SSScout

All good experience and ideas here. I will offer one bit that is somewhat relavant to car judging: I have a friend who is an antique car afficianando. He tells this story. He was at a car show and the judging for "Best of Show" came down to two Dusenburgs, virtually identical, he said. To break the tie, the judges drained some coolant from the radiators and measured the amount of RUST in each sample. The car with the least was declared winner. Least saw dust?

Scoutson went this past summer. Drove down with Troop group. The official Troop expense included two special tshirts and overnight stops at two campgrounds and a side trip coming back for a history lesson. Not quite two weeks, total. Beyond the pre trip expenses (new swimtrunks, sunglasses, sandals, etc.)Scoutson spent less than $100. more on lunches, souvenir patches and a pirate tshirt ("Stick to the Code: Trustworthy, Loyal, etc."). Mostly lunches, it seems. It is an expesive trip, no two ways about it, but he said he'd definitely go again if he could (mebbe with his Scoutson in more than a few years?).

Eisely: I presume you mean the little sheets of crinkly stuff that is supposed to make your clothes wrinkle free? Softner? Not cotton percale or polyester blend? What would they do? Keep the bugs away or attract them? Do they really work in your experience?

Okay, the previous thread implies a danger in kid's sports not inherent in Scouting. This led me to think about the pros and cons of each... Please add as things occur to you... SCOUTING: PRO: +get to work with like minded folks. + posssibly learn fair play, abiding by rules, ideals of good citizenship. +learn new skills and abilities (make a big list of MBs and rank requirements and such) + get to camp and hike in the outdoors, fresh air (coff, coff, campfire smoke) + wear neato uniform (alright, opinion here) + attitude of public toward Scouting is generally positive? CON: - Cost of uniform and equipment can be prohibitive. - Adult leaders may not be the best all the time. - Other kids/adults may not view your choice of activity as worthy (or they may be jealous). "peer preasure". - Time constraints. - possibly fall off cliffs, poison ivy, chillblains, blisters, sunstroke, possible child abuse (rare), various scrapes and bruises, get lost and be billed for rescue by helicopter... SPORTS: PRO: + physical exercise and skill gained. + chance of big money with the pros. (ha ha ha) + comraderee (?) with your buds, joy of victory. + neato uniform. + learn fairplay, abiding by rules. + learn to accept dissapointment. + leadership, cooperation, obedience practiced. + working toward a group goal. CON: - Cost of uniform and equipment can be prohibitive. - injury is very possible. - not abiding by rules is sometimes promoted over the other thing. - dissapointment is very possible. Not everyone wins. The agony of defeat.(maybe this is a pro?) - Time constraints. - the possibility that mom/dad are the ones that want Jr. to play when he'd rather not (see Scouting, too). Stress resulting. Just off the top of my uncombed head... Can you add?(This message has been edited by SSScout)

* Think about the stuff you and your family talk about, what is important to you at the time. * Divy up the Cub Promise and the Law of the Pack. Each section will lend itself to a little comment, a question for the boys to mull over ... "What does it mean to make a promise? Have you ever had someone not keep apromise they made to you?" that sort of thing. * Actively ask the boys a question and solicit an actual answer. This is a good campfire thing, walking around the campfire and seeking answers. Noone really expects a Cub Scout age boy to think deep thoughts, but they will surprise you, given a chance. * Remind them of some fun or activity they just had. Compare it to something else. You'll do fine. It's the desire that is often lacking, but you want to say something and therefore you will. If the pithy thing isn't there, then just say the Cub master's benediction and wish everyone a safe trip home. *

Found this on Scouting.org::: "SAT/ACT Software Available to Scouts" NFL and MLB players support eKnowledge donation of free SAT/ACT software to Boy Scouts of America families In alliance with the Boy Scouts of America, eKnowledge is offering SAT and ACT test prep programs valued at $200, free to Boy Scout families. The eKnowledge Sponsorship Alliance is made up of educationally focused foundations, as well as a group of professional athletes from the National Football League and Major League Baseball that includes Warrick Dunn and Chipper Jones. The eKnowledge Sponsorship Alliance has provided more than 120,000 SAT/ACT prep programs to families all over the United States. I believe in using my gifts and public image to help the community, said Chipper Jones, six-time All-Star and future Hall of Fame baseball player. Now in its fourth year, the eKnowledge Sponsorship Alliance has donated more than $26 million of SAT/ACT test preparation programs. In response to the donation, eKnowledge has received more than 40,000 thank-you letters from those who have benefited from the test preparation programs. The PowerPrep program helps prepare students to take the exams and increases student confidence, which can result in higher test scores and thousands of dollars in scholarships. EKnowledge recently announced the arrival of the new v6x SAT/ACT PowerPrep software; v6x was in development for more than two years at a cost of $1.5 million. It includes more than 20 hours of video instruction, 3,000 files of supplemental test prep material, thousands of interactive diagnostic tools, sample questions, practice tests, and graphic teaching illustrations. The new PowerPrep v6x software is Mac- and PC-compatible. Families interested in obtaining the FREE $200 v6x SAT/ACT PowerPrep Programs may order online at www.eknowledge.com/bsa or by calling 951-256-4076. There is a small "handling fee".

