Fuzzy Bear

Once upona time, National had a gray leather-like trophy hide they issued. It was in the shape of a skinned cow but only about 18 inches wide and 24 inches long. My Mom sewed all of my Scout patches on it at an odd angle but parallel to each other. A few years later, perfectionism got the best of me and I ripped them off. I was going to sew them at the best of all possible angles when I discovered that sewing them took a good machine and very good skill. Since that discovery, my display urges have taken a backseat to other projects needing lesser abilities. I have thought of other ways to display my patches. One way would be to use a large scrapbook. One was to build a bookcase to put them in and face it with glass. Another way was to use Scout uniform like material to sew them on and put them under a large glass picture frame. I have never liked the red vest. I also don't like the trophy blanket. I am not sure of the reasons. The best ones I can think of is that some of the patches are rare and should be treated with care. Also, the patches represent a person's trail through Scouting and should be presented in a way that tells a story that makes sense. I believe that Scouting gives us a unique opportunity to learn and enjoy many things. I want to be able to share some of those things beyond my lifetime. Hopefully, some of those stories/displays will be passed on to my children and their children. I purchased a box of papers from a Scouter about three years ago. I was excited to see all of the old certificates of appreciation and advancement and National Recognitions for training from this gentleman that had died. What I saw was a history of a Scouter over many decades. I really wanted to know more about him because he loved and lived Scouting. There was a story, a good one but he had failed to fill in the blanks and he didn't know how to pass it on. Our life belongs to us but we should not fail to let others know about some of the high points. I was in a class several years ago and the assignment was to write what we wanted on our headstones when we died. I now understand the reason that writing just a few words about the essential me is too little. When we leave, we need to be more than just a few words on a rock because we really are. FB FB

One silent voice rising from the depths of the darkest jungle in the deepest hole in the furthest corner of the globe should suffice. If it doesnt, then the whole multitudes voice spoken in unison from the middle of the largest city from the top of the highest building magnified with the loudest microphone wont make a difference. FB

We cut pi into 8 equal pieces. The Hari Krishnas may chant and dance for the whole game. If they must bloodlet and shave their heads, it should be done on the sideline, instead of on the field. Those behaviors are restricted for the players. FB

A few thoughts after reading everyone's posts. My Dad and Mom showed up at my Eagle COH. Attendance at that one event was their way of showing their active support but then that was in 1964. I appreciated all that they did for me. I simply enjoyed Scouting. Somewhere, I was told that the First Class Emphasis was sparked by a study from National that showed that if a Scout could reach First Class, they would stay with Scouting. I am sure the Executives began running around waving their hands wildly above their heads when they heard the news. It is that kind of deductive reasoning that got people to thinking about how birds fly and how people could do the same. The results of thinking about being up in the air is what creates flying behaviors fell far short of the theory. OGE expressed it best by stating that now leaders think that boys are failures if they don't reach First Class in the first year. So, that is the same proof used when people fell instead of flying. The theory proved them to be a failure. Somebody out there should be able to flap and fly. What was wrong? I still say that good program beats a Royal Straight Flush any day of the week. By the way, it was BW that put me straight about the percentage of Eagles being less than 5%, even with the push to First Class. It was less than 5% even when I made Eagle and I learned Morse Code...---... FOG's assertion that we are pushing is correct but the National figures should be inspected a little more closely for trends. It may be time to set aside the LDS unit figures and look at what the rest of us are really are doing with advancement. It may be that only 1% or 2% make Eagle. It appears that pushing doesn't work or flapping. I agree with OGE about not putting roadblocks in front of Eagle but then program must be first. I think I should define program. Program is a theme with activities. Many activities, exciting activities, activities planned and carried out by the Scouts, activities that are supported by the committee and the parents. Red Feather wants 95% success rate for Eagle. He certainly has a positive attitude. I agree that 95% reaches the threshold of the Eagle Mill analogy. My question is why not push for the 50 mile patch AFLOAT for one year. Every Scout earns the Swimming and Lifesaving merit badges after learning basic swim strokes. Then every Scout learns the Safety Afloat and Safe Swim rules. Then there are several meetings where there are swim meets within the unit and a Troop planned District meet. Everyone earns the First Aid merit Badge and puts together the gear for Safety Afloat. Everyone then earns the Scout Life guard. A couple of the campouts are canoe, safe swim and campout events. Everybody then earns all of the boating badges over a three month period. Then it comes down to having your own Summer Camp on the water where 50 miles are done by canoe, 50 by paddle and 50 by sail. What a year or six month program! I disagree with BadenP about all of the inferior projects. My disagreement stands on lack of evidence either way. On this issue, it needs to be checked, at least, from the District level before we chunk any rocks. I believe we should make a big deal out of a project and have news people out and bring over city officials. This type of exposure would insure a better quality project. Just think if Mom and Pop threw Junior's project together over a couple of days and it was shown on the 6:00 news. It would not be pretty, especially when he has to tell who he lead during the ordeal. acco40- blame it on my Spell Check because it din't find anyting wrong. Eamonn- it is spelled impossible not imposable, the first is a dream and the other is a wasskel. And by the way, whose Eagle is it really? and best of all, KS who said it better than any of us. Goodnight, FB

