SSScout

My guidance as a MBC? **ALWAYS point to the posted requirements and ask the Scout how they have fulfilled them? ***The "Work book pages" are NOT passing the requirements. Those are for the Scout's benefit in PASSING the requirements, but are NOT the passing. Prerequisites are ALWAYS good. The Scout should "Be Prepared" when they come to you. **** Celebrate the accomplishment. ALWAYS mention the good stuff, then encourage the way to make the not-so-good-stuff GOOD. *****Keep yourself available for consultation, but always keep your YP (really AP, yes?) in mind. Do it in a multi Scout Class whenever possible, Include dad, mom, another Scouter (or two) in all conferences, emails and phone conversations. ASK the Scout if dad/mom is listening. Speakerphone is good, use it.... Do not proceed if they aren't, smile and wave as you go by. ******* When mom/dad complain (whoever heard of such a thing) that Scouty needs this MB/ really does understand but has a problem x, y, z,/ needs more time/ doesn't have any more time/ etc. etc. , ask them if THEY are earning the MB ? Ask to speak to the Scout. ******** Remember the Scout Law.... T< L<H<F<C<K<O<C<T<B<C<R. Prayer never hurts, after all.... Have some fun while your at it... See you on the trail.

Yep. Point to the REQUIREMENTS. I can vouch for the same angst in Cub Scouts. Cub Scout Day Camp: "And of course the Cubs will pass the 8 knots...." Sorry, in one fifty minute session, they will LEARN about ropes, cords , the fourth law of motion (You can't push a rope), and MAYBE learn three knots and how to use them. And maybe a few "magic knots" (chain knot, etc. ) It ain't school , people, KiS MiF. AND the parent escorts (Den Walkers !) learn them right along...

Might be a lot of "Pre-Requisites" to meet.

well, you know why Bezos named his company "Amazon" , right? Because he couldn't spell Reo Grandy or Missississippiii.

You de man, er Scouter !

Where is this , please?

News release: Dateline April 1, 2021, Irving Texas.... The Boy Scouts of America in line with the ongoing simplification and re-organization announced the following Merit Badges would be merged, thus allowing the Scout to earn them easier and quicker: Pet care and Cooking. American Labor and Mining in Society. Family Life and Animal Science. Welding and Fire Safety.

Ditto the above. Slow to load, ads do not release when "close" or "x" or "No Thanks" clicked for 30 or more seconds. AND I have to wind the spring on the back of my laptop more often.....

Well, shucks. Henry Nygard was a good friend of my dad's. He founded SShip 759 in Ashton MD, led a bunch of SScout adventures and became the Council/Region Commodore . It was before my time in Scouts but my more elder Scout friends took cruises around the Chesapeake on various boats, one of which I thought was an ex PT boat. Could be wrong. The local Regatta is named for him: https://seascout.org/stec_event/2019-henry-i-nygard-regatta/

Look for the antique book (I have seen it in reprint) ""Matching Mountains With The Boy Scout Uniform"" by Edward F. Reimer, 1929, E. P. Dutton. Wonderfully evocative. 56 (!) uses for the Scout neckerchief.

Does the name NYGARD (as in Henry) mean anything to you, perchance?

The retention of Scout camps always seem to gravitate around the "cost to keep it up". And the idea is that somehow the camp is limited to only Scout use. Well, promotion and use need to be considered. Is the Council even THINKING outside the Scout box? Rental to Outdoor Conservation schools. Selective logging. Most public school districts (and private school, too) have a nature curriculum. Rent to them, for their programs. Got a nice dining hall ? Church receptions, retreats, wedding receptions (for those desiring a more "natural, simple " affair). Even Philmont is developing a family camp option, with properties somewhat better than " roughing it". Our County Park system has several properties where , in season, for a price, one gets a tent site (level, pea gravel base), a picnic table, charcoal grill AND fire ring, lantern holder, a water tap nearby and a flush toilet/shower house down the road (room to park adjacent to the site). Secure gate locked at night, on site ranger . Camp store during the day. Night time programs for the kiddies. WHY not in a section of Scout Camp Whatchacallit?

Translation? As the fellow said, "follow the money". Not enough cookies......... Again, God ain't making any more ground. Once a camp is sold , it is never going to be a camp again. Pretty much. Do the GSUSA see any different outcomes than the BSA in this sort of thing?

Well, that's discouraging. But not unheard of or unexpected. I have personal stories in that vein too. I had to politely knock on (long distance telephone) doors, send letters (real paper !), and emails (A Scout is Courteous). I finally got a human being to talk to, and got some answers, which explained my personal situation (part of which was they hoped I would just go away if they ignored me. Really). So, if it is important to you (and it sounds like it is), document, save records, search out phone numbers (this was the surprise, both to me and to them. How did you get this number?) . and be politely persistent. Remind them, politely, of the Scout Promise and Law, the otherwise excellent record you have, and allow them to do "the right thing." It eventually worked for me, and future events turned out different and better.

"partially".

