SSScout

There's official and "official". I have never seen Troop numbers, Council strips, etc. on the red or green J/S. But I have seen many really neat displays of Scouting experience on the back of them. I know one old Scouter that has several jackets. Each one is a souvenir of a different Jamboree or other big event. All the patches on the back, however, not on the front or sleeves. Then too, back in my Scout daze, I remember one Troop that had matching jackets, not the expensive redwool ones, but matching and they were emblazoned with Troop numbers and insignia on the sleeves and NOTHING on the back... They looked good in formations at camp in the cool weather.

John-in-KC has the short list of choices of action. The SM should corral the Scouts and, if they LIKE Scouting, ask them to invite their friends to consider joining. If they DON'T like Scouting, even in theory, plan on choice#2, unfortunately. I would not even recharter with the problem families. The dynamics are too challenging and it is obvious, even from the short story form of your situation, that the boys are the victims of their environment. Too bad. If the Troop could have stood up to the fathers in the first place, the boys might have benefited. Godspeed and good luck. YiS

Simple. State IDs: driver license. include finger print, any hard to counterfeit measures. Coordinate thru fed service, national data bank. States already coordinate driver records for traffic ticket exchange. My traffic points "earned" in North Carolina show up on my Maryland record reeeaaal quick. As a Census Job Test Examiner, I saw lots of driver licenses, both in and out of state. Even some out-of-country ones. Not that much different thruout the USA. Biggest difference being different forms of serial numbers. And that type of difference can be a good thing, another way to vouch the authentic. I once saw a good looking license, from Connecticut, it read. Picture of the cute young lady presenting it, numbers, holographic seal, restrictions: "A1, D". I turned it over and there was a list of "restrictions": A type of vehicle: 1: Passenger car... B. Daytime use only C: Corrective eye lenses D: For Entertainment purposes and use only... She did not take the test that day.

C42: Just trying to be "inclusive" , I guess. I had a fifty/fifty chance. :-) My apologies. Still, how a particular faith addresses their religious award is ,to me, at least, much an academic exercise and of interest, but not really something for me to critique. We did a "group" when I earned the "God and Country" waaay back when.

And why is ANYONE discussing how a faith administers their own award, which is NOT a BSA award, but is only "approved" for wear on the uniform? If the faith wishes to "teach" the award, that is their thing, not ours. The faith defines the requirements for the award, BSA has no say in how it is learned/counseled/proven. Worksheets, booklets, research essays, sessions with the pastor/rabbi/minister, none of these things are items for outside discussion to my mind. These are for the faith (and it's liaison with BSA) to determine. Now, whether the faith itself is acceptable to the BSA, there's another thread; but I won't start it. Ya, Camilam42 might have come off as "a little rough" on Beavah, but her defensiveness was politely appropriate IMHO.

Any politician, on any level, offer to take a pay cut, even a symbolic one?

Well, of course! A neat idea! Rare that one can learn a new knot/lash and be able to attribute it to it's inventor! Thanks! I will pass it on...

Just recveived latest BSA Scoutstuff catalog. Page 20, "BluBSA Denim Jeans... with BSA logos and all...

"Hello. May I speak to the manager ((of this Outback restaurant)), please?" "I'm the manager. What can I do for you?" "I'm organizing our Cub Pack's Blue and Gold banquet and we'd like to explore having you cater it this year. Do you do that sort of thing?" "Absolutely. Let's look at the menu. We can provide small New York strip steaks, garlic potatoes, and green beans au gratin and tossed salad and rolls. Does that sound alright?" " Oh, that sounds great. We were thinking about a hundred people all together, Cubs and families. How much would that be per person?" " Nothing. We do this all the time and it's our pleasure. I'm a Scout dad myself". "NOTHING??" "Freebie. Glad to do it. You have to come and pick it up, but we will provide all the food and serving gear. We'll have it ready for you at your set time in the warming boxes to carry it in." "Well, thank you!" "Sure thing. Now, when is this happening?" True story. Shhhhh...

Yep. Local mall has an embroidery kiosk, does custom hats, shirts, jackets. The owner is a Scout. He will embroider your name on your shirt (or jacket) for $5. Looks nice, but it kind of blends in. I find a tag is more obvious and eye catching... Jamboree nametags are/were black/blue on tan. Troop issues white on black nametags to all Scouts/Scouters from Scoutshop. Nice touch for forgetful ASMs.(This message has been edited by SSScout)

Ja, ja, ja, stimmt das... serves me right for not checking in mein worterbuch... ..."ornament, trimmings, adornment..." usw. nicht "putsch".

