johndaigler

Bob White, I recieved your PM. I replied, but I'm not sure the system delivered it. I received an error message, but in similar situations the recipient actually did get my reply. Please let me know if it worked its way through to you. jd

HTU - I'm glad to see this is helping. Just a few variations on others' thoughts . . . The Den Chief is a great idea, but maybe better used with the rest of the boys rather than the two Autistic Scouts. The dads might better play that role. You said they're both there, but not what they do. Get their fingers dirty! Do you know any classroom teachers? Talk with them about "mainstreamed" special needs students and how teachers keep their classes and lessons from focusing so much on the needs of the few that the needs of

Cajuncody, Thank you! For the story, and for all your efforts!!!!!!! jd

Bob White, I tried to be clear and fair with my post, not aggressive, and I apologize if you felt attacked. My "attack" was on your words -- or atleast that was the plan. Which piece was offensive? Which piece was wrong? "Will this opinion strike some very personally? Maybe it will. Maybe enough to get them to take and use the available training. Maybe it will upset them enough to do their job or make room for someone who will." Perhaps you and I are on the same page after all -- it's just easier to be writing that page than to be reading that page. jd(This message

You Da Man!!!!! Thanks, Terry!!! Catch that, Hops, I'm as smart as Terry - yeah, a bit slower, but I got there!!! Now, who's next on my list??? Bob White??? jd

"My perspective on the difference between a scout leader and a quality scout leader is the difference between a horse, and somebody who is dressed up like a horse." This, BW, is why you create angst in your readers and lower your value as a teacher. You could have said the difference between a horse "and a pony"(similar just a little tinier, not quite as capable of doing those "Horse-ish" kinds of things), or a horse "and a thoroughbred" (similar, but has a QUALITY bloodline, probably well-trained) or a horse "and a zebra" (similar, but a little wild, untrained and rough around

irover33, WELCOME!! Listen to BW, while I don't always think he's right, I've never actually seen him be wrong! Curious, though, who passed the rule and why you HAD to stress the rules?? Not passing the Scoutmaster Conference?? OUCH! That's a bit harsh! Even if it weren't ABSOLUTELY AGAINST THE RULES, what did you hope to achieve?? Your "uniformity" was more important than boys achieving rank and being recognized for their efforts?? Hmmmmm . . . I'm kinda wishin' ol'Bob there hadn't let ya off the hook so easily. . . Seriously, though, why? jd

Thanks, Hops, I'm not ready to pursue that avenue, yet. Maybe Terry can come up with something. My ideas might actually work for them as well, since it's likely to bring additional Scouters to SCOUTER!! jd

Thanks, SWS!! Makes too many wolves in a Den look a little simpler!!!! jd

THANKS!!!!!! I get it and I'm already working on it!! Again, thank you. Now, since you gave me that cookie let me ask for another . . . Using that webpage or any other technology associated with Scouter, can I establish a forum for my local peeps to discuss local issues -- a techno-meeting, site as it were. I imagine getting all my Unit Leaders to sign on to Scouter and then visit our own personal forum for discussions that would ordinarily require hours of meeting time. Any help??

BW - Your logic about leadership is sound. But, you titled the thread,"Social and Economic Forces and Their Effect on Scouting". Perhaps it's the conversation about "Quality Leadership" that doesn't fit the thread. No one is going to successfully argue your initial point about Leadership. But your logic is vacuum-based, and to deny the real-world impact of economics, race, community environment, neighborhood safety, police and govt. relationships, family and cultural traditions, isn't sound logic or helpful to anyone fighting the good fight. Can Quality Leadership overcome all the

retire em! if you can get em back, use em next year or see if there's a Tiger group somewhere that wants to save a few pennies. This is one piece of the uniform that even wolves don't want to wear. With the tigers going blue, I give National two years before they do away with the totem and use the pocket protector approach like the Wolves and Bears. jd(This message has been edited by johndaigler)

Home building sites are great resources for scraps --especially milled wood, but plenty of other items like metals, paper, wiring and plastics, etc. It's also a GREAT resource for finding individuals (mostly guys) who have the skills, talents, materials and tools to be of assistance in many ways. If they're strangers, there are obvious safety concerns to be conscious of, and you should ask for permission to invade their private property dumpsters. But, I've had guys quit work early to spend a half hour helping me safely sift through the stuff and make decisions -- they even start givi

