SSScout

Oh, we were all in the same grade, but neighborhood, our families knew each other. Of course, "neighborhood" meant something different back then, country, farms, etc. separated us alot, but my first Den Mother was right across the road from us. But back in MY paleoScout days, ( I did the math.... Webelos in 1959. ) we had no beads. You earned the rank patch as soon as you could and then pursued the "elective" Arrow Points for various projects. All those little Arrow patches to sew on. My mom made me sit down and watch as she did it. Bobcat was a pin , earned for learning the Cub Promise and Law of the Pack, salute, handshake (two fingers!) etc. and THEN you went on to the ranks, Kids joined thru any grade, I remember some felt bad they couldn't earn the Wolf or Bear, but they joined late in life (!). At least one of these late joiners got his Eagle, much later.... I do think that the BSA changed things, pretty much "because we can".... Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, Lion, Webelos..... Seemed a natural gradation of animal. What is Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear?

Kosnoff is why the BSA has existed. The "program", not the abuser.... One cannot legislate morality. The purpose of the BSA, of ANY Scout type organization (or school, or church) cannot be the physical, mental or , sexual abuse of kids. It is the depraved adult or previously abused kid that seeks to use the cover of the organization for their personal gratification that is the problem. If the organization covers up, or corporately IGNORES the abusive person, , that is not reason for the organizations existence, but is a major problem in itself. THAT is why the BSA is where it is today. The leadership of decades ago should be here to see the results of their corporate choices. Many , most of the abusers are now dead and gone. They cannot be held to account. The BSA is still here and is being made to face and accept the responsibility of it's prior decisions. Shame on the prior leadership for hoping the problem would go away if ignored and not criminally addressed.

Well, it can be said that the other way 'round could occur.....

BSA was and is a National organization. And a Local phenomenon. As such, the High Mucky Mucks had to protect their turf (so they felt). That is, I feel , at base, how we got here. The response to sexual abuse of our young (and old?) has changed drastically, for the best. And BSA, and various churches and other organizations (my French teacher of Middle School years was recently arrested and is being tried. Recent events and long ago events being examined) are learning what it means to no longer have a rug to sweep things under. Bankruptcy, better Abuse Prevention and Response Training (it's not really "Youth Protection" alone, is it?) better personal responsibility. If a Scout is "Trustworthy" and she/he tells us something we'd rather not have to hear,,,, how do we respond? We learn from the past or we are truly condemned to repeat it. Are the Scouts of today and tomorrow being made to PAY for the mistakes and avoidances of the past? Unfortunately , yes, to some very necessary degree. The local phenomena will sustain the National org. Always did. But now, I feel, all of us Scouter types have more knowledge and thus more say. Don't we? If you see something, say something? Moderators, (facilitators a better title, say I).... The Scouter dot com world is very flexible and adaptable. Perhaps the BIG thread could be divided, but to what end? SOMEBODY needs to start a new discussion/debate/chat room on "The Future of Scouting , post bankruptcy, post pandemic, post abuse settlements, post Cal Fires, post lost camps, post lost LDS Scouts, post lost Methodist Troops, post lost Catholic Troops, post YSL uni, post lose of the Necker/woggle, post higher coffee prices......" You want whipped cream with your peach cobbler?

I think you may be right. Lion was the highest Cub rank, and Webelos was an "exit" award. You were ready for Boy Scouts, so Lions would be 11 years old into Webelos..... Arrow award (not of Light yet, ) was the sealing of the Cub program. Gadfry, that was a long time ago.......

Ho kay, let's dig out the history.... One blue shirt, Blue trousers (if you could afford them), One Blue and Yellow cap, One yellow necker, One metal slide/woggle. Your Den was your neighborhood friends from school. Number stayed with you thru Cub Scouts. Somebody's mom was the Den Mother (badge/patch read that). Bobcat (beginning for ANY Cub Scout , no matter when they joined). Wolf Second grade Bear third? Lion fourth.... Webelos fifth.... THEN into Boy Scouts.... Earn Tenderfoot and you're off....

