SSScout

Indeed, thank you Terry. Yes, Norton was specific. The "danger" sites were listed. I took the specified site URLs and PMed them to Terry for consideration, knocking the dot for safety. The next day, this thread came up. 'Nuff said.

Scouter,com has discussed this before: http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=253281#id_253583 and http://mypack507.org/docs/Whittling%20Chip%20Requirements.pdf among lots of google things. Have fun be careful... KiSMiF

If you want to save the ribbons for history/acknowledgement/bragging rights/oo-aahing, you need to get them OFF the flag pole. It only makes the pole top heavy and hard for younger Scouts to carry with 40 years(!) of camporee ribbons tied 'round the finial, and they will only degrade and fade and fall off. And how can you read the record if it's 8 feet up and bunched up like that? Take them off, Leave the last two or three years worth on if you want. Take the ribbons, wipe them with a DRY cloth (dampness may run the old colors), iron them out flat on a COOL setting(rayon doesn't take kindly to a hot iron) face down (don't want to melt the colors), and press them between some cardboard until you can mount them permanently. If you are not "archival" concerned, get carpet double stick tape and the folding display boards from Office Depot or your local Dollar store. If you really want to go the preservation route, check with your local scrapbook person/store and get acid free tape and display board. Organize it by year, type, Scoutmaster, however you want. Write Scouts names alongside the appropriate ribbon, if anyone can remember...

:-})> Smiling man with mustache and goatee. ;-{) Smiling man, winking, with walrus mustache.

What you have is the history of a Scout. I see a pattern but it is missing one or two pieces. The patches do have an intrinsic value in dollars to collectors, they also have (had?) a value in history and nostalgia to the "neighbor". Perhaps he had no family to pass them on to. I have gone to conventions, Jamborees, and other Scout activities where an older Scouter, who made my acquantance, perhaps over hours or days or years, has asked if I would like to have "some of these old pins and things". I do not actively collect Scout memoribilia, but if it comes to me, I accept it in the spirit it was presented. I attended a three day long Scout conference out in Indiana once. Some of these folks I knew thru long distance correspondance and it was good to meet them in person. Some I had never met in any fashion. One of the outgoing officers of the group announced to the rest of us, "I have some things I'd like you folks to have" and proceeded to empty out on the table a box of pins, patches, neckers, commemorative woggles and hats. We all leaned back and collectively gasped. These dated back to the 1950 Valley Forge Jamboree and earlier. None of us quite knew how to react. He gestured and encouraged us to take what we "took a fancy to". I came away with a necker from the Idaho Jamboree and some other items. He was passing on his tradition to us. Most of my "stuff" is personal, earned or attended by me. I have some other "collector" stuff, and I respect the history and tradition it represents. They are artifacts. Kinda like my fathers westling award belt from high school or my uncles award for "aeroplane flight modeling". I value them, not for their collectability (Antigues Roadshow?) but for the connection they represent of ME NOW to THEM THEN. Perhaps the "neighbor" would like to come out and be an "uncle" to the Cubs of your Pack? Now there's a new POR...We had a fine old Scouter who was famous for inventing new craft items (clothes pin woggles? "rocket launchers" out of paper clips?)and was a regular at Roundtable, though his children were long , long time out of Scouting. Figure out a way to display them for your Cubs and learn what they represent. How did the "neighbor" come by them? Where did they come from? I don't think Taconic Scout District is in North Carolina! Can your Cubs see themselves "earning", collecting such over their Scout career? Can you use these found items to intrigue your Cubs? No, these are too valuable to use as "prizes". Wow, what a Cubmaster's minute.... or two.... Good luck and KiS MiF!(This message has been edited by SSScout)

SCOUTING: + Everyone can earn First Class, with or without help. And help will be there. SPORTS: - Not everyone will "make the team". SCOUTS: -/+ Outdoorsy program is not for everyone, but there are other ways to be a Scout. Sports: - You either play, or you don't. Team manager? Score keeper? Not the same thing. "I was an Eagle Scout" "I was a Bob Warner Football player" Compare? Granted, "Remember the Titans" is a good story, but the virtue/value of the coach was the source of the boy's growth, NOT the football sport.

Again go again do we. Leave the Church flag where it stands for services. Ask the Pastor, it will probably be next to the lectern/pulpit. On the RIGHT from the congregations view. Process the colors as you will, US flag on it's own right (audience left view). Take all the old ribbons off the Pack flag pole. Sort them out, by year, type, etc. Clean them up a little. Get a cardboard fold up display panel from Staples/Offfice Depot?CVS and a roll of double stick tape. Make a display of all the awards garnered by the Pack over the years. Show'em off at B&G, and various other times.

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.