Whatever happened to the Man of Steele that answered all of our questions when we were lost in the woods? Where oh where is Bob White that answered all of our questions when the Man of Steele went South on us and we were hunkered down trying to find our pants in the dark? What do we do now? I guess we will be forced to finally read. FB

Atomic Tomatoes I entered the high school Science Fair when I was a sixteen. On the weekend prior to the contest, my Mom typed up my fairly short paper on our old Smith-Cornea manual typewriter. It had the proper divisions and headings that explained all about the "work" of growing Atomic tomatoes. I had sent off for tomato seeds that had been exposed to radiation and I had purchased a packet of seeds that were just regular old tomatoes. To obtain the highest points available, I made a backdrop of cardboard and I had stenciled the basic experiment onto, of course, I had started and completed it on the night before the contest, so it was done in short form. A week before the contest, I decided it was high time to plant the seeds. The seedlings, both the experimental and control groups, had sprouted and were barely out of the ground on the night of the great competition. I was given a participants ribbon which I still have to this day. The judges were not greatly impressed with all of my diligent efforts and I and my Atomic tomatoes did not go on to make history. I hope I didnt get a good dose of radiation from my short exposure to those tomatoes. Fuzzy Bear

I have witnessed projects done over a three day weekend with Mom and Dad wildly leading the charge to stamp out 900 widgets and hang them all around town like it was a holiday. Generally, they were an eighth day, 25th hour project done before son turned into a pumpkin at 18. They also took pictures and proclaimed victory for all of the little animals that used them! I was surprised they didn't have a parade for such grand work. FB

I'm sorry but what is really funny is cutting yourself once and thinking it is funny or that you have learned your lesson. Over the years, I have cut myself so many times that the humor and the education has been wasted and washed away with all of the bloodletting. I still hold out hope. I would encourage not teaching knife safety as much as First Aid. FB

Achieving one goal and then stating that you climbed the mountain in record time falls far short of the race. There are mountains in this race and few will ever get close to finishing. Point your Scouts in the direction of the mountains and let them decide which one to climb first and how they want to do it. I agree Scouting comes first, always. Good program is essential and good program brings in to focus the best kind of a badge, a great memory. I have a "badge" from August 1964 at Philmont Scout Ranch when I was 15. We were passing up and over a ridge and there arose this magnificent view beyond with tall trees on each side of the trail where I stood. I looked down at my feet and was awarded the tail of the dead skunk by the woods. I picked it up and put it with my small collection of artifacts that formed the basis to one part of my Scouting journey that I considered remarkable. It seems funny now when I look back on it but the high award I received on that day paled in comparison to the view which I still remember vividly. Fuzzy Bear

Before changing the requirements for Eagle Scout, consider resetting your sights on a different goal. Think for a moment about the type of program that a Scout is in that would "allow" him that rush to Eagle. Was last month's program shallow or deep and what was the last campout like? Was there planning in advance and support services needed to pull it off or did everyone just come in and sit or load up and go? When there is a full program with Scouts planning, communicating, resource(ing), etc, there is plenty of action and loads to see. Nobody needs to explain to a Scout about missing the journey because it will be happening in their own unit and they will be doing the driving. Plus, Eagle is just one of the many exciting goals to be reached. The following are: obtaining the other 90 or so merit badges and Eagle Palms, obtaining their religious award, Snorkeling, Mile Swim, and BSA Lifeguard, World Conservation and the Hornaday award, the 50 miler by canoe and by foot, the work and Honors in the Order of the Arrow, the Paul Bunyan and the Historic Trail awards, the award strip for learning a foreign language, visiting the high adventure bases, planning and staffing a District Event(s), and Saving a Life. NOW that is a larger goal that few can reach by the age of 12 but encourage them to do it and get those pushy parents behind your efforts for all of the Scouts to reach all of these heights as fast as they possibly can. To not do so is to be less than perfect and we all know what that is like. Fuzzy Bear

There really isn't a key at all but don't tell the Junior members. The rumor works doesn't it? You do get the official handshake but wash first. Use the bar of soap in the nylon stocking hung by the washstand so nice and then shake them dry. Now you are a full member! FB

It may have been done for generations and it may be fun but in the immortal word of BW, wrong. FB

