SSScout

HIJACK ALERT.... How to encourage a Scout to think about Eagle Projects before he 'needs' to... * Parents do work at church / synagogue/temple, take Sammy Cub Scout along and he carries the paint tray and helps mom lay out the drop cloth. * Dad goes to PTA meeting and signs up to help at the Bake Sale. Sammy goes along and makes sure the cupcakes do not fall of the table. * Cub Pack goes to the City Park and does a cleanup day, just because. Park Ranger comes up and says thank you. * The forth grade teacher writes to the parents and asks for help in a field trip to the museum. Mom and /or dad go with out complaint. * Big brother Eddie's Scout Troop PLC and Committee work to help their CO with the Community Pantry for less than lucky families. It is a regular thing, not just a "special". * Uncle John asks Sammy to come and work at the Community Museum with him. 9 year old Sammy meets other adults that find such things important. He gets to see the "back room". * Neighbor lady is getting on in years, and Sammy asks mom if he can sweep her walk. Mom says fine, I'll come too and we can mow her lawn. * Big brother Eddie is going to the Troop's trail erosion project and "drags" Sammy along because mom and dad have a memorial service for an old teacher to go to. * Dad explains to Sammy what he is doing. He is writing checks for the month's bills and the charities they support get the first checks, because...

What a challenge. *Make the changes in the project to garner the OK of a committee that made the young lady feel totally rejected. *Prove that she IS the capable, creative young lady that the committee did not recognize. *Overcome the obvious (can be a good thing!) sibling rivalry inherent in your comment about her brothers. Is there any chance that the rest of the committee were deaf and blind? I assume there was more than ONE person there. It almost sounds like some latent jealousy at work. Did you, the parent, ever have any problems with the person in question before? Is there the least chance that your daughter's project in any way challenged the other project in scope or , oh, I don't know, image, perhaps? I once applied for a position, a promotion. I was judged "well qualified", told I was definitely in the running by the HR office. At a social event, I met a person who worked in the office I was applying for, and she told me flat out I was wasting my time, that the position had already been filled, that putting it out for applications was only a "formality". I took this information to a counselor at HR, and he was aghast. Turns out , I didn't get the position, it went to a friend of mine (worthy person) and the head of that department was later given a sideways promotion out. Tell your daughter that if she has been treated badly, that you will help her sort things out. Play by the rules and make THEM play by the rules too. Choices as I see them: *Insist that the committee (or the Council Leadership) tell you what is lacking in your daughter's plans. They must do that or they are not doing their duty to you daughter in Scouting. * Make those adjustments and present those plans to a NEW committee. * If they will not or can't tell you what is needed , then request a NEW committee from the Council CEO. They can do that, and, I feel , will. Your young Scout deserves no less. And she will learn how to deal with such people in the future, because she will need to. Good Scouting to you and daughter.

I wish more Scout Troops had your problem. Adult leaders who are concerned the Scout is doing "too" much. Snug: Who is your CO? Back in my day, our Troop's Methodist church benefitted from our Scouts help in the chicken dinners (help direct traffic, bus tables, run the cloak room, sell baked goods), during "clean up days" (prune shrubs, rake and trim, wash windows), and each patrol took a turn being in charge of mowing the lawn once a week. Four patrols. So once a month on a saturday morn (early!) , we'd come out and with the church's mower and usually another Scout family's (or two), the job got done in an hour or two, max. And presto! we were free to go to the football game or a hike or movie. If there was a Troop campout, the chore got done during the week after school. No durth of service projects available. I think your Scout has an excellent idea, but as has been mentioned, it (the tag sale) should not be touted as a "Scout" sale. If the signs and PR mention "The Hugs Project", I think that is fine.

Aha! Didn't know there was another. That makes sense, then, that BSA would change the award to the Eagle!

My understanding is that the Silver Wolf was to be the highest rank when BSA was established in 1910, but none was ever awarded. Silver Wolf was abolished and Eagle (much more the American symbol) was then established as the highest rank and the first one awarded soon thereafter in 1912. Is this an authentic Silver Wolf Medal/Badge? Wow....

