SSScout

We Quakers have a "thing" we call a "Query", which is a question or series of questions intended to make one think about a particular topic or idea, especially as it pertains to one's spiritual life and how that affects one's living. I view this essay exercise in the same vein. It is meant to lead the young man to consider, perhaps for the first time, some ideas about his life and living. If any question might be asked about this essay, the only one I can conceive of might be "did you write this yourself?" and then make no further response to him except "thank you".

Yep, buy your own instrument. Save the original mouth piece for something else (I don't know what) and put out for a Bach 12C Trumpet mouthpiece. Expensive, but it is much more comfortable and has a noticeably better tone, even from a young beginner. Tie it to the bugle, so it doesn't get lost! Vaseline on the tuning slide. Wipe off and wash out periodically, dry thoroughly. Note the difference in gauge of metal on American made versus Chinese made instruments. Buy the heavier (American) if you can find one!

Columnist suggests new Merit Badges for the modern Scout, including "Sarcasm Skill"..... http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/...e7b_story.html

What you need is a willing instructor/Merit Badge Counselor. I offer the Bugling MB at local Merit Badge Days/fairs and always get a couple of boys. Sometimes they are even "prepared". I ask the day organizers to tell the boy(s) to contact me to get the prerequisites and to bring their own instruments. It takes a fair amount of practice to do all the required bugle calls in one session. What is funny is when the boy arrives and says he thought I would provide the instrument! I willingly sign "partials" and give them my card to arrange a later day to complete the badge. I am surprised (maybe I shouldn't be) at the range of talent. Some Herb Alperts, some who can't read music and play by ear, some who say they want to earn it but don't really want to do the practice. I tell them there are lots of opportunities to play, if they are good and make themselves available. I have played at camps, Wood Badge courses, various dedications and other Scout functions. I was asked to play at the dedication of a flag plaza at a new Muslim Mosque, asked by a Wood Badge brother, and I'm not Muslim! Even got my picture in the paper. It was very interesting, they have a very successful Scout program there. Like everything else in Scouting, all you can do is provide opportunities and step back.

""~~My bottom line: There are no secrets in scouting"" Confidential, sure, but not secret.... Once upon a time, I applied to serve as Staff at a Jamboree. After some time, when I hadn't heard anything, I enquired and they said "what application?" I repeated the process, eventually received an email that stated I was " not qualified". I called and emailed (over weeks) until I found someone in Irving willing to talk to me and tell me exactly how I was "not qualified" . He grudgingly told me all applications were reviewed by the applicants home council and the reviewer in mine had put a negative opinion on mine. How so? He wouldn't tell me, it was considered "confidential". Well, how can I answer this? He said I couldn't. When I pointed out that I had already served as staff in previous Jamborees, Council Wood Badge courses, and in many Scout positions over the past umpteen years and didn't an Eagle Scout deserve a real answer, he said he was sorry, that was all he could tell me. I asked if I could ask my friends here to write letters of recommendation to "correct" National's opinion of me, he said I could but he could not say what affect, if any , that would have. Why not just let it go, after the Jamboree, all the records will be destroyed and there will be no record of this. I said, sure , but anyone reading THAT review would think what of me, in the mean time? I told this story to many folks in Scouting, in my business, in my faith and family. NO one I spoke to could understand the review or BSA's unwillingness to reconsider or let me answer and rebut the negative judgements. I ultimately garnered over 20 glowing letters extolling my virtues as Scouter, faith leader, employee, and family man. I was humbled by this show of support, everyone gave me copies of what they sent to Irving. I was still not accepted as Staff that year. But NEXT time, guess what? I was told they had changed their review process. And I went to that Jamboree. My good wife was of the opinion that after this sort of treatment, perhaps I should drop Scouting and concentrate o other things. I pointed out that we had changed some things and that yeah, I still had a good rep here in local Scouting and isn't that what it really is all about?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/this-alexandria-boy-scout-cant-get-any-more-merit-badges-he-already-has-them-all/2014/11/25/e426b66c-74bd-11e4-bd1b-03009bd3e984_story.html Alexandria Boy Scout earns every Merit Badge, beats out his dad who had 83....

Save your money. Invest in real estate.

And Lenhoksin... http://www.ncacbsa.org/members/group_content_view.asp?group=119323&id=282479 and http://www.scoutcampsusa.com/lenhoksin/lenhoksin.html

Just a question: Does Johnny Walker sponsor any AA clubs?

