SemperParatus

After a few years as the leader of the pack, coupled with family issues, this CM may be ready for a break. Has anyone had a nice friendly chat with him/her about what he/she wants to do?

So the idea of the 'Silverbacks' is that the scouts ape ya'?

I guess the Scout Exec was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

A Boy Scouts Patrol Song 1913 Rudyard Kipling THESE are our regulations Theres just one law for the Scout And the first and the last, and the present and the past, And the future and the perfect is Look out! I, thou and he, look out! We, ye and they, look out! Though you didnt or you wouldnt Or you hadnt or you couldnt; You jolly well must look out! Look out, when you start for the day That your kit is packed to your mind; There is no use going away With half of it left behind. Look out that your laces are tight, And your boots are easy and stout, Or youll end with a blister at night. (Chorus) All Patrols look out! Look out for the birds of the air, Look out for the beasts of the field Theyll tell you how and where The other sides concealed. When the blackbird bolts from the copse, Or the cattle are staring about, The wise commander stops And (chorus) All Patrols look out! Look out when your front is clear, And you feel you are bound to win. Look out for your flank and your rear Thats where surprises begin. For the rustle that isnt a rat, For the splash that isnt a trout, For the boulder that may be a hat (Chorus) All Patrols look out! For the innocent knee-high grass, For the ditch that never tells, Look out! Look out ere you pass And look out for everything else! A sign mis-read as you run May turn retreat to a rout For all things under the sun (Chorus) All Patrols look out! Look out when your temper goes At the end of a losing game; When your boots are too tight for your toes; And you answer and argue and blame. Its the hardest part of the Law, But it has to be learnt by the Scout For whining and shirking and jaw (Chorus) All Patrols look out!

Maybe it was the expletive in the old name.

In our troop, we have 35+ adults/parents registered to council approximately 85 different merit badges (with several multiple counselors for a single badge). We consider merit badge counseling a great opportunity to involve parents that want to be involved somehow in scouting but who may not be into camping. Our scouts typically go to one of our 'in-house' counselors, although 'out-house' counselors have been used in several situations as well. Our troop philosophy is that as long as the counselor is registered, who cares if the counselor is in-house, out-house or related. As SM, I would actually prefer our scouts use one of our in-house counselors since I know they have been through our troop's annual MBC training session (district/council provide no such training) and I know the degree to which our counselors uphold the current requirements and work. While that is my preference, I always provide the scouts with a list of all counselors in our district for a particular badge along with the signed blue card. We have had experiences with 'out-house' counselors that have been both good and horrible (no standards, sign-off over a phone call, adding requirements, not using the latest requirements, etc.) I see no problem with working with someone you know. Forcing a scout to go to someone they do not know, just because an adult thinks this is 'how it should be' or 'to provide a maturation opportunity' is inappropriate. It is the scout's decision as to who he wants to select as a counselor for a particular badge he is interested in. He is not served if his decision is imposed upon him, or otherwise limited.

Of course, I'm partial to the song of the Old Line state. It certainly presents where her loyalties lied during the war of northern aggression... Maryland My Maryland Written by James Ryder Randall The despot's heel is on thy shore, Maryland, My Maryland! His torch is at thy temple door, Maryland, My Maryland! Avenge the patriotic gore That flecked the streets of Baltimore, And be the battle queen of yore, Maryland! My Maryland! Hark to an exiled son's appeal, Maryland, My Maryland! My Mother State! to thee I kneel, Maryland, My Maryland! For life and death, for woe and weal, Thy peerless chivalry reveal, And gird they beauteous limbs with steel, Maryland! My Maryland! Thou wilt not cower in the dust, Maryland, My Maryland! Thy beaming sword shall never rust, Maryland, My Maryland! Remember Carroll's sacred trust, Remember Howard's warlike thrust,- And all they slumberers with the just, Maryland! My Maryland! Come! 'tis the red dawn of the day, Maryland, My Maryland! Come with thy panoplied array, Maryland, My Maryland! With Ringgold's spirit for the fray, With Watson's blood at Monterey, With fearless Lowe and dashing May, Maryland! My Maryland! Come! for thy shield is bright and strong, Maryland, My Maryland! Come! for thy dalliance does thee wrong, Maryland, My Maryland! Come! to thine own heroic throng, Stalking with Liberty along, And cgive a new Key to thy song, Maryland! My Maryland! Dear Mother! burst the tyrant's chain, Maryland, My Maryland! Virginia should not call in vain! Maryland, My Maryland! She meets her sisters on the plain- "Sic semper!" 'tis the proud refrain That baffles minions back amain, Maryland! My Maryland! I see the blush upon thy cheek, Maryland, My Maryland! For thou wast ever bravely meek, Maryland, My Maryland! But lo! There surges forth a shriek From hill to hill, from creek to creek- Potomac calls to Chesapeake, Maryland! My Maryland! Thou wilt not yield the vandal toll, Maryland, My Maryland! Thou wilt not crook to his control, Maryland, My Maryland! Better the fire upon thee roll, Better the blade, the shot, the bowl, Than crucifixion of the soul, Maryland! My Maryland! I hear the distant thunder-hum, Maryland, My Maryland! The Old Line's bugle, fife, and drum, Maryland, My Maryland! She is not dead, nor deaf, nor dumb- Huzza! she spurns the Northern scum! She breathes! she burns! she'll come! she'll come! Maryland! My Maryland! Anybody else care to share your state song...

