SSScout

As a Scout Chaplain in one of my other lives (!), I have had similar conversations. I have had to disabuse folks of the opinion that BSA is a "Christian" organization. I have had to remind folks that , while a "religious" organization (read just about anything BSA publishes, esp. the Declaration of Relgious Principle on the back of the application), it is not of one, specific, faith. The various awards that a boy may earn are each and everyone designed by , awarded by and specific to that faith. They are NOT BSA awards, but the BSA says you may wear the award on your uniform. That said, I also remind folks that it is the duty (realized or not) of every parent to give the child a belief to either accept or reject and rebel against. This happens whether the parent is aware of it or not. A devoutly athiestic parent may end up with a cloistered nun for a daughter. Everyone before has given good counsel. A scout's Duty to God is his alone, no one else , ultimately, can say what that is. Everything else is "opinion". From "Fruits of Solitude" by William Penn: ""522. It is a sad Reflection, that many Men hardly have any Religion at all; and most Men have none of their own: For that which is the Religion of their Education, and not of their Judgment, is the Religion of Another, and not Theirs."" Your boys must, as you have intimated, find their own way to God, or not. It is certainly human to listen to those that have gone before in order to benefit from previous experience and thus not make the same mistakes (for the same reasons?). It is unfortunate that we humans have all too often INSISTED that our way be your way, "or else". We continue to make that same mistake in not allowing God to make the judgements in those things that are his to make. From the short information you have given us, I think you are well on your way to giving your kids something very worthy of their acceptance. Or rejection. " Faith shopping" might even be included in the Tiger "Go See" eventually, who knows? Good Scouting to you!

Announce that the Pack Committee includes ALL parents. Announce that "The Work is done and the Decisions are made by Whoever Shows Up". Charge a a reasonable dues for a year (?$100.?) and prorate that against whatever fundraising is done to offset the dues. More Fundraising, less dues. The Pack treasury is used to buy Pack Stuff (flag, activities reservations) and Scout Bling (patches, awards, books, neckers,, woggles) that the boys "earn" and receive by dint of their continuing in Scouts. If the boy works and earns the bling, he receives it. More work, more bling, but EVERYONE is expected to contribute to the Common Weal, either by dues and/or working the Popcorn/Carwash/Spaghetti supper. If you can't or won't, well, we are a charitable Pack and recognize that not all can do everything. We still want your boy to be a Cub Scout.....

"A Scout is Trustworthy". "A Scout is Thrifty". If it looks like a Treasurer, walks like a Treasurer, and signs checks that do not have his/her name on them like a Treasurer, it is a Treasurer. Whoever takes on the mantle of "Treasurer" , no matter what the organization, must needs be realize that he/she will be watched. He/she will have expectations put on them by the rest of the organization, and if the "rest of the organization" doesn't express those expectations vocally and often, then shame on the organization and they get what they deserve in the way of Treasurering. US Congress, wake up , please....

The Puritans came to North America to practice their religion in peace and avoid religious persecution. . That's why they hung Mary Dyer in Boston in 1660. If you are in the neighborhood, please join our Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration , "Giving Thanks for Our Neighbors" https://www.dropbox.com/s/hyv6vcekk45ckt1/OlneyInterfaith.zip?dl=0 We have Methodists, Jews, Muslims, Catholics, Quakers, (even!) Baptists participating....

*sigh* It all seems so easy from down here in the ditches, looking over the ramparts.... Go by School Grade as registered in September . If the school district sez it is so, it is so. If the boy is Home Schooled, go by the School District equivalent. The boy works on that rank and elective arrow points. Pass to next rank when Summer comes..... As always, the earning of the rank really involves and depends on the Parents' involvement, with the Den Leaders encouragement. The rank need not be a concern at the end of the year, if the boy is having a good time. There are many considerations, yes? Move on to the next year, start again with a fresh slate. Boy can join in any grade, earn Bobcat first.... Kindergarten: Tiger Cub. First grade: Wolf Second: Bear rank Third grade: Lion Rank (resurrected and revamped) Fourth grade: Webelos, choice of Blue or Tan shirts. When all activity pins accomplished, AoL is an award worth awarding. It can be done, one pin a month, starting in July... pass on to (cross over) Boy Scouts after March. Time to meet Troop, time to get ready for Summer Camp. Fifth grade, start Boy Scouts. We're no longer Akela, are we?

"We have met the enemy and he is us" I had not seen this. Wish it had had wider distribooshun. Sic semper Walt Kelly

Show them the plans for the World Jamboree in Japan next summer, , or in Summit 2019 if they want a challenge.

