SSScout

Definitely repair. The tubing joints can be trued and resealed, lead can be used but silver solder is preferable. The tubes are much thinner than plumbing pipe, so if you attempt it yourself, go slow and do not heat too long. Or take it to the music repair shop. The dents should not make much difference in the tone unless they really diminish the tubing diameter. As a Scout, I inherited my uncle's bugle, circa 1920. It had a lot of "character". I already played the trombone in the school band, so the bugle for me was fairly easy. Taking my band directors advice, I replaced the original mouthpiece with a silver trumpet mouthpiece. Much easier on the lip, and THAT made a difference in the tone. As an adult now, I decided that there was something missing in the camporees and such I attended. Pulled out the bugle. Took it to the music store and asked about rehabbing it. I saw new bugles (bright and shiny!) were $70 to $180, and the quality difference in price was evident. They were made in... china. So the family connection won out. Solder joints, dents removed, "bore out" and trued. I think it sounded better for the work. I opted not to have it polished, keeping the antique patina. They lacquered it to prevent any further corrosion. I practiced, got my lip back, and sounded at camporees and a few special events. Scouts came up to ask about it. Merit Badge counselor. I must say that watching TV had some to do with my becoming a bugler. There were two shows in particular. "Captain Gallant of the Foreign Legion" (Buster Crabb!) opened with the French equivalent of the Call to the Colors and closed with the Tatoo. I learned both. "Boots and Saddles" storied the US Cavalry of the old west. The Boots and Saddles (get to your mounts) call almost always opened that show. Learned that one too. Even a 7 note instrument can be very musical. The Tatoo is a piece that is specific to each country, but is very similar in the American, British and French. It is intended to remind folks to wind up the days activities before Lights Out, maybe 15 minutes before Taps. Played well, it is very evocative and mellow; a good introduction to Taps. Play AWAY from camp to mellow the tone and gain the echo effect, if possible. Repair the bugle. No music store would EVER laugh at the thought of bringing an old instrument back to a useful life. A good bugler is only an asset to a camp or special activity. Troops only have a bugler if a Scout comes forward and "does his best" to produce the quality sound. The sound of a bugle, at night, from out of the trees behind a campfire.... yes I remember that.... If the Camp schedule LISTs the time and event in bugle call terms (Leader call...mess call...assembly at flag pole...church call...), and IF the camp leadership notes the bugle as the means of noting the time... the boys will learn to recognize them.("? What's that? Oh, it's 9:00, must be time for ...). Consistancy! Boogy Woogy Bugle Boy of Company B????

Are you implying that us Scouters can't stay on topic? Why that's just... Oh look, is that a Red Tail Hawk? ADHD has not definitely been tied to either cultural or biological/hereditary sources, so ya'll are on your own. Howbout that Walt Johnson, uh?

Try this one: http://www.railsusa.com/links/Model_Railroad_Clubs/

Tiger Cubs...um..um..mmmmm.... Do a little research and find the local model railroad club. Take the Cubs to see the layout operate and stand back! www.modelrailroads.net KiS MiF YiS

Lessee now... the flag patch comes already attached to the right sleeve, facing correctly if we think of the sleeve as a wall. If we think of the sleeve as a ships mast, the wind blowing the shirt forward can be thought of as blowing the flag that way, too. A parade audience will see the flag on the sleeve passing as if it is on a moving wall. I've never heard the "blue canton/field closest to the heart" thing except when the flag ( a REAL flag) is draped over a casket. Blue canton is over the head and left shoulder. Now, if the present flag patch were worn on the LEFT sleeve, it would also be correctly displayed as being on a wall. We could sew it on VERTICALLY, but then the blue canton would have to be on the flag's own right (left as it is viewed by an audience), wouldn't it? Howbout that Earl Battey, uh?

