SSScout

Advance planning, obviously is the first requirement. But, plan what?? Aside from the usual "favorites" of archery and BBs, and their good effect depends much on the Range Officer's attitude, we have found that the CSDC success depends more on the "fun" factor than on the "advancement" factor. Even teaching map and compass or knots and rope should be fun rather than a chore. The boys can go to school in Septenber. Camp must needs be fun and thus be memorable. Games: Throw ropes to rescue people, tie knots to be skillful. When the boy asks "is THIS a square knot?" Ask what his name is, and proclaim it a 'Charley knot'. Watch the smile. Flag ettiquette & folding: find a few BIG flags so the boys can fold in teams of 6 or 8. Include the DenWalkers. Nobody sits in the back and schmoozes! Get a few historic flags and stretch their thinking with a fifteen star "star spangled banner" and a thirteen star "old glory", teach a little history along with the "requirement". Map and compass: Go to Oriental Trading and order the colorful compass on a string, about $.50 each. DONOT order the black and white cheaper one, it isn't even magnetic. "On the count of three, everybody point NORTH! 1,2,3" and watch the fun. Talk about finding one's way. We tape up a series of maps and relate each to the other: first a National Geographic Map of the Universe, then to the Solar System, to a Globe, to a World Map, to a USA map, to a State map, to a County map, to a Map of the Park. We give'm a map of the park(park service, free) and we find ourselves on it. We play with the compass and magnetism and steel. Tiger or Webelos, the boys go away with a working compass and simple knowledge of how to use a map. Watch the smiles. Seek you the WOW factor. Seek out "specials", hopefully in agreement with the Council CSDC theme. Be creative in remembering, calling, inviting, following leads. In past years, we have had a professional archer do a demonstration, the State Police medivac helicopter land and talk about their work, Radio Control Model Planes, car race clubs, off road giant dump trucks, fire and rescue folks, a cowboy trick roper, a hot air balloon, the Army Corps of Engineers (Army Major in full uniform teaching Cubs to make structures with toothpicks and gumdrops... your tax dollars truly at work!), the Blue Knight come to speak of child safety, bicycle stunt riding, monocyclist, Park Police mounted corps, State Parks Scales and Tails animal demonstration, local farmers animal pens, homing pigeon hobbyists (mass release!), NASA will send an astronaut and exhibit with sufficient notice. Form "CUB SCOUTS" on the ground with Cubs and Staff and have the local Traffic Spotter fly over. Say "Cub Scouts" and watch the doors open. Even in the most rural council, ask around. Every Cub would love to see the inside of a BIG TRUCK up close. Farm Tractor, harvester, road grader. Contact your local National Guard Armory, see if they have an M114 sitting around to OOO and AAH at. The State Soil and Water Conservation, State Extension Office all have outreach departments. Start the conversation. Home Depot and Lowes will come out and lead hammer banging crafts for free or little cost. Make 2x4 balance beams (over the Grand Canyon!!) or island hop between cinderblocks and 2x6s. and a net covered obstacle course. The last day before lunch, we plan a Water Festival, with lots of wet stuff to do. ('course all this depends on a good water supply) Tug o'war over a kiddy pool mud pit. Water gun battle, super slip n'slide (poly sheet on a slight incline, a couple drops of detergent every so often and a dripping hose), straw bales stacked up in low pyramid to climb on, a relay wet sponge toss, a dunk-the-Cub Leader game. Because of the cleanup problems, we donot recommend water balloons or whipped cream or crazy string or shaving cream things. After lunch, the fireless campfire. Skits, cheers, songs. Both from the Staff and the attending Dens. And a last awards ceremony and goodbyes. Lower the flag the last time. Just a few ideas from our District's experience. And don't forget to have fun yourself. If you are enjoying the camp, the moreso will your young charges. Keep it Simple Make it Fun KiSMiF... (This message has been edited by SSScout)

Well, I always thought that since DC is a Troop PoR that the Troop should award the DC Shoulder Cord. But I had a short conversation with a Cub Pack person, and they said that since the DC serves the Pack, the Pack recognizes the DC and awards the Shoulder Cord. My SM said that, for sure, he'll "recognize" the DC at the next CoH and if the Pack wishes to award the Shoulder Cord, that's OK with him, saves the Troop the expense! So, what say you all, does the Troop award the Cord, or the Pack? Or does it matter?

