SSScout

My interpretation of the aforementioned regulation (and it's intent) is not so much the chance of injury as the promotion of war like games. Shot gun skeet, .22 rifle, BB air gun, sling shot and archery TARGET shooting is all still allowed. Even encouraged. But Paintball etc. is a simulation of warfare. The desired intent is to hit a target, NOT to pretend to KILL your opponent. Hence the differentiation and ban.

All the above instruments and sport CAN be used to injure, but NOT in the allowed activity. Pball, Ltag are each intended to play act the "game" of war.

I would not favor a "lasertag" Camporee.

See the book "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card

Ditto the FOS presentaions. It shouldn't feel ike a timeshare come-on. A QUICK reminder is all.

AoL? See if the District OA Ceremony team can do a "show", always wow's our Cubs.

Ah yes, Red Green's solution to every problem (real or not)...

Duct Tape.

Search these forums, if you dare, and see the many uses (and misuses) of that noble commodity.

Is the man still a Scout Leader?

Since the cherces have been opened, I'll have to nominate my father, who played semi-pro softball as a catcher, ONE HANDED. Lost his left arm up to the shoulder in a construction accident before he met my mom, and according to my Uncle, could out throw and out hit many men in his league with the normal equipment.

I watched him when he helped coach my Cub Scout softball league and marveled at his manipulation of glove and ball. Catch the ball, toss it in the air slightly, drop the glove, catch the ball and fire it to third base. mm- mm-mm.

Sorry to say, all I have is his example and my Uncles remininces. No photos or record books.

"Course, Frank Howard was no slouch.

(This message has been edited by SSScout)

Well, I tried your instructions, John, and that worked.

Should not that extra super address be stripped when the link is clicked? I tried some other links from other sites and they didn't have the extra intro-http, relating to the originating site (to the link).

Thanks. YiS

Oh, there will be boys that will complain about going to Kings Dominion or Umpteen Flags over Texas.

Is AP Hill hot? sure, but you drink and you spray each other with water and you walk alot.

The worst thing that happened to me there was dealing with an MP sergeant who insisted that I should not ride my Staff issued bicycle on "his" pavement. It was okay to ride on the grass, but not on "his" pavement. But that was just poor me, staff Chaplain. Oh well.

Jamboree is fun, distracting, educational (shudder), much like a Scout summer camp, but so much bigger and more amazing.

Ultimate idea::: Get your Troop or Crew to plan and propose an activity to present. Many of the activity areas were there just by that method. If accepted, your group can get help (extra staff) to make it work, and a real reason to attend. And , again, you'll probably pay to be a volunteer(!)

Any boy not ready to immerse themselves in a new, foreign environment will NOT have a immediately fun time. Should this be the first long time away from home? No. The living of the Scout Law and Promise is everywhere. The Scout must be willing and able to take on responsibility for his share of the work of the Troop camp, be willing to try new things and not sit waiting for the fun to come to him, be able to take on responsibility for his own well being.

Most Troops insisted on the 'Buddy System', in getting around. The boy must ,in many respects, be willing to submit himself to the will of the group rather than the wim of the individual.

Take LOTS of drinks of ordinary water, not just sweet stuff. I met a Scout at the hospital who at first REFUSED to drink anything except sweet stuff. He succumbed and I met him in the hospital. I think he went back to the Jamboree drinking more H2O. Pride hath no bounds.

But Scout will help Scout.

Pack212, do your calculations again, and make sure your boys will not be dissappointed if they are not of age or rank or experience.

Good luck YiS(This message has been edited by SSScout)

Personal courage and tenacity:

"The Pistol", the Birth of a Legend" Being the story of Pete Maravich and how he revolutionized basketball. Racism confronted, new technigues vs tradition, cliques vs loyalty.

"Drumline" Loyalty, competition, personal success, fitting in and not.

Hope you can find'em.

Camp mistakes I've seen, from both sides of the steam table:

Watch what comes back, thru the dish window or trash bins. It's messy, but a good measure of what's sucessful and what isn't. If you send out 12 chicken steaks to a table of seven boys and a counselor/staff, and you see eight come back, maybe it's not because folks don't like chicken, maybe it's the chicken...

Budget blowers: BIG bowls of catsup/condiments that never get used. They must be thrown out after each meal if not used. Use SMALL bowls or squeeze bottles, and clean them well periodically. Same with puddings, veggies, etc. If you serve "family style", which is good, use SMALLER bowl units and make SECONDS available when the small bowls empty. Better to send out one small bowl, which gets used than one BIG bowl where half gets thrown out. Count the savings in wasted food, less clean up, less trash haulage fees.

