SSScout

Yea forsooth and verily, tis down for repairs, tis, seem and mayhap for the better, methinks. Canst say nay, or yea. "recent topics", "24 hours recent posts" and other functions are missing or oerlong to profound their task and presentments. I am ill rewarded for mine efforts. Dissapointed, aye, that I am.

"The work is done by whoever shows up" Thank you for "showing up" and "doing the work" The folks that don't have missed out on the satisfaction and "extra pay".

Been there done that. If the parents pay the dues, he's a Cub Scout. If the Den Leaders, Cub Master, Committee Chair, etc. present the fun program, the Cub can benefit from it, IF he attends and progresses. But it is a choice, not a do or die requirement, is it? I had a boy in my Cub Den, he would come or not, he might be at the B&G or not. The parents were obviously not as enthusiastic as the Cub. Part of the dues went to the Dens in our Pack for supplies. I had a leather craft one time, the Cub wasn't there. I figured, they paid for it, they should have it, so I went and knocked on their door and the Cub answered the door. I said "hey, Bill, missed you at the last meeting. I thought you ought to have the leather kit." At that point, the dad came to the door, took the kit, said "thank you" and closed the door. Never saw the kid again. Did I take it personally? No, I know I did my job. Was I dissapointed? Sure. One can only " do your best".

Coats/jackets are something every parent has to consider for their young Cub. It will be outgrown. Generic , nice coats can be handed down to siblings, "inherited" from older brothers, sold, given to thrift shop, BOUGHT at thrift shop. It is nice to THINK about matching blue Cub jackets (look on Scoutstuff, many Cub jackets available) but unless you have a really "into it" group of parents with bucks to spend, I'm not sure your gonna get much enthusiasm behind the idea. Will the boy wear it to school? Maybe. More Boy Scout caps, tshirts and sweaters to school than full unis. I still have my high school letter jacket (like I could fit into it!) hanging in the back of the hall closet, and lots of Scout patches in the shoe box. No Cub Coat. Any such thing would have been passed on to another Cub mom real quick by my mom. Average Cub will go thru 3 shirts between Tiger and Webelos, and not because they wore out! And they are bought big! Here's an idea: Make sure they have matching caps (forget the rank caps) .

My home Pack always has at least three (sometimes more, depending on who is interested) classes: Cub (boy builds car), Non-Cub Kid (siblings, cousins, etc.), and Unlimited (adult ). This year, we only had one Unlimited-adult entry. He had encased a block of lead in wood veneer. Nicely shaped and painted, it looked like a PWD car! However, it weighed in at 6 lbs, 13 oz. (!!!!). The Committee decided it was too dangerous to "race" on the track, and gave it a "special " award.

Look at the "Eagle Clock" thread. I tried to comment, but received error message. I tried again, same thing. Again,and the message dissappeared,, , same error message, and so I tried to post HERE, got the same error message HERE, all with the "working" block at the top of the page. Came back today, all four attempts in the Eagle Clock thread were posted! Hoo Hah! and click POST...

There is always the difference in philosophy as to a pre-meeting "gathering" game , or a after meeting "wrap-up" game. Some Troops in this area do the one, some the other. Weather permitting, I have seen "capture the flag" type games outside pre meeting. Inside, depending on the meeting place, scavenger hunts and "Kim's" game. My home troop does a wrap up game called "Gah-gah-gah", which involves surrounding a large floor area with folding tables laid on their side, as walls. The players stand inside the table area, and roll a bouncy ball at each other. If one is hit below the knee (the ball must stay on the floor), they must get out of the play area. The name comes from the start of the play: the ball is set bouncing and it bounces three times (Gah, gah, gah) and the first person to grab the ball after the last "gah" begins by rolling to hit someone. The play resumes with someone (doesn't matter who) picks up the ball and sets it bouncing again. Note, not dribbling, just bouncing. VCery active game, the boys adjust the rules as necessary and rule on who "really" got hit or not. Last boy not hit is the winner.

Won't post new reply. "working" notice for more than a minute, then "Browser error in retaining info" or such. Multiple times. Most frustrating. Let's see if this will post.

Like all Scout awards, they are what they are. You earned them, you can wear them. Or not. Some Scouters wear the barebones uni, (with council patch, PoR, unit number) some wear the whole Schmiel. I judge by what I will be attending. Camporee, IOLS, maybe the shirt, pants Commish necker. CoH, pick out a necker (Commish, Troop, WB, beads). Eagle CoH, District award dinner, maybe everything. Whittlin Chip class with Cubs, maybe no necker. It depends. WB is a gradation. First, the Troop 1 necker. When everything is done, the Dove necker and beads. Den meeting, I would think it's a little much (but you are proud of your acccomplishment, yes?) to wear everything, but then, it is a conversation starter. Shows the Cubs even the adults are "Loyal Scouts" (We Be). "Wear thy sword as long as thy canst". (Quaker quote). Or.... Wear thy necker whenever thy feels like it....

