SSScout

*sigh* It is never the duty of the unit to replace or establish the Scout's faith, however it may be expressed, either by the Scout or his family.

"Reverence to God and reverence for one's neighbour and reverence for oneself as a servant of God, is the basis of every form of religion. The method of expression of reverence to God varies with every sect and denomination. What sect or denomination a boy belongs to depends, as a rule, on his parents' wishes. It is they who decide. It is our business to respect their wishes and to second their efforts to inculcate reverence, whatever form of religion the boy professes."

Robert Baden-Powell, Aids to Scoutmastership

If it is possible to remind the Scout of the beauty of creation and of it's Source, then do that. We will never obtain 100% agreement among ourselves on how to best recognize and acknowledge that beauty and our debt thereby. But to accomodate each Scouts individual requirements, and not seem too mushy in one's own faith, that is our challenge. If the Scout's family can't find some way to allow the Scout unit to make that acknowledgement, then, as has been said before, perhaps they need to find another unit.

Calling Father Mulcahy...

That's the title of an article in the September 2009 "BACKPACKER" magazine, pg.38.

They pit three Boy Scouts of a New Jersey Troop against three BPckr mag "readers" in contests of fire building, first aid, pack packing, bear bagging, cooking, tent pitching, orienteering and... flag folding.

The BSHandbook is frequently quoted.

The Scouts look good in their mixed old and new uni's, and BIG neckerchiefs. The Scouts do good, too, but not quite good enough.

Read all about it. I could not find an internet page for the article.

Take "The Boy Scout Quiz" :::

#10. When planning a route, expect to travel no faster than:

a) 10 miles per day.

b) The slowest hiker in your group.

c) 2 miles an hour."

d) your Scoutmaster.

Shortridge: That's what I was talking about. My Cmpmstr mentor was never told upfront why the program was shelved. Maybe I'll give him a call again. He lives on the other side of the river from me...

Campmasters...

A bit of a sore point around here. If I am to understand the term to be a title for a person who has had some training so as to be knowledgeable about the camp in question, and serve as a camp host or a volunteer guide for a Scout unit visiting the camp, then I am that.

Some time ago, a man took on the duty of training folks to be CMstrs for a Camp nearby. They (we) would be, on weekends at least, sort of an unpaid Camp Ranger or host for the Camp. We knew the geography, what keys fit what door or gate, where the tools were, who was in charge of what, valves, switches, sanitation, emergency plans and contacts. I think there were a dozen or fifteen of us. Had a handbook, special ID card, a uniform hat.

Then the Council decided that such a corps of people was not needed, in a matter of weeks they (council) told the head Campmaster to not do his thing any more. They fired the CRanger and the CProgram Director and hired a new set. I found this out by showing up for a weekend for which I had signed up months ahead and no one at the office knew what I was talking about. Campmaster? What's that?

I phoned the fellow who had trained me and he said yep, no more CMstrs.

Personally, I think such a program is a blessing for a Camp, but evidently some don't. I didn't pursue any investigation of the why's or how's involved.

Got a couple of pretty hats out of it.

Done well, such a program can be nothing but a benefit. I say, ask that Cmstr for help and let him/her feel good about helping your unit.

I'm with Hal...

Everything is a test. We just don't remember what the subject is. Or what the grading curve is. That's what life is all about.

Might be a SMMinute in there, sum'ares...(This message has been edited by SSScout)

Find and contact another Cub Pack (or two?) and challenge them to a softball/soccer.

Charge admission. Publicize it to get the local community to come. Sell hot dogs and drinks and souvenirs. Sell popcorn!

Organize a Checker tourney for the Town Checker championship. See above.

KlS MiF

1) If the boy is not there, then the patrol needs to elect a new PL.

2) If the dues are paid and the registration is valid, then include the Scout (and the family) in all your communication and planned activity invites. The boy is a Scout unless he behaves so unScoutlike that you have to REMOVE him from the Troop (see other threads). The family may contact you and say "please stop sending this stuff" but rightfully they should be included until that time. And they might come back...

3) If, at the end of your Charter year, the Scout is "not around", then remove him from your roster. His loss. I once had a Cub that had paid for alot of the planned activities and planned crafts in his Den, but after one meeting, showed up rarely. He was very surprised when I showed up at his door with the leather kits and told him and his dad that he had paid for them and I was sorry he could not be with us last month when we made these, but he had paid for them so here they are. He attended for awhile more, then dropped.

