SSScout

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!"

You award the rank at the next Pack Meeting. When the Web earns AoL, that should also be awarded at the next Pack Meeting. I see four special events in the Cub year: Pine Wood Derby (maybe rain gutter, Cub Scooters, too), Blue and Gold Banquet, Cub to Boy Scout Crossover, and the End of Year Picnic/swim party/ball game, when all Cubs rise to the next year opportunity. When you try to combine too many of these events into one, you have a hard time. Each of these events should be a separate event, taking the place of a usual Pack Meeting. Blue and Gold should be a "Birthday " celebration, as has been mentioned. Have Tails and Scales come from your local park. Show "Down and Derby" or "Follow Me Boys". Let the Dens develop really good skits. Get a local celeb or sport celeb appear and speak. Ask NASA to invite an Astronaut. Lots of possibility, just mention "Cub Scouts" and see the doors open. Too much bling awarding, and it becomes a Rotary meeting for the adults, and that ain't why we are here. Go back to Veggietales, and "It's for the kids".

I'm kinda with Basement on this one. There are opportunities for patches and then ... maybe not. Rank requirements certainly do not need another , in between award. There are the infamous beads, that dangle below the infamous plastic thingy, use those for (shudder) "immediate recognition". I would mark a special event or service with the appropriate patch, and if you go to the Scoutshop, you can find a patch to commemorate almost any activity, I am certain there is a "flag" patch for remembering the City Council ceremony. And, yes, they do get sewn onto vests and unis, and yes, they do bring back memories when seen after a few (even young) years.

Along with Q's questions, some more: Has each of you had the BSA training for your (assumed) positions? Which of you is the better at the skills involved? When was the last time you bought the CCh a cuppacoffee?

Yeah, maybe "Advancement" or "Faith and Chaplaincy" or....

Here in Murlin, one can insist to vote "provisionally", and then insist the Board of Elections rule on such. "Valid ID" is only required if there is some question about the voters real residence or valid registration. It did happen in my precinct place.

Go we again here... http://www.chicagobsa.org/camping/owasippe-scout-reservation/3820 http://www.scouter.com/forum/camping-high-adventure/400605-chicago-area-council-does-right-and-rebuilds-100-yr-old-owasippe-scout-reservation Good Scouting, Chcago et al. And so forth...

Jeans lined with red plaid flannel? Cuffed up and THAT was the style in third and fourth grade!

Natalie W.: The eveidence is in your last sentence above. Cub Scouts can NEVER have enough Leaders, if they are the right kind. You are the parent I want in my Pack (if I had one, usta be a CM). Inquisitive, wants to be involved, is in there for their boy. I would find you a duty, get you a patch(!) on your sleeve (get you a sleeve!). Your erstwhile Pack is a sham, by your description. Touting good citizenship and not following the rules is not what Scouting is about. Find another Pack. Talk to the other parents and FOUND your own Pack. The hardest thing about starting a Scout unit is finding a willing Charter Org sponsor, the rest will fall into place. Have you talked to your District Commissioner? Look on the Council website and click around until you find him/her. They are a volunteer and will help you do right by your boy. The District Executive may help, but he/she is an overworked employee who has other things on their mind besides one parent troubled by Pack politics. In the mean time, take pride in the things your boy accomplishes, whether macaroni necklace or cabin building. I would hardly be the man I am today without the cork Thunderbird I made as a Cub that my mom saved and I found in her cabinet after her passing. Look thru the other Cub threads here and on other websites. Talk to other Scout parents in your area. Go to Cub RoundTable (again, see the Council/District website) and meet some REAL Scout leaders. You sound as if you want to be convinced. Those are the folks that can do that. Good Scouting to you and your future Boy Scout!

""Follow the Money""

Welcome to the forums. I hope we can help you make the Cubs time worthwhile. Remember the Cub Mantra: "KisMif, KisMif..." Keep it simple, make it fun! Go See Its are one of the best things in Tigerdom. Every Cub wants to go places and do things. Museums, fire stations, local newspaper printshop, dad's work place, the gang will enjoy any where special and out of THEIR ordinary. By all means, call ahead. Maybe there is a special kid's program. Saturday morning, sunday afternoon, evening after school, anytime is good. Try to coordinate the Adult Partners schedules and necessities, but realize you won't please everybody all the time (where have I heard that before?). It can be "meet at the Zoo at noon" or "meet at the church parking lot and we can carpool down", whatever works best, depending on the distance involved or personal schedules. Admission prices? Ask for Scout discounts! AAA discounts! Group discounts! Local parks may have a kids program, call'em up. Don't forget the hotdog and/or ice cream stop on the way or after. I remember one Den outing. We had found THREE (!) model railroad exhibits in town , one in a retirement community, one in a private house that had become a Railroad clubhouse and one in the local Town History Museum. We gathered in the Museum parking lot, and were able to walk to two of the exhibits in the span of a couple hours. AND stop by the local diner , which gave each Cub a FREE ice cream cone! It was less then 3 miles total, well within the range of a Tiger, but the Adults were challenged! We then drove to the retirement home, which put us thru a Scavenger hunt ("find the car wreck") on their train layout, it was all great fun. It took a little planning and research, but , hey, that's why we do what we do, right? Another time, I arranged to visit the County Maintenance garage. It gave the Mnanger an excuse to insist his workers clean up the place. What a trip for these boys! Big trucks and busses, tires, gears, grease, dirt, tools, big men working, we were there for almost 5 hours. They couldn't do enough for us. The Cubs came away with booklets, souvenir parts (broken!) and smiles. You will have nothing but fun , helping the boys get connected with their community and families. Have pity for the folks that can't (or won't? how sad) make time to spend with their boy. You can make a difference in their life, anyway. Good Scouting to you!