Here 'bouts in the Bawlmer Marlyn area, we have a tradition known as a "putze", from the German for "set" or "install". Also called "Train Gardens", they are often elaborate model train displays set up by private citizens, shopping malls , fire departments or auto body shops. Anything from 1890s towns to Smurf villages to frigate sea battles are modeled with a model train as a tie in (don't say 'toy' train!! ...shiver...). Ever see the USS Enterprise launch jets over an express train? Miniature circus next to the Daylight Limited? Movement and fun are the OOO and AAAHH factors here. Here's a listing in our area, if you're in the neighborhood, check 'em out. Steamed crabs are optional...... http://www.wvmgrs.org/ click on "Grandpa's Holiday Train Garden Page"

I was visiting my wife's office when a collegue came in laughing ,with a box in her hand. Seems she was cleaning out a storage cabinet that had not been used in some time and wanted to know if she should keep this new, unopened box of... carbon paper.

Doesn't hurt to practice and remind folks about "the SSign". CM or SM stands in the front of the room, raises right hand in the SSign, looks at left wrist (watch). When room is sufficiently quiet he/she says (as appropriate) "2 minutes 17 seconds. We can do better than that. ALL RIGHT! LET'S MAKE SOME NOISE!!" ( noise is made) SM/CM puts up SSign. Looks at watch. "OK! 12 seconds. Much better." Meeting continues....

Home school is no obstacle. Check with your other H/Sers and form a combo! Share in the cost of a tutor. Scoutson is H/Sed and is Troop Bugler. The main obstacle is the PRACTICING! Mostly he gets inspired when he sees/hears me warming up for the next Camporee. Even piano lessons will transfer to reading bugle staff. My problem initially was in the paper music. My trombone is bass clef, bugle is treble clef. But the basic theory is the same. "If bugling be the food of Scouting, play on..." or something...

Datswatimtawkinbout... Thanks, Stosh.

Ah, the turn of a word. Mottos (Whatsa motto? nothin'. Whatsa motto wit' you?), slogans. I suppose each generations has their own,in it's own context... Stosh made me think ... "Bet you don't do that again" "Hey! Watch this!" (comment after a grey area comment) "Mebbe, mebbe not". "More like, they be guidelines, actual" "What a revoltin' developement this is" "Yada, yada, yada..."

Search this site for lots of good discussion about bugling. First thing I would recommend, does your school offer a band program? Learning the trumpet or cornet is a good intro to bugle! Actually, any brass instrument can complement bugle . or vice versa.. I played Trombone before becoming Troop bugler (uncle's bugle. Family history!), and still play the occasional camporee or Woodbadge course. Go to the Scoutshop and pick up the bugling CD #AV-054CD, then he can have something to copy/model. The previously mentioned site is very good, too. Buzzing with just the mouthpiece is good practice to strengthen one's embrouchure. The usual bugle only has a range of 6 notes, 7 if your really good. You can play bugle without learning to read music, but the ability to read the charts makes one much more flexible. Pursue the band program if possible. If your Cubson shows real interest, replace the original bugle mouthpiece with a trumpet/cornet one. It is much more comfortable on the lip and the tone is better. A good silver Bach 12C is kinda expensive, but worth it if your boy is the least bit serious about playing bugle. Tie a string on it to prevent it's lose (mine is driven so tight in the bugle I'd have to heat the tube to extract it now!). A man is on his way to a concert at the Kennedy Center in DC. He stops a man on the sidewalk and asks," Hey, can you tell me how to get to the Kennedy Center Concert Hall?" the man shakes his finger at the questioner and proclaims, "PRACTICE! my son, PRACTICE!" Good luck!

If the "commands" make sense (and these are what are used in our area CSDC and Troop and Pack meetings: "Color guard advance, post the colors, Please join me in..., color guard reform, about face, color guard retire/dismissed..."), then where is the problem? The goal is a respectful placing of the national emblem at the front of the room. We, as Cub Scout or Boy Scout leaders are under no real obligation to follow any set military protocol. "It oughtta go like this..." is always a welcome comment but we are here as examples, not necessarily rule givers. I will remind us of all the "rules" about flag handling we have to debunk all the time. We are teaching respect, and the reasons for that respect. The necessary ritual need be adaptable to the situation and personnel involved. The boys will catch on. It is a learning process for the boys. Do they need prompting? often. Do we smile and gently shake our heads at the gaffs? yes. Do they learn? absolutely. Are we proud when they do it well? heartily so. When they smurk and giggle uncomfortably when the flag staff bumps the ceiling, do we chastise them afterward? perhaps in private. Maybe it is then an opportunity for a CMMinute or SMMinute about history and striving for perfection and not acheiving it.

