SSScout

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

Good on ya, mate. The best awards are the ones you didn't know you were working to earn.

*sigh* Who gets hurt by all this back and forth? You? Me? Nah.... Any organization, BSA, GSUSA, 4H, MYF, CLDSoJC, BPS, KoC, VFW, AL, NHS, RR, Campfire, name any acronym you like, they all have a "standard", a "program" , a "highest award" that a member can aspire to. Youth or adult. The difference between the GSUSA and the BSA has always been one of policy and program. Regardless of any mono-gender requirement. Firstly, BSA has always had a program and training to match that REQUIRED an outdoor, active, lifestyle. The adult leaders were (are?) REQUIRED to buy into this. They were REQUIRED to participate in the hiking, , camping stuff. The possible "watering down" of the BSA program is not at issue here. BSA reputation has ALWAYS been one of outdoor activity. Not so in the GSUSA. If adult leaders (yes, only women, another discussion please) wanted to do the outdoorsy stuff with their girls, they could IF THEY IF WANTED TO. Such was not required or expected. So girls who wanted a more active, down and dirty, physically challenging program might not be able to see that in their local GSUSA Troop if the leader(s) did not see that possibility. This is regardless of Ms Low's original desire and design. Today, therefore, each GSUSA Troop is unique, and need not have the same possible program as the one in the next neighborhood, regardless of what folks may say about the various "adventures" in the book. "This Troop doesn't go camping", so I have heard. Second, the GSUSA design officially does not include the continuation of a GSUSA Troop. The usual thing is for a group of "brownies" to form, and that one group works thru the program of their particular adult leader until they graduate, and that GSUSA Troop disbands. I have heard of GSUSA leaders who welcome younger girls into their Troop , such that that Troop has an ongoing life, being chastised by the local GSUSA group (Council?) for doing so. No GSUSA Troop should exist past 10 or 12 years. How does that square with the BSA tradition of Packs, Troops, Posts, lasting many , many decades? Third, The adult leader may limit the number of girls they will ALLOW in their Troop. Yes, I have been told, "oh no, we have enough girls. We don't want any more Brownies in our Troop." Huh? And we are so in favor of the BSA we have recruitment drives and "Scout Nights"? I have NEVER heard that from ANY Cubmaster or Scoutmaster. Fourth, we forget the capitalistic tradition of depending on "The Market Place" to determine the rise or fall of any particular endeavor. If there are girls who want what their brothers have had, and the BSA can adapt to provide it, why not? If the GSUSA does not see the opportunity being missed, of course they may react defensively. But that does not explain the public ignorance of the GSUSA Gold Award, worthy tho it may be (and is) . The first group of young women who have worked to be awarded the BSA Eagle need that accolation. Yes, after the initial brouhaha dies down, we will be more able to celebrate the "usual" Eagle. AND the "usual "Gold Award". And perhaps the GSUSA will see the need to be more allowing of Julia Low's original outdoorsy challenging program..... .

What, you mean this isn't Westminster Maryland?

No need to wait.... BSA has already been there. At least on paper.... Boys' Life - Google Books

Bought my GS cookies the other day.. The moms at the table outside my local restaurant were friendly. When I mentioned that they didn't look the GIRL Scout type, they laughed and said the daughters were in the car (nodding at it) keeping warm. I said I'll see you when I come out with my order. When I came out, the girls were behind the table , the moms were in the car. Very polite, "thank you sir ! Have good day !" Very tasty, worthy cause, but . . . 12 Lemon Ups in a package that looked like it could have held a few more. Worked out at 45 cents per cookie. Oh well. Popcorn anyone?

It's time to watch some tv..... A Scout named the spacecraft/lander/rover.... Perseverance pays off: Meet the Scout who named the next Mars rover (scoutingmagazine.org) Another Teen named the aircraft.... Q&A with the Student Who Named Ingenuity, NASA's Mars Helicopter – NASA’s Mars Exploration Program And we can watch it all from 480,000,000 KM away....... . Watch Online: Mars Landing - NASA Mars and/or How to watch Perseverance's Mars landing on February 18 | Space | EarthSky and/or your local PBS station . . . . . Nail biting par excellance......

May I suggest your Lifesaving MB Scouts watch the movie "The Guardian"