SSScout

Mebbe that's their "good clothes". Are they going to live in the tree house? Why was it newsworthy? Haven't seen the story.

Scout in our Troop planned and proposed a project at his church's camp up in the Blue Rdige Mts. about 150+ miles away. It was well conceived, roughed out, materials estimated. But when he presented it to the Troop committee, the distance involved was pointed out to him. It really meant virtually none of the Troop could help with it (over several weekends). He decided to pass his plans on to the camp for them to work it without his help, but with their own volunteers. He came up in the next months with an equally worthy (and structurally similar, come to think of it) project much closer to home. Scouts could help. Approved and approved.

Well, I swan... ain't neverheard no Scout District fella not let his Scout leaders take trainin'. Not nohow. Where'inhell he get thet idee? He ought'n be proud of ya'll want'n to. "How to use it?" Why , thar be , nye on 5 or 6 ways to "use" it. Cub Day Camp, Camporee, Webelos Weekend, jes cause the NAME seems to limit it to ONE thing, don't mean it cain't be utilized in som'tother. It all fer the boys, right? How can it NOT be used? And with yer'n money, too. He ain't got no complaint. And "not allowed to take Pack out of District or Council" fer activities? Well , we do that all the time up here in middle Murlin. Take'm up to Baltimore to stay on the USS Constellation overnight, take'm hiking in the Shennandoah, down to DC for the Zoo, take'm down to Richmond to see the Civil War stuff. Heck, that's what Scouting is meant to do: all the stuff the Pub Schools can't or won't. And I bet yer District or Council ain't got half the neat stuff to do or go see or stay in that the boys would like. Go and do it, and see how many Cubs don't transfer into your Pack... ""The program we provide as a district is more than adequate for what cubs are supposed to be doing. "" Bullhockey... Adequate for what Cubs... Now, are you tellin' me that is a QUOTE? Someone Actually claimed the present program was ADEQUATE? Since when is ANY Scout program ADEQUATE and left at that? 'Course, that might indecate that SOMEONE is trying to NOT seem IN-adequate in their planning and implementation. Just sayin'. Now, base, you go on, now, and get them boys o'yurn into and onto as much stuff as far afield as you can manage. Give them the CHANCE to form memories, not regrets, at bein' Cub Scouts. Hey, now that's a possible quote... "make memories, not regrets." Y'all take that and run with it.

Isn't there some copyright issues? I wonder if it has a "not an official publication "etc. notice/disclaimer. Or, maybe it has the Irving OK? I'll look at it when it gets to Borders. Oh, wait... Short: Now that I think about it, do we "aim" at the boys or the Parents? Or both?

Let us remember that once upon a time, no such project was required for Eagle rank. Only (if memory serves) the demonstration of service to others (Scouting, community, etc.) thru one's (?) quality of life (?). When the new requirement was added, it was meant, I think, to further establish the elite quality of the Eagle rank. Does the new workbook help to do that? Or only make it easier to justify mediocrity?

Well, MY Handbook for Boys told me to take two wool blankets and use big safety pins to pin them together to make a sleeping bag! And use my mom's old shower curtain as a ground cloth under the canvas shelter half that older Scout used at Philmont and then gave me when he went off to college. And how to get the corrosion out of the brass L head 2D cell BSA flashlight when the batteries boiled over. And clean the grease out of the frypan with sand and gravel from the creek, then boil water in it to STERILIZE it. Wipe it out with big leaves. And how my dad helped me dig the nails out of the heel of my boots when they came thru into MY heel. And Mary Ann Corned Beef for breakfast, cans don't spoil.

"Nostalgia has a new name and it is "history"" I passed this on to some friends and SOME of them say "it doesn't go back far enough".

Man, those original Scouts. How did they EVER get by with all that HEAVY, STIFF, UGLY gray green tan stuff? I mean, I've heard of 12 year old Scouts doing the 100 miles at Philmont with Plywood pack frames, canvas tents, aluminum pots and fry pans, and (shudder) no 'squiter netting! And the uniforms! Wool sweaters, full leather shoes, 100% cotton shirts that HAD to be ironed (ask the mom)? And look at the photos! What were they thinking, wearing that hot, useless bandana thing around the neck? Makes you wonder how they even lived long enough to have children of their own? Why didn't they just invent nylon and plastic back then, instead of waiting til later?

Okay. Sorry for the mireading. I thought the newest version was already online, hence the friday notice I noticed. Okay, I will tear this one up and Scoutson will use the one Council provided. Thanks, B. Could use a revision date on it, none the less.

