. If you want a fire don't walk away from it. Most of us are thankful for the fires others built and treasure even the ashes. fb

Growing up in the Methodist Church allowed me to learn the doctrine by rote. We never discussed it, just said it in litany. It gave me a sense of security to have my beliefs said out loud once per week. I later questioned some of those things which didn't set well with anyone. I just wanted to know. I think that maybe others didn't understand either but questioning appeared to be denial so I came under suspicion but it was never disbelief.

I suppose that is not what this thread about but it led me to do something that I never once regretted in Scouting because it took time away from other things. As SM, I would speak to every new Scout about the meaning of the Scout Law, Oath, Motto, Slogan, and Outdoor Code. We took each part of it and went through it word by word, line by line. I wanted every Scout to understand what the ideals meant. The reason was clear. Those values held the meaning of what we were doing in Scouting and they attached themselves to all our actions. When we went astray, we could define what went wrong and how to fix it.

Later in my life, I had a job where I drove a great amount of time. I would sometimes recite the ideals and add in the OA Obligation as I drove through the countryside. I would think about the words and remember things that had happened in the past with Scouting. It is funny that we don't argue about the meaning of the ideals of Scouting or have schisms. We may say the ideals out loud, remember them by rote but the meanings are clear leaving little room for confusion.

I work in an Agency where we have a Standard of Operating Procedures (SOP) manual. A new person comes in and two things happen. They are told to read the SOP and follow it carefully. They are then told how it has been interpreted over the years from the Old Timers. Now it just so happens if an Old Timer has been around for thirty years, they have certain interpretations that have been instilled from their inception into the Agency. If you go down the hallway and ask someone that has been there twenty or even ten years there are certain ideas or perceptions about the same item. A person is generally left with piecing an answer together the best they can and generally with good results. Most of the time it is a perception that an individual has about a rule that makes it correct but only from one viewpoint. If you add another point of view and then another one, pretty soon an elephant emerges from the thicket of partial answers. I think I see this happening in the BSA sometimes.

Scouting is a Strange Bird to say the very least. It is kind of like allowing people to have babies without so much as having a license to do so first. COs are signed up without much of an idea as to what they are doing other than they are doing something good. COs go forth into the night and most are heard from only once a year when it is time for them to sign their name. The Scouting program is born into a world where its parents are nowhere in sight and yet it is taught to walk and talk by those others that have adopted it. So what reason for the separation?

I have some answers. The CO is told that they have limited responsibility and that the leaders will be trained to run the program, so not to worry. I believe that this pact is like allowing a 16 year old to have unlimited use of the family sedan because he has passed his Drivers license test. I know, I know what you are thinking, Yea, Yea but it works. I agree it does work and usually because there are so many good people that are 1. intelligent,

2. responsible, and 3. have a deep and abiding love for the program. Most want it to work and believe in the Ideals and the Methods. Most spend time on the phone to the DE and to others that have good ideas. Many go to Roundtables and get trained and use that training. That does not mean that everyone hears and remembers all of the training either. There really isnt anyone standing over ones shoulder but in due time most conform to the rules.

Back to the Agency analogy, people generally learn the rules not just by reading or by training but through experience as well. Most rules are based on good ideas learned over a period of time by people that have spent years learning the ropes. Scouting is like that. If you read the SMHB, you will find that it has rules from application that have been tried so it is like having ones own guide.

Several years ago at Philmont Scout Ranch, a young man fell to his death from a high point above a beautiful lake. At that same moment, several people were standing and gazing out at the majestic site of the lake and the mountain above it. An agonizing groan was heard as it arose across the expanse from deep inside the SM still up on the trail with the other Scouts looking on. In Scouting, we have rules and they are for good reasons. If a person gets too close to the edge of a mountain, there is a possibility that the individual will fall off and if he falls, it is probable he will die. Youth, conceit and foolhardiness will not keep the inevitable from happening. Rules in Scouting are based on good experience and should be observed. They are not meant to keep people from having fun. There is plenty of fun to be had in Scouting. The same trail at Philmont that the young man fell from was never closed. Anyone may still go up. Just dont get too close to the edge. fb

To my many SMs,

I know that wisdom does not come with age but the opportunity does present itself. Wisdom supersedes the boundaries of relevance and makes itself known and necessary for all the ages. It is in wisdom that we can find our way home and it is in wisdom that provides a way to have and keep one. Ask yourself what is it that one wants in life and what is life and where is life and the answers can only begun to be found among all the rubble of wisdom. Youth generally are not so much concerned with finding these answers because of all of the unnecessary baggage that comes with living within their world. It generally is only after they have walked to the crest of the hill that they begin to wonder what they had been doing for the last fifty years. It comes from gazing on a sunrise early or a sunset late that we can begin to appreciate how dear the gift of life has been and is and how simple it is to share our love with others. It is wisdom that helps a person to be patient and kind when the world is awash with confusion and fear. It is wisdom that is needed when sickness and death come near. It is wisdom that allows us to accept that we may never know the real mysteries of this life and it is wisdom that allows us to accept it nonetheless. fb

I would like to thank robvio for posting here for whatever the reason, though, I think I learned more than he did. fb

Bev,

I have an am paying my health and home insurance for the time I will need it and I will need it just the same as any other person alive will need it. It is 100% sure that no matter how healthy a person is, sickness and death will come a-knocking.

