sctmom

A couple of things I forgot to mention. This troop that I'm talking about has a new trailer and lots of equipment. I have no idea how they got so rich and blessed, or how long it took. They give the boys some dollars from the yard sale, something like $1.00 per hour worked for each boy and his parents. When a boy leaves the troop he can ask for the money from his account. If he does not ask for it within a certain number of months it goes into the "needy Scout Fund". That fund is used for any scout who cannot afford the personal things like a uniform. There are about 25 scouts in this troop. They've been around for about 12 years, I think. Obviously this took a lot of work and planning to get to the point of lots of extra money and equipment. They have tents and cooking gear for every patrol include the adult patrol and visiting Webelos.

For what it's worth, the Clorox website has this subject under "health / childcare". They say to wash in hot, soapy water; rinse thoroughly; then immerse dishes for 2 minutes in "sanitizing solution" (1 tablespoon bleach for 1 gallon of water). Then air dry.

Wicca is no more of an occult than some churches I've seen (and attended). Wiccans do NOT believe they can control nature. What is the purpose of praying for someone to get well? Isn't that to "control" nature? Much of the Bible is legend and myth as well. Recent article in National Geographic about Abraham was wonderful. Some of the religious leaders interviewed said they had no proof that man named Abraham as described in the Bible had lived, but it was a great story to believe in. They acknowledged it is not 100% true. Just because some believes differently than you does not make them misguided. You liked the Crusades? You are proud of destroying not just beliefs but innocent people?

Does the church have a youth minister that might help? Glad to hear the pastor is supportive. Sounds like a great way to reach kids who really need to something good to believe in and to believe in themselves. I wish you the best of luck.

The troop my son is about to join has 2 fundraisers. The first is popcorn in the fall. All the money earned from this goes into the boy's account. Part of the reasoning behind this is that the troop is very well-funded, seem to have more money than they know what to do with. The second fundraiser is in the spring. All year the troop collects items from people for a yard sale. Then one weekend in the spring, they carry the stuff (I think 2 tractor-trailer loads) to a huge parking lot on a busy street (the business in charge of the lot loves this and allows them to do it). They just sort of dump it out there and have a yard sale. They said this takes a lot of work. They have made contacts over the years and certain neighborhoods let them know when they are having the neighborhood yard sale, the scouts get the "leftovers". Also, the church that is the CO gets the word out. And some one has donated the trailers and a place to keep them for the stuff to be stored in all year. They make about $4,000 to $5,000 each year! They said they've had people stop and donate stuff during the sale! Said they have sold everything you can imagine including air conditioners, large appliances, lawn mowers, toys, clothes, etc. We live in a metro area that is fast growing. The location of the yard sale is very key, it is on the busiest street in the area.

You may also want to get the Scoutmaster's handbook if you don't already have it. It has plans for about 3 or 4 months for a new troop, details of what to cover in each meeting and in what order so the boys are doing outdoor activities pretty quickly but well prepared -- and the boys have planned it. I have a current copy of the fieldbook and even it is outdated. I can't remember the originally publication date and don't have it at my fingertips. It has some good information but do realize that programs like Leave No Trace have made changes and newer types of equipment are not covered.

What are WFR's and WEMT's?

Eisley, I've never heard of animism, will have to look that up. Wicca is often a blend of many ancient religions, beliefs and rituals. They aren't out to convert people, what I've run across they are very quiet people and VERY, VERY careful about talking to minors. They are not a cult, they are in general very accepting of other's beliefs. They are as upset as any one of things like Harry Potter and stuff you see on TV and movies about witchcraft. They don't like being portrayed that way.

Where do you get things like the CPR shield? I've been looking for one of those but don't find it at regular drugstores.

Why does the CO concept exist? Maybe at first it made sense, but sounds like most organizations just sign the paperwork. I would think they would want to work together in ways to benefit the CO and the Scout group. Do Girl Scouts have Charter Organizations? I've never heard of them, but I'm just learning about Girl Scouts.

Wicca is one of those terms that means a lot to many people. They may worship one or more gods or goddesses. They do NOT believe that Satan or hell exist, so therefore do not worhsip a devil that doesn't exist. They often have rituals based around nature and the seasons. They usually call themselves witches and meet in covens. Everyone is equal. Males are also witches, not warlocks. Their first creed is to do no harm. There are some websites out there that explain it better than I do.