4) Ditto the previous comments about program and activities. Check with your Friendly Neighborhood Commissioner for some ideaas...

GREEEEN socks, they never get dirty

the longer you wear em the darker they get

Sometimes I think I should change em but something keeps telling me

Oh no not yet ... not yet... not yet.

Well, we all know what the solution is. We're just going to have to find some food that bears don't like and use that when we are camping.

I mean, that IS the only real solution, right? Other than reinforced concrete and chrome steel doors...

Steel cables for bear bag hanging...

Logic is an important subject to study. The ability to present facts and to reason clearly can make a person trusted and widely known.

A "sylogism" is a way to prove something. For instance, I can say that "A Scout is Trustworthy" and that "some boys are Scouts". I can then reason that some boys are Trustworthy. But which boy? Can I therefore say that any boy who is Trustworthy IS a Scout? No, not necessarily.

Can I say that ALL Scouts are Trustworthy? Nope. I'd like to, but I can't even say that. So how can I talk about Scouts being Trustworthy? I have to know the Scout, know how he behaves, how he speaks, if he WANTS to be trusted.

Walter Cronkite recently died. He was a radio and TV newscaster for many, many years, told folks all about the things that went on in the world every night. You younger people may not have ever seen or heard him, but your mom and dad and grandmom and granddad did. Walter Cronkite became one of the most trusted people in our country. Why? It is said that he was a Scout when he was younger, maybe even an Eagle Scout. Did that make him Trusted by the folks that heard him on TV? Nope. How then, did he gain that reputation? He had to work at it. He had to be careful to seek the truth and when he made his report on the TV he had to know and believe what he told us was true. When he was wrong, rare tho that was, he admitted it, easily. He sought the truth regardless of what some others might think. And then he passed it on to us.

Being able to only deal with what is true and sticking to your agreements is what Scouting is about. It's no mistake that "A Scout is Trustworthy" is the first point.

So, ""A"" Scout is Trustworthy". Are you that Scout?

Layer Cake Stew

Serves 4 to 6, depending on the time of year and size of Scout. Prep: 20 mins.

Cook: 30 mins.

The directions may seem overly precise, but they are intended for beginning cooks.

Utensils:

*MINIMUM size 10 x 3 deep cast iron skillet, seasoned and oiled, or equivalent (dutch oven may be used, but do not top heat)

* Cover for skillet. High top, if possible.

*cutting board and knife

* veggie washing brush

*pancake tuner/spatula or big spoon (for serving)

*big fork

Ingredients:

* lb. bacon, sliced 1/8 thin

* 1 lb. ground beef, lean

*1 fist size onion

* 3 fist size potatoes

*3 nice carrots

* 1 or 2 sticks celery

* salt and pepper to taste

* catsup on the side

* water, in big pot for rinsing and washing veggies.

Directions:

* Prepare nice, HOT fire. HOT coals preferred. Make preparations to support HEAVY skillet over HOT fire. Cook stove may be used.

* Place skillet on table or prep area. Rub Soap on OUTSIDE and BOTTOM if using open fire.

***WASH YOUR HANDS WITH SOAP AND WATER***

* Bacon: COVER inside bottom of skillet with bacon. Leave no bare spots.

* Beef: Crumble ground beef evenly over bacon.

* Onion: Remove skin , cut off ends and any bad spots. Rinse. Cut in quarters and slice thick. Spread evenly over beef.

*Potatoes: Cut out eyes and bad spots. Do not peel. Scrub and wash well. Slice into slabs and spread evenly over onions. Salt and pepper to taste.

* Carrots: Cut off ends and any bad spots. Do not peel. Scrub and wash well. Cut diagonally (fancy!) thick and spread evenly over onions.

* Celery: Cut off ends and bad spots, leave leaves if green. Wash well. Cut diagonally (fancy!) into pieces (leaves too) and spread evenly over carrots. Try not to MOUND things up in the center.

* Clean up prep area. Cuttings to compost , if possible, otherwise, Leave No Trace guidelines.

