SSScout

Anybody know if there is an appropriate Guinness Book category? Waiting music theme from "Jeopardy" dumdedumdum dumdedummmm, dumdedumdumDUM, dedededede, dumdedumdum dumdedum, DUM, dedede, dum, dum, dum, (bum bum).

Waaaay back when I worked as a bus driver, I would "occassionally" meet with a passenger who was convinced that I was the "worst driver this side of the Potomac" or some such and they would delight in telling me so. Since I knew I had some of the best training available, had been asked to help train other drivers, had VERY few accidents in the preceeding years, and even had a few complimentary letters in my work file, I felt comfortable in responding "I'm sorry you feel that way". I would then turn back to my steering wheel and drive on... If it seemed appropriate, I would agree with them and suggest that for their own safety, the next time perhaps they should consider waiting for the next bus. On one occassion, when the malcontent passenger (thankfully not the same person every time) presented herself, another passenger told her to "shut the --- up, sit down and enjoy the ride!" In that case, she did. I remember smiling and... driving on. One time, after a passenger had 'told me off', I noticed that each time I approached her stop, she would step back from the stop and motion me to pass on. Three weeks later (!), she boarded my bus, said nothing as she paid her fare, and rode all the way into the terminal. When she disembarked, she apologized to me for yelling at me before. She rode my bus and smiled at me every time she boarded after that. And I smiled back. If I had taken those opinions of my driving skill "personally", it would not have been a pleasent job, my attitude would have made it very unpleasent. It was my attitude that changed the situation. I considered their opinions (about a second!), and then went on. Thin skins are promblematical, but better to try to be good at what you do, be willing to accept some "feedback" that is given in good spirits and work to include folks in what needs to be done. There will always be folks that think they can drive the bus better than you, just make sure you have the training, easy on the brakes, tell them where you're going, and maybe sing alittle as you go.

Very pretty. Bet we'll see an article in SCOUTER or BLife. No neckers? All bolo ties?

K: Thank you for bringing this up. I know it will be a source of discussion at R/Ts and Committee meetings. I would also go with what is in the HB. That is what the boy will see and that is what will have the widest reach. The scouter.org listing , taken all together (all three sentences) "implies" discussing four different points in each rank, but that is NOT very definite to my mind, it is only "implied". No where does it say 'discuss the way you live any four specific points of the Scout Law, giving specific examples for each'... and then asking the Scout to do the same thing for four different points ... and then four more different points. That would require the SM and/or the Scout keep score thru the years of TF, SC, and FC. nAnd THAT would be tough. I favor asking the Scout to discuss how he abides by the Scout Law, give me four specific examples and the four SLPoints that apply. If he does four "Helpfuls", that's good; maybe in the SM conference the Scout can be drawn out to see other ways he follows the SL he isn't even aware of. This would certainly not 'add to or subtract from' the requirements, only add to the Scout's growth. (This message has been edited by SSScout)

Eamonn, always with a discussion starter. I agree with 2cubdad and BadenP. There are three basic types of CO's in my experience: ** the CO of convenience: gimme the charter to sign, have fun see you next year g'bye. We had a local hospital like that, and a local hardware store.(HW store owner loves Scouting). ** the CO that needs the Scout model for it's own purposes: LDS and some other Faiths, and other organizations. ** the CO that WANTS Scouting to flourish and will do almost anything organizationally to promote it: the church pastor was an Eagle/SM/Philmont Ranger, etc. The VFW post or Am. Legion sees Scouting as a mission to American youth. We had a group of parents at a local elementary school get together and organize a Cub Pack (15 kids!) without the benefit of a CO, and THEN start the search for a CO! They had everything but a Pack flag (DE gave them a "provisional" Pack number). We could not find a local org to take that role. Many were the organizations that said, " gee we love Scouting, but..." (we don't have the money,the space, afraid of the responsibility, don't know that much about it, don't want to take on anything we can't participate in 'cause of time constraints, etc. ) and ultimately, if there isn't some love of Scouting somewhere in the CO, it ain't gonna work. This lonesome Pack eventually got an Am. Leg. some distance away to be their "CO of Convenience". They meet in the school's MP room.

