Fuzzy Bear

On Lameness and Greatness, The decision was made to go to one particular camp because the program fit the troop's needs and the camp belonged to the Council but there was limited Scout involvement in the vote. The Scouts obtained the vote for the next year and planned to go to a Camp one of the guys had attended about three years in the past in a separate Council. He had been eleven at the time. He told everyone about the wonders of the camp. The vote carried and the registration began. Upon returning that year, the guys complained bitterly that the camp didn't offer them anything, was poor in resources and assistance. They decided that they would return to our Council's camp for the next year. The best choice was when the Scouts made it to the wrong camp. They learned the most about leadership. They began to choose more carefully and wanted an inspection before leaping. They found out that the words from a Scout that had been eleven when making judgments about a camp is not the same as one that is fourteen. The adults learned more about keeping good ideas to themselves so the Scouts would learn more about being good leaders. So, the leaders best choice was the second one which was to allow the Scouts to choose for themselves. By taking the vote away, no matter how subtlety, the leaders allowed little room for improvement. from the Confessions of a really Bad Leader,

Boys are not given the duty to decide on the uniform. The uniform has already been decided on and we have agreed to abide by that code of dress. The reason for calling it a uniform is that we are attempting to demonstrate that we are similar to each other in our ideals and different from those that do not abide by the same kind of ideals. The uniform is a statement of purpose. It says that a boy has made a conscious decision to become a Scout. He has taken an Oath that he will live within certain boundaries and part of those boundaries is the type of dress code he chooses. As leaders, we are there to support those decisions and to assist the Scout in reaching those goals, including uniforming. I do not see any of the methods of Scouting as small and/or incidental but each as important aspects of the program which has as its' goals of character development, citizenship development and physical fitness, all worthy attainments. FB

The 'boy inside the uniform is the most important part of Scouting' is consistent with everything else that we do and say. The uniform is secondary and should be unimportant is only one assumption. It could be understood differently. The boy is first and the uniform is secondary but there is a uniform. If the boy does not have a full uniform because of economic problems, then learning about budgeting, earning your own way, getting a part-time job all become important but is always secondary to the boy. Establishing a uniform bank or seeking alternative ways of uniforming Scouts can be an important part of the committee function to support the boys. It is not the main role of the committee but is secondary, the boys are always primary to all aspects of program support but there is program support. Wearing the uniform is important but foremost is the Scout inside the properly worn full uniform is another view. Why are the Scouts more important than the uniform? They have the greatest value. They cannot be replaced in any way. They are primary to any method of Scouting. The most important method of Scouting is the Outdoors program. The Outdoors program has limits, as we know in the Guide to Safe Scouting, the reason? The boy is important but his safety is paramount. Do Scouts still get hurt and/or die from our activities, yes but we do not end the Outdoors program. We find out what went wrong and attempt to find the proper safety measures for the future. We don't throw out the method simply because it is secondary to the very reason for Scouting, the boy. FB(This message has been edited by Fuzzy Bear)

I personally don't wear any of my patches from youth other than the square knots. I wouldn't discourage anyone from doing so as long as it is done correctly, like the Philmont bull on the red jacket and the Philmont Arrowhead with the uniform and the red vest with whatever. It might be good advertisement, so advertise. I prefer the guided discovery. There are so many unique and wonderful things in Scouting. I love being a part of growth experiences, so that when "it" is discovered, it is as if it were for the first time. FB

KA6BSA, I looked at their site but could not determine the size of the camp. It looked like a regular Scout Camp and program. I might have overlooked something or they might not have communicated the specifics that would make it a National destination. FB

Have an active PLC. Have adult support for the meetings and campouts. Have an active committee that supports the program. The Scouts decide on a twelve month proposal of themes and campouts that are within the adult's abilities to support the proposal. It can be any combination of unit to Council activities. (*require Good Turns and Fund Raisers as well as something for the CO.) The committee votes on the proposed calendar and may give further input/changes before it is finalized. The PLC reviews the changes and opts for revision and/or discussion. The calendar is then voted on, set, and published. Meetings are defined by the theme and the ensuing monthly event. The meetings are also events and should be treated as such. It takes allot of adult support to have and active, interesting overall program. It takes boy leadership to new heights in planning and execution. I do not support pie being thrown in one's face. I like eating it one slice at a time. It should be cooked in a Dutch oven and eaten with milk and or coffee. This method is much more rewarding, as most leaders generally know. An active program has its' own rewards for Scouts and adults. FB

