Fuzzy Bear

Truth is independent of my inadequate personal opinions, your well selected quotes, my small experiences, your large amount of knowledge, their highly controlled experiment, those very well known facts, their long established theory, and those great ideas. The two small stars on the Scout Badge are there to remind us of the difference. FB

Scouter Terry, I have noted an increase in decorum overnight. The quality of the posts has increased and new people are writing. It's like the inspections at Summer Camp. Everyone gets busy and cleans up their mess when the evaluators are just over the hill. The stars under the names are like little lamps that inspires the writer to check the content before pushing the button. FB

The "old ways" of Scouting, something of a dream. Your son is rejecting what he sees around him in Scouting as being less than his ideal. It is tricky to do this because it is like saying what is truth? We somehow believe that truth is somewhere hidden in our past, beyond the present, in sacred books, in a cave, with the mysterious one. People rush us and point in all directions for the new, the old, and the now truths. We have to be confused by so many true things and each one sounding better than the last. Where and what is truth? Truth is and will always be here in the present where we stand and how we act. If we speak of God, then it should be the ever present God. To do less is to keep us guessing and hiding from the fact of his eternal presence. Truth is here now in this act of writing and in your act of reading. God is here today and Scouting is here today. If a boy wants to sleep in the open under the stars, then it is the same action as a boy doing it 1,000 years ago or one doing it 1,000 years in the future. It doesn't make him any better or worse for doing it. The difference is how he reacts to that action not in the action itself. Once again, the ever present God speaks and we listen, then we act upon that message. We should carefully consider the action of idolizing the past or the future because the mystery or truth is in how we act in each present moment, each breath, each step. FB (This message has been edited by Fuzzy Bear)

Doug C. and I decided to chop down the large dead oak tree that was hanging precipitously over one side of the Scout Hut. Both of us being Eagle Scouts, the holders of the Paul Bunion award, and a legend in our own minds; met one Sunday afternoon to resolve the issue. We felt that consulting the committee would only be a hindrance, and we could save the Troop money and on top of it nobody would ever know. We both worked wood in our spare time and knew the many dangers that could befall such a project. So, we firmly believed that all bases were covered. We stood around the large old tree and made much talk for a period of time. We never exceeded our grasp of kindred and sacred woodlore knowledge that we both shared. In short, we hit upon the very strategy that was later to dismay many a leader that viewed the results. Since the tree was leaning into the Hut, it was our combined thinking that we should cut the opposing side. We chopped away for about an hour, wood chips flying. When we got near the mark where we supposed it close to breaking and falling, Doug was to get on the side leaning into the Hut and push out. Him being the larger and the stronger of the two of us, we believed this would work well. I continued whacking the rough cut and Doug grunted or snorted and I laughed. The time finally came when a vibration somewhere in the tree alerted us to its destination. I quickly dropped my axe and jumped in to give Doug an extra hand with the last push. As you already imagine the results of our efforts were sadly lacking in many ways. A truth that we only learned too late was that a large dead oak tree that is leaning in one direction if cut wrongly, will only fall in one direction. We both escaped with minor cuts, bruises and abrasions and just prior to being crushed had it not been for the Scout Hut. The tree hit the Hut with such force that it knocked a good sized chunk out of the roof. Both of us we were amazed at our meager efforts. We hooked a chain to the tree and pulled it off the Hut with a truck while it scratched and tore at the siding. We were exhausted by our efforts and called it a day. The committee was finally consulted but it was about a new roof and the siding was added months later. Come to think of it, the old Hut looks pretty dern good. FB

5 rules in the Woodshop of life 1. Lunch and drinks is for the cafeteria not the smooth concrete floor. 2. Sorting a huge box of nails has a purpose. 3. Screaming at a person's back that is using a power saw may not bring the desired results. 4. Nail guns can puncture deep into a thick piece of wood. 5. Cleaning the shop is more than anal tidiness. FB

