SSScout

Ain't da internet wunnerful? http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/insignia/highest_awards/bronze_award.asp Sure sounds like a junior Eagle project, AND that the requirements are slated for an imminent renovation. Help kids, huh? Plan design and build a playground? For handicapped/challenged kids? Check with the local parks department. Nature trail? Signs and exhibits and trail creation and is it wheelchair accessable and publicity... Help plan and equip a waiting room at your hospital that is more kid friendly... Check with your church/temple. Local library. Kids reading area? Local school... Crosswalk safety, Flagpole improvements, landscape the inner courtyard, ... Top of my head stuff... 12 girls, if they are honest about their participation, should be able to divy up the responsibility and actual work. 15 hours? maybe not enough. Point'em, turn'em loose, and stand back.

Patch trading? Been known to happen. I like the idea that the patches I have on my jacket or in my shoe box are MINE, having been there and done that. However, at the NSJ I did meet some folks that offered patches as tokens of our friendship, the joint experience we had been thru, together. So, sometimes I exchanged a patch of mine, sometimes a hat, sometimes a special keyfob. I even once took off of my uni a patch in exchange for one my buddy offered. I knew I could get another of the one I removed, but my buddy's was a token of our shared time together. He may have brought a supply just for that purpose, but that wasn't the idea at the time. I felt honored, really, that he thought of me to give me this patch. And I think I surprised him when I dethreaded the patch to give him. It could be nascent capitalism or it could be memories or it could be it's just pretty and I like looking at it.

Yep, tying people up, nooses and such are a no-no. No rope around necks. Teach respectful, safe use. Show and teach fun knots, like the Chain Knot (shortens rope and stores it without tangles), Multi Overhand Knots, and rescue throws. Neatly coil 20 feet of rope and throw. Check http://www.activitytv.com/471-knot-impossible for some cool knotty magic. Google for the others.

Third hand to you folks::: A good friend just contacted me about his first WB weekend. Lots of good feelings, but one thing surprised him; and me when he apprised me of it. Among the participants were two 18 year olds. My friend said they were full participants, both Eagles, one a paid Scouter in Council, the other a Scouter in his old Troop while he goes to college P/T and works in a techy industry P/T. I said that seemed a bit young and (dare I say it) inexperienced for WB. But then, who am I to judge?

UNPOPPED popcorn. But it is harder than dog kibble, and can ricochet. Right on, New Joisey! Set up a range, control access to the range, roped off with yellow tape or rope. Targets to firing line, about 15'... 5 or 10' behind firing line is the ready line. Dead area at least 20' behind the targets and either side. Safety tape/rope is 3 to 4 feet off ground,ALL TH WAY AROUND THE RANGE. Firing line staked on ground, wait line 3 - 4 ' up. Shooting Sports for Cub Scouts Guide::: http://www.stlbsa.org/NR/rdonlyres/42BDA04E-AE7A-40EC-832B-3CB4B7C68E15/0/CubScoutShootingSportsbook.pdf Pick a safe area away from casual passersby. Trust me. Rope the area off and do it by the numbers, even slingshotted dog kibble can injure. But have fun, anyway!

Thank you for the reminder. Sometimes we forget.

* Buddy system... * Wristwatch/timepiece... Rondezvous times... * Maps of the park... meeting place(s)... * Matching T-shirts/sweats... * ID on person... * Cellphones...number exchange... * Money talk, understanding who pays for what, how much... no surprises... * Some parks will not allow pocket knives, glass containers... find out ahead of time... Have Fun!

Bullying has been a frequent topic here. Use the "Search" function (upper left)and you will bring up many good discussions and information.

Jamboree costs can be large, no argument. I saw more than one Jambo Troop that evidently had some corporate sponsorship. On memorable gateway (see another thread) to the Troop campsite prominently extolled the deliciousness of a hometown pizza restaurant chain's product. Another displayed the local tractor company (won't mention any names but it was GREEN and YELLOW). No harm in checking around for some help with travel tickets and such.

Denanda. Bitte schon. I always thought that the reason for guidelines (minimum requirements?) is to spread around the collected wisdom and experience of the ages. So you go to the training, eat the donuts, read the manual, and create the archery range according to the "minimum" dimensions in the book. You are glad to have added another 10 yards all around, because, despite your instructions, one Cub decides (accidentally) to let fly before he has aimed and drawn fully, and the arrow goes FRUP before you or your Scout assistants can react. Little fingers and all that. The arrow bounces and ends up about 30 feet from it's intended target. Coulda been worse. You remember the training and reiterate the proper finger position to the boys. The boy apologizes to you, you tell him that's okay, and ten years later you attend his Eagle CoH. Maybe... KiSMiF, be safe and have fun.

Pack212: As they say: "Where does it say that?" And, also, my 20 pound unabridged doesn't list 'merrow'. And my wife seamstress doesn't know the term. What kind of stitch is that? Just curious.

"systems-administration-mechanical-connector-manipulator-and-soft-material-cleaving-tool." dcsimmons: I love it. Alternative verbiage. When I was in high school, I became the Stage Crew Chief. I became known for carrying a small tool kit on my belt: pliers, phillips screwdriver, flat screwdriver, small adjustable wrench. Pocket knife in my pocket. I got called out of class many times to assist in things AV around the school. The rest of the Stage Crew crew were often similarly equipped. Not any more. Different times. I have an army surplus (WW2) cook set. Even my son has mentioned how lethal the big fork and knife included appear. Dual possible purpose, huh? Finger food appears more fashionable all the time, I quess.

