hot_foot_eagle

I searched back a year or so and haven't really found what I'm after.

I have three new cubs in my second year Webelos den - I already have twelve active on the roster. My Webelos from last year have earned all the activity badges they need for the AOL. I would like to get these new scouts to AOL this year, if they and their parents are committed to that goal. At the same time, I don't want to slow down the other boys as I get them ready for Boy Scouts.

Any ideas or strategies for this?

In West Tennessee, dry pulled pork BBQ is big (beef is for steaks and hamburgers). BBQ pork ribs are very good also.

Nothing beats a local fish fry - castfish and crappie are king. There's nothing better than a plate full of cholesterol-laden fish, fries, and hush puppies when it's almost too hot to eat it.

Wild game of all sorts is good as well. A nearby fire department used to have "road kill suppers" where every sort of wild game imaginable was served. Good stuff when done right.

Sweet tea is the drink of choice, though I still haven't managed to develop a taste for it. Don't bother asking for hot tea around here, people just look at you funny.

I'd love to have a Chicago style dog about now (even though it's time for breakfast as I write this). I haven't had one in several years.

I read an interesting article about Mother Teresa's private letters this morning (I'm afraid I can't find the link at the moment).

For all her good works, she apparently had serious doubts about the existence of God and agonized privately about her doubts - which brings me to the curious conclusion that, gender issues aside, she might literally become a Saint in the Catholic Church, but based on the DRP, she couldn't be an Eagle Scout.

Go figure.

Somehow Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy got left out of this list. Probably best for late junior high and high school readers.

Thanks for the links and ideas everyone. If anything else should cross your collective minds, pass it on!

A related bit of good news: I just discovered that one of my new Cub Scout moms is a costumer for the local university's theater department. One more resource to call on!

Trevorum, I thought of the Venture angle, but I'm likely to have a few volunteers that won't quite make the 14 y.o. requirement. Not outside the realm of possibilities, though.

Jblake47, a potential reference book (perhaps the only one) on uniform history can be found at http://mitchreis.com. I've asked for one as a gift from my wife, but I don't have one in hand.

Back when the National Scouting Museum was in Murray, KY, I would have had a short drive for some primary references. Texas is a bit much, I'm afraid.

I'm not sure about the technical aspects of reproducing metallic components, but I think I have local resources that can do patterns, sewing, and machine embroidery.

I've been toying with the idea of getting a group of scouts together as a "reenactor" colorguard for the U.S. 100th anniversary of scouting. My vision is to have a group of boys to do colorguards in 1910 era uniforms at various scouting and community functions.

I can't see using heirloom uniforms and museum pieces for this, so I'm investigating the possibility of creating replica uniforms. I've read the statement somewhere that "once a scout uniform, always a scout uniform," but this, I think, is uncharted ground.

Before I proceed, I wanted to get some others' opinions on the appropriateness of this endeavor, leads on costume research and aquisition, etc.

Since it's just an idea, I haven't pesented it formally, but I have enthusiastic support of several other leaders and interest from several boys (which is what really matters).

What say you?

For a soldiers-eye introduction to the American Civil War and an all-around entertaining read, I'd include "Co. Aytch", sometimes listed as "Co. H" or "Company H" by Sam Watkins. Suitable for 9- to 99- year olds.

I'd also include a home handyman book or two - not just because it's good to know how to make simple repairs, but some actually explain how and why things around the house work the way they do.

In the same vein, a how-to-build-a-house book is usually loaded with pictures and text. How many boys (or adults, for that matter) don't have any inkling how their own house is put together? It might inspire a future builder or architect. Or it might just satisfy some curiosity.

Anything by David Macaulay. He wrote the profusely illustrated "Castle", "Pyramid", "Cathedral", and several others. Come to think of it, I wouldn't mind having those on my own bookshelf. . .

I participated in a funeral for an Eagle Scout I had worked with before I moved away. He had actually been out of scouting for several years and had recently married before he was killed in a car wreck.

I wouldn't call his funeral a scouting funeral per se, but scouting had figured prominently in his life and many of us who attended were there because of our scouting association. A few men showed up in their scout uniforms. I think their presence, even in small numbers, made a powerful statement to the family and others in attendance.

I was moved at how many people showed up who I count as friends and were brought together through scouting and this one young man.

"Inpatient admission" referrs to cases where a patient stays in the hospital for more than 24 hours. Generally fractures would not fall under this category unless surgical intervention was required.

The media frequently publishes reports using the phrase "kept overnight for observation" which typically falls under the category of "outpatient admission" as well. Our local hospitals happen to say 23-hour observation rather than overnight observation, but it's just a more accurate description of the same thing.

Using your example of the leg sprain, even if you went to the ER and waited hours for treatment, you would not have to file a report unless your council happens to have a policy different than the GTSS.

How do equipment designs happen now?

I can remember being part of a "focus group," for lack of a better term, when I was a scout just prior to the De La Renta uniform becoming available. My troop was asked opinion s about epaulets, cargo pockets, colors, and I can't remember what else. I wonder if we actually had some impact back then.

I do like the idea of a design contest. There are probably a lot of great ideas out there including some that we haven't dreamed of yet.

Not sure where you are in Middle Tennessee, so my suggestions might be a bit out of range, or you may already know about these:

Big South Fork - lots of trails and great side trips. Deciding where to go first is tough.

Shiloh National Military Park - Corinth to Shiloh Trek is 21 miles over two days. Multiple hikes in the park up to, I believe, 14 miles. In-park hikes are not backpacking trips, however.

Shawnee National Forest (Southern IL) - A section of the River-to-River Trail, Garden of the Gods, or some of the other state parks, natural areas, etc. Another place that's tough to decide where to start. Some areas will have hunters, others will not.

