SSScout

Everytime an OA activity is listed on the calender here, it may or may not be listed "A Beaded Activity", meaning that participants receive a bead of particular shape and color to string on their "coup loop". Some OA folks have long OA Leis. Much neck wear. Stoop shoulders result from much service?

If you are an "outgoing" type, check with your local stores and restaurants. We have spoken to the various managers/owners and have never been turned down when we ask for a "coupon" for a free ice cream cone, burrito, taco, burger, etc. as a door prize or prize for a neckerchief slide contest, best Patrol, uniform inspection, etc. First prize is four various coupons, second is two, third and honorable mention is one...It's good PR, the name of the outfit is on the coupon, they get a mention in the event program, and without exception they like to support Scouting. Don't forget to have your CC send a thank you note.

Found this about fund raising... "Girl Scout Cookies by the Numbers. Just where do all those dollars go?" http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/02/06/girl-scout-cookies-by-the-numbers-just-where-do-all-those-dolla and "Secrets of the Top Selling Girl Scouts" http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/02/06/got-cookies-10-secrets-of-top-selling-girl-scouts/ Thin Mints....

And 40,000 cell phone users will plug in their chargers where? As a Staffer, I remember a bare bulb in the peak and one duplex outlet for 4 of us in a big tent. And they were used for FANS!!

Brian: Could you put some plans/instructions together and get it posted on "BALOO'S BUGLE" or MAKE magazine ( www.makezine.com )?

According to a Scouter I just met at another event, who had recently moved up here from N.C., he knew of a Troop down there that did not allow ANY of the Scouts to carry a knife or use an axe, at any time. He said T/C was a non-award with them. Couldn't say why, he guessed some parents had safety issues.

Thank you! Passed it along to our District Newsletter!

*sigh* As has been said before, OA is about "cheerful service", not bling or swag. I have been OA since youthtime, took it up again as an adult Scouter, pay the dues ("active") and encourage my units to elect OA boys as appropriate. I even sometimes remember to wear the ribbon. But my OA membership is remembered (for me, at least) as an honor, a recognition of my Scout skill, my service to the Troop of my youth, and a reminder of what is important. Whether it is sawing fire wood, helping a boy learn his knots, loading baggage, or counseling a newbie SM. "What can I do to help?"

Yes, Loved your TV show... Oh, don't give up on the P/Ls. They are almost a Scout tradition. Just make sure everyone knows about (1)when it is (ever have folks arrive the next week with the spaghetti in hand? Good snack, laughable embarrassment...) and (2) what is expected: EX/ Tigers bring drinks, Wolves bring salad, Bears bring a hot veggie, Webs bring a main course to feed 4,? 6? 8? Or families A thru J veggies and K thru Z main course and the B&G Cake is dessert... and (3) who sets up and who puts away... and (4) any program. Awards, entertainment, set a TIME on a sheet of paper, and, with a big voice, REMIND folks as you move along. And , yes, I have been to a P/L where quite literally everyone brought dessert! It was ALL delicious.

We had many a Cub "meeting", both Den and Pack, around the camp fire. In the BackYard, at the Nature Center, at the county Park Picnic area.. Made sure all safety things were in place, (water, shovels, clear area 10' around,fire wood a distance away, etc.) and got local Boy Scouts to set and ignite and tend the fire. The Cubs did Cub things, and we also talked about and finger pointed about fire science and safety. And knife and axe. Plan ahead, keep it reasonable size (Cubs and BoyS like to add wood TOO FAST...), and keep cozy in the cold weather. But keep control! Watch and head off any little fingers that want to "help" the BScouts. Sing and Skit away...Tell indian stories about the Great Bear and how he lost his tail, where the Turtle got his shell... Go to it.

Here 'tis...FYI Tried to post on ""Eagle problem....BIG"" and again received a notice "windows has detected a problem and will close the program" .Then it reopened and the screen read only "502 Bad Gateway" and a tab was created with the same notation. The address given was http://www.scouter.com/forums/postings.asp?action=ReplyForm&threadID=233372&forumID=28 The EP...B reply area ,which did appear,was nonfunction. I had to close the Scouter address and restart it to get here. Here is normal function.

I also have pm'd and not been (expected) responded to. AND... when I have attempted to "reply" to a thread (the "Eagle Problem....Big") thread, it is reeeeally slooooow. and then a window pops up reading "Internet Explorer has detected a problem and will shut down" , then everthing closes, and then an arrow appears reading "this tab will reopen" and it does, but still nothing happens. This thread seems ok. as the song about the Old Lady and the Spider sez,"Perhaps she'll die. um,um,um,ummmm." (the Eagle thread, that is)

Snow insurance... Here in Mid MD, We presently have 8" of "little or no accumulation" and it is coming down steady, still. Glad Scoutson's Troop went Rockwall climbing (indoor site!) this morning.

test. Very Good.

