SSScout

SctDad: Thank you for your service to our boys. Sometimes seems there ain't many of us left. But the issue isn't about what the Army/navy/CG/Girenes might allow, but what is considered appropriate by the BSA? If a DE is willing to "stand in the gate", well and good.Perhaps in that case there were other problems afoot. But BSA leaders still need to set the example. I am sorry no one could come up to you and respectfully engage you in conversation about what is appropriate as uniform. Ahead of time, at our CSDC, we announced (via "guidelines" and emails, etc.) What we considered "appropriate" attire both for Staff and Pack Denwalkers. We had previous years where we had to take Scouts (M & F) and adults aside and encourage them to not wear sexy, short shorts, plunging necklines, camo stuff, atheletic type shorts. Don't want the Archery Range Officer distracted from his duties (oops, grey area...). But seriously, the Scout uni was desired, even in it's CSDC variant. Staff should look like Staff not resort visitors. When a Scout Staffer ripped off his Staff Tshirt sleeves (muscle shirt look), we gave him a new one and POINTEDLY said that was NOT his Staff uniform. He agreed, became a model Staffer then on. YiS

Amethyst: Welcome to the electronic crackerbarrel. Thank you for your service to our boys... IMHO, your question answers itself. One cannot wear "camo pants with the uniform" because they are not defined as part of the uni. See: http://www.scouting.org/cubscouts/uniform/parents.aspx You will often find BSs and CSs units that for $$ reason choose not to wear uni trousers but choose to allow BSs and CSs to wear (uniformly thruout the unit) 'clean jeans' or some other choice with the uni shirt. They thus refer to the shirt alone as 'THE' uniform. But strictly, it is not. The shirt is only part of the uni. Camo pants or shorts are often seen as 'military' gear and as such should be avoided. Camo is intended to make the wearer harder to see in certain situations. The uni is intended to help define the Scout. Is it cool to play soldier? undoubtably, but your boys should be playing Scout, wouldn't you agree? See also http://www.mninter.net/~blkeagle/camo.htm for a lengthy discussion and references. Beautiful purple crystal, amethyst. A favorite in my fathers mineral collection.

Please, tell me you wear the uni because you are proud to be a Scout and not because you're afraid of being sued. The uni should be worn to identify one as a Scout. Traveling, doing service, acting in a Scout activity. We encourage our Scouts to wear the full uni (full monty? Nah...) at appropriate times, and the Troop Tshirt or Sweat shirt for work projects and camping. Flag ceremony at Camporee, display time, parade, traveling to Jambo, etc. full uni. Digging trail drainage ditch, hiking on the AT, capture the flag, Troop Tshirt. Yes, we get favors (ice cream!), good comments from adults and some sniggers from other kids. I remind the Scouts that often that snigger belies a jealousy. But often they realize the recognition is a good thing. It is, a good thing, isn't it?

Kraut 60: Not to worry. It matters not who Lem is or where he metaphorically comes from. It just helps keep us focused. Being asked to defend or explain one's faith does not detract from it, it can only make that faith stronger, else one doesn't really have that faith. I find great agrement with Lisabob and others here. I have observed that many wish "THEY would do something about it."...Pick an 'it'. Trouble is, WE are THEY. Even as the man said, "all politics are local", so too "all Scouting is (are?) local". Apply ye the ""Program"" the best way thou canst...

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.