Fuzzy Bear

These new ideas were brought to my attention by accident in the early 80's. It did not appear that these ideas were "outside the box" but were standard issue with the D.E. training. I qualify this based upon the viewing the same practices from several D.E.s that I worked with over those years. Now, I do not have a corner on the market of being the only person having witnessed these practices. I believe that if you will listen to other Scouter's from around the country that you will hear some of these same tales. As far as Quality District and Quality Units being requested to inc

I know this is not what you requested and not what you are wanting but nonetheless. There are always disclaimers about, "don't try this at home" but that is just what kids will do. Please consider any of the other hundreds of ceremonies that are inspirational and exciting but much less tempting to imitate and much less dangerous. FB

Would Al Gore have been the worst President? I am not sure. He did invent the Internet, no lie. I can't seem to bring myself to picture him in the White House. He appeared to me to always make choices that looked correct but turned out wrong for some reason. I voted for him not because I thought he was the best person but because GWB was so much less. I respect Al Gore because I know that his heart is in the right place. I have to give GWB credit for trying. I am not in agreement with some of his lies and some of his corporate policies and policy reversals. I am still glad that he

I have read your past misgivings about the Paper Tigers. I think that you have had a peek backstage and what you saw disagreed with the performance out front. It is not unkind to point out that watching the making of sausage defiles the taste. The BSA would never set a policy of numbers, yet it pushes so hard with ever fiber of its' organization that it is hard to miss the message. One standard quote goes like this, "if the DE cannot make the goal(s?), then they can go sell insurance". Most of us have witnessed the yearly paper units with adults signed multiple times to units and

Congratulations to your son on receiving Eagle! I am happy that everything worked out. He sounds like a committed Scout, one that does a job well. FB

Clinton was sexually involved with a White House aide and his critics hollered about his lie on a daily basis year end and year out. There was constant ranting and raving from every Rush LimRepublican about every word that he breathed and every move he made. There was White Water this and that until none of us could even listen to the news. He was not impeached, indicted, or recalled. His wife didn't even divorce him. He served out his term and went on to build a library to his own works. Let's hope that the peace and prosperity of his eight years will not be covered totally by a s

Bush is not the worst President. He is, at his very best, mediocre or slightly below and will be remembered as not much more than a picture on the wall. Iraq was not a good move but one that begged us in. Now that we are there, we will not get out without a huge payout with few goals attained. When we leave, it will remain as it was but with more rubble. Changing a person's heart takes much more, if that was ever a goal. FB

I want to mention that some of what has been said is from books. The good thing about Scouting books is that most of it is based on years of experience and was found to be true by many leaders. Their advice is based on what works. Let us know how it turns out for you. FB

Your concern and careful eye are to be commended. I am not sure what you are asking. It appears that there was an inadequate checking system and the Scout may have found a loophole. But, neither may be true and if neither is true, you may only have unfounded doubts. If the SMs record keeping was sloppy, then the Scout is not at fault. It is also possible that the Merit Badge Counselor was sloppy and did not do a good job with the records or with the teaching, so the Scout would still not be at fault. If one or both are true, you still do not have evidence to prove your po

You don't get off that easy. I didn't mean that he should be given a position. I meant something similar but more difficult. Become his friend. More than likely, he is not the person that you would like to spend time with talking about Scouting. Consider him for an "assistant" type job for special projects. If he is working with you, some of your knowledge will rub off. It is obvious he is not ready, so by giving him a real position he will only fail, as you found out, not once but two or three times and you probably knew before you did it. Include him with a couple of others

I would invite him for coffee and a round of great ideas. He is not vested and may be struggling with his lack of expression. I have found that Adult Scouting has always been a place for sharing and friendship. His talents may be used in a variety of ways. Pushing him away should be near the bottom of the list. FB

Tell us about her. FB

A good Unit Commissioner can untie the Gordian Knot in the night without a flashlight. A bad UC will give it an extra twist or two. FB

Wearing patrol patches is wrong, wrong, wrong. Either you are on the boat or you are off the boat. If any of us see your patrol patch, off it comes using a sheath knife. (just a little humor) FB

As Camp Director, I enjoyed using the resources of the Staff in putting on the best of all possible camp fires. I am not sure that quality ever counted or that we could actually tell a good one from a bad one. I am not really sure we could tell one from the other. Now that I think about it, nobody ever judged. I don't think anybody wanted to judge, mainly because of the laughter. I am sure that we could come up with a skit about judging a campfire. Let's see, we would have five judges. Of course one judge would be crooked and try to overstate the case or understate the case for a

