SSScout

All the above is important, but DISH WASHING begins not AFTER the meal, but BEFORE and DURING. Such things as::: *Portion planning to help eliminate leftovers and scraps. Look up "Ort" * Train the cooks to clean as they go. All good chefs do. The cooks should NOT have the attitude that because they cooked, they should not clean. Multiple dirty pots and pans can be made fewer with cook awareness. * Gas stove? Easy. Open wood fire? Don't forget to SOAP the outside of the pots. The black ash will come off much easier. * No one has mentioned the famous "Philmont Human Sump". I often remind folks as they pass thru the cafeteria line, "Take all you want, but eat all you take." * Put the water boil pot on the fire FIRST , not after the meal. The wash water should be cooking , just like the stew. When I camp, I always have a pot of hot water for cocoa, coffee, Cupanoodles, oatmeal, or (shudder) dishwashing. Just depends on the time of day. Always appreciated. *And , yes, folks can get really ill from leftovers, either accidental (poor washing/hygiene) or intentional (no refrigeration for the potatoe salad in the summer). * And a handwashing station! Simple tripod (lashing project!), hanging gallon jug of water on one end of the string, soap in a netbag on the other end, towel hung over the stickend. SOmeone assigned to keep jug full of water. Enforce hand washing, sanitizer ain't enough. Bon appetie.(This message has been edited by SSScout)

Can't argue with success. Wonder how the LDS get along with the SA.

CM is the circus ringmaster. She/he makes the fun happen at the Pack Meetings. If it ain't fun, the Cubs won't want to come.No Cubs, no pack, no Boy Scouts. * Minimum ceremony, but don't leave it out. Flags enter, PoA, CSP, LotP. "GOOD EVENING CUBS!" Save the announcements for LAST. The adults should have them IN WRITING to take home. Don't trust to oral..... * Do some awards, then a cheer or "ROUND OF APPLAUSE".... * Recognize the Dens and what they've done. Encourage bragging rights...Another set of cheers. There are lots of books and internet sites about this. * Feel free to act silly and if it's fun for you, it WILL be fun for the Cubs. If it is a CHORE for you ("oh, geez, it's wednesday night again....") then guess what? * If you have many Dens, let each one, in turn, take charge of the Pack meeting. Do a Skit, make it appropriate to the months theme. * One more SHORT craft, or celebrity presentation? NASA will send an astronaut with stuff to look at, for instance. Be open to suggestion.... * Make it a point for SOMEONE to attend the local Roundtable. A good Cub Roundtable can do wonders for inspiration and ideas. * Don't forget the traditional stuff: PWDerby, Camp outs (get SOMEONE BALOO trained), sleepovers, hikes, Scales and Tails (park service), dirt shifting (conservation projects!), Blue and Gold Banquet, etc.etc. Get a volunteer to wrangle ONE of these. Don't be averse to asking the individual directly. It rarely works to announce "we need a leader to..." but don't leave such announcements out. * Occassionally do an ADULTS only thing. This takes planning, let someone entertain (Scales and Tails?) the Cubs while you (the CM and CChair) regales the parents with plans and ideas and schedules and encouragement. And requests for help (!) * Which underscores the previously mentioned: DO Not Do This Alone. The CChair is (should be) the muscle behind the show. Ours takes care of arranging training, camp reservations and fundraising stuff. That is to say, he asks Tom, Dick and Mary to handle these things. Folks talk about Scouting being Leadership Training for the boys, well guess what, it's Leadership Training for adults, too. * Speaking of Training: Make sure you get yours. Most, if not all , official Cub Leader Training is available online. Avail yourself of it. If you see something listed on your Council website (Cubarama, University of Scouting, Cub Round Up) for "in person", try hard to join in. I've had people say they come to our U of S because the coffee is better than at work. Goodareason as any. * Keeping order: If the DenLeaders will help, you will have an easier time of it. If the boys have a chance to yell and have fun, they will be more likely to sit and listen when you ask. Call them "Cubs", "Scouts". Not "guys" or "kids". Insist they WATCH for the SIGN and make it a game. Time them . You may first have to TELL them about how to respond to the Cub Sign (put YOUR sign up, quiet down and watch), but they will. Don't let yourself yell quiet or hey or even signs up... Train your Den Leaders to do the same thing in their meetings so the consistancy will be reinforcing. The game is the thing. "Okay Cubs, MAKE SOME NOISE!!!" (put sign up, watch clock) "15 seconds, not bad... Let's try it... AGAIN!!" (wait for it, sign up, watch clock) "8 seconds, getting better! Now we're gonna hear from Den 3. Ms Jenkins?" ** Comes time to close the meeting, try to make it worth waiting for. SHORT reminders, (pass out the "silent announcements") and then go into the flag retrival and CubMaster's Minute. Remind the Cubs what fun they've just had, remind them to be kind and good to each other and shake their hand as they leave, or use the "friendship circle" to break the meeting. Show'em how it's done! YiS