DE's are important but the Scouting program is very important. Find out who is the best person for the job of School Night Chairman, recruit that person for the job and then back them up 100% with as many supporters as you can round up to make them look great. Decorate that person at the Annual Dinner. Next year, get them as the Head of the Committee to find a replacement or, by golly, do it again. Make them look even better. Sprinkle with a generous supply of Scouting Spirit each time. Decorate them all over again at the Annual Dinner. DE's will come and go but the foothills of Appalachia will be there for a long time to come and so will the beloved people that are of the land. I could almost write a song. FB

Questions that are beginning to creep into my mind: What keeps a person from voting for themselves, say 100 times? What about a friend that is blinded by the light that is flashed in his eyes? Could he vote for that kind of "friend" over and over out of shear craziness? If the post were without any other merit than the ability to beep one's own horn, wouldn't it look a little funny as it rode its' way to glory around the Scouting circuit? I am sure there must be some type of limits on the voting other than pushing one's own button over and over. FB

Mike F A big Troop can have many directions. Each adult leader has many skills and resources. When you put the two together, there can be a boy led program that has few limits because of the adult support. It may be that you are unknowingly providing limits to your program. Don't let the size of the operation stop you. Your Troop could go places and do things that are unbelievable! It is important that you guys expand your horizons. Give yourself permission to do so. FB

Bob White, (please read carefully) Go to the original post prior to the spin-off and then reread his spin-off again. His questions were never answered, he was attacked, and he was told to go elsewhere to find answers. There are hundreds that come here to read and few post because they fear the outright angry responses they get. It is possible that some one of these individuals may have an answer. This issue of anger has been addressed in numerous threads and yet it persists. His spin-off was a confused defense because there are those that answer on this forum that simply lack courtesy and are not friendly. This young man has posted 10 times and he was excited about his interest. I am not sure what answers he has found here but they are not helping him.

As a Shop Teacher a few years ago, I had students in my class that used and needed knives for some projects. There was a ban on all weapons and a Zero Tolerance policy. Needless to say, some brought them anyway citing that the rule could not possibly apply to a person in a shop class. It did apply and I gave them each one opportunity to correct their behavior. We had a discussion about it and if they returned with it a second time, the knife was taken up and the student was sent to the office. Generally, most accepted the correction and abided by the policy but some persisted and I had to act, in spite of my mixed feelings. Then one day, a young man brought a gun to school hidden in his backpack. Of course, he could not resist the urge to show it to his friends but not to use it. Since he was in my first period class, word got back to me during third period. By then, he was off in handcuffs to the jail. I was glad someone had not simply taken the gun up and given it back to him at the end of the day. FB

dana, I returned to the original post about Exploring and LFL and all of the many questions you had. They are very good questions. Please ignore those that have objections to your interest and that use your thread as an opportunity to expound on their personal beliefs. Although be careful, you will still find some truth in their posts, just use a sieve with large holes to get the good stuff. Throw the rest where it belongs, remember a Scout is Clean. Many are quiet that come here for fear of a verbal thrashing for being wrong or for some other perceived wrong that may or may not be true. Hopefully, someone will speak up and answer your questions that has helpful information. Everyone that comes here is not of one mind, not of one background, nor of the same ability. So, welcome and please continue with your search that is filled with interest and don't let a few thrown stones keep you from your destination. FB

The Basshole Patrol Is this patrol name the typical double entendre, juvenile humor, on the edge statement? Since we are now in the company of women, could this type of humor be considered inappropriate and an introduction to harassment? Would they want their children using this name for their patrol? What's in a name? Does a name set the direction for people to follow? Does a name direct a person's actions and goals? Is this a way to get extra attention from those we respect? OR Do they really like fishing and know a great spot for doing it? Is this an effort to use slightly meaningless, low quality humor to bring lighthearted fun to the group with no possible harm intended or resulting from its use? Is this a way of expressing a group's distaste of being put into the role of the beginner and making light fun of it? Is this a way of bringing the group together and make a good joke at the same time? Since everyone is an adult, then it is alright to use adult humor? Why can't everybody loosen up for once and understand that it doesn't mean anything? Questions for the sages... (This message has been edited by Fuzzy Bear)

