SSScout

mmmm... I put it here some... ah! Here tis... "When you are given lemons, make lemonade... No, that's not the one... "No closed door hasn't included a new window... mmmm, no. "Way will open thru faith... aaahhh, not quite right. "When you come to the fork in the road, take it... nooo. *sigh* Well, I guess one thing you should do is celebrate the man's Scouting career and the (hundreds? thousands?) of boys he has helped along the way. Recognition at the next B&G and /or District award dinner would , I think, be in order. Find some of the (now)old Cubs and Scouts from his history. Has he been awarded the Unit Leader Award? Or the District Award, if appropriate? After that, I honestly feel that the right person to take the Ad Chair will come along. And sometimes, with a little encouragement, even the CCfH can be brought around to the best use of their talents.

ABOVE what?

Mssr. Scoutfish set ze leetle grey cells roiling when he said: ""I hope everybody understood that this would be something that was up to the scout....not anybody else"" Well, what would happen IF Scouting really were left up to the Scout? Would the Handbook look the same? Would we even have a Fieldbook? Would there be as many Eagle Scouts each year? Would there be a "FIrst Class in the First Year" movement? How would the uniform look? If the mentioned broken ankle Scout had HIS way, would WE be having this conversation? How much of Scouting has been "up to the Scout"... ever?

Either at the next Den Meeting, or the next Pack meeting. I would favor the Den Meeting, where you would have a small opening and closing ceremony, and lots of neat stuff in between, yes? The Pack meeting gets crowded with minutiae and can be a slow going thing for the Cubs, make that different and for BIGGER awards. Oh, and give'm a "round of applause (clap in a circle)" or "a big hand!" (open the hand up wide above your head).

Yep. Norton noted a malware attack when I tried to enter the site sunday eve. (just got back from Hemlopen State park).

Carbo loading at it's best. But I will take my share of Mr. Graham's crackers and Mr. Hersey's bars and leave Mr. Marsh's mallows for others. (don't tell my dentist).

"It is a sad Reflection, that many Men hardly have any Religion at all; and most Men have none of their own: For that which is the Religion of their Education, and not of their Judgment, is the Religion of Another, and not Theirs." #522 = Fruits of Solitude, William Penn = Keep on keeping on, brother.

"Character is what one does when you think no one is watching" = H. Jackson Brown =

... and only 42 more pages for the record. Oh well. A sure sign that the subject has been settled and no more discussion need ensue. Suuuuurrrrreeee.

!Aye! Macarena! Had all the Cubs singing and doing the motions, THEN I read a translation of the words... Never again...

Morality... Ethics... Politics... Religion... Faith... IF (God forbid) the military draft is reinstituted (another thread) and IF the idea of being a Consciencious Objector is still accepted and IF the local draft board does the judging (!) and allowing of such standing, the DB would use some standard of the sincerity of the person (M? F?) as to their CO desire. The usual standard, in the past, so I have been told, is usually one of faith. The Board desires a convincing that the applicant is, indeed, obeying a "higher authority" and can do no other thing. Membership in and attendance at a historically pacifist faith, an oral presentation, an essay explaining ones reasons in claiming CO status, letters attesting to the belief/standing in the community, all might be needed to prove the applicants "sincerely held belief." Opinion is not proof. Pleading as to ones belief is not proof. Believing that a particular war is unjust or wrong or illegal is not proof. ALL wars must be held as wrong. In my small experience, I have not heard of an irreligious CO, not that there may have been, I just have not heard of one. Slavery... present on all continents, in almost all civilizations at one time or another. Usually (if ever), it was not the econonmical reasons for the demise of the "peculiar institution". The US south certainly did not end it's slave society due to economic reasons. When the British empire ended it's internal slave trade, it was not economic reasons that demanded it. The "market place" did not demand it, altho it should have. The Quakers of the 18th century did not manumit their slaves due to economic reasons (Baltimore Yearly Meeting came to agreement that slavery was against God's will in 1775), but soon realized that a free labor society was more productive and ultimately more rewarding. A Methodist circuit rider that visited Sandy Spring MD in the early 1800's commented to his Quaker host on the fertility of his fields compared to his neighbors. The host replied that "never had bound hands" worked those fields. It occurs to me that it is not morality that is of human invention but immorality. We are constantly finding new and improved ways to cheat, kill and otherwise do "bad" things to our fellow creatures. When have we discovered "new" ways to be kind to them? The same ways have always been there. "Good" and "Bad" can be defined by Gregory IX, Hitler, Genghis Kahn or Jesus or Gandhi. They can be defined by you or me. But , as with every other definition,such definitions ultimately must be based on previous standards. How far back do you go? What do you ignore? What accept? Do you only trust in the "innate" good in people? Which people? I do not say that avowed athiests cannot be good, morale people. The ones I know are every bit as G&M as anyone else I can name. "by their fruits shall ye know them". They have made their choice, with the good sense and mind that (evolution/environment/parents/God) has given them. I just think that, for whatever reason, they are leaving out a large chunk of the the algorithm. Perhaps ignoring a bit that we Quakers call the "experiential" of our faith. It is a dropping of the need for the ego, and admitting the need for something bigger. Scouts...Alot of teenagers are not ready to do that. Kids, after all, are all about "me". They look for reasons to NOT admit to any other authority than themselves. What can I get away with? OKAY, that leads to the question of , "away from WHOM?" or WHAT?" Time to go to Meeting. See/read you later.

