SSScout

Woggle World http://cubclub.tripod.com/ for a start.

Duct Tape Forever http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duct_Tape_Forever http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhSqvycZZ0c&feature=related

Ditto everything said above. Any successful restauranteur will ttell you that he doesn't worry about the first time visitor. He worries about getting them back the SECOND and THIRD time. And you do that by giving the first time visitor a memorable first visit. I still seek out the little place in West VA I visited four years ago , and seek it out for the next time I travel that area. And I avoid the place that had the filthy toilet room , even tho I told them about it before I left, I hope they get lots of NEW first timers, but not me the second time... Look at your camp from the Scout's point, taking in the ideas voiced above. Good food? Interesting activities? Knowledgeable Staff? Clean, well maintained facilities? Does the Staff LOOK like they are glad to be there? Does the Key 3 let them know THEY appreciate them being there?

Depending on how it is arranged, you could hike in with your packs almost a mile into a ten acre lot. Half a mile anyway. Park at the CO and hike in . Leave the cars' trunks behind. Sounds like "Scout Camping" to me. Sound out your local zoning requirements (got a plumber in the Troop?) and build a privy. Is there a spring? Carry in water? Drill a well or establish a hand pump. What more do you need? My Scoutson was VERY dissapointed when he could not count our Yearly Meeting camps for his Scout camping MB requirements. 5 days and nights on the AT, canoeing and bicycling camps, every bit as strenuous and "Scouty" as Philmont , but can't count it for MB.

"M is for the many things she told me..... O is for the other things she told me.... T is for the THOUsands of things she told me.... H is for the HUNDREDS of things she told me... E is just for everything she told me.... R is for the REST of the things she told me... Put them all together, they spell MO-THER, I wish I could remember all she told me!!!!

Pockets...looka the pockets. How come the pockets went from the jacket to the trou? I guess YSL didn't like pockets. I have an old LLBean Baker Park Parka, and I always seem to fillup the big pockets on it. Markers, matches, snacks, notebook, tickets, mittens, interesting pine cone, multi tool, sunglasses, birdbook.....

Seatle: Saved a whole 'nother salary, too.

Go back to your grandparents and ask them about "the correct use of food" vis-a-vis the depression years. Talk about avoiding waste. Speak to Philmont campers about "human sumps" and waste of food. Speak to your local Food Bank (here it is called "Manna") about waste of food. Be aware of the number of folks around the world without the assurance of tomorrow's dinner and be thankful for our abundance. Maybe after that, a cream pie in the face will be acceptable. Cubmaster ala mode. As I walk thru our local super market, I marvel not so much at the AMOUNT of food (amazing in it's tonnage and source), but the innumerable VARIETY and CHOICE. And the fact that there is SOMEONE out there that will buy it, whatever it is. (Hearts of Palm from Israel? Tangelos from Chile?And we expect it and are dissapointed when they aren't there?) The Romaine lettuce comes from the Imperial Valley in California, and I decide to buy it because it is priced at $1 a head (oo! a bargain!) instead of $1.49. 3,000 mile lettuce.

"the purpose of an organization is often only visible to the ultimate customer. All too often the higher echelons forget that , and only worry about THEIR purpose in the organization." Go listen to "Alice's Restaurant and Massecre" , pay particular attention to the Group W Bench...

www.praypub.org/dutytogod.htm http://usscouts.org/profbvr/reference_room/relemblems.asp I have a really nice booklet about the Religious Awards Program from the National Jamboree Chaplain Corps, but it is not available online, so PM me and I can copy it to you. Define your ticket such that you can actually claim accomplishment . Don't make it too precise. See Oak Tree's example. Ustabean Owl...

Shucks, missed out on earning my COBAL strip... Is cuneiform available? My sis-in-law actually can speak esperanto...

CQ...CQ...CQ....

Water supply... Hard sided bottle (Gatorade, etc.) is desirable. Camelbacks are hard to clean when the "back splash" occurs. Recycle choice: "Box o' Joe" from DD has an all but indestructable plastic bladder within the cardboard. Take it out, wash well with detergent and chlorox, rinse well. It will always smell somewhat like coffee , but it can be rolled up compactly, holds a liter, can be used for swim flotation (not USCG certified, fun only), punching bag, bug juice, sun shower, camp pillow (empty it first!), canoe/kayak flotation,boat bumper, shiny decoration, throw/rescue tosser, filled with sand a weight for training or whathave you, Recycle them "Box o' Joe"...

You will find that there are two kinds of Scouters on these pages: Those that think there are two kinds of Scouters, and those that don't.

