Fuzzy Bear

The LDS Church, the Council, the Troop, the Patrol followed the BSA policies up to the point of starting an unauthorized fire as well as using aerosol flame throwers and then not extinguishing the fire properly. Once that line was crossed, then it became the responsibility of the individuals to pay for their actions. Scout insurance covers a unit (of any kind) only if the proper policies are followed. Hopefully, these boys and their families have some kind of insurance that pays for their personal illegal actions because if they don't, then those individuals will need to find another way to pay.

Scouting takes place within the boundaries of people following the policies set by the BSA, no tweaking allowed. fb

I doubt anyone here is against going to Scout high adventure camps or planning high adventure activities or having the older boys do special things. My vote (and experience) is for limiting activities that are labor intensive with high costs. Watching a budget, being thrifty, and using your resources to have an outstanding program has been demonstrated as a way to attract and keep Scouts, both younger and older.

For example, one unit nearby vied successfully for years in getting and keeping Scouts until we came along with a somewhat different program. Their program was based solely on backpacking. They did individual cooking and emphasized all things backpacking. They limited percentages and ranges of travel, as we did, but accessed many great places to hike. They had both younger and older Scouts. They had several adults help with their program and they grew their own adult leadership over the years using their own traditions.

Another unit in town was also successful in getting and keeping Scouts. They had their own building with individual Patrol rooms built by their CO and they had their own bus, all maintained by the CO. They had trophy cases where they proudly displayed their rich heritage. They had the money to be able to plan and execute any program they desired. As far as program was concerned, they were limited by the adult leaders time off from work. They did little hiking since everything was generally loaded on their bus and they drove to the camping spot(s).

Each unit was successful in recruiting and keeping Scouts. My own feeling regarding program is that the best programs allow the Scouts more room to plan and lead but also has strong adult backing and regulates the percentages and ranges of travel. fb

I intend on retaking WB for the 21st century but I will keep the beads I have already earned. If I am required to return my beads before I take the new training, then retraining won't be a consideration. WB of the 21st century should simply choose to give out something other than beads. They would then have something new to offer everyone. To not change their offering is shortsighted, inconsiderate and demonstrates a lack of reasoning/thinking ability. fb

By testing a Scout at the BOR on how to tie a bowline, we have in fact re-tested him (circular motion in action). If we ask the Scout what a bowline is used for at a BOR, then we have inquired as to the use of the knot, which may be just as important as how to tie it. Lets see how it works

Mr. B (MC) is asking Jim (Scout) questions at his BOR

Mr. B. throws Jim some rope.

Jim here is a bit of rope, tie us a bowline.

OK Mr. B., here it is. How did I do?

Jim, I am only a Committee Member not the SM. How would I know if it is correct?

That is a good question Mr. B. Maybe you should ask that one at our next BOR.

OK Jim. I think you got me on that one, ha, ha, ha.

By the way Jim, what is a bowline used for?

Gee Mr. B. I dont have a clue.

Jim I am afraid I must put you on hold until you figure out what it us used for. I am sorry to keep you hanging but that is my job.

Later

Mr. SM, Jim doesnt seem to know what a bowline is all about. Is knot tying part of our program here so there will be ample time for Scouts to learn to tie the knots and understand their intended uses?

Mr. B. I believe you have pointed out a flaw in our program. I will take it before the PLC and request that we make it a part of our next few meetings and part of our program at our next campout.

Mr. SM, you mean to tell me that you are using the results of the BOR to evaluate and upgrade the program?

Sure Mr. B. that is one of the uses of the results of the BOR. It helps us to plan more effectively and to tweak our programs as we go along. Sometimes we just don't have enough repetition on fun things like knots.

That sure sounds good to me.

Hey SM, lets get a cup of coffee and talk about the Troops next campout. I think I would like to help out and maybe I could learn some of those knots too.

*Sun sets in the distance and a few birds fly overhead. Clouds begin to move in and the wind begins to rise. Cold weather is on the horizon. fb

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If the only thing anyone disagreed with me about was not attending a high adventure camp yearly, then there is not much of an argument. When I took over as SM, the Scouts had been to one local camp 10 times in the past year. The camp was close by our hut and little planning was needed. The Scouts made our own Where to go Camping guide and for the next three years we never returned to the camp of many outings. Finally the Scouts requested a return to the local camp because it really was a great place. We always had young Scouts and older Scouts mainly because we allowed them to plan and lead the program and the program content was generally boosted by adult support. We had more camping spots to go to than we had weekends.

