SSScout

Eagle in 1963. No "project", but we had to give evidence of "service to the community". I can see the project notebook as a guide for boys that have had no chance to plan something (I built birdhouses and critter pens and put up shelves and such ) and build it . It is a "paint by the numbers" kind of thing (do they still sell those things?) for someone who has not "painted" before. I favor the project, think the idea is fine, helps get the Scout out of his comfort zone. I have complaint with the Scout and his leader that wait until age 17 10/12s and try to find something to do RIGHT NOW. Blood drive, book collection, puppet show at the orphanage, super one time park cleanup, I have seen /heard of alot of last minute projects that could have , in good conscience, been denied but were okayed out of a charitable notion, I guess. "Too large inscope" fora Eagle Project? Only if it doesn't succed can one make that judgement. "Too small " for an Eagle project? Very often, but it depends on the Scout, doesn't it?

I second Cambridge's observation. Allowance has to be made for previous activity and such. That is one reason for the usual design of the classic Camporee campfire program: Welcome (ceremonial lighting, introductions, fun skit), songs, cheers, skits, laughs, awards (few and short!!) if any, more skits, songs jokes, then a ghost story or indian tale, something more somber (flag retirement? or ash lore), then "Scout vespers" or sing taps. Walk home and secure camp, quiet time enforced. Younger boys to tent, older venturers quiet around the dying embers, rule is no more wood. You let the fire die, but someone has to be there to watch. Astronomy class? Reveille is the same for all, no exceptions. If you are tired, how can we learn from this? Does your camp have a night watch? Old timers that keep watch for ... ? Who knows what?

Lots of possibilities. Every month, I favor collecting all the bling for ONE boy, line up ONE Den, and award each boy in that Den, thus: ( CM does all this) "OKAY! We have all the Bears up here , now. Mr. Slovakosky, you're the Den Leader, and you have been busy since last month! Let's see, now.... Jake, you have three arrow points, the chess belt loop, the Frisbee belt loop and the Summer Activity Award. (hand him the envelope and shake his hand) Way to go! Bill, you 've got the Summer Activity Award, the Frisbee Belt Loop, the Map and Compass Belt loop, and two Arrow Points (hand him the envelope, shake his hand) How 'bout that!" >>Do this for all the Bears, then lead everyone in a cheer! Same etc. for all the other Dens. Big cheer for everyone at the end. This is easier and quicker that trying to do each award for each boy seperately. Bigger to-do in April-May: **Bridging for the Webelos (don't forget you may have two classes of Webs: Those going into a BScout Troop, AND those merely graduating out of Cubs or moving away, or undecided about which Troop. Be sure to include both groups somehow in the recognition. They all deserve it. ** Moving on to the next rank/Den for the rest of the boys.... Make a recognition of this too, with some pomp and circumstance. KiS MiF

Choose ONE prime position with a home unit (? CC with Pack?) and pay registration with that unit. When you register as another position (ASM, Den Leader, Merit Badge Counselor, etc. ), check "multiple registration", list your Scout ID number (ALWAYS use the exact same version of your name) and smile and wave as you go by.... Oh, and keep your YPTraining up to date.

If it was an "open bar", to me that indicates that the organizers of the event paid for the drinks. Was this an "official" Scout celebration? or a privately organized (SM retirement party done by his family?) sort of thing. If the former, I would feel the necessity of politely, diplomatically , reminding the organizing party of the above named policy. Uniformed Scout youth were in attendance, and , it seems, were expected. If it was the latter case, perhaps it was only poor taste and not a violation with "prior intent"; but still, if it LOOKS like a Scout event and people ACT like it's a Scout event and folks come to it EXPECTING it to be a Scout event, then it IS a Scout event and should have been treated as such.

In my home Troop, there are "guidelines" for meals, (no soda pop, no "poptart" type stuff, etc.) but other than that, the Patrols are encouraged to cook "adventurously". ASMs and SM can and do veto poor Patrol food plans, but adults cook and eat with adults. Taste tests may happen cross cultural exchange and all between Patrols, but adults with adults and Scouts with Scouts.

Well, I was just watching Dirty Jobs, and at the end, Mike Rowe asks folks to email him ideas for new places/jobs to visit and I thought of my friend who inspects ballast tanks on ocean frieghters for the Smithsonian looking for tag-a-long critters and deseases so I went to Discovery Channel http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/dirty-jobs and discovered that (in 2012!) DJ was CANCELED!! WOW! It was a shock. I went to some other pages, and discovered there had been a petition for restarting the show, but it was closed after only 52 signatures! Mike was great at the Nat Jam both years. *sigh* and he didn't get to be Chief Scout, either. I guess it was time to move on.....