If he is a "leader" in the unit and the boys and parents know him, but he doesn't wish to be acknowledged for what he has done behind the scene, so to speak, then recognize him for what he has done in front of the scene. Call him up at the next Court of Honor, give him a Scout Law coin, shake his hand and thank him for his loyal service to the youth of America. Make no mention of anything else, only what folks are aware of. If, on the other hand, his efforts are mostly behind the scenes, and most (if not all) of the Scouts and parents wouldn't know him if they bumped him in the supermarket, then admire him for upholding the OA principles, and then take him to Dunkin' D's and hand him a half dozen choco glazed, a Scout Law coin, shake his hand and thank him sincerely for his service to the youth of America. Don't forget the letter thanking him for his donation (tax time!).Then sit down with him and let him tell you about the time he and his buddies...

I have to agree that calling individual Scouts (Cub or Boy) should not be a UC's job. The UC should deal with the leadership of the Unit, listen to them, encourage them, survey them, instruct them. If the Unit leader wants help in how to approach "lost boys" (Peter Pan?), then I'd be glad to help. First, I take the list of LBs and go with it to the Unit CC or CM or SM and start the conversation there. Unless the UC has been asked to assist with boy leader training or is promoting a program to the Unit (at a meeting, yes?), or is dealing with some really bizarre situation, the UC has no reason to initiate a call to a child outside of his own family or Unit. Sounds almost like a lead in to a FoS "cold call". (shudder)

Eyup, some folks just have too much time on their hands. Idle keyboards are the devil's programming tool, or something like that. I would like to think that rules and laws are promulgated because not everyone knows what might be appropriate (and safe?) in a given situation. They are at least a starting point,One knows what has been a good idea in the past, what wiser, more experienced hands have seen be a good, safe procedure in the past. What the boss wants, expects. But if the 'on the ground' situation doesn't match the situation for the rule/law, well, common sense (never very common, as my dad use to say) and experience must hold sway. When I teach Woods Tools in IOLS, I try to CAREFULLY demonstrate some of the unfortunate things that can happen (and have, in my experience) and discuss why the rules/guidelines are there. My hope is that the Scouters listening and watching will gain from MY experience and go off to let their Scouts gain from THEIR third hand gained experience. The Safe Swim Program is excellent, but even that must be adapted to the given situation. It makes the Scout/er think about what could/might/shouldn't happen. One takes precautions. No rule book can possibly cover every possible situation (but glance thru the Golf PGA book sometime, and one might think so). Good judgement must be used. Before I retired from my Transit job, I risked being fired more than once, I know, because I HAD to utilize my own judgement in dealing with a strange, totally unfamiliar situation. If it turned out good, I got an attaboy (maybe). If not, and there was no policy or rule to point to as my inspiration for how I responded, I might be hung out to dry.. Sometimes, I can say, my response became the rule, for the NEXT time that happened, if ever. But the rule must be a starting point in our planning and dealing with things, if only for consistancy and predictability. So BW is right, as far as he goes, and Beavah et al are right, too. And sometimes the Higher Authority must be followed and the possible consequences weighed. Now, Hank Aaron....

Ummmmmmm?

Mebbe BSA should give us a choice of color, like the Model T: Black... Goes with everything! "Black socks, they never get dirty the longer you wear em the stronger they get Sometimes I think I should wash'em but something keeps telling me Oh no not yet ... not yet...not yet"

I have been surprised more than once at how GS is operated. We once were planning a JS night at the elemantary school. We contacted and invited the local GS Troops (two in the school) and both of them told us they were not interested in participating, they "didn't want any more GSs." We thought that was a bit bizarre, but that's what they said.