There are no fewer than 78 religious awards for Cubs, Boy Scouts, Venturers and adults. All are Faith specific and NOT BSA material. The BSA approves the wearing of the award on the Scout uniform, after working with some recognized committee or authority in the faith. BSA does NOT set the rrequirements. The Faith sets the study and requirements. P.R.A.Y is a clearing house that many faiths use to administer the parceling out of the awards, not all awards go thru P.R.A.Y. See www.praypub.org Some awards go thru specific faith committees only, notably the Islamic ones. The adult awards are USUALLY awarded on nomination because of the adult's worthy service to Scouting and the faith in question, approved by the faith's liason committee. The new BSA and Venture Handbook lists the awards and their respective committees. I'm not sure the Cub books list them. The religious award is the boy and his family's responsibility and should NOT be a Den activity, except under the auspices of the faith's leader. If all the Den is of one faith, and the family approves, and the faith leader, as award counselor, is there, well and good, but no boy should be included OR excluded because of his faith. Hence the concern of making it a Den activity. When the boy has satisfied his faith's counselor, the award is usually presented by the faith, not the Scout Unit, although that can be done too. The Scout Unit presents the silver and blue square knot, which can be worn thruout the Scout's career and on into adult Scouter time. If a Scout earns the Cub, Boy, and any other appropriate religiious award, he doesn't add square knots, there is a "device", a small pin that is added to the square knot. I think that's about all. http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Awards/~/link.aspx?_id=9D5FA10AEB254061A248D13D459424FE&_z=z is the "official" list of all of 'em. The multitudinous ways humans have devised to honor and worship the creator is truly amazing. Nuf said... Hope that helped,A/E.

The woggle/slide/clasp slippage problem started when the neckers were downsized. As it happens (I checked) my original Cub neckerchief isn't all that smaller than my Scout neckerchief, which is significantly bigger than the modern N/C my son uses. The slides are the same size, however. All the above suggestions mentioned above will work; tape on the slide back, bending the prongs, rubber band around the necker. Originally, the Scout didn't roll up the necker, only draped it around the neck, OVER the collar, and then pushed the slide/woggle (boondoggle) up on the ends of the necker, and then tied an overhand slide knot in the bottom ends. Try doing that with today's mini necker!

If you are uncomfortable teaching Cubs sharp tool use, here are some suggestions: 1) Check with the Training folks in your Dustrict. Part of the Scouter Intro to Outdoor Leader Skills training (IOLS) includes "Woods Tools", and They can recommend someone who might come and do a Whittlin' Chip class for your boys. I "ga-ron-tea" the boys will enjoy a 'guest Scouter'. 2) Check with your local Scout Troop. They might have a Totin' Chip instructor who could do a Whittlin' Chip for you. 3) There are many threads here-in about the W/C and T/C. Do a search and have fun. 4) Here is a site that is a real codification of what ends up being a true local responsibility: http://www.cubpack178.com/documents/whittling_chip_prog.pdf Just about all inclusive... 5) I will try a PM to you with the program we use here...

There is no reason that camp skills need be taught and practiced ONLY on campouts. Frinstance, I know of many Troops (the one of my youth being one) that will have a "fire building" class on a saturday in someones back yard garden. Everyone is asked to bring tinder, kindling and even some serious fire wood. The Troop/Patrol meeting before, you talk about the theoretical stuff, talk about some exotic tinder (belly button lint? fritos? See other threads in here), safety and such. The next saturday, you do it. More than once. Try your hand at flint and steel, etc. Then, the next campout, you don't need to waste time TRYING to light that cooking fire for second class, you get it lit! Same thing with T/C or W/C. Do that on an afternoon behind the garage. The SM or ASM teaches the PLs, the PLs teach the Scouts.

I wouldn't go so far as to call it an "urban legend", the corner thing tends to be a unit "tradition". Strictly speaking, the pledge on the back of the Totin' Chip card is the only "requirement" , there is no "do this, and this, and this" to earn the T/C. Thus, the Scout has to learn from a more experienced Scout/er how to safely and skillfully use his ax and knife and saw. The old Handbook for Boys and Fieldbook had some excellent photos and diagrams. This training and evaluation is dependant on the experience and skill of the T/C trainer. Once the Scout has "passed" his T/C, the Scout is held to a standard of safe and responsible tool handling by the unit leadership. Should the Scout get goofy, or act irresponsibly or (God forbid) injure someone with his tool, some units will rescind his T/C priveleges at once, no appeal. Some units will give him second/third chances depending on the severity of the infraction. The "score' is kept by cutting off corners of the T/C card (which the Scout is expected to carry with him when using the tool. Think "diver's license"). Cut off four corners, no more T/C. If the T/C is gone, the Scout must re-earn it. It ain't BSA official, just tradition. Some Cub Packs do the same thing with the Cub's Whittlin' Chip card. Once the Cub has "earned" his W/C, the Pack leadership makes sure he only uses his tool (knife) in a safe and responsible manner. A good Webelos leader might hold carving sessions so the Cubs can actually use the knives they were given after they earned the W/C. Here again, the pledge on the back of the W/C card is the only "official" requirement, the earning of the W/C privelege is dependant on the experience and skill of the local unit leadership. Some units really codify things. See http://www.cubpack178.com/documents/whittling_chip_prog.pdf for a REALLY complete W/C program, perhaps overly, but there you are. Cub acts irresponsibly with his tool, nip off a corner. REALLY egregious behavior, card and privelege is GONE. Ummm, Scoutfish?

