SSScout

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/02/AR2007120201896.html?sub=AR In Pa., Scouts Refuse to Lift Ban Chapter to Ignore City's Order to Alter Policy Excluding Gays By Dafna Linzer Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, December 3, 2007; Page A03 The Boy Scouts in Philadelphia are refusing to break camp. The city has given the local chapter until today to renounce its policy of excluding gays or forfeit the lease on the grand, Beaux-Arts building it has rented from the city for $1 a year since 1928. By refusing the city order, the Boy Scouts in Philadelphia face losing their headquarters by June 1, or else must pay market value for the property. (By Michael Perez -- Philadelphia Inquirer) "We're ignoring the deadline," said Mark Chilutti, a member of the Cradle of Liberty Council executive board, which operates the local Scouts chapter. "It was the least bad option we have." The decision is likely to intensify a four-year standoff with city officials who have been trying to enforce a 1982 "fair practices" law that bans municipal subsidies for organizations that discriminate. The city solicitor, Romulo L. Diaz Jr., had given the chapter until today to change its policies. If the Scouts refuse to do so, they will have to leave their historic headquarters by June 1 or pay market value for the property, which the city has placed at $200,000 a year. Diaz said in a recent interview that he would begin looking for a new tenant for the 100-year-old building tomorrow. The confrontation between the city and the nation's third-largest Scouts chapter began in May 2003 when the national Boy Scouts held their annual meeting in Philadelphia. During the conference, a local Scout challenged the organization's policies by announcing on television that he was gay and a devoted member of the organization. He was promptly dismissed by the council. When the city responded by threatening to evict the chapter, local Boy Scout officials considered breaking with the national policy. But they were soon facing the prospect of another eviction, this time from the national Boy Scouts, who said Cradle of Liberty would lose its charter if it opened its ranks to gays. "We are a franchisee of the national council," Chilutti said. "If we were a McDonald's franchisee, we couldn't sell Whoppers, even if we thought it was a better product." The Supreme Court ruled seven years ago that the Boy Scouts of America, as a private organization, has the right to exclude gays from its ranks. The Boy Scouts also prohibit atheists and agnostics from employment on the grounds that such beliefs are inconsistent with the values of the country's largest youth organization. Two years ago, Congress passed the Support Our Scouts Act to protect chapters from local government attempts to strip them of access to public facilities in response to the anti-gay policy. The Cradle of Liberty Council tried to satisfy the city and the national organization by issuing a four-line statement that concluded: "Prejudice, intolerance and unlawful discrimination in any form are unacceptable within the ranks of Cradle of Liberty Council." But gay rights groups worried that "unlawful discrimination" gave the chapter cover to continue anti-gay hiring practices. Jeff Jubelirer, a spokesman for Cradle of Liberty, said the chapter has not faced any discrimination charges in recent years and has since adopted an informal "don't ask, don't tell" policy for its support staff. But potential scout leaders must affirm that they are not gay. Cradle of Liberty says it serves more than 64,000 youths, mostly from the inner city, and that, as a result, its programming is centered on mentoring and after-school programs instead of suburban camping trips. It also hosts the oldest scouting event in the country, a three-day annual encampment at Valley Forge to commemorate the harsh winter that George Washington spent there with Continental Army soldiers. Chilutti said the Scouts are still weighing their options and are looking forward to reopening the issue in January when incoming mayor Michael Nutter is sworn in. "This is a city with a very high homicide rate and many other problems. I doubt the mayor's first priority is going to be to evict the Boy Scouts," Chilutti said. (This message has been edited by SSScout)(This message has been edited by SSScout)

""Knife? Yew caul thet a knife?"" Yes, Mr. Dundee, I call that a knife, so do my Scouts...

When teaching Whittlin' Chip or Totin' Chip, we always teach safe handling of ALL types of knives/axes/saws. Then, as G2SS or District rules dictate, we note that (ie, no "survival" knives, etc.) and we make LARGE note of school restrictions (knife possession equals suspension). Folding knives (clasp and lockback) only on Scout activities. Others not necessary (except for perhaps kitchen knives for cooking use). ASM shaving with super sharpened axe will be considered later...