Uses for Morse Code: (so far)(other than Scout badge earning) + Saving the world from alien domination + Ham radio + Impressing girl friends + secret (maybe) messages between friends at school + POW communication between cells + Lifeguards commenting on beach patron physiology (okay, this was semaphore when I observed it) + Buddy bonding between upstairs bedrooms across the street (by flashlight) + Saving train from imminent wreck ("Young Tom Edison") + Announcing final railroad spike driving for UP-CP join up + HowmIdoin?

Well, yes, the times they are a changed. I was the Stage Crew Manager in HS, Jr. & Sr year. If there was something about the electric or mechanical systems in the school stage or AV closet, I was often called out of class to help deal withit. As a matter of course, I carried with me, or at least in my locker, a double ended flat/phillips screwdriver, a needle nose pliers, a larger Visegrip, a Diag cutter, a large lockback knife, and a roll of tartape. Not today. No student could get away with that today.

Wisht I'd had a UC when I was a CM. Mighta saved the Pack. We did have a DE whose name and number I knew. He answered my questions, and that is all. Mebbe I didn't ask the right questions. It is not being Too Bold. It is being Proactive. 'Course now, diplomacy is important too, and letting the CC think it was her idea to reorganize the Committee is a Good Thing. Might inquire about the CC's family, there might be dynamics impinging on her ability to do the best for the Pack. You seem to be knowledgeable about the Pack's society, social structure. Are there others who you might prod into helping with this? Helping with ecruiting is very definitely a Good Thing. Thank you for your Work with our Youth. Good Scouting to you!

SF: When and by whom a course (WB,IOLS, OWLS, First aid, matters not)is taught is dependant on two dictums, which I have found true in any setting: "The work is done by whoever shows up" and "Not everyone should be a teacher" even tho everyone should learn. Your 20-80 rule is a good observation , but again, not everyone can or should be a teacher. I know good, dedicated Scouters that don't know which end of an axe to hold. I know knowledgeable folks that I would trust with my life but can't easily communicate their knowledge. Watch them, work with them, absorb decades of experience. but , God lov'em, they could never sit folks down and do it in an organized way. Doesn't mean one shouldn't urge folks to get involved and "do your best" at something new. Follow the passion. It is, however, a Good Thing when folks recognize their own limitations. It is not a Good Thing when others do not recognize someones skill and encourage them to pass it on to the next generation. Do the encouraging.

"HEY, WATCH THIS!!!"

*Neat, small, stick in the ground signs. "Your Lawn Could Look this good: Callllll::" Put'em in before, tak'em out when you leave. *Uniformed staff. Tee shirts, ball caps. *Leave a neat, raked up job. No grass clippings on sidewalks. *If your truck leaves ruts, fix them without being asked. *The customer is always right, even when they aren't. You can always charge THAT one more the next time. *Be prompt, on time for appointments. *Use the local "penny papers". Craigs List. *Participate in local festivals, street fairs, etc. *If advice is asked, give it freely. *" Price list:Finger pointing, free. If we cut your lawn, $xx per hour. If you watch us cut your lawn, $2xx dollars per hour. If you help us cut your lawn, $3xx per hour." *Be attentive to local recycling/EPA/etc. regulations. Make sure your customers KNOW you are being so attentive. *Leave your business card EVERYWHERE, with EVERYONE. You can never tell when your name will come up at just the right moment. "Do Your Best"

1) The boy did not have to wear his uniform to the meeting. Once upon a time, Scouts were expected (and were proud to ) to wear the uniform to "important" events. Even to school (shudder). I love the story of the Cub Scout who was told he was going to attend his cousin's wedding and he should put on his best clothes. He puts on his Cub Scout Uniform. The fact that he had on his Scout uniform has no bearing on this episode. If reported faithfully, he did not present himself as someone "officially" representing the BSA or his Troop. The fact that he asked to speak and the council welcomed his comments is one of the keys here. 2) As a citizen ( so I presume) of the town, I would think it is the boy's duty and right to make his opinion known to the folks that represent and decide on his behalf. I hope the council realizes that. If they viewed his comment as merely an annoyance, then we have more than one adult problem. I wish I could more often do as the boy did on some of todays issues. Publicly declaring a "stand" is often not the choice people make. Grousing to your friends in the coffee shop is usually first. Maybe a letter to the editor (now email?). "Why doesn't somebody do something?" Well, this boy chose to take his opportunity and do something. 3) How is this Scout being disrespectful? He is in his best clothes, speaking his mind. He did not curse, he did not single out any one councilman, he did speak directly to the issue and even give some of his background and reference for his remarks. He could've shown up in shiny shorts and a hoody. I would think , for a 12 year old, he did quite well. 4) Was a time when council meetings were the best entertainment in town. Folks made sure not to miss them. Now, it is a chore to attend them. Can't miss "Dancing with the Stars". This young Scout has a future in public works or (shudder) politics or any of many doin'-for-others activities. 5) The debate between incarcerate rather than educate is not new. But it is a hard choice, and needs more debate. For a 12 year old , however dressed , to see the necessity of improving the chances of training and educating, thereby making incarceration LESS necessary, is a good thing and should be encouraged. 6) Scouter Williams overreacted to a non-event. In his desire to make sure everybody loves Scouting (his Scouting? not the boy's?), he has made it impossible for the boy to see the benefit of his Scouting. William's Scouting has no courage, has no passion. It is that of the beauracrat and not of the boy. The encouragement of being "involved" is the message here. How to do this? By apologizing for wearing a uniform? 7) If an adult teacher or corrections officer had stood and spoke, whether in or out of "uniform", it is the message that needs hearing, not the dress of the speaker. Of course, it helps if the speaker is so dressed so as not to detract from the message being presented. I fail to see how the dres of this young man detracted from his message, that education is preferable to incarceration.