SctDad & Eagle92: Thanks for the clarifications. You have alot of good ideas here. I'll offer a couple more to pass on: 1) Rename the event. Call it "Cubarama" or "Cub Jambo" or "Salamagundi" (look it up). Calling it a DCamp may be part of the confusion. As has been mentioned, the term "Day Camp" usually applies to the Summer five day variety. 2) Make sure the advancement/rank earning is secondary to the fun part or automatic in the participation. If your adult leaders can't let it be fun (safety concerns aside), then you have lost one of the great holding factors of Cub Scouting. Include lots of cheers and songs and jumping up and down wherever you can. 3) And for pete's sake; make sure there's a patch to give out at the end of it as the units and Cubs depart! Good Luck! KiS MiF YiS...

SctDad: Your nascent CSDC Director has learned his first lesson. The farther ahead the planning starts, the better. Recruit help from the attenders: Note the folks that get involved and express an interest; call and bring them in. Go to roundtable and beat the drum. Go to the District leadership and make sure they know about the need.( wait a minute... this was a weekend camp? Winter time? Must be down south, I guess...) . The gear for such camps is usually supplied/stored/supplied by the Council. Beat on their doors, too, to let them know about the need for equipment replacement. CSDC in our Council has a budget that is predicated on the camp fees, and a balance of what the Council can provide and what needs to be supplied (things that are used again and again and things that are used up). CSDC are mostly fun rather than Scout Skill Competitions, so games and activities that provide a "wow" factor are desirable. And don't forget to drag, er,recruit an assistant. Give him/her an appropriate title. "First Supreme Absolute Everything Else" might be good. They will recruit the "Specials". A CSDC Special is something in line with the theme if there is one. Or not. A visit from the State Police Helicopter. Fire and Rescue. Model airplane R/C club. Trick roper cowboy. Lots of possibilities, all ya gotta do is ask'em. The mention of Cub Scouts opens many doors. And remember: As that great philosopher , Bob the Tomato, once noted, "it's for the kids". YiS

Okay, same thing again. Moderators, help... Howcum I can "reply" but not "post a new topic"? I again (multiple attempts) elicit the following page::: """ Microsoft OLE DB Provider for ODBC Drivers error '80040e10' [Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver]COUNT field incorrect or syntax error /Forums/post_library.asp, line 91 """ Hello?

I tried to post a new question last night, several times and this morning. Resulted, each time with the following page/notice: Microsoft OLE DB Provider for ODBC Drivers error '80040e10' [Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver]COUNT field incorrect or syntax error /forums/post_library.asp, line 91 Everything else seems to be OK. So, I would like to notify the forum powers that be. Can fix?

BrotherhoodWWW: "Threefold.." Well, yeah, that's the O/A organizational purpose but we were talking about any old O/Aer wearing his/her sash at (specifically) any old CoH. And like always, all one can do is point the finger and say "see? it says right here in greytone and white what one should do. " Leaves it to the individual as to what he/she will do. If one is doing an O/A thing(service, explanation, tapout, election, exhibit manning, etc.) then wear the sash with pride and elan. If just attending, then leave it clean and neat in your bureau drawer. Sasha Cohen, Sasha the bird (peter and the wolf), sash and mullions...

*sigh* Order of the Arrow Handbook, 2007 printing. Page 57 - 58. "The Order of the Arrow sash is worn with the official Scout field uniform or Scouting's official adult dress ( a blue blazer and gray slacks). The sash also may be worn by Elongomats who are not in uniform at an Ordeal, youth wearing ceremonial attire, and in such other instances as approved by the Scout executive. The sash is worn over the right shoulder so the arrow is pointing over the right shoulder. The sash is worn diagonally across the chest. It is not to be worn in any other manner. "(paragraph about pins and patches) "The sash is worn at Order of the Arrow functions and special Scouting activities, when members need to be identified as Arrowmen rendering special services." That's all about HOW and WHERE to wear the sash. I also do not favor wearing the sash on the belt. "It is not to be worn in any other manner". If the Arrowman is to represent the O/A at the CoH in some manner, then yes, wear the sash. If not in an O/A capacity, then do not wear it. The flap patch is sufficient identification. Our purpose is not self identification but service, after all. ""... I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash..."" Indoor shutters, indicates a high class house. Think of the damage to a slate roof of all them hoofs....