In this discussion, I wish to remind folks that we have two seperate items here: The awarding of the Eagle award and the celebration of the event. My memories of past (way past) Eagle CoHs are just that: A Court of Honor to make note of the accomplishment and make the formal presentation of the badge, medal and certificate. In the Troop of my youth, we would have the candle lit CoH, as usual, for the "lower ranks" and then the SM and ASMs would come forward, invite the new Eagle forward, make his charge, ask him to renew his Scout Promise and presented him his award. Sometimes, if someone remembered to ask, there would be the letter of congratulation from the Senator or Governor or President, but often not. The close of the CoH/Troop Meeting would include the SM Minute, something about trails traveled or dust on the boot or new hills to climb or such. THEN we'd settle in to the fried chicken or cake. The Troop made the award, the family and friends made the party. Nowadays, the CoH is often part and parcel with the celebration, which I think is a shame. It loses the Scout part of it, in my opinion. The Troop awards the rank, the Scout earns it, the family and friends and Scout celebrate it. One of the best Eagle presentations I have witnessed was done on a camp trip. The nascent Eagle was the youngest of three brothers, the others also Eagles. I was not around when the first two received theirs. The younger asked to receive his on a camp out at his granddad's farm (a favorite Troop spot). Family folk were escorted to the spot and lawn chairs set up for all the witnesses. Tables, clothes, placards, candles and other regalia for a normal CoH, only under a crisp fall sky. The SM, who is not known for his SM Minutes, outdid himself, I thought. After, campfire fare: hotdogs, bratwurst and beans and salad. After the families retired, the Scouts stayed up late around the campfire. What more do you need?

And don't attend your local Renaisance Festival, you will be blinded by the farb. In the spirit of the season, hohohohoh

Slash Pockets...didn't he play the El Commandante in the old Zorro serials? mmmm, saturday morning cartoons...

I'm thinking my price estimates are on the low side. http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/commemoratives/index.cfm?action=2010BoyScouts Check the commemorative for disabled veterans... http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/commemoratives/index.cfm?action=2010AmericanVeterans Coin Collecting MB anyone?

In this age of instant earning, what I like to do (and don't get nearly enough chance to do) is first, walk down the trail with Scouts in tow and point out the signs I see and invite them to point out some of their own (squirrel nest, bird nest, bird songs bird, buck rub, chipmunk, squirrel, turn over stick and see centipede, etc. etc. ) , then after lunch, we go out on a DIFFERENT trail, and I let them find their own signs to point out to me. One can usually find ten animals or signs or indications of animals even in the winter.

These will NOT be normal, pick up at your bank, circulated coins. They are "collecter" coins. "Proof" will be the most be-you-tiful, will be sold in special velvet commemorative "BSA History" presentation cases, plastic encased and protected. Proof coins are minted in specially polished dies, and struck sloooowly, and handled with gloved hands. Uncirculated coins are struck as a regular coin is (kechunk, kechunk, kechunk), drop into baskets and are picked up with gloved hands and sealed into cellophane plackets. They have never been thru the Kmart cash till. Uncircs are pretty, but proof coins are (or should be) well nigh perfect. I'd predict the uncircs would be sold by the USMint for, oh, about $20 per. Proofs for about $50. each. Remember the $10 to the NatBSA.

And the conversation takes a turn... http://uwnews.org/uweek/article.aspx?id=40044 U of Washington awards honorary degrees to Nisei that were interned in WW2 and had to withdraw from the university. Other west coast universities followed suit. http://rafu.com/news/?p=2254

www.roadsideamerica.com the very best of the very strangest places to visit. www.tolerance.org from the Southern Poverty Law Center www.albinoblacksheep.com multiverous videos for them with entirely too much time on their hands. Remember the Llama Song of a few time clics back?

Ya got yer sterling silver Eagle lapel pin, yer sterling silver OA lapel arrow, yer sterling silver Dunamis pin (or NESA), yer God & Country lapel pin (mebbe not any more available?), and mebbe yer occasional Wood Badge totem and/or critter pin... Need a bigger lapel...