Long ago, humans discovered that cloth/animal hides stretched between/around poles (trees)could protect from sun and rain. My Scoutdaze tents were of three types: * Tarps, either canvas or plastic. Drape over a rope stretched between two trees, or some other creative means of support. * Wall tent, or it's cousins, the Baker, or Camper or Explorer. Canvas and not usually anything else. * The Pup tent, canvas or coated nylon, of varying size. Surplus shelter halves, bigger Eureka types, or on up to the classic summer camp Wall tent on a platform. The rained on canvas was dry until you touched it. But , it kept the rain off and sun out of your eyes and the drip of what ever it was from the trees at night. Temporary shelter was changed forever by four developements, which seemed to come about the same time: The improvement in materials (coated nylon, plastic self healing zippers, fiberglass poles), the external support systems ("umbrella tent"), and attached waterproof floors! No more seperate ground cloth! Thus you had ease of erection, lighter weight, more unobstructed space inside, nothing to forget or set up badly (ever had the rain come down the tent, onto your groundcloth and into your tent? Tuck that GC inside!)and NO CREEPY CRAWLIES! I have found this last to be the single most unapreciated improvement between then and now. If you want a tent to entertain in, yu can get a big dome tent. If only shelter for the night, then a tarp will still suffice. I went on a Troop trip and the Scouts oohed and aahed at the tarp I set up. Course, it was only me, but what more did I really need? A 10 by 15 foot tarp, 5 feet on the ground, staked snug, folded up 4 feet with two poles I cut on the spot, and over the last 6 feet to cover with two more poles. I did bring the pegs with me, but cut four just for show. It was roomy and protected from the morning drizzle.

Parcel out duties such that the boys are not just busing tables. Boys should be cooking, serving, welcoming, cashiering, entertaining (skits, anyone?) right along with the adults. Make a display of activities, pictures and Scout memorablia in the entry hall. Get the media involved. Pester the local TV and newspapers to come and see some "good news" to report. Lots of advance notice. Taste test the menu a week before. Leave time to "correct" things. Bake sale? Dessert included? Make sure you invite the CO's IH and COR and get on their newsletter/ bulletin. And everyone wear the Troop Tshirt (or class As? Spaghetti stains?) and hats.

All of the above... Ask around and find someone with a good telescope and look at Jupiter and Saturn, both of which are visible this time of year, Jupiter early in the evening, Saturn much later (how late do you want to stay up??) http://www.astronomy.com/News-Observing/Astronomy%20Kids.aspx Altho it is no longer a FC rank requirement, find the North Star and talk about navigation. Learn the major constellations and you can tell some of their stories, either American Indian, or Egyptian or Roman or whatever. I always liked the Iroquois story about the bears...

But aren't things already "standardized"? Isn't that what the Scout Handbook is about? Unless we get specific "Train the Tester" requirements, then a Maryland First Class should still be equivalent to an Oregon First Class. It is the local folks' responsibility to see that the Scout really does know how to tie the knot and light a fire and ID Poison Ivy. That is where we have our discussions, how so and so isn't really REQUIRING the Scout to show "proficiency". Parlor Scouting vs Trail Scouting? It's not as tho the Maryland Scout uses a different HB than the Oregon Scout. Different school systems use different textbooks, BSA uses ONE textbook. We could, I suppose, start on about the "dumbing down" of Scouting, again. But that's been done. As to teaching to the test, at our last IOLS, our Fearless Leader reminded his staff that we had a syllabus from National to teach, but it was alright to add our own experience to it. For instance, teaching fire building and safety, not only what was in the BSHB (10'safety circle, fizzle sticks, etc.), but such things as using Cheetos© to start the fire, or demo a fire piston, or tell the story about how the OA wanted a really well illuminated Camporee campfire program, so they built twin 8' high oak pallet campfires but neglected to arrange any water source nearby...and how certain Scouters spoke gently to them about it...

Scoutnut has the correct answers. see also http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Awards/ReligiousAwards.aspx and www.praypub.org What is often not recognized is that ANY Scout may earn ANY religious award, with permission of the faith. I met a young man at a formal Scout event and recognized three religious awards on his pocket, the God and Country, the Ad Altare Dei, and the Ner Tamid. I asked him about this and this is the story he told me. His father was Jewish, his mother Catholic and the Troop was sponsored by a Methodist Church. He had no trouble finding the time to earn all three awards, the faith leaders involved evidently were very cooperative.

Anybody have a link to the Johnny Carson routine selling the "new and improved toy, Dickie the Stick"? Needs no batteries!