SSScout

I like twocubdads idea, it agrees with what I do at CSDC. I first set up aseries of maps I've collected from various sources and show how maps are a SMALL representation of the real world. I start with a map of the universe(!) I got from National Geagraphic. This connects to (shoop!) a map of the solar system (Mars! Earth! Jupiter!) which connects to (shooop) a world globe,and here's North America and the (Ta Da!) U S of A! but globes don't fit very well in the pocket, soooo... we invented a way to FLATTEN the curved Earth and (shooop) here's a map of the world! Let's see now, can we find the U S of A? Aha! And here's where Maryland is . Let's enlarge the little Maryland so we can look at it (SHOOOP!) Okay, who knows what THIS part is? Right! the blue is water, ....on down to the location of our CSDC. The park service gave us a couple hundred maps of the park, nice location sites, trails, map symbols, the Map Key, Scale. we orient that (SHOOOP!) to see where we are. "Okay, when I count three, I want everybody to point NORTH. ONETWOTHREE!" Talk about agreement about which way to go. We give out small working compasses (about a buck a piece from Oriental Trading. Yes there will be some defectives, order extras ) which are ok for whetting the whistle and mini treks around the camp. We divide each Den into smaller groups and go for a mini trek. Go due EAST twenty paces, then due South twenty paces (gotta talk about paces!) then due WEST twenty paces, then due NORTH twenty paces, where are you? Tigers experiment, play with the magnetic qualities. Webelos take it more seriously and we talk about better compasses, and declination. For the BL, the CSs need to do more, but we give them the basics and they can go home with the knowledge. KiS MiF

Did they sell'em to him for the price THEN, or the price NOW? We had an old time hardware store nearby that would price the goods and that was the price until they sold the item. Old lantern chimneys, grass scythe, mower parts for the 1947 Troybilt, if they had it still and you needed it, that was the price.

In our area, model rocketry CAN be considered "fireworks". Depends on the venue and situation. AND on the consequences of the model rocketry. If, for instance, you launch a MR (powered by an explosive motor, like Estes type, on a sufficiently large property and it lands in the property, no problem. BUT, if it lands on someone else's property, it could be treated as an illegal firework. ($$$$ liability!). That's page 32 in my G2SS. Not to be done at any of the public parks round about. But this year, our CSDC is to be held on an IWL property, and a MRClub will be doing a demo. All cleared by the Council, the IWL, and the county firemarshal.

Gee, my Buster Browns were handed down to another Cub when I outgrew'em. Mom got me another pair ("my dog Tige in the heel!") . How in the world did a Scout shoe survive in new condition? Were these "collector" items to begin with?(This message has been edited by SSScout)

Okay! Cub Scouts have a new projectile to gain proficiency with... ROCKS! Just learned that this new "range" sport has been active at several Council camps and will be offered at our CSDC next month! Cub Scout Rock Throwing (at targets!)! BB Range Officer is appropriate, so I am told. What say ye all?

The Shooting Sports Director is the fellow in charge of a Scout Summer Camp Shooting Sports Program, that is to say, all of them. Gotta have the Camp School Course. The Range Master (or Range Officer, I've seen both terms used interchangeably) is in charge of the particular Shooting Sport: archery, BBs, Slingshot, .22s, etc. At CSDC (at least in our Council), the RM is in charge of the particular Sport. It is an adult. No RM on site, no archery, etc. He/she can have many jr. assistants (Scouts), and adult assistants but only one Boss RM at a time. Need a seperate RM for each SSport, each range. Scout assistants DO NOT run the range. He/she is in charge of layout, setup, running, opening, closing, approving the awarding of the Beltloops and pins ( the Packs do the awarding!) and safety and discipline on the range. The SSports course for RM is given by Council and overseen by the Program Director, who usually looks for a SSD with certification from a larger group, NRA, NAAR, IWL, etc. to do the class to BSA spec. Use to be an Archery RM, haven't been retrained in years. Lotta fun, but alotta work and you got to be on your toes with them Cubs. Especially the "challenged" Cubs, another topic...(This message has been edited by SSScout)

Hey, Hal, What a comment that would make about BSA's commitment to Urban Scouting. And minority outreach. What was that discussion awhile ago about our newest Chief Executive's view on what Scouts are interested in?