Fuzzy, I believe this is the official state song of Indiana... On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away Written by Paul Dresser Composed by Paul Dresser 'Round my Indiana homesteads wave the cornfields, In the distance loom the woodlands clear and cool. Oftentimes my thoughts revert to scenes of childhood, Where I first received my lessons, nature's school. But one thing there is missing in the picture, Without her face it seems so incomplete. I long to see my mother in the doorway, As she stood there years ago, her boy to greet. [CHORUS] Oh, the moonlight's fair tonight along the Wabash, From the fields there comes the breath of newmown hay. Through the sycamores the candle lights are gleaming, On the banks of the Wabash, far away. Many years have passed since I strolled by the river, Arm in arm, with sweetheart Mary by my side, It was there I tried to tell her that I loved her, It was there I begged of her to be my bride. Long years have passed since I strolled thro' there churchyard. She's sleeping there, my angel, Mary dear, I loved her, but she thought I didn't mean it, Still I'd give my future were she only here.

Same situation for over a year. We backed off completely (as in never mentioned again) and then SHE decided to do it six months later. If she hadn't, that would have been her decision and one that I would have totally respected. Life is not about the awards and recognitions we earn along the way. (With all due respect to my Lone Star friends, you should have stayed in the Old Line State)

A subsidiary troop...what a novel idea. Look to your program and its ability to deliver scouting's promise, not to the next town. Focus on the troop and boys you have, make it the best it can possibly be and you will be surprised how quickly it will start to grow. Any thought of creating a pack through your CO? Think and act with long-term vision with the goal of creating a model program and the short-term recruiting issues will likely take care of themselves. Good luck.

Scouting in the US has survived and prospered for 95 years through some of the most trying times (depressions, world wars, social upheaval). It will continue and grow even stronger as the generations to follow make their own mark on the program. Anyone else notice that today's scouts are brighter, more spirited and serious about their scouting than those of 20-30 years ago? I think our future will be in good hands.

In my experience, the only gift most Eagle scouts want is your presence to share in their accomplishment. In many cases, invitations may specify 'no gifts'. Out of the 50 or so Eagle COHs I have attended, I always brought a gift. Typically in the $25 range, although sometimes more depending on how close I may be to the scout.

Times definitely change. I wonder what our great great grandkids will be doing to occupy their time. Funny thing is that as a child, 'nature' was right out my back door. Now living in surbaban sprawl (but only two minutes from my childhood home) I have to drive to get to 'nature'.

Great idea. A place for scouts to share with their peers across the country, without adult interference, would be refreshing.

Tim, Thanks for sharing. Steve and his family will be in my prayers tonight.

Welcome..good to have you join.

Black's Law Dictionary (paraphrased) - Rules adopted by an association for its governance.

Welcome. Some of the nicest people I have ever known were from Indiana.

Our SPL attends. Gives a report on past and future activities and brings any concerns that have not otherwise been addressed.

I always thought a serious, in-depth biography of James West is warranted and could make for fascinating reading (at least for scouters).

The rhythm method is a wunnerful thang.

My opinion... A 17 year old Star Scout. I think the decision has already been made. A pleasant 'welcoming' conversation between you, the SM, him and his parents when he joins is appropriate. Maybe the question can be posed to him - what does he want to get out of his last year in scouting? If he mentions Eagle then the workload can be laid out in front of him. If he doesn't mention Eagle, then I would just let it go. Making a big deal about it with formal SM conferences and BORs to lay out a possible Eagle plan may be premature until the scout has been felt out on whether or not this is even on his radar scope.

Gee, I never thought of it like that. That should really improve his interest in scouting, personal commitment and maturity development.

I don't know the completeness and accuracy of this information, but you may find it interesting - http://personal.picusnet.com/rle/eagle1.htm Congrats to your aerie. (This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

scoutldr, Very funny, tell me you didn't submit that one to Boy's Life. Speaking of ducks... A young city feller is out hunting. Spying a duck sitting on a fence post, he takes careful aim and drops the fowl, as it falls on the other side of the fence. Climbing the fence, the young hunter encounters an old farmer on the other side, sitting on his tractor. Old Farmer - "What do you think you're doing thar, sunny?" Hunter - "Getting this duck I just shot." Old Farmer - "I don't think so. This here duck is lying on my property." Hunter - "Listen old man, that's my duck and I'm taking him with me." Old Farmer - "Well now, round these parts we settle our disputes using the three kick rule." Hunter - "The three kick rule...what's that?' Old Farmer - "Well, the way it works is I kick you three times, then you kick me three times and we go back and forth until the first one gives up." Hunter - "Sounds good to me. Nothing would give me greater pleasure then kicking your *** all over this field and taking my duck." Old Farmer - "Fine then" The Old Farmer climbs down off his tractor and plants his steel toed boot square on the knee of the hunter. As he doubles over in pain with a cracked knee cap, the farmer sends a second shot crashing into the hunter's face, breaking his nose and knocking out several teeth. Finally, he gives a mightly blow to the groin leaving the young hunter writhing in excruciating pain in a heap. Struggling to his feet, the young man stammers, "Okay old man, its my turn now. Prepare for some real pain." Hopping back up on his tractor, the old farmer says, "Naw, you can have the duck."