I like J-K/C's suggestions. I'd like to mention another take on this. Buffaloe, Racism is an extreme example of bullying, putting someone "in their place". What you may have is a couple of Scouts who are jealous of another boy's success and are "putting him in his place" with the most obvious technique available. Call him a name (snicker snicker), watch him squirm, maybe get a rise out of him that they can further expoit. And what's your take on the SPL's parents? Very often the boy only reflects the family values, regardless of the Scout values you, as SM, have been teaching. Like J-K/C says, ""First and foremost, all your actions in the coming days have to have a single clear message: Racial insults are simply not acceptable, they will not be tolerated, and the consequences increase with each incident."" And support Joseph in his desire to not return like for like. You obviously have his mothers respect. I think it was Gandhi who observed that an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth soon leads to a blind and toothless world. You, and others in the Troop (you do have "backup", yes?), must be firm in your stand. Doing what is right is right. Golden Rule. Duty to God. Loyal. Friendly. Kind. Brave. You know the rest. Thank you for your example. YiS

Just watched a show about Irving Berlin. Talented man. Loved kids. Created a legacy that continues to give. Royalties from "God Bless America" go to support Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, even today... NYTimes, William Glaberson, 14 October 2001... http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html? res=9405E3D9103FF937A25753C1A9679C8B63 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_Bless_America "so you want to be a rock and roll star, well listen now to what I say..."(This message has been edited by SSScout)

OOOOO, I want to be in DeanRX Pack. Full disclosure and full supervision, both important. If the parents are informed about the NEED for them to COOPERATE in sibling care, and the need to not have the future Cubs and Brownies wander the halls, then all will be eventually well. BW is correct, but limited so. The desire to limit litigation by severely defining responsibilty makes sense if one never desires to encourage cooperation and communication. Parents require proper behavior from their children, and help each other to do it. Some guidelines and training for the "sitters" will help instill confidence from both the parents and the "sittees". And it matters not if a Den meets in the DLs basement or if all the Dens meet the same day in different rooms of the CO, the responsibility for the young sibs lies with the parents, not the Pack. Make sure all understand that and your desire to help the parents organize supervision of their progeny.

What Eamon said, and one more word... Souvenirs. Jambo stuff will be offered before the event and during and after. Everthing from Jambo Tshirts and socks to Footlockers and toothbrushes and stationary sets. Virtually anything a civilized human may need will be immortalized with a Jambo insignia and offered for sale for double it's normal price. Even the meal tickets are considered collectable. I leave it to you to figure out how to surrender your meal ticket to eat and also keep it. "Choose wisely"

"Retests"????????

Well, there you go, then. Make application with the Fund Raising Form. Your Troop Fund Raiser is.. (drum roll)... selling trailers! Sell it a piece at a time. Supporters can buy a tire, a wheel, a rear door, a roof rafter, a tow hitch pin, electrical hook up, left brake light, top right clearance light, etc. Then, the ownership "bill of sale" will then be DONATED to the CO. Presto! A trailer! ""Troop zyx thanks all the good folks that bought this trailer:"" and list them all in sufficiently small type on the side of the trailer. Much better than popcorn. Longer lasting. Little or no storage problem. Doesn't spoil. Transport is easy, (need a 2" ball). Eh? Waddya think??

I just thought this belonged in the SM Minute section, moreso than any other. The bloodiest single day in the Civil war, if not the entirety of US warfare. Although the battle actually happened in September, every year, hundreds of folks, many Scouts, place luminaries on the battlefield in the December season; one for each death or casualty. 23,000 candles. 23,000. The drive thru is about five miles long. Leaves one thinking... Saturday, 6 December. If you're in the area, come on by. http://www.nps.gov/anti/planyourvisit/luminary.htm

