SSScout

Engineer cheer: "E to the x, d y d x, E to the x, d x. Secant, tangent, cosine, sine, 3.14159 Square root, cube root, BTU, Slipstick, slide rule, YEAH PURDUE! "What's a phonograph, daddy?"

Knife and axe and saw use are certainly touchy subjects. When I was first asked to teach "Woodtools" at OLS,I looked up all I could in the "official" literature, and went on the web, and talked to some other folks that I respected. I also thought long about my history as a Scout and my dad who worked as a timber cruiser and at a saw mill. I found that alot of the "safe" technique was not 'codified' and was more 'tradition'. The GSS and its language has been mentioned already. Concerning knife and axe and saw, there is very little instruction in the present Scout handbook and none in the present Fieldbook. Go to earlier Handbooks, you'll find several pages detailing good, safe technique. My Fieldbook from the mid sixties, has nine pages of instruction with photos of Scouts using knife and axe. How to cut down a 12" tree? (from the Fieldbook pg.158) " First Class SCOUTCRAFT Requirement No.3a a. Camp Making - Sharpen an axe and use it for cutting light wood into tent pegs." ""Interpretation:: Sharpen axe (hand axe) with file and stone (pg.159). Tent pegs should be about 8" long, pointed at one end, with a notch approximately one inch from the other end." I have to say that the axe and knife skills I picked up came as much from the books by Eric Sloane ("Diary of an Early American Boy")and his recounting of the use of antique hand tools as I got from my Scout leaders and my father. Then, too, in my previous life, I sometimes think I must have been a lumberjack.... The class I put together included showing and demonstrating several types of hand axes, felling axes, a double bit axe, an axe with broken handle, a two man crosscut saw, a Sven folding saw, a bow saw, wedges and sledge, a wedgemaul, several types of pocket knives, lock backs and 'clasp', kitchen knives, a 'rescue knife' (skindiving), and a wood 'practice' knife. Files, Carborundum oil stone, Arkansas dry stone, diamond hone, "sursharp" tool, a ceramic steel. The hand out was 8 pages, reprints from some websites and official BSA stuff. I found myself not only showing how to use the tools correctly and safely, but also talking about BSA's limitations as to ""official"" practice. Tote'n Chip? Whittlin' Chip? How to instruct? how to test? All tradition. Make a tent peg. How to pass the tool safely, carry it safely, etc. Will it PREVENT accidents? No, only make them LESS likely, as I showed the scar on my left finger from my Scout days. Once upon a time, my bosses in the Bus Transit Service removed all trash cans from our busses. Why? because they tended to attract trash. (goal: keep the busses clean). I feel it is by the same reasoning, there is very little or no mention of axe use in our Scout Handbook or Fieldbook. Telling Scouts how to use an axe in the Handbook tends to encourage their use. When I teach a Scout (Cub or Boy or Adult),personally, how to use a sharp tool, I feel I am passing on a skilled tradition, much like a Master-Apprentice relationship. When the recipient of my training goes forth and uses that skill, or, better yet, teaches another in the arcane use of this obsolete tool, it is the passing of a tradition. Yep, it might sometime save a finger that might otherwise be injured. Or a life. I sometimes think about how my dad or that long aged Patrol Leader taught me. Maybe that Whttlin' Chip Cub will remember learning to fold the knife with an open hand (won't find that in ANY BSA publication) and think of an old fuzzy faced Scouter. And then further on he will teach another son. And another finger will be saved. Oh well..."Respect the edge", ya'll.

nwscouterlee: Welcome to the forummmmmms. Here, you will find ideas, encouragement and, perhaps most importantly, SYMPATHY! Six Cub Scout Day Camps? Must be a large-economy- sized District ? Or perhaps a Council with several smaller Districts? I have to ask, why are you considering several seperate themes? Why not one theme thruout all the camps? I always favor the economy of size in such things. Our Council coordinates CSDCs for several Districts. The Powers That Be use PODS, a private company that shuttles a portable storage unit between the sequentially scheduled camps. The POD carries the archery gear, craft tools, sports material, water jugs, etc. The "consumables" (tape, arrows, beads, craft stuff) are replenished between camps. Since the themes are the same, we can get the same type of hats, and Tshirts and such. A few years ago, the theme was Wild, wild West. Each District interprets the theme as they will, we did the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Nature Pavilion did Flora and Fauna, discovery notebook keeping. As the week went by, we recounted the expedition in staff skits, monday was the outfitting, til friday was reaching the Pacific (water carnival). Don't tell the Cubs, but they might have learned some history along the way. We found a trick roper who did a lunch "special" , a riding club came by to show the horses, Crafts paviion made "salboat barges". Shortridge has some good ideas for you. Get your core group together and sit down over some pizza and brainstorm. Lots of neat possibilities out there. But seriously consider ONE theme for ALL camps over each week. Talk it up every chance you can, at the Roundtables, at Unit meetings, over the web pages...Collect your staff as early as possible. Search these forums and other Scout pages for lots of good ideas. Good Luck! Kis MiF YiS

In my last year as a CM, I had 3 webs cross over, and about another 6 Cubs graduate, but not join Scouts ('nother thread). At the final Pack meeting (a picnic), I presented each boy with a Scout ooin and shook their hand and wished them well. Then, the AoL Cubs got their awards and a plaque I and the Web DL had made. It was a 6" 'cookie' from a cherry tree I had to cut down, wood burned with their name and date and Pack #, and a large AoL patch glued on, and a fletch end of an arrow stuck in at a acute angle. Then, the 'Bridging' Cubs were accosted by the District OA team, who led them to their Scout Troops across the bridge, all with appropriate who-hah.