**Place cover on skillet. If it sits a little on top of the stew, dont worry, itll settle down as it cooks.

**CAREFULLY lift the skillet and place on/over fire. Do not disturb for thirty (30) minutes. If there is no steam escaping after 10 minutes, the fire isnt hot enough.

*** After thirty minutes, remove from fire and lift lid. Poke potatoes with big fork. Should be soft. If not, replace cover and place back on fire for ten more minutes. Try again.

****Salivate at will. Serve with biscuits or toast and jam.

"Cutting up at times to get a laff"...

Good Lord, yes. I would much rather have a Skills instructor with a sense of humor than one who KNOWS EVERYTHING. (!)

You want Cubs (and Scouts?) to learn something? Even when it is about something dead serious? Make'm laugh alittle first, then teach and practice..

Talking to Cubs about life saving... Teach'em the rhyme "reach, throw, row, go". Now since we're in the middle of the woods, we ain't gonna ROW! and since the nearest water is in the tanker truck ("mobile spring"), we ain't gonna teach y'all to swim and GO! That's for Scout Camp when y'all are older! SO... we are gonna teach y'all about REACHING and THROWING!

You there on the end! You're drowning! (Cub smiles). Yell "Help! Throw me a rope!" (he says, help throw me a rope). Where upon, you throw him a coiled up hank of rope. After giggles subside, talk about reaching and demonstrate BIG LOOPS, NEAT COILS, and only throwing ONE end, holding on to the other! Figure eight knot in each end! You divide the Cubs into pairs, each pair with a coil of rope, 12 feet long, and with your Scout Staff Assistants assistance (make it fun for them ,too), they proceed to coil and throw and rescue each other. Later in the week, during Water fest, they "rescue" each other and pull their partner up a soap slick plastic sheet. See other CSDC threads...

Could you teach this "seriously"? oh sure. Which way would the Cubs remember best, you think?

CSDC PD leads flag opening ceremony, but is aware that the Scout Skills man may ad lib something. PD is ALWAYS the fall guy, ALWAYS the straight man, but the color guard does it's job when it's time, in good order. Thereby DEMONSTRATING and MODELING to the DWs and other Cub leaders in attendance, that it is OK to have fun and be silly and accomplish something important at the same time. WHATACONCEPT!!!(This message has been edited by SSScout)

Umbrella.

Extra pen and felt tip marker. Sketch pad.

Pad for seat.

Canteen/waterjug on shoulder strap.

Star chart/binoculars for clear sky.

Clear sky.

Duct tape.

The oldest Scout Field Book you can find.

Pocket knife, recently sharpened.

Every old camp song and cheer from your own Scout days...

I am MBC for Farm Mechanics MB.

Requirement 2: "Explain how power is produced or ttransferred in a:

a: Diesel engine

b. Hydraulic system

c. Transmission or any other power system"

Point to remember: No where in the FM/MB book is a gasoline engine even mentioned. Only diesel.

When I take the boys thru the Farm implements dealer and work shop and discuss safety and operation of equipment, I talk and teach about gasoline and spark plugs and distributors and points and ignitions, along with Rudolph Diesel's invention. (and he used vegetable oil, not mineral!)

When we are finished, they still have to talk about diesel engines.

Am I adding to the requirements? No. Only to their knowledge.

Sometimes you have to add to the Scout, not to the requirements.

I have my own requirement: that the Scout be somewhat knowledgeable about the subject.

Owasippee...ummm now where have we heard that name before... Oh yes.

http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=87008#id_204768

I'm really glad to see that the nations oldest Scout resevation/camp is still in business.

Eamonn: Ethics in the Work Place, and the workplace is a prison?

Check out Alternatives to Violence Project:

http://avpusa.org/

All volunteer org, nonviolent techniques for conflict resolution, doing the right thing for the right reasons. Much experience in prison workshops , both with inmates and staff. Don't know who is close to you, but very sympathetic folks.

YiS

Well, there goes the neighborhood.

North of Beckley, WV. near the confluence of the New River and US 19, I77, I64.

Bungee Jumping MB?

Ecology Studies? Land reclamation?

Hard rock mining?

Thurmond's a nice take out.

(This message has been edited by SSScout)

I love it when the young folks discover the classics and adapt/recycle/rewrite them to suit the modern sensibilities...

