SSScout

*sigh* Down and Derby was , er, well, a movie. Well, come to think of it, I might buy a canned sandwich. We do sell canned corn, right? Fundraising... I can see it now... a cute little Bobcat Cub comes up to the grandmother entering the Safeway, and , looking angelically up at her, says : "Ma'am? Would you like to buy a ham sandwich to support thr Cub Scouts?" I see a future here...

I dunno.... I could see coed Cubs... but maybe not in the tweens... Girls do mature earlier than boys, in many ways, but not always... Getting the genders to respect each other , brother-sister wise would be a good thing. Working together as Dens, Patrols, what a concept. But we still have gender seperate atheletic competition. Is this about "feeling good" about yourself as a man or woman, gaining confidence in one's physical ability (camping, hiking, canoeing) as well as learning to respect the other gender as an equal? Or about "opportunity" for all that, which maybe the GSUSA hasn't provided or can't figure out how to provide? Or can the BSA (soon to be the SA?) figure it out? Beavah: New PM received? It went out seemingly OK .

Hi Liz... I am sorry for your complications. Anyone know if the camp kitchen/commissary/dining service is "Council" run or a "contractor"? That may make a difference in the kitchen attitude. Poor service equals no contract... let's see, food concerns.....what I have seen or heard of.... gluten free, lactose intolerant, diabetic, vegan, vegetarian, nut allergies, shellfish allergies, hallal, Kosher (same thing? some say yea some nay), strawberry allergy, egg allergy, nitrates,,,,,

...and don't forget the Yankee pushdrive screw driver in the elevator...I still have my daddy's.

From my next to favorite recreational website: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/latest "Nashville, Tennessee - Boy Scout Catfish Sits in front of the Boy Scout Headquarters right in plain sight; very interesting and funny sculpture. It's on a very busy street -- no parking unless they let you park at the Boy Scout Headquarters. Best to see if you turn around and come from the other direction." "Boy Scout Catfish: Address: 3414 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN [show Map] Directions: On I-440 get off at the Hillsboro Pike exit and head south, is not very far off the interstate, catfish is at the corner of Woodmont Blvd and Hillsboro Pike across from Woodmont Baptist Church . Hours: Always visible."

"Black socks they never get dirty the longer you wear them the stronger they get. Someday I think that I'll wash them, But something keeps telling me, no no, not yet, not yet, not yet, not yet." Wool socks, rinse out daily. Cotton socks, need soap and water, I have never seen AF with wool sock use, only cotton. Fewer blisters with wool, too. Famous cartoon: Willy and Joe, the Bill Mauldin GIs from WW2 are sitting in the fox hole. Willy holds out a pair of socks and says, "Joe, yesteday ya saved my life, and I said I'd never ferget it. Here's me last pair o' clean socks".

2morrows, that's the way we are speaking with Scoutson. A balance of cash and cashcards.(whatever happened to traveler's checks? they were free from AAA). He will be on Jr. staff, but faces the same "temptations". Did yourScout or you receive the Jamboree catalog? 99% of what is available on site is in that catalog. Preorder some of the souvenir stuff. The Troop meals and site water jugs will keep your Scout alive, but he may not think that's "living". Ice cream, snacks, "special stuff" will be, by your local standards, expensive. He may need to replace a hat, or buy the poncho he forgot (!). Frankly, $50. for the ten days, plus travel, sightseeing going and return, might be a little low. Budget! Think about your past vacations and such. Coordinate with Jamboree Troop leadership about meals etc. while traveling...

Read the fine print. Compare cost of Jamboree card/bracelet with your hometown bank's debit/cash card.

Much good insight and advice. Something not mentioned: We are here for the boys, yes? Both ours and theirs. Do you have any contact with Mrs. Bully? What is your gut feeling about the family dynamics? Is his Take-Over, speak to the man not the woman, sabotage others' arrangements, shout down disagreement, behavior ONLY limited to Cub Scouting? I would not expect so. Is there ANY evidence of further domestic abuse? Where does that lead you ?