Like all Scouot awards, they are what they are. You earned them, you can wear them. Or not. Some Scouters wear the barebones uni, (with council patch, PoR, unit number) some wear the whole Schmiel. I judge by what I will be attending. Camporee, IOLS, maybe the shirt, pants Commish necker. CoH, pick out a necker (Commish, Troop, WB, beads). Eagle CoH, District award dinner, maybe everything. Whittlin Chip class with Cubs, maybe no necker. It depends. WB is a gradation. First, the Troop 1 necker. When everything is done, the Dove necker and beads. Den meeting, I would think it's a little much (but you are proud of your acccomplishment, yes?) to wear everything, but then, it is a conversation starter. Shows the Cubs even the adults are "Loyal Scouts" (We Be). "Wear thy sword as long as thy canst". (Quaker quote). Or.... Wear thy necker whenever thy feels like it....

(fourth attempt: First three attempts to post failed: Last attempt was erased. "working", Then "Error while saving content: Internal Server Error") Interesting quest. I Googled "Eagle Scout Clock" and got oodles of designs. Wood, ceramic, plastic, wrought iron, crystal, steel, black, blue, white, silver, mantel, desk, wall hang, sundial (!). I wish you luck in finding the one, special clock appropriate to your son's attainment. Congrats to you and your Scout! Good Scouting to you!

(2nd attempt) (3rd attempt: "Error while saving content: Internal Server Error") Interesting quest. I "googled" " Eagle Scout Clock " and got alot of different designs. Wood, crystal, silver, wrought iron, plastic, ceramic, custom personalized, desk, mantel, wall hang, cheap, thoughtful, Sundial (!), and stories about "Scouts against the clock to earn their Eagle." I hope you find the one, special clock, appropriate to your son's attainment. Congrats to you and your Scout.

(2nd attempt) Interesting quest. I "googled" " Eagle Scout Clock " and got alot of different designs. Wood, crystal, silver, wrought iron, plastic, ceramic, custom personalized, desk, mantel, wall hang, cheap, thoughtful, Sundial (!), and stories about "Scouts against the clock to earn their Eagle." I hope you find the one, special clock, appropriate to your son's attainment. Congrats to you and your Scout.

Interesting quest. I "googled" " Eagle Scout Clock " and got alot of different designs. Wood, crystal, silver, wrought iron, ceramic, custom personalized, desk, mantel, wall hang, cheap, thoughtful, Sundial (!), and stories about "Scouts against the clock to earn their Eagle." I hope you find the one, speacial clock, appropriate to your son's attainment. Congrats to you and your Scout.

1) Still very slow. 2) !! Where is the function to "spin off a new (related) thread)". 3) No "Scouting in the news" item (from last version). 4) I like the connected comments function ala facebook, but How To Spin Off A Related Thread?? 5) Classifieds might be a nice touch for commercial stuff. Keep things seperate. 6) Still favor a Faith and Chaplaincy Forum. I believe the amount of discussion of religion / faith/ Scout's Own etc . gives proof of the legitimacy of this. 7) In the last version, we saw the page x of y counter, but it included the ability to go to the page we wished to see first ( the numbers were listed serially). This was on the "last 24 hours" list. The recounting of the whole first message is time wasting and unnecessary. List the "latest message listed" forum list, and let us avoid needing to scroll over the whole list to the "more" button. 8) The button I push for a particular action, may or may not react (change color, retract, etc.), and I may or may not get the little roundandround thingy in the upper left of my windows window. Might be nice for consistancy to see one or the other, or both together. 9) The new system is certainly colorful. And spread out. Last version was more compact. Didn't know any different then, just commenting. If THIS was the "old " system, and THAT was the "new" sysytem, would I like THAT one better? Duknow....

My informants tell me that Irving is discussing the definition of the "Unit Key Three", to go along with the District and Council K3's. Any thoughts?

