SSScout

3/4" plastic plumbing pipe (donated by local plumber?) cut with hacksaw into 3/4" lengths. Check size for fit on neckerchief. Clothes pin (either spring type or push on type, donated by local hardware store?)). Blue and/or yellow pipe cleaners, cut to size. Fast drying acylic or poster paint. Small brushes. Fine line markers. Paint clothes pins to look like Cub Scouts. Put pipe cleaners in appropriately as arms. Hot glue or "Goop" the Cub pins to the pipe pieces, dry in minutes. Cub Neckers slides! Variations are possible: Go to art/craft store, find thin rubbery material, Blue and Gold and Red. (1)Cut Blue into 2" squares, (2) cut gold into 1 3/4" squares (3) cut red into 1 1/2" "100" siloheutte, deliniate with black fine line marker to read "100" (4) glue "100" on gold diamond, (5) glue gold diamond on blue diamond (6) glue gold diamond on blue diamond (7) glue blue diamond on pipe section, right side up! For "field day", alot of this can be pre cut. KiS MiF YiS

Example one: Scout promotional activity, out in public. A half dozen Scouts,two parents, and me (my Scoutson is not present). Parent one and I sit back and, after making sure Scouts are well instructed on how things operate, let them do it. Parent two adjusts Scoutson' hat chin cord. I mention hat cord placement is a "style thing". P2Sson smiles and grimaces toward P2. P2 reminds SSon how to hold on. P2 goes and lends hand before Scouts ask for help. P1 makes comment that P2Sson is a very capable boy, P2 should be proud. P2 smiles and giggles, and sits down nervously. Example two: Camping trip. Rain threatens. A dozen scouts, SM, 2 other parents and me. My Scoutson is present. Scouts are busy setting up dining fly, a task most of them are familiar with, but a couple of the younger ones are new to. SM notes that SOMEONE did not put the gear away neatly the last time. P2 goes up and starts untangling ropes and pegs. P2Sson says "Don't mom, we can do that". P1 and I and SM smile at each other. Example three: The previous weekend, the ASM had led a Totin' Chip class for some new Scouts. At next Tmeeting, P2 comes up and says,"Sson told me you taught him how to make this" and he holds out a well crafted tent peg. On an affirmative answer, P2 responds, "I can never get him to do anything at home. How is it you can get him to do this?" Conversation ensues.

About a year ago, Scoutson and I decided we needed to get CPR/AED trained. Couldn't find a cert class to fit our schedules, so I contacted an agency and organized a class for our Scout District. 25 people signed up. Good class, sensitive, knowledgeable teacher. Everyone very satisfied. Fast forward to last week. Scoutson is back from Jambo. County Fair is on. Wife, Scoutson (4H) and I are at the County Fair Rabbit Barn. Because of my allergies, I work the "front door" of the barn, where the fresh air is the most plentiful. Up walks a man who looks vaguely familiar. He greets me heartily, shakes my hand and says "You may not remember me, I'm John Smith. I was in that CPR class last year with you. I've been wanting to tell you, that class you set up saved my life. That instructor, what was her name? Janet? Jacky? Anyway, she described the symptoms of a oncoming heart attack? After the class I started realizing that I had some of those feelings. I went to my doc the next week and he checked me out. Had ((here, he described in lurid detail the artery replacement that was done)) and after, man, I hadn't felt that good in a LONG time. When will there be another class?". I breathed in deeply, said I was glad the class had been so "useful" to him. We both laughed. As to the next class, I reminded him that the Council had ongoing CPR/AED classes, but I had been meaning to get a new, local one scheduled. We parted company. I noted that he had not looked particularly overweight or in ill health, either then or now. And I felt glad I had been moved to set up that class. It will happen again in the near future. I promise.