**sigh** I am reminded of a couple of things (being a student of the media world): Steve Martin suggests that if one is brought up before the court on a charge of murder, all one need do is tell the judge "I forgot" and you'll be let off, because all judges are forgiving, good folks. Everybody forgets stuff, right? Woody Allen did a movie, "Sleeper" where the government is doing it's best to protect the populace against all threats of injury. Big puffy clothing (no bumps), only absolutely healthy food, etc. To disobey the rules is to chance hurt or injury and therefore is against the rules. If it could hurt you, even if it is not againt the rules, it is against the rules. It is against the rules to exceed the posted speed limit. The PSL is there to help drivers drive safely. In our area, the government has installed videographic equipment that will, if you are exceeding the PSL as you pass, record your cars image, calculate the cars speed and send you (the cars owner) a speeding ticket. No appeal. If I CHOOSE to violate a clearly pronounced rule (hence training and signs and counselors and police), then I must be prepared to acccept the consequences of that violation. Those consequences may be monetary, societal, physical, consciencial, or spiritual. And I may decide that in the balance of consequence versus action (or lack of), it may be worth it. Now, ignorance of the rule may be a forgivable offense, but that should not be confused with conscious choice. Intent should always be considered. Refusing to give up a bus seat, not turning in a religious fugitive to the erstwhile authorities, refusing military induction on CO grounds, blocking a road to bring attention to a bad developement plan; such things shouldn't be compared to wearing the Patrol patch on the wrong sleeve or closely following a Scout leader's car to the camp ground. And if a SM promised to go camping on a given day only to find the death of his father impinging on those plans, I would hope the rest of the campers would find it in their hearts the means to forgive the SM his broken promise. A Scout is Loyal and Courteous and Kind. YiS

1) Use the Tour Permit process to help you plan the trip in a disciplined way. Make sure of insurance coverage, valid drivers licenses, number of seat belts, cargo capacities, etc. 2) Trip coordinator arranges that every driver has a map and a cell phone exchange list. Who pulls the Troop trailer, if appropriate. 3) Two possibilities: Meet at the church (frinstance) and load cars and leave from there more or less together OR leave from home and make personal arrangements about who rides with who. Our Troop does both, depending on the trip. If the trip is long enough... 4) A lunch/dinner rendezvous is arranged. No one is ever encouraged to follow or keep up or travel together. Too many problems with trying to keep a "convoy" together. 5) Schedules are made as realistic as possible. Speed limits are taken into account. 6) If someone doesn't show up, at either end, phone calls are made. It is understood that our Scouts' wellfare is the first concern and if someone is real late or never left, it is understood why the interest in where they are. 7) If someone leaves early from an event, it is expected that the trip coordinator is advised. Only natural. 8) Expense sharing ( gas money) is a seperate issue. Hope our experience is good for you.

I think the problem is us Scout leaders just don't understand and aren't sympathetic to the time limitations of the rest of the world. To that need for understanding, I would recommend we busy multitasking Scouters immediately start doing the followng: 1) Cut our lawns at least twice a week, completely, so it is microscpically neat and even. 2) Prune all our hedges and shrubs twice a month (see #1). 2a) Edge all our walks and driveway curbs. 3) Attend all the school dances, stage shows, sport games and concerts. 4) Make sure our children have at least 4 other clubs/sport teams/church youth groups/etc. to attend. 5) Wash all our house windows 4 times a year. 6) Aseptically clean our kitchen and dining room everyday. 7) Pick up all our childrens' toys, books, clothes for them so they will not feel unloved. 8) Cook all family meals from scratch, using all organic, raw food. 8a) Plant a veggie garden and tend it to county fair blue ribbon status. 8b) Can and preserve all the produce that comes out of it. 9) Join at least two service clubs and attend all meetings so as to (a) set a good example to our children and (b) "give back to the community" and © find that social outlet we are missing in our lives. 10) Rent/buy/library borrow some good DVDs to help our kids watch "quality" tv.At home. Together. 11) Take many, long vacations with the family, because family time is important. 12) Vaccuum/sweep the floors every day. 13) Remind yourself that Scouting is for the kids and not really for the parents, and I don't really know what to do there anyway. 14) Work two jobs to help support the family, 'cause that's what a man does. 15) Scrub the driveway to make it clan enough for the car parked on it, which you should... 16) Wash car once a week. Wash the OTHER car once a week. Wash the OTHER other car... 17) Oh, and don't forget to take the boy to the Scout meeting. They'll do the right thing by him, I know. They don't really need me to get in the way... ...probably left out some items. I apologize for that. I bet I still wouldn't understand...

