SSScout

To what end? I have better things for my thumbs to do, if I was at the Jambo, which I will not be.

I like to sit them down on our deck, pull out my Bible, with all the notes attached, and discuss their arguments. Very often, they are surprised to find that their Bible does not agree exactly with mine. This leads to a discussion about which translation is appropriate, which verses were left out or "edited", which translation ( I don't speak greek or hebrew or aramaic) we can trust. If they ask about such and such a verse about (frinstance) blood tansfusion, I refer them to another about testing the truth of testimony by making folks eat dirt and, if the Bible is , indeed, infallible, which do we obey and which disregard? " An old timer was asked which translation of the Bible he favored and he replied, 'why the King James, of course, if it's good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me'."

We really do need a "Faith, Religion and Chaplaincy" forum. "It is a sad Reflection, that many Men hardly have any Religion at all; and most Men have none of their own: For that which is the Religion of their Education, and not of their Judgment, is the Religion of Another, and not Theirs." =William Penn, "Some Fruits of Solitude", 1682

Magnets are useless for Cub Scout recruiting. You need to convince the boy it's fun and the parent it's good for the boy. I like the idea of a craft to make, and take home, even if only a paper airplane race. Local Cub Pack makes up stickers with contact info on them and then gives away popcorn (popped!) at the local school fair. Stickers stuck to Popcorn bags. Cubs in uni and or Tshirts. Flags, photo board of activities, folks to answer questions. Cub books to look at.

In this article about New Delhi's new airport, there is an accompanying picture that shows a wall with some decorative sculptures of hands, one of which is VERY similar to the three fingered Scout Sign. Can anyone explain the reason behind these sculptures? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/02/AR2010070203125.html

Among the Quakers, we call these "queries". Go to any Yearly Meeting website and search "queries". Sing "Scout Vespers" to yourself... Say to your self... Have I been Trustworthy? and pause for the answer to come. Repeat thru the Scout Law... As to Scout bureaucracy, and being the best SM, CC, ASM, etc. you can be, yeah, "feedback is a gift", but be willing to accept the answers you get without defensiveness. Just accept the answers. Don't try to "explain", just accept the answers others may give you. Compliments are nice, but knowing who feels slighted can be good too.

Beavah: PM? Any ? Yet?

*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...