Just for fun... http://www.netwoods.com/cermonies/adltawds.html

There you go. Always important to define your terms. "Chinese Auction": Everyone buys a numbered ticket. You put your ticket (or ticketS) in a jar/box/bag in front of the item you desire. Buy 100 tickets, place as many as you want in whichever item's box you desire. At appropriate time, ONE ticket is drawn from each bag, and that ticket's number is announced and that person "wins" that item. This is clearly a raffle. Chance plays it's part, not everyone gets the item they want, and the only thing most folks leave with is a paper ticket. "Auction": Items are prresented to the crowd by the Auctioneer and folks can "bid", or say what they are willing to pay for that item. The highest bid "wins" the privilege of paying their bid as the price of the item. People go away with their bankroll intact or with the item(s) they have purchased. Value of the item determined ostensibly by the amount people are willing to pay for it, but they go away with something of "value" fo their money. "Silent Auction": SSSHHHHH!!!! Items are displayed and a signup sheet is attache to each. Folks pereambulate around and write their name and bid on each items sheet as to which items they would like to buy for what price. Each bid can be "upped" by the next bidder on the sheet (that's what we want!). During the bid time, entertainment is presented, food and drink is sold and bought, a good time is had by all (we hope). At the announced time, all bid sheets are collected, the high winning bids are announced, the proud "winning" bidders pay their price and go home with their items. This is NOT a raffle, as no chance is involve, and every successful bidder/buyer goes home with something of value, paid for at a price agreeable to both buyer and seller. At 4 H cake auctions, I have seen chocolate cakes bring a thousand dollars, cupcakes bring ten dollars each. It is all in the presentation and worthiness of the effort. As to the accumulation of the items for auction, that is another thing. Items might be services (catered dinner, rake your leaves), a trip (drive your kids to school for a week, ten days in the Bahamas) or a real thing (box of Cheerios, lawnmower, antique chair, homemade cake). But NOT a raffle.

Glad we could help. ;-) But who IS going to the JSN? Any good show and tell for it? Photos? Computer show? Flags? Tents? Ropes? Give out free popcorn! And stickers. Boys love stickers: ((Cub symbol)) "HEY MOM AND DAD! CALL CUB SCOUT PACK XYZ FOR ME! PHONE CUBMASTER JOHN SMITH 555.666.7777"

Proofreading... I substitute teach every so often. I was called to a Middle school english class recently. The Sub Plan that the regular teacher left me instructed that the class should orally read their book reports. Young man starts and stumbles on a word. I comment that if he wrote it, he should know the word... he said he knows his words, but his mom edited the report for him and added some new ones....

Three words::: Roadsideamerica dot com www.roadsideamerica.com http://www.roadsideamerica.com/blog/lint-pickers-wanted/ for a good part time servce opportunity in Oregon...