I sub teach. Every elementary school room I have been in has a list on the wall of every kids birthday, and when that day comes up, that kid (or kids) are the "special person" or some such. The room mmom and parents make cupcakes for the day. Often, the other kids make "cards" for the bday kid. Cub Scouts: Yes, we have access to records. I would not do this, as a commisher because: There are waaaay too many Cubs to be fair to everyone. And what happens if I forget one? Email is not for broadcast to sorta strangers. I introduce myself to my units, but they are other people's units too. I would let the DenLeaders and Cubmaster do the Bdays. Hey, which is more special: an email or a REAL birthday card you can save and handle and maybe play with and look at in daylight without a battery or plug? I am on good terms with my ex-wife's parents and they send my family bday and anniversary (!) cards. 'Tis sweet to be remembered (see the country western song) by them and some others. If you KNOW the Cub, send the card. Let's see, 44cents postage, a couple bucks for a card and envelope, email is almost free.... Which shows concern and care? A real signature. Someone handled the card. Anyone might have hit "send". Send a card, or don't. Not an email.

THEN: Scouts went camping, hiking, trips to "special" places like national monuments, Scouts asked to go, planned for it. Dad and mom drove. Advancement and ranks were almost automatic, due to the activities of the Troop. Not "required". Eagle was a possibility. Merit Badges were available , if you found the MBC, or a father or schoolteacher who would do the requirements with you. But it was up to the boy. I could play "Morse Code" with my buddies, everyone knew some from First Class. We had trees we could cut down (Troop had use of a fathers property). Axe and pioneering was USED. Troop gateway lashed up at Camporee, flag tower for brag rights. NOW: Scouts will go camping, hiking, make trips to "special" places IF the plan is ready to go. Dad and mom will drive and then some. Advancement and ranks are automatic and expected. You WILL be FIrst Class by first year. Eagle is almost expected. MeritBadges are planned out, and "Eagle Required" is the watch word. Each Troop has a cadre of MBCs that cover all the ER'ed ones. "First Aid is an ER'd MB and it will be offered after the Troop Meeting next month. And, if you earn it, you automatically pass the SC and FC requirements!" No more Morse Code. Ever. No Semiphore, either. Texting and Cell are the "secret language", now. Can't cut down any tree, anywhere, without alot of hassle and permissions and such. Pioneering? Lash a tower? Is it safe? Do we have hardhats? Haven't seen any such anywhere.

Bridging... and I don't mean Webelos... http://www.officialbridgeday.com/about-bridge-day

The Morley Games: underrealized fun.... http://issuu.com/ssfs_comm_news/docs/morley_games

I think Hollywood has missed a chance here.

News Item: " National League of Procrastinators annual convention postponed for third time".

I agree. Scouting should NOT be another school class. Formal 3 ring binders "required"? Not bloody likely. They want to hike and camp, not take notes, although the ones that do (in small, pocket size nbooks) will find some better success, but you won't convince them of that. An Idea: Coach the SPL and Troop Scribe (and SM?) how to do this : Pick up a big pad of newsprint, and an appropriate easel, either floor standing or table standing for it. Use a Sharpie, different colors for each day or purpose. Date the page, and make your schedule/notes on it for all to see. Keep the record like that. Fold it up and rehang it at the next meeting. This way, everyone has the same notes! No arguing about what was decided when.

