SSScout

Leave time for and encourage personal sharing of situations.

Don't just TELL, but SHARE from your own experience.

Allow the Patrol to add to the training of their own experience.

I see much truth in the above posts, but remember this:

A DC is not an "assignment". The SM cannot "assign" a DC to a Cub Den except that a BScout WANTS to be a DC. What the DL wants is a DC that #1 wants to be a DC, #2 has the proper spirit to be an example and leader to the Cubs and #3 is willing to BE THERE. If the affiliated Troop has no one of those qualities, then by all means seek elsewhere. If the BSs of Troop #1 are not enthusiastic about that Troops program, your Cubs won't be either. Go to Troop #2, where the BSs are happy and of the proselytizing mien.

Oh yes, make sure they take the "On Line" training at www.olc.scouts.org and /or the "live" training when offered by your District/Council.

I just read an article where it was called a "lemon squeezer", owing to it's dimpled, pointed crown.

I suppose it would depend on the context. Comic recitations, sure. Patriotic inspiration, mmmmm probably not.

Little Willy in a fit of gore,

Nailed his sister to the door.

Said his mother, feeling faint:

"Willy, please don't spoil the paint."

Willy saw some dynamite,

Didn't understand it quite.

Curiosity seldom pays,

It rained Willy for three days.

Yesterday upon the stair,

I saw a man who wasn't there.

He wasn't there again today!

Gee, I wish he'd go away.

ob cit "Goedel, Escher, Bach" by Douglas Hofstadter

I know why I wear all those patches... extra insulation. That polyesther is too cool in the winter. The plastic backed patches really block the wind! I wish I could wear more. I say

MORE patches, MORE knots, MORE "Quality Unit" strips. Do you remember the BIG Jambo Troop shoulder patches? Block that wind, man. Keep your right shoulder warm, yep. Whatever happened to the rumor of button hole holders? Close up the closing gap, I say. Den Chief cords are too thin, make'm hawsers.Carry something worth seeing. The last IOLS I helped with, the Fearless Leader made the students cut a BRIGHT red and black rope for practice, made it a "hank" for your belt. It was THICK, like about 2" diameter.

GIVE US PATCHES!!! More, I say, More. We need permission to wear old Jambo patches on the BACK of our shirt. All that blank fabric. Unused opportunity....Makes a Scout yearn for them good old days when folks didn't care what you wore where..... Wait... Pants. PANTS!!! They DID sell Jambo SHORTS, you know, patch on the left leg, but

TOO SMALL...Think of the way the souvenir HATS were styled with that swirl of color on the brim... DO THE SAME DOWN THE PANT LEG!!! OOOOH the missed opportunities....

"Patches

I`m depending on you, son

To pull the family through

My son, it`s all left up to you"

When you take the specific certifying course (archery or BB or slingshot) for Range Officer, you should be given a copy of the book. Not necessarily at National Camp School! However, the Cub Scout Day Camp Director book (4" thick) my wife brought home, included the CSSS book. The certifying class I took for archery was given by a man who gave us (literally) photo-copies of two books, saying the one, Cub Scout Shooting Sports was out of print at the time, and the second, from a national archery club training was not Scout approved but really good reference.

Be strict, be fair and be fun. And be safe. Did I say be strict? Yeah, I did.

Oh, yeah. BM. Use the "search forums" function above, ask for a year back. BM has it's uses, and it's detractions. Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer cherce.

Good luck.

The woman had been told by her doctor to put her affairs in order. She knew that, as with all people, her time approached. She called her pastor and asked him to come visit. She had some important things to discuss with him.

When he arrived, she made some tea and they sat down together. She told him of her conversation with her doctor, that she wished to discuss her final arrangements, her funeral. She had no near family and so, to her,the church was her family. He listened attentively, "of course", he said, "what can we do for you".

She told him of her favorite hymns, scriptures to be read, how she wished to be dressed, that she wished to be buried with her Bible.He made note of everything.

"Oh yes", she said, "one more thing. Would you please make sure that I have a fork in my hand." "A fork?" The pastor had heard some different requests in his day, but this caught him by surprise. He smiled. "Why a fork?"

The woman explained: "In my years of attending church socials and dinners, where food is involved,-- and pastor, you must admit food is a big part of our get togethers!-- my favorite part is when whomever was clearing away the dishes of the main course would lean over and say 'you can keep your fork'. It was my favorite part because I knew that something good was coming. Somethng better. When they said to keep my fork, it meant that something worth waiting for was coming. Something of substance, not jello or pudding, but cake or pie.

So I want the folks that come to see me in my casket to see that fork and then ask YOU about it and you can tell them , it's because I know something good ,something better is coming, so keep your fork, too."

Days later, the pastor and the other church people helped lay the woman to rest. She was indeed surrounded by the people that loved and would miss her. And they did ask about the fork. The pastor told them about the woman's last request and how he was pleased to help her with it. He told them that when they reach for that fork at dinner time to remember to "keep" it, to let it remind you - oh so gently - that there is something better coming.

