sctmom

Found this online: I Hear America Singing by Walt Whitman I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear, Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong, The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam, The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work, The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck, The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands, The wood-cutter's song, the ploughboy's on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown, The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing, Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else, The day what belongs to the day--at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly, Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.

I found the following on Ernest Thompson Seton. You might want to try doing some searches on his name. I think I've seen in some older literature about how boys were interested in Indian ways and crafts, so using it in Scouting seemed like a good way to get their attention. ERNEST THOMPSON SETON Born in Scotland, Ernest Thompson Seton immigrated to America as a youth in the 1880s. His fascination with the wilderness led him to become a naturalist, an artist, and an author, and through his works he influenced both youth and adults. Seton established a youth organization called the Woodcraft Indians, and his background of outdoor skills and interest in youth made him a logical choice for the position of first Chief Scout of the BSA in 1910. His many volumes of Scoutcraft became an integral part of Scouting, and his intelligence and enthusiasm helped turn an idea into reality.

What is the difference between Troop Program Features and Troop Program Resources? I am a Webelos leader transtioning to a Troop (not sure yet of my role), and I have found the Scoutmaster handbook very valuable as a parent and leader. I would think assistant scoutmasters would benefit much from at least reading this book.

So what does everyone think about the new requirements for the Cooking merit badge? Looks like it does a good job of covering cooking at home and at camp.

Along this same line, if you fix canned vegetables at home, tell your son what you do to season it. I can remember asking my mother to write down what she added to veggies out of the can so they tasted better....sounds obvious but if you don't know you can be very disappointed in those beans with no salt.

Going along with OGE, I call truce. I will NOT be reading the Politics & Issues section anymore. I had a little wake up call recently about blood pressue (way to young for that and no visible reason why it went up), so I'm spending my time on something else. Peace be with you.

Dedicated Dad, Do you think Christianity has been always written down and handdown orally? The histories of the Bible I have read all state that most of the Bible was written well after the events that occured. This is from religious (Christian) leaders. You really should read the article I refer to in the National Geographic Magazine. It was done with much research by a very religious man, who consulted with highly respected religious leaders. One of these highly religious leaders stated they had no proof that Abraham lived and traveled exactly as told in the Bible but the basis of the story is what is important. Some of the irrelevant stories of Abraham don't add up (they would not have used camels at that time for travel), but does it make the story invalid? I for one say no. By the way, sounds like you read Arabic and Hebrew, care to translate the Bible for me? Why does it threaten you so that I say the Bible cannot be picked apart word for word and still make sense? Why is that a threat to you? "Either you have genuine comprehension problems or youre looking for any excuse to project some kind of guilt by association image of modern Christianity to the Crusades." Look again at your statements, you are doing the same when you claim that all witches "conjure" up bad things and control nature. I quote you: "Christianity was very effective in destroying these belief systems, via The Holy Roman Empire and The Crusades." I didn't say all Christians are bad. But you made it sound like the Crusades were "effective" (producing a desired effect) by killing out other belief systems. Is that always the right thing to do? Were people killed only in defense? By the way, why does Christmas fall on December 25th? Why is Easter in the spring and changes every year? Ever read about where these traditions came from...you might be surprised. "How about the ancient Egyptians who believed the earth was a flat platter of clay afloat on a vast sea of water, from which the Nile River sprung, are you going to respect these religions too? " Ummm, I think you already told me that flat earth is not a truth therefore it doesn't need to be discussed. Right? "And yet you have the audacity to question the translation of the Bible? " YEP, and proud of it. I do question the Translation of it, not the inspiration of it. Does that mean my questioning always means I'm out to prove something is wrong? No, it means I use my brain. I don't take everything at face value. And you've made it very clear that neither do you.

Also realize you need to know camp rules. Some BSA camps have the "no sheath knife" rule. So, it also depends on where you are.