Troop 1390 and Troop 1396 Partnered for the tree sale. Douglas Doerr is Scoutmaster of Troop 1390. His email is: doug_doerr@msn.com I spoke to him this evening and he gave me permission to publish his email here. He said that he has had offers of support from as far away as Alaska. He said that they have received donations that more than make up the loss of the trees. What a lesson for his boys, that so much good can come from such a poor example. One man asked to "buy a stolen tree, not a real one, a stolen one". So Mr. Doerr said the trees would have been priced at $45 and $60 so the man sent in a check for $60. Mr. Doerr said his Troop would discuss how to utilize the "extra" money, perhaps helping another not so fortunate (?!) Scout unit or use it to help recruitment. He invites your communication. Yis again and again....

"Spider Web Carry" Create the following: A ring of cord or other material, maybe 6 inches in diameter, diameter depends on the size ball you will use. On this ring tie 5 or 6 (or more) lengths of cord about 5 or 6 feet or so long, spread out in a wheel spoke array. Now, Place the ring on the floor and spread the cords out radially and evenly around it. Place a ball (basket ball, dodge ball, tennis ball, depends on size of the ring and vice versa) on the ring. Participants grasp rope ends and ((working together!!)) carefuly lift the ball up off the floor and carry it to another location and place it carefully down again. Variations: Dump the ball into a container. Pick the ball up again without touching it. Do it SILENTLY. Everybody RIGHT HAND ONLY. LEFT HAND ONLY. Make two and have a race.

Dale City, VA. Scout Troop raises money by selling Christmas Trees. When they return the next day after unloading the delivery truck the day before, they discover someone has made off with a goodly portion of their stock. They already have pledges of aid to make up the loss from folks as far away as Alaska and Illinois. http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/1107/475907.html(This message has been edited by SSScout)

Our Troop got it's trailer after the conjunction of several lines... (1) Troop had accumulated alot of gear. Over flowed the Scout Closet in the CO. Spread around in several Scouter garages: 2 burner gas stoves, water coolers, Troop tents, Tarps, cook sets, etc. (2) Patrols (once 5) all made Patrol boxes and Camporee type tables. (3) Troop got smaller (1 Patrol), dads left too. (4) Eagle Scout graduated, gave his Scout Acount to Troop to purchase trailer, spent project converting empty trailer into storage and carrying racks. (5) Another Eagle project built a storage shelter for the trailer and more shelving on the corner of the CO property. Troop still small. Now, the Troop is again a larger more active size. And so we got a trailer that sits mostly, and we draw things out of it as we need for camping trips. If it's a real expedition, a camporee or big family trip to the beach park, we haul the trailer. Otherwise, it is a big closet.

As with the boys trou, we usually iron on patch material INSIDE the knees of the cotton/poly trou pre-emptively, thus reinforcing the area that wears first. We haven't bought the switchback types yet, having not really liked previous 100% nylon stuff. When and if we do, should we consider the reinforcing of the knees? Will iron on stuff STICK to the nylon anyhow? Nylon always does "pill" in reponse to abrasion. Goes with the territory. Chinese, eh?

As with the boys trou, we usually iron on patch material INSIDE the knees of the cotton/poly trou pre-emptively, thus reinforcing the area that wears first. We haven't bought the switchback types yet, having not really liked previous 100% nylon stuff. When and if we do, should we consider the reinforcing of the knees? Will iron on stuff STICK to the nylon anyhow? Nylon always does "pill" in reponse to abrasion. Goes with the territory. Chinese, eh?

As with the boys trou, we usually iron on patch material INSIDE the knees of the cotton/poly trou pre-emptively, thus reinforcing the area that wears first. We haven't bought the switchback types yet, having not really liked previous 100% nylon stuff. When and if we do, should we consider the reinforcing of the knees? Will iron on stuff STICK to the nylon anyhow? Nylon always does "pill" in reponse to abrasion. Goes with the territory. Chinese, eh?

As with the boys trou, we usually iron on patch material INSIDE the knees of the cotton/poly trou pre-emptively, thus reinforcing the area that wears first. We haven't bought the switchback types yet, having not really liked previous 100% nylon stuff. When and if we do, should we consider the reinforcing of the knees? Will iron on stuff STICK to the nylon anyhow? Nylon always does "pill" in reponse to abrasion. Goes with the territory. Chinese, eh?

Oriental theme? Poke around, you can find a "custom" fortune cookie bakery, maybe some Scout fortunes? There's a basis for a skit! Scouts at a Chinese reataurant, and as they open their FCs the fortunes come true! "You are talented in aquatics" and the waiter spills water on him...