Well said, Eamonn. My reading of the ideal Scout Troop is the SM teaches the PLs, and Troop Guides/Instructors, and they teach the other boys. The Other Boys. Often, the SM is not the skilled axeman, or cook or knot tie-er, and hopefully another leader is there to teach the skill. Sometimes it is self taught , read the book, look at the pictures or video, and the skill will come to the one involved. If the adult is concerned with "earning " a rank, maybe that is a good thing, it can lead to being proficient in the skill. But maybe, just maybe, if the adult is interested in the skill for it's own sake, THAT is sufficient to the boy. Scoutson is like that. If I am splitting wood, he takes an interest in that. If I do a crossword puzzle, he will sometimes come and read over my shoulder. Even so prosaic an activity as properly loading a truck with brush and treelimbs to take to the dump (where the load is ground up into mulch, which we can then take back) so it can be unloaded quickly (there is a technique), was very interesting to him. Any skill is something to be "passed on". But does the Scout leader need another "rank"? There are recognitions to note our skill and training and service. Powder Horn, EDGE (shudder), Wood Badge beads, "Trained", leetle rectangles of knots, "Staff" of camp, oh there are lots of bangles to wear if that is your desire. And if one thinks about it, there are lots of skills and stuff that we learn and do and know that do not have a scrap of cloth as a result. Archery Range Safety Officer. CPR-AED. Merit Badge Counselor. Troop Treasurer. Pop Corn Kernal. District Eagle Coordinator. Need I go on? I have to agree with the idea that an adult leader does not need to "earn" a youth rank. It is sufficient to know that we are facilitating the boys (and girls?) in doing what they need to do. Learning to live by the Scout Promise and Law. (oops... Venture promise? Law of the Pack? Oh, you know what I mean).

Back from the weekend... Had to re-read my little story to understand the resulting comments. It wasn't me that was "angry " or "outraged", as seems to be the interpretation of some. In the first course mentioned, our scoutmaster/instructor leads his patrols in various exercises to show what a Scout needs to know to ultimately earn FC. Each Patrol has elected a PL, and my instructor deals with his "Troop" thru the PLC. He "awards" small trophy ribbons to the patrols who "win" the patrol competitions. While instructing, we have competitions in knot tying,lashing a tall pole together, finding your way around a compass course. He had me teach Wood Tools as a class, and then send them out to make a "perfect" tent peg. During their free time, they could come by my axe yard and "play" with my toys to make their pegs. As they finish, we critique them and give them lots of praise for their efforts (sound familiar?). And some are better than others. The final lowering of the flag at the end of camp (this is a saturday morn thru sunday afternoon course) is the time for cheers and awarding of "Trained" patches and cards. The other course (which I have helped with more than once now) was a "Sabbath Friendly " course, Sunday morn thru monday afternoon (take a day off work!). The course leader was(is) an experienced Scouter, but her philosophy is different. She doesn't divide the folks into patrols, but treats everyone as a Tenderfoot under her Patrol Leadership. Hence, I become a Troop Instructor/guide, in essence. She does not have any competitions, but lots of practice. As I mentioned before, I like to show that the knife part of T/C is essentially the Cub Scout Whittlin' Chip, and what better way to get the Cubs interested in Boy Scouting than a couple of Scouts teaching knife safety? Which is why I asked her about awarding W/C, which she had not considered. Evidently, she was used to presenting all the Scout patches during the course as evidence of completing the material, (along with the T/C), along with the "Trained" patch. I think I must have been the first one to question this. I wasn't angry, I just didn't think, from my previous experience and reading of the manuals, that it was appropriate. She backed off and did not present the T/C that time and I did not see the other patches presented either. Only the "Trained".

Ummmm. I am reminded of a certain lunch counter....

No need to "dump" them. Suggest that the Council Shop donate them to local public libraries. Many of the local libraries in my area have Scout sections, including MB books and other references. I would not expect any Media Specialist (read: Librarian) would EVER refuse a donation of books. Or, pass htem on to the Learning for Life section. Maybe they could use them. I the mean time, try pulling the binding apart, gently, spread some GOOP © in the cover, and push and mold the loose pages back into the book. GOOP© is tough, waterproof, flexible and almost as important on my camptrips as Duct Tape. Almost.

I teach "Woods Tools" at IOLS. I work with one leader that has it down and runs a good weekend program. He treats the nascent SMs and ASMs as a Patrol(s) and we lead them through the requirements of the T-2-1. It is understood that they will learn the knots and lashings and animal/plant ID and fire safety and map and compass AND how to SAFELY use a knife, axe and saw. Those that have some skill and knowledge already, help those that don't. It is understood that these adults are learning what it takes to "pass" the ranks, but not necessarily "pass" them themselves. I helped another IOLS class , with a different leader, who expected that the class would "earn" the Totin' Chip in my knife and axe class. She even had the badges to award them with. I reminded her that adults COULD NOT earn and wear youth awards, and she became almost angry. I told her that if these folks followed my instruction, they would in essence have "earned" it, along with the Whittlin' Chip (part and parcel with the Totin' Chip). Should we not award that too? She was confused by that. These were Boy Scout Leaders, how could they earn a Cub Scout award? I finally convinced her not to present the T/C patch. I like the idea of NOT having adults in essence in competition with the youth. If the adults are desirous of the experience and bling, there are lots of courses and classes and patches and awards to earn and be proud of on their side of the age boundary.