Good for a winter's camp: Layer Cake Stew: Need a LARGE, deep skillet, preferably cast iron, with cover/lid. Big knife, cutting board, spatula. Ingredients: Half pound of sliced bacon, Pound of lean ground beef, 1 large onion, two or three large potatoes, two or three carrots, salt&pepper. If you wish, include celery or other veggies. Directions: WASH YOUR HANDS. Soap the OUTSIDE of skillet to make cleanup easier. Cover INSIDE bottom of skillet with bacon, leave no gaps. Crumble up ground beef, cover the bacon, leave no gaps. Salt and pepper. Peel , slice onions 1/4" thick, lay over beef. Wash and scrub potatoes, clean and cut out eyes,bad spots. Do not peel, slice 1/4 thick, lay out and overlap onions. Scub carrots, cut off ends, bad spots. Slice on diagonal (fancy!) 1/4" thick. Cover potatoes with carrots. Place on fire, note it is pretty heavy and will need good support. If there is no steam from under lid in 5 minutes, you need a hotter fire. Leave alone for 30 minutes. At that time, (Heavy and hot! Be careful!). Take off lid and stick potatoes with fork, should be soft. If not, back on fire for another 5 minutes. Take off fire (Heavy and Hot!) . Scoop out with spatula, big spoon. Note lots of good gravy , serve with biscuits and catsup.

Passed on to my District. Example to be studied and emulated.

Wolfmom: Listen to all the above. The unit was formed under false pretenses. On face, it has only two officers, and I doubt if it was much different 14 years ago.. From your description, the two officers have no intention of being honest about the units finances or membership. Speak to the other parents and speak to the District Commissioner (name should be available on your Council website, or by phone to the Council office. As has been said, it is fairly easy to found a new Cub Pack, provided you have a new Charter Org lined up. That is the hardest part. Church, temple, volunteer fire dept. Lions Club, American Legion , I even know of a Cub Pack sponsored by a Hardware Store. So it doesn't even need to be a non-profit organization. Be true to your children's future and do not let these unfortunately led people spoil it (the future). Yours in Scouting.

What is "Baton"? Is that like hitting your axe/hatchet with a "sheleighlee" to split wood? If so, I do not recommend the sheleighlee, as it tends to open the eye of the axe head on wood handle axes. Use a real maul or handled wedge and sledge. Two axe/hatchet methods: "contact" and "impact".

I was once told by a very wise person to remember that we are all temporarily "able". When I sub-teach, I often am moved to remind my students, who I may never see again after that day, that each of them may have a talent, a gift that may not be shared with anyone else. Some of them may be really good at math, some may run faster. Doesn't mean anyone of them is more (or less) important than any other. Just so with somebody who has a "limitation", doesn't mean they are any less worthy or less....human. We are all .... human, various types and abilities. I am there to help them understand stuff, to the best of THEIR ability, not mine. If I have to adapt my teaching technique to match their ability , I will do that (much to some of their surprise!). Your young Scout will find his own level, and have a good time doing it. This subject always makes for an excellent SM Minute. A good SM will couch his language such that the boys will think universally, not just about one fellow Scout. From your discription of his friends and fellow Cubs, I think your son has already met some Scouts that have heard such a message, maybe not from a SM or CM, but from another good source. I like the suggestion that you can become ASM, or other Troop leader, and not only help your son , but the other Scouts as well.

Well said, Scoutetr99. Altho I too have had to remind folks of BSA guidelines, I have had to bend them on occasion to meet the conditions "on the ground". More than once, I have had to serve on the BoR of the Troop (I am an ASM) when there just weren't any other adults able and willing (yes, we've had folks refuse when asked) to so serve. The CC usually chairs the BoR, since we don't have an official AdChair. "The work gets done by whomever shows up".

Ooooo.... I had not heard of this before. What precedent do we have here? Is Philmont considered/used the same? Seabase??? Goshen??? The naming is not an issue, we accept the donation and paint a name over the gate. It's the USE that is under consideration. Concert promoters? It's a three mile drive into the Arena area... Alcohol use? Mary Jane? Woodstock re-incarnate? Maybe private vacation things, Club Med??? Take me home, country roads.... Nature preserve... High Adventure Base? If the property HAD been converted into State Park, as was originally sought by the stae of West by God Virginia, would this be a consideration? What happened to that four story Eco-Cabin???