I saw a Scout camp fire that had an adaptation of Jack Benny's routine in which he is held up by a robber who announces "your money or your life!" and Benny responds "I'm thinking! I'm thinking!"

For Abott and Costello to be remembered in a Scout venue is great. Has to make the oldsters smile along with the youngsters who "get it" for the first time. "Oh he's our Manager!"

Makes me want to try Bob and Ray's "Slow Talkers of America".

Well. Maybe. Not. Out. Doors.

Any more?

The responsibility of a Chaplain is complex. It is not merely to help with the observance of their original faith but to assist in encouraging the faith of every Scout.

This duty takes a unique individual. For instance, in helping to organize a Budhist or Muslim ceremony, a Christian Chaplain must be willing to acknowledge the validity of a faith foriegn to his or her own. This can be difficult for some, impossible for others.

It includes telling folks that one need not be Christian (or Hindu or Lutheran) to be a Scout, but that some Units might insist that you share their particular faith to join their particular group.

It means realizing that the Creator's creation is all around us and it is possible to be grateful for it's beauty in many different ways.

Do a little research and find some local centenarians. If it is agreeable to all concerned, get your Cubs and Scouts together with these living archives. Let the boys interview them, talk to them about how things were back in their day. Were they Scouts? Boy or Girl? Camp fire? Woodcrafters? How did they experience the history that our sons and daughters only read about or see in grainy movies. I dare say both the oldsters and the youngsters will enjoy the exchange.

Travel to DC is a favorite subject here. Check out:

http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=165809&p=2

and maybe include side trips to the USS Constellation in Baltimore Inner Harbor. Or Fort McHenry. Overnight stays are arrangeable.

Harpers Ferry, NW of DC is a favorite spot, Local Hostel at Sandy Hook MD is the place to camp or stay in dorm rooms.

Spend some time on line to explore the area "virtually"

Good Scouting to you!

fgoodwin: It still is popular, we set up in three weeks in Gburg...

However, if the park folks say a PWD is "too long", I dare say a good Rope Bridge will also be "too long", but no harm in asking.

Free bags of popcorn are always poular. Ask your local mutiplex for donation... Chances are they use already popped corn and you can get it by the huge bagful.

Knot tying, tug o' war, Scout stickers to hand out, mini Boys' Life mags to hand out.

Check with your Cub Scout Day Camp folks for local ideas.

Don't forget some Cubs to assist the table.

Have fun! Make it infectious!

As in all things, there is a spectrum, a gradation of sorts. In our neck of the woods, there is an ongoing debate about BILLING for an ambulance call, and even for a rescue call of any kind. Is it beyond the "usual"? Does the F&R service charge a set fee? Charge by time/use/equipment? How does the Volunteer vs Professional part of the service come in?

Most folks seem to think that despite any "negligence" or "recklessness", our tax dollars should be available to help folks in trouble. The debate has included the idea that the insurance company (health. auto, somebody's insurance) could be billed, but what about the soul that has no insurance? Well, that could be forgiven, but someone could be billed...Perhaps guilt would lead the victim to pay up. Perhaps gratefulness makes the receiver of the rescue monetarily responsive. So far, such an "ambulance fee" has been voted down.

But this present case is not about recovering expenses, this is punishment. Shame on you, hiker, for not doing what someone else feels is "good judgement".

I think it is certainly appropriate to discuss how much efffort is necessary to rescue someone and to discuss what may or may not have been done differently to avoid the problem, but to actively punish, crippling so, is just wrong. Our hiker did not seek to do damage, or intentionally, actively injure anyone, only to do what the area was intended for, namely hiking.

User fees, a toll on the trail, mandatory insurance certificate perhaps, but not a FINE

It was not his fault that he suffered an accidental injury.

CSDC s are very individual to the District. What's that saying, the work is done by whoever shows up? The activities are honestly dependant on who becomes the leader there. A CSDC D can only encourage and inspire so much. Finding your Staff and EMPOWERING them is the real key to a successful camp. Ask around.... who knows someone who is a Nature person? Knots? Map and Compass? Chat them up...If you find a willing volunteer for a given activity but they know zilch about it, what ya gonna do? GET'EM TRAINED, QUICK!