My Father was the CM of a unit in an elementary school that was next to a university. The campus buildings were big and impressive. My brother walked with me across part of the campus on the way to a couple of meetings. I was five and my brother was 10 and a Lion CS. In the early Spring and for this one meeting, my Dad had devised a "Turtle Race" game. He had cut out wood figures in the shape of turtles that were ten inches in length and seven inches in width. He used thumb tacks with plastic heads that were stuck in the feet of the turtles to cushion the feet and to give the turtles traction. A hole was drilled in the head of each turtle where a long string was inserted. One end of the string was tied to a heavy object across the Start line and the other end was given to a Scout at the Finish line. On the Ready Go signal, the Scout would pull then loosen the string while the turtle would raise and lower, thus creeping along the length of string toward the finish line and the Scout. It was a fun race and everyone enjoyed it. My Dad raced the turtles with me once at the end of the meeting. Several years ago, I was cleaning my Dad's house to sell after he had died; my Mother had died a few years earlier. I found the turtles in a box in the attic. Most likely the turtles had been used very few times, probably just that once. I found my Brother's Lion book with my parent's signatures. I found the old copied Pow Wow books that had begun to decay that my Dad had used to pattern the turtle race for that event. These items are now part of a Scout collection I keep that has grown over the years. I value those turtles, moreover, I am thankful for the good times that my Dad shared with me. FB

Some SM's face a similar problem and it usually is with Scouts that the SM hasn't "raised". Several years ago, I took over as SM of an established Troop. The last SM left me with a few Scouts that were decidedly going to continue doing things as in the past instead of abiding by a few rules that I felt to be important. I didn't see it coming and of course reacted like an idiot. Some of the parents that had been with me for a while took me aside and guided me back to sanity. They also helped the Scout and they did a wonderful job. Here is what I learned. Scouts that I had raised knew that we agreed that this is a program that you voluntarily decide to abide by the Scout Oath and Law. We had gone over the meanings of the Oath and Law point by point and Scout by Scout over a long period of time. Most of these Scouts had parents that had slowly become part of the program and they also bought into it. So when we had trouble, the sane ones helped the crazy ones back to normalcy. As the Troop grew, so did the parent support base and so did the expectations of the Scouts in the program. We all agreed and understood that it was the Scout Oath and Law that came first. When a problem occurred, I expected the Scouts themselves to help each other with finding the right direction and if they didn't, then the committee or their trusty old SM would show them the right way. My job became just that, orienting new Scouts and parents to the Scout Oath and Law (and doing it over many more times with some). The older Scouts ran the Troop with gentle guidance of the ASM's and with the support of a great committee. And yes, we had PLC's and calendars and planning and all of the rest. Handling problems became easier because of the basic direction we all had agreed on from the beginning. Now did the Scouts continue having problems, sure. Did I still have problems, sure but the group and our direction was always the foundation that supported each other and that gave us strength. FB

Well, come on! Paint us a word picture. Take out your colorful palate of adjectives and verbs and let us hear a really good story of a remarkable camp that now rests in hearts of so many. It is winter so you have got the time. I want to hear. FB

Cookie, Cookie, lend me your comb! and A little dab will do you! by the way, I first used some type of red colored liquid that smelled a little like roses and then I used butch hair wax on my flat top and later Brylcream on my short duck tails and even later, nothing at all on my hair to my shoulders. (Boy, the changes I went through!) BP, the Sea Scout uniforms were the very best. A couple of years ago, I picked up a set of Sea Scout Whites from a yard sell. I always wanted to be a Sea Scout but never had the opportunity. I can tell that you liked the uniforms. The Sea Scout Blues, I guess crackerjacks for the kid on the crackerjack box, still are above and beyond. FB

If not rocking the boat was your goal then you up righted it using another method, the book. Using the book has great value because it really has been written with experience, not just with words. You said that OJ's Pack had been lucky to find the Right Leaders. Most likely your use of the word luck was a modest way of saying that Just Regular People got serious about having real fun and the Pack prospered. Using the word luck also means that those Really Good Leaders enjoyed each other's company and tried hard to do their best on a regular basis. Luck also says that events like planning sessions and coffee meetings and Sunday afternoon get togethers won't always happen. Luck says that it happened in the past and it ought to happen again but only with Very Special Leaders, just like before. It appears that you are still doing it today. Maybe with more of that luck it won't go away at least not with the kind of Leadership you provide to so many Friends. FB