:: found in some old papers of a friend::

Scouting for Food... Why we do it...

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=82748

Last time the "you can't make me , you're not my dad/mom/teacher" speech was addressed to me, I leaned down to the speaker's face and said slowly and directly to him, in the presence of the whole Den/Patrol/class, "Yes, you, do, be, cause, your, dad/mom/teacher, will, know, when, you, don't." And then I ask if they would like to call my bluff. Sometimes, one of the boys will honestly ask, "what does 'bluff' mean?" and we can discuss poker and the boys get a kick out of that. Rarely any more trouble of THAT sort.

"Aww, John-in-KC, mate, yew caul thet a run on? Now THET'S a RUN ON!"

;-)

Steven Spielberg has nothing to fear.

I think GW's comment needs atttention. Your working name for your activity "Advance-a-ree" does sound like a MBU.

But CS and BS activities do this all the time. The difference is the advancement is a CONSEQUENCE of the activity, not the GOAL. We camp and hike and go and do stuff, and the advancement happens. Well, yeah, we may design the activity to lead to rank requirement fulfillment("Jesse can be cook so he can meet his FC requirement"), but it is not there purely for requirement meeting.

Cub Scout Day Camp is designed for fun and involvement and sure, wolf, bear and Web requirements are met. We even provide a page at the end of camp that lists the rank requirements that may have been met by whatever activities that were held. We also note that the rank requirements met MAY depend on the Cub's participation, and that (" a Scout is Trustworthy"), the Cub leader should ask the Cub about how he met the requirement, what he did at the camp. It is not and should not be automatic. After all, the CSDC doesn't pass on or present the award, only the CS leader does that.

Where possible, utilize Boy Scouts to lead the activities, Den Chiefs especially. Let the adult leaders lay back and watch.

We have had "Cub Scout Field Days" where various Belt Loops can be earned thru playing Ultimate Frisbee, Marbles, Softball etc. and the boys have a blast. Their choice, and it is a family picnic, too.

So plan the "field day" or "day camp" or "Cub-a-ree" or "Salamagundee"

(look it up!), or "Cub Jambo", or whatever. Don't try to limit it only to Wolf or Bear, try to include all your Cubs, make'm feel included.

But don't make it an "Advancement" Day or such. The advancement should come from the fun, not the other way round.

("Darling we are growing older")

While the bell tower peeled potatoes,

Lard was rendered by the choir.

While the clairon rang the dish rag,

Someone set the church a-fire!

"Holy Smoke" the preacher shouted,

In the rush he lost his hair,

Now his head reembles heaven,

"For there is no parting there!"

(sorry for the interruption)

The Flag Code is an informal guideline for the respectful display and (when appropriate) retirement of US flags. It is rather like Emily Post, a reminder of what are good manners and appropriate behavior in many situations, in other words, what is least likely to offend. And, like Emily Post, manners in one locale may not be appropriate in another. And, like Emily Post's suggestions as to behavior, such suggestions are ripe for ignoring.

Folks are always able to adapt or ignore the Flag Codes guidlines to their own situation and other folks are equally able to ignore them when they think they have a better or more appropriate way to respectfully display the US flag.

Lots of Urban Legend is available here. " Blue field worn closest to the heart". "If it gets dirty, you have to burn it". "Patch should have the blue field attached as it would appear on a wall". "Blue field should be as it would be flown in the wind while advancing (and if the wind is at your back?)". "The patch is not a flag and should't be treated as such". "If it is a throwaway item like a toothpick flag on a cupcake, do we have to burn it respectfully?"

Each military service, each public entity (Scouts, Campfire, police, fire & rescue, the garbage collecter), all seem to have their own idea as to how to deal with WEARING the flag. All that I have heard of, thru this forum and elsewhere, have as their goal the reminder that THIS is a symbol of our nation and its ideals. THIS is an important part of the wearer. Nowhere have I heard or seen any PROOF that one variation is superior or "more right" than another. The only thing I've heard is vague implications that one variation shows more "patriotism" than another. Poppycock.

But as a uniformed group, the BSA should adhere to its own established guidelines and be glad to do so. None of them show any disrespect for our nation's symbol, do they?

If another uniformed group chooses to wear the US flag a slightly different way, well, I for one see no problem and would not seek to change it.

Could show it vertically, I suppose...nah.

Show the US flag and be proud of it and be done with it.

(This message has been edited by SSScout)

Man walks on, carrying a suit on a hanger. MC asks "Hey, where are you going, can't you see we're having a meeting here?" Man replies "I'm taking my suit to court."

Next , man walks on carrying a big suitcase. Same query, he responds "They told me I have to take my case to another court".

Man walks on with lots of small signs plastered on him, all of which read "SUE". Same query, more frustrated. Man replies "I"M being SUED!!"

Next, Man walks on carrying a step ladder. Response: " I'm taking my case to a higher court!"

Next the man walks in, dejected, dragging a large duffle bag. Reponse: "I lost my CASE!" Chase him off stage...