Earthman, Don't worry too much about agreement, if in fact that is what you seek. If a FAQ file existed for this site, it would look like a two sided coin. Both sides would be beat up pretty bad from overexposure to insights and wisdom of which there is no fathoming the depths. As far as the sheath knife is concerned, it is not the qualities or the lack of qualities, since you want a data based assessment, that is in question. It is what it represents. The sheath knife has a history of defense or attack. It has not usually thought of as an instrument for little camp chores. Mo

Additional comment for above: When visiting the prospect, it is best to take at least two other persons with you. Pick carefully. Try to take along one or two persons that the individual would respect or be working under in the C.O. Examples to take along would be the pastor or the Chair of the board of the CO. Other people to consider taking would be the D.E. or the District Chairman or the District Commissioner. You want to get the right person for SM, so the extra effort is necessary. Remember to ask for the visit to be in the home of the prospect. It puts them on an ev

Here is one method to use in the search. During the initial process, make a list of prospects. Don't make the mistake in believing that there is just one or none available. The C. Organization, the Scout Troop's parents, the D.E., and other Scouter's may know of people that have shown an interest or suspected of an interest. After the list is made, then review the list with the Troop Committee and all parties that will need final approval. This may take some time to find out about those on the list. Work the approved list from the top down. Make an appointment with each pers

I put it on my resume along with a couple of other items from Scouting past. This allows me to speak about my experiences as a leader from my youth and as an adult who uses the skills learned in Woodbadge. There is value in the knowing and the use of those skills in my profession. It gives balance and insight into untangling difficult problems. It also allows the employer knowledge into how I conduct my life and business. Fuzzy Bear

I respect the chain of command and the right to free elections but I have this question(s) buzzing in the back of my head. I can't help but wonder about the present SPL being "burned out". I suggest a visit with the Scout and his parents and find out more about what is happening. If Scouting is overwhelming him, then it may be that he has not learned to delegate. It may be that other activities are squeezing out Scouting for him. Or, he may be missing something in Scouting that could be fulfilling and is missing other opportunities. At his age, being burned out does not come easily, so m

So, I asked my Unit Commissioner where he had been for the past five years. He said that he had been training this group of monkeys to be Scout Leaders but had little success. He had sold them to a pet store for fifty dollars because he had gotten tired of their antics and lack of cooperation. I gave him a cup of coffee and a donut and he was happy.

We simply invited all parents to participate in some way. Generally the rule was, at least, one event (or project) per year. If they had special time restraints, then we could always work to get the job done. The response was overwhelming and we never knew how well some parents with so little time or money could take on one project and do so much. If anybody needed assistance with their project, they could ask for and get it. The help would come from parents that took more than one job. At our Annual Dinner, we would line people up across the auditorium and hand out ce

I have now read Pain 1 and Little Pain 2 (the continuing saga). I would like to comment about Method number 8 of the Scouting program that professes to assist us in achieving the Aims set out by Scouting through the use of the Scout uniform. Although the uniform is not required, the question still remains; can a Scout achieve the Aims of Scouting without a uniform? One group does not distinguish between the methods and the requirements. If a method is a means of attaining a goal and the method is not used, how can the aims be acquired? The Aims are met only after the Methods have been

The ten rules of sin 1. Why are my sins not as bad as your sins? 2. If I sin against thee but thou doesn't know about it, then is it really a sin? 3. Sinning is really only a sin if it be thou decreed a sin. 4. If I confess my sin on the wideband, then it must be the lesser sin. Only large sins are kept hidden for fear of the greater punishment. 5. It is truly only a man that can sin out loud in public and be considered absolved because of his gender. 6. Sins of omission are nothing really. 7. If we must sin, choose carefully. Points are awarded for care. 8. Sins co

One camper had a candy bar in his hip pocket while curled up. The next thing he knew, the bear was eating the candy bar and part of his butt. He could no longer run and he didn't have a sheath knife or a high powered rifle, because he wasn't in Canada and he was a Scout. The Bear left supposedly because he had enough dessert for one night and, of course, to a chorus of screams. I think the moral has something to do with a low carb diet. Sometimes there is just no winning or finishing or just sitting safely in the bleachers. Sorry, I return you back to the main topic. FB