KiSMiF... You do the cheer to show appreciation or honor (applause), or to please someone (just because I said to), or just to have fun or to compete . "Let's give'm a BIG HAND (hold your open hand over your head), Let's give'm a round of applause (clap in a circle) . DIvide the crowd into three sections (make chopping noises): Assign each section one word: "DO" "YOUR" "BEST".... Conduct the band by pointing at them: DO-YOUR-BEST, BEST-BEST-DO-YOUR, etc. "Let'em hear ya in the County Seat!!" . Rocket Cheer (sssssss- BOOM!!!) If YOU enjoy it, THEY will enjoy it. But you have to enjoy it!

Again,,,,,, it all depends on the Scouter. Done right, nothing wrong with a MB Day/College/university/Powwow. Advance notice requires that Pre-requisites be known and completed before arrival. MBCounselors need to be true to the spirit of MBs, and not be averse to awarding partials, or not signing off if the boy is not ready. I did Bugling once a few years back, in the sign ups, the Prerequisites were clearly spelled out (SM bluecard, note from SM attesting to serving as Bugler, compose the Bugle call). I was nonplussed when two of the four Scouts that came that day DID NOT HAVE A HORN with them ("Oh, I thought you provided one"), a different two didn't have the note, only one had the bugle call composed. Only two could successfully play the required calls. I gave out three partials and signed one Bluecard. None of the partials ever contacted me back. I called them 8 months later, arranged for two to come and play their calls. I signed those two, never heard again from the last. Two weeks ago, our District had a MBDay. Some really unique MBs offered. Pro plumber did an all day Plumbing MB, required and enforced some pre-requisites, had a class of 8 boys, soldering, threading, lots of pipes made. Heard he signed off on 6 of them. One burn, (first Aid!). My Bugling MB had three, passed one, two partials. I wait for them to call me back....

Matching Mountains with the Boy Scout Uniform by Reimer (1928) is now available in a reprint! A interesting book about the history of the Scout uniform. It lists no fewer than 40 (!) uses for the necker. http://www.amazon.com/Matching-Mount.../dp/143256918X Or the original! http://www.boyscoutstore.com/matching-mountains-with-the-boy-scout-uniform-en.html

The Troop of my yoooth ,designed the necker and it had a 4" embroidered patch with boots kicking up dust mottoed "Always On The Go!" It is a big one, about 30" on a side, triangular. And it was used for all the usual stuff: slings, flags, signalling, . Once a year, usually in February, I sponsor a neckerslide contest for the boys, and I give prizes, I collect coupons from local establishments for free tacos, ice cream, etc.. I get to display my collection of souvenir neckers and woggles. I get to talk about the history of the necker, and what has changed. Even the adults get interested. Some years, lots of entries, this year, only four.. I enlist a local art teacher for my judge, so there is no "favoritism". I've seen nicely carved ones (Woodcarving MB at camp) to artfully contrived ducttape to a Smurf toy glued to a pipecleaner. In the years I have been doing this, the Troop has gone from a tiny cravat ESL necker to a 30" custom one, not like my old one, but distinctive. Overcollar, undercollar, no collar, tucked in collar, don't matter none. Encourage them to wear it proudly , usefully, as a mark of being a Scout. Not every Scout has a uniform to wear, but every Scout should have a Necker.

Summer camp. Back when I was about 8, my dad (we live in MD) took me and my 9 yr old cousin to the Mast Cove Camp in Maine. No longer there(I looked). We stayed there two weeks, I learned about boats, oceans, getting along with other kids, gimp weaving, eating stuff I'd never seen before, and how to complain about abusive cabin counselors (another story). I really do not remember Scout camping of any kind until I reached Boy Scouts. When I was a CM, I led many a hike and got a couple of parents BALOO trained so we could go to the "Son and One" Council camps. And folks now adays think hard about sleepover camps for Webelos as a ... ? what? maybe not appropriate for kids that age? My son went to Camp Heritage in PA as a Web, and camped away with others here in MD too. Exnicios: Take the initiative and find out where your Council's "official" camp is, persue it. Share your results with others. Get ALL your boys out and about.

So the boy did not qualify as an APL, but , boy, did he qualify with "Specially Assigned Duties". I hope his PL would vouch that he did his APL stuff, too.