Make the Cubs memorize the Promise and LotP? Naw... Make the ADULTS learn'em. Those are the people that will give the Pack the most trouble, not the Cubs. When the Pack meeting begins, and the flags are presented, and the CM asks a Webelos Cub to "Lead us in the CSPromise and LotP", here's what you do... Say "hold on a minute, Toby, I want to see if our Akelas know as much as you do. Here, I want everybody to pull a card out of this bag..." The CM then walks to the back of the room and lets the parents draw a card out of a paper bag. On each card is one word of the Cub Scout Promise or Law of the Pack. CM continues: "Now, I'd like all the parents to line themselves up to spell out the Cub Scout Promise and the Law of the Pack. No, you may NOT use the book!" And watch the boys wiggle. Don't forget to give'm "a BIG hand" and a special cheer: PARENTS cheer: "Wash your hands!" CUBS cheer: " I already did!" Alternate until everybody is tired...

Here we go, then... Pretend you are ignorant of Scouting and want to find the closest Scout Unit ::: to join, to question, to ask for a "good turn", whatever... What do you find? ((yeah, I know,,,some folks on these forums might not be pretending. Humor me...))

Amen to all the above. A teaching moment: Give the map and directions to a Scout and let him navigate. I believe the Surveying MB requires a map be made to a camp ground from the Troop meeting place (or something eqivalent). Anyone remember Motor Rallies? Timed Map and compass driving competitions?

The earning of a Merit Badge is intended to attest to the Scout attaining some level of skill/knowledge in a given area. Plumbing, cycling, cooking, chemistry, aviation, whatever. The intention is to let the Scout gain some experience in an activity he already has an iterest in (a hobby or such) or explore something new, a possible career choice, with a knowledgeable adult or older Scout, even. A Scout can either 1) seek out a MBCounselor in that subject and work with him/her to pass the established requirements or 2) go to a Scout sponsored "Merit Badge Class" sponsored by a Troop or District or Council or 3) attend a MB class at a Scout camp. It boils down to a willing, experienced adult making themselves available to the Scout to work with them, either personally or thru an older Scout apprentice (such as at ScoutCamp). The adult is needed to arrange the opportunities. Create a phone list of willing MBCounselors. Organize a MBClass at the local Emergency Training Academy, or University or Troop meeting, or put a notice in your local District newsletter about one's willingness to lead such a class. My Scoutson wanted to earn the Farm Mechanics MB, and we could find no registered FMMB Counselor. So, I registered as the FM MBCounselor. Only one for a fur piece, as you say. Put a notice in the District Newsflash, garnered 7 Scouts, organized a meeting, a field trip to the Farm Implement Dealer, a little homework, serviced a couple of local tractors for our neighbors, and presto, 8 new Farm Mechanics MBs. We'll do it again in the spring.

Jet526: That's the conversation I want. How does ANYONE find the local unit and HOW (what's the process) does a boy join? I was in Baltimore a while ago, and voila! Big sign on a Bus Stop Shelter about Scouts! Popcorn! Camping! Hiking! Canoeing! (not necessarily in that order). Phone number for Baltimore Council...

I hope it will be apparent why I chose this forum. If someone who is computer savvy wants info on Scouting he/she goes to.... Google or Yahoo (or such). Hopefully, one is then given a choice of websites about Scouting. But... if one WANTS to join up, or wants to join up his/her son, is somewhat knowledgeable and goes to your local Council or Troop website, what do you find there? Is it easy to find out HOW to join? Is the web reader directed to another site/page? Is one directed to a phone number? A pdf application form? A DE? Another website? How do YOU find out how to join? Does it have to be 'mano a mano'? This always the best way, I guess, but if you don't immediately know a knowledgeable Scouter? I mention this because our local Council W/S has no easy way to find out that I can determine. When I google "How do I join Scouts" I find the #1 site is a Pacific Ocean neighbor (very well written, tho, but not local to me). Go to Scouting.org and "how to join" is not one of the FAQ. If You click "join now", you listen to some Scouts testify to the fun they have, and are asked to find your "local Scout Council", but as it happens, that function is presently nonfunctional. When I was a "PR" person for my Meeting, I pretended I was someone trying to FIND us. Looked in the phone book, went web surfing, looked in local guidebooks. And became very frustrated. Mispellings, multiple confusing listings, no mentions where I expected them to be. Worked to get them corrected. How can someone locate your Unit and find out how to join?