Is there Scoutlife after SPL? Oh, woe is me. I've been SPL, what to I do for an encore? Hopefully, the Scout's skills would allow himm to serve as Troop Guide or Instructor. He could be a PL, or Quartermaster who KNOWS how it should be done.Or Bugler! Let's not let the boy dissappear into early retirement, encourage him to make the Troop a better place to Scout.

Our MD Troop sells Chrismas decorations. Wreaths in various sizes and combinations of googaws, little table trees (suitible for palnting later), and table "bark baskets" which are surprisingly popular. We deal with Teufel Holly Farms, Inc. , all the way from Oregon(!). They provide a color brochure, which we edit and turn into a handout which also serves as a receipt and contact info sheet. We sell "in advance", door to door in the neighborhood, etc. , and when the stuff arrives ( 6 or eight pallets! A truck load!), we sell one weekend, "in person" in selected store fronts. The Scout sells the product, delivers the product, and even works on the Salesmanship MB! Boy, does our van smell good that weekend in December. We don't see it as competition with Walmart or Home D., because we have a "fresh" product, it hasn't been laying on the store shelf for a month. Also, Teufel will ship any product to your aunt Jane in Florida, or even overseas, with sufficient lead time.Folks in our neighborhood have watched Scoutson grow up, and told us they will miss us when he is all growed up. We leave the popcorn to our Cub Pack, and they do very well by it. We sell the wreaths and clear multi thousands. That's alot of campout fees.

As has been said before, be truthful, not emotional, and let as many folks as possible know what is happening. I would also continue seeking to find out what, if anything, exactly was said and/or done that led to your expulsion. As to starting a new Troop, that may be a solution. Join with the "survivors" of the original Troop and let the "Leader 01" do what he (?) will. It may be time to "smile and wave" as you go by. I too am surprised that the adults involved cannot "play nice". It is the kids that are hurt in the exchange, after all.

Datswhatimtalkinbout!

Hat Courtesy... See http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=183742&p=3 and http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=335346&p=2 Shall we next discuss whether others should be subjected to the sight of ("oh the humanity!") certain folks cutting the grass shirtless?

Well, yeah, but what were the songs? Are they worth passing on? All I know is Marty Robbins and his "Cool, Clear Water" All day I've faced a barren waste Without the taste of water, cool water Old Dan and I with throats burned dry And souls that cry for water Cool, clear, water Keep a-movin, Dan, dontcha listen to him, Dan He's a devil, not a man He spreads the burning sand with water Dan, can ya see that big, green tree? Where the water's runnin' free And it's waitin' there for me and you? The nights are cool and I'm a fool Each star's a pool of water Cool water But with the dawn I'll wake and yawn And carry on to water Water, water, water Keep a-movin, Dan, dontcha listen to him, Dan He's a devil, not a man He spreads the burning sand with water Dan, can ya see that big, green tree? Where the water's runnin' free And it's waitin' there for me and you? Cool, clear, water Cool, clear, water

Patrol Leader calls his Patrol together and announces that the Scoutmaster has declared that tomorrow morning, everyone must change their socks and underwear. The Patrol Leader then declares: " Sammy, you change with Tom. Tom, you change with Chuck. Chuck,..."

I had an email conversation with MPT. It seems to not be in their program index due to the number in the title. Even tho MPT was the sponsor for the making of the documentary, and they distributed it to other PTStations. It was on the MPT channels at 9pm Sunday. It is available for purchase, but they have no immediate plans to show it again in the foreseeable future. Here's a ready made fanbase. Make your desire to have it broadcast again by emailing the MPT viewer member services::: [email protected] Tell them you would like to know when it is broadcast so you can notify the Scouts in your area. I gave them the media chair in our Council, and contact people in neighboring councils. Buy DVD at http://www.mpt.org/eshop/?q=node/195 Show it at Roundtable? to your Troop?

""He got the entire den singing the two Cub Scout drinking songs almost all the time."" When our theme was "Medieval Adventure", some of us would emcourage the Cubs to "drink to the health of our soveriegn Queen (the Camp Director)!! To the Queen!!" and throw back some water in our mugs. We were chastised for "encouraging childhood alcoholism" and told to stop. I would be interested to hear the Cub Scout drinking songs? "Ein, Drei, suffa!"

