SSScout

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?

Our Cub Pack was chartered by a CO "of convenience". The Pack had minimal gear (flag, ceremonial stuff, a wood PWD track). The CO had no interest in any of it. As our Pack would not have sufficient Scouts or adults interested in continuing or recruiting or "rebuilding", the committee spent the treasury on sending our Cubs to camp, gave the PWD track to another Pack, gave the flag to the Council DE, and parceled the other stuff out to the adults interested. The last thing we did was have a "last summer picnic". The CO was invited, did not attend. We ate up our last treasury funds. The last 5 Cubs : Two went on to Eagle in two different Troops, one quit and went sports. two moved away....

Here, at the top of a new mixed use high rise development in Fairfax VA. . . . . . https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/circular-logic-theres-no-scout-for-fairfaxs-scout-on-the-circle/2020/10/24/c6f0d154-1552-11eb-ad6f-36c93e6e94fb_story.html (sorry, Scouter won't accept the webp file)

Well said.. I was observing a newly elected PLC of a half dozen PLs and SPL and ASPL. The Scoutmaster wanted them to rough out the next years schedule. They sat there WAITING (that was exactly what they were doing) for the SM to TELL them what to do, what to WANT to do. The SM made some suggestions, things the Troop had done in the past, new ideas he had heard from other Scouts... finally, the SPL said, "you mean I can make that decision ? ?" The SM spread out his hands and said "DUUUHHH ?"" the year eventually was planned and the Troop had some old and some new adventures. Before he aged out , that SPL finally was brow beat by the SM to complete his Life requirements and was awarded his First Class, his Star and his Life all at the same, last, CoH. He eventually became a head cashier for local bank. He did Scouting.... BP's idea was that the older Scouts teach the younger ones. MAYBE the adults teach the older Scouts (Totin Chip, Orienteering, Pioneering, etc.) but the Troop Instructors, the Troop Guides, the PLs must be the ones who example and role model the skills and Scout stuff. Otherwise, "my parents make me come" will be the reason rather than "Jake taught me how to set up my tent and cook over a fire.".

Yep. Off load, save the "historic" ones for a display and keep the newest ones on the flagpole... What we have done is double stick tape them to tri-fold boards to display at CoHs and such. Some folks like seeing the "First Place at the Scoutarama, 1958" . or the "Camporee 2000 Best Cub-mobile Racer"....

Family dynamics. Scout Troop/Patrol dynamics. Sometimes kids pick the wrong parents, they might meet /need a Scout Leader to latch on to for exampling, for a role model. The adult (adult?) Leaders need to think about other things/places besides the Troop Meeting or campsite. Scoutmaster's Minute? What /Why are we in Scouting ? to "earn" colorful patches? Is that all ? What do they represent, really? Or are we here to explore, go places and do things other kids may never have the chance to? Who is the better Scout? The fellow that drops a log in front of someone so they can trip on it and be laughed at? Or the one who reaches back and helps his buddy over that log? How do YOU want to be remembered ? As a HELPER or a HINDERER ? And think of this: Your Scout Promise and Law also applies outside of this meeting room. Outside of the Scout camp. "You mean I should be Trustworthy, loyal, cheerful, helpful and all that stuff at home? In school? Really?" yes, really.

The sash used to come in three sizes: Two badges wide, and three badges wide long and short. I never understood the two badge wide one, the Scout always needed the three wide one, eventually. My mom made me use the long three wide, and just safety pinned it up until I grew tall enough (that didn't take too long !) .

Get your backyard/church yard/local park certified as wildlife habitat: https://www.nwf.org/Home/Garden-For-Wildlife.aspx "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." = John Muir =

I apologize for the misunderstanding. Your "Scout Unit's" church. It does not sound from your description they are asking all Scout parents , but the Unit's Scouters... Again, if they are asking all registered Scouters to agree to this statement, read the fine print and see if you can agree to it. If not . . .

Your church is asking YOU to agree to it, not someone else. That said. if the church is requiring this of any and all Scout Leaders in the Units they will charter, that is another issue and may well limit the folks that allow their kids to be in those units. But again, it is not the PARENT of a Scout that is asked to make such a promise (A Scout is Trustworthy) only the registered adult leader..... I have known of Troops sponsored by a particular faith that only allowed folks of that faith to join. That is their right, but it severely limited the size of their Troop and Pack. AND,,,, I have known Troops that were sponsored by a particular faith that made it quite clear that anyone was free to join their Troop with the understanding that the Scouts there in would be governed and adhere to the church's teachings and ritual.....

Love it. I wish I could say the same, but at least I was able to POINT at the Scout camp of my yoooth for my nascent Scoutson (Camp Roosevelt on the Chesapeake Bay, now part of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant). *sigh*

Every "style" is an alternative. Like the carny barker said, "ya pays yer money and takes yer cherce". What we are doing, methinks, is making sure our Scouts understand better the choices. The 'alternatives'. And the results of those choices. Some folks call it 'Karma', I guess.

