SSScout

Our home Troop and Pack will be in the church this Sunday. I'll try and let you know how it goes.

Has no one noticed that the CO's have a paragraph in the CAgreement already that stipulates that the CO has the right (nay, the responsibility) to define the membership and leadership in the Scout units they sponsor? Hence we have Scout units that are all Catholic, all Jewish and all LDS. But then again, could the BSA declare that a Scout unit may NOT define their membership in such ways, in order to use the Scout program?

Welcome, Akela125sunnybrook, to the Land of (seemingly) Neverending dissension, discussion and (I can't think of another dis- thing). I hope you have fun comparing the ScoutsCanada (like the new unis?) and the BSA (third new uni in 5 years). We will, presumably, not need or use the term Akela after this year, since the PTB have enacted a new rule eliminating the Cubs' Promise and Law of the Pack in favor of the Boy Scout Promise/Oath and Law. Pull up a virtual log to the virtual cracker barrel and pass the virtual s'mores and Ritz and cheddar....

I had to "Log In" anew in order to access all the features. No more news headlines?

1) One could even do the BMB with a French Horn. 2) Used instruments are to be found on eBay, Craigs List, from other local Scouts (find your District newsletter). I got mine from my uncle. 3) Invest in a cornet or trumpet mouth piece, ditch the bugle mouth piece. Easier on the embrochure, better tone. I recommend the Bach 12C trumpet. This will be the most expensive part of your new "hobby" 4) Take new (used ) bugle and treat it with a full scubout. If you don't have one for your frenchhorn, invest in a brush on a spring, and use detergent on the tubes, rinse well. Marvel at the amount of gunk that flushes out. Grease the tuning slide well. Bugle will then have a half tone lower range. 5) Polishing is not necessary, but if you do, dry and rub it down well and consider lacquering it. NOT polyeurathane. That peels off real quick. Use real lacquer. 6) BSA has a CD with bugle calls on it. Ask at your Scoutshop or Scoutstuff.org. 7) Branch Out: Youtube "Captain Gallant of the French Foreign Legion" and "Boots and Saddles", both old tv shows with bugle calls to emulate. The closing call on Captain Gallant is the "Tatoo". 8) When your Scout gets good (and confident) he will be much sought out by camporees, Webelos Weekends, etc. Even veteran's funerals will be glad for his talent and skill. Good Scouting to you!

Back when I drove a bus for a living, I had many good, accident free years. The transit agency did not have an award for such things, but alot of us drivers thought that it would be a nice touch to recognize such a thing. Our union (such as it was), made the suggestion and after a while, we had the award: a special key chain, a certificate and three extra leave days. When I mentioned to my supervisor that I probably qualified for it last year, she said "yes , but last year we didn't have such an award. This year we do, but how 'bout that tree limb you clipped last month?" Award this years awards this year.

Man, just come back from a vacation without email, and look what happens... And Pack 442 is in my baliwick, never heard of/from them, but good for them. I will look'em up. In the meantime, I will (again) post one of my favorite quotations, from William Penn: from Some Fruits of Solitude 1682 519. ""The Humble, Meek, Merciful, Just, Pious and Devout Souls, are everywhere of one Religion; and when Death has taken off the Mask, they will know one another, tho' the divers Liveries they wear here make them Strangers."" It is not up to us to say who shall (or not) enter heaven. Behave as you choose. The knight in the Indiana Jones movie made note of the choice of one chacter by saying "he chose...poorly". It may well be like that for many folks, but not for us to pass judgement on BEFORE the fact.

First, join International Hostels (ustabe Youth Hostels:: http://www.hiusa.org/ You can join individually or as a group. There are hostels in Washington DC, Baltimore, Phily, Sandy Hook MD(they call it Harpers Ferry since it is directly across the river from there). If you are persistant, you can find campgrounds near Gettysburg that will accept your IH membership for discounts. Inexpensive, clean, well managed acomodations. Share in the upkeep and cleaning while you are there. Ask the hostel folks about eating places for many many hungry Scouts! Second, this calls for LOTS of advanced planning, and LOTS of elastic in the schedule. Hard to see everything on the way or in the way. Washington DC: IH Hostel. The usual suspects: Make appointment to visit with your Congressman ((do NOT take Pocket knives to the capitol!), Smithsonian, Lincoln Memorial, MLK Memorial, etc. Avoid the Spy Museum, interesting expensive fun, but underline expensive. Camp William B. Snyder is 20 miles outside DC on I66, Scout camping. Nice, woodsy. http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org/camp-william-b-snyder/general-information/16565 Baltimore: IH Hostel. Or, Stay overnight aboard the USS Constellation (2nd oldest Naval vessel afloat)http://www.historicships.org/overnight_adventures.html. Walk to Ft. McHenry, about an 1 1/2 hour walk from inner harbor. B&O Railroad Museum, BIG model trains... See Flag House too. Batimore Area Council Broad Creek Reservation, http://www.broadcreekbsa.org/ Scout camping, on the way to Phily off USrt1 . Philly: IH Hostel. Usual suspects. Liberty Bell, Freedom Hall, Ben Franklin's House, etc. Who is that perched on the top of the State Capitol? Run up Rocky's steps. USS Olympia on the river. This is the kind of (traveling) Summer Camp that can really be rewarding. Consider travel on the Great Smokies, Blue Ridge Parkway. Slow driving, but history and scenery and camping along the way. Have fun, keep safe.

