Narraticong

I was in your shoes just two years ago. Our troop started with five boys and is now up to 19 active boys. We will celebrate our first Eagle Court of Honor this summer (one of our several transfers). So, yes it can be done. But let me explain why it is working for our troop. First, we had dedicated parent support and a good feeder pack. We also actively recruit from other local packs. We had all young boys at first, but several older boys transferred in during our first year. Instant role models. Our purpose for starting a new troop was that the other local troops did not fit o

I'll take a stab at getting us back on track. I have pretty strong feelings on this subject. In my mind I am not here to be a babysitter. My goal is to help boys become upstanding young men and good citizens. I use the Scouting outdoor traditions to do that. There are risks inherent every time we step outside and throw on our backpacks. But if we present the program correctly, Scouting will help our boys be better prepared to face those risks they will come across throughout their lives. Boys will fail every step of the way. And sometimes they will be moral failures, not just u

My thought is that I choose my battles. I personally don't like video games, don't play them and consider them a waste of time. But the boys think otherwise. I am smart enough to know I will never REALLY win by just saying "no electronics". But if I work hard enough to provide interesting and fun options, it's not hard to convince them to put the games down. We had one inter cabin weekend where we had a Checkers tournament. It doesn't get any more old fashioned than that. The boys loved it and played for hours. We made it the Championship of the Civilized World and really had some

Yes, we seem to be dealing with at least third hand information. Who knows what the leaders really said, versus what the parent "heard" and perceived. So everything is in question. As to these kind of events, our troop loves them. We try to get together every couple of months for a "fun night". No Scout uniforms, no Scout skills, just the guys getting together to have fun. They are still Scouts and it is a troop function. But it is a chance for the boys to socialize as they wish within that Scout atmosphere. Many times they choose to play video games. We have guidelines similar to

Kudu just never seems to get tired of beating us up over the "outing in Scouting" issue! And for that I am grateful. Let schools teach about tea parties. By learning how to function properly as a patrol, our Scouts will learn how to actually BE GOOD CITIZENS. I really believe if we went back and revisited the ideas of Greenbar Bill, we would do just fine.

A few of our boys decided at one of our meetings to do a knot board. We have never made one before, and we would like some advice on how to make it. What should the dimensions of our board be? Are there any cool-looking knots you knoow of that we could put on there? Any help would be appreciated. ASPL Drew (Son of Narraticong)

Ahhhh yes...the Leslie Matrix model. If I am correct, Baden Powell invented that model, whereas Greenbar Bill perfected it. What the heck? Are you saying that if you recruit the same number of kids from Cub Scouts for four years, you'll have an even age spread group? Isn't that obvious? Did you really have to do a study? Was it government funded? Yikes! Ken

You should have been over in East Tent City, John. We slept great that night. Sad to have to leave Saturday. Darn kids, should be seen and not heard. I just wish I had some of that energy! Ken

Misfits? Is that a bad thing? Our troop has now grown to 19 boys in just two years of existance. Several of our boys came to us from other troops where they just didn't fit in. One of these kids will soon receive his Eagle. Another is now our SPL. Yet another is one of our PLs. No, we aren't especially "Scouty". We don't often have uniform inspections, don't require Class A uniforms at every meeting. But we have fun. We go camping. The boys learn Scout skills and are getting pretty good at them. Camp food still can not be considered gourmet. But the boys get along real well, car

If someone has to "teach" a boy how to throw rocks, then we may as well pack it in. Sad state of affairs... ken

I for one, expect my kids to have their cell phone with them at all times. Including church and school. And no I don't hover one bit. Cell phones are wonderful technology. I personally have no idea how to work much of my rather simple cell phone. I rarely use it. I rarely need my first aid kit, either. But I am glad it is handy. It is a tool, no more, no less. My son had his confiscated one day in middle school because he had forgotton to put it on vibrate. It was a wrong number call, not a friend. I had to go to the office to retrieve it and received a lecture from the secret

I am 100% in line with tombitts feelings about teaching responsibility through trust. The expectation is that a Scout will act responsibly at all times. The reality is that they often fail. But Scouting is the place where they are expected to fail, repeatedly, without grudges. It is a proving ground for manhood and good citizenship. If a Scout uses a cell phone, axe, knife, saw, or matches in an incorrect or irresponsible manner, we have an opportunity to teach. So, I really don't care if a Scout has a cell phone in his pocket anymore than a pocketknife or pencil and paper. It is a

When I received my Eagle Charge, I was told I was a man "marked for life", that "much was expected". I can't speak for other Eagles, but those words meant something to me then, and 33 years later they mean even more. As an Eagle, I have an obligation to others. There is no charge given to Life Scouts, Star Scouts, or other ranks. They have a choice whether they wish to continue living the Scout Oath and Law. Many do so and are fine examples of what Scouting can do for a boy. The fact is, the public and other Scouts see Eagles as having reached the top of the mountain. We are ch

I have a whole troop of boys with only one over the age of 13. And yes, I am confident that they would at least attempt to take care of one of their own before waking an adult. They do care for, and about each other. They are capable of much more than we give them credit for. And they surely blossom when we give them a chance!