This one requires an atheletic boy and a mat to fall on. Boy runs/walks on, jumps in the air yelling "GRAVITY CHECK!!", lands on mat, gets up, dusts himself off saying "yep, still works".

The piece of cloth that represents our country and reminds us of it's ideals is the same if hung from a ships spar or ten penny nailed to a wall. The Code for it's "proper" and "correct" display is neither legally required (which would imply a criminal offense and some punishment) nor, it would seem, widely agreed upon. (to be continued)

"...and on earth, peace, good will toward men".

As it happens, one of the participants in my WB Troop last April created just that game... "Are You Smarter Than a Tenderfoot?" and another ran a "Scouting Jeopardy" game. They only lacked the flashing lights and Alec Trebec. Put us all on notice that as Scout leaders, we need to be knowledgeable and ready to answer with authority (or know where to find the answer) any Scouting question. 'Course, this was adults among adults, not adults in front of young Scouts.

Maybe a Game Show ran for the Scouts? Part of the Patrol competition?

At the WB, it was fun and challenging. Perhaps not for adults at the Camporee, which is for the Scouts?(This message has been edited by SSScout)

oh - my - gawd...

Bullying is not Scouting. It is a fault, a problem. Scouting at it's best is the learning and practice of what is called in modern terms "Servant Leadership". Along with this comes the practice of "Cooperation" and the realization that what benefits you can benefit me: Cooperation.

Bullying exists when, as someone wiser than I said, "good people do nothing". Those good people can be one of the boys or an adult that listens and believes what the boy tells them. The something can be as simple as saying "no". It does take a certain amount of courage, learned by watching adults who act on their convictions and principles (Scout Law?), despite the peer pressure of others.

It needs a Scoutmaster and ASMs and committee that are willing to not just say "boys will be boys". It needs a parent who notices his boy is out of sorts, listens, believes and calls another parent to share the possibility that "we have a problem". Not YOU, but WE.

Then, too, one may meet the parent that refuses to believe that their Scout would ever be so mean. Or perhaps the parent approves of little Johnny's behavior, proves his superiority. Then the Troop parents may have to get together and form another strategy.

It needs the teaching of cooperation rather than the teaching of subjegation. And that is what bullying, in any form, really is, one human subjegating another for purely personal reasons.

Such problems and troubles should never be tolerated. Dealt with in "SM Minutes", personal counseling, parent to parent contact, boy training and boy to boy contact (and no secrecy!), bullying can be overcome and all can learn and benefit from the solution.

Try http://www.lifespan.org/services/childhealth/parenting/bullying.htm

Good Scouting to you.

Beavah has a good point, but so does Scoutnut, CNY Scouter and others.

Oldsm son could present himself as the audience might expect. He could present himself as his membership and rank exist. He could present himself in some hybrid combination. And probably only he would know. Perhaps that is the most important consideration. What does HE consider himself to be.

Is he a Scout? A Venturer? An adult ASM leader?

If I was asked to speak about my time as a Scout, I would certainly not come in my Scout uniform (even if it fit!). I could wear my UC uniform or my ASM uniform or come in a suit and tie with Scout lapel pins and Scout tie, and still speak well about being a Scout and how THAT helped shape me.

If he has passed his Eagle, he may represent that on whatever he clothes himself in. Patches, pins, medals, knots all have their proper and correct place. I would counsel him to decide what he is NOW and present himself properly to reflect that.

At a recent CSDC, a (very) youthful DE came by in his old Scout uni. We used him as an example to the Cubs as an "historic" artifact. We pointed to all the stuff on it and explained how he wore his Scout history for all to see. But it was understood that this was his OLD uni and not where he was NOW.

A Scout is Trustworthy. How Scouting has shaped oldsm's son has led him to what he is now. What is it, now?

Welcome 914SPL:

Gotta remind these folks all the time that electronics and fire don't react well together. This is a virtual Cracker Barrel. Grab some gigabytes of cheesey Ram and come on in. My Troop brought back some sunburn from Seabase year before last. A number of them earned their Triple Crown by attending Northern Tier last summer and Philmont summer before that.

So how's the water?

Copschick: Welcome to the electronic cracker barrel. Pull up some ram and sit down.

Aside from the "practical" ideas listed above to make your campsite useful and attractive, ask your Scouts what they think might make THEIR campsite stand out from the crowd. At Webelos Weekends (what we call'em 'round here) and camporees, I've seen lashed up gateways, streetsigns ("Cub Corner" and "Web Way"), defined paths (logs and rocks line the path), door bells for tents (tin cans to rattle), and other stuff.

KiS MiF YiS

Class Names: (fill in curricula as necessary)

" Using the Media: Taking the Bushel off your Scout Candle"

" How to plan and hold a Cub Scout Day Camp" (Workshop not to supplant Camp School)

" How the Public Library can help your Scout Unit"

" Is your Charter Partner really a Silent Partner? "

" Den Chief: A key to successful Dens"

Round Table workshops???

Have the class (and make sure they know about them) and they will come!