OP: Why not? It just depends on your perspective. By being a ASM, perhaps your role as a UC will have more credibility. That is, if the Troop you work with welcomes constructive criticism, and it is given and accepted in a Scout Spirit .

T2Eagle: Anything to report?

She trips and falls, picks herself up and THEN catches up to the pack, passes them, and wins. Truly remarkable. Perhaps the other kids were being charitable? Sure didn't seem like it...

Hey, JKM, you still out there? Howz the CCh and you getting along?

Well, it's about time. There, now, do you feel better after finally admitting to yourself the need to "join"? and a happy Scouty Thanksgiving to you, too.

"It depends" Kids tend to live up to the standards their parents and teachers set for them. If the teacher is a TV show, or a sports hero, and the parents set no other standard, well, yeah, that's what the kid will try to match. If the "glamor" of the sport (hundreds of people cheering in the stands, victory snatched from the jaws of defeat, muscle matching muscle, etc.) is so attractive, then how is Scouting going to compete (!there's that word) with that? Your average Scout Troop doesn't have the "panache" of a football squad UNLESS the Troop has a culture of teamwork (Patrol Method?) and working for a goal (service project? Canoe trip on the river?) and learning skills to take pride in (pioneering tower? Fire building? Campfire cooking?) and public recognition and approbation (Court of Honor? Parades? Ceremonial stuff?). "....no other Gods before me..." well, maybe that needs to be kept in context. Loyalty, patriotism, money, etc. etc. all have a piece of that discussion. What exactly does the God of our fathers require of us? What qualifies as idolatry? Let's take that discussion over to the Faith and Chaplaincy forum...

Cal: Thanks for the clarification. I was going by what I read in several websites. Makes sense. As for "all hands", absolutely all should be invited, but that would still depend on the permission of the Scout's parents and faith. With full disclosure, you might have some who, for various reasons, would choose not to attend such an event. I remember our Troop attending a "patriotic" speech at a Synagogue. We ended up sitting thru a Jewish service! First time I saw a "backward" hymnal! After the service (cantor and all), we heard from General Hersey, (he wasn't that important to me THEN). And we had something to talk about later. I'm not sure we even had any Jewish Scouts in our Troop, but I don't remember anyone not attending....

When it comes to "flag etiquette", it is understood that the only flag that is held before or above the US flag is the Chaplain's flag or "church pennant". I always wonder why a church would give the US flag a place of honor equal to the church flag. But then, why would we think God is concerned with flags? It's a RC church, with a RC flag, during (I assume) a RC sanctioned ceremony. Will the priest say a few words? Carry the church flag in with the other flags, place it to the flag's right most position on the podium.

If they haven't already done this at CSDC, cut some 5' lengths of 3/8" sash cord (whip or melt the ends) paint one half a dark color for contrast, and practice some knots. Bowline, anyway. Give them the "Bicolored, double ended rope" to take home (never buy a single ended rope, it is inherently defective and will give you nothing but trouble. ALWAYS buy a double ended rope!). And I like the bugle idea!

Troop planned a camp out with a Space theme. They made rockets and launched them. I provided a telescope to view Jupiter and such with (weather permitting). Prior meetings were spent talking about astronomy, passed out Astronomy MB requirement sheets and star maps and schedule of sky events coming up (google is your friend). The week before the campout, I received an email from a Scout's mom saying he could not attend the next Troop meeting due to his sports team, and could I send her the requirements etc. I emailed back that the info packet was available at two previous Troop meetings, would be available at THIS meeting, and at the overnight. The Scout, if he was interested in the MB should call/email me direct, I would be glad to speak with him. That was two weeks ago, I have heard nichts. I do not know which Scout he would be, no one spoke to me except two, who had spoken to me previously, and they will eventually earn the Astronomy MB. The SM is eager to pass anyone who came on the overnight with the MB. My attitude is, the Scout should at least ASK to earn it., and the requirements do mention observations made and charts drawn. Jupiter would have been above the horizon about midnight. A group of us went out into the field and discussed Orion, Polaris, Ursa Major (Mizar is really a multiple star) and Minor and Cassieopia, among other things. It was good. It then misted up, and about 11:30p we gave it up and went back to the campsite. Much chili-mac and peach cobbler was consumed. The boys had a good time around the campfire, funny skits were composed and performed. Survival shelters were built and slept in.