Glenn, you are right. But apparently a lot of parents don't see any need to encourage their son to get the Arrow of Light. Trying not to stray off subject, but I found it interesting that one of the parents in my den who never has time for their son's scouting events, spends an hour each Saturday video taping the 10 year old play basketball. And that takes both parents to do that for some reason. On top of 2 practices each week. :::shaking my head:::

One other hint, one of our Webelos brought sloppy joes last fall to a campout. His dad helped him brown the beef at home the night before. Then just heat and add sauce at the camp. It might for a much less mess and less time to prepare.

Try looking on the macscouter website. Some "dutch oven" cookbooks include other outdoor cooking. What I've done with my Cub Scout age son and his friend is start with stuff they like. Precooked meats are good (like spam, canned ham, heat and serve sausages). Stuff from cans, stuff they like. My son will eat stuff at campouts because other kids are eating it. Also, he and his friend will eat things burnt if they cook it (would cause a major scene at home). As my son is moving into Boy Scouts in the next month (yippeee), he is excited about more outdoor cooking. But he likes to cook. How do others get the scouts to try new recipes and foods? I would like to challenge the boys (and adults) to try one new food or recipe each campout. Just one new something, nothing extreme. Would that work with most troops?

I agree with OGE. Also, after 2 years the boy should have made some progress, ever so small, towards being around a larger group. Even though my son is immature, he does improve each year. The school administration has often commented on this, that at least he is moving forward. The troop cannot stand still because of one child.

Let me give you my thoughts as a parent and a Webelos II leader. Even though I seem to have boys falling off the face of the earth in the last few months. Many boys cannot cross over in February, if they do not have their Arrow of Light and don't turn eleven until the summer. What happens to them? I have a few in my den like this. My son would be in that group if I had not been pushing him to get his AOL. Some of these boys just joined Cub Scouts this past year so they haven't had a lot of time to earn their AOL, it's not anyone's fault. About those who say I'll be back later and never return -- these are just some ideas off the top of my head. Get their names and addresses. In the fall have a big shindig. If not a campout at least a full Saturday of "come work on your Tenderfoot Rank" or some fun merit badge. Maybe a special participation patch (the generic ones cost about $2.00). Come up with a catchy name. Send the boys invitations, call the parents. A back to school / back to scouting fun day. Some of the existing parents could be around to talk to the new parents, talk up the scouting program and what it has done for their sons. (he tucks in his shirt now, he can pack his bag for the weekend, etc.) Maybe as school is starting back, see if the troop can do a little demonstration in a visible area on Saturday afternoon -- front of grocery store or discount department store. Everybody is doing their back to school shopping and sees the scouts doing stuff. I know I feel that our scouts (packs and troops and girls) aren't very visible. I see them when they are selling something or collecting food. Would the non-ball-playing scouts be willing to show up in uniform to watch the other boys play baseball? What about a scout baseball game (for fun)? Or we are all going to have a cookout after the game?

Thanks!

Mr. Mori I didn't say and didn't intend to say that the Bible is all smoke and mirrors. I also believe it is true but it is just as believable as say some of the Native American stories. It is easy to pick it to pieces and say "well the ark would never have floated", but does that matter? It what the story of Noah represents that is important. Even if it is the word of God, it is not absolutely the exact story of what happened. It is also easy to pick apart stories such as Native American legends about how the earth began and say "that could have never happened". Sure it sounds unreasonable that an eagle flew and as his wings touched the mud that mountains and valleys were formed. Some of the Bible stories are just as hard to believe if you put them in context of today. You believe the Bible because of faith not hard proof. That's great. I'm not saying you shouldn't. If there was hard core proof, then you wouldn't need faith. But to condemn other beliefs as being "myth" and denying that some of the Bible is falls into the same category is wearing blinders. Many are just as believable as the Bible. I recently saw a web page where someone tried to "prove" the Bible was all invalid because he said if you went by the dimensions of the ark, it would not float. So? I'm sure most of you would agree the man was really missing the point. And even if the ark would not float, what does that proof? Right? Okay, use the same logic when you presented with someone else's beliefs. Men have translated the Bible and maybe the dimensions got mixed up over time, does it make the story any less inspiring? Not to me. But take the time to listen to other's and put yourself in their shoes. It doesn't mean you have to believe what they do, but at least try to understand where it came from. Many stories from many religions deal with the same issues -- creation of the world and people, what happens when people don't listen to God (or gods), a great flood, angels, life after death.