From 'Scouting in New South Wales' October 1980: The nine year old daughter of a Cub leader was asked by her teacher to prepare a composition answering the question: "What did you do last weekend?" Her response: "Nothing! My mum went away for the weekend with Mr. Haylen ((her mother's group leader)). Daddy didn't mind because he knows him. Mum also went away with thirty other men and says that if she doesn't do these two weekends, all her others will be a waste of time. "We are packing our bags and going to grandma's place next weekend. If mum passes her tests after her weekends, she will be able to wear a bootlace and two bits of wood around her neck". ==As quoted in "The Best of the Leader Cut-Out Pages" from the Scouts Canada National Office.

Getcha bumper sticker hea... "WILL WORK FOR COLORFUL SCRAPS OF CLOTH"

Aye, well said. Twill be much copied, methinks, and needs be. Thank you, friend.

Twocubdad: You won't find any "published" policy about this issue. The awards are declared and issued by BSA, but the means of presentation are left to the unit. My Scout Troop has a notebook of almost a hundred different Court of Honor ceremonies. It is the same for a Cub Pack. Ceremonies are generally traditional and left to the creativity of the unit. "We've always done it that way". But there will be similar themes. Nothing wrong with that, I've seen some ceremonies that left alot to be desired, and alot that were very memorable. But it still should be remembered, even if you can successfully combine the three ceremonial functions (AoL, Cub graduation, Crossover ), they are still three seperate things. A Cub can earn the AoL and not 'Bridge' (or Crossover, or join) to a Scout Troop. In any event, the Cub will be graduating from his Pack. The three should not necesarily be the same. Evori: Succinctly said. SMT224: Exactly so. How important will it be to the Cubs actually JOINING a Troop, making that commitment, if some other Cub, without the same commitment, is allowed the same ceremony? CNYScouter knows what should be done.

Liz: You are missing the point. AoL and Graduating From Cubs and Bridging Over to Boy Scouts are three entirely seperate things. B/CO is NOT part of the AoL. A Cub can earn AoL and not join a Scout Troop. If the Cub does not choose to join a Scout Troop, he should not participate in the Bridging. Give him the ceremony he deserves, but not one that is not appropriate. The Cub can be recognized and celebrated for his accomplishment but should really not be part of a ceremony that is not his. That is why AoL presentation should be held seperate from the Bridging ceremony and if the Cub does not join a Scout Troop, his Graduating from Cubs can be acknowledged seperately with appropiate seriousness.(This message has been edited by SSScout)

"And now for something completely different..." Never hurts to suggest someplace new. A Troop planned trip to Boston,USS Constitution, history, etc. Check out the Canadian Jamboree www.ccjam09.com They will easily welcome US Scouts to visit or stay the week... Just a couple of ideas that needn't remind them of ScoutCamp...

Well, hey,isn't that what we all are saying? Presenting the AoL is one thing. Cub graduation is another... Register with the Troop, pay the dues, and do the Bridging. Should be three seperate things, n'est pas ?

SR540beaver nudged my memory with his last post... Is it a good thing to get the Scouter to reconnect with his/her childhood? Remembering what it was like? Is it possible that some of our successes are based on (in one case) remembering what worked with us OR (in another case) overcoming what didn't work with us? Is the really good Scouter (RGS) one who remembers (or corrects?) their past? What does that say about the oft-mentioned-in-these-forums 'problem Scouter' (PS?)? Too many questions?

Can you not encourage the DC to earn the religious award for his own faith?

I'll add my vote: The AoL is an important Cub award. It's presentation should be seperate and distinct and as ceremonial (if not more so) as any other Cub award. Do them collectively at the B&G if possible, otherwise at another Pack Meeting. I have often seen the CM include something personal ( Scout coin, a small custom made arrow or plaque) to the Cub along with the AoL patch and Scout strip. If the boy (I suppose the parents do have a part in making this decision?) decided to join Boy Scouts, then a "Bridging" ceremony is held to pass the boy from the Cub Pack to the Scout Troop. There definitely needs to be a Scout presence (SM, ASM, OA team?) to solemnify the occasion and make it "official". If the boy did NOT choose to continue onto Boy Scouts, then he does not participate. He sits and watches his friends solemnify THEIR choice. The purpose of the "Bridging" does NOT symbolize graduating from Cub Scouts. That is a seperate issue. I have known Packs that hold a seperate "Cub Graduation" ceremony. That might be appropriate here, but not a "Bridging" as if all of the Cubs are becoming full fledged Boy Scouts. Arrow of Light equals Cub Scouting's highest rank. Cub Graduation equals aging out, having accomplished all one can do in Cub Scouting. Bridging equals Cub Scouts joining Boy Scouts . That's as I see it. Them's the cherces. Pays yer money.