http://adventurebase100.org/

All through this long and sleepless night I hear my Scouters talking (Eagle's lacking) Saying that out of my life Into another's Council you'll soon be walking Chorus: Somebody shake me, wake me when it's over Somebody tell me that I'm dreamin' And wake me when it's over They say our Scout ain't what it used to be And everyone knows but me I close my ears not wanting to hear But the words are loud and clear Through these walls so thin I hear my neighbors when They say "He ain't an Eagle, she don't love him" They say my heart's in danger 'Cause you're leaving me To be a Venture Ranger... Chorus: Somebody shake me, wake me somebody when it's over Somebody tell me that I'm dreamin' And wake me when it's over Bird, you're what my heart desires My whole world you inspire I can't bear to be losing you Cause I've wanted you my Scout life through (Music interlude) Restlessly I pace the floor Listening to my neighbor's criticize What a fool I am not to realize The appeal may not happen! As the tears stream down my face I can't believe I've been replaced If I've ever ever dreamed before Somebody tell me I'm dreaming now I said shake me, wake me somebody when it's over Somebody tell me that I'm dreaming And wake me when it's over C'mon wake me, shake me somebody... Vanilla shake, please...

The LNT teaching is excellent. Now go to the "original"... At your local REI, or Dick's or Cabala's (just ask), or find it on line: "How to Sh*t in the Woods" by Kathleen Meyer, Ten Speed Press,c.1989, 1994. 108 pages of authoritative, basic, real life stuff. Hygiene in the backcountry. www.KathleenintheWoods.com (the real word is in the title, but thread censor will not allow it)

Official Centennial Jamboree Absorbine Jr.... Official Centennial Jamboree Gold Bond ... Official Centennial Jamboree Ivory Soap, Official Centennial Jamboree UA, Official Centennial Jamboree Desitin, Official Centennial Jamboree Terracil, Official Centennial Jamboree Tinea cruris...

The Cast: a Promoter, an "Ugly Man" under a big box or blanket, a "Fall Guy" (either prearranged so no one is hurt, or someone deserving of embarrassment. It is good to know FG hasn't seen this skit before), some off stage voices, and two or three Stooges. Promoter comes in leading the UM, under his blanket or box. P speaks: "Ladies and gentlemen, I am PROUD to present for your edification and enjoyment, the UGLIEST MAN IN THE WORLD!!! He is SO ugly (voices off stage ::HOW UGLY IS HE??), that the army uses him to test the courage of their soldiers! He is SOOOO ugly (HOW UGLY IS HE??), that his momma used to tie a pork chop to his neck so the dog would play with him! Yes, he is SOOOO ugly (H U I H??), the National Institutes of Health once considered using him as the National Ugly Standard!! etc. ((lay it on thick)) "Now, ladies and gentlemen, I challenge anyone in this audience to gaze upon his visage, if you dare! You sir! Will you dare to look at him?" First Stooge: "I'm the bravest man here!" ((he strides proudly up, peeks under the blanket, and runs screaming from the stage, into the woods)). P: "All right, who's next?" S#2: "Aww, it's a bunch of hooey, It can't be that bad, I don't think anyone could be THAT ugly, it's a trick, it's a... "((he peeks under the blanket and faints dead away, falls on the floor)). P: ((proceed as above, as many times as seems necessary. Then, the Fall Guy is brought up)) You, Mr. Scoutmaster! You're the bravest man we know! Won't you look at this poor creature and prove everyone wrong? Come on, it's important for our Scouts to have faith in their leaders...!! (etc.). ((Mr. Fall Guy eventually comes up. If FG#1 refuses, choose another.)) (( When FG peeks under the blanket, the UM jumps up and runs screaming from the stage...)).

Ask around ( UC, DE, local SMs, school counselor, principal) for someone who tells a good story. An Indian story or Jungle Book story. There are lots of "moral" stories that when told well will hold a Cub's rapt attention. The story teller will probably ask the boys to gather 'round on the floor, and the 5 or ten minutes they take telling one or two stories will be remembered. Aesop's Fables? Uncle Remus? Iroquois? 'Just So' stories? There are many sources available, and if your boys have never been exposed to a good "in person" story teller, they deserve it.