Funny you should mention... I have recently begun commishing a new Troop and Pack chartered to an evangelical Hispanic based church. The youth minister is so gung-ho it is frightening. But he and I have alot of the same problems that other units have. There is a small core of adults who want their boys to be Scouts ("a good gang to belong to!"), but have NO experience with Scouting and are "afraid we'll do it wrong". So we have some Scout leaders on the charter in name only. Yes they are getting trained, but... see below for membership problems. The boys who come regularly have hands off parents, who have limited english (and I have limited spanish), but they devour the Scout stuff I present, and the adults who are there practice the knots and flag folding right along with the boys. The church provides the Scout manuals and uniform shirts. I have arranged for other Scouters to come and talk/teach about camping and equipment. We are going to borrow some tents from another Troop and are working to attend the District Camporee in a month. Do the boys want to go camping? Absolutely. Do the families go camping? Not many if any in this group. Another problem, which one of the church leaders has been very open to me about. Not all the parents are "legals" (and I haven't asked who). So, not everyone has a valid SSN. Therefore, no Scouter registration. Therefore, no MYSCOUTING account, no training. This limits the people that can sign up to be committee folks, treasurer, etc. Soccer? Nope. The boys I deal with are academic types, Redskin fans, and tv-aholics. Nary a Foosballer among them. Is it worth while? Absolutely, but I have reminded them that I cannot be their Cubmaster/Scoutmaster. Ultimately, they must find those from among their own numbers. I agree with the previous evaluations of Mr. Mazucca's remarks. He does Scoouting no favor by trying to change it's focus to please a wrongly perceived clientile.

Fear. Put his name and phone number NEATLY behind a row of MBs, so any marker ink won't bleed thru. Also put it on his OA sash, if appropriate, on the back of his Scout belt (especially if it is a special belt:: Philmont, Jamboree, etc.), bottom hem of his shirt, back of necker, too.. Ordinary BIC ball point pen will do. Better yet, HE should put it on the back. Such ID is,after all, for the benefit of the HONEST finder. "A Scout is Trustworthy".

Latin... Ms Fitch, my HS Latin teacher, would be proud. Latin is again a language of choice in our local school system, after being dropped for some years. It sure is good that God doesn't have a required/favorite language. Ever watch babies interact/play before they "learn" the language of their parents? I sometimes think they have their own inherent language. HABETIS BONA DEUM

Yep, lots of talent and info, but where did the stats come from? I can't seem to find anything like them there. Lots of links. Which ones?

S5 L5, 25 years ago. Opted for chemo neurolysis, after consulting with four surgeons, each touting their own, different technique, each saying the others were (in essence) quacks. After, I worked at strengthening my back with walking, swimming, yoga and PT. A year after the surgery, I could admit to feeling "normal" again. Counsel: Do what you feel comfortable, but for the first 3 or 4 months, DO NOT carry a full backpack. Swing axe, carry stuff in your arms/hands, DO YOUR EXERCISES, but go slow and build up gradually. Be sensitive to what your back tells you. Listen to your doctor's and PTist's counsel, but remember that YOU are the one that has to do the healing. I would walk for longer and longer stretches, and LAY DOWN at the end, exhausted, but get up and walk some more, feeling stronger each week. Don't be embarrassed when folks look at you strange for being prone on the trail, it's your back... Hike with your boys, but try not to carry on your back. One thermarest on level, rockfree ground should suffice. How bout a BikeHike? Bicycling can be good therapy.

A CO has many duties/responsibilities/uses to the unit. By charter (ask the Council for a copy. Read the small print): a CO "should" provide a place for the unit to meet (your self charter might rent or use someones rec room), provide financial stability, approve the unit leadership, and just "be there" for the unit. Obviously, some are "hands off", some are "controlling". A unit blessed with a good CO will benefit from a stable place to meet, store things, a wall to hang certificates on, tax advantages, Dutch Uncle help, publicity, financial help and counsel, lots of things. Continuity comes to mind. We home school, Scoutson's Troop is Chartered to a Methodist Church. Our overseeing home school group was once considering chartering a Scout unit, but the HS families decided to stay with their original Troops/Packs. CO's can be any responsible organization. I know of Scout units sponsored by Lions Clubs, Vol. Fire Cos. , American Legions, PTAs, churches, mosques, even a hardware store. Poke around, you might find a sympathetic something to be your CO!

Skeptic: This is neat... Where/what is the source of this data? I don't see it on Stevensons' site.

Acco40: It was a rank. And the AoL was an extra, earned rank, not unlike Eagle. I have a "W" diamond badge in my collection, AND the AoL strip. Back then, the Den was numbered, the rank was earned. We were not "Wolf" Den, we were Den 3, and we earned the "Wolf " badge/rank. The rational for creating the Webelos two year program was to give Cubs a gradual tarnsition to full fledge Boy Scouting. Lion age Cubs were deemed getting bored with Cubby stuff, and in need of more BScout like stuff. Packs created the terms "Web 1, Web 2," or "Jr. & Sr. Webelos". I don't think (cite and correct me here) that there is anything ""official"" about those terms. If the program isn't fun or rewarding for the boys, all the interlocking naming isn't going to help.

