SSScout

1) Check with your Troop's Charter Org and Charter Org Representative. If you don't know who that is, contact your District Executive (available thru the Council Website). I will assume the Adult Leaders you speak of are "trained"? and "registered"? and probably on the Troop Committee? Not much use then, in talking to them? 2) Talk to the other Scout parents. Any others of like opinion? There is safety and value in numbers. 3) Collect your evidence (sounds very persuasive to me) , include past years stuff as appropriate, and contact your Council Scout Executive directly, cc to the District Executive. She/he/they should be very interested in such diversions from Scout policy. 4) Most such "sport pools" of my small experience have only one purpose, the profit of an individual. Any charitable interest is often sidelined by the "organizers". Even 50/50 tag games. 5) Prepare for the self destruction of the Scout Unit as no one steps up to take over the leadership. 6) continue with your plans to move to a better unit. Good Scouting to you and your Scout. Always remember, they will be picking out your Assisted Living Facility.

Well whose fault is that? If one is "in person," that would seem to indicate that a hand can be raised and a question or clarification asked . The Instructor has three choices: "Here is the answer...", OR "That's a good question, but I don't know, I'll find out and get back to you". OR ... " Well, what do you all think? How would you handle this?" EDGE and all that. Make your "In Person" instructor earn her/his pay.

Possibly because it would benefit a private concern, not a public one? Improving the fishing on a privately owned lake might be seen differently than a public park one? Doesn't the city/county collect such? Ours does. No charge, part of the normal recycling service, trash pick-up. Several scheduled pick-ups after the turn of the new year. And, how many trees can you deal with? How big is the neighborhood you would draw from? What would you do with the trees that don't "fit" in your lake? Our county and several incorporated towns hereabouts cooperate and grind up many TONS of old Christmas trees into mulch that is blended with other mulch material and sold to private baggers who further mix and market the organic material. Then to, we have had some Scout conservation projects nearby that included using past their prime Christmas trees for erosion control, habitat formation, and bird feeder creation. Good luck to you and thanks for getting back to Scouting.

Delay the Board. "Extenuating circumstances require we postpone the Board of Review until . . ." No board, no need to approve/disaprove. No need for appeal. Yet.

Whoah... there is no such thing as "useless" information. One cannot tell when any piece of knowledge might be of use. Crossword puzzles, impressing girl friends, finding folks of common derivation at a party, preventing wife from hurting herself by repairing "something" . . . My freshman class in dynamics did not come useful until I started investigating traffic accidents 35 years later. The laws of physics cannot be denied, it turns out. But yes, indeed , we do thrive on such esoteria. Such is very useful. If the shape of an axe head is the "Michigan" pattern, or the shape of tent is a "Baker", it has meaning to them for whom it is needed.

There's a SM Minute in that. Once upon a time, Scoutson would roll his eyes when I would start off "back when I was a Scout..." Now he wants to hear the stories. Sometimes it is hard for the young to understand that yes, the world existed BEFORE they existed. There is a continuum. My dad drove a horse drawn milk wagon when he was 16.... and he confirmed the story that the horse often knew the route better than he did ! ((?? milk delivered to your house? Really?)) My favorite tale of this genre: We were doing history homework and Scoutson speaks up, "dad.... you had it easier than I do in history. You had less to remember !"

The odds of being eaten by a Bengal tiger in the middle of Main Street may be a million to one, but once is enough. One can be sued by anyone at any time for any perceived problem. Ask any doctor. Or EMT. Or school sidewalk owner. Or Busdriver. I was driving my transit bus in the curb lane, approaching a red light. A Pinto (!) dashed in front of me such that I slammed on my brakes and still hit the Pinto's right door and pushed it straight. I set my parking brake, jumped out of my bus, ran around to the driver's side and asked "Are you alright?" His first words to me were: "It's your fault, okay?" I went back into my bus and called the police and my dispatcher. The court case was interesting....

Aha... Something from the Faith and Chaplaincy forum. Oh, wait....

Yep. Search Owasippe here in Scouter dot com. It was an adventure to read, for sure. The CORs managed to wake alot of people up. The local county zoning board managed to take control of their county and by refusing to rezone the property in essence prevented the camp from becoming a lake resort. But Chicago Council still managed to sell off two of their three camp properties before National pulled the strings. I forget, who got the profits there? The CORs are the voting corporate board of a council.