To paraphrase a few BSA "guidelines", Scouting is intended to help our young people learn to make good ethical decisions. Along the way, they should also learn some skills and techniques that can keep them hale and healthy both in wild and urban settings, and perhaps help others in poor circumstances. They should be able to take pride in those skills. The rank awards (and others, like Tottin' Chip) give witness to those skills (or should). If the boys in the Troop seem to be lax in their skills, then tutelege and practice is in order. Games? Sounds like they are good at dodgeball. No need for practice there. Knots? Splices? Map and Compass? Flag ettiquete? Organizing things? Leadership? I would take the SM at his word, go to the PLC (such as it is) and the other ASMs and parents (you implied you had some agreement about the problems you described) and help the PLC (teach them and they teach the Scouts?) to organize knot tying games. An axe yard and tent peg making practice. Cut some sufficient poles and lash together a modest tower they can climb on. SAFELY (not 20feet tall, only 5 or 6). A schedule over several months' meetings and outings. It ain't gonna happen overnight. Work slow. Address the Scouts' concerns, the rest will follow. Pull out that old Field Book. Make copies of the pertinent pages. Make sure the boys have their Handbooks and share the instruction therein with them. They may never (by your description) have SEEN the pertinent pages in their handbooks, only the sign off pages. Do not go behind the SM's back about any of this. Make sure he is "in the loop". Help him to see the benefit of your efforts. You are making his job easier. Do not plan these activities without his knowledge and OK. Never embarass the Scout for his ignorance, but teach ALL the Scouts the skill, show ALL them how to tie the bowline, go down the line and individually help EACH be successful. Some, the technique will come naturally. Some, the lack is so usual, they will even challenge you to MAKE them successful. It will sometimes seem like one or two will CONSCIOUSLY try to make it IMPOSSIBLE for you to teach them. Trust me, concentrate on the others who are eager to get good at the skill (knots, canoeing, whatever) and the "proud" ones will come around. Eventually, you will find one or two Scouts who are good at the skill. Let them instruct/help the others. I had a new Troop learning knots and ropes. One young Scout was obviously a natural with things fibrous. He just naturally helped his brother Scouts. Guess who became their first SPL? Again, arrange to teach the PLC, and let them teach the Scouts. The "proud" ones ("I've already passed this") will come around as the others surpass them in REAL skill and knowledge. Make Scouting the game they play (now, where have I heard that? Maybe the GAME has a PURPOSE?), not dodgeball. One can lead, but leading is "come on" not "pushing on" and not "pulling on". As to removing a rank for punishment, I agree with friend Beavah, it may not be according to BSA standards, but encourage the boy to re-earn it, rather than insist that he already has it. "Prove the SM wrong" with his(the Scout's) good effort. He passed the requirements once, it should be a snap the second time. With good instruction, practice and encouragement, he will be the better for it. Along the way, the SM and other adult leaders can be encouraged to take the training (if they haven't) and see the benefit to their boys of the REAL Scouting program.

Did it again, see above. On "Advancement" forum and "Camping and High Adventure" forum. But not this one?

So I try to post something (new, spin off, or reply) and I get this page : ""Microsoft OLE DB Provider for ODBC Drivers error '80040e10' [Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver]COUNT field incorrect or syntax error /forums/post_library.asp, line 91 "" Sometimes it appears, sometimes not. It appears more often than not of late. Any ... thoughts?...

Once upon a time,it came to pass that my registration was denied. Upon some research by people at Council who knew ME, we discovered that thru the years I had been recorded under three variations on my name (during training sessions) with three different BSA numbers (one for CM, one for ASM, and one for UC) AND there were three other men, registered Scouters in different Districts, with the same first and last name! One with the SAME middle initial, two with different middle initials. When I discovered this, I had to jump thru some bureacratic hoops to have it corrected. So far, all my online training is recorded under one name and BSAnumber.

"highest sales does not have to sell popcorn next year" ((tongue firmly in cheek)) Know a Troop (or two) that do their own fund raising (no popcorn) and then just send in a percentage to Council. FoS is another matter...,

Nostalgia... Or in cooking, Nosh-talgia... Back in pre LNT, the Troop of of my youth camped in a woods owned by the brother of the SMs uncle's cousin, or something. This area had been thick in American Chestnut, and even in the late fifties and sixties, the dead Chestnut logs and stumps were our prime source for good firewood. Blue flames and thick coals for all cooking. DO when someone remembered to bring it. Reflector oven biscuits when we were adventurous. Ah me...