OGE, Patrol Insignia was not mentioned or I left it off without thinking about it, same difference. (*I knew there would be something, always!) Each patrol would stencil/silk screen their patrol emblem on the front of the Tee-shirt. Across the back would be the name of the business that sponsors them with an American flag. The Troop number should be stenciled below the patrol emblem on the front. Extra money would be brought in from the sponsor for purchasing patrol equipment. Patrols flags would then be pretty fancy. By the way, jeans should be bought longer than needed and rolled up, so as the Scout grows, so does his pants which will last a long, long time. When they do wear out in the knees, then they can make Summer Camp shorts. You are so right about rolling up a First aid kit in the short sleeve of the Tee. Why didn't I think of that? They'll probably put cigs in the kit anyway. (*A Scout is always prepared.) FB

My newly designed uniform would be blue jeans (no baggies) and a white tee shirt. A vest for patches would be added for Class A wear. Troop decides on choice of hats and belts. The vest could not be purchased. The instructions for making it would be posted on the internet. Class B uniform would be a Troop designed emblem on any color of Tee-shirt with the remainder of the Class A wear, excluding the vest. Shoes and socks would be the individual's choice. The Scout Handbook and all literature could be downloaded for free. Money would then be available to purchase camping equipment, the real desire of most Scouts. FB

I have a pile of books about WW2 that I read periodically to try and find answers about the war. I have taken allot of notes to try and make sense of it. The main question has been about the person responsible. I believe that he was full of himself and crazy but smart and insightful. He truly underestimated his enemy. I would love to write about the victors and their actions as if I could express it in a picture. There were people in it bigger than life itself that surfaced with answers to problems during the worst of times. It was horrible, yet there was a triumph over evil that should be heard from now on. If we forget, we deserve our fate. Take time to remember. Take time to read. I promise you will not be sorry for giving a tribute of time to know more about it. FB

In response to foto, In 100% of the cases over a period of many years, I never once bothered to ask the CO for any recruits because I always believed them to be totally disconnected and too busy. When I first began to timidly ask our CO if there were any former Scouts or Scouters in their organization (Note: this was really done out of desperation), I found one and then two and then a whole bunch. One volunteered to be our CC that literally saved my bacon when things looked terminal on several occasions. My point is to first ask and then to visit. Try hard not to believe there is a dead end when you have not traveled the whole street first. The program can work. The program does not work all of the time. The program is not perfect but it is very good. Kate Brown's Law: If this world were truly rational, men would ride side saddle and there would not be a metal bar running from the handle bars to the seat on a men's bicycle. FB

I strongly support Selecting Leaders as the BSA has stated in its literature. Cornering people, twisting arms, begging, threatening are all techniques that give the individual little room for an informed choice. Can those techniques work? Yes, and Yes I have used them in the past and sometimes with success. I do not support using them now because I would rather work with a group of people that enjoy their pastime, so I prefer that the unit dissolve than to give people only forced choices. (NOTE: The last part of this statement is not popular with the BSA but if you give people real choices, there is a chance they will say no. I have made a decision to accept both answers (*yes and no). Note/Note-This method has taken me into some interesting places.) By using the Selection process, you now have an extensive list of support for helping to find people and to make a very long list of possible candidates. This makes it easier and you may find some people that make a choice (to have fun). On "owning a unit", I am wrong about the District owning the unit. Thank you Eamonn for the correction. I am not sure what happened to my thinking processes. It was most likely an abstraction that slipped in unawares. My idea of ownership comes from the duties of the District volunteers that give SUPPORT to Chartering Organizations in running their program. One of those duties can be assistance in helping in the process of (recruiting) Selecting Volunteers to run a unit. The CO still approves each of those Selected Leaders. The District volunteers do not approve but can assist in the recruiting. Post note: Here is another reason for using the BSA Selection process. I am presently working with several District Leaders that are taking over the jobs of the retiring Unit volunteers instead of trying any of proven method of recruitment. I am not clear about what method they are using. It may be Setting the Example but I do not advocate using this method either. Some of the District people are now wearing several hats, thank the Lord for the cheap hat column recently written right here in this forum. I stand firm until the next correction. FB (This message has been edited by Fuzzy Bear)(This message has been edited by Fuzzy Bear)