One knot for youth, one knot for adult. I was at the U of Scouting, and met a young man who sported four badges. It was enough for me to stare, frankly, and I recognized the Eagle, the God and Country, the Ad Altare Dei, and the Ner Tamid. I had to introduce myself and find out how he came to wear the three different religious awards. It made sense as he explained: His dad was Catholic, his mom was Jewish and his Scout Troop was sponsored by a Methodist church. Being a real "type A" , he naturally earned all of them in turn. He wore ONE square knot, no "devices". I came to realize there was no rule against that. Talk about broadening one's knowledge of the diversity of faith in our world.(This message has been edited by SSScout)

Vandalism has gradations... ""Lockheed Martin CEO cited for cutting trees along the Potomac"" ""...after Daniel Snyder, the owner of the Washington Redskins, was penalized for cutting down 130 trees to improve the view from his Potomac estate, one of his high-powered neighbors is coming under fire for clear-cutting nearly an acre of protected land ..."" http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-10-08/local/35498891_1_scenic-easement-trees-compensation-package

Vandalism has gradations... ""Lockheed Martin CEO cited for cutting trees along the Potomac"" ""...after Daniel Snyder, the owner of the Washington Redskins, was penalized for cutting down 130 trees to improve the view from his Potomac estate, one of his high-powered neighbors is coming under fire for clear-cutting nearly an acre of protected land ..."" http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-10-08/local/35498891_1_scenic-easement-trees-compensation-package

Juli's calender? Just a fad. It'll never catch on. Now those Mayas, they have a calender. Automatically take account of the eclipses, and it's circular, not linear. No need for them leapin' years...

It takes dedication, determination and a large amount of cooperation among the Troop parents. And Scouts. The Troop of my youth went to Council camps AND a Troop camp. Somebody's uncle's brother's family owned some wooded property and the Troop would go up there to hike and camp on weekends. Someone noted that it had a year round natural spring. This was capped and plumbed (plumber dad)and tested. The creek thru the property was mapped for the Surveying MB (another dad). When the long term camp was suggested, the Troop started in September of the year before. Telephone company dad got old utility poles. Contractor/carpenter dads hauled in the logs with tractors and old Jeeps. Scouts helped build a three side shelter,( Carpentry MB) which served as the Qmaster shack.. We dug a ten foot deep privy, and the shack over it (sack of lime beside it). The creek was dammed about 6 feet deep by a hundred feet long for splashing. Campsites (four Patrols) were cleared , two on each side of the creek. Fire places of loose rock were built. A campfire ring was cleared. Trails established. Patrols built lashed up tables and shelves for supplies (Pioneering MB) at their sites. Tents were bought by Patrol, so they all looked alike. I think they were called "Baker" tents.(canvas!). Each Patrol was expected to create a "Gateway" and gussy up the Patrol site, like a small town. Trails were named for "streets". Flagpoles were raised. Since the Patrols were across the creek from each other, we would try out our Morse code with flags and at night with flashlights. The site was laid out, as I remember, more than a mile in from the nearest dirt road. Everything had to be walked in. We hauled most of our firewood in from an area we called the "Dead Forest", because of the large amount of down and dead trees, mostly American Chestnut(!!), which burned with a blue hot flame. Even the Patrols that were furthest from this area made the trek for the Chestnut, as it was great for cooking coals. The older Scouts ( I eventually became one of these) laid out a compass course and tracking trails. We had to hike out some distance to find an open field to see sky at night to learn about the North Star and astronomy (another MB). Out of Camp trips to sites and places were rare. "Camp Freedom" was our camp. Looking back, I don't emember any other group using it, but I could be wrong. I still have the "CF" dangles (made ourselves) of burned wood cookies. I say go for it.

