SSScout

The present philosophy is that kids (Cubs) want/deserve/should be rewarded NOW for what they accomplish. Beads, patches, RIGHT NOW! Permit me some nostalgia and reminiscing. I hope there are a few of us here, that might remember doing the "stuff" in our DL's recroom/basement, going to the zoo and fire house, and being "rewarded" by our DL's smile and "good job!" and then our mom and dad's smiles and hands on our shoulders. The key holder was cut and painted, the birdhouse was nailed together, albeit a bit crooked. The book was signed, and kept where I could see and read it. The patches and arrow points didn't arrive until the Pack meeting weeks or months later. I was working to become a Bear (f''rinstance), and the goal was being met, gradually, as indicated by the books signatures. My folks and DL made sure I saw that , reminded me of it. sat down with me and reviewed it with me. I knew it was coming (like Christmas?). My generation knows that the mortgage is a gradual thing. We (and the bank) own the house, and eventually only we will own it, after alot of self denial and putting off and score keeping. Now, young folks seem to want everything RIGHT NOW. There is very little sense of working toward a goal. Don't worry about research, wikipedia it. The kids I sub teach to wait for me to tell them what the answer is, heaven forbid they should figure it out for themselves. When did this change? When did we start teaching our kids to EXPECT their reward right now, and not to work for it for later? The internalization of the approval of our parents approbation was, I think part of our generation's education. Putting off the reward for our efforts til later, because we knew it would come, it would be there, later. Taking pride in what one can do alone, rather than taking pride (?) in what one can repeat...... Could this be part of our societal troubles? The need to see the result of our efforts and desires RIGHT NOW ? Then too, I wonder if my memory of things past is really that much different from things present. Is the percentage (amount? number?) of kids having trouble in school doing math the same as way back when? It can't be all that harder. Geometry and Algebra hasn't changed, only the imposed need to learn it RIGHT NOW... By tuesday..... Any sense in my ramblings? What am I trying to say?

AKd: You may meet a few old timers, such as myself, who can remember making the pen holders and cork thunderbirds in the Denleaders rec room, and all we received "immediately" was a "good job!" from our mom or dad. The book got signed,, the smiles from the DL and our folks, THAT was immediate. The Arrow Points or Bear badge came at the Pack meeting two or three weeks or a month later. We were having fun and seeing the pleased look on our folks face and my dad's hand in mine was our "immediate" reward. When did a plastic bead become more important than that?

http://www.scoutsongs.com/ and http://www.virtualcampfire.co.uk/#Fiddler%27s+Green for some mp3 choices. AND the theme for "Follow Me Boys" : http://www.scoutsongs.com/lyrics/followmeboys.html

Theme song for "Follow Me Boys" ?

Any chance of the PM function being re-instated? I went to the "Messages" button, pushed "compose"and that page told me I was "not authorized to view this page". Ummmmm?

Kudu: you seem to be the man with the knowledge here. Am I to understand that Trail Life is a "purely" Christian/protestant/evangelical scout organization? From reading the previous stuff,do I have that right ? No Jews or Hindus or Mohamadans or Catholics need apply?

"Unvoluntold"? Does that mean you were TOLD (by whom?) you were no longer needed, gold watch, put out to pasture, etc.?? Just because you no longer have a son in Cubs (next one coming along?) doesn't mean you can't be supportive to the Pack. Ask the Cubmaster , maybe he/she needs an ACM. Take on a task: The B&G, the PWD, the next BALOO training, there is something out there you can help with, sans Ms Alpha... I might look to become a Commissioner. Ask your DE or call Council office to find out how and why! Thank you for your support of Scouting! Keep us informed how things go, "inquiring minds want to know".

Hello again. Where IS that "Faith and Chaplaincy" forum? Must be around here sum'ers... TT: as us Quakers say, "How doth the Spirit prosper with thee, Friend?"

I would be interested in this. Scout staff usta be a standard piece of uniform. Useful. Tent pole, signal flag pole, take three and make a tripod for some use, game piece, totem/award hanger, prop to rest on , lots of uses. How big are these Tiger Cub staffs? A Boy Scout one would be 2 meters long, at least. I used one for my recent Camino hike, and received one as an award at the NatJam.