Try http://www.stlbsa.org/NR/rdonlyres/42BDA04E-AE7A-40EC-832B-3CB4B7C68E15/0/CubScoutShootingSportsbook.pdf KiSMiF and good shooting!

I think you'll find that a Patrol is a Patrol is a Patrol. The boys should name their Patrol whatever they please, "in good taste" of course. Beware the double entendre, intentional or accidental. Our Troop has regular names (Cougar, Moose, Wolf, Eagle) but the patches are ordered from Canada. Much larger, fancier patches. There are "official" BSA Patrol patches and names, but you won't find any rule about requiring these and no other. I have seen C-17 Patrol, Rocket Patrol, many other original names. Give guidance, but Let the boys choose.

Thank you! I've learned my one new thing for the day.

Hal's inspired words about the holiday led me to think about my time as a "straw boss". My guvmnt job divided our management in two levels. Those that "supervised" (among other things) kept the records, counseled the employee, and officially "disciplined", that is rewarded or punished the employee's actions ( or lack of). Those that "managed" were in the field, scheduling, assigning and monitoring the work, talking to the rank and file on a daily basis, and reporting on such to the "supervisors". We "managed" but did not "discipline". I was in that second tier. I soon came to realize that my reports led to an employee's evaluation, which could lead to their promotion or days off without pay. I was often counseled by certain supervisors to "watch" so and so, as they knew that employee was "a problem" and if I spoke of them in positive terms would express surprise. Both I and my fellow strawbosses (for lack of a better term) came to realize that some of our supers saw their role as one of finding fault. The thought was, if I can punish a lot of employees, that's good for my (the super's) record. Very few of our supers saw their role as one of encouragement or improvement. But we soon discovered who those supers were. I took some courses in management and found that the guvmnt was more in favor of encouragement rather than punishment. Simply put, it was better to have an improving employee than have to fire one and then have to train a new employee. In our discussions, both in and out of class, it became apparent that us strawbosses, along with our scheduling and such, should not only report on BAD behavior, but needed to report on the GOOD stuff too. We needed to "catch'em doing something good". So, as a senior guy, I started training my replacements (!) in "catching the good stuff". Not only would we send in the time sheets (yes, they reported to work on time), but also a note about how they volunteered when we had extra duty, or when we saw them being polite to the public or taking a polishing rag to the equipment. Some of the supers told me they appreciated the good reports, but not all. One fellow had a very minor accident. If he had said nothing, no one would have been the wiser, but he came to me and reported it. I inspected the situation, thanked him for his honesty and let him go. I reported this to his super, noting that the employee needn't have said anything to me, but he did and so I commended him for his honesty. The super replied that since this reporting was exactly what the employee should do anyway, it was nothing special, and don't bother me with such again. This super immediately dropped about fifty points in my estimation. How does this apply to Scouting? Just a reminder that catching 'em doing something wrong should not be our goal. The bad stuff will happen, no matter our efforts. Instead, go looking to "catch'em doing something good". Very often we forget that "discipline" can be both reward AND punishment. Perhaps we need to concentrate on the reward part more. And I don't just mean patches and awards, tho they help. An "attaboy" to a Cubmaster or to the boy might be the difference between a dropped Scout and a future Eagle. A fun program? Tell'em so. An original idea for a"good deed"? Help them make it happen. A Scout who "did his best"? Let him know YOU know it. Catch'em Good.

Sometime along the way, a list will be promulgated. And last minute additions will be made. Some MBs you will be able to earn in one sitting, if you plan ahead and do some prelim work (Bugling and the various collecting MBs come to mind) before you get to the Jambo. Others, you need to come each day, or two or three, and you can earn it at the Jambo. Some you will, by necessity, only get a partial for your efforts at the Jambo. It will be, as they say, first come, first serve. There will be a scramble the first day, and some replanning and some second choices. But there will be some really creative chances available. Real plumbing done. Farm Mechanics and Railroading did some neat, ah, arranging of possibilities. Metalworking had small forges. And there was Woodcarving and Leatherwork and the rest.

Neckerchiefs. Don't forget the neckerchiefs. We participated in a community parade (not Halloween), one Scout dressed up in a gorilla suit to pass out candy and brochures. Wore his Scout hat and Necker. Got hugs from all the girls along the route.

Apostrophe. As in ownership? Like "Scout's Own"? Or "Apostrophe's use Doesn't preclude Contraction's use"?

Scouts Canada? I have some good friends up narth. Pull up a virtual log and set a spell...

Scouts Canada? I have some good friends up narth. Pull up a virtual log and set a spell...

Shortridge: Whoa... really bad typo...From my past experience, IMHO, that should read "...religious REFLECTION..." Musta been written by someone in Medical Department. (This message has been edited by SSScout)

I tried to "spin off" a new thread, but got this in reply: Microsoft OLE DB Provider for ODBC Drivers error '80040e14' [Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver] Line 1: Incorrect syntax near 'em'. /forums/post_library.asp, line 91 Happened more than once. Waited. Tried changing the title, the message, same thing. ?Que?

Just retired. Made me an offer I couldn't refuse. For spending money now, I drive charter bus part time, substitute teach for the Pub Schools, and do yard work and take down trees in the neighborhood. And write in Scout chat sites.

Oh, almost forgot. Here's an idea I heard about. Troop sets up at the local shopping mall (with permission, of course.). Big sign reads " Troop xyz, Tent set up and folding service" "only $Z.ZZ. per tent." " Don't have a tent? Rent one! Only $Q.QQ per hour" Scouts set up and take down tents as the public "rents" and pay for the "service" of folding... I have no idea how this worked out, but it sounded like fun.