SSScout

Legalities... No where is it required that a Scout, if it is counter to his sincerely held beliefs, salute and repeat the Pledge to the Flag. It is, however, a Scout requirement to be knowledgeable about, and be able to act appropriately (Wolf Badge requirement #2, frinstance), where the US Flag is concerned. There are many faiths that view the PoA as a loyalty oath and bordering on idolatry, in that one is promising to be loyal to a piece of cloth, both of which are counter to their teachings. The piece of cloth in question, however, DOES embody a proud history and DOES represent a certain set of ideals of which we should ever be reminded when seeing it and DOES symbolize our nation to the world. It should, therefore, be treated respectfully. But a Scout is Trustworthy and Reverent. He must, therefore, believe and mean what he says. If the Cub is saying the PoA and the father is not, it could be 1) the father is not a citizen of the USA, and the Cub is or 2) the father and the Cub are not citizens of the US and the father does not want to embarrass the Cub and so allows him to join his young comrades in the cermonial recitation or 3) the family is of a particular faith as described above but the Cub is being allowed to decide for himself what is right to do by his own belief or 4) something else. I would not embarrass the Cub in front of his buddies, but privately and non-judgementally ask the parent his reasons. I daresay he would be willing to discuss them with you. I know several folks that will not recite the PoA for various reasons, but all will stand when the flag is "presented". Patriotism is generally taught better by example than by insistance. LanceEagle:::Good Scouting to you, and welcome to the campfire. Even tho it is electronic, you'll find it usually gives out a fair amount of heat...

"Illegal Immigration" Why is it such a problem? Because people want to leave their country and come to the US of A, any way they can. Any solution must/could/should include some or all of the following: 1) Make the US of A less attractive. This means a) eliminating the many of the freedoms we enjoy. Need more government intrusion into our lives and activities. More travel restrictions among the states. Perhaps an internal passport (among other things). b) Define the way an American can worship. Too many choices in relating to God/Spirit/Creator/Nature makes ones life too complicated anyway. c) Restrict the way people can EARN a living. Tax more, make job choices harder, eliminate union negotiation power, the bosses and "market" should determine pay anyway. d) Don't worry so much about sanitation/health/medical treatment. We live too long as it is. e) Give the police and other law enforcement agencies a free rein in dealing with bad guys. That might make us more safe, huh? And help eliminate the backlog in court cases. f) Allow kids to drop out of school earlier. Fire a few more teachers, we spend too much money on our spoiled brats anyway. More students per class means more efficient use of personnel. 2) Make it harder to enter the US of A. Hire more border guards, build higher fences, patrol boats are needed, reactivate the shore batteries (Fort Monroe) and improve our radar and visual monitoring of the coastlines. Eliminate customs (allow NO ONE in), cut off all international travel. Why do we need it anyway? Don't we already have everything we need right here ? 3) Help other countries make it more attractive for their people to stay home. Insist that US industries pay a living wage (the same as a US worker?) in the factories they utilize in other countries. Allow US unions to investigate labor abuses over seas. Help the other governments build trust with their people. Insist on humane treatment of all prisoners. Reinvigorate the Peace Corps to help improve health and sanitary conditions in foriegn lands. Insist that aid sent actually is used for the purpose intended. Use military force sparingly. Have the courage to point out the abuses of power when they occur and to admit them when they occur with ourselves. Support governments that treat their people well and equitably and do not support those that do not. 4) Be charitable to people when it is needed, and as a nation live up to our ideals. I believe it was Woodrow Wilson who said that "the business of America is business". Perhaps that definition needs to be revisited.

What are you to this boy? Cub master? Web Den Leader? Concerned other parent? How have YOU dealt with the Scout's behavior? Does he need an "escort" during activities? What exactly have YOU observed? Is the behavior truly "malicious" or merely "mischievous"? A boy might enjoy seeing another get the blame for something, but what does that indicate? What do you know about the family dynamics? Have you spoken to the boy's parents about your concern? "It has made it hard for anyone to want to be around this Scout". Maybe that is a problem to deal with. It sounds a little like this Scout NEEDS to have some good people "around him".