We canoed, we repelled, we climbed mountains, we sailed small boats, we hiked, we cooked off of rocks, we followed compass directions to camps, built signal towers, had campfires during meetings, we challenged other Troops to competitions, had our own competitions, yearly training and Troop outings, yearly Troop dinner and recognition ceremonies.. on an on. We didnt skimp on the fun either. Our numbers were always great. We had long standing patrols with flags and yells. If someone else does it more expensively, then they need to know that someone else did it differently. It is a big world. fb

The Patrol system is the process that boys can easily ascribe to get to where they want to go and do things they want to do. Going to Philmont and the Boundary Waters yearly is, IMO, an overly expensive way to purchase numbers for a unit. Let the boys decide on 100% of the programs but relegate 70% of the programs locally, 20% beyond 50 miles and 10% beyond 100 miles. (*Use your resource survey to find new and unusual places) Dont break the bank to make a unit. Boys and most parents are practically minded and will support an active program that is fun. Make sure that one parent from each Scout is doing something for the unit every year. Each program should be rounded out with activities that have some amount of adult support to ensure quality. Have the boys evaluate each event and come up with solutions to make the next one better. Do a yearly project for your CO. Make sure you have a couple of yearly traditions that everyone joins in to make them bigger and better. Keep records, written and pictorially to show (advertise) to others at any opportunity of all that you are doing. Vote on a yearly plan and get adult support/commitments and then write it down. Distribute it to everyone inside and outside the unit. The program is the vehicle that Scouts chose to drive to their destinations. If you have hidden it behind a thicket of How to Patrol, then nobody will be kicking the tires except you. Let the boys drive and dont worry so much. (*I am speaking with Analogy here.) Your confidence goes a long way on the drive to reaching the Aims of Scouting. fb(This message has been edited by Fuzzy Bear)

A few years ago, I attended a Camporee where Tenderfoot knots were being tied in one event. A Scout was having trouble with a clove hitch. I had learned it when I was a Scout and used it many times over the years. I reached down and tied it for him using a few words of explanation for emphasis and encouragement, being that I had been an Eagle Scout to boot. Another adult close by pointed out that I had tied it wrong. I got out my Handbook and sure enough, it was wrong, so I found myself tied-up with emotion as well. How could that happen?

Fast forward several years more, I still can remember how to tie lashings, which includes a clove hitch. The reason I can remember so well is that our SM took us out to his property in East Texas when I was a First Class Scout. He had cut down a few trees and we built a signal tower that weekend. It was something that we had seen in our handbooks but none of us had any inkling that we would ever get to build and play on one. It was a gift that I thought of as being without comparison. I also learned that the lashings needed to be correct because getting up around twenty feet in the air makes one review his preparations, especially when most of the Troop wanted to go up at the same time.

Learning things in Scouting takes repetition and a measure of excitement but even then without review, we (or maybe me) tend to approximate what we learned.

I have been in BORs where a person threw a Scout a rope and asked him to tie a Square knot. That was when we learned that it is a Board of Review, as in rehashing what a Scout has learned and not a time to re- test the Scout. I suppose learning goes on all of the time for most of us. fb

Boy Led Programs

A few years ago, a SM that periodically attended our Roundtables asked a question about growth. It seemed he was having trouble with his Troop of many years. One thing that stood out about him was the string of Quality Unit patches that he wore proudly to the bottom of the sleeve of his uniform. What kept coming to my mind was if he had a continual Quality Unit program, what reason for trouble with growth? That question and my curiosity brought on a Troop visit.

I noted several things about the visit. After the opening pledge by one of the boys, the SM went to the head of the room, sat down, opened his briefcase and began the meeting. The meeting continued as he read from paper items taken from his briefcase and ended when he closed his case and one of the boys led the Scout Oath. I didn't understand what the SM was doing nor do I think the three boys in attendance did either. I suppose one could call it a boy led meeting because everyone was in uniform and two boys did something but I still think things were amiss.

