SSScout

"Reverence to God and reverence for one's neighbour and reverence for oneself as a servant of God, is the basis of every form of religion. The method of expression of reverence to God varies with every sect and denomination. What sect or denomination a boy belongs to depends, as a rule, on his parents' wishes. It is they who decide. It is our business to respect their wishes and to second their efforts to inculcate reverence, whatever form of religion the boy professes." =Robert Baden-Powell, Aids to Scoutmastership

Well, the confusion of the Cub ranks continues. Bobcat was (back in the paleolithic age of Scouting) a pre-requirement for any first rank. Wolf, Bear then Lion, then Webelos, and on to Boy Scouts. See the progression? Size and power of the animal. ("We'll Be Loyal Scouts. Wolf, Bear, Lion, Scout. We Be Lo S). Bobcat was a recognition that the boy (me) had learned the requisite "passwords" and ceremonials of the "gang". You wore the uniform, did the crafts, gained skill with handtools and went places with your buddies. The Bobcat garnered you a pin, not a badge. Still have mine in the box in my closet. The pin was worn on the pocket flap until you earned the rank badge. The badges on the uniform (sewed by my mom) were first the Wolf, Bear lower and to the right and Lion to the left of the Wolf, forming a diamond with a gap in between the Bear and Lion. The elective arrow points trailed below each rank. The Webelos W sat in the middle bottom of the diamond, had to take off the Wolf arrow points to sew it on. When the PTB decided to ENLARGE and ADJUST the ranks, the Lion was eliminated, the Webelos was made two years (Web1 & 2? Jr. and Senior Web? WebI WebII?). Okay, make the Cubs that much closer to being a "real" Scout. Then first grade Cubs became Tigers (? why not Beavers? or Lynx? Or Muskrat? Why a BIGGER animal?), the confusion began. Now, the "King of Beasts" is the first rank? Then Tiger? The ranks are neat titles, but have lost their prior obvious hierachy. Even back in my day, we Cubs recognized the progression. So a nascent Cub first earns Bobcat, then LION? Where's the logic in that? And "The Jungle Book" actually was tied in with the Cub program. Wolf, Bear, Lion, Akela, Bagheera, Should've had a Panther rank ... It is a rare Cub Pack and Cubmaster today that uses the imagery and symbolism inherent in Mr. Kipling's classic. It would be hard to do, now, being that Shere Kahn is a bad guy. Any DenLeaders out there read "The Jungle Book" to their charges? Mine did. I live on the edge of creeping suburbia, even teach Farm Mechanics Merit Badge on occassion. BBR, (back before retirement) early in the morn when I got off to work (3:30am),I occasionally heard a strange howl, and finally decided, after some consultation with others, that I had heard a Bobcat in the woods north of our house. Goes along with the Great Horn Owl we have heard down in the park to our south. I like the idea of starting Cubs in Kgarten, we can do good then, too. But I wish TPTB had been a little more creative and reflective in their rank creation, instead of merely resurrecting a name from the past. Enough reminiscing. So use Bobcat as the intro to the program. Reward the boys success at memorizing and becoming "one of us". But PLEASE do not cheapen it with the upsidedown stunt. This borders on hazing and is dangerous, and only encourages the boys to try their own "joining" stunts later. Be effusive in your praise and congratulatory stuff. They deserve it. Let them be proud of being Cub Scouts. KiSMiF YiS

I say it depends. I say the usual Troop wouldn't accept a donation from a XXX adult porn shop. Walk thru the last couple Jamborees, you'll see Council Camp gateways with various sponsors either obliquely acknowledged or out and out emblazoned. I remember an Iowa gateway with LOTS of green and yellow tractors and combines on it , and another with cheese pizza slices cleverly holding up the council name, ""When in Capital City, visit 'Somebody's Pizzaria' Main Street"". I have seen a Troop bus "courtesy Smith's Insurance Agency" and certainly have seen Scout fund raising dinner and show programs with ads "From Samson's Greek Restaurant" and "Jones Lawn and Garden Service". True, policy requires that Scout units not solicit donations, that they should "earn their way" by providing "worth for the money". If that worth is gourmet popcorn, and the purchaser agrees to pay the posted price for the alloted amount of popcorn, so be it. If the Troop and the purchaser of the trailer agree to putting the trailer purchaser's name on it, there's the worth: advertising and public goodwill. Front of Tshirt: "Troop XYZ IS ON THE MOVE!" (picture of boots kicking up dust) Back of Tshirt: "YOU'RE FOLLOWING A SCOUT FROM TROOP XYZ "(smaller letters: "helped along by Jenkins plumbing, Inc.")

I am suddenly reminded of "Brewater's Millions". I'm surprised Monty didn't meet up with a Cub selling popcorn.