Ziplock plastic bags. Quart size is a good compromise.. Dry powdered milk. Bisquik. Cocoa. Sugar. Margerine. Strawberry preserves.(or orange marmalde, or...) PLAIN Instant oatmeal (or real. Just takes longer). Raisins, or other dry fruit. NOTE: If not mixed together, transfer all ingredients to ZLPbags for packing and transport anyway. DO NOT carry in original packaging, prepare at home. Less weight, less stuff to pack out when empty. Pack trash into ONE ZLPBag for pack out (LNT) Read instructions for Bisquik. Read instructions for powdered milk. Measure appropriate amounts of each into ZLPBag. Time comes to cook, add appropriate amount of water to bag and mush up. Plop spoonfull of goo into hot greased (margerine!) pan (you did soap the outside of pan, right? That prevents permanent blacking of outside.). Grease spoon, Mash goo down into biscuit shape. Fry and turn as needed. Repeat with more goo. When done, split "ho-cake" and insert strawberry preserves. Measure appropriate oatmeal amount into ZLPBag, add appropriate amount of dry milk, strawberry preserves or dry fruit. Time to cook, add hot water to bag, mush around alot, eat from bag. Find your grandmom's Hot Cocoa recipe (not "Quik")(Heloise published an easy one lately). Measure out cocoa, sugar, and generous portions of powdered milk into ZLPBag. Seal and mix up thoroughly. When needed, spoon appropriate amount out of bag into cup. Add Hot water, stir. OR:::: Substitute Ovaltine for Cocoa and sugar. (Sugar's already in it). Use Patrol coffee pot and make alot all at once. If you are cold weather camping, you can break eggs, pre-cooked sausage, cheese etc. into your ubiquitous ZLPBag and seal and FREEZE IT SOLID. ((NOTE: RAW sausage, bacon, ham does not do well in this scenario. Cook it ahead of time before including in the ZLPBag)). Squeeze out as much air as possible before you freeze it. When time to cook, either peel off the bag and slide the block into your greased pan, or try boiling the bag in a pot of water. Hang the bag so it does not touch the hot sides of the pot. Try this at home first, some brands of ZLPBags are more (less?) heatable than others. Easiest Backpack recipe... Dinty Moore stew and a Scout knife can opener. Fold can top back into handle, be careful. Heat slowly, stir to heat evenly, prevent burning. Use empty can (washed out) for other boiling duties. Walk on...

Hendrickms24: Greetings from the Old Line State. Here in the US, I've been assured by my Muslim friends that avoiding left hand contact is cultural, traditional AND religious. But originally based on hygienic reasons, as you allude to. They are still Scouts, and I grasp their hand.

Washington Post did a nice article about the new stamp, with photos. Note the new Centen BIG neckers, worn OVER the collar, and smoky bear hats. No bluejeans. http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/NewsSearch?st=Scout%20Postal%20Stamp& Nope. Doesn't look much like a BSA stamp. Any grapevine about how the design came to be? Doesn't evoke much of any Scouty thing to me. Not even thru the WOSM folks. Gotta buy more "forever" stamps.

Scout fist bump? Scout pinky link? Scout slipnslide? 'Course, the Muslim Troop I Commish won't do left hand shakes anyway, so we do right hand and it's alright...

"DEN CHIEF.... don't leave home without one."