Make sure the table surfaces are CLEANABLE. Raw wood is a health nightmare.

Cold milk, 2%, available at all mealtimes. Coffee/tea table available for adults at all hours, and a place to sit and talk thereby.

Published menues? Maybe not a weeks worth, but on the door coming in, for the day is nice. Don't forget the campers may not eat there after the week is over, but the staff will, again and again. "Tuesday means spaghetti" may/may not be a good thing. On the camp clear day, between camps, give the staff something special, if possible. Banana splits are really appreciated.

If the food is supposed to be served HOT (hamburgers, chili) make the effort to serve it HOT.

Consider an arrangement to provide in camp snacks for a special occasion. Watermelons are good. If campfires in the Troop sites are allowed, hot dogs available for night snacks? etc.

You want their attention? Try serving something Anything, enflambe! Have the fire prevention crew at the ready, of course. Maybe not to the whole dining room, but to the head table?

Not too salty or spicy, ever. One can always add hot sauce or pepper. Or catsup.

Use real eggs and real potatoes, if at all possible. The raw stuff is always better, even if the Scouts learn how to prep it.

And don't forget that thirteenth point of the Scout law...

BALOO and WELOT/OWLS don't (doesn't?) "officially" include much if anything about knife/axe safety because "officially" Cubs (Webelos, too) do not have any business handling axes and knive safety is limited to the Whittlin' Chip in Bear and Webelos literature. I did not mean to imply Cub leaders be given the whole Totin' Chip class, only that the "Woodtools" instructor would be the logical source for Whitlin' Chip instruction.

Certainly, Whitlin' Chip training should include safe handling of the Cub's pocket clasp knife along with mom's cooking knives and dad's utility knives, too.

I like the note from jblake about putting the knife down and picking it up.

A search of Scouter.com and other Scout sites will yield a wealth of experience to draw on for Whitlin' Chip instruction. Our boys will be enriched for your efforts, struax.

Search out Eric Sloan's book "Diary of an Early American Boy" to see how important axes and knives were at one time.

Gee, I'd really like to read about all these Scouts in the News, but I get the "Page Not Found" at my computer at work and at home and at friends house.

Comments?

Still no connection. Every click on a "headline" yields "Page Not Found".

The 'Redirect' never worked either.

Poor Cub Scout with a dad like that.

Poor example for the boys. Parents in conflict about who's in charge.

(folks in flowing blue and gold robes come rushing on stage)

**clashing music**

"NOBODY EXPECTS THE SCOUTER INQUISITION!!"

(push old lady into the comfy chair) etc. etc.

If the weight is held constant, and therefore balanced between the wheels that support the car, why would one less wheel necessarily mean less over all friction? The "normal" force is still the same and instead of four wheels each having 1/4 the force/friction, eliminating one wheel would mean each of the remaining wheels would have 1/3 the force/friction.

By that reasoning, eliminating TWO wheels might be better still. Anyone try this: Balance the cars weight such that 95% is on the rear axles (two wheels) and the front axles only hold a token 5%

(or less!) of the cars weight. Then, as the car rolls down the track, aero forces might even take more weight off the front axles.

Polish the axles and clean up the wheels to eliminate "chatter" and "wobble", so the car does not rub unnecessarily on the guide rail.

One problem perculiar to some tracks: as the down grade curves up and bottoms out to the flat, some nose heavy cars will drag on the curve up of the track. Watch for that.

Alright, touch cars and come out of your corners rolling. *ding*

Lisabob:

I will offer two comments.

One: Of course we're a Christian organization. We're also a Muslim organization (else why am I commishining two new Muslim units?), a Buddhist organization and a Jewish organization (witness the several purely Jewish Troops I met at the Jamboree and the Rabbi who was our Chief Chaplain), among other organizations we are.

Second: Why do we try to reinvent our own particular wheel? Quote her the Founders words. I don't think anyone has said it better.

"Reverence to God and reverence for one's neighbor and reverence for oneself as a servant of God, is the basis of every form of religion. The method of expression of reverence to God varies with every sect and denomination. What sect or denomination a boy belongs to depends, as a rule on his parents wishes. It is our business to respect their wishes and to second their efforts to inculcate reverence, whatever form of religion the boy professes."