Clarifications please. The ESLSPWB I just printed out : *Only had 16 pages. No page 23. *Page 3 did NOT have the wording """Only the Official Workbook May Be Used Eagle Scout candidates must use the official Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, No. 512-927, as produced by the Boy Scouts of America. The official fillable PDF version can be found at www.scouting.org. Although it is acceptable to copy and distribute the workbook, it must maintain the same appearance with nothing changed, added, or deleted. "No council, district, unit, or individual has the authority to produce or require additional forms, or to add or change requirements, or to make any additions, deletions, or changes in the text, outlines, links, graphics, or other layout or informational elements of the workbook. It is permissible, however, to print, copy, or send individual pages or forms within the workbook as long as they are not changed in the process." "" * There is nowhere a Date of Revision. How to know this is THE version to use? *Got this from http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512-927.pdf referred from http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/eagle.aspx What did I miss in this conversation?

Programing? Ha! WITRAN,, FORTRAN,, COBOL,, Anybody out there have a Sinclair 1000? Plugged into your TV set. You could balance your checkbook with it, that's about all. I ordered a radio from a Boys' Life ad, . It was a small red box with a screw thing on one end, a long wire and a earphone out the other. No batteries, it was a crystal-diode receiver,, You turned the screw thing to adjust the frequency, I could receive two strong local stations with it. My dad had strung some wire around the ceiling of my room to hang my model planes from, so I attached the antenna wire to those, and presto! I received two more stations at night.

Nah, this is a man who hasn't "got it" yet. At CSDC, I had to educate my CD in the Ways of the Sign. First day, we had the inevitable "SIGNS UP!!!" when the Cubs didn't IMMEDIATELY quiet down and pay attention ("Ah'm soo pooor, I cain't even pay attention!"). So, I told the Cubs the story about the Jamboree gathering of umpteen thousand Scouts, and how the Chief Scout on stage would raise his sign up and within about 15 seconds, everyone had THEIR sign up, and all were quiet and listening. So we make noise... AHHHHHH... I put my sign up, and watch my clock. "Aha! 45 seconds, not bad, we can do better. LET ME HEAR IT!!".... AAAAAHHHHHHH..... (sign up) "yeah! 20 seconds! I like that!" So each morning, at opening flag, we used the sign as a Den competition. Worked at each Statiion thru the camp, too. It is an education for the Scouts and for the Scouter. You make the Scout more responsible (yeah, even Cubs) and the Scouter less responsible (they should wait for me to yell? I don't think so.) Camp doesn't start, Archery doesn't start, THE FUN doesn't start until EVERYONE has their sign up and is LISTENING. I can wait, I'm paid by the hour. ANd your conversation with the yeller was...?

Try again. Clear channel AM radio... WLS... WJZ... WWVA..."Ici SayBaySay, Raadeeoh Canadah... Toorontoo" On the long trips back and forth to school in Indiana, late night radio... "CHICKENNNN MAN! He's everywhere he's everywhere da-dadadaDAH!" No modern auto radio has a AM receiver that will receive any but local stations anymore. Why is that? Another conspiracy to require the purchase of Sirius radio? Where is my Armstrong Superheterodyne?

CSDC gave out plastic mugs one year, about8" tall, 3" wide, big handle, BSA mongram emblazoned on the side. We ended up with four of them. I put a carabiner thru the handle, clip it to my belt loop. Carry it that way to all Scout events (and others, much to my family's embarassment), but I avoid styrofoam and paper guilt this way. I am always ready to share a cupa at the camporee or training or IOLS. Rinse it out, hang it on the beltloop to dry. I had a nested Scout kit for a long time. Kept the frypan, the plate, leave the pot behind. Use it for demos and Jonny cake frying, Scouts like to watch the Primus squeal as it heats up. Bent my fork and spoon to fit inside, use pocket knife when necessary.

I think it's a fine idea for a contest, but I would point out the following: 1) It is NOT a BSA contest. Read the fine print for the sponsors. I see no real connection to BSA, we hope Irving has really given permission to use the name. 2) You "win" a "camping package" . I haven't seen what that means. Cash check? A scholarship to a camp? 2 1/2 sleeping bags? What? 3) Yep, it is a computer internet contest, almost like a chain letter, it is a SWEEPSTAKES, a LOTTERY, a RAFFLE, but without a monetary entry fee. Is this gambling? I guess not, it is not raising money for a Scout entity, doesn't cost anything to enter, just internet access and an appropriate browser, yowser. 4) And, I guess the old saw of "well, somebody has to win it, might as well be me" applies here. 5) But I haven't liked the way GChrome took over my screen when I inadvertantly hit the wrong button using GoogleEarth. And Foxfire is a questionmark in some folks that I trust, and IE hasn't done me wrong yet, so I guess I'll just wait for Publishers Clearing House to knock on my door.