Waaaay back in Paleo Scout days, the Cub uniform was one cap, one shirt, one necker, one woggle ( I have mine in that back of closet shoebox).. The Den stayed the same thruout, even to Webelos. The RANK and Arrowheads (electives) were added to the uni shirt, that was all. AND.... I remember some Cubs who had to wear their shirt a little untucked to allow for the showing of all the Arrow Points under the Wolf, Bear , Lion badges. The big changes were , I agree, more of a money making thing , along with the added Bling thing. I know of at least one local Pack, pre pandemic, that agreed, totally among themselves, to ONLY buy ONE yellow necker and ONE Cub cap for all the Cub years until Webelos needed a tan shirt to cross over in..... I never heard a complaint from Council or DE.... Now, admittedly, that was two years ago now, I do not know what happened to that Pack. I know my home Pack is struggling.

I was signed up to lead Bugling MB at a weekend MBUniversity last Feb and March (two weekends !) I had done these in person for some years in the past..... They had Google class set up but for some reason it wouldn't work on my machine, so my Meeting's techy set me up with Zoom. I started out with 20. Scouts, Email, YP extra "copies" to willing Scouters I knew. Sent out pre requisites.... I divided the group into three sub groups, over three seperate nights. I never heard from two of the first registrants. The MBU was organized by a MD-Del Council. I had Scouts from MD and Del and ONE (!) from San Diego. Over ZOOM, I was able to talk to and demonstrate and listen to everybody fairly easily. We got together four more times, not just the two originally scheduled. That's alot of Zoom nights. . Scouts dropped out as it became clear (as usual) that some were expecting an easy sit thru the "class" and get the blue card , one was there because their first choice was full, and some really didn't think they could do it.... I garnered alot of smiles and conversation about Scouting and music. I saw improvement over time. I was able to "sign" 8 ebluecards by the end. I made sure everyone knew their "result". I later heard back from one "partial". Three months later, in June, I had an email from a ASM about a Scout's blue card? Could you send a new copy? I had to email him back saying this Scout had not passed the requirements "he didn't play the calls", but he had all my contact info and never called me back to finish. Never heard more from him. The San Diego Scout was very good (maybe not the next Wynton Marsalis, but good!). I was glad to send him his eBluecard.

50 feet of shore line.... "Here's the line you asked for" "?? And this is 'SHORE' Line??" "Well , the man I got it from said "SHORE IS..." "

Too late for me. Often thought, as a kid, a tunnel out the basement would've been a fun thing.... Maybe watch "the Great Escape " again....

"" Matching Mountains With The Boy Scout Uniform"" by Edward F. Reimer, E.P.Dutton, New York , 1929. I am not sure it has "101" uses for the necker, , but maybe 50 or 60 . And lots more about the original uniform. History, etc. Pg.91: "Be Prepared" tells the Scout never to be without his Neckerchief and therefore to be ready for any emergency. There are fifty-six practical uses among many others for the Necessary Neckerchief." You can find originals, reprints, and a digital copy with a little digital searching. No, I am not willing to part with my copy. 😉.

Well. As in many songs, there is often many additional verses if someone thinks there needs to be. Orrrrr.... Additional songs.... Softly falls the rain today, As our campfire floats away. Silently each scout should ask, Did I bring my scuba mask? Did I tie my tent flaps down? Learn to swim so I won't drown? Have I done and did I try, Everything to keep me dry

Operant word is " MAY". Not must, or can't, or shouldn't.

yeah yeah let us know how that works out for ya.

Oh the humanity?

Is this somehow appropriate to the discussion? Or is all this "local"? ""The United Methodist Church is not leaving Scouting. We are still working with BSA in the bankruptcy. "" https://www.facebook.com/MethodistScouting/

It's hard, but if the older Scouts buy into it, and the parents buy into it, such a camp is well worth while. A google search will yield many examples of Scout Troops "doing" the Appalachian trail, for instance. Way back in my paleo Scout days, our Troop was blessed with dads (and moms!) that totally supported our adventures. Somebody's cousin's uncle knew somebody who owned property up by Germantown MD. The first year, (on "ordinary" weekend campouts), our Troop built a three sided log cabin, cleaned out and capped a spring with good water, dug a privy, dammed the creek for "serious" wading (not deep enough for a real swim) and over the next four years (then I was off to adult hood)organized a one or two week summer camp, IN ADDITION TO ( if you wanted to go) the Council camp on the Chesapeake Bay (Camp Roosevelt). Here on the east coast, I can recommend highly the Great Allegheny Passage Trail./ C&O Canal... Pittsburgh to Washington DC, History, campgrounds along the way, not much up and down.... Bicycle camping?

