AnneinMpls

Here in Minneapolis, urban roasting of marshmallows is pretty common.

Way back when I had a den, we roasted marshmallows using a small weber grill as our firepit. Other folks I know roast them in a chiminiere.

Key things to making this activity safe:

Teach fire safety and fire-ring behavior *before hand*

Do not even allow marshmallow roasting ingredients or implements in view until the fire is down to nice coals.

Set a firm rule on how many way enter the fire ring at a time (2 is a good number). Crowding and jostling are not safe behaviors around the fire. Tell them you're looking for who is ready - you're looking for attentive still bodies - they'll get to roast first!

Demonstrate how to safely handle a flaming marshy. Either committing it to the flames for all eternity (dirges may be sung) or slowly bringing it near enough to blow out. No waving of flaming marshies - it will just burn hotter and faster.

Set expectations high for golden roasted marshies - kids will follow the example you set.

Tis called The Princess Pat.

We just recently had a spirited discussion regarding this song.

Please see http://dragon.sleepdeprived.ca/songbook/songs4/S4_17.htm for more information.

Also, you might be interested in the song of the fabled chartreuse (sharp-toothed?!) buzzards, discussed on this illustrious thread: http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=130649#id_131573

(and, I have to say, I really had the absolute *best* last word on that thread!)

Anne in Mpls, chronicler of dead trees and birds with teeth

The person leading the cub overnight must have BALOO training. That person will then set up all the who does what. In general, though, for cubs, each family takes care of their own stuff, with everyone coming together for the program elements.

Does anyone know whether wetlands regulations would prohibit using not well drained land to grow willow staves?

I havn't heard anything in the news in thre last few years about wetlands - it used to be a hot topic around here.

My grandpa tells me that back on the farm, they would maintain a stand of willow - very fast-growing, good for wet ground - so that they would always be able to cut whatever diameter staves they needed.

De Kluis - the Belgian Boy Scout camp we used to go to when I lived there kept a huge shed full of wood for pioneering.

Our Girl Scout council here has basically outlawed *all* lashing as not environmentally sound. Goofy in the head, they are.

Anyway, plant some willow. It's what I would do if I had a patch of ground.

Anne in Mpls

These hardwoods burn well and slowly:

Ash, beech, hawthorn, oak and holly

Softwoods flare up quick and fine:

Birch, fir, hazel, larch and pine

Elm and willow you'll regret,

Chestnut green and sycamore wet.

and another one:

You can sit by the camp-fire, watching

The leap of the yellow flame,

But the wood of each tree is different,

And no two burn the same.

ASH I reckon the finest kind:

Burns good whether green or dry.

POPLAR, now, is no manner of use;

You might just as well let it lie.

PINE-CONES and FIR-CONES, they're kindling wood;

They're handy to use as such.

Dry JUNIPER boughs burn fierce and hot,

But flare and crackle too much.

BIRCH burns quickly, is mighty good

If your fire be newly lit;

And remember that FIRS are useful too,

But, I warn you, they spark a bit!

There's magic, Guides, in the camper's fire;

It's been told of in song and rhyme,

And the light of it shines down darkened years

To the dim beginning of time.

- G Briggs (The Girl Guide Annual 1964)

These were both lifted from the BOGUK site (Best of Guiding UK)

Also, several stories in the old Foxfire series talk about using green woods - they do burn just takes longer to get them going.

Hi again

k, so sounds like you guys are trying to put together a schedule of events/activities.

I would first look back to see which events were the best-attended, and put those on the schedule at appropriate times of year - eventually you'll build a repetoire of activities that the club becomes known for, that meet the ideal challenge level of the typical participant you're attracting to your club, and that become loved traditions and areas you develop expertise in putting on.

Next, I'd put in a couple no-brainer events where you're piggy-backing on *others'* efforts - so check out other local groups that offer outdoor activity at the beginning level - maybe there's a canoeing club, or a hiking club or a local volksmarch society - you'll be glad you've done this because these events will keep program going while giving you guys an administrative "break".

Next, ask the experienced folks what areas they're seeking greater challenge in, and put one or two of these on the schedule for the year.

You'll see if you do 2 of each of these areas, you're up to 6 events for the year already, and 2 will be your "standards", 2 will be geared for "beginners" and easy for you folks to run, and 2 will be "challenging".

You might want to hold off on adding any more events so you have room for doing sometihng impromtu - somebody always hears of something that's happening this coming weekend!

From there, elect one person to head up each event - they'll do the footwork/phonecalling/etc to pull it off.

Then evaluate the club's equipment and training needs based on what's on the plan.

(Also evaluate whether folks want daytime, overnight, or long trip events and plan accordingly. Typically beginners have lower committment so I'd make those daytime events, your standards overnighters, and incorporate the challenge level into trips - more time to focus on developing skill.)