Saw this done once, left a thoughtful atmoshere. Put the words on magnets and let the participants WATCH as someone plays with the positioning of the words. WIN ALL YOU CAN CAN YOU ALL WIN CAN YOU WIN ALL ALL YOU CAN WIN YOU ALL CAN WIN

Yep, no one ever earned the first highest award: Silver Wolf.Things change, things stay the same. Usta be boy joined Scouts (the Boy part), then earned Tenderfoot, whenever you could. Knots, Scout lore, flag ettiquette, . During the next three months, or later, he could earn Second Class, which was about being comfortable hiking, for the most part. Plant/animal ID, Hike (?)3 miles, basic first aid, couple of knots, fire building, hygiene, that sort of thing. Another three months, or later, First Class could be earned. More hiking, but now more about REAL camping and skills. Map and compass, better first aid, Morse code or semiphore signaling, cooking over that fire you built in Second Class, camp construction, better knots and lashings, night sky astronomy (Polaris?), dadada. Now, after First Class, one was expected to be able to TEACH the skills you mastered. Lead a hike. Help plan a good meal. Be a reference for tent pitching and care. Might have more than two dozen camp outs under your pack. Couple of summer camps. First Class, ready for Philmont, Mt. Katahdin, Northern Tier. First class: NOW you can earn those neat Merit Badges you've been reading about. Aviation. Rowboating. Canoeing. Even Basket Weaving.Hey, some are easy. Reading? Drama? Music? I do that stuff at school, almost automatic. Auto Mechanics? Carpentry? I take care of that helping around my home. I can get an award for this stuff? Great! It's kinda fun being Patrol QuarterMaster.Troop bugler, Music AND Bugling Merit Badge. Six months or longer , and Star is a possibility. Patrol Leader? OA? Found out about that and waited for my turn. ASPL? SPL? Naturally. Another 6 months or so, Life Scout. Service to others? Our Troop does the church's lawnmowing. We get out to clear trail at the camp. Helping to usher, bus table and park cars at the church's suppers. Lotsa help with dad's Lions Club, and more stuff at school. Service required? Heck, it's fun doing this stuff. (No Eagle project per se required. Only "serve your community"). Eagle? More Merit Badges. Is it worth the effort? What effort? The Position just sort of happens. It's my turn to be JASM. Mom and pop are there for me. The other Troop families are there. Me and the buds are taking care of business. Court of Honor? We read the script, but it seems to mean something now. Not just words to repeat. Even the younger Scouts seem to be more important now, not just ... irritating. It's neat when the Tenderfoot can actually send and receive wigwag. Oh, wait, he's a Second Class now. Cool. Another six months and.... Paper work. Another Board of Review. ANOTHER Board of Review. And Eagle . Seems so long ago.....

Well that was an education. I could find nothing definitive about numbers in the National trove. Only descriptions about what each type of person needed is (Committee Chair, Scoutmaster, Scout, etc.). I found several Council sites that mention "5 youth members" as a minimum number for (re)chartering a unit, hence for FOUNDING a new unit. Here are some pages to consider: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/28-402.pdf http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/media/relationships/thenew-unitprocess.aspx But no easy answer or rebuttal about how many youth members are required to start a new unit. I suppose it depends how hungry the local DE is for membership and unit numbers. (!) Good luck.

This gives the onsite leader a fall back reason, in counseling Sammy Cub that he should not be using the rock hammer, while Dad Sam is asking why his little tool user is not being allowed to use the impact drill? Uses it all the time at home... It's kinda like me telling my daughter that she could always use me as a reason to back out of an uncomfortable situation: "my daddy wouldn't let me" might sound better to her friends than "I won't do it 'cause it's dumb and dangerous"."