I have waited to tell this story for three reasons. One, I was unsure if I should share this with so broad an audience. Two, I did not want to in any way confuse my sons participation in the Jamboree. Three, I received very few responses to PMs I sent to folks on this forum, seeking advice. Perhaps that was part of the greater email troubles weve read about. (Deep breath) Here goes. As some of you know, I was privileged to serve as a Chaplain , representing the Religious Society of Friends, in Jamboree 2005, along with another Friend. We served in every Chaplain capacity. So, we both applied in January 2009 to serve again in 2010. We both had second choices, should we not be Quaker Chaplains. In July 2009, I received an email from National saying your application has not been accepted. Your deposit will be returned. This decision is not appealable. I contacted my colleague, and he said he had heard nothing. He eventually contacted Irving (persistence!!) and he had his own odyssey: including lost forms, wrong spellings, wrong assignments, and a Unitarian (nice fellow, we knew him) mistakenly being named the Friend Chaplain. My colleague was eventually, after many weeks, named the Religious Society of Friends Chaplain. Meanwhile, I decided I would like to know why my application was not accepted. I called and emailed many times, was assured that every official (many) I addressed had my message, but no one called or emailed back for two months (!). Then I finally had three long phone conversations with a gentleman (Ill call him Mr. B) who was the ONLY one who was straight with me. Very long story short: National checks Jamboree staff applications and then shunts them to the applicants local Council, where someone answers a multi category evaluation. This evaluation is considered confidential, ( I had another Pro Scouter say that Mr.B should NOT have told me what it contained). Mr. B revealed to me that my evaluation was not the best, rated poor or fair in such topics as positive attitude, speaking ability and community participation. So (he said) my application was not denied at National, but at my local Council. In talking with my local Council folks, they said they only provide National with information about the applicant. National makes the staffing decisions. Oh hum. I asked: considering my long, detailed, honorable Scouting record (not questioned), awards, experience and work in teaching and public presentation, didnt this evaluation seem somehow inconsistent? Mr. B said he couldnt answer that. Could I have folks that know my spirit and skills write letters to him about my abilities and record? He said he would accept such letters but could not say what, if any, effect they would have. In the months that followed, no fewer than 15 folks wrote letters: bosses, ex-bosses, co-workers, Scouter friends, Woodbadge leaders, IOLS leaders, Friend members, Day Camp Directors, Lions Club leaders all wrote letters. Those they forwarded to me set a very high standard for me to meet. Irony alert: Of the Pro Scouters I know, all but one told me they would gladly write such a support letter, but had been directed by their superiors not to. The last one asked why would I want to put myself at such risk? Why bring such attention to myself? Let it go, in a year, it will be forgotten.... It will? He did not see that my reputation, even so far away as in Irving, was important to me. If I had been told they didnt need any more Chaplains, or parking attendants, or Merit Badge Counselors, or permit passers, I might have salved my disappointment and moved on. But to tell me I was not accepted for ANY duty, I could not understand that. Something was wrong. With me? As I pursued this issue, I subsequently received email from Mr. B and other National Jamboree sections stating that I was NOT accepted (their term) for ANY Jamboree Staff position. I have since met another Scouter that had a similar situation. Had his deposit returned with no explanation. He has had no response to his inquiries. I am drafting (not yet sent) a letter to Mr. Mazucca. My desire is to make him aware of what happened to me so it may not happen to someone else. Meantime, Scoutson enjoyed the Jamboree, as he should. I am still Scouty, as a friend says, and a long way from dropping out of the Scout world, but the lingering feeling is one of somehow not being treated fairly.

Available, DC area. http://www.gscnc.org/Camp_Properties.html

Just one: Pg.B4..."Cody Aurland, 7, of Va. Beach tries roping for grandfather Norm Aurland, who is a scoutmaster". Looks like Webelos and Cubs to me (!).