The large scale of the NatJam is one of it's attractions. But, a point well taken. Perhaps we could take a suggestion from Scouts Canada, which have more regional Jamborees. The eastern one is 5 August in Camp Samac, NE of Toronto. See www.ccjam09.com

I know, let's require Scouts to be able to tie certain knots... and hike , oh, say, 50 miles total in two years time, and ummm, maybe know how to treat wounds and accidents... and perhaps be able to find their way with a map and a compass. Hey, and be able to signal a message to someone a far distance away, say, without batteries... Just a thought...

Wash foot, dry thoroughly, place DT over plantar wart. Replace and repeat about every three days. Wart dissapears in a month or less. Place gauze over wound, DT strip over it. Water proof. Stays there until you get home. DO NOT use DT for wrapping package. Post Office will reject it, as it will peel off in their machines. Double it over, place inside Scout hat, place Scout hat on gorilla costume, worn by Scout in parade (and necker and large Scout shirt). Scout gets hugs by every teen girl along the route. Place INSIDE bike tire, to reinforce torn tire and protect tube to get home. Red Green, Red Green. "we're all in this together"

Washington Post, 8 May 2009, pg. A19 "An Evolution for Evangelicals" by Kathleen Parker ((Scientist Francis Collins, head of NIH Human Genome Project is a professed Christian and sees no conflict between scientific discovery and his faith...)) "Yes, he asserted to a room full of journalists gathered here, one can believe in both God and science. In fact, says Collins, the latter does more to prove the existence of a creator than not. " Though his own beliefs are firm, Collins understands doubt, skepticism and even atheism. He was once an atheist himself, believing only in what science could prove. As a medical student, hwoever, he stumbled on questions for which science had no answers. In treating dying patients he also began to wonder how he would approach his own death. Not with as much peace as his patients of faith did, he supposed." See the full article. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/08/AR2009050802383.html And a his website: BioLogos.org

Is it THIS BSA National Meeting? http://www.stammering.org/conf.html

Well, of course. No single project of such scale is going to advance without some opposition. Whether it's in the Adirondacks, the Arkansas, or the Appalachians. If BSA is determined to build the Jambo/Training/High Adventure site in Goshen, then they best be ready to listen and adjust and assure. They obviously can't please everyone, but they can strive to accomomdate and assuage the fears of the neighbors. "Full disclosure". It is just possible that somebody might ask a "what if" question that the BSA folks in drybone Texas hadn't thought about in the damp Blueridge. Yeah, the issues aren't about GLBT things, they are about the impact (good and bad) of the building and operation of a big camp and periodic temporary 5th biggest city in Virginia. That's alot of portapotties. And ground water well draw. And transportation gridlock. And trees cut down. And dam safety. And asphalt laying. Ad nauseum. I have a park near my home that is a "conservation area". It has been proposed to develope a "small" area into ball diamonds and soccer fields. Oh, boy, the activists (me among them) got up on our hind legs and went to the meetings. So far, the baseballers play elsewhere and us hikers hike here. It's the (thankfully) American way.

I also find such studies of little use. The ability to predict the "goodness" of a citizen by knowing their religious affiliation is very questionable. It would depend on ones view of the correctness or appropriateness of the religion in question. Merely asserting a membership or agreement with a particular religion would never predict the "goodness" of a person's citizenship. No need to produce3 examples here, we can all find examples of less than exemplery examples of Catholicism or Jewishism or such. Likewise, we can produce examples of lifes lived with wonderful loyalty to the religious founders teachings. But for any particular defined faith, who is the example to cite? Dietrich Bonhoeffer? George Fox? Gautama Buddha? Mahatma Gandhi? Bin Laden? Some will example charity, some forgiveness, some vengefulness. Some will vote and participate in "government, some not. If one declares themselves a "Christian" for instance, this implies a certain agreement with the teachings and example of Jesus. But how many hypocrites do you need to discredit the faith of all other "Christians"? The teachings of some Christian clergy can not be the brush to paint the rest of His followers. It is indeed true that you can judge the tree by it's fruit, and by little else for certain. And it depends on who is doing the judging. The "good citizen" in Vermont may not be seen as a "good citizen" in Natal or Abu Dhabi. I think it was Gandhi who observed that the most Christian people he knew were not Christian. Still, we must try to example the best our faith requires of us and be ready to accept the consequences of our actions from the rest of the world. In my case, WWJD?