PS, A few years ago I dealt with two different cases of Eagle Scouts stealing from others. One ripped off the SM when he went on vacation. He knew the SM was leaving, so off he went to party and wreak havoc, costing about $10,000 in damage. The other ripped off leaders at a Camporee while everyone was at the campfire. I knew both boys which were from different troops. As DC, I was not sure what to do. The first one was court appointed to go to work and pay everything back. The second one had his Grand Dad help him off and was court appointed to go into the Army (*later he was Dishonorably Discharged for similar behavior). This is the kind of thing that takes outside help because of the personal anger that disconnects people from their ability to make good decisions about punishment. In the cases I mentioned, both boys had crossed a line into criminal behavior. The court acted to try to get a balanced initial recompense but Scouting should have done something also. It was not just a random act by somebody outside the circle. Both acts were done by Scouts that had been fully trained and that were trusted by Scouts and Scouters. Taking away their badges is a symbolic gesture but one that puts a notch deep enough to last a lifetime. FB

GKM, Thanks for sharing your letter. I want to note your defensive posturing in some of your statements. But, I also want to encourage you to not take that route because you don't need it to make your point. If the committee has written their responses as you stated, then they have clearly breached the advancement policy. The Committee's views demonstrate they have not read or understood what is written or what their duty is. Hold the line and don't waiver. Save your energy for the ceremony. FB

Let me see... C.D's at 19.95 each, knives at 25.50 each, cash at $200.00 plus. It looks strangely like a felony charge. What rank are these "lads", most likely Eagle Scout or close. They both were Camp Staff. What age are the lads? They are most likely 17. They both came from good homes, meaning, most likely they could afford to buy the stuff they stole, so they simply were having "fun". In other words, they didn't steal for a reason that any of us could find to be justifiable. Do they have a criminal record? Well, no and it should be taken into consideration at their trial, which wont happen because these are good Scouts. These young men most likely did not "step up" and confess to their crime. It sounds like they were found out. Most likely they told (i.e., bragged) to someone that told someone. That is not what I call stepping UP. What should we do to balance such a crime of "fun" and who was it against? Who was hurt? Nobody was physically injured. So, we don't want to take physical punishment out on "the lads". Could they replace the items they stole? Sure, so that would not hurt too much either. The idea of who was hurt keeps coming to my mind. It has to be mental hurt. It was hurt against the Camp, against the Scouts and Scouters in the Camp, against people that knew them and trusted them, people like their family, friends, and Eamonn. It was a crime against their Scoutmaster, the Oath, against the Law of Scouting. It was a crime with an object for its "fun". It was Scouting. I am not sure that these "lads" really believe in Scouting or if I could believe anything they would tell me in the immediate future. Nonetheless, I would like to hear from each one, individually, what they did (motivation and direction of their fun). I would want to know what punishment they now expect. Should they be kicked out of Scouting? Well, nobody in this forum wants to do this, so let's consider an alternative. What about a suspension of a year from Scouting? If they are Eagle scouts what about revocation of their badges? If they are not Eagle Scouts, then this mess should be considered at their BOR. I can't help thinking that these young "lads" really think that Scouting is nothing more than a joke. That doesn't make me mad, it makes me sad. I feel sadness for them and for those people that know them and looked to them as an example of good Scouts. Fun like that doesn't make me laugh or look the other way. I hope that others feel the same. FB

We want to extend a warm welcome and a hot cup of coffee, you do drink coffee? If not, then we have decaf drinks. The grill is warming, so in the meantime, just join in on the conversation. Fuzzy Bear

GKE, Since you involved us, I would like to ask you to share some of the details of the letter. I am interested to note their response. The appeals process is used in most organizations to give a fair hearing to a situation. Many are threatened to use it because it is generally felt that the adversarial nature means that it disconnects the individual from the structure. The intent is to update, upgrade or enhance the existing approach of one or both parties involved. It does cause a person to feel some guilt/shame when they become the offending party and are found to be wrong. It does not have to cause a split. Everyone must keep in mind that being wrong is sometimes human. It is not uncommon to misunderstand or come to assume a personal interpretation of some of the many rules in Scouting. Forgiveness and a new approach gives us an opportunity to start over. FB

FOG I didn't expect it. Your approach to message delivery indicates more of a person that has a technical/science background. You analyze a message and/or the person you are sending a statement toward. You tend to be direct, using fewer adjectives. Your criticism tends toward putting a person on the defense. If they do not have an answer, it is because you have rightly discerned, deconstructed, their message. I guess that is the reason. FB

