Fuzzy Bear

It is good that you are part of an honest effort at delivering the Scout program to real Scouts. I imagine that most Scouting Councils, D.E.s and Scouters across the Nation do the same. There will always be those that are dishonest and/or ineffective in any business. I would personally like to see the reporting of specific programs and the numbers instead of numbers connected to types of units alone, (i.e., Boy Scout, Cub, Scout, etc. only). Unit types/numbers give an indication to basic kinds of activity but specific programs align and give analysis to what is happening locally. This is usable information that gives credence to specific programs that can be shared as a resource. It can give historical perspective to what has been done and can begin to predict what needs to be done. One can always say that what happens in one part of the country will not work in another but the problem comes when the same programs are used continuously without regard to worth in relation to those numbers. I believe that quality program draws more people and with poor programs, people stay away. Quality program works and it is noticeable in most any industry. One can say that quality program without quality leadership does not work and that is correct but I posit that quality training leads to quality leadership. By knowing types of programs that work and then getting that information to the leaders, it will increase the probability that they will enhance their programs, thus increase the numbers. By leaving numbers as the only indicator of a D.E's worth, it reduces the chances of that D.E. in achieving something of value. In other words, a person that lacks people skills, is less creative, or does not know the Scouting program well, is left to false reporting. Give a selected person the tools to increase the numbers, then numbers will begin to increase. This will not happen in every case but overall, it will happen. FB

Practicality is the better part of camping. Example: Bring a book if you will need it or have time to read it, if not, then leave it. The three basic goals for any camping are: stay warm, dry and comfortable. A person carries out of camp what they carry in to camp, if you can't; don't bring it or stay at home. These are a few ideas for an inside-out approach to plan for camp. FB

My two young sons and I spent a quiet morning on the lake. We tried "fishing" with small hand held nets, took a ride on a friends pontoon boat, and threw rocks into the water. We ate hot-dogs and then had a scoop of ice-cream. That is all I could ever want. FB

Simple washing instructions for the Scout uniform only at Summer Camp. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, have the Scouts wash their Scout shirts. They first empty their pockets; take off the temporary patches as well as their epaulets. When they go to the shower that morning, they wear their shirts and they are instructed to bar-soap wash all of the reachable areas. A friend can wash their backs with bar-soap or if they feel that the back is clean, then just soak it. After they wash the shirt, then they are to take it off and wring it out and wash it again without soap and wring and wash it out two more times. When they return to camp, they are to hang it out to dry until the evening meal. *After the last rinse cycle, they should return to the shower to complete their personal washing. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings, the Scouts do the same with their Scout pants. Pants usually take more dirt and last longer than the shirts. If the pants do get dirty before washing time, then just wash them along with the shirt. They can wash their Scout socks daily if they have two pairs.

Trev, The silver lining is that it self-destructed alone and not moving. You asked a bout a SM's minute or something. I drove a little Ford truck (* probably inspired the song "Great Balls of Fire", goodness gracious) for a very few years and it went the way of all Fords. It seemed to always be in the shop and having problems. Finally, I got lightly rear ended and it buckled like a beer can. (I still have a nagging neck problem) I traded it in for a second-hand Toyota truck. I am driving it today and am getting close to 300 K. I have been happy with the good gas mileage and low maintenance qualities. The paint is a little dull, a few parking lot bumps have appeared, the seat covers are a showing wear, and my wife says it smells. I realize it doesn't put me in the competition for the top ten stylists in our fair city but I have saved a buck or two and I have a degree of popularity when anyone wants to move. My Toyota pick-up has carried me far and wide. My hope is to be buried in it so it will deliver me for my very last ride. FB

I just returned from a quick visit. We stayed down near the White House. I took several hikes each morning and evening. With all of the homeless camping in the parks, I am guessing the Scouts could just pitch tents right there also. It would at least dress things up a little. FB