1) The Charter Org (unless you are a self chartered "Friends of" Pack) should help with the initial stuff. It agreed to this when it signed the Charter document. Meeting place, first dues, buy a flag, etc. which the Pack will repay as it gets going. Fundraising (car washes, popcorn, bake sales, lawn raking, etc.) is an activity you plan into your year. 2) Parents are made to understand the Pack Cub Scout Program is for their boys, and if THEY (the parents ) do not see the benefit of the Cub Program for their boys, either by reputation or by actively reading about it, it (the Pack) ain't gonna happen. Get the Parents together over coffee/tea/BBQ/whatever and get the commitment from them. YOU as Cubmaster can not do this alone. THEY cannot expect YOU to do it all for them. The Pack Needs: A Cubmaster, some Den Leaders, a Committee Chair (if not a Committee, that is de facto all the parents) 3) Suggest a yearlong schedule. Someone in the District or Council should be able to give you a sample schedule to look at. Actively ask for particular parents to step up and take charge of a particular activity. Do not expect these new folks to volunteer. Make sure they understand this is not work, it is PLAYING with their children! It is TEACHING their children about the world and their community, how to live and play and BE with others. Is this important to them? 4) Get together with your DE. Sit down and GET IN WRITING what is lacking in the process. Figure out how you, the parents, the Charter Org and him/her can get it all done. He/she is paid to do this. Expect service for your dues, which brings up.... 5) Decide early who your Treasurer is. Keep a clear , honest accounting. Give receipts. Work with your Charter Org and it's Institution Head about this. If you are to be a Cub Pack, know what the yearly dues are. The idea of pro-rating them is a Council bookkeeping construction. In real life, the Cub Parent is expected to pay (thru the Pack) yearly dues to National to the Pack for it's expenses and to Council for insurance and "stuff".. The Council keeps a "slush fund" for each unit that allows some elasticity in their bookkeeping. Any extra "prorated" dues go in there, and gets parceled out later. 6) The Pack needs a treasury, to buy the patches, belt loops (for awhile), and such. Your parents will expect their Cubbies to get their awards when they are earned, yes? Many Packs award the Rank Books, Neckerchiefs (you can save by deciding NOT to buy a new necker and hat for each rank but keep ONE yellow necker and hat thru Cub Scouts) and such rather than ask the Parent to buy them themselves. Some hassle eliminated and monetary saving there. Hence the need for regular fundraising. 7) There is always complaint about the purchase of uniform and rank books (see above). Note the need for specialized uniforms for sports, which often turn out much more expensive. As has been noted, the activity is more important than the uniform. Get the boys DOING Scout stuff first, wear a Cub Tshirt and jeans. Cubbie pants CAN be worn to school, or the Pack can agree to wear BLUE jeans. The boy will outgrow them, no matter what is decided. The story is told about the boy who was told he was going to his cousin's wedding and needed to wear his best clothes. He naturally donned his Cub Scout uniform, much to his mom's surprise and pleasure. As Cubmaster, set the example, be uniformed, praise the boys that dress right, do not castigate the boy who is not yet uniformed, he will be soon. 8) Be assured, you are doing the right thing. You may not see it now, but the boy that stps you in the Safeway and says "hi" will make it worth while. Good Scouting to you!

Candles. And a dark room. Helps to solemnicize (?) the occasion, at least for the opening. Light one red candle, say something about the Spirit of Scouting, how it lives on in every Scout, but the wick needs to be trimmed and the fuel replenished occasionally. Take that candle and light four blue candles for the four parts of the Scout Promise (duty to God, to Country, to Others and to Self), might say something about each part. Then light twelve white candles, repeating each point of the Scout Law. When all are lit, talk about how each Scout seeks to learn more, and here are the patches and awards to mark those successes. Turn up the room lights and proceed with the presentations. Each award is made by a Scout, the SPL or maybe the Scout that taught that skill. Save the higher ranks for the SM to award. Maybe the SM can make the example and ask the SPL to lead off. When all the awarding is done, someone talks about the next big events, campout or hike or service project. Maybe abit about the Troop history, the necker. Then the SM Minute. Then the lights go down, the Troop stands, Scout Sign, recites the Scout Promise, and files out by Patrol. Parents join them in "The Other Room" for cookies and punch (or BBQ and Slaw?) . Just an example. Gussy it up as you see fit. Howzat?

