shortridge

There's nothing preventing a modern-day Scoutmaster Simmons from using the same tools - common sense, parent and community support, rich benefactor, military/musical background and upbeat personality - that Fred MacMurray's character used. Folks who have a strong libertarian-style streak may be turned off by the way things have evolved since their own youth. But so has everything else. The rules and regs, for all that folks moan and groan about them, give individual units a remarkable degree of latitude to develop a powerful program. That's not to say specific things couldn't be impr

jtswestark: Your son's experience sounds like a mirror of mine. The difference is that I never got Eagle. I was having far too much fun in the OA and on camp staff - they gave me opportunities that the troop couldn't.(This message has been edited by shortridge)

Chapter meetings are hopefully not representative of the OA program in your area. Go to a lodge or chapter inductions or fellowship weekend, and volunteer your services as an elangomat, member of the physical arrangements (ceremony site set-up) team, general work crew member, kitchen crew, anything. Now, hands off! From there, let him choose his own path. There are many opportunities for youth to get involved and lead. He'll find his niche by himself. I touched a lot of bases working my way up, from sobbing while cutting onions in the kitchen to being summer camp staff rep and running el

That said, though, what would be the purpose in restricting distribution or sale of the information in the green binders given to folks who attend NCS? It's not top-secret information, and can only help folks who want to learn more.

Such "Polar Bear" or "Frostbite Camper" patches are not really advancements, per se. They fall under the category of temporary patches. The vast majority of temp patches - the ones you can wear on your right pocket, brag vest or patch blanket - are local-issue type of things. They're for district or council events (like a Cub-O-Ree or Bowl-A-Thon), day camp or summer camp, hiking a historic trail, etc. They are on a council-by-council basis - so as far as finding all the info in one place, you are kind of out of luck on that angle. Edited: There was a previous recent thread on cold-w

I don't think I could watch this movie in a room with other Scouters, because it always makes me cry. The scenes with Whitey and his father, particularly at the troop meeting, are heartbreaking. It does give one pause to think that once there was enough land cheaply available (or freely given) for brand-new Scout camps. Now where I'm from, it'd cost you an arm, leg and your first-born child to get enough land on a suitable site.

[utmost apologies for duplicate post. My mouse is messing up.](This message has been edited by shortridge)

This Eagle adviser said he has a 100% first time pass rate and he is not going to take a packet in that he does not think is certain to pass the first time. This Eagle adviser needs to get his head screwed on properly, and possibly be replaced. It's not his project; he's not going to lose his job because of a low "pass rate"; and if his ego is so sensitive that he needs to be validated by that type of "achievement," then he might not be a suitable role model for youngsters. Make one last effort to work with this gentleman. Suggest that your son ask for a detailed list, in writing, of

Like the vast majority of publications, both Boys' Life and Scouting *rarely* take unsolicited manuscripts. Those end up on the "slush pile," as book publishers call it, and might get a cursory glance, but little else. That said, they do publish freelance articles, and welcome article ideas - it's not just an "as-assigned" type of thing. Just don't waste your time writing the whole thing up first. Send them a detailed query with your idea, and wait until you get the go-ahead. They'll let you know if it meets their needs. (It might be a good article, for example, but it's just not the righ

Marbles bring back many fond memories of Cubs. My den leader had an old carpet, worn pretty flat, that she let us draw chalk circles on (she was extremely tolerant) and was PERFECT for shooting marbles. We spent many a "pre-meeting activity" on our knees in her living room. Nowadays, however, I find that my thumbs and fingers get really painful, really quick, if I try to shoot some. I'm not sure if they've aged faster than the rest of me, or if I was just a lot tougher at age 8.

nrp1488, Are you certain about those Maryland regs? I don't recall those rules from my youth (early '90s), and couldn't find any such reference on the state park Web site. The only ratio I could find is a 1:5 rule for groups using a free "youth pass" for groups.

You get on the internet and the first three sites you visit are Scouter.com, baloos Bugle, and the council website to make sure that you are not missing anything. You've been snooping on my computer? Darn Big Brother...