The distinction JiKC is trying to make ( and succeeding very well, I might add) is that we, as Scouters should encourage the Scouts faith, whatever that may be, as defined by the Scout's family and ultimately by the Scout, but... I like to think that a "Scout's Own" service might just include some personal worship, but ,indeed, it would be wrong to have the service (there's a word that deserves it's own discussion in this context. Who or what do we serve?) leader/facilitator imply or insist that one type of ritual or prayer is more appropriate than another. UNLESS everyone attending is of one faith tradition (Christian, Islam, Bahai',, etc.), in which case, that particular faith ritual or observance is pursued as appropriate. What JiKC is so adamant about (correctly) is that in trying to please everyone, we please few. It is still possible, tho, to note the glory of the Creation, the brotherhood of all Scouts, the agreement between all faiths of the observance of what is called The Golden Rule, the need to subserve oneself before the Divine, and the possibility of seeing agreement of the ideals of the Scout Promise and Law with the faiths of the world. Such "Scout's Own" can be very successful if designed carefully. Way Opens. I note the single example of the Hindi family that joined our Troop. They professed marvel (?) at the similarity between the SP and the SL and their Holy Script (whose name escapes me). They only withdrew because their son had trouble adhering to their strict vegetarian diet with the rest of our omnivarous Scouts (who did try , but ultimately could'nt totally reconcile the camp menus). The Responsive readings are out there (OT/NT/Q'ran/Bagavt'gita/etc. to the SPromise and SLaw) for consideration. The prayers from every tradition are there (wonderful google). Try www.tolerance .org Allowance does not equate Agreement, only Acceptance.

I hear "ego led" rather than "spirit led". But then, maybe worship of "nature" could be a religion? Or worship of one's self? The supremacy of the individual? Belive in only what one can "see"?

Lots of good tips. Klondike Derbies coming up. Read "To Build a Fire" by Jack London again. Heater in a tent??? Nononono. See G2SS. Asphyxiasion danger. Fire danger. Melt nylon issues. Burn Scout issues. No need for extra weight. Leave No Trace issues. This is "roughing it"? Save a sheep. Wear Wool.

Jamboree headgear story (from a reliable source)::: When the 2005 Jambo steering committee was meeting to decide on things, the supplier of Staff Hats (among other things) presented each member of the committee with a sample Staff ball cap, personalized in the back with the committee member's name. The chair, (whose name I forget, say it's John Jones) handed his hat back saying, "this is fine. Make 8,000." And they did. 8,000 hats with "John Jones" embroidered on the back. When they arrived, and the problem was discovered, the hats were sent back and rather than make 8,000 more, they embroidered a pretty rainbow OVER the name. At least, that's how it was explained to me...

Good show, old bean,welcome to the electronic campfire, where all will be revealed. Pull up a virtual log and sit a spell. Cubs are the most fun, I think. Remember to communicate, communicate. Call, email, but call! Personal contact to the adults is best, always; email for reminders, but don't be surprised if you get no response by emailing "I need a volunteer" .Don't be bashful about reminding the adults in the boys' lifes that the boy will only be 7, or 8, or 9, ( or 10! ) once. Make the most of it! Make a list of all the family resources, mom and pop jobs and interests. Then see if someone knows someone to get a tour of the plant/park/museum/base. Include the boys in a (Lions/Kiwanis/Rotary/AmericanLegion/etc.)club outing or color guard duty. When the time comes, Cub Scout Day Camp is a must. Be careful! You just might end up being Staff at CSDC! Get them out on hikes and conservation service projects. There's no more energetic group than a willing Cub Den or Pack. Make sure your Charter Org knows about you (we hope it is not a "hands off" CO) and offer to help anywhere the CO can use you. And don't forget the Cub Mantra: ((close eyes and repeat)) "KISMIF, KISMIF, KISMIF!" (that's keep it simple, make it fun!)

All God's Critters got a Place in the Choir (Bill Staines) "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord" and all that, but I would hope that you would also encourage the Scout to just sit and LISTEN... to God's creation, to that "still, small voice".

Lenhok Sin, NCAC's high adventure venue, in Goshen Scout Reservation. http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org/openrosters/ViewOrgPageLink.asp?LinkKey=16562&orgkey=1933

Does your CO have multiple rooms? Den per room? Stations for activities? Movie ? Hallway PWDerby? "small" olympics (mini competitions)? Local Volunteer Fire Dept.? Historical Society? Talk to your local Cub Scout Day Camp folks for ideas...

Don't forget that most important part of the Computer SAcience MB::: GIGO.(This message has been edited by SSScout)

two and a half men nip and tuck sons of anarchy south park american dad cleveland show gleemelrose place "fridays the new hump day" (promotion for gossip girl) glenn martin, dds these are some of the tv shows available to the average "basic" cable, fios, dst, disk receiver. in "prime time". don't think your kid isn't watching them when you aren't. all are designed and intended to make the language being discussed here seem ok, acceptable, normal, usual. you pay for the creation of these shows, and you have little or no say in the matter. look to http://www.parentstv.org/ for more info.

