SSScout

""~~ I ended up just talking about how we should be good people and live like Jesus taught us."" With no knowledge of the actual event, that sounds like an excellent "Scout's Own". Think about how the world would be if all so titled Christians lived that way.... The rest of any such "service" is mere googaws and dressing. I would shake your hand, lo these many years later.

BP was once asked , "Be prepared for what?" and he reportedly replied, "why , for any old thing." When the cell battery dies, when it gets lost overboard, when the GPS satellites are out of range or you are too close to the umpteen gigawatt power line, when you HAVE TO listen to that new download, when the course teacher is SO booorrriinng...., yeah , there are lots of reasons to "leave the electronics behind" and learn to use a paper map and compass, listen to the bugle between classes, learn to TALK to others, get used to learning from folks that don't necessarily know how to teach (but have stuff good to know), find out that the music of the woods might be superior to the fugawees, . More to come, I gotta go show the inlaws visiting the neat ar exhibit at the Strathmore.....

~~William Penn (1644-1718) , from “Some Fruits of Solitude†1682: 519. ""The Humble, Meek, Merciful, Just, Pious and Devout Souls, are everywhere of one Religion; and when Death has taken off the Mask, they will know one another, tho' the divers Liveries they wear here make them Strangers.""

Merry Christmas. Jason, I trust you are not saying the Scout keeps the money ($2.50) from the sale of the card...? I can understand the Troop bankrolling the funds for the Scout, but not directly, yes?

Thank you, R/S for the reminder of something very important. The soldiers declared the peace, the leaders did not, and, indeed, I read where the military and political leaders on both sides were, shall we say, aghast. 56 million dead attributed to WW2. So many lives shortened, so few lessons learned..

Rick: I understand your comment totally. It is the gist of every argument AGAINST the idea of a "Scout's Own" service that is not type #1 or type 4. But anything other than "my" religion is hard to accept as the right way to worship, yes? So what is a Scout to do? Again, it is perhaps the best thing in a multi-faith Troop (this would never be done in a Cub Pack? Or not?) to allow each Scout or group to find their own way. I reiterate, the majority faith does usually dictate how things proceed, but , yeah, that's not always the best thing if the prevailing attitude is that "my" faith is THE way to worship, and everyone else's is (?) incorrect(?). We come up against this idea when our First Day students do their "Comparative Religion" section, and make arrangements to exchange visits with other neighboring Sunday/Sabbath School classes. Makes for interesting discussions, finally get the kids talking about the faith of their fathers.... I refer you to the Thanksgiving Week Interfaith Service organized by the Olney Ministerium, comprised of faith leaders from Jewish, Baptist, Methodist, Prebyterian, Muslim, Quaker and Catholic houses.... http://goyim.org/ and http://www.gazette.net/article/20141119/NEWS/141119425&template=gazette We had perhaps 300 in attendance, with a Scout presence to help organize the grocery collecting.

D77, thank YOU for the kind words. "Perspective"? I was always told "perspective" is where all the lines come together to a point in the d-i-s-t-a-n-c-e....Funny thing is, when you are at that place, you'd think that everything would spread out, but it doesn't. Everything STILL comes to a point waaaaay out there. Or several points. Does one's personal history give "perspective", show where things come to a point? Maybe, maybe it helps others, with less or a different history to see another way to go, to do things? Maybe. Sounds like a SMminute, ummm.

How to improve Scout Summer Camp Purpose: to encourage the ideals of Scouting and provide opportunities for the Scout to learn and exhibit those ideals. Technique: 1) Eliminate the dining hall. All Scouts live and work in Patrols, "under canvas". Patrols build their own campsite (except tent platforms and tents), setting up their own Dining flies and Dining/Cooking areas. Because of the need to reuse and not totally destroy the campsite, the camp would provide the poles and ropes and such, and would provide "guides" to help the Troop/Patrols lash up and set up their camp gear. Cooking done over camp stoves , lighting is by battery or moon. Permanent "Patrol Boxes" provided. Water tap, privy provided. (?ice chests? Real refrigerator?) Food and such drawn on the Quartermaster daily. Tools signed out and signed in by the SPL. SMs required to sit and smile. 2) All "ScoutSkill" activities are done under /in the woods, a hike away from the Patrol sites. Merit Badges are limited to those not ordinarily available to the local Scout: All watercraft, Pioneering, Axework (actually chop down a tree?), Nature, Birding (before dawn? Most birders go out before dawn to hear the calls...), Astronomy, Geology , etc. Bugling can be offered with the camp bugler.... Field trips are built into the camp schedule, to historic sites, quarries, lumber camps, white water river trips, etc. as available. Craft MBs are offered at the Craft Hall. Drama, Communication etc. can be accommodated by including them in the CampFire area. So-called "academic" Merit Badges are not offered. 3) All needs around the Troop/Patrol sites are the responsibility of the Troop/Patrol. Duty/work rosters are posted on the Bulletin Board in camp. Patrol camps are visited and rated by Camp Staff daily and SPLs and PLs are counseled by the Camp Guide (each Pcamp has an assigned Guide). All work is shared equally by the boys. Adults take their turn, as appropriate. 4) All electronics are put away for the week, with the sole exception of the SMs cell phone, and web access in the Camp HQ Hall. 5) Morse code/semaphore is taught and allowed and encouraged across the Camp Lake and between campsites. Speed contest? 6) Awards are given for good inspection scores. Awards include but are not limited to: Ribbons for the Patrol Flag, watermelons for the Patrol, Patches, ice cream chits for the Camp Store, extra time on the Archery /BB/22 ranges, extra time on the beach, a guided/catered canoe trip around the lake to "The Island". 7) Reveille is at 6am. Lights out (OUT. except for Astronomy MB class...) at 10pm. 8) Camp is populated and settled Sunday afternoon. First meal scheduled at 5pm. Last meal is Friday Dinner. Camp inspection and check out begins at 8am Saturday (no breakfast, only a take with you bagels/cheese snack), camp is clear by noon. 9) No visiting parents thruout the week, only by Camp Director permission. Howzat?