Yes, so many times that it is no longer unpleasant. Here are some suggestions that I believe to be important: The Titanic is sinking so.... *Remember you are not the Captain and you are not responsible for the iceberg incident. Why- The Chartering Organization is the owner. The Unit belongs to them and the District. Others now have the responsibility for the problem- The Chartered Organization's Representative and the Unit Commissioner or her/his boss the Assistant District Commissioner and/or his/her boss the District Commissioner and/or his/her partner, the District Membership Chairperson and/or everyone's best friend, the District Executive. 1. Now, find the other survivors. Why-people are more likely to join a group than being with the last one to go under. There might be other ADL's, DL's, Committee members, etc.-anybody that is left afloat. 2. It is not your responsibility to go under either, so don't act like it. Why- people tend to shy away or run from a disaster and for good reason. What to do-Communicate with the above listed people to make them aware of the situation. Why- People are in Scouting because they love to drink coffee and wear red jackets and because they love to help and they enjoy the company of others like them. 3. Form a group to recruit more people to be a part of something that is absolutely the most enjoyable hobby anywhere. 4. Work with the group to form a list of possible candidates and then work the list, starting with the best choice and work to the bottom of the list. Also start with the most critical jobs first. 5. Take your time and visit with each person and their family. Let them know the truth about the job-their duties. Also add the thing about it being fun and all. 6. Everyone is recruited for one year only. This allows some off the hook because most can survive one year of fun. 6. Oh yea, where does the list come from? The CO should have the most. The District people might have some. The survivors will know a few. Every Scout left has family members and their family might be an extended family. 7. So, this can be your new responsibility instead of taking on another full time Scouting job. It is time limited because recharter might be coming up and if the unit is to continue, then it needs these basic leaders. 8. What happens if none of this works? Look for another unit. You will have done your best to make it happen without taking over. Your wife will be happier and your son will miss the old Pack but he will later be moving on into Boy Scouting, as professed by the Old Pack. 9. Others will not be too happy that their unit sunk. It was their responsibility and duty to make it happen. Your primary responsibility was to your Den, as you originally promised. FB

It is difficult to pick one from either my youth or my adulthood. I was elected permanent Patrol Leader of my Philmont patrol. It was an award/position with an emotional message for me. I occasionally see some of the group and there is instant recall and sharing of the few days we spent in God's country together, which now is 40 years past. As far as my adult Scouting experiences, I choose Scoutmaster. I spent several years watching and working with a group of Scouts that grew up in the program with me along with a large group of active parents. I have shared a few of the stories about them here in this forum. I now have several large files of other stories that seem to flow out of my hands from reflections of a unique and wonderful experience. FB

I can't explain in numbers my love for the Scouting program and my total enjoyment of being a part of the lives of some of the best Scouts in history. I didn't always think so but they finally convinced me. I apologize for my doubts. FB

I am proud to be a Scouter and the OA is part of it. A special part of it. FB

Highest Awards as a Scout: Lion/Arrow of Light (Webelos) Perfect Attendance for 4 years Eagle Scout God and Country Award Vigil Honor presently: Unit Commissioner

I don't have the answer to the rules and the regulations question but I have done quite well over the almost 50 years I have been associated with Scouting with my ignorance of most (not all) of them. I fully expect to continue:) My question has to do with the below mentioned games. Does any Scouting group out there challenge their Scouts with this much fun? " 1. Look into five successive shop windows, one minute at each. Then write down the contents of, say, the 2nd and 4th from memory. 2. Look at six passers-by and describe from memory, say, the 2nd, 3rd and 5th, and what you reckon them and their business to be. 3. Remember the numbers of the first two cabs that pass, and presently write them down from memory. 4. Describe the compass-direction of certain streets, landmarks, etc., by the sun; or, if dull weather, 'box the compass'. 5. Read tracks and their meaning - if in the country (or park) send someone out to make a fairly clear track (using walking stick, etc.). Each boy tracking for a few minutes in turn, or till he fails. 6. The instructor lays a 'paper chase' (in town or country), not with paper but with small signs such as buttons, bits of cloth, card, et., all of one color, some on the ground, some on bushes, trees, etc., to make the boys use their eyes. (Objects all of one color to be used to prevent confusion with ordinary rubbish.) Boys follow the track, each one being given the lead in turn for four or five minutes or till he fails. 7. Lay two fires and light them, using two matches only. 8. Cook lb. flour and two potatoes without the help of cooking utensils. 9. Draw a sketch of the (your National Flag) correctly. 10. Scouting race. Instructor stations three individuals or groups, each group differently clothed as far as possible, and carrying different articles (such as stick, bundle, paper, etc.), at distances from 300 to 1,200 yards from starting-point. If there are other people about, these groups might be told to kneel on one knee, or take some such attitude to distinguish them from passers-by. He makes out a circular course of three points for the competitors to run, say, about a quarter mile, with a few jumps if possible. The competitors start and run to No. 1 point. Here the umpire tells them the compass direction of the group they have to report on. Each competitor on seeing this group writes a report showing: 1. How many in the group. 2. How clothed or how distinguishable. 3. Position as regards any landmark near them. 4. Distance from his own position. He then runs to the next point and repeats the same on another group, and so on; and finally he runs with his report to the winning-post." These were suggested by B.P. in the 'Brigade Gazette' in 1906. Jolly and Simple, FB

These are your words verbatim; please check what you have written. FB "While many of your facts are accurate one for certain is not. I did not at any time say that Seton hired West." "Where do you get this stuff from Fuzzy? It was Seton who hired West, I never said they were unecessary in fact quite the opposite I said the were "important". But are they heros? That depends on your personal definition. They were the right people to do their job at the right time. Historic? I would say historical. the man who has more to do with the spirit of the BSA program today is arguably William Hillcourt. What any of this has to do with the topic of the thread is beyond me."