Troop 185: I apologize if my comment sounded like a personal affront. I know you would not mean to say so, but review comment #6 above and see if (on face) it could "sound" like you were (perhaps, but not likely, I know) there with Scouts all by your lonesome. Thank you for your time with our future!

Such was noted as a "modification" to the new Eagle Procedure Guide here in the NCAC...http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.ncacbsa.org/resource/group/dabf2b2b-f7f6-48ee-a27c-9cc7e1a94a55/Documents/Eagle_Scout_Procedures_Guide.pdf?hhSearchTerms=%22Eagle+and+Procedure+and+Book%22

This is all about the change in culture we are experiencing. I have seen many (Scoutson included) that have no idea HOW to research anything. " Dad? What does [x-y-z-] mean?" " Do you have your textbook?" "yeah, but it doesn't explain it very well". "Let me look at it..." "Here it is..." "Oh, I didn't see that..." "Did you look?" "Ummm, no, it's easier when you tell me". "And I will be in class for your test, when?" I was at summer camp when a Scout came up to me and asked if I would give him a note attesting to the fact that he knew CPR. He said he needed it for his Emergency Preparedness MB, and he had not thought to bring his CPR cert with him (it was listed in his Camp Prereq's list). I told him I didn't know what he knew, I hadn't given him his CPR class. I said, get your BSHB, we'll review things. He said he didn't bring it with him. I had him borrow one from his tentmate. When he returned with his buddy's BSHB, I asked him to turn to the CPR section. He said, where's that? I said, find it in the index. He said what's that? This is a 7th grader, who is by all reports a "good student". He is now a PL, and (finally) passed his FC rank. but that episode gave me pause. I showed him the index, found CPR, page number, and made him read the section to me. We reviewed the techniques and timing. I made him promise to take the CPR class later in the week (which he did), and signed off a note to his MBCounselor. It is becoming "normal" for youngsters to EXPECT to have the answers handed to them, without doing more than ASKING for them. Looking it up in a paper book? Even doing the Google thing is too much trouble. I see it in the classes when I sub teach. It is the exceptional student that will seek answers , rather than wait for them to be given to them. This is one of the things that leads to war. Having the answers GIVEN to one, rather than trusting your own sense in interpreting what one finds out for yourself. Allowing a parent, or even a PL to automatically , impersonally , advance a Scout without that personal connection is bad. The Scout needs that personal connection. He needs to feel that intimate "I acted to YOUR satisfaction" eye to eye view. Does that make the Scout uncomfortable? Good. He needs to be uncomfortable every so often. Email will never have the same historic value or personal satisfaction that a handwritten note has. How can I value the letter my mom wrote me at college more than the email? Wait, There was no email then. Will the soldiers' emails home from Iraq and Afghanistan have the same cachet as the letters collected in WW2? Can we learn the same from them by studying the "hand" of the writer? Insist the book be used. Give them examples. Good Scouting to you!

A mention in another thread brought to mind the Cub Scout days of my youth. Our Pack participated in a Cub Softball League. We had the usual stuff, ballcaps, tshirts, dad coaches... I played first base and right field for three summers (yes, it was only summer!) .! Do we have any Scout sport leagues out there? I do not know of any such things in my area.

1) If he is not an "active" member (paid his dues? Listed in the Chapter roster?) he should not wear the OA sash. Not wearing it would show his support of the "correct wearing of the BSA uniform". 2) If his desire is to promote OA membership and activities, see #1. 3) If his desire is to promote OA membership and activities, contact the Council office to get in touch with the Council Camp Chair, OR the District Camp Chair, who would be able to get the OA Lodge/ Chapter to send someone (with video?) to talk about up-to-date OA things. You could do this, the SM , if he is busy, would probably appreciate you acting on his behalf. 4) You could download and show http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=order+of+the+arrow+video&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail&mid=F0CBE1D85C62D9B074FAF0CBE1D85C62D9B074FA as an introduction.... There are others.... 5) If the SM is eager to get the boys interested in the OA as a means to honor the Scouts worthy of such things, he should go to his PLC and enlist their interest and support. 6) It is worthy of pursuit. Good Scouting to you!

"And I was having a nice, quiet afternoon nibbling the pine needles, when this buzzing thing comes into my face. Took care of THAT! And then this two leg comes up and , hey, I see the connection. Took care of THAT , too! Hah!"