Hokay, enough politicosexireligiosity... Let's talk about stuff that's REALLY important. Camping gear! The Troop of my youth made stuff. We were famous for an ultralight tent: Use 6mil black plastic. It comes in 10' wide rolls, so we made 10'x10' tarps and occassionally an experimental "Baker" type tent. But we found the tarp to be emminently adaptable. I guess the only drawback is there is no 'skeeter netting included. You need someone's rec room floor, swept and vacuumed clean. Take off your shoes. Stretch out the 6mil plastic and cut NEATLY using a straight edge and a long board to protect the floor. Carefully reinforce the edges with duct tape (two inch wide on BOTH sides of the plastic), put an "X" of duct tape, 1'x1' along a diagonal about 2' from a corner. Set grommets in each corner (4) and evenly along each side (3x4=12). Set a grommet in the "X" of the diagonal duct tape. This serves as a tent pole point for the "Explorer" set up. Use this tarp in pairs for dining flies, singly as a backpack tent. If you step on it, it gets holes in it. The black is more UV stable than clear and will last longer. If you camp often, treated gently, it will last one or two seasons. When the grommets pull out, use it as a ground cloth. Tradition has it that this idea came home with Scouts from Philmont. Any more DYS stuff out there? Maybe the 'blue' tarps are cheaper yet.

Is there any local publicity or editorial comment? How "known" is this in the Chicago area?

"Arrrgh... The Pirates' Code... we be thinkin' it be only guidelines, really..." Capt. Barbossa. "Morality cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated. Judicial decrees may not change the heart, but they can restrain the heartless." Martin Luther King Jr. "No turtle ever made progress but he stuck his head out" unknown.

(Justice Scalia): Counsel, let's posit the following situation. A church sponsors a Scout Troop and Pack. Scout Sunday comes up, and the Troop and Pack participate. Lovely uniformed Scouts sit in the up front pews. Previously unexpectedly to the Scouts, the Pastor gets up and announces that the collection today will be "dedicated to our Scout units". Question: According to BSA regulations, may the Scout units accept the collected plate donations? It seems to me that the church, being the sponsoring organization, represents the Scout units and may not solicit on their behalf. Am I mistaken in this? (Counsel BW:)

What infoscouter said. Gold Shoulder Cord: Be a Den Chief. see www.scouting.org , Cub Scouts, Den Chief. Red white and Blue Shoulder Cord: Den Chief Service Award. Take the training, be a Den Chief for a year, and do some other stuff. Encourage'm. How they gonna be DenChief if'n they don't know they could be? Train'em. How they gonna be a good Den Chief if'n they don't know what they should do? Use'm. How they gonna feel good about bein' a Den Chief if'n they don't do it? Attaboy'em. How they gonna keep doin' it if'n they don't know they doin' it good? jblake: Keep pushing for the Council/District to offer the training. Help'em do it. Can't do anything but be good. YiS

GW: Llikely, BW llooks to describe the lliscensing rulles the llocal units need to folllow. Often, I don't think llocall lleaders reallly consider the "officiall" rulles when they pllan their fund raising. After alll, when you're concern is paying the billls and sending the boys to camp, one might not stop at merelly sellling popcorn. Then too, other non-Scout follks might take it on themsellves to help raise a llittlle money from the spare change that comes into their store, and then pass that on to the Scouts. More worms in the can! They put the sign on the bottlle tht says ""FOR THE SCOUTS"" and then pass on the unsollicited funds to the llocal Scout Unit, which has not asked the llocal merchant to colllect for them. This is bad? Q: How many highlly paid llawyers does it take to sue the merchant to make him stop colllecting the dolllars that he passes on to the Scout unit? Anyone out there named Lloyd?