Interesting question. Safety is of primary importance. As a Cub Camp Archery Range Officer, I can tell you some stories, both good and not so. As a Quaker Scout Chaplain, I have had to explain our testimony about war, violence and weapons more than once. Our kids understand that. Older stepson (never a Scout) (greatly influenced by his father and Gfather) joined the army and came back the better for it. His philosophy was greatly formed both by his mom and my faith and his time in many places overseas. Younger son (Eagle Scout) did very well at Archery, served as a Scout Range assistant. He earned his Riflery and Shotgun Merit Badges, much to his mom's amazement, and learned how destructive such weapons can be. I feel the need to LEARN the need for safe use of firearms (there is no such thing as a totally safe firearm) is very important. I respect the family's desire to keep their child safe. The example is necessary. Sandy Hook, Columbine and the Pennsylvania Amish school examples need to be remembered. I could go on, but I have to leave for work now. Stay warm and dry , everyone.

Indeed, sit ye down on a virtual log by the ecampfire and try to ignore the pixel smoke, which will follow one around the server..... You want whipped cream on that cobbler?

We have, we hope, come a long way. The "Youth Protection" policy is accepted as also being a "adult protection" policy. It does work both ways. Once upon a time, there was a man who was (so he thought) happily married . The wife upped and abandoned the family. The court awarded him full custody of their 4 year old daughter. With the help of his extended family, (and ex wife extended family), he raised the daughter. Weathered challenges at work, legalities, medical emergencies, school problems and other life stumbles. Along the way, he discovered that the daughter's school marveled at the situation. School staff home visits were "invited" , (and welcomed. Cookies and coffee). Daughter's school friends had families that did not accept the idea of a single dad with daughter. Friend cannot playdate with daughter, at her home, but at friend's home, that's okay. When he remarried, presto, that hurdle was eliminated. Daughter eventually "morphed" into a lovely young independent woman, and she found a life partner and came to understand and realize her past family dynamic. We Scout people are both cursed with our past history and blessed with our newly accepted education about such. The new YPT (APT?) will serve well in the future, if the lessons learned can be kept in our consciousness. Our knowledge of science (physics, chemistry, math, biology etc. etc.) has been hard won and forgotten at our peril. Medical science has gone from "toxic vapors" to careful sanitation and "innoculation".... So too will all our societal groups need to remember the hard learned lessons. . Religious orders, schools, Scouts,,,,,, The realization of the evil inherent in some poor soul's need to degrade children must lead to an advancement, improvement of our society. Pass the peach cobbler, please. You want milk in that coffee?

You betcha. I just finished a virtual MBCollege. ZOOM can be a wonderful thing, but the email back and forth was a chore. I really prefer the "in person" thing. In person, for BUGLING MB (!), I would always have a GROUP of Scouts and SOMETIMES a volunteer adult in the back of the room, WITH THE DOOR WIDE OPEN> I once had a neighboring MB class come and close the door, but I had to go and explain WHY the door was wide open to the hall. NO OTHER ADULT IN THE ROOM. Would they like to be my "partner"? The door stayed open. One must adapt.... On ZOOM, no problem, group of Scouts, sometimes a mom holding the music for the Scout (!). Email? I have a couple of Scouter friends (the DCommish and the DChair ! bless'm) who understand why I include them in all my emails . Yes. let's go fishing..... Baconfat cornmeal balls for channel cat....

The best/most memorable (other than Scoutson's !) Eagle CoH involved three brothers. They waited until all three were eligible, and then arranged for a campout at their grandparent's farm, which had been a camp site for the Troop for many years , even before the brothers joined. The audience had to park some distance from the campsite, and hike in , maybe 200 or 300 yards thru the woods. The Troop had set things up very nice, campfire, tables, area for the crowd to set up their camp chairs. Candles, ceremony, worthy speeches, songs. Campfire. Refreshments were burgers and hotdogs and salad fixings, (salads were "potluck", burgers and dogs were being cooked while the ceremony went on.... At the end, everyone did the congratulatory things, and the parents went home. The Scouts stayed at camp.

Show the movie "Gandhi"?

Cub Scout visits/field trips.... Check with the parents. Where do they work? The mention of "Cub Scouts" opens many doors. When I worked for the local bus transit service, the maintenance garage manager welcomed us easily. He said it was a "good excuse to make everybody clean up and put stuff away." Local Racing Pigeon Club invited us to visit one of their race releases. THAT was exciting, they talked about bird and care and then a hundred plus birds were released. Trail hikes above mentioned. Work up a scavenger hunt the parents can also get in on. ABSOLUTELY introduce Poison Ivy to everyone.. And remember the Cub Scout Mantra KiS MiF, KiS MiF,,,, Keep it simple, Make it fun.

Sounds like a chance for friendly competition AND inter Troop cooperation. Come normal activities, could be a opportunity. How do they get along otherwise?

Send this to your congrssperson and the court.

I love it when the band does a unique "entrance" . I always thanked the football team for warming up the crowd for the band's halftime show. Nice they have a purpose. Now let's reference the original, in Zulu . (331) Miriam Makeba - Mbube (The Lion Sleeps Tonight) 'Vinyl' - YouTube