Ed, If I lost you on my last post, then it probably means that I misunderstood the truth you shared or I failed to communicate adequately a truth that I thought I understood. Truth appears to have a characteristic of being within our grasp yet is really beyond our reach. Communication may be the wrong vehicle to gain access/knowledge about it. madkins, Let me see if I have it this time. Our knowledge about truth (de-limiting) appears correct, but knowledge also limits our understanding. So, breaking through the barrier reef of truth may only set one out upon the sea of larger truth. Belief tends to bind our knowledge about truth. The Laws that we understand only work if certain criteria are met to allow them to work. Mankind is one part of a much larger and expanding universe and so goes our knowledge. SWS, All elephants have some truth, no elephants contain all truth, not all elephants exist at any one time, any distant relation to an elephant must be considered as having some truth, so we are out of luck. Eamonn, A dog's unconditional love is a truth that reaches us and is beyond words. Well, I have enjoyed this. I am off to our great capital today to gain knowledge and truth at least that is the story I am telling my wife. Thank you each and everyone for sharing. I have found that I am not alone in my quest. FB

OGE, Re: The same truth has many facets or there are many truths. Ed, Re: We become our parents. OGE Re: Greatness is independent of the person and is determined entirely by chance, fate, and whimsy. Greatness is in the eye of the beholden. Acco and Ed, Law has two faces, both blind. gavvin, I share your ignorance about truth but mine is much deeper. Re: Truth is an elephant of immense size and proportions and we can only experientially know it. God cannot be experienced, so therefore God is not of this world. If one believes in God, their belief can only be accomplished through a leap of faith. Perception is an aphrodisiac and can alter truth for the beholder. Jd Re: Every person is an island built upon truth, alone unto themselves. To understand ones truth is to converse with God. Add: Truth can appear like a mornings mist, beautiful and unobtainable. In my youth, I desired to catch a cloud in a bottle. FB (This message has been edited by Fuzzy Bear)

wingnut, restated- We can now understand much of the bottom-up approach (reductionism) to our world but it does not allow us to understand our present choices (intentionalality) or the reasons for doing so (purpose). We can understand much of what makes up the world but not always predict the outcomes (contextual casuality of complexity). Developing a physics to bring both together to understand the latter may become our next frontier. *So given our best information, we still are left with few answers. OGE restate-Some find politics as their defining role in life but truth rightly understood is temporary or transitional. *fewer answers still Ed, restate- Universal truths, facts, knowledge, are subject to change but can lead to greater truths. *Then being open to a world that holds few answers but promises us greater, gives one hope. madkins, Shakespeare wrote Hamlet but G.W.'s experience may well rewrite the same. Truth travels in circles or ellipses. We live in a world turned upside down but answers/truth can be (re)found. Jesus was the Son of God is the past tense, making it a transitional truth with future implications. Letting go of a hammer implies that gravity always works which brings one to believe in a truth that never varies. *stimulating insights Eamonn Finding that one is right is always amazing. Finding the truth, the way, and the life is even greater. *With so much to be wrong about, finding truth in any form brings joy.

Although any method would fall under scrutiny from almost any quarter of any of the Regions, Councils, Districts; I would cast my lot on the Ideals of Scouting. I believe that instilling the Ideals of Scouting is an on-going challenge from day one with every Scout. The Ideals are kin to one's attitude toward Scouting. When one's attitude is correct, then one's direction will be correct in most all situations. I believe that people are not born with the Ideals of Scouting and that working in a Patrol, wearing the correct uniform, working on advancement, service to others, etc, are difficult concepts for young people to grasp/accept and it takes real Scouting growth for a person to reach maturity. It is similar to learning the compass. Most first learn directions and usage. Then, one may exercise their new skill on a three bearing course after learning stride length. One may even take a bee-line hike after learning to off-set and reset directions to obstacles. One may even go to a Camporee and enjoy a competitive event over a longer distance. Then comes the day that a Scout is challenged with several miles in a wilderness area using a map and compass or a Scout is lost and must find their way home without either. It is not the amount of training or knowledge that hurts a person in such a situation but it is a proper attitude or lack of it. I have found that with personal growth in the Ideals of Scouting that I would trust a matured Scout to do the right thing even when they are off by several miles in life. It always comes back to a highly developed Scouting attitude which makes the difference. FB

OGE (restate)Truth is unchanging laws but may be subject to one's perspective. interesting...I would like to know what laws don't change but are particular to your knowledge. Ed Let me restate what you said, neither truth nor knowledge are always factual. Some truth and knowledge is factual and relative to the person/situation. There are Universal Truths that are always factual. God's Creation is factual. My first reaction is to feel some irritation about not knowing but I like the idea of Universal Truths. I would like to know more if either of you would like to share. (No judgments) Thanks, FB

Thoughts based on recent Forum discussions (and other readings): Truth can be thought of as enduring knowledge irrespective of perspective. Does a person give up on finding truth and settle for science? Science- bits of truth based on theories. Ultimate knowledge is suspended and may be found and used by Man. Does one give up on finding truth and settle for God? God- truth that transcends human knowledge and is expressed in principles, such as morals. God is ultimate truth and allows men to be the recipient of some of that knowledge. It seems to be questions people have expressed from the beginning of language and/or gatherings. Is it not amazing that such strong cultures, whole societies, gigantic rock structures, powerful armies and fearsome gods have been recovered from the dirt and the vines of the ages? These people asked and answered these same questions. Was it their failure to find truth or is that the ultimate expression of life itself? FB

To fully demonstrate the validity of the genetic mechanism would be to reverse the process. This would enhance debate over laws to make all flies mate or extinct. If we decide that flies are an unnecessary part of the food chain and only a nuisance, then we could conceivably become fly free. Of course, if we find that flies are basic to survival of all else, then we may have engineered ourselves into oblivion by a click of a genetic switch. Relating this to human behavior might mean that somehow we are interrelated and necessary to each other in some basic way. It could mean that we need each other and all of our differences to have meaning as humans. FB

Kahuna, I found out more about Sea Scouting. In 1909 B.-P. ran a training camp near the historic village of Buckler's Hard, Hampshire, England near Lord Nelson's slipways. Two Troops of Scouts entered in and alternated between land and sea events. They used a training ship called the "Mercury", a boat loaned to B.-P. Base on the outcome of these adventures, a decision was made to establish Sea Scouting as a branch of the British Boy Scouts. The "Scout Gazette headlines proclaimed the new Seascout program in 1910. B.-P. asked his older brother Warington to write a book and lead the program. The book was called, Sea Scouting for Boys, and was released in 1912. In 1911, Arthur A. Carey of Waltham, Mass., a sailing enthusiast and a member of the National Council of the BSA had already written a chapter for the BSHB on sailing and he later wrote a 24 page pamphlet, "Cruising for Sea Scouts", the first American Sea Scout handbook, 1912. He was appointed to be the Chairman of the National Council Committee on Sea Scouting. He gave his schooner, Pioneer" to the Scouts in his area for use in the program. Charles T. Longstreth organized the first Sea Patrol in Philadelphia, on his yacht in the summer of 1912 and he prepared a Sea Scout manual. A national committee was established to advise National on creating a Sea Scout branch of the BSA and it became an official program in 1912. The first edition of Scouting magazine, April 15, 1913 had an article about the new branch of the B.S.A that was started with the aid of the Secretary of the Navy. Commander Watson, son of Rear-Admiral Watson suggested to the Navy the advantages of Sea Scouting. The Secretary of the Navy, G.V.L. Meyer wrote a general order on 2/27/13 for personnel to co-operate with the B.S.A. with it's program. Sea Scouting spread slowly until 1917 and with the U.S.A.'s entrance into the W.W.I which brought thousands into the Sea Scouts. Another event was "Kimo"-James Austin Wilder of Honolulu, Hawaii, a veteran sailor, a wealthy globe traveler, artist, colorful figure, and tireless worker in Scouting volunteered to James West to be the Director of the Department of Sea Scouting or the first Chief Seascout. Wilder, Skipper Horton and Thomas Murphy prepared a new Sea Scout Manual. The requirements for joining were: First Class, 115 pounds, over 14 with good eyes, good muscles, good heart, and parental permission. Sea Scouting then became the first older boy program for the B.S.A. Murray said about Wilder, "a gracious and magnetic personality"... 'he figured largely in the development of the program'. "Wilder was a truly remarkable personality-brilliant but modest, cordial and friendly, gracious and informal...an apostle of cheer and captured ..the imagination of our leaders." In 1920 The National Sea Scout Committee had as its' Chairman, General George W. Goethals. Since 1927 Commodore Howard F. Gillette of Chicago was the Chairman with Thomas J. Keene, U.S.N.R. as the Director. In 1927 eight Sea Scouts with Borden-Field Museum left on an expedition to the Bering Sea. In 1928, Sea Scout Paul A. Siple went with the Admiral Byrd expedition to Antarctica and returned in 1930. The same year there was a 50% increase in registered Sea Scouts, i.e., 8,043. In 1931 there was a 40% increase in membership and in 1932 a 42% increase. In 1933 and 1934 there was marked progress in growth. Siple went again on a second expedition to the South Pole and wrote a book about each visit. He later earned his Ph.D. and became a leading scientific explorer. In 1933 the Explorer Scout program was first authorized. 1934, Scouting's 25th year, saw the million mark for total youth enrollment. Sea Scouting also saw a marked improvement in numbers. In 1935, the Sea Scouting Service of the National Office became the Senior Scouting Service and boys at age 15 were given the choice of becoming Senior Scouts. By 1936 the Sea Scout program had grown to 20,802 and 413 of the 539 local councils had at least one Sea Scout ship. In 1936, Commander Thomas J. Keane, who had joined the professional ranks after a career in the Navy built the membership to 25,000 boys and men. By W.W. II thousands of Sea Scouts left for the war with their leaders. They were prized by the Navy and the Coast Guard for their seamanship training and by the end of 1943, 75,000 former Sea Scouts were serving, many as commissioned officers. By 1949, the older boy program became known as Explorer Scouts. In 1949, the age for Sea Scouting was lowered to 14. In the 1950's Sea Explorers sailed together with the Mariners (Senior Girl Scouts) and then in the 1960's Exploring admitted women. Sea Explorers are registered members of a Sea Explorer Ship or the unit that conducts the program for the C.O. In 1958, Explorer and Eagle Scout Richard Lee Chappel went with the National Academy of Sciences team to Antarctica for the International Geophysical Year. General Information: Sea Scouting or Exploring is made up of Outdoor events; Social events like Sea Explorer Balls and Stag Parties or Boss's Night; Service; and Vocational skill training. The Sea Scout Court of Honor is a gala affair called the Bridge of Honor. One social gathering is called Queen's Day ceremonies where the fathers cook the meal. A crew may embark on a yearly expedition or high-adventure cruise. At such events as regattas, sea chanteys are lustily sung by the crew. The crew is the working group within a Sea Explorer ship made up of six to eight members. The Skipper is the adult advisor and the Assistants are called Mates or Assistant Ship Advisors. There are also three Ship Committeemen. The crew is inducted by ceremony. The Boatswain is the elected youth leader of a Sea Explorer ship and may now be called a crew leader. There is also an Assistant Crew Leader. Sea Scouts are trained in Emergency Service. The Lifeboat Drill is where the crew demonstrates its' ability with a lifeboat, with oars, auxiliary sail, and Breeches Buoy. They may also practice the Man Overboard Drill. Navigation and or Seamanship is a science which enables seamen to direct ship to port and to rig and work a ship. One of the skills is called Shooting the Sun using a sextant, the Nautical Almanac and Greenwich time. This allows one to determine the latitude and longitude. The ships' Quarterdeck is the upper deck of a vessel reserved for officers. The ship's kitchen is called the Galley. Two general classes of sails being the fore-and-aft and then there is the square-rigged. The simplest of the fore-and-aft type boat is the catboat with its' single sail. Small yachts are called boats ships and steamers and larger sea-going craft are termed ships. Sloops, barks, barkentines schooners, and vessels powered with engines are also called ships. The Sea Scout uniform may be made of navy blue wool or white duck. The ranks are Apprentice, Ordinary, Able, and the Quartermaster. The Quartermaster is the highest award in Sea Scouting, the Silver Award may have taken its place. Resources: The Golden Anniversary Book of Scouting, copyright 1959, B.S.A. The Boy Scouts, An American Adventure, copyright 1984, The American Heritage Publishing Co., Robert W. Peterson. The Boy Scout Encyclopedia, copyright 1952, B.S.A. Scouting-Marches On, History of the B.S.A., copyright 1937, B.S.A. by William D. Murray. Use care to recheck all sources if this material is to be used for publication. FB

Kahuna, Please post your article here. I would like to know more. Thanks, FB

mad, Eight Scouts per Patrol is just right for all occasions. Mark Ray may want to consider emphasizing better programming instead of crowding patrols. FB

Ed, I know you are serious but that has got to be the funniest thing you have ever said. FB

Juggler, (*Bear with me) As a SM, my perspective has been: The Chartering Organization and the COR are responsible for the existence of the troop. They are periodically informed of the progress and are given a yearly review. The Troop Committee may come from the CO and/or the parents that do not belong to the CO but the COR indirectly approves/disapproves all selections. The Committee Chair is in charge of the Committee. The CC derives much of the agenda from the SM. The SM attends Committee meetings but cannot vote. The SM is listening and acting as a representative of the PLC but is not a voting member of the PLC. The PLC is listening to and representing the views of the individual Scouts, making the views of the individual Scout important. This interrelatedness gives importance to all, including the TC, CO, and the Troop Leadership. It is their support role that enables much of the program but it remains the Scout's program. Accepting that each person is important accentuates the reason respect is given to everyone, besides being inherent in Scouting Ideals. When each person is recruited/selected they should be informed about their job duties. Knowing and understanding those assigned duties enhances job performance. Also, knowing that their job is term limited for one year increases the need to accomplish their tasks efficiently and effectively. Evaluation drives quality program, activities and jobs. Periodic reviews keeps everyone informed on all levels of the organization of deficits and successes. It allows for opportunities to increase performance and effective future planning. I am an Eagle, been in Graduate School(s), and have had several jobs in my profession. I have seldom if ever been grilled for two hours. People have respected my time and made appointments and then kept them, even for interviews. Most of my performance reviews were short but if there were deficits, when I left I knew what I needed to do to correct them. This is the kind of respect and effective action that I have come to expect in business and the kind of respectful acts that should be modeled in a Troop at all levels. When a problem is noted, the SM informs the CC and the COR but the SM is not directly involved in any other phase. As for requesting a release for any adult, I would use the same procedures we use for Scouts. Use a verbal warning first, written warning second, involving essential others in the remedial actions, and then release. All actions are direct, confidential and in private. Of course, abuse cannot be tolerated and needs to be dealt with quickly. I have yet to use any of these procedures for adults. Although, the term limits ran out on one individual and he was also moving from the area. We had a hand shake and a hug. My endurance was stretched but his replacement became a turning point. Now, if the adult in question has not been properly trained and informed of the expectations of his/her job, then it is a different situation. Others have not done their jobs. FB

jd, Thank you for your compliment. FB

Kristi, The cars are very important to your son and other Scouts and should be to the people in charge of the banquet. It looks like from a distance that the people who put this on didn't understand what the cars meant to anyone or cared. If your son would have been in charge, I know this incident would not have happened. He obviously knows what he is doing and his anger is justifiable. I apologize for understating my position on your son's noted accomplishment. Please tell him that his feat is well respected. FB

acco40, Be berrrrry quiet. tjh, If tomorrow, the Church and all of its leaders jumped right into the middle of the sewer, God would not be moved nor those that do believe. If the BSA leadership followed the Church, those that believe in Scouting would acknowledge the loss and then move on. The love of Scouting is independent of the immoral actions of a few or the many. Most of us recognize it for what it is but we refuse to despair. B.P. encouraged each of us to "paddle our own canoe". Some believe that people and organizations are perfect but that has not been my experience. FB