FBs statement- Boyce brought Scouting and Powell to America. Boyce brought Seton and Beard together from two different youth groups to start the BSA. He then hired West and West later got rid of Boyce and Seton. BWs statement- It was Seton that hired West I apologize for not checking all of my facts before writing. I have included my corrections. BWs statement- It was Seton that hired West. Partially correct. He was one of a 35 member board that hired West. FB stated that Boyce hired Seton. Partially correct. Boyce was also on the same board. FBs timeline was too short and didnt include some other Heroes. Reason for entry: I have long regarded the founders of Scouting as "Heroes". When a person discredits their worth based on the disagreements they had, then I would like to point that individual to the complete body of works to reconsider such a statement. I have included a short version. W.D. Boyce owned the name "Boy Scouts of America"-Spring of 1910. (Note: This fact was later to become very important in the fight for recognition of the BSA.) He asked for and received help from W.M. Robinson of the YMCA and two others (i.e., Dr. Doggett and J.A. Van Dis) from the YMCA to establish the program. W.M. Robinson became the first Chief Scout Executive. Boyce supplied $1,000 per month and $4,000 by the end of the year (i.e, about a half a million by today's standards) to run the new organization. (Note-this money was essential at the time to remain solvent.) It was Robinson that brought Seton into the program, not Boyce as I wrongly stated. Seton became the first Chief Scout and wrote the first Scout manual (i.e., a combination of his and B.P.'s work) and then Dan Beard objected to Setons claim of founding the Boy Scout program. Beard had coined the term Boy Scout pre-B.P. and pointed out that Seton had interviewed him (Beard) and then used the term in his new publication as his own. The new National BSA Council with 35 members hired James E. West. It was not the work of Seton alone, as BW stated (so partial credit is given for BW's 1/35 correct answer, mine was 1/35 correct also, so he and I must get our answers from about the same sources.) Seton, Boyce and Beard were all part of the 35 member board that hired West. It was said that Ralph Waldo Emerson's statement, "An institution is the lengthened shadow of one man", proclaims the accomplishments of James E. West's work for the BSA over the first 32 years he served. It was B.P. at a banquet in N.Y. that gave credit to Seton and Beard as being the founders of Scouting and saying the he, B.P. was only one of the uncles. B.P. brought the military ideas, Seton the thinking of the Indians, and Beard the terms of the Knights of the Buckskin. "All three streams converged in Boy Scouting in America." Robinson then proclaimed B.P. as the real founder of Scouting throughout the world. We still see the legacy of all three today in the BSA. That is worth more than a simple historical footnote of "necessity", moreover, it was something that brings me to the conclusion of Hero(es). (*yes, this is my perspective that is part of my claim to knowing some truth in this life and I am willing to share some of it here.) Second reason for my entry: People disagree all of the time on all kinds of issues. Scientists daily disagree on the validity of all kinds of truths. Theologians disagree frequently on all kinds of ultimate answers of faith. Scouts disagree on how they should approach their leadership positions. Leaders disagree on how they should do thier part of the Scouting program. Some disagreements are minor and some are major but disagreement is a normal part of growth and should be respected as such. None of us have a corner on all of the truths of Scouting or anything else, as evidenced on a regular basis in this forum. It is my hope that we can learn from each other in a way that encourages growth, especially in the area of friendliness. I also believe that there are innumerable Heroes in this forum and in Scouting today. BW, I would like to think of you as one of them. I know that I appreciate your many insights and knowledge, even when I disagree. Hopefully your work reflects much of what you say so I am going to believe it. Heroes, not Saints, are those that have taken only one step beyond that which is the ordinary life, others have taken many more. Fuzzy Respectfully, FB

Boyce brought Scouting and Powell to America. Boyce brought Seton and Beard together from two different youth groups to start the BSA. He then hired West and West later got rid of Boyce and Seton. All of them had their differences of opinion, as we have differences in this forum on a regular basis. These were strong individuals with very good ideas and they each individually left a body of work worth knowing about. To say that any of these historical figures were less than heroes and that they were unnecessary for Scouting to progress is absurd and objectionable. If having an opinion that is different or having a dispute with another person disqualifies a person from being a hero, then history and the present day will exist without one.