To be specific, the Den Chief does not absolutely require "official" training, but it is definitely a good idea. Check with your Council, there is a DC training curriculum, about half a day. Also, there is a good on-line training at www.olc.scouting.org and look to the right column. Den Chief is not necessarily included in the NYLT, but it should be. My experience is that if the boy completes the District/Council NYLT, he gets the "Trained" strip, but not Troop sponsored training. Hasn't happened for the DC course, which has always been a seperate Saturday morning. One more particulararity, I guess. Good Den Chief, better Cubs, more Scouts. Simple equation. YiS

Show "Bridge Over the River Kwai"... J-u-s-t k-d-d-i-n-g....

Oh the tangled webs we weave...no that's not right... Do as I say, not as I do... nope, not quite... Danged if'n I do and danged if'n I don't... mmmmm, getting closer... Because I'm the daddy, that's why... mmmm. no. Is you is or is you ain't my baby?... I agree we would rather our Scouts earn their way. Sell something of worth, do a service for a price and not go around with their hand out saying please. However, what do we say when someone points to our United Way connection, or the DE's duty to "fund raise" or even the (shudder) FoS campaign? I know for a fact that many a DE solicits (and that is the correct term) the communiy business leaders. And howbout the Jamboree Troops that enlist "sponsors" to help buy the new equipment and trip tickets? I seem to remember a Troop in '05 that proudly posted the name of a local Pizza Restaurant on their gateway. And the corporate sponsors (who provided the Official Jamboree cars and trucks? Dare I say donation? And tax deduction?) that were in, admiitedly low key, attendance. District leader came to me and said his company was considering their corporate contributions for the upcoming year. Would we accept a donation toward our CSDC park rental fee? What do you think I said to him? So the division seems to be between Unit/Youth and District & Council/Adult. Is that about right?

My Llama. . . (sings) The most beautiful sound I ever heard: My Llama, my Llama, my Llama, my Llama . . . All the beautiful sounds of the world in a single word . . My Llama, my Llama my Llama, my Llama . . . My Llama! I've just met a ruminant named Llama, And suddenly that name Will never be the same To me. My Llama! I've just kissed a south American mountain ruminant named Llama! And suddenly I've found How wonderful a sound Can be! My Llama! Say it loud and there's music playing, Say it soft and it's almost like praying. My Llama, I'll never stop saying my Llama!!!!

Vicki has a valid observation. So does BW. And so they may never come to a meeting of the minds. If I see a Scout that wears a First Class badge, I think " yep, First Class Scout. I earned First Class umpteen years ago". But then I realize that MY First Class is different, not quite the same as his First Class. I learned Morse Code, among other things, he didn't. Both First Class, but different. Who defined the standards to be met? Who certified that the young Scout then and now knows his stuff, and met the standard? National/Irving is / was different, from National/New Brunswick. Different but sort of the same. One of my WB tickets is the creation of an activity whereby Scouts will do some things and earn a patch for their trouble (Bumper sticker: "WILL WORK FOR COLORFUL SCRAPS OF CLOTH"). In this case, I define the requirements. Someday in the future, if, as I hope, my activity becomes a regular affair of the District, someone else may take over the organization of it. Then he/she may change the requirements to suit the new times (instead of "plan your hike..." maybe "charge your levipad..."?). A BW notes, the folks that "own" the award define the rquirements to earn it. AND if I may paraphrase Vicki's observation, if the standards of the award are changed (broadened?), the older holders of the award may wonder if THAT award means the same as it DID. Is my First Class the "same" as the modern Scout's? No. Different requirements. Is it "comparable"? Oh yes, I've little doubt. Why the changes ? Changing times. I have had discussions with son and other Scouts. They don't see the need to learn Morse Code (example). Could they benefit from learning Morse Code? Undoubtedly, but why teach/learn it? not my place to decide that. But we really should note our concerns to National. Changing times. Oh btw, anyone TRIED to contact National lately? YiS