CSDC always has archery (and other shooting sports, as possible). Usually, the Cub Belt loop is "automatically" earned. Make the effort for the Bears and Webs to earn the Sports Pin. Usually means coming real early to help set up the range, and other extra stuff. Forestry: Contact the local State U. and see if they have a forestry department, ask for some special help there. A real Timber Cruiser from the State Environmental Department. Would your camp site allow a portable sawmill setup? Look in your phone book or penny paper for firewood sellers for a contact. Local extension office can help there too.

I've also heard the young protoScouts referred to as "Junior Webelos and Senior Webelos" Then too, I've often heard the local Webelos DL refer to his charges as "you guys". Very incorrect. Motto for IOLS Camp Cooking Class: "There is no food so mediocre that it cannot be improved with Catsup/Ketchup."

Languages are/is wonderful topic. My favorite story: Working the Metro Station in Silver Spring, MD. one morning rush hour, one of my drivers came up to me with a short older lady in tow. He said she appeared to be lost and he couldn't understand a word she said. He turned and left. Since I appeared to be in some authority, she started to speak rapidly at me and seemed really upset. I listened awhile, thought I recognized some inflexion (my daughter was taking Russian in HS), and said outloud to the crowd passing by, "Does anyone within the sound of my voice speak Russian?" A well dressed man with a brief case RIGHT NEXT TO ME stopped and said, "I speak Russian". I explained our dilemma, he spoke to the woman, he spoke to me, I wrote down the diections to help the woman get home, he translated them into Cyrillic, we spoke some more, we all said "das we danya" (phonetic) to each other, she profusely thanked (spesevay) each of us, the "babushka" boarded the right bus with detailed directions written down for the driver, and we all parted company. Good turn done for the day.

It should be pointed out that there is NO "official" Whittling Chip or Totin' Chip curriculum. Only the safety guidelines on the back of the award pocket card. The teaching of the safe handling and skillful use is totally dependant on the experience of the instructor. All good ideas mentioned here, and the Cub Pack 178 curriculum is excellent, if a bit wordy and academic. I always try to instill in the Cub a pride of skill. "Showing off" must be discouraged by teaching that it is often a sign of LACK of skill. I was asked to help present the popcorn sales awards and prizes at the Pack I commish. One of the prizes was a pocket knife, presented to a Wolf, who sold a truly respectable amount of Popcorn. When he accepted his prize (handed to his dad), he returned to his table and immediately took it out of it's box (it was his prize, right?), unfolded it and it became an X-wing fighter (zoom!). I interrupted the proceedings, walked over to the table, respectfully asked the Cub to please put the knife on the table, took it up and demonstrated how to fold it safely and handed it to the father. I said "perhaps the Cub should wait until he has earned the Whittling Chip" and the dad nodded with a smile. The Whittling Chip was awarded to some Bears and Webelos at the same meeting. As to "type of knife", I believe that the Cub should see and learn to safely handle, with adult supervision, any type of knife. I always display a collection of different pocket knives, big, little, fancy and plain. The Cub should be taught that some knives may well be too big for them to handle, and that's okay. The time will come when they will be able to use dad's 12" watermelon cutter, just not now. Teach respect for the blade, pride of skill and good care for the tool. Watch the smiles...(This message has been edited by SSScout)

Pint: Thank you for the clarification. I could imagine something like this helping BP to gel his ideas about war, trust, honor, and dare I say, the brotherhood inherent in humankind. Many warriors have had their own epiphany. Look up Smedley Butler for some interesting reading. Twice awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and then wrote a book entitled "War is a Racket" . YiS