Mama Llama, you are in Nawth Kay Row Linah. I truthfully know nothing about your situation. Up here in the Washington DC area, we have many active, wonderful Packs and Troops of Jewish consideration. I have a good Scout buddy, Scoutmaster of one, just earned his Wood Badge. Here is a connection for you: https://www.jewishscouting.org/ Remember the Cub Scout Mantra: KiS MiF, KiS MiF... keep it simple, make it fun. See you on the trail....

In any group/organization/association/club.... there are the ideals, the goals, the "official" reasons for the organization's existence , and then there is the reality of what happens. The people that define the organization (US Constitution? US populace?) are what make the ideals, the goals achievable. Or betray them.... BSA (and , I dare say, other Scout associations around the world) has that situation. So do Churches, Mosques, Synagogues, Boys/Girls Clubs, Soccer Clubs, swim teams, gymnastics schools, public Schools, private schools, equestrian rings, and bird watching groups..... Parents must believe their kids when they come and complain about a youth leader, or a class bully. Adult Leaders in the youth clubs need to act proactively to threats to their charges, with integrity and clarity. Criminal activity must be treated as such, after appropriate investigation. The BSA (et al) have learned these necessities late to their regret. The present day BSA now has many safeguards in place that, in hind sight, would 've profited our earlier days. A thoughtful teacher of my past days in high school was recently convicted of child molestation. It was headline news in our local paper. I had nothing but pleasant memories in his french class. Obviously, someone else did not, and the teacher is being properly dealt with. Nothing hidden. The past BSA unfortunately, did not deal with such problems as openly . This is a lesson hard to learn, and the BSA organization is reaping it's just rewards (lawyer fees are another discussion). All Scouting Is Local. The local units, Packs, Troops, Crews, Ships, Posts, are locally organized and run. The "brand" is national, indeed, international, but the Scouting is you and me and our neighborhood VFW , volunteer fire house, Rotary, Methodist Church and synagogue. If we see something, hear something from our Scout(s), it is not up to Irving to do something about it, it is up to us. The BSA as it is will not be here this time next year. It will be changed. But the Scout Promise and Scout Law will be here. The Poison Ivy will still be on the tree . The rain will still leak into the 12 year old kid"s tent. The 50 miler canoe hike will still be the memory of the old woman or man after you and I have been recalled after our warranty is up. Mama Llama (I'll give you the song in a minute), if your opinion of the Goals of Scouting (kinda like the British constitution, I guess) is such that you want your youngster to reach for those particular stars, then help him , and any other Scouts you meet, along the way. Don't forget, they will be picking out your assisted living facility. Good Scouting to you, I'll see you on the trail. https://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/llama

I agree with all theabove comments/suggestions. Observations: Does the family have any other children? How do they deal with them? Only one child? If , as has been stated, the school system provides a para educator, that person is PAID (tax dollars) to be with the child. I was a sub teacher, worked occasionally in Special Ed, and have great respect for those folks, it is a "leading", a profession, and very draining and challenging. Scouting is not that, we are well meaning volunteers. AND,,, as we all know, sometimes the parent does not want to be a parent. Ever have a Scout dropped off at summer camp and you need to call the parent only to find (surprise!) they left on a caribean cruise 2 hours after they dropped the kid off? Who to contact for the broken arm? The parents here need to be reminded that even tho there is a Membership Fee, that only entitles the Scout to "participate", not to be "minded". This is a quid pro quo (where did I hear that before?) situation. . You help with my Scout, I'll help with yours. Together we will raise good citizens. What is this family offering in exchange for us providing their urchin with the opportunity to go camping, hiking, learn knots and what Poison Ivy looks like? It is a given that Scouting is not a one size fits everyone. But it is also known that sometimes (SOMETIMES) Scouting can be just what the Special Ed kid needs, with a mom or dad's support. Sometimes......

Woodbadge camp near Harpers Ferry near to the AT. Food storage was in big plastic coolers, tied shut with rope. Everyone was aware of critter visits. We all slept in separate, one person tents. One morning, after a rainy night, under the "breakfast pavilion", my buddy asks me how I slept, I said fine, you? He said he was kept awake by the "bullfrogs" grunting all night. I found this amusing, as did the rest of the WBers, because the creek was a good 500 yards away from our campsite. Upon further inspection, we found bear tracks thru the campground, in the muddy areas...... Bears do grunt, or is it a "wulf, wulf..." sound?

I don't think you can copyright a color. Otherwise, all the Walmart cargo pants would be an infringement. The BSA buttons with the BSA Eagle Fleur de Lis are a copyright issue, but the GSUSA gets past that with their GS Trefoil... Look at the Rose Bowl Parade videos , with the Gold Award Scouts marching with the Eagle Scouts. Similar uniforms? Stretch your imagination, maybe. But what a concept ! GSs working with BSs ! I think BSA has bigger problems than worrying about a purple golf shirt under a tan cargo vest over dark green cargo pants/skirt......