Service to the CO is (or should be) a given, a "no brainer". The Scout Troop of my youth mowed the church lawn. Every other weekend, each Patrol took it's turn. Sometimes after school in the evening, sometimes Saturday morning. Then we go off on a hike!. Trim the bushes, sweep the walks, dads help service the mower. And, back then, there was no Eagle requirement for a "service project", only to serve. When the project requirement was instituted, there was much discussion about what the difference was. It was seen that it was to be outside of the Scout world. Can't organize a project at a Scout Camp, but a National Park, or a Lions Club Camp for disadvantaged kids is an appropriate spot to consider. Can't paint the Scout closet, (now there's an image. All our gear in a closet. Now, it overflows a twin axle trailer), but the church hall way and library might be okay. Now, doesn't mean the Troop can't paint the closet, just that it can't be Sam's Eagle project. Build and install benches and tables in the churches new picnic shelter. Build a bench and walkway for the transit bus stop out front. One Scout proposed building a stage/picnic deck at his church's camp (not the Troop CO) and was approved, but had to change because it was too far away and the logistics wouldn't cooperate. His church chartered a different Troop, but the camp was not a Scout camp, so no conflict there. Our local high school had a very non-descript sign out front. Scout took on cleaning up and landscaping the area appropriately. Now, the school SGA takes on trimming and upkeep. So encourage the project out in the larger world, away from the Scout world. Encourage the Scout to look for and see a need and then meet it.

Maybe I'm interpreting the original post wrongly, but it sounds like wanting BSA to have some aegis over the faiths' Chaplains. As has been pointed out, a Scout Chaplain need not be ordained, diplomaed clergy. The need is for a Chaplain to have the support and imprimatur of his/her faith. I am not knowledgeable about such things, but if I met someone with Chaplain patch on sleeve, or who presented themselves as a SChaplain, I would tend to respect them for that, and might ask what faith they represent? Such a Chaplain by rights would not only be expected to be knowledgeable about their own faith but be open and somewhat knowledgeable about others. How did they get a Scout Patch that reads "Chaplain" on their sleeve? Or a nameplate so decorated? By garnering the respect of the Scout world with the support of some authority in their faith community. For BSA to create a "POR" of Chaplain, there would need to be a set of formal "requirements" to meet. How to do that? Would the requirements be the same for a Catholic? A Jew? A Quaker? A Muslim? When I applied to be a Friend (Quaker) Chaplain at the 2005 Jamboree, I presented some support from the national Friends Committee on Scouting, my home Meeting and that was sufficient. BSA accepted me as one of two Friend Chaplains. This was something new to our fellow Jambo Chaplains, as my colleague and I were not "ordained", not even named a "lay" minister like our fellow Mennonite Chaplain. But as everyone got to know each other, we were soon accepted and put to work. My colleague is his Troop's "Chaplain",but when I left the Jamboree, I was no longer an "official" Scout Chaplain. The idea has often preceeded me, however, and folks that know my history will ask me to lead grace, or help organize a Scout's Own (!) or ask for some Scout award information. As to "organizing" Chaplains: I dare say all Councils that I have had contact with have a Religious Affairs or Relationships Committee, or some such. A Chaplain, no matter how moved to that position(by "spirit" or bishop's order, or perceived need), can find their way to join therein. "Networking for God" We have no "organized Chaplaincy" probably because it is a good idea not to institutionalize the duty.

What she said. And Duct Tape. Can't go wrong with one extra roll of Duct tape.

Okay, eightyseven years ago....