I think this can be classified in the same file as "when do I wear my Woodbadge Beads/dove necker/DA dangle/adult religious dangle/QA sash.. " If you earned it, you can find the "appropriate" time to wear it. Or not wear it.

"The work is done by whoever shows up". In an ideal world, the campouts are led by fully IOLS trained Scouters who are also Eagle scouts and USArmy Ranger trained. The Commishers are independant of the Units they serve because this helps insulate them from the internecine politics and lends them credo as to being unbiased and expert. The Pros are ex Scouts and realize they are being judged by BSA on "numbers" and judged by the local volunteer Scouters by their sympathy and ability to "help". All Eagles are expert in campcraft (E.T.Seton) , stay with their home units as an example to the younger Scouts and stay away from unlawful activities. Every parent is there for their Scout, steps up when the Unit needs help but lets the boys "do their thing". And there is enough fully trained and experienced Commishers that each one has only two or three units they are assigned to. When it is time to recharter, and we start talking about it in November, every unit has a Adult that takes on that role, corrects all the records, collects all the signatures and turns in the 100% correct paper work and clicks on the online forms by 31 December. Other than that, I agree with everything that's been said above.

"Reverence to God and reverence for one's neighbour and reverence for oneself as a servant of God, is the basis of every form of religion. The method of expression of reverence to God varies with every sect and denomination. 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." =Robert Baden-Powell, “Aids to Scoutmastershipâ€Â

"" I'm just looking for ideas for my troop and my son fordifferent things."" Well, you're in the right place for that. Don't spill your cocao with some of the things you'll read here. Greetings from the Western Shore of the Bay, NCAC MD here.

So the choices are: 1) Scouts (and parents?) do something so unit raises money (sells widgets, washes cars, spreads mulch, whatever). Money goes in unit treasury, and Committee decides how to spend it (charter expenses, room rental, new tents, travel expenses for trips, sign out front, badges and books and neckers, etc.). or 2) Scouts (and parents?) do something so unit raises money. Committee decides how money is spent AND who to spend it on (camperships? Backpack for deserving Scout? ) and the kicker is that some Scouts work better/harder and earn/sell more stuff than others, so why should that Scout get more goodies than my Scout? I know a Cub that sold $25,000. gross popcorn two years ago. His Council propered, his Pack prospered (they bought a new PWD track among other things), and he went to summer camp essentially free. I know of no one who claimed they were less benefitted by his efforts (the kid did easily 90% of the selling hisself, contacted many companies and sold internet, long story. ) . The Packs' "scout accounts are held in trust to pay for the Scout's dues, summercamp fees, and do not go to "private" use (ipods, boots, uniforms or other use) and it is well understood that the left overs do not go with the Scout when he leaves the Pack. I know one Scout who saved up his "Scout account" and bought the troop a new trailer with it. The unit benefits, the Scout who did the work benefits (because of his work for the unit). The Scout that did not do as much to help the fundraising must make up for that lack by paying his dues directly. If the Comittee judges that that Scout needs help, then they are within their rights (I think) to spend the general funds to help that Scout. Many I have spoken with agree that this is superior to awarding trinkets for "high numbers". I fully understand the IRS and BSA wanting to define things such that folks don't make a living by falsely letting others think that a non-profit entity is making the money when it is in reality going in a private pocket. But if the Scout unit defines and limits the Scout account correctly I think the Scouts that work for the Unit will benefit as well as the Scouts that can't or won't. It must go to a Scout activity and benefit the Scout, not the private person. I even have known some Scouts who use their Scout Accounts as a trust savings account to save up for summer camp and HA trips. Example: When the Troop goes to Philmont, it is not the individual Scouts that pay, it is the Troop that pays for the trip. All the Scouts pay to the Troop. They pay either by working extra at the fundraising (?Scout account?), or with daddy's check book. When a Scout goes to Jamboree, it is not the Troop paying for that, that must be the Scout paying individually , that cannot come from the Scout account, which stays with the Troop.