John B. and I had an ongoing argument/joke over my Swiss Army knife, the one with the 12 items with numerous uses. He said that they looked ridiculous and that the tools were two small to be of use. I realize I have never used all of the tools but I've used several I thought would be of no use but were. As far as ridiculous, I know that the fat gob on my belt instills humor. There are those that think I have a spoon and garden spade side by side but they are not. My toothpick separates them. Nonetheless, I vote for my dear Swiss Army Knife. FB

You are doing your best and that is evident. Scouts will accept your interest, time, and care and will appreciate it. If you are not trained, please consider it. If you are trained, then it is always a good policy to review it. Scouter training is based on past experience working with Scouts and has always been like a rubber life raft for me and for the most part, I stay in it. Good luck and good sailing, FB

I grew up in the 60s and was an active part of the outdoor program in Scouting. We built 20-30 foot signal towers on several occasions. We never sent messages over long distances like we had imagined but we had great times climbing on them. We had to learn Morse Code to obtain First Class and that is the reason most didnt make it any further than Second Class. In the old Field Book, there was an easy way to learn Morse Code. It was broken down into simple words using the easiest letters of the Code first. So, I learned the Code well enough to squeak by and then promptly forgot it. We used it during several wig-wag competitions but we never did very well. They gave us messages that had the more difficult letters of the alphabet. We set up several trails using trail signs and had competitions. We played stalking games which are allot of fun and still should be played. There are also activities and games using hand signals that still fit in quite nicely on campouts. Our Troop spent about an equal amount of time hiking and car camping. We were always hiking to this one camp that was five miles out. So, we had plenty of opportunity to pass the hiking requirements. We never got dog bit or snake bit but we were ready to get bit and to take effective First Aid care of any wound. We mostly tried to fix blisters without much luck. Sheath knives, hand axes, and camp axes were used and the skills taught carefully. One Scout got mad at me once and almost buried the hatchet in the back of my skull. I saw him abusing his hand ax and marched over and tore up his Totin Chip. An alert leader headed him off at the pass while I walked serenely away thinking I had put a stop to it. I guess a person doesnt always need a Totin Chip to make amends. It takes time and effort to keep a good edge on any cutting tool and you have to be skilled to use them. Im personally happy to have or use them only in selected activities. The danger is not worth the effort and a good pair of work gloves can achieve equal results for building small fires when allowed. In the early seventies, a group of enlightened Scouters and Professionals decided to fix the Scouting program in the United States. They believed so much in their dream that if people didnt agree with their new and improved program, they were told to go or be released and so they did. The numbers spiraled downwards until the National office decided that the program had been fixed enough. Bill Hillcourt was brought back to return Scouting to the basics of the outdoor program and the numbers began to improve again. I cant tell you that times were better back then but I can testify that I enjoyed it. I learned the ideals of Scouting and they are actively being used in my life. The methods of Scouting are the same. The differences are in how the methods are applied. If you want to use Morse Code and you can get agreement and a fun activity planned, then it is still there. Just because the requirements are different doesnt mean that the Scouts cant plan a safe and enjoyable program. Romance is for thinking about but the fun is in the doing. FB

I bought my first red shirt-jacket in 1965 as a JASM. I was proud to sew the Philmont bulls tail over my shoulder for climbing the "Tooth of Time and the Woodsman's axe sewn above the pocket for correct use of an axe and for properly cutting down a tree for firewood. I also purchased my first engraved name tag. I felt that I had officially arrived into the hierarchy of Scouting. The professionals wore a red/black plaid shirt-jacket. There was a special Pedro patch for reaching some goal, most likely, Boys Life subscriptions. I still like those shirt jackets the best. The green shirt-jacket was for the Scouts, as I remember it. I believe the Explorers wore the red shirt-jacket which more closely identified them with the adults and looked great with the dark green uniforms and white leggings. FB