Oh, it was fun, I'm glad I went, it was HOT and I drank everybit of fluid I brought and more. There were floats about Eagles, floats about camping (fire extiguisher next to nylon flames), floats about the SPromise, and SLaw. The Scout statues on the floats were ALL uniformly uniformed in yellow nylon, I guess they couldn't find the right shade of tan. Like 1970s female Cub Scout leader blouse yellow. The balloons were rented/organized from/by a company from Detroit, so they said. The balloons included colorful stars; cubes with pictures of Scouts, the prez and Scouts, Venturers and Scouts, rocks and rivers and canoes and SCouts on their sides; Oscar the Grouch (don't ask me); Billy Blaze (think Rescue Rangers); a giant Eagle (the best one, I thought), a balloon balloon (hot air type), and a birthday cake, with 8 foot candles blown up. I helped hold Billy down. Also the requisite antique cars, ww2 jeeps, police m/cs, and hundreds and hundreds of Scouts. A semi flat bed with jitter bug dancers, a Sea Scout (real 1/10 scale) topsail schooner ship on a trailer, and hundreds and hundreds of Scouts. Latino dance team. A 1931 Plymouth pick up truck(!). I tell you, pulling Billy INTO the wind was WORK. Fortunately, the wind was not always in our faces, only seemed that way. The parade ended about an hour before the storm hit. The balloons were deflated fairly quickly. I did not get to claim my souvenir packet (later that), because the wind took down ALL the canvas standing on the mall or by Washington Monument. I ended up taking shelter in the garage entrance to the Commerce Dept. with about 30 other Scouty folks. The wind and rain went horizontal for about 30 minutes. The storm did alot of damage to the DC area, power is still out in much of southern Montgomery County. I did claim a unique souvenir. The balloons are lofted with several individual bladders, and the shape is held taut with a small electric blower inflating the outer skin. Fellow with a battery pack walked along with each balloon. When the balloons are deflated, I was half expecting them to pump out the helium to recycle it. Nope. The crews would try to deflate the bladders to reclaim them, but they just release the helium out into the atmosphere. Some of the bladders burst from the heat, some were knifed to speed the process. So, I picked up a used, burst bladder. Whoppee. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/25/AR2010072503013.html Toward the end of the parade, we would have to manuever Billy to make room for ambulances. Yes, there were heat problems. I was almost one of them, to be honest. I was beat at the end. At the end, the FDept. were spraying water for Scouts to play in. Met old friends, made some new ones, danced the Lindy with a CSDC Director. See you in another hundred years...Ha!

Yeah, I'll call it high adventure... I'm off to the Centennial Scout Parade in Downtown Washington, DC. Leave home in about an hour. I'll be a "Balloon Handler" (think Macy's parade). A distant relative was an officier on the Graf Zeppelin, so I guess it's appropriate. One of the requirements was to be "more than 110 lbs". I think I pass muster there. Later, I'll come back and discuss not attending the Jamboree. Y'all stay cool, now.

Bushwah and bullhockey. Every where you meet this kind of stuff, it needs to be met head on and the truth put to it. http://www.yourmoontownship.com/blog/troop358/eagle-scout-coraopolis-troop-meets-president Strictly speaking, they are "signed" by machine, not by the President's own hand, still, he has NEVER refused to "sign them. It is the same with any rumor or half truth. The hard part is finding the truth to confront it with. Sen. Al Franken, when he confronted Limbaugh and others with their caterwaling, none of them, to my knowledge, could answer him when he pointed out their inconsistancies and catches in outright lies (see his book Lies and the Lying Liers That Tell Them, for some head shaking entertainment). AND, by the way... Mars will never appear as large as the moon in the sky... http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/errata/a/two-moons.htm http://www.snopes.com/science/astronomy/brightmars.asp

One of the neat things about the Scout uniform (and by that I mean all versions: Cub, Boy, Vanture, Sea) is that it can be "customized" to a certain extent. The necker is the usual place to start. Originally, it was meant to be part of the Scout's "Be Prepared" kit. The slide made it easy and quick to get off and use. Signal flag, first aid bandage, arm sling, pole repair, dust mask, sweat bandana, I have an old book that lists no fewer than 25 different uses for a Scout neckerchief. Then, it became (in USA at least) more of a decoration, like a man's tie. No real use, just a symbol. The necker in my son's troop is a good 5" smaller than the one from my Scout days. And a money maker (how many Cub neckers?) By regulation, a Scout Troop may design and wear it's own, custom, necker. There is no prohibition about the slide (woggle, traditionally), so custom, hand made slides are to be encouraged. Nice Cub craft. Commemorative item. Award a special slide instead of a patch. Come to think of it, I can't think of any prohibition of a Cub Pack just wearing the yellow Cub necker. Our Troop occassionally has a slide contest, we invite a local professional artist to judge it. Ask local stores to donate some prizes (ice cream cones, tacos, cupcakes,smoothies. Very popular!). Categories have included "most useful" (small flashlight), "most Scouty" (75th anniversity of Cub Scouts), "most colorful" (treasure chest), "Best overall" (a carved long horn head). I spoke to a Scouter who had visited South Africa. He reported visiting with a Scout Troop there who had yellow Tshirts and red neckers. That was their whole uniform. They were glad to be Scouts. Carved their own woggles from local tree stems that happened to get hollow naturally. Ranks were recognized with ribbons pinned to the shirt. Beaver Patrol wears a Beaver tail carved woggle. Eagle Patrol all wears a bird's head. Et Cetera. Necker too warm? Loosen it up alittle. You might like it again come wintertime, but wear it well.

