SSScout

That's Floyd , Boyd, and Mergatroyd Lloyd, of East Bygum Kentucky. They have a product, so they say, that INSURES EV'Rthang comes down right. Also paint remover and white wall cleaner. Good boys, check'em out....

OO!! OOO!!! I got a good one, a good one.... I fully trust the old Scouter who told us about this, "a Scout is trustworthy" A past Jamboree was in the last planning stages, and the Executive Committee was meeting. They came to this item on the agenda: Approve design for Staff Hats. The fellow in charge presented his report, handed out a sample hat to each of the 12 or so board members. Each was "monogrammed" with the boardmember's name. Prices were discussed, design was approved. The Chairman (call him John Jones) hands his cap back to the "hat Person", saying, "this is good. Make 5,000." Two weeks later, one month before the event, the hats arrive. 5,000 hats with "John Jones" embroidered on the back. And so that is why every staff hat at that Jamboree has a broad rainbow embroidered on the back of the hat.

"" Today it is because they are made overseas. Tomorrow it is because the price is too high."" No, it is because the uniforms are made overseas of POOR QUALITY and poor design. They fall apart after a dozen washings. The flags and name strips fall off. The requirement to buy and wear the item remains the same. AND The price remains the same, therefore the difference in price/quality means extra profit, which is why so much of American industry has moved "off shore". The All American motorcycle, Harley Davidson, has many overseas parts. check your auto. Even American built cars will include a Mexican Rebuilt transmission (not new!). If the Big Companies could do it, they would outsource the plumber who came to repair my leaky pipe. The company who rebuilt the radio dispatch system for my transit bus system (all GPS/CAD/LANcapable/ )was from Israel. What a commute! They stayed for 7 months until it finally worked "as advertised". There's NO NONE in the USA capable of this? Us Dispatch Operators (all very computer literate) could only shake our heads. The buses would have been built in Mexico or Canada except for a requirement by the FedDOT that they be built "substantially" in the US of A. So they came from "assembly" plants in Buffalo and Albequerque. Perhaps it is a sign of our new globalization. I am all in favor of our Bangladeshi neighbors earning a fair living. But at what cost to us? If the Kindle you read in bed was proven to have been manufactured by folks that have FAR less than the pay ($75?hour? I'll move there!) and healthy work conditions we enjoy here (guaranteed by a free press and the right to organize!), would you have bought it? If the shirt you wear was shown to have been made by folks that are locked in at night and not allowed to leave the factory compound except by permission of the bosses, would you have bought it? Having an American made uniform is important for many reasons, not the least of which is that as the Boy Scouts of AMERICA, founded under a Congressional charte (hello, kudu), I think we owe it to those fellow Americans that could use our business. I think it was Neil Armstrong who said that as he was sitting on top of the Saturn V waiting to travel to the Moon, he was struck by the fact that he was going in a space ship built by the lowest bidder. But it was an American bidder.

Lloyd's of London http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E03E3D6153DE33BBC4E51DFB767838D629EDE Oops, I mean http://www.lloyds.com/ They insure anything, For a price. Even Boy Scouts. On Buses.

I do not know where you are, but here is/are the hierarchy of possibilities as they occur to me: * It's a Scout activity. Ask the charter company drivers to donate back their pay for the day. Make sure they have first crack at the Dutch oven Brownies and Brunswick stew. * Have you approached the local school district? Chartering school buses will likely be cheaper than over the road coaches. * If it has to be over real state roads, use real buses. If not, consider hay wagons and tractors. Contact local farmers, grange, 4H, County Extension Agent. We have a local "custom farmer" (he does many fields in the area, renting them for cropping) that loves to do Good Turns like this. * Local Transit services might also be amenable to this. Our county has a transit bus service that is famous for helping worthy causes. * Might be some churches in the area with sunday school buses that could be asked to help. Ask around. We have one nearby Baptist church that has no fewer than 12 buses in it's lot, but I have never approached them about this kind of thing. Doesn't mean I wouldn't. * Surveying Merit Badge: Draw a scale map of the route! Have fun, and drive safely!(This message has been edited by SSScout)

Scoutfish: Thank you for your service to our youth. 1) As a former union member and rep to management (tho not in the textile industry) I take great exception as to your assertion that ANY textile worker in the US might be paid $75./hr. Or be allowed "28 breaks" during the workday. Those numbers are just so fantastic as to lead one to wonder what you might do for a living yourself. 2) If not for union organizing and legal representation, we might still have such industry scandals as the Triangle Shirt Factory fire, or more coal mine disasters than we have now. No "breaker boys". The "free market" does not necessarily equate to the best conditions or fair pay for work. Not every employer has the best interests of its empoloyees at heart. If "profit" is the only motivation, then the term "slave" can appear without bidding. Henry Ford easily came to the conclusion that his workers should be able to afford the cars they were making. That attitude staved off the union movement in the auto industry for some time, but not for ever. Are our uniforms made in "sweat/slave" shops? I don't know, but I do know that there is no accepted , legal representation in China to protect the workers pay or work conditions. I would rather see "made in America" on the inside neck of my shirt.