About the sports analogy and uniforms ... I just signed my son up for spring baseball (11/12 year old league) and he's about to crossover from Cubs to Boy Scouts. Baseball -- $85 registration, plus $20 instead of selling $40 worth of candy (mandatory), new pants, new socks, new shoes (probably some type of cleats that can't be worn anywhere else), "personal" guy gear. He has a glove I bought a few years ago that he can still use. They will furnish the shirt and hat. During the pre-season and post-season tournament I will have to pay $2.00 for every game I go watch. Plus there may be more for snacks and trophies. Boy Scouts -- he can still wear his shirt from Webelos at least one more year ($30 with all the stuff), will need pants ($40), belt ($7.00), troop t-shirt, handbook ($10), hat, socks, merit badge sash, new shoulder loops, troop number. The socks and hat may be optional. The troop or pack will probably pay for his handbook. He has a sleeping bag I bought last year that will last him for a long time if cared for. He can wear the same time shoes he wears to school (dark colored sneakers). The scout stuff will be worn about once a week for at least one year (he grows slowly). The baseball stuff will be worn a couple of times a week for 2 months. We checked into football one time and it was very expensive, you had to purchase your own practice pants and jerseys, along with game pants and socks and shoes. They furnished the pads and helmet. No one blinks around here about the price of the ball uniforms. I've seen people spend more on their 5 year old's baseball equipment than you would on a Boy Scout complete uniform. Then the whole family buys t-shirts that match the ball teams. Guess it's a matter of priority. I know there are some neighborhoods and families where price would be a big issue. Isn't there someone on here that is starting a troop in a high risk area? How are you handling the uniform issue? Is that Brad Andrews?

Congratulations Weekender! Now you can sit at the adult table. You said you are hoping to get some Webelos with active dads, don't forget the moms. The next question for the troop my son is about to join is "what about me? where do I fit in?". Even if Moms don't want to camp or do things directly with the boys, they can do a lot of the background stuff. And some of us even like to camp and do "guy" stuff.

Rooster, Yes I can see the difference and fully understand. I felt that Dedicated Dad was being disrespectful to me about my posts as well as being disrepectful to others who believe differently than he does. If you respect someone you do not make fun of them or their beliefs, even if you disagree.

A lot of information I have read about people with ADD talks about how they don't pick up on social "clues", such as when they are talking too much or too loud. You can even sit them down and tell them flat out what is wrong, they will say they understand and will do better next time. But it just doesn't "stick". It's just part of who they are. One of our Cub Scouts has an older brother who is in Boy Scouts this year. The older kid is sweet as can be and completely clueless about social manners. His parents aren't that way and neither is his younger brother or sister, so it's not lack of home teaching. When he's around, we just have to remind him to not interrupt, wait until others have finished, not be so loud. My son sometimes has to be reminded. He doesn't take it personally, he knows he gets out of control and his "brain gets all scrambled up" sometimes. He needs the reminders from others because his brain isn't sending it to him like most people. One recommendation that is used on younger kids with ADHD to keep them "busy" is to attach a large button or other item to their belt loop with a string. Then they can play with it all they want. They need tactical (physical) stimulation. Where fidgeting drives me nuts, it helps an ADHD person focus on the task at hand. Their minds do 2 things at once, wanted or not. Make sure that what he has to fiddle with is not dangerous and will not create more of a distraction. Maybe a koosh ball would be good, but not if he throws things. I would not recommended silly putty because that bounces too easy. Maybe some type of play-dough type stuff. My son can do things with his hands and listen very effectively. It may LOOK like he is not paying attention but when I stop and ask him questions, he knows the answers to what I'm reading.