"Baggie syndrome" That is SO Cub Scouts. Sample script, off the top of my head: Lights are dimmed. MC for the evening says: "welcome to the Troop 123 Court of Honor. Please stand for the presentation of the colors. (Color Guard does its thing) . MC: "Thank you . Please be seated. We Scouts recite a promise every meeting, but do we think about what we are saying?" Voice in back of room reads loudly "On my honor, I will do my best..." another Scout lights a red candle on the table (on which are arrayed all thw patches and stuff to be awarded) at the front of the room. A third Scout on the other side of the room reads: "It's important and I will do it..." (this back and forth continues thru the Scout Promise). Three red candles are now lit. Again, the first Scout intones: "A Scout is Trustworthy" the first of twelve white candles are lit, the second Scout reads:" If I say it, you can believe it. No Question." And so thru the Scout Law, interpreted in modern language. The SM should say nothing thru this. MC: "Okay, we are now ready to award alot of bling earned over the last month or so. Mr. SM? Will you come up and help?" and so the Camp badges are awarded, the MBs, and the ranks. Each Scout is named, comes forward, his hand is shook. Maybe all the Citizenship MBs together, like that. A small fuss over the accomplishments. No baggies. Parents come up and help accept the rank badges as the boy pins the mom pin on mom. Special things like Totin' Chip etc. RIbbons to tie to the Troop flag. Special awards? Wood Badge? Thank yous to adults? In Feb, we have a neckerchief slide making contest with prizes (Dunkin Donut coupons, Baskin Robbins, Cal Tortilla) SM Minute. MC: "Please stand for the Retiring of the Colors" Cookies and Soda. Put stuff away and go home.

With a CoH scheduled every three months, this has never been a concern in my home Troop. The Scouts know who has done what, and the SMC and BoRs are usually done in the weeks before the CoH. The CoH in October is always a big deal with all the Summer Camp awards. Each of the others ends up with a particular flavor, but the Scouts have never complained about being "recognized" at them for their awards, even if they are three weeks after the BoR.

Is this a new unit? Rebuilding? As in any new management change, you should help "set the tone". Traditions can be started. A Scout CoH needs to be functional (present the new ranks/badges/ tie ribbons on the flag, etc. ) and ceremonial but not to the poiint of being stultified. Some candle lighting, some reciitation of the Scout Promise and Law. A reminder of what Scouts is all about. Some inspirational stuff, Scoutmaster's minute sort of thing. Punch and cookies (if not ribs and cole slaw) after. It would not be out of place for the new SM to meet with his PLC (even if it's only two) and talk to them about your desire to "make a small fuss" over things. It is appropriate. Go on line, peruse the choices (there are many , many scripts), find one that suits your situation and sensitivities and instruct your PLC in its elements. Make sure they understand YOUR expectations. For the first few times, this is OK, then , when they get the hang of it, certainly make it "boy done". They will see the purpose and reasons for it. CoH s are for the Scouts, the parents and "community". Include the ASMs and Troop Committee in your plans. Make sure you invite your CO leaders: the pastor, club president, whomever. Include them in the celebration, which is what it is, yes? I got the impression that you thought things could be improved. Go ahead and improve them. You have my permission.

No,No, No....... Pancake DINNERS. with locally raised SAUSAGE and real MAPLE SYRUP , not the erzatz kind, and cream chicken ala king on WAFFLES, like the volunteer fire department of my youth, ah, them were the days.....

Many possibilities here::: 1) Maybe the Kiwanis Club has a member that could "host" a Scout shed in their back yard. Approach them about buying and setting up. Home Depot is very Scout friendly and will negotiate a discount purchase. Other Shed people might also. 2) Trailer: Most of the pro/cons and concerns are discussed above. If not in the back of the Kiwanis parking lot (make sure trailer has lots of locks on it and has lots of painted verbiage on the outside)., maybe a member can "host" it in his driveway/back yard. 3) I like the storage company ideas, if they are local/close enough. We used this for CSDC some years back to good effect. The company was about one mile from the site and they gave us a very good deal. 4) I frankly like the shed idea over the trailer. It all depends on how you can arrange it.

delete delete.

Check around for an old timer that can do the "Campfire Ash Tradition" talk. Don't forget the mom who will ask "what's this baggie of dirt doing on my kitchen counter".

Check around for an old timer that can do the "Campfire Ash Tradition" talk. Don't forget the mom who will ask "what's this baggie of dirt doing on my kitchen counter".

1) When I opened this thread for the first time today, it hesitated, and I finally noticed that the page count was "1 of 1". Then it changed to "2 of 2" then "3 of 3" then "4 of 4" . The old system would immediately note the total page count . 2) Note the notation at the head of this page: What is a "STICKY TOPIC"?? I thought we ate the last of the "pie". 3) Is there still an archive of the old magazine? Or do we google that?