I collect Scout paper items. One of my favorites is a two block cartoon. The first block shows Scouts being very active during a meeting and the caption reads, "What he thought was going to happen". The other block shows boys bored and sitting around the meeting room with the SPL screaming, the caption reads, "What actually happened".

I suppose we could define a boy led program by any number of actions taken by a boy in any meeting but then boys are not as easily fooled as adults. fb

I staffed a course a couple of years after I earned my beads. Even though I was on staff, there was an air of elitism among those that had been on staff for years. The Old Ones remained aloof/distant from the beginners. It was as if the newbies were under an initiation period. I could go on but the attitude turned me off. To this day, I can find no reason for their grasping at straws. Whatever they gained in personal recognition was lost on friendship.

I have moved and have taken on different Scouting jobs with new people. The Skills of Leadership remain and I can use them effectively as I continue to Work my Ticket. I also want to point out that there were a few that knew their way out of the morass of self congratulations. They were good as gold. Their friendship remains even from those that have moved to Scouting beyond Gilwell.

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My WB course was in the last century. It was in-Council and it started on Friday nights. I was with some people that I knew and others that I did not know. Our Coach Counselor was from a different district. I got to know several WB leaders from the adjoining cities. This gave me a new beginning within our council to do things and to call on people that I did not necessarily know before I started. I was thankful for the introductions because it was a large council and difficult to get to know others at a distance. The people that I knew locally were more helpful in the future toward me, as I was toward them as we worked within our district.

Things were kept secretive each week as we were to discover things as we went along, which we did. The problem was that we slowly learned the skills of leadership and were not able to engage the skills in a systematic way until the end. I prefer a top down approach where the skills are overviewed from the beginning and then taught one by one as the course progresses. I believe that discovery comes from doing as well as from knowing. Keeping the flow full and steady as the course progressed, means that people come to know and to do as soon as possible. There were those that lost interest through speculation and tended to drift.

At every meal we had a guest from the staff. The idea was to get to know them as a friend and a resource. By not knowing our direction as we went along tended to off-set the intention of the course. We tended to be polite and entertaining rather than engaging. I am more practical and maybe that disrupts the mystery but learning is an exercise in mystery anyway and shouldn't be clouded with things unintended. It is sort of like taking Scouts out to a new camp and telling them they are to camp in a specific area far away but not giving them compass directions to find their way.

We also had an overnighter where we took a hike and camped as well as had certain projects along the way. This allowed the staff time to have a dinner and enjoy each other's company. The problem with this is that we had been camping out each weekend and doing projects but not hiking. I felt that it was unnecessary and it tended to put those that couldn't hike or that were not used to it at a disadvantage. Others that were used to it just took it in stride. I don't believe we learned what we were supposed to learn. I think it would have been better to have had dinner with the staff and everyone get to know each other a little better. The staff could have a special dinner at another time. What I found out was that relationship building was the true meaning of getting the job done and that can't be accomplished unless people get to now one another.

Another outcome of the staff-camper dichotomy was that it tended to make for an in-group and an out-group. This raised unintended barriers that made for an elitist staff with people taking course roles for themselves over and over. They had lists of staff rosters showing how many times an individual had been in each position. This disallowed new people into the staff positions and caused friction between people due to the competition. For people to remain in power, the goal became one of putting people down. There is enough of that in life without Scouters doing that to each other. fb

Before the forward pass was invented in football,

people ran the ball on every play.

So, when the forward pass is used in football today,

the inventors of football would be equally saddened.

More than likely they would not consider it to be football

at all.

Burma Shave

Amen

I believe that people are in Scouting for the right reasons and if they are not there for the right reasons, then they will leave on their own accord. This is a generalization, I know because we have documented evidence of people that sadly stayed in Scouting for years doing the wrong things and some were carted off to jail. Those doing the wrong things still do not make the cup half empty for me. When I read about people doing the wrong things, it drives a wedge deep into my heart and gut, as I know it does for hundreds and thousands of other Scouters that feel that somehow we all are implicated by association. I believe we must stand firm and not allow ourselves to be taken by associative guilt. This program and those that support it are too valuable and should not treat themselves with that cup of unkindness.