Hope this helps!

Anne in Mpls

I think the concern is that paintball might ruin soccer's reputation...

Yes, they do attend RT, and I'm thinking that may be a good approach - broad reminder to all.

I really appreciate the diversity of responses - you've given voice to the many competing thoughts I've been having

We do need more UCs and I'm running across names of folks that I might suggest be approached.

Thanks again!

Blue Skies!

Anne

Eamonn, you've identified both the activity and my concerns in pursuing

The info was given to me by an enthusiastic new youth in the unit in the presence of the unit's CC. I stuck my fingers in my ears and sang "I cant hear you!" Mainly, to let the CC know that I am not going to play Ms Nosy, while at the same time communicating that the activity is questionable. I am thinking a friendly cup of coffee with the CC just to make sure he knows the G2SS stance might be a good step, but again, I am of no particular status with them, just love scouting and wanting to support units in reaching more youth.

So, I'm a UC for units nearby a troop I've gotten to visit, and I find out something about a favorite activity within this unit I am not assigned to. It is an activity disallowed in the G2SS. What's my responsibility here? They do not have a UC - s'why I was offering to drop by so it's squishy!

"Since joining, have participated in ten separate troop/patrol activities (other than troop/patrol meetings), three of which included camping overnight."

All is not lost

Assuming he's been participating in all the other troop activities that did not involve camping overnight, he could meet this requirement in as little as two months.

The key will be to make the expectation clear to all parties, then involve the boy and his dad in making a plan to meet this and other requirements.

Two more campouts - that's doable! And not a bad goal for a young scout to set.

Anne in Mpls

Hi again Dawn!

Regarding vision and long-range planning,

I'll give you the Bill Clinton answer - it all depends what you mean by vision and long-range planning

The Scoutmaster should be trusted and empowered to develop the vision for the troop - he the one with the most training on developing the boy-led troop so that's got to be left in his hands. and you're right, the committee is there to assist in seeing his vision carried out.

Long-range planning on the program level is done through the PLC: annual planning conference, troop meeting plans, but also developing program over the longer term, especially as it affects the troop's sustainability: so planning for making sure the troop is well-connected with Bears and Webelos coming up through invitations and den cheifs, and also making sure plans are in there for providing challenging program for all levels of scouts: new scouts, experienced scouts, and high adventure.

The planning done through the PLC should then in turn drive the planning of the troop committee.

I am not quoting chapter and verse - this is the best of my understanding, so please take this as only my opinion!

Anne in Mpls

Hi Dawn, and thank you for your work volunteering as the committee chair!

Two things..

First, do you know who your unit commissioner is? (Or do you have one?) Ask to speak to your district commissioner at roundtable if you do not know. Your unit commissioner can provide you with a lot of resources to help develop your troop (that's what commissioners are for!)

Secondly, the process for achieving the Centennial Quality Unit Award may help provide the framework you're talking about, although it is based on setting goals for one year at a time, and you are thinking long-range (which is good!)

Anne in Mpls

Hi!

You can purchase a bound book of program helps for the current year at the scout shop.

You can also go to http://usscouts.org/bbugle.asp for the Baloo's Bugle. These are indexed on the right hand margin of the page. These are program helps on steroids The current month Baloo's Bugle is more than 34 pages!

Enjoy!

Anne in Mpls

Hi again folks!

Yesterday went to U of Scouting and did the day-long college of commissioner science.

One of the participants suggested changing this tiny troop over to a Venturing Crew because high schoolers are easier to recruit than middle schoolers and we could open it up to girls.

Then focus recruiting efforts in the pack which is currently only tigers and wolves, then reopen the troop when the pack begins crossing over some webelos.

Thoughts???

Anne in Mpls

Welcome aboard, Jean!

Hey, and thank you for your commitment to open your troop! Girls should never be turned away!

Let me know if you would like me to send along some patrol leader training I've put together specifically for GS. (I would need your email)

Anne in Mpls

Thanks for posting this - I am wondering though...

Am I missing something? Some of the slides seemed primarily addressed to the SM, to instruct on *how to teach* TLT, then some slides seemed addressed to boys...Is this in a rough stage of production? Was there a break in the material where the intended audience for the presentation changed, or am I just thick?

Anne in Mpls

Thanks Infoscouter!

I see you're in Coon Rapids - are you with the troop at Epiphany?

Kudu, thanks much!

Yes, I've seen the Green Bar training stuff - really love it. Are you the person behind that site?

Got another suggestion for you - though difficult to do in your ASM position...

Put the troop committee to work! Make them so busy doing the stuff they should be doing that they stop making meeting plans and teaching merit badge classes!