Pointing a finger at the source of a problem can be useful, or not... http://mcnyblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/who-stole-the-peoples-money1.jpg Recognizing the problem as an actual problem, needs a lot of agreement among the folks involved. If agreement on the definition of the problem is not attained, nothing can be done. Often, the need is to first agree on the GOAL and then the problem becomes non- existent. If the GOAL is seen as different by different people, you are never going to have a happy group. Such is Scouting. We have lots of GOALS (see all the handbooks and charts and such), and very often, as I read these threads, we find that the "problem" is one of not agreeing on the GOAL involved. The SM sees a different goal, the CC sees a different goal, the SPL sees a different goal for the Troop/Patrol/CO, etc. Finding agreement in GOAL takes conversation and communication. And , boy, do we have a lot of communication available to us, if only we can use it. Email, websites, blogs, TELEPHONES, (!), Roundtables..... the refusal to communicate (not read emails? Not attrend RTs? Not make the phonecalls?) is often, I feel, a root of many problems. And then we have some who CHANGE the goals, just when we seem to be "getting it" , but that's another subject....

It's a different time. My Patrol would RARELY pack and go on a Friday night, which seems to be the norm hereabouts. We usually got going maybe 6am Saturday, (country boys we were) and (thanks, pop) stop at the Safeway going out of town (they were open early!) and do our shopping then, as I said, with the money that was collected the meeting before. Sure, we often had leftovers from the last camping trip (dried milk, Tang, catsup(?), oatmeal, ) but we did our shopping on the fly. "Paul, you get the hamburger. Jeff, go for the carrots and potatoes and onions. Jake, we need more Creamofwheat for breakfast" , the PL did the assigning and we all shopped quickly that way. It was a Patrol thing. Then, out in the parking lot, the stuff got packed and divvied up for carrying. I remember it as being a fun part of the trip. Sunday afternoon we ate the leftovers for lunch (bread, fruit cocktail, cheese,,) before starting for home. That was even planned into the menu. Little or nothing to divvy up between us for "real" leftovers!. Nothing to worry about to store til next time. And None of this "gotta be home by one" for a soccer game. We didn't expect to be back home before 3 or 4pm, and that was because we went a ways to camp! It is a different time....

Scout religious services can be (or end up being) one of five kinds: 1) If the unit is of one faith, then they can do whatever it is they do. Catholic, LDS, Jew, Methodist, Hindu, whatever. 2) If they are mostly of one "type", ie, Christian, Jew, etc. but some are not, the service can proceed with that understanding. No one need be "forced" to participate, but encouraged to find their own place for worship. The other Scouts can be respectful of that. 3)Often, folks try to be ecumenical, with mixed results. Be forgiving of the"joint prayer service" that disappoints many and pleases few, be glad they tried. 4) It can be what I call Spiritually Suggestive, mentioning those things that unite us; the Golden Rule, Nature , creation, love, humanity, etc. 5) Or, you can suggest the Scout(s) use a given time for "contemplation", "meditation", "prayer", or whatever. Or, you can declare that your unit admits that , as BP once declared, "~~What sect or denomination a boy belongs to depends, as a rule, on his parents' wishes. It is they who decide. It is our business to respect their wishes and to second their efforts to inculcate reverence, whatever form of religion the boy professes.â€Ââ€Â. When it comes to "Scout's Own " services, the dictum of "Boy Led" really is best, I have found more often than not, the youth services are by far more sensitive to the predilections of their fellows than the adults. Now if Tyndale had only been more PC.....

Inside job? Who knew they were "right there"? And the safe was "unlocked?"

Howzabout a "Sub Forum", as I see above?

The Meeting had a tradition of presenting the rising third graders in First Day School with a Bible. An Elder of the Meeting was asked his thought about this, and which Bible did he favor? . He replied , "absolutely. Give them the King James Bible, if it's good enough for Jesus , it ought to be good enough for them!"

Once a week is the norm around here. Special trips to the zoo or dad's workplace or the police helicopter base count as a meeting. I really recommend aiming for, desiring , once a week (at the Den leaders' and parents consensual convenience) and one or two hikes/tours/trips that take the place of a meeting. Cover requirements at meetings, have fun, make things, just hang out. Utilize your Den Chief......