Along that vein, here's a game I've seen used to good effect: Prepare a sries of 3x5 cards, one word to a card, listing the "Cub Scout Promise" and "The Law of the Pack". Fold'em each in half, and put them in a big paper bag. At the start of a meeting, where a Cub usually leads the Pack in the CSP and LotP, CM interupts : "wait a minute,Horatio, I know YOU know the CSP, but I wonder if the parents have been paying attention." Here he brings out the paper sack and walks back to the parents. "I'd like to give the adults a chance. Here, pick a word out of the bag. Good, now arrange yourselves in the proper order for the CSP and the LotP." Keep on encouraging, the boys will lap it up. When the adults are in order, have each of them say their word. Don't foret to give'm a cheer! If the number of adults is too few, just pick out more than one card a piece. More fun! MiF KiS YiS

Oh what a lead in... Uniforms too expensive? Remember that bare space on the back of the uni shirt? "Don's Pizza supports TroopXYZ" Back of the Merit Badge Sash? "Acme Plumbing Merits your Business" I know our Council already names campsites after corporate sponsors... "Camp BigHotel" and "Camp ParkingLotMogul" Now, I would NEVER suggest selling advertising on the side of a Scout Troop Trailer. But then... But at the 08jambo, many the area gateway mentioned sponsors, I remember a detroit pizza restaurant especially. A certain green tractor company comes to mind. Is this "selling" or "acknowledgment"? Perhaps a nicely painted "Jerome's Jumping Beans (for delivery call 777-555-1234) Salutes Boy Scout Troop zxy" on a newly purchased and titled to the CO trailer would be more than appropriate. Or perhaps "Troop Zyx suggests you patronize the following Scout friendly businesses: (insert Scout friendly businesses here)". If the paint is reflective, that would add to the safety of the trailer, wouldn't it? Does G2SS mention trailer safety? Certainly, I would NEVER suggest bypassing the Scout Fund Raising Permission Permit Form. But then, if someone, totally unsolicited (totally) wants to GIVE a trailer to the Troop, well, you can show your gratitude with only so many Dutch Oven Brownies. Seriously, the divide would seem to be either actively SELLING advertising or simply acknowledging gratitude. I would avoid the former and tastefully pursue the latter.

Dang. Well. I only deleted the two multiples, and the boxes were still there with "sorry" noted therein. What happened to the boxes AND the original? Well. I tried to define the need to be proactive and therefore remind our Scouts early in their career about the promise we ask them to make. It is not sufficient to wait until the week before the EBoR to think about the Scout's 'activity'. "Tap three times on the submit if you love Scouts (tap,tap,tap) twice on delete (tap,tap) if the answer is noooo..."

OK... So now even the boxes are gone. It was there, before I sought to eliminate the mutiple entries. MODERATORS: What'd I do wrong? John-in-KC saw it, right John?

Now, there was a style of tent , like the Baker, open at the front, but sides that slanted in to two poles that were beside the front "door", which could be tied out like a porch roof. I think it was called "Camper"?

MODERATORS: Wierd.... I wrote an answer here timed 11:31:42am, and came back to see it repeated TWO more times (makes three). So I edited, erased the last two, but came back to see the FIRST one also totally gone, so that my Pulitzer winner was no where to be seen. Any chance of retrieving it? J/KC read it before the erasure, thank you for seeing what I meant. Y still iS

Every so often Scouts are mentioned indirectly on TV. Ran across a Hank Hill episode and ran it down on the internet. Seems Arlen Texas has a boys group named the Order of the Straight Arrow, wear blue unis and do boy syuff as defined by their adult leaders. In the episode I watched last night, "Straight as an Arrow", Hank wants his son to have the same adventures he had when he was an OotSA. But his leader partner has other ideas, gotta stay safe. Indoor camping, electric fires, clean shoes, don't climb trees,etc. The show satirices Scouting, but really talks about the middle ground. Hank shows the boys the skills side and then learns that the other man has his heart in the right place, different reasons. HANK: We of the Order of the Straight Arrow call upon the spirit Wematanye, protector of the sacred ground that brings us cool water to drink and energy-efficient clean-burning propane gas for all our sacred heating and cooking needs. Wematanye says, respect the earth! She's ours, by God, our taxes pay for Her. Also, it says here you gotta love all Her creatures. Let's see...oh, here we go: Though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you're gonna recommend us to the spirit in the sky, with liberty and justice for all. Wematanye is with you, and with Texas. Amen HANK: Remember, the snipe call is this: "Woo loo loo, woo loo loo." Hank Hill: Order of the Straight Arrow. first aired 2 Feb 1997 Hank Hill: Straight as an Arrow. first aired 30 Nov 2008