My father said the building had been bought from the local county officials because they were no longer using the school. It is a very rural county, and the elementary schools were consolidated and placed in the geographical center of the county. The Federal District Court ruled that the sale was illegal because it was sold for the purpose of promoting a segragated school. In Georgia anyone can challenge any property sale within 7 years. The county officials didn't send their kids to the private school but probably just didn't care. On the other hand, the governor of Georgia in 1970 was busy making speeches at open houses at new white-only private schools. Also, just to clarify, understand this was NOT a church based school, just a group of people who didn't like integration and opened their own school. As children, we knew the real reason for the school but we were also told our education would be "better" and we would be "safer". For some private schools this was true, for others the eduacation wasn't better and they eventually folded. Church based schools have a different reason for being in existence.

I always wondered why the Protestants didn't like the Catholics. Learn stuff all the time on this board. I was raised in a very small southern town where everyone was Baptist or Methodist. A LOT of very small Baptist churches (20 or 30 members). I never could tell the difference between the two, went to some of both. Stopped going to church when I was in my early teens because I wanted to learn more about God and the other teens were there to socialize. Guess you could say peer pressure kicked me out and my parents didn't make me go. As an adult I have attended church and still do a lot of reading about religion and the Bible. Since many of you are Catholic you may find this at least interesting. There are still a lot of people that belive the Catholic church is evil. I was taught 20 years ago that the Catholics were heathens that worshipped the Pope not God and they would not go to heaven. Seriously that is exactly how it was told to me from a Baptist preacher. Didn't believe it then as a teenager and sure don't believe it now. My father still insists that Catholics are bad and he dislikes the Methodists because of their creed that says "catholic" with a small "C". This is due to his mis-information about the difference in the words and the beliefs of each. My sister and I have discussed how few meangingful rituals and traditions our Baptist/Methodist background had. I admire the religions that have and teach such historical, meaningful traditions from their history. I really do learn a lot from this board. Thanks to all.

Probably those private businesses do not discriminate based on race. I've emailed my father for further clarification of the case.

OGE writes: "Any Organization with humans in it will display human characteristics. They may be noble, sincere, and helpful and they may also be base and cruel and sometimes at the same time. How an organization deals with inevitable scandal tells us about the charactor of the organization. :Any Organization with humans in it will display human characteristics. They may be noble, sincere, and helpful and they may also be base and cruel and sometimes at the same time. How an organization deals with inevitable scandal tells us about the charactor of the organization. " How true! Get any group of people together, for whatever reason and the "fringe element" will come out. I cannot think of any group of people (political, racial, religious, etc.) that doesn't have some bad representation. I think that is why we must be careful in judging a group of people solely on the actions of a few. I do believe also that the Boy Scout handbook and the Scoutmaster handbook refer to respecting other's beliefs, even if you disagree with them.

"Listen, youre welcome to your heretical opinion as politically correct as it may be. But fair warning Mom, you better watch your innuendo. " What? What innuendo? People were killed in the Crusades. This is a fact. Many people have been killed in the name of "religion" by many religions since the beginning of time. Just because YOU don't believe something doesn't mean others are wrong. No one religion or belief system has any more "proof" than the next. You can believe what you want. You can sit there and say "I don't believe THAT". But to accuse all non-Christians as being "mis-informed" is beyond pompous. Being condescending and making fun of others is not productive way of getting your point across.

I went back and asked family member who remembered more than I. The whole case was that the building was built for public use and could not be used by a private school. The issue was never about was the sale of the property legal or not. I may be wrong here, but I thought schools were build by the state. Would they have been receiving federal funds in the 1950's or 60's to build a building? I do not know.