Welcome to the electronic crackerbarrel (low fat). We have a few forumites here in Murlen. We have heard from a couple here in Mungumry and in Fredrik and Balmer counties. I'm sure if you ask around you'll find some active Packs in, ooh, I'll guess you're in PG county? After you make the acquaintence of your Pack membership and leadership seek out your District Executive. He can help you keep busy ;-).

Lewis and Clark: "I just got a $200. discount on my canoe insurance!" Columbus: "But my Queen! If you want chow mein, I can get it quicker by sailing WEST to pick it up, than by sailing WEST!!" Jack London, Robert Service, The Yukon Gold Rush,"Snow Dogs": "Mush! Mush!" Go where the spirit leads you! Good possibilities! Crafty stuff as appropriate. Nature trail as led by discovery. KiS MiF YiS

Been there, done that... http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=183742#id_184042

Truly a personal decision. You can go to WB, son can't. Would he want to? You can do WB another time. Is this the time? Can you see it aiding you in your Scouting "career"? Son can go to camp, you can too. Should you? Would it benefit your boy? When you decide on your WB Tickets, your son could concievably help you, might could be depending... Can you help him earn his badges? How so? What's the gut say?

The home Pack did "International" this year. Six Dens: different cuisine from each country: Germany, Japan, Peru, Mexico, China, Italy. Very tasty, flags, decorations. The skits had nothing to do with other nations, just "fishing" and "camping" and a scavenger hunt for "Cub Values".

What Karen said. Talk to your DE or UC. They can have anything you want printed on the front and back of the Cub/Race flyer (times, places, why Cub Scouts, who to contact, phone numbers, emails, etc.) that you might want. Work with them to make them custom to your unit and neighborhood. Ask the school for the rules about sending them home in the student announcement folder or "backpack packet" as they are called around here. Neat eyecatching flyer. Start the conversation at home...

Better to recycle the whole can. I was once the 'daddy with the pickup truck' at my daughters school. The school collected aluminum cans from the start of the school year until Earth Day, crushing and bagging them as we went. On the appointed day, I loaded up and took all to the metal recycler. I seem to remember the number 1.6 tons, about $170. See http://www.snopes.com/business/redeem/pulltabs.asp for Urban Legend discussion. Congratulate your Cubs for their charity and give them a "Good Deed" patch and then give the RMH a cash donation.

GWDSCOUTER: Buttonhole your UC and/or DE and pass on the info about those possible Charter Orgs. If they have some Scouty folks in their flock, let them meet with the DE and UC and, like Mathew Bradey used to say, 'see what developes'.

Collect all the redloops in your District and string them on a rope. And then...

"I promise to DO MY BEST To do my DUTY to GOD And my Country To HELP other people, and To OBEY the LAW of the Pack". What? They didn't cover this in Fast Start? Choices: 1) "Oh, so you're an atheist, huh? well YOU'RE out a here!!!" No, not that one... 2) "Mrs. Jones? I have heard (tell her HOW you heard) that Timmy is/thinks he is/is telling people that/told me that he is an atheist. As a Scout leader, I have to point out that part of Scouting is encouraging the boys in their religious faith. Now we don't really care what faith that is, that's up to you and your family after all, but as Timmy moves on in Scouting, it will become a more important issue. Could we talk about that?" 3) Interpretation: If one believes that their duty to God is to not believe in him/her/it, then by not belonging to a given religion or professing a given belief or even not being able to express your belief/feeling, is THAT doing your duty? 4) Don't get personal. Point out to the boys in the Webelos Den that when they move on into Boy Scouts, they will be asked to make a Promise and asked to abide by a set of Laws. Discuss whether setting some ideals to base one's life on is a (choose one) good thing/not a bad idea/not necessary/. Remind them that the very first of these Laws is to be TRUSTWORTHY. Discuss what 'hypocracy' is. Discuss how human it is to strive for the ideal and not make it. Suggest that if one cannot in good faith (there's that word again) agree to this promise and these Laws, perhaps they shouldn't move on in Scouting, of their own free will, but you'd love to see them try. 5) Show, by one's own example, the life that one's faith leads to, that creates in one's spirit. To get Christian about it, your actions may be the only Bible they read today. 6) Pray for guidance... 7) All the above. Bet you didn't see that coming...

Baltimore. City Industry Museum. Flag House. Fort McHenry. Maryland Science Museum. Waterfront includes National Aquarium, Lightship Chesapeake, USCGC Taney (WW2), USS Torsk, (WW2sub), and USS Constellation (civil war sloop o'war). All within about a 7 mile circuit. Arrange for overnight on one of the ships (recommend the Constellation!) See www.constellation.org They can send you mucho tourist stuff, too. Get apatch! B&O RR Museum , abit further off, but worth the visit. Take the bus...