Yeah, KDD, wouldn't you like to have umpteen school districts all require your book for reading by the 7th grade while you are still alive to comment on it? http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=gary+paulsen+interview&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail&mid=2DCE41A5072E7BDF51DF2DCE41A5072E7BDF51DF

Here is the list I give to our IOLS participants: * Anything by Robert Baden - Powell. * Anything by Ernest Thompson-Seton. "Gospel of the Redman", among others, many in modern reprint. * Anything by William "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt, who wrote most, if not all, of the Scout manuals and Merit Badge books of the 1940's,'50's,and 60's. * Gary Paulsen, "Hatchet". Called the Jack London of our time, his books are often required reading for middle schoolers. The Scout Leader should know what his boys know. * Eric Sloane, "Diary of an Early American Boy". "Reverence for Wood". Historian, antique tool and building method expert, artist and author. Mr.Soane found a real diary written by a 15 (?) year old boy in 1805 in an old house and used it to reproduce what he would have been doing on his family's farm. What my dad didn't teach me about knife and axe, Mr. Sloane taught me.

Sounds like a ScoutMaster Minute here...... Or would the SM directly confront the Scout about the third party overheard bragging?

""~~Wonder why our Council never brings it up?"" I have NEVER heard of a Council "officially" recommending a volunteer organized website. Elemeno, did your Council recommend "Scouter dot com"? How came you here?

If you are an adult, wear the adult uniform. The adult uniform should have adult type bling on it, not youth bling. I was asked to teach Wood Tools at an IOLS. The director asked if I would be teaching Totin' Chip, and I said I would be teaching the nascent SMs ABOUT Totin' Chip, and they would have an opportunity to do everything I would expect a Scout to do. She said, good, then I can award them their Totin' Chip badge on Sunday! I said, no, they cannot EARN the T/C because they are all adults. She said that was not right, these new SMs should be able to wear the badge as a sign of their competence and skill. I said, it is a YOUTH award, adults cannot wear it. Then I noticed the T/C on her shirt flap....

Transparency. Talk about the money at each and every Unit Committee meeting. Have a checking account statement ready and a "spreadsheet" of the expenditures and income along with it. The treasurer should NOT be allowed to go any length of time with out such presentations. The bank signature cards should be include two signatures. The CO should be included in this. Ask the bank to send out TWO statements, one to the treasurer, one to the CO's treasurer and/or the Unit Leader/CCh.

Politics are not Scouting. This is politics. This is The Committee (sounds like a Scorcese movie) trying to micromanage the Troop. It's the SM's job to micromanage, and then you say that's not "Boy Led". It is the Committtee's job to support the SM and if they feel he/she is not doing the right job to RECOMMEND that either the SM resign, or the IH remove him/her. From this distance, and with this limited info, I feel the SM is doing his job, the boy elected SPL (elected, right?) is doing his job , even if by remote, and all should be well. Is there more "behind the scenes"? Is there jealousy or somebody's son not getting ahead fast enough or someone concerned with the Troop's prestige in the community or something else about the incumbent SPL's outside of the Troops life?

((Rock Beat background)) I'm... too Scouty for my shirt, too Scouty for my shirt So Scouty it hurts And I'm too Scouty for B-P Too Scouty for B-P Wood Badge and that tree. And I'm too Scouty for your Troop Too Scouty for your Troop No way I'm hiking out I'm a model you know what I mean And I do my little tent on the campsite Yeah on the campsite on the campsite, yeah I do my little hike on the trail side I'm too Scouty for my school Too Scouty for my school Too Scouty by far And I'm too Scouty for my hat Too Scouty for my hat for my hat What do you think about that? I'm a model you know that it seems I do my hike on the campground scene Yeah on the campground, on the campground, yeah I shake myneckerchief in the Court of Honor. I'm too Scouty for my Too Scouty for my too Scouty for my 'Cos I'm a model you know what I mean And I do my little hike on the campground, Yeah on the campground yea on the campground, yeah I shake my little necker on the campground I'm too Scouty for my cat Too Scouty for my cat Poor Patrol, poor Patrol poor Patrol cat I'm too Scouty for my JASM Too Scouty for my JASM My shirt's gonna untuck me And I'm too Scouty for this song Read more: Left Said Fred - I'm Too Scouty Lyrics | MetroLyrics

As a sub teacher here in Murlin, I often meet kids who have a Russian surname. They often ask me if their work belongs to them. They come up and ask me "Mr.SSScout, is this Gudnuf?"