I don't think there's any truth to the rumor that the Pet Care and Cooking MBs are being combined. But my Dinosaur Husbandry MB has always been a source of pride to me. Just ask my son.

Ditto the MB mills, camps and Saturdays. The boys have come to expect MBs handed to them. I rarely hear (my son included) of a Scout going out and SEEKING the MB. I escorted some Scouts to a MB Saturday at a local camp. The info made it clear that the Canoeing class was meant to complete incomplete MB blue cards, but there were a couple of boys that came EXPECTING to get the whole MB in one day. I ended up being the lead instructor when the scheduled fellow didn't show (? Trustworthy?). As to plant ID... my father was a timber cruiser in his younger days. I learned about trees before smaller scale things. I have trailed along behind some Scouters giving a nature walk and had to grit my teeth and use my best diplomatic language to correct some well meaning gaffs. On a lighter note, I had a Scout friend name of Henry, whose plant identification system was like this... here's a big green thing and here's a little green thing and this one ain't got no green things on it... ( and he was the SPL for a time). So would we have any Eagles at all if not for the MB Saturdays?

Ones behavior is dependant on ones experience and education. One does what WORKS, according to past experience. What is desired? and how can I get it? How did my mom and pop get what they want? By education, I not only mean the sit down and listen kind, but the watch what happens kind. Ones experience comes from family and everything else. If the everything else is lacking, guess where the experience comes from? When a boy becomes a Scout (whyever he becomes a Scout), he brings alot of OTHER experience and education with him. Attention? Raise hell. Bad attention is better than no attention. Approval? Prove I'm right by force rather than logic or discussion. Who's in charge? I'm better if I'm in charge and I'm in charge if I can yell you down. Saisfaction and pride? Accomplishing bad things is better than accomplishing nothing. Self worth? Since young folks define this by adult approbation, it helps to make it CLEAR what is expected and what is not acceptable. When one is older, hopefully the idea that one is worthy in God's eye (if not my dad or moms) has been internalized. Confidence? Knowing how to do something (stirring up trouble) is better than knowing how to do nothing. Merely mouthing the Scout Promise and Law does not help the Scout understand what is expected from these ideals. SM Minutes, hikes at night, campfire talks, SM conferences, CoH ceremonies that include SP & L reminders, all need to be implemented. The adult leaders cannot merely hike off and hope that the Scouts will "work it out" . Thru experience (projects, hikes, camps,etc.) and education (getting them to 'think outside THEIR box'), the Adult leadership must help the SPL and other Scout leaders (and the OTHER Scouts can be leaders in this by peer example and protest) to lead the Troop, and by example, show the younger Scouts what to do and how to act when it is THEIR turn. It ultimately takes two to make an argument. If one side of the argument can be convinced of the immaturity of rising to the bait, then the instigator will be left by himself. Believe me, he does NOT want to be left by himself. Boy led, yes, but not all by myself boy led. Parents CAN speak to each other, too, ya know.

Ditto all the above. They can do it if : 1) It is interesting along the way (Salamanders, bridge, history, waterfalls, old boats, etc. 2) Not too much up hill. 3) Dressed for it. 4) Praised all along the way. 5) Can you get some big brother Boy Scouts to come along? 6) Maybe do a shorter one (2or 3 miles?) a week or two before to "warm up? 7) Any parents along for the trip need to be in the same spirit. If THEY aren't dressed for it, the boy won't be either. 8) Have a warm place to meet it at the end for cocoa or pizza. 9) Plan your "expedition" with proper bravado. Day packs with a snack, a water jug or canteen and ? Binoculars? Camera? Maps? KiS MiF YiS

wow, so many issues, all of which we (I) have no say over. Planned obsolescence? Petroleum product cloth? vs renewable source cloth? Made in (pick a third world country)? Or in USA? Practical vs fashion? Money maker vs do we have to? Velcro? Since when is Velcro cheaper/easier than buttons? Red tabs are no longer da bomb? Gotta have green? I bet CS will be changing to tan shirts next, with blue tabs... Is this really an... improvement? National should apologize to all the thimble users and makers .