My wife's first husband had nothing good to say about Scouting. Don't know why, of no consequence now. Wife had been a Brownie for a short while growing up, but her father was a researcher for the Fish and Wildlife service, so her family had a good lot of experience in the "great outdoors". When we met and married, my Scout experience became hers (Eagle, OA, many summer camps). My newly enlisted stepsons were a little old for Scouts, and daughter had no use for GIrlscouts (too fashionista and tea partyish) so when youngest Scoutson came along, and he SAID he wanted to be a Cub Scout, we jumped. I became a Den Leader, Cubmaster, wife became Cub Scout Day Camp Director. Eventually, I became Assistant SM, went to WB, served as Chaplain (fully approved by my faith, the Chaplain corps, National too ) at the Nat Jam. and so forth, etc. etc. Scoutson went to Philmont twice (once as a Crew Leader), Jambo Staffed, earned Eagle. Then I applied to be a Nat Jam Chaplain again . I received an email (!) stating I was not approved as Nat Jam Staff. When I inquired why, I was told it was a "Private matter" and the reasons could not be disclosed. Huh? It's MY "private", you can't tell me WHY I am not suitable as a Scout leader? I've already BEEN a Chaplain. What changed? After dozens of emails and phone calls, I was finally told that my local Council had given me a bad rating. Huh? The year before I had been Staff for the WB course, served as BALOO and IOLS instructor. What did who say about me? Sorry, can't say. Let me say it looks like you made an enemy somewhere. Huh? My faith wishes to name me as a Chaplain. After alot more back and forth, the National Staffer (his name was Green) finally read me the rating sheet. I marveled at the comments he noted. Would it help to get some different opinions on my Scoutspirit/attitude/character/skills/interpersonal dynamics? He didn't think so, but he would welcome them. I had 22 friends/bosses/Scout co-workers/faith leaders/educators willingly (eagerly, even) write embarrassingly complimentary letters for me. Still didn't help that year. Mr. Green told me the letters were "enlightening", but the decision could not, would not be changed. But , I said, that means that somewhere in the BSA bowels, there will be a file detailing how unsuitable I am, when it is not true. He said it will be destroyed after the Jamboree, try not to worry about it. Huh? As an added mystery, my would've been fellow Chaplain, with essentially the same type of history, (but from a different Council) was approved and accepted "instantly". Next Jambo, my faith org, The Friends Committee on Scouting, and I, did the same application thing, and PRESTO, I was "approved" very quickly. Owing to the way National and Council had treated me, , lovely wife FORBID me to EVER donate anything extra via FOS. Lack of transparency? Lack of open phone numbers? Names responsible for what? Lack of response to a "volunteer's" earnest inquiry? Yes, and it has happened more recently. Stonewalling? Hope you will just go away? Follow the Scout Promise and Law? Ability to face/confront one's accusers? And people wonder why the National organization should be considered separate from the local Scouting. Yes, I am still a Scouter. I Commish, I train, I explain, and I hike. See you on the trail.