So to respect the parents (oh yes, where is the dad in this?) wishes, you might have to suggest they (1) not go on the activities that do not fit their schedule, (2) help plan trips that WOULD fit their schedule, (3)realize that Scouting is multi faceted and ya can't please everybody all the time (4) we love you anyway (5) or the church down the street has a Troop, maybe they would suit you better?

And above all, remind them : do not attend the national Jamboree. Too many OTHER types of Scouts there...

YiS

So this went from kvetching about the removal of a "God Rock" to reminiscing about Italian food...

"Scouter dot com. Wat a grrreat forum, yes?"

"... literally everywhere in the world"

Indeed. Go to your local Scout store and purchase the poster of ALL the Scout symbols of every Scout nation. You can then show THAT to good effect, proof of the possibiity of a world brotherhood of Scouts.

And we pray for Mohameds hand to heal quickly.

Excellent question, who is qualified to "teach" and pass on Whitlin' Chip...

First, alot of Cub Scout leadership is, after all, self selected. Hopefully, a possible WCh leader might realize their limitations and act (or not) accordingly.

Suggestions: In our district, we always try to have a segment of the IOLS be "Woodtools", ie knife, axe and saw use and safety. This by necessity includes requirements for Totin' Chip, which realy does automatically include the Whitlin' Chip material. A Totin' Chip carrying Scout, knowledgable in safe use of knife and axe, must know the Whitlin' Chip material. Accordingly, you might ask the District Training Chair to refer you to the "Woodtools" instructor. He might be willing (any doubt?) to come and give your CS leaders a short seminar for Whitlin' Chip.

Then too, having passed Totin' Chip once need not equate to being a good Whitlin' Chip instructor. I knew an SPL who collected pocket knives, had a goodly assortmment. But his goal seemed to be showing off his collection and hearing the Cubs OOO and AAH. Some ASM counseling showed him the error of his way and he became a true believer in teaching knife safety (that, and catching his finger in a clasp knife while trying to close it one handed).

"Scouts Own"

"Outdoor Interfaith Service"

Diversity awareness...

Our district makes sure to have a "Scouts Own" discussion/training in the IOLS training weekend. Alot of good comments and uh-hums during.

Single faith units vs diverse faith units vs no faith units (rather not bring it up. Don't want to OFFEND anyone). How to approach a religious service (there's that Scout word "service"*) so as to let it bring everyone in? or no one but a few? or ...

But a good, spiritual experience can still be had out in the woods, and many good quotes/readings/prayers/thoughts are available to them that seek via the google. Bible and q'ran can exist side by side.

The Golden Lotus has much to recommend itself. "The Redmans Gospel" by Seton will provoke much thought. The Irish and Sufi both can pray better than me.

An open mind is a good qualification for a Scout Chaplain. RE: Father Mulcahy of MASH.

Hey, maybe SCOUTER.COM needs a new section on Chaplaincy? Or (shudder) just RELIGION?

* A visitor comes into a silent Quaker Meeting. He sits down beside a Friend on a bench and waits. After a few minutes in the silence, he leans over to the Friend and whispers "when does the service start?"

The Friend leans over and whispers back "after Meeting is over".

YiS&C

Depends...

Coming from a mom who was one of the first women to get a BS in Journalism way back when, (Chicago Trib in the 20's). Growing up,

I sat and watched her write for a local paper. ("Daddy, what's a typewriter?" And what's this package? Car Bon Pa Per...")

In her 'declining years' she was a 'stringer' for no less then 3 local papers (two of which are still in business).

She would pick up on ANY activity/personalnews or item of local interest and the papers would publish it. Awards, service project, athletic endeavor, fun times, school play, church social,she would

put it in good grammatical order and in some section (as appropriate) it would appear. Scouts, second grade, PTA, little league, state rep kisses farmer Johns pig, she'd do it.

I doubt if the present papers (or other media ) are any different, they need CONTENT and they need INTEREST. Depending on their own BIAS (and yeah, each will have a bias) there will be some niche for your Scout news. But no paper will print stuff they don't know about. Each unit has to rattle the media cages to get their attention. Don't be bashful about it.

You might not get the NYTimes to go gaga about Troop xyz doing a cleanup of the Northwest Branch, but I dare say the Podunk Chronical will. Make the call.