Strange how you don't want to recognize paganism but you sure like to "borrow" traditions from Native Americans. You realize they are pagans, right? Also, there is nothing in BSA policy stating pagans are not allowed, it just say a believe in God, which god (or goddess) is your choice. Pagan does not mean atheist.

I was taught right from wrong without the Bible or Church. In fact many of the regular church goers I saw growing up were committing "sins" more often than my non-churched parents. Some of the things I was taught were honesty, no stealing, no lies, politeness, work hard, no handouts, take care of your self, charity to those who really need it (sick, old, children), no drinking, no smoking, sex only within a marriage, no cussing, no cheating. Hmmm, am I missing anything? Didn't need a Bible to tell me to do these things. I know non-Christians who don't need a bible to tell them these things.

What do you have in your first aid kit for dayhikes, car camping, backpacking?

Yep, Baptists don't confess, they just feel guilty! LOL A little humor into the subject.

I couldn't make it Wednesday night, maybe with better planning I will next week. OGE, there are regularly scheduled chats on AOL, very few people attend. I sometimes do, but haven't much the last month or so.

I mainly went to Baptist churches growing up, we didn't have the Apostle's Creed and Nicene Creed. I don't remember every hearing of the term "Trinity", even though I do remember hearing "Father, Son & Holy Ghost".

Dedicate dad writes: "God love ya Mom, but youre watching the parade a couple blocks behind. " Obviously I am slow because I don't know what you mean by this statement. Are you saying the KKK doesn't exist? Are you saying people don't discriminate against blacks today? Are you saying people don't believe in white supremacy today? Let me introduce you around Georgia. Usually about once a year somewhere in Georgia the KKK gets on the news because they apply for a parade permit in some small town or they march in a community parade. Racial discrimination, as well as many other types, are alive in Georgia. As I've stated in other posts, our schools allow Christmas trees, Christmas parties, etc. in the elementary schools. They give lip service to Kwaanza and Hanakuah (forgive me if I misspelled those). The chorus sings Christmas carols at the PTA meeting. Think my Wicca friends could go talk to the students? Think my Native American friends could go talk to the students about their religion? Oh, the Native American beliefs are referred to as "myths" and "legends". Dedicated Dad, if you are saying I'm behind the times, how recent of an example do you need of racial or religious discrimination (and I mean very clear, obvious cases) in the South? Off the top of my head I know of one I personally dealt with in 1989 of racial discrimination and a major news story about racial discrimination around 1988 (the Georgia county that had NO blacks in it, blacks couldn't even get a job in the stores there).

Mr. Mori, I know you must be proud. You and your wife should be congraluted on raising such a fine young man. One thing about this special scout, at least he doesn't disrupt meetings like I hear of some scouts doing. He's more of the type to disappear into the shadows. I know he has some problems about controlling his anger at school sometimes but this apparently isn't very often. His mom tries to give him a very structured and loving environment. I hope he does continue in scouting. I hope I can talk to his mom at next week's den meeting and get the ball rolling for him to visit some troops. I just need to find out if she prefers to look at some closer to her home.

One of the troops we visited was VERY nice, put on a special program for the boys, talked to the parents. But no follow-up. Evmori writes: "It sounds like your talents might be better served as a leader in a Troop. You could be the ASM in charge of Webelo Transition! " I think that's what I'm volunteering for, as soon as I open my mouth and tell the troop this! LOL. But what a great job it would be! Webelos are SO excited to join the "big" guys. And the look on the parents faces when you say "and you DO NOT have to go on every campout with your son! "