"Everything is a test; not every test is passed" This story seems appropriate to the thread... 2005 Jamboree. I am walking back to my campsite (Mahon) , just after lunch time. Lots of Scout folks around, coming and going. I notice, off to the side of the walkway, an area covered with lunch bags and wrappers. Looks like some group (Patrol?) had the official lunch, sat down in a rough circle, ate and just left it where they had sat. I walk over, look around, look at all the others walking by. I say out loud, "could I have a little help here?" and start picking up the trash. Immediately, a half dozen Scouts come near and start to help. I mention that somebody forgot their Leave No Trace training. Giggles, guffaws, "hey", "Yeah", "I guess"... In less than a minute, all the detritus is collected and in the trash can. I thank the Scouts , they say "sure", "no problem", "OK", and move on. Is this the kind of thing we're talking about here?

We really need a "Faith, Religion and Chaplaincy" forum category.

The comment comparing Mr. Buffet's tax percentage to his secretary's reminded me of a conversation I had with my mom-in- law (no jokes, now, she's a lovely lady). She said the AARP folks come to her retirement community and do their tax returns for free. She has had an ongoing relationship with the same woman who does her taxes for several years now. MiL noticed that her tax this year was noticably lower than last year and asked why. Taxlady told her it was because the Capital Gains this versus last were so much higher, being a greater share of the income. Made more money , differrent category, less tax. ?

Real cuts in SPENDING, not in less of an increase. Ten percent cut in paper clips,F35s, walnut desks, Ospreys, EVERYTHING. Ten percent raise in federal income, thru graduated tax, better tracking of tariffs and elimination of many "loopholes" (no need to list any here) and exemptions and deductions. Apply savings to debt, NOT to other programs

" The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit." = Nelson Henderson =

"a really cool patch" an "attaboy" Karma credit... warm feeling inside.... Smile from someone who needed a lift... Letter to frame to hang on the wall... a possible job offer... a new friend... sore muscles, in a good way... "Show me what a man does with his hands that I may know his heart" (Amish proverb)

So where do they publish the minutes of the National BSA Board? It isn't in Scouting magazine... I don't ever remember reading of any such resolution in the recent Scouting mags... Now, that might be interesting reading here...

Thank you

*anecdotal* Got a 23 year old niece that is of the opinion that "they" should not take out FICA because "there won't be any money to give me anyway when I retire. If I retire". I have a niece and nephew-in-law (?) that tell us that SS should be "privatized" or even eliminated, because "it isn't relavant to our lives" ( they are in their mid 40s)and they could "do a better job investing our own money". They drive two big SUVs and take cruises and have been legally "bankrupt" twice. My pension from gov't service is nice, but we can't live purely on that (wife is still working) so I work three P/T and am looking for something more permanent. But who wants to hire a 63 year old at more than medium wages?

"Completely Irresponsible", yeah just dug that Robert Palmer video.... all the Congressmen in the background just grooving to the rythum... How can it be permissible They compromise my principle, yeah yeah That kind of law is mythical Congress is atypical They're a craze youd endorse, they're a powerful force Youre obliged to conform when theres no other course They used to look good to me, but now I find them... Simply irresponsible Simply irresponsible They're loving 'cause it's powerful, huh Its simply unavoidable The trend might be irreversible The congress is redactable Ain't a natural law, they leave me in awe They deserve no applause, I surrender because They used to look good to me, but now I find them Simply irresponsible Simply irresponsible Simply irresponsible they're not kind, theres no tellin where the money went Simply irresponsible they're all mine, the corporations say that's the way to go Its unavoidable, we're backed against the wall They give me feelings like I never felt before Im breaking promises, they're breaking every law They used to look good to me, but now I find them Simply irresponsible They're that kind, theres no tellin where the money went Simply irresponsible they're all mine, the corporations all say that's the way to Go Their methods are inscrutable The proof is irrefutable, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh They're so completely dismissable, huh Our lives are so rescissible They'd choke a horse, it's a powerful force Youre obliged to conform when theres no other course They used to look good to me, but now I find them Simply irresponsible Simply irresponsible They're so fine, theres no tellin where the money went Simply irresponsible they're all mine, theres no other way to go There's no time, theres no tellin where the money went Simply irresponsible , it's about time, theres no other way to go Completely irresponsible.