*This fact escapes many. People would slow down their lives if they truly understood it.

Over the holidays, a young man we know went in for dental surgery and died. Another young lady went in for a stomach surgery and received an infection that ate away her intestines and she died as well. We can credit great medical advances for both deaths. The problem is that both of these young people were highly intelligent, motivated and lead lives worthy of the best care. I am not sure what bill they needed to pay but it is paid nonetheless and I am left trying to figure it all out.

I agree the lads did not set out to burn down the forest. I am also supposing that the Jonesboro boys figured that everyone they shot would later get up and walk.

(*Without ever asking them, I bet that they had no idea that people would actually die.)

I spoke to a young man today that told me that he was in the tenth grade and that he was only concerned with what he was doing this year. He was making C/Ds and that his parents could afford to send him to any college when the time came. He was very proud of that fact. One should never argue with youthful conceit because it would only diminish the world of the much needed swagger. fb

The Jonesboro boys are back out and one was recently stopped with a handgun, so I suppose he has learned his lesson about rifles. It looks like learning a lesson has more to do with being able to cry at ones trial rather than any change of ones behavior. Taking responsibility is a lesson learned at any age and with any organization, right up to the presidency. Shelling out coins or spending time in jail or spending time replanting are all good exercises in returning what was taken from the rightful owners. It doesnt fix it but it goes a long way in making up the difference. Hiding out or behind others who pay for one's acts has little to do with the tenth point of the Scout Law. fb

Rob,

I second or third my vote on the Training suggestion.

I suggest leaving off the meeting place facelift.

I would throw support toward building a Troop Committee first and then let the TC and your CO "discover" and get involved in those kinds of projects.

As SM, your first responsibility is to help train young leaders. You can only do this by getting parental support through an active Committee and assistant SM's to lend strength to the direction. The goal is to get a group to do all of the many support jobs.

As SM, you are a non-voting member of the TC, so it is your influence that makes a difference as to what things get done or do not get done. This position keeps you in the mode of asking and not telling, which is very important. It is a group effort and not an individual that makes for a great program in a volunteer organization. fb

Just a few short years ago a couple of minors laid down on a hillside near an elementary school after pulling the fire alarm. They took their Grandfathers guns and shot kids and teachers down as they filed outside for safe haven from an imaginary fire. The reason for the acts of the shooters was never very clear but something else did come to light. Lawmakers finally took a good hard look at who should be responsible and what they had created with limits on minors. A few laws were changed. The lives of the families that had been impacted were forever changed. The shooters are now out and their records sealed and their lives are changed as well. 14 million dollars is not equal to one life so it is not a good analogy but the idea about responsibility is the same.

If I put myself in the shoes of the parents of the kids that burned the area, I would hope that I would not lose my kids to jail nor would I want to pay a fine for them. Moreover, I would not want my kids to learn about being irresponsible either and I wouldnt want others to pay for that which I am the author. That just isnt much of a legacy to pass on to a world that needs people more than ever to be responsible for their acts. Taking responsibility has allot to do with what Boy Scouting should be.

Pack makes a good point but I hope that Scouts take that burned area and replants the trees and makes it into one of the premier camping/natural areas of the world. I hope that Scouts from all over will come for their service projects to restore and replenish. I hope that Scouts that go there in the future will learn how to live with nature, learn about fire safety and what effects careless behavior can have on the land and the lives associated with the land. I hope that the future of that camp becomes a sign of what Scouting can be rather than what some now think Scouting has become. fb

Let's assume for a minute that we actually know something about the overall happening.

2- 15 year old counselors, possibly first-class or better.

Some fire prevention, fire building, fire safety training is required before they ever got to summer camp.

17- other Scouts First class or better. Similar kind of training.(clear violation of the LNT by numbers alone.)

A fire is not required for the over-nighter on the Wilderness Survival MB, although they must show they can start fires using three methods. Nothing is stated that they were attempting to qualify for this requirement.

The group had to bribe the 2 counselors to start a fire. What reason was needed to bribe someone other than going against a rule. This demonstrates that the counselors had some knowledge about not starting fires before they left base-camp.