Ever watch a Roman/Biblical/sandal flick and notice the Rolex on the wrist of the hero? If you watch closely to "Fist Full of Dollars", you can see a Winebago go by in the distance of one scene. God help the poor Asst. Director in charge of continuity. I remember a TV show (which is in syndication and you'll see it sometime) in which the female lead injures her LEFT foot and hobbles around on a crutch under her LEFT shoulder for a while and then shows up with her RIGHT foot strapped and a crutch under her RIGHT shoulder. Guffaw! Oh the humanity!

Daddy-o, some thoughts that came as I read thru this tome... Harry Truman was once asked what a parent should do to help their children succeed. He replied, as I recall, that one should find out what the child likes to do and if it is not physically harmful, encourage them to do it. Personal story: When I was 6,7, years old, I suffered from allergies, my folks got me tested, and discovered that I was allergic, to one degree or another, to ANYTHING that had hair, feathers or pollen. I had reaction to my own dandruff. I rode in the cab of the truck on the hay ride. I remember taking a series of desensitizing shots for THREE YEARS. Finally, I could pet a cat or dog without flinching. Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts were what I wanted to do. Neither my dad or my mom had any Scout experience, (tho my dad had worked as a timber cruiser). My mom told me once when I asked, that I had come home from school saing that I wanted to be a Cub Scout with my friend. So what I wanted to do, they helped me do. My Scout Troop was an active one, and the advancement came automatically as we hiked and camped. Back then, Merit badges took an effort, as the Counselors might not be in the same Town, much less the same Troop, so the older boys took their time with the higher ranks. Weren't any Eagles, yet (Troop was only, it turns out, about 5 years old when I joined). Then, a boy joined whose dad was a Naval officer. The boy announced (!) to us that he would be Eagle by the time he was 13 and a half. Had it all worked out. Back then, you could not advance in rank except by a time limit in the preceeding rank. WELL, us older boys got together,(really!) and decided we couldn't let this upstart become the Troops first Eagle Scout! So we planned our own Merit Badge classes, called around to find the counselors, and me and two of my friends became our Troops first Eagle scouts. New kid was number six, as it turns out, and about 15. Now , Daddy-o, as to being over active. I was an honor roll student, played and marched in the band, played in a softball league, acted in plays, and did Key Club (jr. Kiwanis) and worked part time both in my dad's business and summers for other businesses. Some things were delayed for others, but it was all fun and I early on realized that some things were more important than others. Ya gotta pick and choose, after all. And my folks encouraged me in what I wanted to do. What does Daddy-o son want to do? REALLY want to do? As to mold allergies, yep, there is mold in them thar hills and woods, but I might suggest old mildewy tents and a possible sensitivity to the chemicals used in the synthetic materials in the gear and tents we now use. And explore with your health advisors the possibility of Daddy-o son outgrowing the allergies, or being desensitized to much of the allergen culprits. I still react to proximal cats and I know when goldenrod is near, but I ran track and cross country in school, too. And still it boils down to (heard this before?) what does son want to do? YiS

Miniature Golf. Any local industry can be approached for a tour "back stage". Saying "Cub Scouts" opens many a door. If you have the initiative, get together with the other local CPacks and organize a Softball league. Don't forget to apply for and earn the "Summer Activity Award".