Skipper: My favorite lite wate (extra letters? e?) encouragement is : "Courageous Cookery" by John Echo* Once the convert backpacker or cycle camper has accepted the subtle gustatory nuances associated with sustained operations beyond the chrome, he should try the advantages of ultra fringe living so that he will realize what he is paying for his nested pots and pretty pans carried so diligently and brought home so dirty after every "wilderness experience". The following system works. It is dependable and functional. It works on the big rock. It even works when the weather has gone to hell, you are wet and cold and the wind is blowing down the back of your hairy neck. It is not for the timid. It consists of a stove, a six inch sauce pan, a plastic cup and a soup spoon. If you insist on a metal cup, you must never fail to mutter "I'm having fun, I'm having fun", every time you spill the soup on your sleeping bag. Breakfast: Instant wheat cereal-- sugar and powdered milk added-- ready two minutes after water boils. Eat from pot. Do not wash pot. Add water, boil, and add powdered eggs and ham. You'll never taste the cereal anyway. In three minutes, eat eggs. Do not wash pot. Add water or snow and boil for tea. Do not wash pot. Most of the residue eggs will come off in the tea water. Make it strong and add sugar. Tastes like tea. Do not wash pot. With reasonable technique, it should be clean. Pack pot in rucksack and enjoy last cup of tea while others are dirtying entire series of nested cookware. Lunch: Boil pot of tea. Have snack of rye bread, cheese and dried beef. Continue journey in 10 minutes if necessary. Dinner: Boil pot of water, add Wylers dried vegetable soup and beef bar. Eat from pot. Do not wash pot. Add water and potatoes from dry potatoe powder. Add gravy mix to taste. Eat potatoes from pot. Do not wash pot. Add water and boil for tea. Fortuitous fish or meat can be cooked easily. You do not need oil or fat. Put half inch of water in pot. Add cleaned and salted fish. Do not let water boil away. Eat from pot when done. Process can be done rapidly. Fish can even be browned somewhat by a masterful hand. Do not change menu. Variation only recedes from the optimum. Beginners may be allowed to wash pot once a day for three consecutive days only. It is obvious that burning or sticking food destroys the beauty of the technique. If you insist on carrying a heavier pack, make up the weight you save with extra food. Stay three days longer.

I think it is good that the WELS and ELS encourage their faithful to emulate Christ. One can easily find Responsive Readings from the BSA Scout Law, based on the Old Testement (Torah) and the New Testamant. I have not found any based in the Bagavadgita or the Lotus Sutra, but here is a source for one based on the Qu'ran: http://www.boyscouters.org/bayshore/resources/reverent /Islamic.pdf

Go to your arts and crafts store and purchase several acid free display boards or panels. The three fold variety is good, but the flat 1/8 thick foamcore is good too. Ask the staff. Also, ask for acid free double stick tape. Take ALL the ribbons off , gently wipe them clean with a DRY cloth and gently (cool) iron them, print side down. If you do it print side up, you risk rubbing the print off. Do not wash them in a wash machine, the print can come off there, too. Organize the history of your pack as you will, straight chronologically, or by activity, or as you will, lay the ribbons attractively on the boards. Make sure the ribbons are identified on the tag on the back as to date, whu and what... Use the double stick tape to affix your mementos for all to see and save. Attach the next ribbons to your flag and enjoy.

Hey, Remember the "game with a purpose" idea? Well there's where the re=testing comes in. Make it a game. A Patrol competition, to lash up a long pole to "rescue" something, or track someone, or fold up a large flag, or a knot tying relay, or a large Kim's game, or a Troop camporee station rotation. Again, it is ALLOWING the Scout to live up (not down to) to a certain expectation. Scout led? If the SM and ASMs instruct the older Scouts (SPL, PL, etc.) to set such a competition up for the younger Scouts, the older ones have to re=learn what they have neglected, in order to save face in front of the younger ones. Camp? Fire building competition. Prize for the best laid out campsite. Cook with raw ingredients, not packages. Ribbons, beads, Bling for the results. Movie tickets. Micky Dee's coupons. Ask, and lots of places will give you free stuff for prizes for "Scouts". But it is the standard to be met, NOT the standard to be approached. "Is only do. Or do not. Is no try".

Hey, Remember the "game with a purpose" idea? Well there's where the re=testing comes in. Make it a game. A Patrol competition, to lash up a long pole to "rescue" something, or track someone, or fold up a large flag, or a knot tying relay, or a large Kim's game, or a Troop camporee station rotation. Again, it is ALLOWING the Scout to live up (not down to) to a certain expectation. Scout led? If the SM and ASMs instruct the older Scouts (SPL, PL, etc.) to set such a competition up for the younger Scouts, the older ones have to re=learn what they have neglected, in order to save face in front of the younger ones. Camp? Fire building competition. Prize for the best laid out campsite. Cook with raw ingredients, not packages. Ribbons, beads, Bling for the results. Movie tickets. Micky Dee's coupons. Ask, and lots of places will give you free stuff for prizes for "Scouts". But it is the standard to be met, NOT the standard to be approached. "Is only do. Or do not. Is no try".