Case in point. Scoutmaster sitting with newly elected PLC and new SPL. The discussion is about next year's activities. Where to go? What to do? None of these Scouts is new to the camp and hike and tie knots stuff, but.... eventually, the SPL spurts out "you mean I can make that decision?" the SM exclaims "DUH ! ! !" It is the same in many of the Middle School classes I sub taught. Those 11, 12 and 13 year olds WAIT to be told what they should say, how they should react to questions. It was more often than not the case that I had to "pull teeth " to have any kind of real discussion. Perhaps we were that way back when I was 12, but then, I had a job mowing grass and cleaning my dad's trucks. I was EXPECTED to be responsible. Kids will join and stay with Scouting for the same reasons they joined in the earlier days. Safe (relatively) Outdoor Adventure. The bling and recognition for "mastering skills" is important in it's own right. Underline MASTERING. ScoutsBSA cannot just be "Doing Your Best" as in Cubs. The skills need to be demonstrated as being MASTERED. My experience in Scouts coming to Bugling MB class at a MBCollege is illustrative of this. The nascent Wynton Marsalis is rare, but the Scout with a borrowed or even brand new (still in the plastic wrap!) horn who cannot even make a buzz is not rare. They come expecting to learn and play and EARN the badge in one three hour session.. Nuts. The last MBCollege I participated in , I had two three hour sessions each in two weekends, a month apart. The plan, for any MB this time 'round, was that the Scout would do two saturdays, the in between days spent applying what was assigned/ learned the first weekend. I teach and discuss the requirements, the science of music, I demonstrate a garden hose Bugle (they always like that), and thus.... So, five Scouts in each session, ten over two weekends. First saturday, of the two groups of five, (ten), one ("A") was from a previous MBCollege ( he still couldn't play the calls), two (B & C) were in their school bands and played well, one (D) was GOOD, and passed the first time ! One (E) had a new (in the wrapper !) horn, but followed my instruction and TRIED. (F), (G) and (H) admitted they were there because their parents wanted them to be and had borrowed horns, and (J) was in attendance because his first choice of MB was full, he had no horn, but borrowed one from another Scout and tried. I gave them all my info and handouts and encouraged them to practice, call on me if they needed help and return. None called me. Second weekend: By this time , they have had 4 weeks to practice.... (A) returned, still couldn't play the calls. (B), (C), returned and completed the MB fairly well. I signed their cards. (D) did not return, I signed off on his card last time. (E) did not return . (F),(G), (H) showed they had gained some skill in the interim, I gave them "Partials" . (J) came back, with his horn (turned out he played in his school band !). I gave him a "Partial". I never heard back from any of these Scouts, partials or not. I hope they found a MBC that held them to the standard....

From 6 to 21 ? Mustn't forget our Little Brothers and Sisters.

Just saw this on another Scout Facebook page: Walkathon to unveil new McMorris Lodge in memory of late Boy Scout - Riverhead News Review (timesreview.com)

The question then becomes, admission of what guilt, exactly? BSA did not, organizationally, abuse children. BSA, thru it's bad decisions, (leaders are people?) allowed pedophiles to go on their merry way without the legal, criminal, consequences they deserved. The "Secret List" did not do what it was intended to do: protect the children. It didn't even protect the BSA. Merely removing BSA leaders from PoR (!) did not, ultimately, prevent them from going someplace else, and doing it again. In another Scout Troop, in another church Youth Ministry, to their nephew and niece. That is what BSA is guilty of. What is the saddest part of this is that most of the perpetrators are long gone, and THEY cannot be brought to take responsibility for their actions and help to "make the victims whole". The Class Action Suit(s) are taking their pound of flesh from the BSA, but how much , if any, can be got from the actual perpetrators?

It hits the same fan . . . Opinion | After a jaw-dropping abuse scandal, should the Boy Scouts survive? - The Washington Post "" It is notable that the alleged abuse spans the better part of a century: One claim was filed by an 8-year-old boy; another by a 93-year-old man. Most of the claims arose from cases alleged to have occurred decades ago.""

*sigh* Yes. The BSA slash ScoutsUSA is/are in a bad way. Caught for not dealing with sexual predators, it is (we are ) reaping that harvest. By making the membership requirement effectively "Be a breathing human being between the ages of .... " I think we (they) have done the right thing. By tightening up the YP requirements, I think they (we ) have done the right thing. By complicating things by ADDING to our Promise and Law with this alledged Merit Badge, and the Churchill study ,it is being claimed that the Scouting Movement CANNOT accept the membership changes and must therefore be REQUIRED to find and sign up "diverse" youth, or be ashamed of ourselves. The PR is faulty. What kid wants to be REQUIRED to accept the kid next door BECAUSE she/he is NOT like them? The average kid wants to play ball or quoits or Monopoly with the other kid next door because they live next door! It worked for me growing up. When I was Drum Major for my HS band, my Assistant/apprentice was a young black lady. So? It might have been a "thing", but no body to my knowledge (to my knowledge !) mentioned it. I don't think things have devolved so much in the intervening 47 (!!) years. My home Troop has some Hindu Scouts, and I know the Patrol does it's very best to accommodate their religious dietary requirements. Go find and see "The Muddy Lions" and "Troop 759 of Harlem". Scouting works because all kids like the camping and hiking. The adults almost always muck it up. You will never please every demographic. You will never sign up every kid in a school. You will never please every parent, not even the ones who insist that their urchin will make Eagle "or no drivers license." Our Muslim/Black/Hispanic/Serbo-Croatian neighbors need to know how Scouting can benefit their kids, but there is no guarantee that any of them will ever join up. Stay tuned for the further adventures of "Mr. Scoutmaster " (Clifton Webb) .