That's a good idea, Ollie. One for Jambo '17 in the OpenDisPro, and one for Faith and Chaplaincy in the , er, ah, OpenDisPro.....

Please look at http://www.religioustolerance.org/reciproc.htm and the "Scout's Own" handout from my IOLS section: https://www.dropbox.com/s/76zk9ri7gl...oGod.docx?dl=0 PM me if you would like further "inspiration". Good Scouting to you!

From logic to skintone to copulatory attraction to tv sci-fi evolution. Sounds like alot of free time to me.

And this is why Data makes a good ship's commander and why he doesn't make a good ship's commander and why some humans resent him being a ship's commander. Logic works, and folks often resent or are jealous of good logic.

Sounds like a lifer to me, Q. Just the sort of parent I like to see, one who is involved with her kids. Wouldst that more so should be. Welcome, forsooth, Mom2a, thou willst see much to like and much at which to shake thy head in amazement , herewith. Worketh thy tickets, thou Badger of Wood..... "I usta be an owl...."

Unfortunately been there, done some of that. In my case, I sent a formal bill for fees and costs to the Scout's parents. I itemized the expenses, listed the total cost, divided by the number of participants and then listed those that had paid and those that hadn't. Small letter detailing the need to be fair to all. The boy unfortunately did not come back. Or should I say the parents did not come back. This was after more than one occurance, and more than one drop and scoot. Never really had a chance to talk directly to the parents, they never contacted back. Sad, but it happens. Now in Boy Scouts, back in my halcyon days of yoooth, we (the Patrol) had a Treasurer who collected weekly dues, which were put forth for movie tickets, etc. If we went camping, the food money was collected BEFORE the trip, and we adjusted the menu accordingly as we bought. Now, I see/hear "grubmasters" buying and AFTER the trip billing the Scouts and asking for repayment. And asking, and asking. Daddy's checkbook is always there..

Climbing Wall outfitter, Bike hike on the C&O canal, ... Cabin Camp (in the cold snow) with board games and movie night ... hello?

"It Depends" Here'bouts, Dens meet at the convenience of the Den, whatever consensus the DL can collect, basement rec rooms, CO class room,, back of a Hardware store, I've even known the local Starbucks to host a Tiger meeting (adult partners love that!). Pack meetings are SUPPOSED to be hosted by the CO, but that might not happen if the CO is a "paper" CO (Friends of XYZ, etc.), in which case they might rent the local school AP room. I know an active Troop that is CO'd by the American Legion, meets and stores gear in the Episcopal Church. Works for them. When? Packs seem to gravitate to Friday evenings. It's only once a month, yes? Dens once a week is encouraged, my Webelos Den was wednesday right after school, in a local home, within walking distance of the school. Some Dens count the special trips ("go see it") as their meeting, which is certainly ok. Troops , I see any evening of the week EXCEPT Friday. No Troops meet on Friday, to my ken . Leaves Friday evening free for going camping early, I guess.

I was sub teaching at the local Elementary one day when the Town Mayor visited the school. It was great. Each class group had a separate audience with hizzoner. 120 or so kids in each of 3rd, 4th and 5th grades each heard a neat talk, with maps and numbers (statistics and charts were studied in class the week before!) and then they got to ask questions from the floor. The 5th's had some good ones. How to create a park? Could the stores in the shopping center include an ice cream store? Why not? If the town doesn't plow the snow, how come we still have school? (the county decides that and plows the snow). The school said they do this once a year. Seems like a good idea.

""~~And if no one steps up? So be it. Scouting will carry on."" Desert: I have been there, done that. When I took on the CM of the Pack, everyone applauded. My Good Wife became the CChair, seeing the benefit of Scouting to the son. We urged other parents to take the training, be the DLs, and so our Pack was active and participated in District things, got newspaper write-ups. Unfortunately, as I got educated about Scout things, we discovered our CO was only a "paper" CO. We planned a recruiting one year, and had 14 (!) possible Tiger Cubs attend, with parents. We spoke of the program, (parent partners), the fun, the possibilities. The kids had a good time, they all laughed and yelled. But at the end, not one family signed up, every adult said "too much time" "I cannot take that much time off work", "I do not know anything about Scouting" . No amount of explaining would persuade them. We had no Tigers that year. The next year, I enlisted the help of our DE. Pretty much the same result. We soon had 8 Cubs, 2 of which (with my son) were Web2s, 2 were Web1s. When Scoutson crossed over , wife said "no more Cubs" and so the Pack folded. Not letters, not phone calls, not personal appeals convinced any that they should (could) continue the Pack. I handed over all the Webelos material to the Webelos1 dad, and we never heard from him again. 7 plus years later, Scoutson earns Eagle, leads the VCrew, and attends Jamboree as a Staffer. We regularly see some of the exCubs in other Scouting venues and the local store .They remember me, much to my gratification. I'm ultimately satisfied we did the right thing by our family. I am now a Commisher and teach IOLS, among other things. I "do my best" to pass on my knowledge and legacy.