I like the thrust of this thread (thrusting threads), but I find that in comparing my time as a Scout with the son's time as a Scout, the difference is not in the requirements (they are not easier, now versus then, necessarily, only alittle different) but in the willingness of the leaders (boy and adult) to ALLOW things, and to say "yeah, you know that". CSDC: I ask the 13, 14, 15 year old Scout Staff who has Totin' Chip? Hands go up. Who can do lashings? More hands. I pick out some likely helpers, and we go to step the flag poles for the week. I point out the poles, ropes and some hand axes. I need eight pegs about yea long for the guyropes. three boys go out in to the woods to get peg poles. And you boys come here to lash these poles together to double the length. I never saw a better example of ignorance in my life. Not one boy could chop a 2" diameter pole in two, (and my hatchets are kept sharp) or successfully point it into a peg to drive in the ground. Demonstrated cutting a "v" to cut the pole in two, demonstrate the contact method and point the peg. All said they had never seen that way to do it. Hand them the hatchet? One tried to hand it back to me BLADE TO ME. The lashers were no better. Demonstrate the parallel lash to them... "oh, THAT's how you do it" ... Tautline hitch? Foreign to all but one. Clove hitch around the pole? They all did it, but really had to think about it. "Two round turns and two half hitches" was speaking Latvian to them. These were Scouts from many different Troops, and all above FC (required for CSDC Staffing). When Scoutson came back from a Merit Badge Day, he had "earned" badges that I would have thought would need a couple of weeks to do right. The Ecology badges all call for experiments and observation, but the counselor "signed off" on them in one long Saturday. We sat down with Scoutson and went over the requirements with him for completion. He knew that with a grandfather who had been a timber cruiser and a dad who liked the woods, the Forestry MB might be a sticking point with him. He had a few more things to convince us he knew, but it was there. Barely. I too think the elimination of some of the requirements or the redfining of them may have been unnecessary (Morse Code is a fun thing, still), but there is a new realization that some other things should be included (LNT? YP? Computer savvy?). The requirements are not the problem. It is the holding to standards that is the problem. If the boy is a First Class Scout, should he not be able to tie a tautline hitch and know when it can be useful? After "passing the test", give them NEED to use it. Bungie cords on the tents eliminates the need to adjust the ropes, but it also adds $$ to the cost of the tent.

"FREE SWIMMING POOL QUOTES" Love the referencing ads... By the by, I never found out what the swimming pool said to be quoted...

It's why we do what we do. http://www.morningsun.net/newsnow/x181933013/FIRST-IN-PRINT-More-than-1-000-scouts-team-up-to-help-Joplin Pass it on...

I think I might want to ask the leadership if they were aware of any inappropriate heterosexual things done or said by any Scouts to any other Scouts on campouts. How do they respond to insults to moms and sisters? Is there a supporting philosophy of the CO? ""if the SM has any reports that the scout did something inappropriate to another scout, that should already be reported to CPS. "" Agree... and to the parents... Might be time to find another Troop. Any other stones to be cast, anyone?

1) Spend ALOT less... 2) Eliminate ALL price supports, depreciation allowances, etc. 3) Make income taxes as evenly applied as possible, perhaps even (shudder) graduated (not "stepped") from the the minimum to the maximum. 4) Reconsider ALL the various deductions and exemptions that do not have application to charity and/or religious things. 5) Reconsider considering corporate entities as being (or not being?) equivalent to human entities, in their responsibilities re taxes and political contributions.... 6) Ask our legislative people to prove their sincerity by donating back to the treasury 10% of their salary ( can't legally change their present salary). Ask the same of every federal executive of Departmental level or higher. 7) Bring our troops home, give them jobs and apply them to infrastructure rehab , ala Roosevelt NRA... 8) Investigate war profiteering by (insert name here) during the Iraq and Afghanistan incursions. 9) Read Smedley Butler's book, "War is a Racket" http://www.ratical.org/ratville/CAH/warisaracket.html 10) Cancel 10% of every military program (ie. 10% of all F-111s budgeted, 10% of all Ospreys ordered, etc. ). Put savings toward deficit retirement, not just "savings". 11) Resolve to not touch SSI to help with budgetary concerns. Yeah, I know, SS is in trouble, let that part of our woes deal with itself...Another thread... 12)Resolve to pay off the ENTIRE deficit in , say 15 years, via volutary tax donations, tax program adjustments (new taxes, old taxes redefined, see above), balance sheet reapplications (savings applied to the deficit, not to "save" other programs), reminders that departments may NOT buy new board meeting rooms but may recycle old furniture (awards to acknowledge those that do such)(see http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/commuting/airports-board-puts-the-brakes-on-new-boardroom/2011/07/21/gIQA9vgQSI_story.html for example), reminders that every little bit helps. 13) Reinstate the "Golden Fleece " award. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Fleece_Award Be free in it's awarding. Be public about it. 14) Go camping and hiking alot.

OKAY... it's official.... three districts (not six)... three...