Seattle, that was lovely. That's exactly what CS should be about. And it is what is lacking in so many CS programs: a personal connection. Here, you have the parents DOING with their boy. They are learning by example. Later, they can learn by EDGE (shiver). Unless the parents toss them as being "dirty " or "not nice" somehow, those handmade neckers will be kept for a loooong time. You have made memories, and that is a good distance into what Scouting should be about.

Seattle, that was lovely. That's exactly what CS should be about. And it is what is lacking in so many CS programs: a personal connection. Here, you have the parents DOING with their boy. They are learning by example. Later, they can learn by EDGE (shiver). Unless the parents toss them as being "dirty " or "not nice" somehow, those handmade neckers will be kept for a loooong time. You have made memories, and that is a good distance into what Scouting should be about.

Split rail stacked fence. Straw bales (real hay is twice the price, believe me) Is this becoming Scouting in a FARMING community? Check out your county fair folks. I bet they could help you. And the local County Extension Agent. Talk about a soil erosion demo, plant trees, many things possible.

My home Troop is approaching it's 60th year. They bought a new Troop flag just last year, so that was the third flag. They had one for Indoors (the oldest) and one for Outdoors( the youngest). The oldest (indoor) was a cotton wool blend, the youngest (outdoor) was a modern nylon flag. The oldest looked it, very faded, pulled crooked from being on the pole for so long a time. We had a short ceremony at a CoH to acknowledge the longevity of the Troop and the stories this old flag might tell. It occured to me (being the oldest Scout person in attendance) that it would have been a neat thing to have had the old Scoutmasters' signatures on the flag's halyard strip. Keep in mind future history, maybe have your first SM sign the flag.

Big Safety Pins Confession: I had used Badge Magic for a bunch of patches and after many washings they started to peel off. Big Safety Pins . And no one is the wiser. The plastic backing makes the patch lay flat and look neat but oh, is it hard to stick a needle thru it. Learn to nick out the needle thru just the bare edge of the patch. With patience, the plastic backing can be peeled off of most Scout patches to facilitate sewing. But that just adds to the frustration. I notice that all the patches in my Scout shoebox are fine, after being unsewed from the old uniform. Why the plastic backing?

What everybody has said. Here are my thoughts: Who does the Scoutmaster Minute at the end of the meetings or CoH? Who does the SPL go to for advice/instruction? If the old SM does all the things you mention, it is definitely time to spread the responsibilties out. No one needs/should do everything the old SM is said to be doing. "Advancement Chair", "Troop Treasurer", "Transportation Coordinator" are all good roles for new folks to take on. You still need his knowledge and experience. You still need his imprimatur. You still need his good counsel. But HE needs to admit his time to step down. Somebody (CC, trusted friend, one of the ASMs) needs to become sensitive to your postion, and act as an intermediary. It would be hard for you to make him aware of this, but not impossible. How close do you feel toward him?. Talk to the Troop Committee Chair, and At the next CoH , arrange for a Special Presentation, a plaque, patch, certificate, marking the passing of the reins/torch/flag, award the OSM the SM Emeritus Patch (yes, there is such a thing). Make sure he knows he has been appreciated and then YOU have a little ceremony acknowledging your new status as the SM. Grasp the Troop flag pole, recite the Scout Promise, Scoutmaster version (ask your UC). All this is very appropriate and would serve to make clear who is what. The CC can have no way to not agree with this, and the Committee should be the ones handling it. Good Scouting to you.

Trustworthy, Loyal,etc.... Isn't the IRS standard $.55 a mile expense? Then one makes a calculation on the distance involved, a permile charge, reimburse the driver accordingly (somany Scout passengers, so many miles, multiply and divide...), and some are actually making a profit (Prius) and some are about breaking even (Honda Oddysey) and some are "charitable" (Dodge Ram). C'est la vie.

This is a Boy Scout Camporee or Cub Scout Day Camp (noticed your sign on name)? I have a hard time conceiving Boy Scouts worrying about "decorations" at a Camporee ;-) Activities, yes. Demos and exhibits, yes. Crepe paper and party hats... mmmmm no. Scouting in a Rural Community... Service to those less fortunate? Family? Night navigation? Farming? Hiking? Lumbering? Fishing? Animals? Organic Gardening? Stewardship of the Land? Erosion control? Ecology? Games with a purpose? Boating? Emergency Be Preparedness? First Aid? Not much different than Scouting in a more Urban Community...

What everybody said: Do the adult thing, but be ready to explain in kid's terms. Samples of the cooking. Jerky? Pemmican?(not the right period?) animal skins up drying? Fire starting w/o matches? Tumpline packs to try on? Spit turning? Plank baking fish? Beaver stew? The older ones might earn their Whitlin Chip by helping to cut up the vegetables for the stew... hauw, hauw, hauw...