*Scouts can usually handle Field Sports with a little guidance, but have an adult handy...Phys Ed Teacher?

*Yes, you gotta have a Range Officer or two for Archery and/or BBs.

*Tap the District/Council Training Committee for some Scout Skills people. They do IOLS and they could (should?) be able to teach Square Knot and Map and Compass BL, Leave No Trace, Flag Etiquette...

*Don't try to include too much rank advancement, that's not what CSDC is about. At the end of camp, we always issue a page listing the "POSSIBLE" requirements that MAY have been PRACTICED at camp, but that it is up to the Pack Leaders to decide if the Cub has PASSED that requirement. "Talk to the Cub" . We also mention that the Camp may be used toward the Summer Activity Award and the Conservation Award that the Pack and Cub may earn.

* Somebody on Staff MUST be a cheer leader. At Opening and Closing ceremonies, at least one silly Staff skit or Cheer. As the Dens gather and line up for Flag raising, someone should lead "On Top Of Spaghetti" or play "Scouter Says".

*Always include some "specials". Make them appropriate to the theme, if possible, but look for the "WOW" factor. A visit from the Fire and Rescue Tower Truck may have nothing to do with "Space", but the Cubs love to talk to these local heroes. Theme is "Wheels"? Ask the local contractor to bring in a BIG dump truck and talk about that. Can the Cubs crawl around in the cargo bed? Ooooo...

"Wings"? We had a local R/C modelers club come in and fly models. Jet Powered! Found a Racing Pigeon Club who came and took over one of our pavilions for the day to talk about birds! And at the end of the day, a mass release of birds. WOW!

*So "specials" can be either day long (Army Corps of Engineers take over Scout Skills and talk about structure, Cubs take home a Construction) or it can be a Lunch time thing (gaither 'round the Fire Truck and eat lunch) or a walk around thing (local Star Wars club comes in "uniform" and "inspects" all the stations "for the Empire"). Get your Program Director or the First Assistant Everything Else (my title) to do the calling around.

*Make sure the Cub Packs understand your Den Walker requirements, and publish your Camp Regs early. Insist on their understanding and following them. See Camp School. They should know that "Den Chiefs" do not preclude Den Walkers.

*** Make sure the Council, or whoever takes care of the Cub registrations, understands your DEADLINE.(Establish One!) And stick to it. It does no one any good to allow Monday Morning sign-ups. You can't plan and buy supplies. ""ABSOLUTELY No Registrations allowed after xxday, except by Camp Director's expressed permission, and you better have a REALLY good reason." " Council Program Directors want maximum sign-ups and this can lead to 8 Cubs arriving on Monday Morning with mom and check in hand.(happened!)"well Ms Soandso said we could sign up here today". Very embarrassing for all concerned. Do you say no? Shift Den populations? Insist that the moms become Den Walkers to allow their boys to attend? Where to get those 8 more bug boxes for Crafts? 8 more compasses? Enough stuff to attend to on opening day without this.

*Make the last day a different day. We do a Water Faire, with slides and burst balloons at archery and maybe a Grande Melee. Perhaps a Den Competition, a scavenger hunt or Obstacle Course or such. After lunch, Campfire (real or simulated) with songs and skits at the end of the day.

* If it seems appropriate, teach a "password" to the boys. You'll be pleasently surprised where you'll hear it used. "Take offs are optional!">>" Landings are mandatory!" "The fifty mile bike ride...">>" Makes you Wheely, Wheely tired!" Make it corny...

*

Oh it's getting late... Have you some fun.

Oh, One last thing... avoid calling your Cubs anything except that. Make'm proud of being a Scout, call'em boys, Campers, Scouts, Cubs .but not... ? eh?

YiS

I like his answer, "...I could get it anytime".

But, I gotta say, there's the Mile Swim and there's another Mile Swim...

My boy did it in a lake in PA. cold water! Round a triangle of bouys. But when we compared notes, I told him about my MS many moon ago in the Chesapeake Bay, jump into the water from a pier, follow a row boat out to a bouy and back, fighting jelly fish ("Sea Nettles") along the way. My buddy, Don, and I had the old Red Leg desease for a few days after, and got to try all the favorite remedies: alcohol, vaseline, calamine, plain soap and cold water. Mostly, we had to just wait it out.