Much congrats! I hope you took lots of pictures of the CoH. Now, make sure the local news gets ahold of the story. Nothing like a local boy makes good story for the evening TV news and Town Gazette. AND the angle of a new Scout unit and how it got up and running. Your local Chamber of Commerce might help you make the right conections. Next, ask your CO if you can establish an Eagle memorial of some kind, a wall placque or display case. or something, because you ARE going to have more Eagles , some day, yes? And a picture album to put all those pictures in of Eagle CoH and camp trips and such. Need a Troop Historian or Scribe to help tend to that. "Well done"... oops, that's Sea Scouts.

In our Council, the Program Director is the one to go to for info on Range Officer training or Shooting Sports Director training. The Camp School connection is correct, as far as that goes, and you do need the Council PD's OK to attend. I'm sure your Council would love to allow you to pay your own way to Camp School for the training, providing you promise to be available for range responsibilities around the Council, not just for YOUR unit...

I get the same looks when I set up my "Scout" tent, which is really a 10x10 tarp. I have a canvas Scout issue tarp with tie offs and grommets all around. I think the trend to the modern "umbrella tent" is driven by 1) the perceived need to keep out the creepy crawlies and skeeters. (desease!!) and 2)the desire to have the newest and trendiest (ipod pockets? designed in ventilation? instant erection?) 3) if so and so had it on Everest, it must be good. Nylon doesn't last near as long as canvas.It is lighter, surely, but with care, the canvas tent I think will last longer. The Troop of my youth made our own tents/tarps. Cut out a 10x10 foot square of 6 mil black plastic sheet. Apply the best quality duct tape around the 4 edges, on both sides. Install a 5/8ths" grommet in each corner (need a supply of grommets and a hammer grommet set) and evenly set three more on each side. If you feel it necessary, apply more D/T where the grommets are to reinforce the area. To create the "Explorer" style tent, from one corner, measure about 2 feet along each side and find the lines intersection with the tarps diagonal. This will be about 32 1/2" down the diagonal from the corner. Place an 12" "X" of D/T here. Do the same on the other side. Punch a grommet here at the center of the "X". Your 4 or 5' tent pole goes here. Now you have a very adaptable tent. Join two together for a dining fly. Be careful not to step on it, it can get holes in it. With care, it will last two or more seasons. The sun's UV light will degrade it and eventually make it brittle. When it has served it's purpose, use it as a ground cloth.

Choices:**Go to your local ( I know that is a relative term) Scout Shop, and see what they have on the shelf. **Check out Scoutstuff.org and see their catalogue. ** Visit any number of private patch companies and have your own made. **Our Troop went on a canoe trip that did not end up meeting the original travel plans (don't ask). We went to the Scout Shop, bought sufficient leather Scout Fler-de-lis. Turn 'em upside down, cut off two ears & a point, a little pen work, and we had a canoe with a paddle in the back. Write the data on it, punch ahole for a hanger, presto, a unique souvenir.

""Will work for colorful scraps of cloth"" (bumper sticker)

Ditto about "visiting" the NJsite. There will be stuff to see along the main mdway, but unless you wear the wristband, it might be embarrassing to stand in the line and not be let in the activities. I did hear of some Scouts who "visited" only for the chance to patch trade... Do a site search here for "visiting DC" Lots of collected tips about things to do, places to camp, good/cheap eats, etc.

Check http://www.bsajamboree.org/ and see the Scout requirements are FC and 12 year old before 1 July 2010. BUT some councils might tack on a time limit for applications to their Council provisonal Troops. I don't think there's anything like a "provisional" provisional Troop, gotta go thru the local Council. Last time, 2005, there was a Silver Bay exhibit about the first "official" Scout camp, and Scout history in general. You might try to contact Irving and see if there will be a similar exhibit, mebbe couldbe perchance he could participate in that.