It took me some time to verify my facts on this story. This goes along with the discussions about using public school buildings for meetings or recruiting. The place: Georgia. The year: 1970. Integration is finally made a reality in the Georgia Public Schools statewide. Many white parents get together and open private schools. Some schools have 300 or 400 students the first year. In one small town, instead of building a new building, the parents purchase a elementary school building from the state. This building had not been used for a couple of years. Realize they "purchase" it, not "rent" it. The families spend Saturdays and evenings cleaning and making repairs. After a couple of years, the mortgage is paid off, the school building is debt free. It's not great, but it just the right size. Another year or so, the United States Government decides the private school must vacate the building. Why? Because the school was built for public use and could NEVER, I mean NEVER, be used by a private organization. True story, I lived it. I was in 6th grade the year we built the new building. And I do mean WE. My family was one of the ones down there every Saturday working, if you could walk, you could work. I don't know how far up the court system it went, but the school lost. These weren't parents who gave up easily, so I feel pretty darn sure they fought it as far as the law allowed. We moved during spring break of that year. Luckily it was on the adjoining land the school had bought from a private individual. So the day before spring break, students pulled and pushed and carried desks, chairs, books, and everything else from one building to the next. The local school district really didn't care if we owned the building or not. They had no use for it. For well over 15 years it sat empty, many times the victim of vandals, before finally being torn down. The state wasn't against the private schools. Much of the state legislature sent their kids to similiar schools. The school had an "official" non-discrimination statement. Everyone swore that no blacks had ever applied for entrance and if they could pay the money, they could attend. I don't even think we had an entrance exam. So, if you think the local school district or the State has a right to do as they please, think about it some more. Public buildings are for public use FOREVER. And the public includes everyone. That concludes your history lesson for the day.

The trinity being Father, Son and Holy Ghost. The Methodist have this as part of their creed. DD -- the state does not have the right to say we aren't going to let in a certain group because we don't agree with them. If that were so, then the KKK would HAVE access in some Southern States while other groups would not. Many people may think intergration happened in the 50's or mid-60's, Think Again! Georgia, 1969, still had seperate schools, supposedly seperate but equal. More than 10 years after the Brown vs Board of Eduation case. In 1969, there were 2 black students in each elementary classroom at our school -- one girl and one boy. Was the state right? The rest of the United States didn't think so. Freedom of religion principle includes freedom to not participate. If we say atheism is not a religion, then someone say Wicca is not a religion, and then someone decides Islam is not a religion, then Judaism, and then Baptist, etc., etc., etc......See what happens?

OGE writes: "Den Mother oh excuse me Den Leader ::slaps self :: " LOL -- actually I feel like the Pack Mommy some days -- like when in the middle of the pack meeting, the Cubmaster turns to me and says "when is our next leader meeting?". Yes, I am a Den MOTHER as well as a leader...some of us are just mommies no matter where we go. Thanks for you advice. This kid needs scouting for some many reasons....and it needs to not be the pressure school is on him. It may take him a little longer to make each rank or earn a badge, people may have to work more with him on the academic parts and be creative (in a good way). He needs the challenge and the rewards, he needs the structure, he needs the brotherhood, the role models, the indepedence. One thing on his side is that his new mom is a special ed school teacher, so she knows when to push and when to back away. She also wants him to have the positive males in his life.

I mentioned in another post I have a Webelos Scout who is "behind" the other 5th graders. He's a great kid, very excited to be in scouts, very proud of his uniform, very well behaved at Scout functions, and very shy. I do not know all of his background. He is a year old than the other 5th graders (will soon be 12). He is new to our area and to Scouting this school year. He also has a new family -- he is being adopted by a teacher he had a few years ago. I don't know what he has been through in the past. He started living with his new mom right as school started. He has a brother (about 1 year older) that is also being adopted by this lady. There is a slightly younger brother who is in a hospital for mental problems (will one day be able to go to this same home). Academically, this young man is on a first grade level according to his mom. She is single, but does have a man in her life that takes up some time with the boys. Nice enough guy, but lacks patience from what I've seen. Young scout also has speech problems, very hard to understand him when he gets excited. The mom says he looks forward to every scout meeting. He irons his shirt the night before and wears it to school the day of meetings. She is concerned about transferring him to Boy Scouts too soon. I'm not sure if he will join the same troop as my son, or one closer to their home (they live about 30 minutes away). What kind of advice can I give this lady about what to tell the scout leaders and what to ask scout leaders? My feeling is that he needs a troop where one of the male leaders keeps an out for him. Not to single him out, but to realize the simplest things are a challenge to him (like reading the Scout Law). I keep going over things in my mind, but then think "that is common sense" yet I don't want to assume anything about what scout leaders may or may not do. This kid Needs Scouting and Wants Scouting. His older brother may also be encouraged to join as well (I pull him into den meetings every chance I get). What advice would you give the Scout and his mom?

Some people can post from work but due to company restrictions / firewalls cannot enter into real live chats.