First HTU, WELCOME!! Second, Be Prepared for some serious comments about your moniker - FYI, there will likely be a large amount of underappreciation!!! Third, your Council/District guys probably have answered this question before, so even if you don't appreciate them, go there for possible support. I hope you've already discussed this with the boys' parents, and maybe even doctors. The boy's school is another great source of info about this particular boy. Autism is not a single thing or single set of circumstances for a child. You can "google" it and come up with many sites

Why are we getting hung up with each other? If you're in the "I can't afford uniforms" group, you should be focusing on the many solutions being offered, not criticizing the "solution-offerers" choice of words! Your very actions of coming to this forum, demonstrate other posters' "Where there's a will, there's a way!" mentality. No, it's not gonna be easy but there are several good solutions here AND HUNDREDS of SCOUTER readers now know a little bit more about your plight. Several are working away trying to find uniforms for you already. It's time to re-read this thread and SEE the

Hops or Terry or ..., In a CUB thread, we're discussing activity participation segment patches. Is there a way for me to share the scanned image of these? I don't know how to "attach" this graphic to a post or a PM. Is it possible? Is there any other option than sharing personal email addresses? Thanks, jd

2CD - These patches are shaped like a slice of pie with a bite taken out of the pointed end so they can butt up against the round center patch. (If you're mathematically inclined, imagine an inverted isosceles trapezoid "\_/" bent around a circle!!). Each one is ~1/2 inch high and ~1 inch wide. As you complete each circle around the center patch, you just start a new "layer". Each patch is simple and unique. Our council keeps about 125 in stock, and I'm told more are available. For example, there's an American Flag, a hand shooting a marble, a tent, a swimmer, a popcorn box, a rocke

Push ups are hazing and inappropriate -- that's simple. The parents, Scouters and even the Scouts, themselves, can't change that with a vote -- that's simple. Changing pre-teens behavior?? -- That's complicated! Goodmana, you've read lots of good ideas. Just keep trying one after another until you find the right key. And after that one works for a little while, you'll need to find a different one. And, OH BTW, it's best to have several handy at any given moment, since the key for each boy might well be different!! Be sure the boys see several and agree that they're fairly equitable.

TigerDad, As you can see from the different posts, you better be clear with the principal just what he expects the end product to look like!!!! If he's looking for adult quality, your unit is better off doing a fund rasier and paying a pro. But, if he's daring, partially color blind, and truly interested in offering second graders a chance to do their best, then this could be one GREAT boy's room!! Any chance of bringing in the school's art teacher for some direction?? No reason not to plan your chaos ahead of time!! A mural is probably out of the reach of second graders, but the art

Thanks for the input, so far. If Cubs earn a belt loop through Den/Pack activities would you NOT give out the participation segment? For example, at Day Camp boys earn Fishing, Archery and BB Gun Shooting belt loops. Would you also give those segments?? I see the blet loops and other "awards" as a record of Achievement and the segments as a record of participation. If the the red vest is the place to BRAG with those segments, shouldn't the segments be there as well as loops on the belt? My Pack is discussing whether it should pay for both. Thanks again, jd

My council uses these "optional" segment patches to celebrate Cub participation in any number of activities. They're small somewhat pie slice shaped and are placed in expanding circles about a round council patch on the red brag vest. Do you use them? Do you have any customs, traditions, or policies regarding their distribution?? I'm just looking for background info as our Pack discusses their continued use . . . WE use them prolifically, and are distributed at the discretion of the DL for Den Activities and the Advancement

TrailPounder, "Ever notice how people who have been called a racist immediately go defensive and backpeddle and just have to prove to the guy throwing the bomb that he is JUST NOT ONE OF THOSE RACISTS." How would you have preferred Boleta to respond after having been called a racist???????? You OBLITERATED him because he denied being a racist??? jd

BW, I know you know what you're talking about. So, with all due respect, I didn't follow ... "The ability for scouts to wear a correct uniform is no more tied to the income of the scout and his family than is any other of the scouting methods. " ... I would probably agree with your point if the family's income were the overriding issue. However, if the economic condition of the entire scouting environment is impoverished, I would find your wording less than concrete-carved truth -- maybe even hurtful. If the boy's family can't afford it, and the troop can't afford it, and the o

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You guys all continue to amaze and humble me!!!!!!!!!! jd