As for those that are in the program for self-glorification, it looks to me like they have reached a level of delusion that needs medication. Any job without a salary where a person spends their spare time and money requires a kind of gallantry. So, if a few adults want a pat on the back for their efforts, then that is their just rewards. So many that I know in Scouting are there to ensure a worthwhile program is perpetuated and could care less for the spotlight. They give because they openly love and desire to serve.

So, that brings me back to following the rules (Book). I believe most try to get training and abide by the rules. People generally don't openly flaunt the rules but I know some do. Maybe they are doing it out of ignorance or because the rule(s) don't make sense. It doesn't make any difference the reasons because they do not get to make the rules but if they don't follow the rules, then they will be left on their own to defend their actions (in court). It is much easier to arrange things according to the rules of Scouting no matter where a person lives. I believe that should be our number one goal as a Scout leader.

So, am I a bad Leader if I break a rule out of necessity? Yes, I would be guilty but before I break the rule, I will have tried my best to follow the rules. If a Scout is badly hurt and all I have is a truck to transport, I will use the truck. I will use anything that I have to not let the Scout nor the parents down. Every Scout deserves our best efforts and if it means defending myself in court for trying to follow the rules and failing, then so be it. fb

Fear and anger belies every step toward our exit homeward.

May you and your wife find peace beyond understanding.

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speaking in general:

The problem with accepting the Patrol Method is one of control and having faith that Scouts can learn or arrive with the product (Aims of Scouting). This does not mean that Scouts do not need counseling/guidance. This also means that Scouts need to learn the skills of leadership which are fundamental and gives the process structure. Along with these skills are the eight Methods of Scouting when balanced will fully integrate a program that (from the outside) looks like it runs itself. One of the clues of successfully obtaining the product of the Patrol Method is when the adult leadership actually engages and is doing the duties for their own jobs. The results are also noticeable during a Scout's presentation of himself during BOR's.

Besides accepting and working with these program elements, an adult leader needs to be patient because it takes time for boys to learn to lead. The other adult program feature is to ensure that a proper (*balanced) amount of fun is always available. fb

I believe changing National comes from individual units running good programs.

A good program is based on standards (well) learned in training and from the book(s).

A good program has a balance of all of the Methods of Scouting.

A good program will include all of the elements of a Quality Unit.

A good program will be year round.

I realize that this will cause another spin-off.

Good night. fb

Believing that there is strict standardization in Scouting is like believing in the Tooth Fairy. Training is haphazard at best and tests are not given based on any study regimen. Quality control is limited to those that vary from the program at the extreme ends. It would be uncommon to find programs that are run "by the book' rather than those that have adaptations.

People that come here to find answers will most likely get varied responses to their questions rather than multiple standard replies based on book quotations.

It is still important to try and approximate, in writing, those standards that we know to be from the book when questions do arise.

I would like to cite hundreds of disagreements that we have had here over any number of issues. General agreement is uncommon here in written responses without allot of people messing it all up. fb

After reviewing the requirements of several MBs, it appears that the level of difficulty to obtain those badges are just as difficult, and possibly more so, than in the past. I always felt that learning Morse Code for First class was the biggest problem (for me) to reaching Eagle when I received mine in 64. The emphasis has changed toward advancing a boy to First Class within the first year, which was based on data from National that a boy will stay in Scouting longer if he reaches First Class. This strategy has worked because the number of Scouts reaching Eagle has climbed dramatically in the last 20 years. This solves the problem of retention.

Although Scouting numbers have declined in the past few years, as has been pointed out to us emphatically by one astute observer, this means that recruitment will be the next push from National.

If the statistics that epalmer84 has pointed out are correct, then we should have about a million more young people that have obtained to the Aims of Scouting that we all agree on as being the best that we can accomplish within this program. This is a fact that should bring us all great amounts of joy. fb

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These are simple problems in math/logic.

A SM is asked to drive a Scout home but he also wants to maintain two-deep leadership. How does he do it if he does not have a son in Scouting?

If a Scout will only divulge personal information to one other person, then how does a leader maintain two-deep leadership during a counseling session?

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Health and Safety is an issue anytime and for everyone.

Money problems are an issue that needs to be reported to the DE before it gets reported to the real Cops.

Most of the rest is secondary to making good relationships with those you wish to influence.

Change comes slowly and then only if a person trusts you.