It was on Maryland Public TV last night. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/759:_Boy_Scouts_of_Harlem

Oh, I always have a map(paper) with me. I far prefer a paper map to the GPS mapquest smartphone thingy my wife likes to play with. My stepson drove gmom to Rhode Island the other day, and thanked me for providing the AAA triptik and maps. As you say, the map you need depends on "where I am". When I do Scout Skills pavilion, and talk about maps, here's what I do, much to the Scouts' giggles: I tape up a series of maps that overlap and show the difference in scale, thus: I start out with a National Geographic map of tha WHOLE UNIVERSE! this connects to the MILKY WAY GALAXY! this shrinks to the SOLAR SYSTEM! here, I show a WORLD GLOBE! then, a WORLD MAP! (NOT Mercator) Then, look at the map of the US of A! then MARYLAND! then the COUNTY! then the PARK! and lastly a sketchmap of the CAMP! Wow!! Thousands of Light Years down to Yards and Feet! Visit the neighborhood County Tourist board or Chamber of Commerce. Also, the Parks Dept. will have maps to look at and play with. Compare the symbols with the stuff on the ground. You can find really detailed topo maps on line to order from the NGeodetic Survey. Sometimes camp stores have them in stock for sale. Might not be necessary for CS, but no reason why you can't introduce them to such. Use the map to plan a hike, and do the hike!

Wind'em up and watch 'em go.... Batteries not included, not needed.

It boils down to how involved do you feel moved to become. Everything is a test, after all. There have been times when I walk up ane get involved. There have been times when, hours, days later, I find myself thinking "gee, I shoulda done something", but maybe it's too late, and but maybe I find something to do or say that helps prevent or improve a future event. Maybe. Whether it is that turtle you didn't stop to pick up and carry to the other side, or the Cub Scout who is waving a pocket knife around like an x-wing fighter, or the mother who is getting close to violence with her child in the supermarket, how and when and what regrets (or satisfaction) one feels is determined by past events, training, sensitivity to the movement of the Spirit in your life, whether or not someone helped you when you were in need. Lots of shoulda , coulda, mighta, comes up. In the extreme example, I am reminded of the following: ""First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me. = Martin Niemoller = "" Think hard when an opportunity is presented to you. How will you feel later if you do not act or speak?

There was once a bank robber (in Florida, I think)who was quoted as saying he robbed banks because "that's where the money is". May be appochryphal, but it sounds good. Same thing here. In ACA, Follow the money. Despite any public moans from the insurance companies, guess what? They are now guaranteed income from the required need to sign on to health insurance. Competition lowering costs? Maybe. Big maybe. The alternatives are/were: Stay the same, single payer, some hybrid combination. Single payer? Somebody has to administer it and wow, what a gigantic government agency that would create. But then, we already have lots of them, and very successful and well overseen (?term?) too. IRS, Social Security, all open to public scrutiny when necessary. Private companies? Not so much. Our duelly elected representatives (we are a republic, right?) have settled the matter for the present. As has been said, the new ACA is not perfect, but it is a start in the right direction. It will be adjusted in future as the public gets used to it, I am sure.

I find the title of this thread perhaps inaccurate. The story told sounds more like a "firing" rather than a chance to "resign". I, too, would seek to be told the truth of the matter. Be polite, be factual and unemotional in your pursuit of the who and why of this, but be persistant. Insist that the folks that have told you that you are personna non grata stand behind their decision and give you the reasons. They want you to just "accept things the way they are" and move on. The reference letters from others that know you and your record are a good idea, but will likely not change the mind of the people in question. I would have them addressed to your Council President ( I think that is the GSUSA equivalent), and not just to the person that sent you the firing letter. Open their eyes to the situation. The reference letters will, however, do wonders for restoring your own confidence. And, the request for them will help tell your letter writers of your problem with (?) someone or with some policy or with THEIR (the firing letter authors) problem. The more light shown on a problem, the better. Let us know the result of your quest. You have my sympathy. I have been there and done that. YiS

About the only thing required for beading is that your WB SM and/or Troop Guide be present. Or not, I guess. My good friend wanted me to do the neckerchiefing and beading, (he claimed I had inspired him to take the WB) so I showed up at his District awards dinner (he was being made the District Chaplain) and so I came up front when he and his WB cohorts were called forward to be wrapped and woggled and beaded. And I sang too. No dance, just stood. It's been done at Troop CoHs, campouts, roundtables, Pack CoHs, church callouts, OA ceremonial dance contests, so why not a regatta? In the program, it can be called "Special Award" or some such.