Here's my routine: (Webelos and mature Bears only): 1) I send home a note to the parents telling them that at such and such a meeting we will be teaching "Knife Safety" and this will lead to awarding the "Whittlin' Chip". It's on page xx of the Rank book (I forget that. Gotta look it up). I say that this will no doubt lead to the boy wanting his OWN pocket knife, that that is up to the parent, that when the boy succeeds in earning his W/C he may carry the pocket knife to CS events, as appropriate, WITH THE PARENTS PERMISSION. I ask the parent to sign the note and return it. No W/C without that signature. The boy is made aware of that requirement.I also mention the school policy (here it is "no tolerance". A pocket knife is considered a weapon, immediate suspension). The Cubs can bring their own folding knife to the class with parents escort. 2) On the day, I have three types of knives for show and tell, and a few loaners for practice. A large kitchen knife, a 'lock back' knife and some regular folding pocket knives (granddad called'em 'clasp knife')I also have an oil stone, an Arkansas dry stone and a carborundum stone, and a diamond hone (Scout shop. Puts a real nice edge on a blade) and a ceramic 'steel'. If you have a REAL steel 'steel', good too. 3) I talk about the different types, what they may be used for, and we practice handing them to each other. "Thank you" is not just being polite. Edge away from hand, flat to the ground, NOT edge down.. Handle to your taker. The big kitchen knife makes them think about mom's kitchen, grocer's butcher. "Thank you" for any sharp tool means you have it and won't drop it. Best to pass blade closed. This is a tool. Treat your tool with respect. Respect the edge. Lay it flat, never on concrete or a metal surface. Dulls and damages the knife. Cut wood, paper, soft things. Nothing else. 4) Open and close the knife open palm. Two handed, open palm, slow and careful. Showing off (whip open, leg close ?) shows lack of maturity, just dumb. Who you trying to impress? 5) Sharp that blade. Look for the shine of the light as you rotate the blade toward the light. See those nicks? A little oil on the stone and keep it flat. Palm open, stone flat. Nice slow circles, none of these sweeping motions. Hear that whistle? gettin' sharp. Hones, steels. Stroke the blade away from you on the steel. Really sharp now. Touch the blade with your thumb THIS way. Talk about types of stones. 6) Okay, here's your very own bar of Ivory. Let's see what you can make. Cars, jet planes, bear head? 7) Do it all again. Remind them about bragging, showing off, school policy. One knife in school equals no school. Praise them for being grown up enough to handle a serious tool correctly. Pass out the W/C card. Scout sign. Repeat after me. Sign the card. Keep the card, receive the patch at next meeting. Congratulations! When it comes up in discussion, 'sheath' knives are not allowed in Cubs. Boy Scouts? another time... Yes, the Cub has to prove his skill again for Totin' Chip in BScouts. YiS

Wanna get instant attention? Purchase, read, and then hold up at your LNT training sessions: "How to **** in the Woods" by Kathleen Meyer. A very droll, well researched and serious book about back country hygiene. Actualities, legalities, practicalities. At your local camp store or book store or Amazon.com. Reccommend it.

Is it possible to do research on Sickle Cell Anemia in Caucasians?

When daughter (now married and 'mostly' grown up) was a sub-teen, she was AMAZED to learn that her parents and Mrs So-n-so actually TALKED to each other about what had happened at a school event. HOW COULD YOU. DON"T YOU TRUST ME?? well, yes we did, until we heard the other three sides of the story. Parents talking to parents? oooo... what a concept. Scout son knows that first, I will hear him out about any event he wants to complain/brag/discuss about. I will encourage him to deal with it "in ranks" and suggest possible techniques. but he also knows that if I think it's serious enough, I will speak to the SM or other parents. It's the nonjudgemental listening that is important first. That keeps him talking. Dare I say it? "it takes a village/Troop/school to raise a child". YiS

MTSO once upon a time became the CSDC Director. She was about to go off to Camp School when she realized that to "fit in", she needed a uniform, at least the shirt. Since thru our Cub Scout days, I had been the uniformed one (CM) and she had seen no need as a "mere" CC and DL, this was a new idea to her. So she started looking around at the other Scouter types we ran into at various functions. I had collected a few knots along the way, and now these were of interest to her. What were they, exactly? What did they signify? With her past history, was it possible that she might get a knot to hang on the uni? So we went back to the old Pack leadership and figured out she qualified for at least two knots, DL and Cubber (I think that's what it's called). