Fuzzy Bear

Wingnut, By the way, I wear the full uniform and encourage everyone to do so. I simply have a personal opinion. This site allows people to express their personal opinion, which I feel is very good. When we have those that believe that their personal opinion is the only truth, then there is not much need for the rabble to speak out. When we have the champion of truth stomping on everyone's fallacies, then people will shut down. I find that to be the worst kind of truth. My opinion again, FB

One Hour, The answer to your first question is NO and don't bother. FB

Just ask your D.E.

I drove through a town the other day that had three houses and two churches. A third church was advertised on the way out of town down a side road. There wasn't even a school or or firehouse. I suppose another list is in order.

I would wager a pint that even a Scotsmen has an opinion.

Ask the Scouts to Plan, ask for the Committee's approval and support or revise, carry out the plan, evaluate the activity. Failure breeds success. Real planning teaches an understanding of Real responsibility and is Real fun. FB

I am sure that driving explosives would be a welcome relief and should be done as soon as possible so as to keep a steady hand. FB

Wingnut, Opinion has everything to do with this site and always has. I wouldn't get too excited about the Troops running over the hill shouting, "Facts, Facts". We have heard it all before and it has made little impression on anyone. All the Facts will get to sounding very hollow pretty quickly and people will discontinue sharing their opinions. That is sad because we have had a good run of peace for a while. FB

The Uniform is a Method. Pants cost $50.00. they look bad, they fit badly, are made of low grade material, and last a short period of time. The shirt costs $50.00 looks bad, is for inside use, easily ripped, This method may be a way to increase revenues. This method may be a way to increase awareness of the economic level one needs to be in the program. This method may be a way to limit the growth of the program. This method may be a way to limit the retention rate. This method may be the foundation for a bad ad campaign. This method may be a way to limit the actual use of the method itself. Just thinking, FB

Welcome Baden, I hope you find a home here. We do have our moments in heated debate but then there is enough wisdom and knowledge to cover most of that over. FB

I guess since we can repeat certain topics, I can repeat stories also... At one District Camporee after the Troop had gone to bed and the lights had been extinguished, I walked over to Windy Point near our camp to watch the stars and contemplate the day. As I neared the point, I noticed the outline of another person standing there doing the very thing that I had in my mind. All of a sudden I knew who it was; it was Lew, the other SM in our District. He wasn't just any SM but the Other One. He had been around for a long time and he had a very successful unit. They were mainly a backpacking group that emphasized the individual rather than the patrol. I used to think that we were in competition but after a while, I understood that we were more in league together, rather than against each other. We never spoke of it but we both knew it and for the life of me, I can't tell you how. I was unsure about this meeting so I started by apologizing for interrupting. He just simply picked up the conversation as if it had been a minute ago when we had left off. We had never spoken much before but this round was very natural. He noted that both of us had successful programs and that we had more or less taken all of the Webelos for the last few years between our two units from across the District. He didn't analyze how each of us had done it but just stated it as fact. I knew that our Troop was as active as his. We had Patrols, we had boy leadership and planning. We had all kinds of camping experiences, including some backpacking. Our programs were fairly unique but somehow our Units appealed to allot of Scouts. Both of our units also kept Scouts. We had ASM's that actively recruited from Webelos Dens. We both were active in counseling boys and making the Scout program meaningful. When there was a problem, we had a Committee that took care of the problem. We both had parents that were active and took on projects. I could go on and on with the many comparisons. I think that mostly we both made the Scouts responsible for the Troop and the program. We both knew how to stand back and observe and intervene at critical moments. The conversation lasted for only a few minutes and the reality of it was that we didn't speak much. We were both kind of happy with what we were doing and how we had done it. We both used the Scouting program and it worked. It wasn't glossy ads or slick media presentations or certain badges. It was just simply the program. It really is a great program and when we engage it, it works. Both of us walked slowly back to our camps. It was the last time we actually spoke. He seems to still be standing there on Windy Point in my imagination. I want to walk over and thank him because without him knowing it, he taught me many things even from a distance. FB

The BSA can adapt to change. There are many more churches and sponsors than schools. It will simply take a while longer to open the doors. Plenty of people in the communities want Scouting and are willing to help. This is just a bump in the road. FB

Dug, Your comment about the inch and the mile appears to mean that I do not trust Scouts. If by not trusting Scouts, you mean that I work with adults as well as Scouts, then your point might have some validity. The program is set up to bring Scouts and adults together by association. That means that the adults are role models that younger guys can look up to and copy. The BOR is one place where that happens and it is very effective. Let's take it from the other direction. Do adults belong in this program at all? Historically, this program was based on that very idea that they should belong. Three leaders from different parts of the world and different parts of the country found that young men needed guidance. They each established programs where boys could learn how to effectively grow into young men. When they brought their programs under the umbrella of the Boy Scouts, it was a point that they all agreed on. Let's take it back to the present date. Are adults still important in helping boys learn the skills to grow into young men? Since I work daily with young people and see hundreds throughout the year, my answer is that it is more important today than ever. There are too many other programs that compete for young people's time that are contrary to Scouting principles and that are easy to consume without any guidance at all. Having good role models is very helpful and necessary to make a difference. Now, should the program be boy led? Sure Should the committee/Adults have input on those plans to be able to support that program? Sure Do we want boys to learn leadership? Sure, from the start. They do not always make good choices but then that is part of learning leadership. I trust Scouts and let them make many decisions even when I know better. Do I let them make decisions that will get them hurt? Heck no. As a SM, it was my job to teach leadership skills and I did new Scout/parent orientation. Our Scouts ran the program while I was doing my job. ASM's had their support jobs but the program and leadership was for the Scouts. The adults were in the background giving any support needed. I wish I could bring some of the young men before you right now and let them testify of the trust shown in them. Some of the stories are pretty funny. Many of the young men have since gone on to take over the Unit, excel in school, excel in work, and have families of their own. I am proud to have assisted them on part of their journey. I was also a SM during the time we had BOR's from TFT through 1st Class with Scouts in charge. I felt that they did an adequate job and I did not interfere. There was an occasional problem but we generally worked it out. When the duties changed, we changed. Was it difficult to change, yes but we accepted it. How did we come to accept the change? In a large unit, there are plenty of duties to go around. Everyone is working hard to do their job. We evaluated every event and job. If there was something that needed changing, it was pointed out and generally most listened to those recommendations and many even echoed them. Change was a part of what we did and we built on it. I grew immeasurably from knowing those young men. FB

As for the problem presented, the BSA has never been on a "witch hunt" and should not be quick to pull the plug because the legal system works both directions. People should never be considered to be guilty until proven innocent. The Police cannot be called into action because someone thinks something might happen or will happen. There needs to be some kind of proof or evidence first. I have yet to see a written record that stated all of the facts until everything had been presented and then the facts are generally targeted for editorial reasons. In other words, most articles one reads have some facts and leave others out. Try this on any one day using two different newspapers with two different reporters for one event. The next thing is to follow a story over a period of time. The facts tend to grow with time or with the number of reporters. It appears that someone is always covering up the truth but in reality someone is reporting from their perspective. Calling on one story from the Internet is a good example. Who is writing the story and what is their perspective, agenda? We can be looking at the truth and analyzing what we think is correct information but in reality it is only one perspective given from a distance. When we try things in the press, it is best to wait and gather facts over a period of time. Most likely we will change our minds. While all of this is going on, sometimes innocent children may be hurt and that makes it even worse. FB

KS, I know, I should have spent more time on it but it just poured out of my finger-tips like water. And no you cannot join my unit because I know how well you do things in your unit. It is like being in the same unit but miles apart. We will just keep each other in mind with a smile. 5570, I'm glad for you. You will save time and energy. The other great thing is what Torv said about adapting the Helps as a launch pad for a great program. Time to blast off! FB

The BSA has already put the Checks and Balances in place and your group has taken them out. Working with Scouts and other adults means that you do have faith in all of the others that you work with and not just a few. When a person works with many adults and Scouts and has faith in their work, it takes away the oppression and bullying that you speak of and want to label others with to defend your own method of Scouting. FB

One more time: Good program is the draw. Fliers might attract a few but what gets them and keeps them is good program. Our Troop was one of the two top units in the District. Our yearly recruitment push consisted of telling the Scouts, "if you like what you are doing and you are proud of it, then tell others and invite them". They did and it worked. We had a boy run, year-round program that had great support from parents and committee members. I spent most of my time each Scout meeting every week of the year orienting new Scouts and parents. Our CO was a Church and we showed up on Scout Sunday. When asked if anyone had been involved in the Scouting program over half of the congregation stood up. Many were on our Committee or parents of Scouts. Dinking around sending out fliers at schools is a waist of time. Training Scouts and Scouters and insuring quality program is a much better way to advertise. Drawing pretty pictures and making promises are miles away from delivering the goods and the boys know it. IMHO, FB

Maybe we should start a new topic. If the earring is not removed, it will grow over an make a large ulcerous lump that will need to be periodically lanced by a knowledgeable professional. I knew one Scout that had just such a growth and was unaware of the need to have timely intervention. His whole head puffed up and he wound up on one of those shows where they get several medical types to remake him. He now looks presentable and did well on his last BOR. Hardly anyone noticed. FB

I have seen the One Man Show and Den Leaders that won't Go but I tell you what a Pack Committee that uses the Helps will save time and effort and things will flow, flow, flow. It is like building a Rocket. Don't remake the math Don't start from scratch. Use what we already know. Build it on solid planning and your Den and Pack will fly, go, and grow. Sorry, sometimes a poem is just too inviting. FB

Dug, Two words, Adult Association, 8 methods, not 7. Your Council "doesn't disapprove" means that they have not approved what you are doing and that they are patiently waiting. The Scouting program works and when a group strays too far, it is only a matter of time. Most of us have dealt with units that can say, "I did it my way". I do not apologize for being BTB. FB

Bamboo makes a good starter kit for tripods and flag poles. You could make smaller field kitchens and towel and pot holders out of them. You can use smaller size rope to do the lashing. If you bound three poles togetherwith lightweight rope or duct tape, they might be strong enough for more load support for larger projects. Bamboo is lightweight but has strength and can be stored outside. Length and load support are the limitations. FB

Light the corner where you stand. If your old Troop goes under, it is not the same as you and your memories going under. It is the way of Scouting or any other entity. Everything dies. What can you do to make something happen so you can return to others what was given to you though Scouting is a better perspective. As long as you have life, you can return many times over the experience given to you. If you have intentionally returned to your unit, then get trained and use that training. Do your best to help and if it still goes under, try another unit. The unit numbers do not matter. FB

Whzt about Dunn Good R Dunn real good. Then thers Dunn gone. Gone and dunn it. Brooks and Dunn, Faye Dunnaway Dunn stopped. Ain't dunn yet. If I'd my way, I'd dunn it diffrnt. Elvis, "I dunn it mi way". Mi way R the hiway The job ain't dunn til the lady sings r song. Stick me with a fork, I thnk im dunn. Could this humor be considerd offensive to Rednecks? Humor should be outlawed and laughter be considerd a form of subversion. FB(This message has been edited by Fuzzy Bear)

Yes, I would go for a WB axe in the ear. How did you know? FB

The Top Ten is a spoof based on a late night TV show Fixing Scouting is frequently being done and talked about. Most of the time fixing it has more to do with just simply doing the program as it is and how we are trained to do it rather than changing it. It is a very good program. FB