"Why not", indeed. I doubt seriously if anyone would object. However... "Officially", the only Cub Scout award that should be worn on the Boy Scout uni is the Arrow of Light, under the left pocket. The proud Scout can wear the Religious Award square knot above his left pocket, and if he wants to get really proper, attach the "device" appropriate (a silver pin) for his Cub awards to the Square Knot. I guess that means there are two Cub awards that can be acknowledged on the Boy Scout Uni. When he earns the Boy Scout award from his faith, he can then add another "device" (or two?) to the Square Knot. As an adult (time enough to consider this!) , he can wear the youth square knot on his adult uni and then earn (as appropriate) the Adult Award appropriate to his faith AND add another square knot for that!(This message has been edited by SSScout)

OOPS.(This message has been edited by SSScout)

You've got to be taught To hate and fear, You've got to be taught From year to year, It's got to be drummed In your dear little ear You've got to be carefully taught. You've got to be taught to be afraid Of people whose eyes are oddly made, And people whose skin is a diff'rent shade, You've got to be carefully taught. You've got to be taught before it's too late, Before you are six or seven or eight, To hate all the people your relatives hate, You've got to be carefully taught! = Rogers and Hammerstein =

My name is not Iago Montoya, I don't think you killed my father, you can keep on living.

So it worked out. The majority of folks voting did't want Romney as president, and HE didn't want to be president... http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/latest_rom_shell_he_didn_want_to_5EluB5LlOXnqdMTes1pVFL and http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/12/24/167955525/romney-didnt-want-to-run-son-says

* powerpoint show of pictures from the past year's fun. * have Cubs come up and demonstrate the "Cub Dance" (if they had one) from summer camp. Our Webelos learned one to Jimmy Buffet's 'Volcano Song'. The next year, they came back with "Cotton Eye Joe". Taught it to the parents! * See various skit compendiae: http://www.boyscouttrail.com/skits.asp http://www.scoutorama.com/skit/ scoutmaster.org/dchiefmaterial1.doc * BALOO'S BUGLE: http://usscouts.org/bbugle.asp * Ask your Troop's Bugler to give a recital. After that, everyone will REALLY enjoy what ever your entertainment is! KIS MIF!

Suddenly I am reminded of "Ender's Game".

If anyone can suggest this to the PTB, I have heard of such a case where the organization repaid all the individuals contributions to the retirement plan, and said ta-ta. Alternatively, they could withdraw the BSA's contributions, and effectively "sell" him his own , somewhat reduced, retirement plan.

Waaaallll, this mite be a mite fer away fer y'all, but here tis: http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org/openrosters/viewnewsletters.asp?newsletterkey=5979&OrgKey=1988 Goshen Scout Reservation bein' down in south west Virginia...

Thank you. If all they have is "Mortal Kombat", then to what do they compare their own behavior to? I think that is what Mr. Moten is trying to say. His memories are dated, true, and his organization was tainted by mismanagement, but is the article's premise so wrong or false? If the only excitement a boy has is fantasy, and his life is so untenable, what does he think is his solution? What is the "game with a purpose" that we speak of? And what kind of "game" is being sold in video? Money is being made by the selling of killer training. We volunteer to train boys in "adventure" and "ethical choices" do we not? If "GTA lll" is JUST a game, than what kind of a game are we offering? We play Monopoly as a practice for capitalism. We play poker and chess and scrabble for the mind challenge they offer. If no one challenges the purpose of the games, they will be accepted as a viable practice. But practice for what? http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2012/01/19/a-year-after-peaceoholics-renovated-buildings-theyre-mostly-still-empty/ http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/12/17/do-video-games-make-kids-violent/ Please note I do not say violent video games MAKE kids violent, but as with anything else, what one does MORE, one gets BETTER at. And if there is no other comparison, to what does the player refer their own behavior with?

Here's an article about one man's experience with how kids learn one solution to their problems: http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/violence-on-the-screen-violence-in-the-streets/2012/12/28/894a6e20-5069-11e2-839d-d54cc6e49b63_story.html I have had much the same experience with my kids and their video games, except that we (mom and I) had the opportunity to challenge the idea they had that "it's just a game". To speak Scoutese, "a game with WHAT purpose"?

Cambridge: Suggested itinerary: Heathrow to Buffalo NY, bus to Niagara Falls (see the sites), cross to Canada (stay in Youth Hostel, become a member before you leave home), bus to Toronto to your Scout Pen Pals, stay with Scout families (I presume), fly home direct Toronto to Heathrow. Are any of your group member of the Auto Association in the UK? See what travel agent services they can offer such a deserving group as the Scouts. I can vouch for the Hostel in Niagara, nice place. And the boys will love the action at the falls , both American side and Canadian.