Every so often, cartoonist Greg Cravens honors us with a knowing look at Scouting. Specifically, Cub Scouting. Eventually his kids will grow older... Recognize anyone from YOUR Pack or Troop??? http://www.gocomics.com/thebuckets/2011/08/22 fifth day, we see the results of texting while hiking...

Scoutfish: Been there, done that... "The Humble, Meek, Merciful, Just Pious and Devout Souls, are everywhere of one Religion; and when Death has taken off the Mask, they will know one another, tho' the divers Liveries they wear here make them Strangers." #519 = William Penn = "Some Fruits of Solitude" 1682

**Boombox with theme from "CARS" playing. **Cub leaders/Cubs, waving checkered, green, red flags. ** Helmets, goggles (not googles), oil cans, loose spare steering wheels, extra tires... ** Anyone know a REAL race car owner? Contact the local SCCA and invite them along.... Car on a trailer, or being pushed along, or revving the engine...however... ** That's Sports Car Club of America. Usually very Scout friendly.

Reallyreallyreally need a "Faith and Chaplaincy" Forum. Your rabbi is very wise. I also like his explanation of the relatavistic quality of "human based" morality. I forget where I read it, but here 'tis: "After all our new technological advances, we still haven't invented any new sins after 2,000 years."

** Low Banner in front: "CUB SCOUT PACK 123 GOSHEN UM CHURCH" **Cubs in Cardboard box PWD cars, zooming around two big "pylons" ie., CM and DL dressed in orange triangle/teepees, walking some distance apart.. ** Banner in back, bringing up the rear of the group, held high, on poles: "CUBS FUN TO THE FINISH" ** Pass out small cards to parents with kids, phone numbers for Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting. No candy... Hand out Popcorn (one way to get rid of it), in paper bags, with contact info on the bag.

Doing "Good Works" does not bring one to God. But it is complicated, because doing the good works MIGHT make one THINK about God, or "his Son" or the Creator or the Universality or Allah or the "sum total of all the rules of the Universe". Coming to God, however, often necessitates DOING the Good Works. One CAN do Good Works, and not be a Christian (or Jewish, or Buddhist, or Wiccan...), but if one IS a Christian, one SHOULD be INTERNALLY required to do the Good Works. Ya just gotta. One can not do anything else. It ends up feeling like a debt is being repaid. I've heard/read many stories about seeing God/Christ in the eyes of the folks one is helping (read Mother Theresa and Ghandi). It is often like that. Now, how is it that people join together to do these Good Works? Lions Club, Rotary, Ladies' Auxiliary, Parks Volunteer Corps, OA, all know that more can be accomplished if we all "hold hands". And, inevitably, there is some ceremony , some celebration involved in the doing and the accomplishing. "Here's why we do it, here's how we do it, glad we could do it, la la la..." OA is, to some extent, a bit childish, but hey, we are having some fun. When I was in the OA, the chapter had a bit of ceremony that reminded us that we should not revel in the public acclaim of our Good Works, but in the private knowledge that it had been done. The "anonymous" Good Turn" (where have I heard that before?) was the ideal. Yes, we borrowed from some American Indian traditions. I came to realize that the important stuff we were ceremonializing was pretty universal, but that we did not want to make it "particular" to any one faith or belief, so we did it "Indian Style", and a made up Indian style at that. It was fictional indian, even tho the names were Lenni Lanape. What's important is the MESSAGE , not the MEANS. If the ceremony becomes more important than the idea it is meant to impart, than we are in serious trouble. To be historical about that idea, here is alot of what the religious revival and reformation of the 15 and 16th centuries was about: ceremony with out the celebrants believing or living the ideas celebrated. That is often why folks decide "there is no God" , due to the hypocritical view and actions (or lack of) of some publically professed believers (pick a faith). Such examples show to the nascent agnostic or athiest that such faith is truly a false basis for action. If one can DO Good Works all by themselves, why bother with a religion? There is a Toyota Automobile Company, I do so believe, because I have seen the multitudinous results of it's mighty works. I have never seen the Toyota Automobile Company, but rest assured, I have met several people that have, and they have testified to my satisfaction as to it's existance. So from my own experience (bless the Prius) and their testimony, I do believe in the existance of the TAC. So too, the "whys" of the universe I live in stretch back and back toward the beginning of everything. The ultimate "why" may never be answered. I really don't require that it be answered. The world I see and know (both thru my own experience and that of countless others) demands that there be something BIGGER than me. An ultimate authority. Oh well, enough for now. The electricity is back on (Thanks be to Baltimore Gas and Electric, and all the hardworking crews from Indiana and West Virginia I've seen along the roads here in Murlin) and I had to get caught up in email and Scouter. We really do need a "Chaplaincy and Faith" forum category. All in favor say "aye..."?