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When I wore things with clutch backs, I found that they were loose because shirt material does not have the width necessary to keep the pin embedded properly. I began using a piece of one-sixteenth inch thick cardboard between the star and the clutch back, meaning the pin goes through the cardboard. This stabilized the mechanism and kept it from releasing when there was upper body movement. fb

Lets assume for a moment that there are Christmas cookies for all of those that have been good. This is the rule taught in the current training program.

Troop A has four boys and the SM has not been to training, so they give them to the four boys and the SM. This is neither a tweek, an adaptation nor a modification. This is ignorance of the good cookie rule. Their CO has registered a past Scout to make the required five but doesnt tell anyone. This is an intentional breaking of the rule but it is hard to find, plus the CO wants a Troop.

Troop B has six boys as well but the SM went to training back in the good old days. He decides that he should eat all of the cookies. This has no tweeknees to it either. The SM is hungry and is running an old program. He knows better and his Scout belt can not be let out one more inch. He would do well to attend training.

Troop C has five boys and the SM has been to training. His CO believes in the goodness of all, so they share the cookies equally in spite of knowing the rule and because it is similar to the one learned in training. This situation could be overlooked even by the most absent of UCs. The only way that it was found out was when the UC visited and had a round of cookies with the SM. The UC could in this case consider this an adaptation and will probably just let it go.

Troop D has five boys and the SM is trained but their CO believes that all are bad and nobody should ever get cookies. The SM is conflicted by the rules and decides that the cookies will be declared a dessert. The SM has then met all of the guidelines and will most likely not be found out by anyone, since hiding the rational has become the standard. This is neither an adaptation nor a tweek. The reason is because the act misses the point of the good cookie rule.

Troop E has five boys, the SM has been fully trained and the CO is hands off. The SM tries to follow the guidelines regarding cookies for the good but sometimes gives them to everyone. He simply declares that he has seen the good in everyone. He does not eat a cookie because he is watching his weight. His Scout belt is out to the end but he fully intends on reversing the process. The UC is savvy to the SMs intentions for losing weight and will most likely not pay any attention to the strict adherence of the good cookie rule.

As you can see the UC should be more concerned with numbers and recruiting and with program than with cookies but he/she isn't.

I could go on because there are 21 letters left but I think you see my point, maybe. fb

In the old times, the UC was known as the Neighborhood Commissioner. He was a person known and trusted by the units he served (*shes were not known to this job at that time). Today, a new recruit is brought in and told to go and do good. So, now it becomes a job where people are serving people that they don't know. The job easily can be one of enforcement rather than Sheparding a few friends along in a program filled with twists and turns. Some of the twists may come from a person that "used to do it that way" or from a person that is trying their hardest to do well but just lacks information.

So, here is the order of things after you have been thoroughly trained:

1. Get to know the people in the unit. This takes time.

*The reason is that CHANGE is difficult and is best taken with the help of a good friend.

2. Get to know them by phone first and then a Sunday afternoon visit.

3. Get to know them by inviting them to training, any kind of training, including Roundtable.

4. Get to know them through a 10 minute visit on one meeting night. Shake their hands. Take them a cup of coffee. Leave.

5. Get to know them through a 30 minute visit on a campout that is close by. Drink a cup of coffee with them. Leave.

6. Concentrate on getting to know the person by not looking at what is happening, unless there is a noticeable Safety issue.

7. Get to know them through visitation at a Camporee.

8. After three to six months, then begin to take a general look at what they are doing.

9. Take on issues that you know will not alienate them from you as a new friend. Try change through inviting the person to a specific training.

10. Make sure that as you move along with the friendship that you keep the ADC and DC informed. They will have good insight and can be a good sounding-board.

11. It may take one to two years before real change occurs. Don't rush.

12. Friendships should be fun and meaningful with little confrontation. When change does occur with as little discomfort as possible that is when you know that you are an effective UC.

The Scout on the BOR is all secondary to this arrangement of things.

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I would pick older men with experience, that are likeable and are generally recognized by Scouts, Scouters and many in the community as spokesmen for the BSA. My top picks would be John Tesh, Chan Gailey and William H. Gates Sr. (*In that order)

You make the decision on pulling the plug. It is your energy that is required to engage in a meaningful experience. It is generally easier to go to a Pack that is already under way. It is more fun to put one together. It will make a memory worth retelling. fb