"" In 1936, a year before the Appalachian Trail was completed as one continuous, unbroken footpath, six Boy Scouts from the New York City area followed the route from Maine to Georgia. It was a 121-day odyssey into manhood and its significance as perhaps the first thru-hike of the A.T. wasn't realized until recently by one of the participants."" > > > Yes, the AT was a popular route way back when: https://www.atmuseum.org/1936-boy-scout-thru-hike.html

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I would favor a "special" made award. At a Jamboree, we had a big sit down in the arena, but things were delayed. TPTB recognized this, and so OA folks threw Dixie Cup Ice creams out into the crowd. Some of us took this as a "sign". We just happened to have some twine with us, somebody had a marker. PRESTO ! Dixie cup lids became "Jambo Arena Waiting" awards. We made up several dozen . I have mine in the collection. Our Troop once had a particularly strenuous canoe trip once. Because of a faulty map (County Parks provided !) we had to add 5 miles and several hours to the trip. Didn't get home til after 11pm. I thought that deserved a special recognition. Went down to the Scout Shop, did not see anything that seemed really suitable. Then, I spied a leather kit with a 4" Scout fleur des lis.... ummmm. I turned it upside down, imagined a little, and came up with a canoe with a paddle in the back. Trim off a little here, ink line there, lettering so.... punch a hole.... AHA ! The Longest Canoe Trip ! Made 8 of them, worth the effort, I thought. Make him a one off award.... leather, wood burn, whatever. He will remember it.....

Yeah. They are not yet old enough for an elapsed auto warranty.

Requirements for Eagle... Scout #1... father and I were good Scouter friends. Sons were in same Cub Pack, joined different Troops, but knew each other, saw each other at events. Scout #1 completed all his requirements, filled out all the forms, workbook etc. well within time limits. Troop OK, District OK, Council said "This is last years form. You must fill out the up-to-date form..." Scout said to hell with this, quit Scouting. Six months later he joins the Air Force. Scout #2. Parents eager for son to "make Eagle". Scout is 15 and a half. Dad asks me to speak at son's CoH, read Eagle charge, I say certainly, proud to participate. Kid was active in Troop, I thought well liked among peers.... All paperwork, requirements fulfilled. Troop OK, District OK, Council OK... CoH party held, fine small affair. Never saw the Scout again..... Scout #3. Has fun with Scouting, but halfheartedly pursues Eagle stuff. Complains that he is always being "pursued" by the younger Scouts (well, he is named a "Trainer"), never gets out with the older kids. Is encouraged to go to Philmont (second time as a "Trek Leader") and Jamboree Staff. Finds a good project. Turn in workbook to Troop Committee age 17.956. Scout #4. "The Unknown Scout"... At this time, I live in a small house some distance off the road. One afternoon, I return from work and turn into my drive, I see a bit of color on the side of the main road. I stop, get out to look. It is a Scout neckerchief, with woggle installed, dirty, thrown over on the gravel shoulder. The woggle is still on both ends of the necker. I contact the local Troops, but no one ever ID's or claims it. Scout #5... Scoutson (yes he is Eagle) is photographed sitting on a stump, with an axe and file in his hands. Watching him is an obviously younger Scout , standing closeby, hands on knees, looking intently at the axe and file. I sometimes wish I knew what happened to that younger Scout, so many years ago. I know what happened to Scoutson.

Jesus was not "a" Christian.

It is truly amazing that so many of us survived childhood. My best friend and I in fifth grade found and captured a "little brown bat" and managed to sneak it into school and left it in our teacher's desk at close of school. Never did hear the result....

2016 ? ? ? ? Peter Lewis?