Yep, magnifyer. Check date of Campo patch. Note Scoutmaster on photo left, one lacks glasses, (earlier?) some he wears glasses. Older? Check the boys, if you can line up the boy as he earns the next rank, you can at least make them chronologically correct. I guess the photo doesn't have a print/studio label on the back with a date. You might note the type of sneaker the boys are wearing. Keds and PFFlyer and Converse and Chuck Taylor did change their style thru the years. Too bad they didn't take the picture in the church parking lot... ALWAYS DATE THE PHOTO! and label who they are before you put it away...

Our Troop finances are divied up as follows: Troop account, Scout account. Treasurer keeps track of both, books are available anytime. Scout can use his account money for anything Scout related. Summer camp fees, yearly dues, Philmont, even a new pair of boots or uniform parts.(bring in the receipt). One Scout many years ago, saved up his Scout account and bought the Troop a new trailer. The Scout account is earned thru a simple calculation. The fundraiser is Holiday/Christmas wreaths. After expenses, the first ten items sold earns the Scout $5 each , the remainder goes to the Troop. Item eleven and up, the first $5 goes to the Troop, the remainder to the boy's account. Note: We do have "sidewalk sales", all of which go to the Troop. Troop funds pay for awards, camp deposits, neckers, Classbs, equipment, recharter. Events (hikes, campouts, etc.) are pay as you go). Dues: Adult fees of registered leaders are paid by the Troop. Scout dues are presently set at $100. a year, which includes the National registration, liability insurance (Council), Boys' Life, and the Troop expenses. Note: It turns out that the Council maintains a slush fund, that it uses to calculate a prorated dues/fee for each Scout thru the year. If the Scout joins after September, they still "officially" pay the $16. but it is divided and prorated for the coming months. Therefore, it turns out that each unit can have a "credit" with the Council, which can amount to a significant amount, but no one ever can tell you what it might be, or how it is applied. How to pay the $100.? Choices: 1) pay the whole $100. in September. 2) Pay $50. upfront in September, use the November fundraiser to pay another $50. or 3)opt out of the fundraiser and pay another $50., keeping in mind that campfees and such will have to be paid personally, when needed. "A Scout is Thrifty. A Scout works to pay his own way and to help others. He saves for the future. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property."

Step 1: Strainer or bandana strung between sticks, lined with triple layer of paper towels. Put bucket under the apex of the strainer. Step 2: Pour water slowly thru strainer, into pot/bucket. Do not overflow papertowels. Step 3: Boil water in pot/bucket, or add appropriate amount of iodine tabs. Follow directions for tabs. Let cool or add TANG to water. Yep, iodine precipes out. Let settle. Step 4: Decant water/drink into canteens or nalgenes. Throw away sludge. Step 5: Wring out paper towels, dispose of correctly (LNT). Wring out bandana, let dry in sun til bone dry (?back of pack?). Sun kills most bacteria. Don't know about viruses. Spores need to be killed by boiling bandana later. Do not drink from bandana. Wash hands. Step 6: Plan ahead.