Flashlight tag is harder to play than it sounds. Not because of the idea (tag, but you tag with a light beam, not hand), but because it degenerates into merely running around, waving lights. This might not be bad for the CSs (wear'em out before bed?) but it's hard to have an actual game, I think. Depending on numbers and room, (indoors? outdoors? in dark?)Cubs love 'steal the bacon': Do Not do this on asphalt. Dirt, grass, hard smooth floors okay...Traditional way: count off by twos, form two lines about ten yards or feet (depending) apart. Count off each line in order (1,2,3,4...) from opposite ends. Define the lines so the boys will get back to them (the lines will tend to creep forward toward each other). Leader throws the 'bacon' (hat, towel, old shirt) in the middle , then calls out a number. Those two boys dash out and attempt to 'steal' the 'bacon' and get it back to their line. Point for them. Throw the 'bacon' back in the middle and repeat with a different number. Vary the system by calling more than one number, or "even" or "odd". **Variance::: "Lo-Fat Steal the Bacon" ::: Set things up as above, but don't count off the lines. Leader then calls out stuff to ID the Scouts. Scouts are "On their Honor" to respond honestly! "Anyone born in January". "Anyone wearing black shoes". "If you have a dad who wears glasses". "If your mom was a Girl Scout". "Anyone born in Virginia". "If you had oatmeal for breakfast". See what happens when you ask "anyone who likes raw oysters"!! Stretch things, but remember these are Cub Scouts! Sitting 'round the campfire (indoor campfire? be clever..), sing songs, tell ghost stories, make skits. Divide the group into three parts (everyone makes chopping noises:: SSCHHRROP!!! as you divide). Lead this cheer: on your command, in turn, First group yells "DO", Second group yells "YOUR", Third group yells "BEST". Repeat, faster, faster. Then stop and 'wait for it' . Conduct the groups in YOUR order:: your, best, do,do,do, your, best, your, best doooooooo..... Have fun...(This message has been edited by SSScout)

J/KC: Never said the SM could give the ESC a P/F. This SM conference should occur about when the Scout is a new Star or Life. As I suggested, the idea is to REMIND the Scout of his promise to be Loyal, Trustworthy, etc. and set the internal gears turning. Again, let the Scout define how he has been Trustworthy and Loyal. I admit, the 'oficial' requirement is to have a SM con, but there is no paper directive that says there be only one or when, or how formal. The hallway encounter might be enough. If the Scout's Scout Spirit is evident in his non-Scout life, so much the better I say. The Eagle Rank award should be not only an indication of the Scout's worth in Scouting, but elsewhere as well. If he is "active" in Scouting, (paid the dues) well and good. But the Scout leaders in his life need to ask him (and listen to his answer), what that promise he made (OMHIWDMBTDMDTGAMC...) has meant to him. And his answer will be not just in word but in his actions. "Let your lives speak" we say. Does he see the Spromise as important still, if he ever did? This reminder needs to be done not just once, a week before his EBoR, but often, and early on in his Scout career. It can't just be mouthing the SPromise and Law at every Tmeeting. The goal of Scouting, in so many words, is to see the worth of those words and and to gain the skills and confidence to live the meaning of those words regardless of the reaction of the rest of the world. Not rarely, because of action or reaction in my job, I've been asked, "were you ever a Scout?" and when I answer yes, they say something like, "yeah, I thought so." I take that as a compliment, not only to me, but to my parents, and my Scout leaders so long ago, who often reminded me of the importance of that promise I made. First because I was asked to, later because I wanted to. Perhaps that is the idea. We want the boy to WANT to make that promise. Yeah, we want the boy to WANT to make that promise.

Scotteng has the right start. But I would suggest two more things. The Pioneering Merit Badge book and some 1/4 inch braided cord, usta be called 'Venetion Blind cord'. Encourage neatness in the splices, as it adds to the strength. YiS