1. Why the heck havn't they put together a year-round recruiting plan? Y'all need posters and business cards. (Yes, I know the boys could do this, but the boys are going to busy with the next item!)

2. Have the boys start planning the next 3 campouts. Toos those plans to the troop committee and have them file the tour permits!

3. I'm guessing that since your committee has been busy doing the SM's and SPL's jobs, that they havn't adequately outfitted the troop with equipment. Draw up a "short" list of your immediate needs: tents, cooksets, lanterns, whatever. Tell them a deadline for the items. Somewhere around here, it should dawn on the committee that they need to plan a fundraiser. You can assist them towards that bright idea in your favorite way

Anne in Mpls

Hi folks!

I did a patrol leader training a couple weeks ago: one new patrol leader and one fairly new GS who is going to serve as an asst PL and very likely to be elected in the next term. (Better for my time and energy to train 2 than to train one! Better for the girls too!)

I definitely need ways to make the training more active - currently it's very "bookish". I think next time I'll try to do it as a hike, with a cookout and stops along the way to do some of the booklarnin! Ideas?

Anne in Mpls

LOL.

I got this in my inbox today:

"I will not be tr**p c**kie manager again."

Suffice to say, there was much more said, and I did not shed any tears

I think she wants us to throw her a parade or something. Even though I had to do half her job, and put up with her complaining after she decided to do things her own way regardless of any advice or stated policies.

Oh, she had a *cow* because I brought the balloons from the Friday night c**kie shop to the Saturday morning c**kie shop. They weren't *fresh*. Good God in heaven...yes, I am praying.

She gave birth to another bovine when my kiddo with aspergers did not make immediate eye contact with her when she came to take down the sale. My kiddo filled in for a family that couldn't come because they were sick. She had worked the booth for 6 hours. The sale had been quiet for the last 30-45 min and she was doing a crossword puzzle and zoning out a bit. Yup, huge behavior issue there. Nevermind I've worked with her own daughter's major behaviors, like hitting and bullying, without having a cow.

I am so writing up our own contract for future volunteers. It will include things like - showing respect for girls in the troop, treating other adults with respect, refraining from going on and on about how hard-working ones fine self is, and not *ordering 6 more cases of c**kies when all we needed was a case or two of one kind to finish one last sale* No wait...10!!! TEN more cases!!! unbeleivable. (Did I mention she complained about the troop buying a $3.50 box for samples without consulting her? TEN CASES!!! That's...another...$420 to move by Sunday. Oh yes, let's have a cow over $3.50 but do your own thing when it's $420.

I need....I don't know what I need. I need something...

Would you like to buy some c**kies?

Anne in Mpls.

Yes, I'd wondered about that -

Seems Scoutreach in our council is now done only through culturally specific council-wide districts, for Hmong, Black-American, and Hispanic families. Is there a way to leverage support within this structure? Before the council merger, Scoutreach was a specific geographic section of the city (2 blocks south of where our cub pack was chartered! We actually changed charter orgs to two blocks away to try to keep the pack going - was able to hook up with more scholarship money for boys, but then got less program...weird!)

Gotta run to work now...

Bobwhite, thanks for helping think this through with me!

Anne in Mpls

Thank you Bobwhite

District commissioner says the SM has been seen attending roundtables. This part of the district has been neglected for decades - this is where I was trying to keep a cub pack together back in the 80's with no commissioner service, and a district that just didn't get the inner city. Since that time, councils have merged, and district lines have been redrawn, so the district is more focused on the city, but this pocket has still not been served in all this time.

The chartering org. is a Presbyterian church - they've got a fabulous website with no mention of the troop and pack that they charter. Another UC in the district mentions the pack is in bad shape. The district commissioner asked me to make contact with the troop, and he would make contact with the pack.

Council gave me a printout with two disconnected numbers for the SM. I then called the charter rep, leaving a voicemail introducing myself and asking him to give me a call - no call as yet but of course this was late last week and we've had a major holiday. From the look of things, I want to tread lightly with the IH - eventually meet with IH and DE I think.

No idea as yet if the troop committee is functioning. I'm wanting to start with the SM and go from there.

From my experience, an excellent program still doesn't overcome the demographics we're working with in the inner city. *Support* is what it takes, and having a fire and vision to see the possibility. When we recruit, it will be mainly single-parent families without transportation. You cant do that without a fire in your belly and enough support - which will mean strengthening the relationship with the charter org. and the district and the community. Maybe. I think. Really all conjecture right now. There are enormous blanks to fill in. Just need help figuring out where to start!

So far my game plan is: chat with SM, ask for invite to troop meeting, see how the boys are doing in the meeting, go by the book and do a leadership audit in April...?

If we're to get this unit back on its feet, spring is a good time to recruit, especially from the middle school as they start looking for what to do with the long hot summer.