The uniform is one of the things that sets us apart from the rest of the world. That, and the Scout Promise and Law. The uniform is often "modified" by local custom, or necessity or, in your case, need. We understand, if you tell us and here, you have and we do. By wearing the pins, you will invite queries and by your response you will receive understanding and sympathy and support. It is what you need and deserve. You and your dad. Perhaps a small, black cloth background, behind the pins? If I knew you personally, I'd wear my old Wolf pin with you and proudly. God bring you peace, Scout.

Beavah: Wouldn't you agree, it all ddepends on how long a leash we require? By the way, did you receive my last PM two days ago?

Oh, the concept... Tuba? Reveille? Taps? Boots and Saddles?

"I've always loved you".

"Not in this house" That is the comment I have made (and my goodly wife) when something comes up (came up... they are all much older now) with our kids and a possible action. "But Mr. Xyz said it was okay".. No. Not with our kids... And here is why... Our children always knew if we had a standard of behavior "in our house" then they were expected to behave the same way in someone elses house. AND we were always ready to explain why. If not right then ("because I said so!") then at a not-too-much-later time. Potty humor? Peeing within sight of others? Making fun of others physical appearance or body parts (booty?)? I made clear that MY children were better than that. Sanitation? Have that Scouter read "How to Sh*t in the Woods" by Kathleen Meyer. The polluting of rural watersheds begins with improper disposal of human waste. Teach your Cubs to pee wherever they get the urge and the next step is defecating along the trail whenever they get the urge. We are not only teaching backwoods ettiquette here, but how to be "gentlemen " and "ladies" in ALL situations. When an older Scout was observed by me making fun of another Scouts ethnic name, I spoke to his dad and presto, the problem stopped. I have not seen in this thread much mention of the OTHER parents attitude here. Do they consider it "cute"? Or are they bowing to the named "official", the CM? YP issues, sanitation, respect for the environment, LNT, "polite society" behavior, encouraging maturity, Scout Promise and Law issues (Courtesy, Kind, Obedient, Healthy, Clean,), this CM needs at beast a sit down and coffee talk and at worst a facilitated confrontation with the Pack Committee.

Connect with your Community Library. See what resources there might be for Scouts and help promote them. Does the Library have maps? Park guides? Does it have a Boys' Life subscription? Why not give the Library a BL subscription? You have some extra Scout books? Inquire about donating them to the CLibrary! Do they have any books about B-P? Donate them! Your Troop Librarian can take the lead in all this. And look for service projects, and possible Eagle projects. I know our local "Media Specialist" always welcome Scouts and Scout info to the library.

World's biggest swimming hole: The Atlantic Ocean. Surf beach at Assateague Island. Two adults, two Scout LGs watch and count heads. Buddy system, but because of surf noise, no call is possible. Scouts in the shallows, out in the surf with boogie boards. Current and wind moves them down the beach, whistle blows, everyone comes out, hike 400 yards back up the beach to our "campsite". Public area, but no official LGs. EVERYONE looks when our whistle sounds, but our Scouts keep in the group. Scout LGs and adults are spelled every so often. Fun, salt, sand, sunscreen, burgers and watermelon for dinner. (This message has been edited by a staff member.)

As may be seen, you will meet Scouts and Scouters, of both genders, and all descriptions of political and religious and philosophical persuasion here. And some of no Scout connection. And some folks not of an American description, too. A nice mix. Keep an open mind and stick to the Scout Law and Promise and you'll go not far wrong. Welcome to NCAC. Not a few "local" folks here , too.

One Word.... Plastics. No! I'm sorry, wrong script... *ahem... WOOD BADGE...