The group was playing with fire. Someone must have known that playing with fire is against basic fire safety rules. Most of the Scouts should have suspected that lighting spray aerosol was against the rules. Some of the Scouts may have even been trained to not use this method but it is strange that they would bring it on a Wilderness Survival MB outing. We are left to wonder about the reasoning.

Apparently, the group dug fire-pits for their fires, so there was little awareness of the state and local fire rules. They had some knowledge of fire safety, based on them digging the holes although, the whole group was unaware of the Scout Wilderness policy.

They did not have adult supervision as stated in the BSA G2SS, although there is some question as to a Scout Patrol doing an overnighter, if they are trained and if they have proper planning. Since this was a Summer camp, then the Summer Camp Staff may have felt they could rewrite the rules to mean what they wanted them to mean.

The Council has been noted in this forum before as being an independent entity of the national BSA. National has the most money and most Councils would love for National to back their negligence. I feel that when a person or persons decide to change the rules to meet their own desires then they must assume the responsibility for the consequences. I still think that the minors are all guilty of this offense and that National should not be involved. The Council may take some of the responsibility but most of it rests on the individuals that started the fire. I rest my case. fb

Gern, if someone wanted to commit a crime, there would be little opportunity to supervise their actions, unless, you are an accomplice.

Utah: From July 31, 2006 for all federal state and private lands...

(since rescinded in specific areas)

The following acts are prohibited:

1. Setting, building, maintaining, attending or using open fires of any kind except campfires within approved fire pits.

2. Smoking except within a closed vehicle

3. Discharging, or using any kind of fireworksor other incendiary devices in any location on federal, state and unincorporated private lands.

All other fire restrictions handled through local permits

Responsibility for criminal actions by minors is varied by state and severity of crime. If Gern's minors commit a crime in her business, I doubt that she would be held responsible. 12 million dollars is noteworthy. If human life had been involved, then we would no longer be talking about the crime of burning down a large forested area. fb

Gern says that as an employer that she is guilty for any wrongful acts of her employees. Follow the logic....

Let's apply the same principle of employer responsibility to the Forest Ranger that inadvertently started a fire due to her depression in 2002. She was not only found guilty of starting the fire but she also went to jail. Her employer, who was not responsible for the acts of a depressed employee, did not follow her to jail, and was not charged. It was not even a consideration. Most likely she paid for her own attorney and her insurance did not pay for the damage.

In the Agency where I work when an employee does something wrong like takes money, they are dismissed, fined and sent to jail plus they lose their license to work. The Supervisor, all administrators and those above them are not called into question. Liability is placed directly on the person committing the crime.

In the BSA, there are several regulations:

The Sweet 16

1. Qualified Supervision- an adult (trained) will supervise all activities

14. Applicable Laws- Compliance with all applicable regulations and statutes

15. Discipline- will be maintained.

All camping permits

"...members of this group are qualified campers and are familiar with the standards and objectives of good Scouting and will conduct themselves accordingly."

"...they will conduct themselves according to the best standards of Scouting and observe all rules of health, safety, and sanitation as prescribed by the BSA."

Obey all fire laws, ordinances, and regulations.

Chemical Fuels

The sentence The use of liquid fuels for starting any type of fire is prohibited was placed in boldface, to indicate that it represents BSA rules and policies.

Our Pledge of Performance

We will be certain that all fires are attended at all times.

We will apply for a fire permit from local authorities in all areas where it is required.

We will at all times be a credit to the BSA and will not tolerate rowdyism or un-Scout-like conduct, keeping a constant check on all members of our group.

We will, in case of backcountry expedition, read and abide by the Wilderness Use Policy of the BSA.

Wilderness Use Policy minimizes impact by planning well in advance to know the ordinances and to obtain the required permits.

Limit the group from 8 to 11 persons, including at least two adult leaders.

Conduct pre-trip planning by stressing proper behavior, rules, and skills.

Use backpacking stoves when open fires are restricted.

(*If it was the Wilderness Survival MB that these Scouts were attempting to obtain, what were they doing with aerosol canisters? From my point of view, several regulations and laws were knowingly violated.)

When there is a problem, the BSA will want to know that there was satisfactory cooperation and conduct.

I dont find the G2SS difficult to read or understand and it appears to be straightforward.

If the BSA based it on problems that have happened in the past so as to prevent future problems, then they are using sound logic to assist in maintaining the utmost care for all members.

Once again, if a person or persons knowingly violates the rules of conduct, then they have taken it upon themselves to not only break the BSA rules but local and state statutes as well. I am unsure why the BSA would want to support such actions in a court case and I am not sure why an insurance company would pay for those acts. fb