Man made Black Hole. Good sub topic to work into a discussion about the National Debt. (Wikipedia) "A black hole is a region ...from which nothing, not even light, can escape." ... just sucks everything in, and lets nothing out...

Definitely harrassment possibility. But he does not have the "threat" of employment over the volunteers, as loathsome as his attention might be. Be assured that you are not the first ,nor will be the last to be affected by his "hobby". Have you had any contact with anyone else besides yourself and the CO you mention that has had the same sort of contact? In numbers there is strength. As has been suggested, keep a diary/journal of his contacts: Time, date, what is said. Therefore, three possible responses occur to me. 1) Personally tell him in no uncertain terms that his constant attention is unwarranted and unnecessary. The Scout business can be accomplished with much less contact. Remind him that you are keeping track of his contacts and it will be reported to his superiors. I would be surprised if this had the desired result. Might pique his interest the more, leading to: 2) Don't bother with the above warning. Contact the SE for your Council, and you and the other Scout Leaders affected speak with the SE about what you have experienced. If ONE comes up and makes such charges, maybe (the SE should , of course, take you seriously, but then..) they will be heard. If MORE than one Scout Leader comes up and relates the same troubles, they will mean more. Let the SE take the appropriate action. If nothing changes, you can do other things (go back to the SE, legal action in the courts, publicity in the media, etc.) 3) Next time he calls, arrange to meet him for coffee in a public place. Have all the affected Scout Leaders there, together WITH the SE, the DC, and perhaps your lawyer. Let him draw his own conclusions and make sure he understands your expectations. Be assured that if someone does not confront this ...idiot with his actions, and give him consequences, nothing will change, and you will lose more than one Scouter. And who loses in the final analysis? The boys. We're with you here, if only electronically. Keep us informed how things turn out.

Found a band named "I was a Cub Scout". Not bad. http://www.myspace.com/iwasacubscout

Forgive me, but the Fundraising forum did not connect. Error page appeared, three times. Here's what one Troop does for fun(ds)... http://www.gazette.net/article/20110819/NEWS/708249992&template=gazette

What was it the philosopher said? "Follow the money". Our CSDC a few years back was at a local county park. The county charged us a pittance, we were the Scouts. In essence, we took over the whole park. And it was (is) a BIG park. Lake, 5 picnic pavilions back in the woods, playing field, campfire area, playground (makes good castle battlements). We organized lots of specials and for free often. OA helped clean up and do projects for "thank you" . Always came in under budget, Council made some (dare I say it) profit. Then the county started raising the rent. And restricting our area. They had some summer camp programs of their own. Didn't bother us too much, we still had 200 plus Cubs and the State police helcopter come land (etc.). The last year we were there, the rent was (Scout's honor) the equal to Lockheed Martin renting the area for their empolee picnic. And we STILL came in under budget. True, the staff was expected to bring their own lunches (we had coffee and donuts for breakfast. See another thread on the uses of coffee boxes) and a "surcharge" was exacted for attending "our" camp rather than one of the others. People still came, such was our rep. I think that year, we had about 235 Cubs, including the ones that the Council office sent us on Monday, cold, check in hand, ten days after the "official" cut off date. (you ever go running around to every Dollar Store in a fifty mile radius to buy 20 more compasses?) And it came out in the black, but reeeeal close. The last year, we were told the rent would be 50% again more than the year before, AND the county authorities announced three weeks before camp they had "lost" our contract and we would have to start negotiations over. Our DE and CSDCD said no dice, pulled in some chits and presto, we were at an Izaac Walton League property (free!) . A bit further to drive, but we adapted. Now, with the same budget, we "hired" some specials, served picnic lunch to the staff, and stocked a camp store(which made more money, charging less than the Scout store for similar stuff). Budget left over! Council made money! CSDCD says she will hold a Thank You picnic for the staff, maybe two hundred bucks for all the burgers and franks and charcoal and such. BYOHS&F (bring your own horseshoes and frisbees). Council PD raises a FIT, can't do that, no one else does, ain't in the plans, not approved.... Senior DE says , "go ahead".... It's next saturday. Council STILL makes money. "Ninety percent I'll spend on good times, women, and Irish whiskey. The other ten percent I'll probably waste." - Phillies pitcher Tug McGraw, on his plans for his $75,000 salary, circa 1974.