We've had articles about Pinewood Derbies, trips to historic sites, Webelos Cross Overs, Cub Scouts Renovates School Courtyard, Troops go to Philmont, all you have to do is get the basics together and call it in, fax it in, email it in. Natchurlee, they like it neat and pretty and "in format", but they will talk you thru it if you try.

Who, What, Where, When and Why.

Call back person and number.

"The Scouts of Troop xyz will stay overnight aboard the USS Constellation the weekend of 25 January. The Scouts look forward to learning how the Navy of 1855 did things. They will sleep in hammocks below decks, swab the decks and serve watches much as the navy of 1855 did.

The Uss Constellation is the second oldest US Navy warship still afloat and is part of the USS Constellation Foundation

in Baltimore. Troop xyz is sponsored by the Third United Umteen Church of West Side. Mr. John Smith is ScoutMaster and may be reached at 123.456.7890."

This is the generic "release" that we used. It led to an interview of some Scouts and a longer article. I have no idea if it led to boys joining , but it was fun seeing it in print.

MiS KiF YiS

What's the exchange rate for Yap Island currency? I seem to remember that the citzens there make their own 'money'.

I no longer can read the articles behind the 'Headlines'. Clicking on a 'headline' reliably yields a "Page Not Available" message, everytime.

Comments?

Leader asks during planning for an annual 4H dinner, "would anyone mind if I say a grace before the meal?" No one objects, grace is said, meal is eaten.

Membership includes at least five known faith persuasions, including

"undecided".

I once attended a Pack meeting for a totally different reason (okay, I was asked to come and talk about camping programs), but when I finished, I found myself WANTING to compliment the boys on being so well uniformed, which mostly they were. But I gave a SHORT talk (with the CM permission) about the use of the uniform as a way to show folks where one had been, what one had accomplished, that once you knew the "code", you could "read" the uniform and know alot about the Scout. I spoke about the pride of being a Scout. Would they wear the uni to school?

I didn't chastize anyone for lack of correctness nor single out anyone for being well dressed. But I pointed to EVERYONE as I spoke, and included everyone in my comments. Made it a point to compliment the PARENTS for being so attentive to their boys appearance.

The CM told me later that he had some parents come to him later to ask about uni issues. A first. He thanked me, an ousider, for stirring the pot alittle, as he put it.

Follow as the spirit leads...

YiS

Boys throw rocks into the still waters of the lake so they can see how far they can throw and hear the KERPLUNK and see the ripples spread. Not to raise the water level.

It is now getting somewhere we are.

Many Religions (there's that word) , Quakers among them, try hard "officially" not to do honor to other religions that they deem to be 'incorrect' or 'wrong'.

The honorific pagan names accorded in the past to the days of the week, the names of the months, the names of the planets are excellent examples.

To totally remove ALL RELIGIOUS (ie, honoring previously believed in and worshipped gods of various hues), one must fall back on the original old time Quaker tradition of NUMBERING the days of the week and NUMBERING the months of the year,and then referring to the years (anno domini?) as "the 4th year from the big snow that crushed the Baltimore Railroad Museum Round House Roof".

And we really do live on the third rock from the sun.

Somebody once worshipped the moon, asking it to provide big harvests, therefore monday is not a good government choice for a week day name. Must be "second day".

January honors the Roman god of time/history Janus, so the government should use "first month". Uh-huh, Month... honors the moon... need a new name for the 1/12th of the year thing...firstwelveth, secondtwelfth...

Can't acknowledge any religious belief in any govermentally sanctioned activity. Taxes remind me of tithing. Didn't somebody say a person should render Caeser type things to Caeser type entities?

Atheism is a belief, if only a belief in a LACK of belief, and thus is due our respect and (at least) tolerance. Government can't honor it, tho. I interpret that pesky amendment to include the establishment of a "lack of religion" too. Equality of access is important.

It won't be me or you that ultimately rewards (or punishes) our choice of belief. ((how we came to that belief is not the topic here.)), That is, if we believe that someone IS going to reward/punish.. oh never mind.

No one damages me by not believing as I do, assuming that's ALL they do, therefore I have no reason to mind or object to the way they feel (or not feel).

But to totally remove all religious reference from our activity would be not only awkward and difficult, it would be Orwellian in nature.

"And the heavens proclaim the Big Bang" doesn't sound quite as impressive.

Then to, placques could be set up to educate folks about the attributes of the orbital rocks and you could space them in scale distance from the Central Star. I know from my astrophysics class that Rockone is very hot.

YiS.