In present-day camping, very few of the traditional Scouting skills are used on a day-to-day basis. Wilderness survival? Got a cell phone and personal locator beacon. Map and compass? Got a GPS. Boiling water? Carrying canteens? Heck, you can get a filtration system hooked up to your Camelbak, and you don't even have to take off your pack to drink. Carving a Scout stave? Got a pair of trekking poles. To me, it's those traditional skills that are the most important to pass on, lest they fall by the wayside completely. You never know when they'll be useful, and that really is the

In my council, the summer camp program guide comes out in January. So you might have to wait a while.

What exactly are you looking for?

I've only seen them in libraries. Interesting approach. I love the "old" issues. My first SM gave me some copies from the '60s (not that that's old!!! ), and the articles and illustrations and photos are just of amazingly high quality. IMHO, BSA would do better by publishing two magazines - one for Cubs and one for Boy Scouts/Venturers. It's virtually impossible to write something that appeals to ages 6-17 without dumbing it down so you lose the older segment.

Yeah, keeping the parents happy is going to be your biggest challenge. If they're grumpy, the kids are going to be grumpy, so don't give them the opportunity to sit around and grump! Enlist them as helpers cooking, leading songs, activities, etc. Knot-tying never goes out of style for any age group, and is super-suitable for rainy days. Just have plenty of appropriate rope - short pieces of thick nylon or kernmantle (climbing rope) castoffs, fused at the ends, is perfect for small hands. (Don't try to teach them with manila or polyprop, unless it's all you've got.)

Greetings, all Im going to be starting up a Daisy troop at my daughters school next fall. Im new to Girl Scouting my background is in Cubs and Boy Scouting and I have yet to undergo training (thats coming in the spring). However, I have been spending some time brainstorming program ideas to last the two years of the new program. Id really appreciate some input and feedback from folks whove been there, done that. Have any of these things worked (or failed) for you? Are there any that you think are too advanced for 5- and 6-year-old girls and should be saved for later? Ive trie

Winter nature hikes are great - I like the "undiscovered country" theme. Try outdoor photography, as well. There are bound to be some great wintertime scenes waiting to be captured.

Running/tennis shoes.

I might get called out for this, but you also might consider partnering with a local Girl Scout Daisy troop - not joint meetings, but maybe holding meetings at the same time and meeting place for families who have kindergarten or first-grade girls as well as first-grade boys. That could keep the programs separate while offering convenience to parents with multiple kids or younger siblings. You could also do some joint recruitment efforts. (Caveat: I've never done this or seen it done, but it seems like a good idea, at least initially.)

GaHillBilly wrote: "Leave No Trace" is dishonest BS. Any of you with even minimal outdoor experience know this. My skills pale in comparison to what 1st Class Scouts learned 70 years ago, but I'll guarantee you I can follow the "trace" of your patrol of 6 boys, no matter how "conservation minded" they are, everywhere they WALK, unless it's on rock or pavement. The only way to "leave no trace", is to stay home. Many elements of the modern environmental movement see mankind as an infection of Mother Earth, and this belief has trickled into mainstream jargon. The "Leave no trace" slogan is o

My personal do's and don't's: Camp staff members DON'T... - Complain about food, facilities, other staff, Scouts or leaders (at least not in earshot of Scouts or leaders ). - Discuss internal staff problems in front of Scouts or leaders, including but not limited to underfunding, low salaries or materials shortages. - Act in ways that violate camp and Scouting rules and regs (throwing knives, canoeing without PFDs, etc.). I've seen and worked with far too many staff members who aren't mature enough to understand that these kinds of behaviors aren't professional. Unfortunately,

So female leaders can wear temp patches in the "Jambo spot," but the same is not true for female Venturers? Does that make sense? I don't have an Insignia Guide right here.

The Beatles were clearly into Sea Scouting, as evidenced by their ditty about a submarine. And I've heard rumors that John and Paul were both Vigil Honor members of the OA (Ob-La-Di Lodge 68).