I am reminded of a certain other "makeover" show, where they give the family a really beeyouteefull home that has no bookcases or shelf space for "stuff". Scout theme: *Canoe rack. And paddles and PFDs. *Shelves for camp gear. *Lashed together table and chairs. *Work bench with adjustable clamps etc. for carving, adjustable pegs for beadwork, lots of little drawers for all your leather stamps and knives and punches. * Overhead worklight with stainglass Scout symbols showing thru. * Silva compass for light string pull. * Baden-Powell quote inlaid in tile in the floor. * Scout Promise and/or law around the edge of the ceiling. * Old hiking boots nailed to the side of the garage as bird houses. House wrens love mine. * Coleman stove (or Primus?) permanently installed and converted into a coffee pot warmer. * Row of vintage Scout caps and hats hung decoratively (useable?) along the ceiling edge. * Wall cases to display those old shoeboxes full of patches and neckers your wife secretly pulled out from under your bed. * Doorbell button elicits "Reveille" bugle call. PM me so I can give you my address so they can send my consulting check.

Here's the drill (!): Cubs with power tools: With dad or mom in the home workshop/basement... not your problem. Cubs at Cub Scout activity (Den meeting, CSDC,etc.)... no. There is almost always a manual alternative when working with wood or plastic, or even metal. It is always good to gain experience with hand tools. Take my word for it, small hands can break expensive power tools and get hurt EASIER than with manual tools. Handsaws, screwdrivers, hammers, sanding blocks, wrenches all come in various sizes and types. Let the boy have fun and gain confidence and pride of use with the easy stuff first. Our grandfathers did.

Exibar: Who is your CO? Do they do a dinner or movie night or pancake breakfast? Perhaps the Scout unit they sponsor could offer to help out at that and be rewarded with a share of the profits. The Unit helps serve the CO, The CO gets help, the folks visiting the fundraiser see the Scouts, the Scouts feel good helping, they are doing "work" to earn their unit's share of the profit, hey, win-win.

Ask yourself this: How's the economy in your area? How many folks in your Troop or acquaintance ( the boys pass out R/R tickets, yes?) will go out to eat on your day? Family needs to spend , oh, $10 (more!), each, to feed the gang, and you expect 15% of that, BEFORE tax and tip? And how do the boys learn about "paying my way" ? Do they put forth any effort in this? I might ask R/R to help with my B&G banquet, but not that kind of fundraising. I see this as a donation, not a Scout fundraiser.

I'm making an assumption here, but I will guess you've just discovered why non-stick cookware is not a good choice for Patrol gear. The teflon coating does wear off and flake off. One choice is to sand off the rest of the coating (power drill and wire or sanding disc) and be done with it. If the aluminum (?) cookset is not physically deformed (how?) or broken (HOW?) then you have a good cookset for many more years. I would argue against the fancy, heavy steel copper clad cookgear. Scouts will not treat it with the respect it needs and will not appreciate any difference in heat distribution. A Scout's cookset should last many more years than 4. Gas stove cooking is one thing, but woodfire cooking is another. A heavy duty alumimun cookset is usually the best multi use choice. Until the Scout wants to buy (pays his own way?) the latest titanium jetboil set, let them learn on rugged, indestructable aluminum. I know of Troops where the Scouts are using the same cooksets their fathers used. Not only is it economical, but in one case, the Scouts think it is cool to see the initials of their dad scratched into the side of the pot. Tradition!

Here is what we had to do for one CSDC, the day after the same symptoms appeared: The PaPs were removed from the central location and each (eight of them) placed adjacent to the Cub Den areas. Then, each PaP was ASSIGNED to a Den and padlocked. Staff had our own. The keys (all different, but staff had copies for all) were given to the Den Walkers for the Den on a looooong string, and each had to sign it in and out each day with their Den bag. The Den Walkers were all dissapointed but understanding of the necessity. Only did this one year, that I know of. Not widely publicized. Yes, we had to buy a bunch of padlocks, but each Den had responsibility for it's own. No more vandalism.