1) Make sure he has used the EXACT same name , same permutation, each time when registering for training. I had to go to the Council registrar once to discover I had THREE registrations, under different permutations of my name. Still don't know how that happened. AND.... it turned out there were four others in the Council with the same first initial and last name as me. 2) It does take some time for everything to equalize. Try again. 3) I once tried to go into My Scouting and print out a cert, but couldn't. Next day, same routine, worked fine. 4) Sometimes it is easier to retake the etraining, and the print out the cert immediately. 5) Phone call the DE. Emails get lined up and triaged as to importance.... Good for you , starting to roll up the charter early.

Councils are the financial definition of Scouting. Councils do a support role, they own the camps, they publish the magazines and tabloids. They collect the tax free bigbucks from Lockheed and Bechtel. It will always be up to the mom and pop volunteers that make the Cubs want to earn the AoL and Go See the County Garage and the snow plows. When the Council leaders begin to see the numbers take a down turn, then their livelihood is threatened. Mergers are always about "cutting our losses" . If two Scout Execs can be eliminated by merging three Councils, why not? Those Good ol' Scouts can be given a side promotion to "Regional Director" or something in Irving can be found....It's when the camps start being sold because they (they) can't seem to make the camps "fully utilized", even with volunteer, unpaid "Camp Masters" to run them, that folks start noticing the merger epidemic. Sometimes, the mergers are like any other management change. Things happen because the new boss wants to "make his mark", whether it is an improvement over what was before is another question. Most Scouts are not aware of the change in leadership until the camp is sold and we have to find a new summer camp. Unless the merger finds a New Boss who can enliven the image of Scouts, there will be no increase in Scout numbers, and since the merger no doubt removes some of the DEs and other support folks, there will be less inclination to increase those numbers. As Tip Oneil usta say, "all politics is local". Same with Scouting, only worse.

Language used is a choice. Drink is a choice. Respect for others is a choice. The message we present on our clothing is a choice. How we treat our bodies is a choice. The choices we make affect not only ourselves, but also our family and friends, our neighbors ("but who is our neighbor, Lord?") and the future. Yeah, your cigar today has an affect on me over here in Maryland. I seem to remember that tobacco was once a ceremonial ritual item, a serious item among the Native Americans. And then an industry discovered they could make it even MORE addictive, and encourage it's use by giving out free cigs to our soldiers and wow, look at all the old movies , making smoking "glamorous". The Iroquois held that all decisions, even personal ones, would benefit from considering the effect on the seventh generation hence. Is that message on the Tshirt respectful of the women you are trying to help with your walk, or is it making too light of the serious situation? There are funny things and not so funny things. The difference is how we advance as a species.

In the "official "SMspecific" class and IOLS class, I can find no specific suggestions/instructions/recommendations about this new bend on the old requirement. We had asked the Scout to promise to "do my duty to God" and be "reverent". Even had some discussions about it , in the manuals, handbooks, Fieldbooks. Might even mention it in a SMMinute. But to ask the Scout directly? Not inappropriate in my asking, but how can one rightfully judge that unless you are the Scout's religious leader/elder/family? That's where we have the difficulty. What is "passing" in this requirement? That is what was asked and what has not been "officially" answered. Or can it really BE answered? In the asking, we may well nudge the Scout to be more thoughtful of the "God Thing", but in no way can we judge whether he is really "doing his duty".... That is for him to judge. In Quakerspeak, we call this a "Query" . Our various Meetngs have Books of Discipline, and Faith and Practice, (you can google these) that use these queries to nudge the Friend to think about where and what they are vis a vis the Lord. Not for me to judge, lest I be judged, you know, but YOU need to think about it....

The necker is the ONLY consistently Scout uniform item around the world. Scouts trade them at World Jamborees. If the Troop can't afford a "real" uniform, often you will see a colorful t-shirt with the necker. I find the proviso in the above quote about ".... worn only with the official uniform and never with T-shirts or civilian clothing. " to be wrong minded. Often, at award ceremonies, the awardee is given a necker that is draped around and over his civie suited self. And, I have seen a Troop running around (!) in "class bs" and a necker at service projects..... What's sad is the Troop that chooses NOT to wear the necker. It's tradition of being a Scout tool is rarely celebrated (flag, bandage, sling, nose/dust mask, sweat band, ID band, neck warmer, etc. ) . The bigger ones being something the young Scout "grew into", the smaller ones are a remnant of YDLs design as a decoration and not a practical piece of clothing....

Kukla Fran and Ollie...plan to promote selling lemonade. Can YOU sell Cub Scouts?

""~~Youth Protection training must be taken every two years. If a volunteer’s Youth Protection training record is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be reregistered. "" http://www.scouting.org/Training/youthprotection.aspx