At an imaginary dinner with several African American celebs, Hank Aaron growing up, "... had two loves: baseball and the Boy Scouts. He can still recite the Scout Oath." Read more at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/black-history-comes-alive-at-the-dinner-table/2014/02/20/78a206b2-9589-11e3-afce-3e7c922ef31e_story.html

JB: I do teach that idea. Put it down on a safe surface (not wet or slippery), along with all the other stuff. Why do I and why would someone else not teach that?, Since there is no "official" curriculum (should there be? another topic, perhaps), and no "official" requirements as to skill acquisition (show how to do this and this and this...), in the W/C and T/C awards (just read the page in the book), we are left with "tradition". and the skill set of whomever is teaching and signing off on it. What is the right stuff to teach? Require? Demonstrate? EDGE??? There are now many many websites with suggestions on how to teach, and what to require for the W/C and T/C.It is surprising (maybe not?) how consistant they are in these things, but not in how to do it. We've done pretty well, so far. I like to hand out to my IOLS adults copies of the pages from my 1956 vintage Fieldbook. It shows photos of all the stuff we've been talking about: handing a knife/axe/saw to another, using a stone and file to sharpen, how to safely use the tools, limbing, felling (when is a modern Scout ever going to be allowed to drop a 12" maple?) , whittling, fuzz sticks. And it shows the BOY doing it. Compared to today's handbook and Fieldbook, this is radical stuff (?G2SS?).

Teach using the "what if" game. We have guidelines, rules, etc. because of "what if". We pass knives blade back to the palm, handle toward the recipient and he says "thank you " and you then let go because if you don't....? I saw one example of fake knife teaching that worked: Our Troop did a Whittlin' Chip station at a Webelos Weekend camp (went thru 35 lbs of Ivory!). Mostly, the Scouts used my pocket knife collection. The SPL in charge of the station, while I was watching, came across a Cub who wanted the W/C, but was honestly scared of the real knife (talk about approach / avoidance) . The SPL went into the nearby woods, found an appropriately shaped stick, carved it into a knife and handle, and worked with that Cub for about an hour, until he could handle a real knife with some aplomb. I was very proud of that Scout. I still have that wood make-believe blade. But teach with real blades, teach 'em respect for the edge, respect for the tool.

Interesting discussion. Does one NEED a blade of a certain size? When I teach IOLS (and I have been told "gee, I wish you had taught the IOLS course I went to."). I show lots of sharp stuff and talk about the "fable" of the sheath knife ban. Then I show folding knives, lock backs of various types, the new Opinel twist lock knife, big kitchen knife, a K-bar, and I invite a discussion of what kind of a knive a Scout NEEDS. I talk about safety, passing knives, sharpening and care, use ( yes, a folder can collapse on you), closing a folder not with a fist but with open palm. all that stuff. For some adults, it keeps coming back to why not a small sheath knife? How small? In my small experience, the boy can learn to respect the blade with a 4" folder, make fuzz sticks, whittle , and even cook. The sheath knife often is more a matter of machismo and bragodaccio to the boy. (Crocadile Dundee not withstanding). Each Troop culture is unique. I knew a Troop that limited younger boys to knives under 4" blade (?5"? I forget). Boys older than 14 AND First Class could carry a 6" blade sheathed knife, after a VERY strict Totin Chip class. And that was taught by the older boys. The Troop culture insured that the rule was respected, and the reasons were explained. Younger boys make mistakes without the experience and example and tutilege of the "elder" boys. When we KNOW you've had the benefit of all that, we'll be glad to let you "carry". What type of knife does a Scout need? And for what? I speak about how a Patrol on the AT MIGHT need one hatchet among them, (a felling axe on a weeklong trek?) and maybe a couple or three pocket knives. But the boys need to be a team and share. This way, extra weight is avoided. Does every Scout need his own tent or cooking set or stove? We learn teamwork and responsibility to the group by such decisions . Long, big knives have a use and purpose. Do your Scouts have such need? Or would they lead to more problems further on?

I think Eagledad makes a great point. We aren't just trying to teach the scouts technical skills, but we are also modeling behavior. Take for example the (very bad in my opinion) practice that some troops have of making a scout sing to get lost property back. What behavior is it modeling? If a scout is out in the street and sees the man in front of him drop his wallet, which should he say: "Excuse me sir, you dropped your wallet." or "Hey mister, I got your wallet. Sing a song and I'll give it back to you.". If the second is not acceptable to a stranger, how is it acceptable to a fellow scout? "Mr. Jenks? Has anyone found a pocket knife? I think I dropped mine somewhere around the bulletin board last night". "Well, Jimmy, what kind was it?" "It's a Case , with a canopener and two blades, one short one long." "Ummm. Does it look like..... this?" "Yeah!" Gee, great!" "Okay, Jimmy, wait a minute... ((ties a looooong string onto knife loop)). Here. Maybe this will help you, eh? . I lost the knife my uncle gave me. I know where it is too." "You do?" "Yep. I was a Scout about your age. It's somewhere between Harpers Ferry and Pine Knob Cabin on the AT. " " Oh. Thanks Mr. Jenks. "