It is all about not living up to the "IDEAL". Our Scout Promise, the Scout Law, the US Constitution, the Sermon on the Mount,, you see what I'm getting at. So often, the IDEAL is put forth and then adjusted to fit whatever reality one has at the moment. At The Moment. Someone is raised by the wrong parents. Someone gets the wrong DNA, or has a head trauma (yes, that can be a cause). We might see or hear something and choose to "not get involved". Or somebody's friend has a "symptom" (I 'm not sure what else to call it), but we don't recognize it for what it really is, or can't believe it means what it has to mean.... Alfred Hitchcock's movie Frenzy was on a couple of days ago. Very likeable bloke ("Ya know, Bob's yer uncle? Well I'm Bob "!") turns out to be a serial killer. Oh well, we missed that one, but caught up to him eventually. The difference here is that the coppers DID catch him. Everybody wanted to catch him. So how did the BSA miss out on so many bad seeds? Who didn't want to embarrass whom? Not get involved? Maybe the guy will see the error of his (her? naw) ways and ... well, by keeping a list we can prevent that guy being a Scout Leader again. Mmmm , we see how well THAT worked. This whole super kafluffle stems in large part from some of the most basic of our possible human faults. Several of them, actually, I'll not try to define them all here. Suffice to say, certain people made mistakes, as a result, certain other people made more mistakes, which now have to be addressed, corrected, "made whole" in legalese, BSA folks made MORE mistakes, and now fault must be assigned and declared. Along the line of these things, MORE mistakes may be made, more fault assigned and bad feelings brought to light . Our job now, no matter how this ultimately turns out (yea TEAM ! RahRah) , is to take kids camping and hiking, teach how to tie a proper knot so the plywood from Home Depot won't fall off the car roof, and make sure they know why living one's life and treating other people (The Other ) by the Scout Promise and Law is Doing Your Best (Golden Rule anyone? ) . “He prayed -- It wasn’t my religion. He ate -- It wasn’t what I ate. He spoke -- It wasn’t my language. He dressed -- It wasn’t what I wore. He took my hand -- It wasn’t the color of mine. But when he laughed -- it was how I laughed, And when he cried -- it was how I cried.” = Amy Maddox, age 16, Franklin Community High School, Bargerville IN =

"Scout accounts" are an accounting convenience. They do not exist in reality (I hope). All funds in the Pack/Troop/Ship account at the Muddy Chestnut Oak Bank of West Egad belongs to the CO legally and offishully. BSA can't touch it, legally. Might someone try? No doubt. All Scouting is local ... except when it isn't. National BSA did not deal with the predators well way back when and the results are now coming to fore. The morality and ethics are the same, now and back then. The way it was dealt with back then was unfortunately correct for the time (maybe) but was ultimately wrong, period. Could the CO's have done a better job dealing with the predator that they sponsored and approved? Yep. Could BSA have done a better job with the predator ? Yep. Could society in general? Yep. Teach your daughters and sons to scream bloody murder "This man is not my father !" and mean it if they are touched or treated in any way inappropriately. It will be a while. Wear wool socks and oil your mugluks.

Pigeons.... First it was a nickle in your pocket, then a dime taped to the inside of your first aid kit ("Pay phone? What's that, dad?").... Now we don't allow schmart phones in camp so the Scout will pay attention to the Great Out Doors rather than the game du jour.... Dragging a whiffle log thru the woods to practice tracking....

I really should clean up the attic....