Mike, Welcome. Please join us when you have time. FB

FOG, You are correct it is confusing. I attribute it to circumstances beyond my control. I won't go into all of the reasons for my poor writing because that is not the subject and I am trying to write about people staying on the subject. I meant to say that for those individuals that have been trained to teach but refuse to use their knowledge to teach, for whatever reason, they should choose to do something else. I am sure that we all have been subjected to listening to a person go on about their dog when the subject should be the cat. When we pay to hear about the cat and we also spend our time off to hear about it and then they talk about their dog that is when it is confusing. I don't think that enrichment is the subject either. I think it is hearing someone speak about things other than what they are asked to speak about and doing it for a period of time that they are not given. The subject comes first, then the time allotment. If a person is going to enrich a subject with material that relates, it should be done within the time limits. Secondly, it appears to me that Scouting is too large a subject to be taught in two hours or one day. Training is not meant to give a person the full knowledge of Scouting. It takes time and is supposed to be put into action over a period of time, just like acting classes or public speaking. You teach acting and public speaking? Is someone else using your name? FB

Along with general training, there should be follow-up. This could be done by a Unit Commissioner, UC, that attends a unit meeting and attempts to find if there are other questions after the general training. Then it is time for individual training/counseling Scouting is an organization that has publications based mostly on long term experience. Even if the UC does not know the answer, a quick referral to the material will certainly find it. The Roundtable Commissioner should be alerted to the specific training needs and a program can be easily fitted into part of most any program. It will give the person a reason to attend and will give the RTC a reason to invite that individual to the Roundtable. Most questions can be answered in short order. Scouting is also a family and part of that experience is the social end of it. Getting together, helping each other, pointing each other in the right direction is fundamental and fun. FB

I am looking at a picture from a book about the history of Philmont. It is a framed sunset with the Aspen trees in the foreground which are darkened by the exposure of the sun in the distance. It is a beautiful shot that was planned by the photographer to try and capture the essence of the beauty of the place and to try and describe the feelings attached to it. I am not sure that pictures were actually designed to accomplish that feat. If they were, so few can achieve it. FB

As far as quality of presentation, many that train are Scout leaders not teachers with varying degrees of training and experience. If you take a poll on what a person does or if you take the time to find out their background you will not find many with teaching experience. They come from a variety of backgrounds and they are generally volunteering for training because they have had a good time in Scouting. When an experienced Den Leader is trying to explain how to run a den, it becomes frustrating. They know that new people will miss so much because they are given 5 or 10 minutes to get the point across. But the real challenge of training is to hold your tongue and have patience with the new people. The trainer must understand this concept and just give the basics. They also must trust that new leaders will learn more from experience and more from advanced training later. The idea of the syllabus is to give the presenter cues, time lines, amounts of information, etc. which is a good second to having a highly trained instructor. I agree the manual should be used for all of the good reasons stated. There is a full day course called Train the Trainer to teach trainers how to teach. When compared to a person that has had 30 course hours of college training to teach in schools, 450 clock hours, with several books to read, papers to write and practical experiences the comparison begins to pale. So, it is true if you have been trained as an instructor and if you have the ability to instruct you will be a much better presenter. You are much better prepared and can deliver your goods to the market in a much nicer package. There will be no comparison with someone that has those strong skills. Teaching about ones pet project is generally about that person and their own pride than it is training. I have been in college classes where the instructor spoke about their life, their family, their dog, etc. and then tried to relate it to the topic. It is possible that what they are saying is related but when you have a person that knows the language of the discipline, knows the material, has insight into how it can be used, then it is more of an opera than an off key song. After being in several hundred hours of college and graduate training, I can personally vouch for those trained instructors that should deliver the training with aplomb, simply should be doing anything else other than teaching. If a Den leader is asked to attend training then they should be told what will be expected. A simple bulletin or announcement can cover the basic points. Before the session begins, the material should be bulleted, and then after it is said, it is then summarized. Repetition is the bases to learning and the method generally followed in Scouting. Will a Den leader become an expert in a two hour session? Some may be frustrated that they cannot give a bar of soap and a butter knife to a Den Leader and tell them to carve an animal but there really is allot more to having a good program. With all of the training available that still will not be enough because we will always have volunteers from all walks of life that have many different reasons for learning or for not learning. So, as far as following the syllabus, it is important that the reasons be taught as to why it is used and that its use is only the first step along a longer path to becoming a better den leader. Fuzzy Bear

"I'm working on a project with a major national publication which has regional editions (it's not a done deal yet so I can't mention the publicaton) to publicize youth group service projects on a local basis." I read some at both sites. It looks good so far. When you secure your deal, let us know. FB

Welcome johndaigler, I wish the best for you as you go forward in Scouting. Don't worry about going on. This place could easily be compared to the Windy City. We ask everyone to keep their replies under two thousand words so that some of us can get some sleep. If we don't keep it down, the electrons tend to blur out from overuse. Fuzzy Bear