And so, it's time for... the reeeeeest of the story (wish someone would rerun Paul Harvey's feature.) Crew returned from NMexico none the worse for wear. Stuff is getting washed and dried and put away. Story is that the dad in seegar need bowed to culture norm and requirements and left all tobacco in the trailhead locker. Scoutson reports a good trek. No big thunderstorms like last time, not like at home, where we had BIG thunderstorms.

I think echaney has heard all the good answers here. Make sure the IH and COR are informed of what has happened. Make sure the DE and Commissioner know about what happened. Speak to the school and see if there was a break down in communication and authority (teacher OKing the project when the Principal should have?) Picking up pieces and moving on to new unit with rest of sinking ship survivors (metaphor?). Exploring the possibility of the noted project actually serving as the Eagle candidate's project. Possibility of a COuncil EBoR under protested circumstances (maybe not needed yet). Extra info: In our newly balkanized council/service area/district, there is a tradition of the Troop (thru committee approval and SM approval) passing the project on to the District Eagle Advisor for approval. I have seen several projects get tweekked in Troop committee, committee members having knowledge of construction or other skills. When the project is OKed by the DEA, then it is up to the Scout and beneficiary to make it happen. The District sponsors the Eagle Board of Review. They are scheduled twice a month, if no one needs to be seen, they don't happen. Might be three held at the same time, in the same church basement. Each board is chaired by a member of the District Advancement committee, and the other three or four folks on the board are volunteers and usually include folks that bring the Scout for his EBoR. Yes, might be other parents. The SM escorting the Scout does not sit on any EBoR. The few I have sat on were more than congratulatory efforts. We read thru the records and sometimes found discrepencies to explain, either by the Scout or perhaps the SM. We also found lots of things to celebrate: worthy projects, glowing recommendations, indications of a Scout's history and culture. The conversations ranged from complaints about Philmont's food to memories of learning to fix blisters and being satisfied about the completion of the project. The EBoRs that I have participated in were all "successful", and we gladly signed the paperwork involved. I heard stories, however, from my fellow Scouters about some that were not, but that is for another ecracker barrel. I think echaney's boy will learn from his experience and a(with the right attitude) be the better for it. Whether the SM in question will learn from his experience remains to be seen.

"I'm sorry you feel that way. Here's what it says in the Academic and Sports BeltLoop requirements (see http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Cub%20Scouts/UniformsAndAwards/sanda.aspx ). ((Editor's note: Perhaps mom would like to review the "Good Manners" BL)) "I am sure that the Council Program Director will be glad to speak with you. Here's Mister Mxyzptlk's phone number. "As to the Aquanaut pin, I can accept the fulfilling of the requirements at a YWCA pool. Have the Pool Manager review the requirements and send me a note that little Reginald has passed them. " I am gratified that you are so involved in Reginald's life. Many other parents are not. I'm sure Reggie will appreciate your concern when he is older."

How very sad. Echaney: I hope you can bring this situation to the attention of the COR and IH. Make them understand. If there is more than a few other Scouts and parents of like mind, gather them and make your case as a group. Legalistically speaking, I don't think the SM by himself can kick a boy out of Scouting. It takes the agreement of the WHOLE committee (what was the quorum? Oh. yes. Whoever shows up... another point to make to the IH and COR),and the IH and the COR Due process? Answering charges? Innocent until proven otherwise? And of what, exactly? And if I remember correctly, all that has to go thru the Council hands and National hands too. His name will be on the charter until rechartering time, too. As to the project(s), I am glad to hear a "Council Leader" is aware and helping. The more this problem is heard of, the better. I hear your passion. Give vent to it. Show this problem the light of day and make the SM answer to his self made situation.