Mucho Congrats... Save me some watermelon...

http://www.gazette.net/stories/06162010/olnenew215223_32553.php SCOUTMASTER LAUDED FOR 25 YEARS of SERVICE Dennis Bogan of Boy Scout Troop 264 received a certificate of appreciation from Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) for his 25 years in Scouting, the last 19 as scoutmaster of the troop. "Needless to say, I was very honored and surprised," Bogan said. Assistant Scoutmaster Dale Bickel said it was well deserved. "Dennis is great with the boys and just loves the ideals of Scouting," he said. "He relates to kids and they all like him." The presentation took place at the April 28 troop meeting. "The boys were all very impressed and they paid attention," Bickel said. "They gave Dennis a big round of applause." Bogan says he remains involved with Boy Scouts because of the benefits it provides to the boys. "The youth need a good role model and a program that offers skills, leadership training, life-long friendships," he said. Troop 264 has been serving the greater Olney area since 1927 and meets at St. John's Episcopal Church. Visit www.troop264olney.net.

*1/4" sash cord, 100'. Twice. *Gaffer tape (duct tape if you must) *"GOOP" (an adhesive/filler that can fix lots of things). Note the labels are different, chemically it is the same. *2x4 blocks to sit the cot up that much higher so the camp trunk will slide under. *Hachet, good pocket knife, (adult use only as age of Scout allows) *Camp chair, solid bottom, not sling type. *Makings of campsite "gateway" to welcome visitors to "YOUR" campsite. See what pride of ownership does for your Scouts! ??Signs for each of your Patrol sections?? *Binoculars and bird book. *BIG trash bags for rain use, dirty clothes use, etc. "Optimism, patience, and good humor". And a high panic threshold...

It is important that YOU be comfortable with the arrangements. Established guidelines and policies make it easy to establish operating rules (see Archery and BB range rules in the Cub Scout Shooting Sports Book), but when there ain't any, one looks to others' experience and play the "WHAT IF" game... What if a Cub falls? What if the ropes slack up? What if the pegs pull out? What if it rains and the rope gets wet and stretches? Knots loosen up? Sways too much? So: EACH DAY.... You get BIG Scouts (or/and adults)to pull and tighten up all slack, from both ends. All knots are checked and snugged up. The hand rail ropes and foot rope are made "even". You get THREE better FOUR Scouts dedicated to the rope bridge: One who supervises and "crowd controls" entry to the area, two who escort the bridge walker from one end to the other and provide the instruction ("hold here, one at a time", etc.) and provide the "color commentary" ("Don't worry about the crocadiles in that raging river, they were fed yesterday"). and one who helps the Cub off the end of the bridge (ladders?) I help a Scout exhibit at our County Fair, we set up a rope bridge and invite the general public to cross the monkey bridge. With as young as 2 and as old as 75, we insist on attentive Scouts and adults to help folks up on the bridge, "lifeguard" along the length, one on each side, and help them off at the end. We have more that 150 cross each day. And we check it each morning and thru the day for possible problems before they happen. If we do not have enough Staff (does happen) we modify our operations or close up. We do not let kids (or Scouts of any age ""play"" on the bridge. Are YOU comfortable?

And the Bugling MB is being cancelled?

Well, hey, Irving wants to fundraise, ebay all the old stuff....

1) No power tools. 2) No adult help except to say "here're the plans". 3) I think a handicap ramp would make a lovely piece of furniture "on the home grounds". Donate it to the county fair and build it on THEIR "home grounds". 4) Make sure all the participating Scouts DEMONSTRATE the use of the listed tools. The older Scouts helping the younger Scouts. Don't bind granddad's 9 point crosscut saw in it's kerf by pushing too hard. Keep it straight. Let the saw do the work. I hope the saws have been recently sharpened (where can you get that done? THAT ought to be a requirement. "Know someone who knows how to sharpen a saw". ) 5) It is a rare thing for ONE man to build a house. Let the cooperation and teamwork be an unwritten "requirement" of this badge, and let the pride of skill and accomplishment be an understood part of it. 6) When I first read this MB, I did not understand the idea of a "piece of furniture". Four 2x4s & a piece of plywood make a table. Is that meeeting the requirement? If the boy helps shingle the roof of a storage shed that he also helped build, is that a "piece of furniture"? 7) Build the ramp. They will come. Years later, the Scout can point at it and say "I helped build that. That's my nail." And then his son can repair it....