In a poor man's attempt to discern the intent of both Kid Rocks and J.J.'s performance or to determine their goal of either advertising or inspiring, I offer these insights. It appears from this diatribe that few were inspired. One or two propose a weak argument for an introspective inspiration. The remainder appears to side with the stronger argument for advertisement. In my other words, the glory that was intended appeared to most observers to be one of self glorification and not one to instill national pride. Few have stopped to ask if both performers suffer from some type of delusions of grandeur. It may be that their intent was to inspire but their poor deranged minds could only come up with this meager ill defined tribute to patriotism. If we found out that drugs or some other foul potion had slowed their rational thought processes to a crawl, we would all be sympathetic to such a display of tasteless talent bent toward American pride but then I also could be wrong. There well could be other less pleasant explanations. FB

Don't forget Jimmy Hendrix's version. Ok, now I am not so sure. But, run it up and let's see if anyone salutes! FB

The proof is in the outcome. Did she hire a good staff and program director? Did she bring the staff together from the first? Did she have a great program? Was there good camp spirit and were the camp traditions observed? Did she hire a good cook staff, ones that feed the boys and the adults well? Were safety issues addressed and was the medical area covered effectively? Was the camp kept clean and in good working order? Did she address problems as they arose and solve them in a satisfactory manner? These are the same questions asked of a male at the end of camp. If she made an 80% or better, bring her around next year. The camp will prosper! FB

What to do with dining flys? My suggestion is still to purchase a big fly whopper and bang their guts out for messing with our steak dinners. FB

If you can build a fire.... the best hand ax I have ever known is a good pair of work gloves. they also are great for hot pot grabbers, Dutch oven removers, hot cup holders, pioneering projects and great for work around the camp. FB

I am not sure what to say. I can't think of an argument for or against. I am without a snide remark or an ugly name. There has to be something I am missing, oh yes, now I know. Good Job! FB

I started in the Cub Scouts and finished Scouting when I left for college. I played football, went to church, enjoyed friendships with band members, geeks and freaks. I was never considered an outcast but always felt like one. I helped our local O.A. chapter start an Indian Dance team. We traveled all over the state and into a couple of others to dance at all kinds of events. I won several competitions in the fancy dance and the hoop dance. I made my own costume and beaded a full Brotherhood sash (i.e., front and back) just prior to receiving the Vigil award. I completed my Eagle at age 14 and went on to work on and complete my God and Country award with our minister. Since I worked for my Dad during the summers, my dream of working staff at summer camp was not fulfilled. I used some of my earnings to purchase $60.00 worth of hiking gear from the local used military dealer and also paid for my trip to Philmont. At age 15, it was the experience of a lifetime. It was the first time that I had actually seen mountains and then hiked through them. I kept a diary of the event. I went to summer camp each year. The summer before going to Philmont our SM allowed me to plan for our Troop's summer camp of hiking in the hills and forests between OK and AR on a trail called the Kiamichi. We obtained the Hiking Merit badge and the 50 Miler. In the Cubs, I obtained what was then known as the Webelos award. Along the way, we carved soap, made cardboard rocket ships and space gear. We met weekly and had a great time doing all kinds crafts and games. My older brother left Scouting when we moved and after my Dad dropped out. My brother stopped a few merit badges short of Eagle. He was more interested in our company and other youthful pursuits. I never understood the real reason but that was his decision. He has since taken over the company and has made a fortune. I made mine another way in Scouting. FB

It is nice to hear fathers moved by their hearts and not by the book. It is the spirit of Scouting speaking to us. FB

Hey, we don't serve mice in here!(This message has been edited by Fuzzy Bear)