1948 Fieldbook, I photocopy pages about knife and axe use for IOLS. Good illustrations (photos) of a Scout(!) chopping , sharpening, cutting down a tree.

Here 'tis, Deacon... http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30243.pdf "On the national level the Federal Flag Code provides uniform guidelines for the display of and respect shown to the flag. In addition to the Code, Congress has by statute designated the national anthem and set out the proper conduct during its presentation. The Code is designed for the use of such civilian groups or organizations as may not be required to conform with regulations promulgated by one or more executive departments of the federal government. Thus, the Flag Code does not prescribe any penalties for non-compliance nor does it include enforcement provisions; rather the Code functions simply as a guide to be voluntarily followed by civilians and civilian groups." That said, there are some penalties enacted elsewhere in the US Code for certain ""desecretory acts"". Look'em up seperately.

Heard about the new movie about the mountain climbing pirates? "Pirates of the Caribiner"

"You don't appreciate the water til the well runs dry" I still run into the Scouts/parents from the folded Cub Pack I mentioned. I wonder what those boys will think if they go back and try to retrace their history. My son went from Cubs to Boy Scouts, and opted to join the same Troop I grew up in. I didn't realize it when I was a Scout in it, but the history is important. I felt kinda of good when I realized that this Troop had been putting along for at least 50 years. Then I realized that my old Cub Pack was still there, too! Mimi: What is your goal? Just for your boy or perhaps for his son, too? "A tree is not planted for us, but for our grandchilden".

I am not a tax accountant, or a CPA, or a Comptroller, nor do I play one on TV. That being said, I will note that each of the aforementioned organizations (Scout Council, Bank, IRS, State Sales Tax folks, Cub Scout parents) have their own concerns and requirements. Here is what I observe: *Parents want a Cub Scout Pack, and the program/bling/fun that comes with it for their boys and themselves. (note: underline "themselves") *State Sales Tax folks want to know if you are selling anything (popcorn? candy bars?) and should you have a sales tax license and pay the S/T to the state? *IRS wants any "organization" to have a tax number so the org can be tracked to make sure they really are a non-profit, charitable org. *Bank wants to make sure the "owner " of the bank account is legit, responsible and they are not breaking any laws or laundering any ill- gotten gains. *Scout Council wants a new Cub Pack so they can say they have a new Cub Pack. Numbers are everything to the DE and Council. Fees and Dues collected are important too, but they NEVER cover all the expenses inherent in governing the Scout program, which is important, but where the priorities are depends on who is the DE and the SE. Ultimately, any 5 adults could declare themselves "Friends of Dry Gulch Valley Cub Scouts" and they would probably get a BSA Charter. The CO is the "owner" of the Pack and as such, the CO is the party responsible for any financial repercussions of the Pack. I knew a Cub Pack chartered to the charitable foundation of the local hospital. The CP used the hospitals tax ID, but other than signing the charter papers each year, the hospital folks did nothing with/for/to the Pack. It eventually folded for lack of support. No one outside the actual Pack cared for the Pack. When your group of interested parents move on when your boys age out or drop out, what will happen to the Pack?

Msr. LeRoy: I don't think I implied that "athiests haven't thought about it". I said that anyone can join. All they have to do is fill out the application and sign it (or their parents, at least) and pay the dues. The assumption is that after reciting the Scout promise, (or reading it the first time) and if they didn't read the "Declaration of Religious Principle" on the application (or whatever it is called nowadays) the first time they filled it out, then eventually the Scout or adult will come to the realization that they can agree with it or not. If not, then the result will be as I described above. If yes, then the Scout or adult will proceed in the Scouting program as they will. If they paid attention to those two things BEFORE they signed up, they might not... Please note the anecdote about the CSDC parent and her Cub. If the athiest wants the Scout program for their progeny without the "duty to God", then they might ask about it, and then not join, but I personally know of no adult leader who will insist on a conference to determine if the Scout applicant is "worthy" of admission. That is not going to happen. This is , more than anything else, a self selecting organization. We invite folks to participate, but boys, girls, and adults are constantly deciding "this isn't for me", both before they pay their dues and months, years after. I have great respect for the athiest belief (or lack of). The logic exhibited most often in it's justification is exempary. But then, with all the various faiths I am aware of, logic often has little to do with religious belief. Another thread. Now where is that "Faith, Religion and Chaplaincy" forum? I left it somewhere over here...