Sikh: An upcoming group in Scouting. Very much in agreement with the SP&L http://www.worldsikhcouncil.org/press/2013/28Jul2013.html

Nice programs. http://www.bayportsr.org/

Uniforms.... A uniform is NOT required to be a Scout. Nice to have, makes us feel part of the movement, etc., but.... In a lot of places, a Tee shirt and Neckerchief is sufficient. Look at pictures of the World Jamboree, not everyone is in a blinged out tan/green/blue shirt. The only thing a Scout is required to do is follow the Scout Promise and Law, and even that is somewhat adjustable. Not every SP&L around the world is the same as the USA-BSA ones, but we recognize the brother/sister Scout when we meet them. If the woman is exemplary of the SP&L, then welcome to my Den and here's how you can help.... Get her to Woodbadge!

Welcome, Scout. Good to have a few young'uns to off set the old'ns around here. Feel free to speak your mind. Good practice for when you run for Governor ;-)

Could be has to do with this: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/financeimpact/pdf/Fiscal_Policies_and_Procedures_for_BSA_Units.pdf or this....http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/booster_club_field_directive_6-27.pdf or perhaps this.... http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-wd/02-0041.pdf But I was enjoying the banter about who gets what from whom.

Amen and dittos and absolutely to what has gone before. Tigers are a SCOUT and his ADULT partner. Texting is not an option. Pull them out of their comfort zone. Give them a task, as Denner, or as Scout. Each pair needs to be in charge of a "go see it" or Den meeting activity or somesuch. Give them expectations, and encourage them to meet those. Tiger Den should NOT be a spectator sport. I remember a CSDC I led the Nature Pavilion. One day we worked on Leave No Trace. Each boy got the LNT card, and I told stories and we went over the rules on it. I then sent the boys out in pairs for three minutes to pick up "everything that was NOT left there by God", and they collected a pile of trash! When the boys went out, one lady was IMMEDIATELY on her cell, complaining to who knows who about "I can't believe how much work I'll have next monday, I can't believe they talked me into this Den walker thing. Why couldn't SOMEbody else do this? Jeremy doesn't need me here, he's fine by himself. It is SUCH a waste of my time and..." then when the boys circled back in, the phone went away. *sigh* If they don't have a connection with their boy by the time he is 10, they won't have one when he is 18.

Popcorn is always an option. It is tailored for , as has been said, a"donation" with a "thank you" gift. Sort of like GSCookies, (better value? better handled? another topic). I know lots of BSunits that let the Cubpacks do the Popcorn (no competition there...) and the BSTroops do other things... sell Christmas trees, holiday wreaths, candy, campcards, flag display putup/takedowns, parkcars/do ice delivery/pickup trash at the county fair, spaghetti dinners, car washes, parade marshalling, mulch sale/delivery/installation, yard work, pet care/walking, .... Then we get into the definition of what is "service" or "good turns" versus "getting paid for it".

Yes-in-deedy... welcome to the ecrackerbarrel. The cocoa is there on the virtual table, next to the pepperoni slices. Don't step in the gazonga, and have a virtual seat. We'll get acquainted in due course. First bit of advice: Don't overstretch yourself (learn to say no with gratitude). Secondly, family comes first. Other than that, KiS, MiF!

Set the example. Adult leaders should wear them too. I see quite a few at my RT wear none, or merely WB beads under collar. Rarely the full necker. District Committee opted for 36" triangle neckers for District level folks. I wear it, fits and looks good. Now if all the District level folks would wear them...

Welcome back , KT. I would second the suggestions already made and add some more. If you attend a faith institution (or member of a service club, or ???) , check to see if they have a Scout unit, and if not, look into starting one. Make yourself known to the congregation (newsletter, deacons, elders, etc.) and find some like minded Scouty folks. Go to the Council website, find your appropriate District, get the names of your District Key Three and attend the next Roundtable. I know you will find your niche.

I would refer thee to the "Declaration of Religious Principal" on the back of your Adult Application.....