Well, it turned out I was not needed in a "transport" mode, so tuesday night I first spent my time before 8pm helping to direct voters to the right table, I then spent most of tuesday evening folding up and stacking tables, chairs, pulling blue tape arrows off the floor, and re-packing a supply cart the size of a small walk-in closet on wheels::: (Boxes of pencils (eraser end used for tapping screens), hundreds of pens (used and unused), Boxes of PPE, extension cords, signs, paper clips, markers, zipper bags empty and refilled, cardboard and plastic privacy screens, various official forms, blank note pads, magnifying screens (pretty nifty, I thought), clip boards, mylar face shields, everything a small government office might use EXCEPT the computer stations... TETRIS practice is a useful skill. I must remember to mention it on my next resume..... The ePollbooks were packed up and stacked THERE.... the Ballot Scanners were packed in their rolling vaults THERE . . . the Ballot Marking Devices went over HERE.... Ballot collection boxes sealed and clipped shut. Security forms vouched for and signed off on. Security seals on the locks and those numbers vouched for and signed off on. The BoE truck will arrive later, the Chief Judges and Closing Judges must stay until all is accounted for and the Evidence Trail noted. The rest of us were thanked and excused. Our CJs had nothing but praise for the crew. It was noted that about half of them had also worked the Early Voting Sites the previous week. Long hours, not much monetary pay, but still.... We applauded our Chiefs, bid goodnight to our fellow workers, and departed. I got home just before 10pm.

Yep. Any shooting event must have a BSA (at least) trained RSO (me), and be held on Council approved range and NOT be limited to only your own Troop or Pack. We often fulfilled these by holding a Unit (!) event on a Council camp property (sometimes not the home council) and actively inviting other units to participate.

It is Monday afternoon. I visited my dentist(I go back Wednesday morning to do the fillings, plural) , did alittle attic cleaning, preparative to installing some more insulation, Communicated and commiserated with lovely wife, and will soon depart for several more exo-home chores. The last of which will be attending a pre election meeting for Election Judges. I served as an Election Judge twice before (but not the most recent occasion ). When I volunteered for this time around, I was first told "THANK YOU !! We are short handed", then, after I completed the online training (phew) and the in person training, checked in, they told me "thanks, but we are fully staffed". When I pressed, they made me a "Closing Assistant", because I have a van to carry gear in. I therefore am not expected to serve the usual way, from 6am tuesday thru to 9pm tuesday. If one is assigned Election Judge duty , you are expected to come prepared to STAY the whole time, not leave for any reason. If you leave, you may not return, and you will forfeit your pay. Bring your comfy shoes, food, drink (water will be available), any medication needed for the full time.. I am asked to report tuesday evening at 7pm. I will be helping to dissasemble and pack away all the "stuff" and help transport some of it back to the Board of Elections. We have a two page ballot, back and front each (four pages) and depending on where in the county/state one is voting , many variants.... The last minute instructions I just read include the place to assemble due to an ordered evacuation, a place to assemble if a "bomb" threat, and reminders to wear the mask, wash hands and extra phone numbers if we need to communicate with the Chief Judge of our site/precinct. No cell phone service is allowed, all Cell phones MUST be turned off while on duty. Voters have the same requirement. I am humbled by the responsibility I feel , even in the small after the fact duty I have assumed, or have participated in previously. The integrity ("A Scout is Trustworthy") that is assumed of our poll workers and election officials is daunting. One of the finest ideas of our "representative democracy" is the assumption that each citizen who does this work, no matter their political party or religion or place of origin or cultural heritage is that they are there to be "loyal" to ("A Scout is...") not a person , not a nation, or any group of people, but to the Constitutions of their state and nation. Smile and wave as you stand in line, waiting to take your turn , to make your mark, whether it be ink on paper or finger to touch screen. See you on the trail......

If you are in suburban Maryland in the near future, you can try your skill at.... wait for it.... Target Axe Throwing The first time (the ONLY time) I tried this, I bulls eyed, much to everyone's amazement ("awe, he's a Boy Scout leader, I forgot !") . This place is a "destination" for private parties, weddings, receptions, biz meetings, and the like, but they have been much less busy of late, for obvious reasons. Group size limiting, masks and Covid distancing is encouraged and enforced,( to a degree). You sign a release, get a SHORT instruction session from the "guard", and given three axes and your own target. You can throw more than once, they are strict about walking to the target to retrieve your "implements" and except for the occasional bounced off the target axe, kind of interesting. These are REAL hand axes, sharp, not BSA "trade" hatchets. NOT a Scout campground . Yes, adult beverages are available. AND they have an organic farm with fresh eggs and veggies for sale.... https://bellavitafarm.com/event/sister-axe-throwing-is-open/ Note the dates in the webpage....

All the more reason to emphasize IOLS, I guess. Anyone want a bucket of various axes and hatchets?