Let me see if I understand the chronology and situation, from your description. Everyone gathers in the outdoor amphitheater. They have some last announcements, then the camporee staff "retreats/retrieves" the colors, and dismiss the camp to the waterfront for the evening campfire. The SM in question tells his story of his Scouts jumping down the benches to go to the campfire, thus bumping into other people and not staying in a Troop group, but "getting seperated" from each other. He then asks how the camporee staff can help prevent these problems ? Is that right? I think if I was the camporee staff hearing this (quietly and respectfully) I would have responded "thank you for your story, we are sorry for your troubles. We are certainly open to any suggestions as to how we could have done things better to prevent your boys from hurting the man they bumped into? Please speak to me when we break this meeting." I do see how it might appear the SM could have had better control over his Scouts, but , yeah, maybe they could have asked folks to exit the area one row at a time, having OA perhaps, guide the exiting. I wonder if his were the only Scouts being eager to get in front of the line, or show off by jumping the benches. Doesn't excuse the behavior, but I wasn't there to see it. A small talk about "courteous" and "kind" perhaps. I guess this venting "roses and thorns" session was held after the campfire, so this next idea might not be possible, but maybe a impromptu skit at the campfire about line butting? Or polite behavior toward adults or other Scouts? How did the Camp Staff respond?

**Bicycle panniers made from plastic buckets, specifically cat litter buckets. Rethink this into other baskets on bikes, old folks walkers, crutch carriers, motorized wheelchair carriers, etc. See http://www.instructables.com/id/KITTY-litter-pannier/ for one example. Perhaps too simple, but rebend wire coat hanger to hang your Christmas wreath on a storm door. I like the rope trivet idea. See http://www.designsponge.com/2009/06/diy-wednesdays-knot-trivet.html for one example. there are others, most notably the "Irish Love Knot" or "Celtic Knot" which is usually only a drawing, but with some effort, a flat trivet type item can be created using the pattern as a guide. A little judicious use of Goop or hot glue to hold things together.

Ideas: 1) Add panniers to the crutches. 2) Crampons on his cast. 3) Let the Patrol practice their rescue carries.... 4) And do relay races at the meetings. 5) He will only be "temporarily disabled". Use this as an opportunity to discuss how we are all "temporarily abled". 6) Have everyone tie up their leg and try being crutch borne for a while. 7) Have a contest for the best alternative to "the crutch". Brainstorm ideas and build them. Must be a MB in this somewhere.

I had a chemistry teacher in high school who knew and loved his subject, and was so good a teacher he could inspire catfish to fly. (local jargon). I also had a physics teacher who ,I am sure, had the proper credentials, but too often had incorrect items on his tests and even when the students would show him IN THE TEXTBOOK where the test was wrong, would not accept it. We learned how to pass his class, not necessarily what physics was. I think from hearing about some WBcourses, it's sometimes like that. The first part of the course is partly about what Scouting is, and this is a very cursury review for folks that have no large experience. Blue and Gold includes a graduation, Cub Scouting into Boy Scouting and from the Den to the Patrol. That smiling overly solicitous fellow that was following you around should have gone from being a Den Chief to a Patrol/Troop Guide: From telling you what to do, to telling you what should be done, to helping and enabling you to do what YOU know needs to be done. The whole course SHOULD give one alot of snippets (Gmoms jargon) of different types of leadership styles, different Scouting experience, alot of fellowship and networking among Scouters, and finally a overseen chance to use what you've seen and learned (and been inspired to do?) in creating and hopefully succeeding at some useful Scout projects. I like jrush's comment about "reflecting on why you're in Scouting". That part seems to slip aside sometimes. It (WB) can't only be about "here's how to do it Scout style" but needs to be about " why " YOU do it. Hopefully, that reason is similar to why I do it. It also needs to be noted that WB should never be considered only about Scouting. Much of the course can be applied in the workplace and at home. And the self reflection is also approbriate, and painful for some (see tne threads about the (Get All You Can game). So I came to WB and found that some of my instructors were very like my chem teacher and a few were like my physics teacher. I nodded my head at what I already knew, appreciated when my collegues had their "aha" moment (if they did) and was grateful for the new stuff I had'nt known before. Of my 5 projects, 3 were fully successful, one is still ongoing (2 years later) and one was fully finished and garnered many congrats from folks (both Scouty and non) but I considered a failure. I think my time in WB was useful. And too, it was fun to camp among adult folks and leave the family behind for a while... (This message has been edited by SSScout)