Wahooker: Welcome to the Forums. And to a great adventure. Your Cubs will long remember the adventures you will help create for them. "The Pack helps the Cub Scout grow..." Ask your DE or your Unit Commissioner to obtain for you and your fellow DLs a binder labeled "Cub Scout Den Leader Kit". It comes with many brochures and other resources that will inspire and be useful to you. Also as has been mentioned, look up the book "Program Helps". Older issues are also very useful for craft and activity ideas. When you are registered as a Scout leader, you will eventually receive the Scouter magazine which will have an insert about CS activities. And don't just do Den meetings in your rec room or church basement. Take'm to the park, meet at the fire station, or arrange a tour of the local hardware store. Check with the State Police and see about touring their helicopter base. Wow those Cubs. Ask yourself, what would I like to see or do? Ask your Cubs and then take'm. KISMIF

*sigh*

History lesson: Dateline: Sandy Spring, MD. 1803. Local inventor Thomas Moore patents a "Refrigerator" (his coining of the word). He uses it to carry butter from his farm to Washington DC without spoilage. It consists of concentric cedar boxes (the butter being in the inner most cedar box) and packed in ice (cut last winter and kept in a buried insulated covered pit until needed), insulated with rabbit fir and enclosed in a final box of tin. Today, this would be called an "ice box". I say crank it out...the effort makes the treat that much more enjoyed.

It is history, nothing more. Ask how the Park Rangers treat it when they lower it? Then too, ask them how they treat the USA flag when they lower that. Perhaps they fly the US flag of the period, 32 stars? Any difference? I hope so. I would lower it, fold it up like my table cloth and if it is being "retired", put it in the fire first. The US flag last, and with due ceremony. Edited: My wife just pointed out that these were, indeed, Americans, too. Perhaps badly misguided, but still. She also mentioned that if any music is to be played, Taps at the end, but Dixie before. "If it was good enough for President Lincoln, why not now?" (This message has been edited by SSScout)

Lost the medal? Sad. I still have a shoebox full of Scout regalia. Two shoe boxes, actually. And my Uncle Frank's. Scout membership card signed (stamped) by Theodore Roosevelt. Yeah, it is a 'stamp' but still kinda cool. Scoutson askes to see the stuff sometimes. Marvels at the old necker slides I made. Led him to try his hand at carving. He might make Eagle yet, start his own shoebox.

www.scoutstuff.org , "flags and ribbons", custom made.

Shortridge and Sctdad: Berets and other head gear not withstanding: See previous thread: http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=183742#id_184042 "Little Red Corvette" and "Raspberry beret" Wonder if he was The Singer That Usta Be A Scout?

Bear with me,I just read thru this thread just now. I heard some good observations and ideas. Here's a plan, and, mind, it would take some advance negotiations and discussions amongst everybody: TC, PLC, interested adults (you know who you are). Alot of back porch meetings, but if you have a Troop worth saving, might be worth it. Firstly, The Scoutmaster, with the support of the Troop Committee sets the program, yes? So the SM comes up and announces the establishment of the "Trail Draggers" Patrol, and here 'tis: and all the ASMs and other adult hangers on step forward. Now, the SM announces a Patrol competition for camping, hiking etc. here are the rules, here are the prizes, and here's when we're going to The Big Trek. They tell you to TEACH, DEMONSTRATE, and TRUST, meaning the boys. So, the SM with his PLC and Troop Guides become the Teachers. The TD Patrol becomes the Demonstrators. They camp the camp and hike the hike. BUT THEY ARE SEPERATE FROM THE BOYS. Now the hard part. The Patrols go about Scouting, with adult "watchers" or whatever you want to title them, but these "watchers" do not participate except by invitation of the Scouts OR if something really dumb and dangerous needs to be prevented. I think we all understand why I said this is the hard part. What Lisabob is describing is alot of parents that (1) want "quality time" with junior that maybe they didn't get earlier on and (2) want to relive and/or create the good Scout times they had (or lacked) waaay back when. Just gotta make the TD Patrol realize that they have to set and demonstrate the Scout way, NOT the (alleged) ADULT way. No adult beverages, frinstance. If the TD patrol is true to it's calling, the boys WILL try out their techniques and cuisine and will wonder why those old goats are on the trail so early when we're still cleaning the breakfast pots. Could the TD Patrol win the Patrol Competition? Are they even in the running? Depends. Mostly on how charitable the Troop leadership is and how proud the Boy Patrols are. But if you have that large an adult group that wishes to be that active, it could work. Bad things usually happen when energy is too tightly contained. Good things can happen when energy is rightly directed.