I love my Yucca! It reminds me of me- older than dirt, lots of wear and tear, rumpled, but still puts in a full days work and will outlast a lot of newer gear! I use my old canvas bag every week to tote my miscellaneous Scoutmaster gear to meetings, outings etc. I believe mine was an antique shop $5.00 purchase.(This message has been edited by narraticong)

I tend to agree with the idea of pointing out the error at a later time. Praise in public and criticize in private. It's reasonable to assume moving the flag during the meeting involved a certain amount of public criticism. But as to tthe flag just being cloth, I'll take exception. I never served in the military, but I've been a lifelong Boy Scout. So a respect for authority and its representatives comes natural. I'll remind everyone of something I hope was said at the beginniing of that meeting. "I pledge allegiance to the flag...". I would think proper allegiance calls for a

"Right you are Pack. They could be blonde bimbos that posed topless at age 17, got implants because they didn't like the body God gave them, makes a living posing in swimsuits and lingerie, and now claims to be some kind of Christian" Not quite sure how any of these would preclude someone from being a Christian. Christians are who we are specifically because we are so faulted. We believe Jesus died for us because of our sins. In the same light, being homosexual does not mean one can not be a Christian. Anybody can call themselves whatever they choose. In the end, it all comes down t

Some of our younger boys use tubs on "car camps". They work well for that purpose. Just a few considerations. Don't buy too big and then load it up. Remember, you will have to carry it from your vehicle to your tentsite. Buy just big enough to carry what you NEED. Make sure it has handles that lock (clamp) onto the tub itself. Wind tends to make others sail away. This will also help deter raccoons from stealing the candy which Cubs will certainly sneak into the tub! Make sure your tub has a lip which overlaps the tub so that rain can not get inside. Finally, consider melting a

We have several boys and an adult who use the Alps Zephyr 2 man as individual tents. Seems to work better and then there is rooms inside for the gear. Beautiful tents. I use the Mystique 1.5. I'm a big guy and it is a tight fit for me. Gear stays outside or under vestibule. But it is very light. Would not want to have to spend all day inside in a rainstorm. Alps Taurus tents are the workhorse of the line. Not ultralight by todays standard, but still about a third of the weight of canvas tents we backpacked with back in the stoneage! Ken

We adults get all excited about uniform parts and colors. The boys in our troop wear a mix and match of all sorts. I like to find old parts cheap in the thrift stores and help a Scout out who might not be able to afford the new stuff. I have yet to hear a single Scout remark that another Scout is not up to date. Wear what you have, be happy, and focus on the program. That's what the boys do. It's their game...

Nike- Relax and be ready to have a great time. I was able to attend a conference last summer. Never went to Philmont as a boy, so this was a great opportunity. My son went with me and participated in the Trailblazers program. It was the experience of a lifetime for an 11 year old Scout. His tales have gotten taller in the months since we have been home. You will meet some of the nicest Scouting folks from all over the country. For me, that was the best part. I can now count John-in-KC as a personal friend since we attended the same conference. It was fun to meet different peo

Ten years from now, the new boys in the troop will be wondering why that young ASM is nicknamed "Snot". Nice story Stosh. The kind that becomes troop lore and may just help another young scout someday get through a nervous night. He'll know that some of the older boys have gone through the same thing. Ken

At least now they will match the uniform pants when they walk around with their pants sagging so far that their boxers show! I guess better green than Kahki...will Cub boxers be yellow? Ken

A good example of doing things the right way involves GreenBar Bill Hillcourt. When Bill was coming up with ideas on how a troop or patrol should operate, he could have just put the ideas on paper and said, "Here's how you do it boys". Instead he made sure his ideas worked befoer he put them out for use. He became Scoutmaster of Troop 1 in Menham, NJ. For nearly 20 years, Bill made sure every idea was tested in the field before it became part of the program. No shortcuts. Learn to do things right, even if it takes longer than you would like.

..."describe your pattrol flag". This patrol did not have a FLAG. They had a design of what they would like their flag to look like if they ever got around to actually making a flag. Come on guys, I agree with no more or less than what the requirement says, but that is just plain wrong. If it is a new Scout patrol with no flag, they need to make one. That is part of establishing their identity. Tenderfoot is all about learning the "Scouting Way". For anyone, adult or youth leader, to sign off on that requirement before it is completed is just cheating the Scout. We all know in