Mousetail S.P. in West Tennessee - 8 miles, maybe? Not my favorite, but it's an option.

Trail of Tears follows the Shawnee River to River, but also has a section or sections in Kentucky. I don't know much about this one personally, but it might be worth investigating.

If you don't consider it too much of a hijacking of your thread, what's good to hike in Middle Tennessee these days? I grew up around Nashville, but I've been West of the Tennessee River for about 15 years now.

My take is that BSA outdoor training is generally not sufficient to prepare new leaders for the risks of high adventure type camping. There is, however, a considerable knowledge base within the BSA that offsets the lack of quality formal training for those willing to tap into it. This is one case where the bereaucratization required for formalizing the training would probably make the training worthless.

I've had good luck with Kiwi Parade Gloss (black) and cotton balls. I'm not into the heat thing, but it's a time-honored tradition and it does work.

Beware the "cosmetic puff," an inferior cotton ball substitute, probably polyester, that tends to scratch your shine during the critical final polishing. 100% cotton doesn't have this problem.

Is it the BSA that's off track, or the judgement of some individual leaders that needs examining? To borrow a famous line from a movie, "A man's got to know his limitations."

I'll bet the BSA "kills" more folks in the back country than most organizations, but then just how many organizations actually operate in the back country?

I would like to get a feel how other units handle Troop or Pack monies. In my opinion, my Pack has been rather relaxed about fiscal matters, and I'd like to tighten things up some to reduce the possibility or appearance of any impropriety.

For what its worth, I don't believe anything funny has gone on, but I'd like to have formal procedures in place for the future.

I'm going to start out by recruiting a scout parent (who is a CPA) as a second party on the Pack checking account. We've been operating off a single-signature check to date.

Are financial reports something to share with everybody (parents), whether they're interested or not, or should I reserve them for the Pack Committee and anyone interested enough to ask?

How detailed a budget do other Packs and Troops prepare?

If we just had $20 in the account, I suppose it wouldn't be such a big deal, but we sell a world of popcorn and the balance can be substantial - for a medium sized Pack, anyway. What else should I /can I do?

Thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions.

(This message has been edited by hot_foot_eagle)

I'm going to go out on a limb and just say that the BSA is a paramilitary organization and what we have to come to terms with is whether or not that's what we want it to be.

When we say paramilitay, it conjures all sorts of images of paranoid gun-toting radicals bent on anarchy, but that's not what I'm talking about. I'm just saying that some aspects of scouting resemble the military by design.

The military calls their small units squads that are part of a larger platoon. Looks like patrols and troops to me. Anyone else notice how much the troop flag looks like a U.S. Cavalry guidon? Nessmuk pointed out several other good examples.

If I were starting BSA from scratch, the military is where I'd go for proven methods too. And look - the leadership model comes with some pretty useful (and cool) equipment and regalia, too!

I said all that to say this: The military leadership model works. Military equipment and uniforms work. But just because we are LIKE the military in some ways doesn't mean that we are teaching our boys to be soldiers. On the other hand, denying that we have anything in common with the military or suggesting that we can or should completely divorce ourselves from adapted military methods is a bit disingenuous.

Do we want our boys to be managers or leaders?

Beevah makes some good points, but consider that police, fire, and the military (aming others) have separate dress and field uniforms.

I suppose now might be the opportune moment to pitch out the term "Class A" again?

Packsaddle's comment about uneducated persons not being competent to decide what constitutes education is spot-on. I believe it applies to some adults in our society as much as it does children.

Education, like police and fire protection, sanitation, etc. is a public good, and consequently a government function. Successful learning is an individual endeavor, though.

As a society we have come to expect that equal opportunity also means equally guaranteed success. That's just not the case, and we (as a society, at least) have yet to come to terms with that.

We need to determine what constitutes a completed elementary school education, high school education, etc. and hold to that standard. Hold the individual responsible if he/she doesn't meet the standard, not the schools.

I've noticed a huge improvement. Thank you!.

I can't speak about the financial particulars, but I can say with some authority that AED's DO belong at scout camps, in churches, shopping malls, airports, and other places of public assembly - unless you happen to keep an ALS on unit on standby at all these places ;-). Having one available at district and council events would be a particularly progressive move, IMO.

Some models can be had for as little as $900, but there is an ongoing maintenance requirement (annually). Additionally, some models require a prescription, while others can be purchased over the counter.

Whether or not the financials can be worked out in ASM416's case, it's still a subject worthy of pursuing by other avenues.

ScoutNut said,"The fact that sparks melt holes in the pants . . . IMO does not offset the convenience of light weight & quick drying."

Agreed, but the questionable quality control and odd sizing of the OD's sure do!

The new cub pants are a great idea , and while I've been reluctant to buy uniform pants for my own boys, that's now likely to change.

I prefer "shooting sports" to either "weapons training" or "firearms safety."

I don't think using the word weapon should be completely taboo, because its occasional use - intentional or otherwise - does reinforce the idea that firearms are not toys and there are serious consequences to their use and misuse.

I'm curious SSScouter, is the Pack struggling because it appears to be exclusively for members of the Islamic Community Association?

I have a very similar situation with the "other" Pack in my town that is sponsored by the Boys & Girls Club. I'm sure the diversity numbers look good at the council office, but the fact of the matter is that it's paper only, and the boys really aren't being served.

I think there's a real danger of reinforcing traditional divisions in the community with these separate-but-equal units. Real diversity only comes when we live, work, and play together.

I wish Scouting would stop pandering to different religious and ethnic groups and just try to appeal to BOYS.