There ya go. Please shake that CM's hand for me. I train bus drivers. The requirements are in the Commercial Drivers Handbook of our state. They are what they are. There is no changing them. There is no adapting them. The tests are given at one site, not in the church parking lot we may practice in. The candidate can listen to me and I will answer their questions and show them what they need to do to pass the test, but the state will not take my word for it. The state inspector tests them, on the state site, and he/she says yea or nay, not me. Same thing here, only with smaller candidates and (I hope) less important skills than directing multi ton vehicles on crowded roads. I hope Ms Cubscoutmom learns her lesson as well as the Cub.

Our Troop has used two different filter systems, and both were prone to clogging until they started following the directions, ie let the stream water settle out and then prefilter it through a clean hankee/kerchief. Made the filters pump easy for a much longer time. Rinse out the hankee, wash hands with soap, and reserve the hankee for that duty only.

You have been counseled in what equipment and oersonal gear to bring. But remember to take the REAL essentials with you: * Duct tape. * Extra rope. * A silly hat (pursuent to your PL request) * Modern Scout Manual. * Old Scout Manual or Fieldbook for comparasion. * Tarp (it will be far too big, or too small, or not needed. You predict). * A happy, expectant attitude. * A mug for coffee/etc. Thus being ecologically sound, eliminating the need for throw away styrofoam or paper. * Carabiner to clip cup to belt for ready access. * Our best wishes for a fun, successful WB!

"Character is what one does when one thinks no one is looking." The materials rightfully "belong" to the org that benefits from the project. If they don't want it, and the supplier doesn't want it back (for a cash credit, presumably to be donated to the EPBorg.), then I would either: * donate it to another charity, such as Habitat for Humnaity, or The Loading Dock (Maryland) http://www.loadingdock.org/ * Make a judgement as to the worth of the materials, make an apprpriate donation to the EPBOrg, and keep the materials for home use. * Offer them to another eager Eagle candidate for his project. *Offer them to another nonprofit that does good work for others. * Offer them for sale at the next church fleamarket/tardsale and donate that to the EPBOrg. * Put'em on Craig's List and donate the proceeds (if they ever sell!) to the EPBOrg. The nascent Eagle and his family are to be congratulated not only for his award, but for his thoughtful consideration of the disposition of the leftovers. That's why we're here, I guess.

""Two become first in state to be inducted in national society"" " THURMONT -- More than 300 people -- mostly Boy Scouts -- gathered on Friday at Camp Airy to celebrate outstanding leadership within their troops. The uniformed group filled a mountainside dining hall, where they ate chocolate cake in honor of two Frederick County Scouts who were recognized for their achievements." http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=139550

So "they" know more about us/me than me/us might. I recently availed myself of an offer of free biz cards from Vistaprint and , sonofagun, there it is in the top line, even as I type, "Vistaprint" offer of free bizcards AND a rubber stamp... But I also worked thru a problem with Black and Decker, but have yet to see them touted here.

I think this trhead should be transferred onto the "Faith and Chaplaincy" forum. Oh, wait. I forgot.

IMHWBO, I would want to know who will do the beading? Your friend? Your WBCD? Your TG? If the friend is doing the neckering and beading, use his necker and be proud. The WB course will be giving you your beads and new necker and woggle, in any event. You earned them. The "historic" necker will be a nice conversation starter and can certainly be worn. I sometimes wear the Troop necker from my youth for home Troop events and have a talk about the comparison between the present one and the old one: one's small, one's big, blue vs red, standard issue vs Scout designed patch. YOU only have to decide to wear it OVER the collar, or UNDER the collar, or fold the collar INSIDE the shirt...

Ah, but the answer to that is NOT that praying for God to cure the patient is a bad thing, the answer is to note that the surgeon's skill IS God curing the patient. The increase of knowledge is not merely because of human ingenuity. Else there would be no need for intuition and insight and the "aHA" moment. Logic may well be the highest form of human endeavor, but it does not and cannot claim all discovery and invention. One man's miracle certainly is another's coincidence.

Ah, but the answer to that is NOT that praying for God to cure the patient is a bad thing, the answer is to note that the surgeon's skill IS God curing the patient. The increase of knowledge is not merely because of human ingenuity. Else there would be no need for intuition and insight and the "aHA" moment. Logic may well be the highest form of human endeavor, but it does not and cannot claim all discovery and invention. One man's miracle certainly is another's coincidence.