One is not to add to or subtract from the requirements, yes? But nothing prohibiting the enriching of the fulfilling of the requirement.... There are camps (the site, place, area) and there are CAMPS (the active, in place, doing thing). **Many local camps are used by Troops "off season". Contact the camp ranger or director and try to visit while a Scout Troop is in residence, if not during the real season. ** Visit (day visit) your local Webelos Weekend (Webelos Woods?). Knock on the tent pole of your favorite Troop and say "hello". ** Contact your favorite Troop , who is sponsoring one of the activities at the WWend, and workout camping with them that weekend. See above, "guest patrol" idea. ** Contact your favorite Troop and find out where they will be camping (camp(ground)) and visit it while they are there.

It is included in "the cost of doing business", so has not affected planning too much. Now, when we plan a trip, we remind the boys to bring (depending on the length of the driving) $3.00 or $5.00 or such to give their driver to share the expense. I carpooled out to Indiana for a conference last month. My companion offered to buy everyother tank of gas, but I said not to worry, he should just buy me dinner and lunch on the way. My Prius rarely gets less than 50 mpg,often more like 54, 56 mpg, if I am to believe the onboard dashscreen computer. Going thru the Alleghenies it dropped down to 42. I ate well,but not extravagently(!).And we visited some museums along the way.

Gotta point out that back in the ooooold days, the Scout "Oath" was also referred to as the "Scout Promise". Many faiths do not allow the making of "oaths", but what we as Scouts pledge to do isn't really a "judicial oath" (swearing BY something) but a personal promise, and that is ok. ""On my honor...."" Making sure the Scout understands what he is expected to promise to be and do is not so bad. No surprises. Now, we have to exhibit that behavior for them to emulate. Can the adults live up to the Scout Promise?

Arrive in either Dulles Int Airport or Baltimore Thurgood Marshall, avoid Reagan National. Rent a car to either downtown DC or Baltimore. The Metro to Dulles will not be complete, but there is Metrobus service, and lots of taxicab service. Look up the Skyland Inn or Big Meadows in the Shenandoah National Park, 60 miles west of DC. Cool, good hiking, history, nice and relaxing. http://www.nationalparkreservations.com/shenandoah.php?gclid=CIa9heCUsK8CFQTd4AodmiolHg fills up quick. Lots of history in the area. Car down Skyline Drive to Smoky Mountains. Go east to Williamsburg and the Chesapeake Bay. Many nice B&Bs around the bay. Don't forget the Blue Crabs, our Maryland delicacy. Annapolis Maryland has the oldest continuosly in use State House in the nation. Pretty town, Annapolis. Boats, seafood, bicycle friendly. Have fun with the internet research. TTFN

Finally got hold of my Scouts Canada friend in Toronto. He says his (Canadian company) Joe Fresh Scout Shirt is labeled "Bangladesh". This is the new foreign aid.

Flag pole: an old closet pole of suitable length. Topper: Carved tree branch knee. Flag stand: 1948 Chevy truck brake drum, welded pipe (donated welding), green paint from leftover gallon from cellar door project. Still in use, lo these many years.

I have a Georgia White Pine in my yard that is more than 5 feet around and at least 120' tall. Redtail Hawk family makes a nest in it every year. Grow tall, my young friend. Welcomr to the forums.

Is it possible that some Scout units never go to the trouble of seeking public notice , then bemoan the lack of membership? Is there a connection here?

When you get your new flag (sounds like a new Troop?) , have a little cermony with /in/ for your CO. Make the boys aware of the history they are beginning. Take the halyard strip of the flag and have the new SM and IH sign it, perhaps. Date it, in indelible ink (does India ink mean the same nowaday?) . Our Troop recently replaced the old flag. It was the "original" , made with a wool/cotton blend, I think. We had a small ceremony at a CoH to mark the renewal, the flag was more than 50 years old at that point. We had a few old timers present and were able to make that connection to the past history of the Troop.

I think the "hearing challenged" subcamp idea may have merit. If it is not too late to plan for such, you might contact Irving (National Council) and ask for the Jamboree Director's office. I know the Disability Awareness area was very popular at the 2005 NJ, at which I staffed. I visited that area more than once and had some good conversations there, talking about growing up with a dad who had lost his left arm before he met my mom . Among other things, I learned how to tie my shoes one handed. I think they might be concerned about numbers (small?), but I know that deaf kids do like to hang out with folks that are easily conversant in ASL or Signed English. I dated a young lady who was a counselor at Gallaudet, and gained some insight thereby. Then too, such "segregation" might not be welcome, but it is an idea to discuss, if it is important to you. There were at least Troops, if not whole subcamps, that were "specialized" in various ways. Why not an ASL Troop?