Okay. Now that we have all but established a de facto "Faith, Religion and Chaplaincy" forum, I'd like to suggest to you viewing the Jamboree Scout Handbook at http://www.bsajamboree.org/filestore/jamboree/pdf/410-153.pdf scroll to pages 33, 42 and then 75 to view the Jambo's devotion suggestions. Graces, meditations, topics for discussion. Drawn from, what Holy Script? What is included? what left out? What might have been included but wasn't? Scout's Own? Which Scout?

The very latest.... http://www.aolnews.com/weird-news/article/inventor-hopes-to-make-dough-with-the-candwich-a-sandwich-in-a-can/19560214

My Eagle medal dangle is packed away in my "Scout Box" and it comes out for Scoutson to look at sometimes, along with the neckerslides, MB sash, old MB cards, and such. The ESknot is on my uni. I realize that tradition is no real reason to continue to do something (nothing wrong with questioning the rationale for anything, "because I said so" is never a good ultimate reason...), but really, why change the emblems or how they are worn now? After how many solar circuits? The FC badge is the same, granted no longer on a square patch of cloth, and this year surrounded by a special note about the special year earned, but it is the same. Recognition of accomplishment is important, but more bling does not a Scouter make. Why not relabel the other knots to make them more self explanatory? Then we could have folks staring at the pocket top like some do at name tags (" Hi there, ah, Jack..."),figuring out that that one's Arrow of Light, that one's Scoutmaster award, Hornaday, Commissioner, ah, ...Hey, we already do that!. I would never chastise an adult who wore his Eagle dangle on a "civilian" suit, but I might wonder why. I have a small lapel Eagle pin that is on one of my suit coats, it trades duty with my OA lapel pin, the Red Cross pin, the University pin, the musical note pin, and whatever else I have in my pin tin on my dresser. They all indicate something and are sometimes conversation starters. Meant to be. Then too, we do have the back of the shirt with nothing on it, yet...

"Faith, Religion and Chaplaincy" thread, anyone? As I have shared in anecdotal form before, I think most folks join Scouting and then self select out when they discover the more overt religiousity of our organization. I know most kids when they join certainly don't give it a thought. Camp, hike, fire cooking, fun, nature study maybe, that's what they join for, not theology. Late night tent conversations, campfire bull sessions, that's when the BIGGER things come up, that's when the adults and the older Scouts start thinking about can they truely promise a"...duty to God" and what does that mean? Some will see the connection to the faith of their family, some will deny it (whether they are aware of it or not, ALL parents give their children something to either rebel against or accept, after all), some will be drawn to another faith, and some will find no reason for any faith at all. These last will either keep it to themselves, or raise hue and cry about it, or quietly drop out or resign. Again, I do not feel it is our place, as Scout leaders, to actively seek out the doubters and force their issue. Our personal example and directing their attention to the Scout promise and Law should be sufficient. Now as to " Scout's Own"...

Without the chapter and verse, I think one will find that the project must be done to benefit something/one that is not Scout related. For the CO? Possible, but not new shelving in the Scout closet in the CO's basement. Paint the classrooms, but not the Scout room. New picnic benches and landscaping/sidewalk/BBQ fireplace/outdoor pavilion/ but not the Scout sign outfront.