I would like to see Disney do a program for a one hour show per week. It would be more for Scouts than adults. The basic setting would be an eight member Patrol meeting in the garage of the P.L. They would start with an old garage full of junk. They would obtain permission to clean it up and to build Patrol furniture. They would struggle choosing their name, song, motto, and flag. They would plan and go on hikes, overnighters, and other fun activities. They would be connected to Troop 1 but we would never see the Troop meeting. The Patrol Leader would go to a P.L.C. and interact with five other P.L.s. Problems would occur among the Patrol members and discipline would be meted out accordingly and by the Book. The SM would be around occasionally and so would M.C.'s and/or adults to help with the support systems. The patrol would even plan to go to Philmont for a five segment special, two days per hour. Scouts would teach other Scouts how to tie knots, pack for camp and use proper safety precautions. One day while cleaning out the garage the Patrol discovers an old book and finds that they had an indirect linage (history) with another Patrol years before. One of their Grandfathers was the PL of a patrol of the same name in the fifties. They invite Gramps to retell some stories from the good ol days for one meeting. This meeting becomes a "flash back' to a time of excitement and wonder for Scouts. Several segments are spent in retelling how the old Patrol had used that very garage for many different activities. One of Gramps brothers was the Patrol Historian and it was him who had written the diary. There were also pictures (that turn into shows) of distant times and places. This leads the Patrol on to communicate with Gramps Brother after they find him. They hear that the brother had been to the 1950 Jamboree and had written a book with several other Scouts about their experiences. Several more segments take the Scouts into the Jamboree. Of course they meet some of the other authors and this leads their investigation right on back to 1910. FB

There is a problem Houston. It is big, dumb and silly. We want you to be aware because it is on the lose. It is hard to believe that this incident involved people over the age of two and I am not talking about the people that took the cars. FB

A. A person is considered correct/safe when abiding by the stated limits set by the rules of the authorities in all situations. Problems arise when the situation defies the logic of the rule and the individual believes that he/she must confront an unknown. Another set of problems arise when the individual is asked to do something by an authority that may or may not appear to be risky behavior, meaning the individual has a question about the validity of the request. There are also problems when a known rule is in direct conflict with a strong belief. When a person uses reason regarding a rule, a guideline, or a law; one uses abstract reasoning and judgment. This is an individualized and varied aptitude that is not wholly dependent upon age, maturity or intelligence. In other words, given a situation, given the emotional intensity of the situation, given one's overall ability to reason and judge an answer to an unknown, the resulting answer may or may not be valid or acceptable but attempting to use the process may be thought to have value given the situation. B. Situational analysis for an unknown is as important to understand as it is to know and follow the rules. Problems arise because of a lack of aptitude, thus making knowing the rules have precedence.

Hunt, You bring up a good point about the written expression, "He is a piece of work". I have heard it used on TV and a few times by people I know but not often. I have seen it written in this Forum as a way to express frustration with another individual's responses. It did not appear to be outright anger or a muted expletive but more exasperation with the tone or tenor one used in expressing their opinion. The phrase has enough shading to it that it has meaning only to the one using it rather than the one receiving it. It is possible to understand it positively or negatively. Body language and the effective use of one's mouth give it a twist with a definitive meaning but even then, the receiver might take it as a way to express a shared joke about one's manner. If one were to use the phrase here and then go on to explain how the writer feels in detail, then it would get to the point. I believe that since it is not clearly understood, the writer is most likely is trying to avoid confrontation by allowing the reader to take it as a positive or a gentle nudge but is hoping that other readers will understand the underlying message. It then becomes a subtle joke. This has nothing to do with this column but I don't have the energy to spin-off right now. FB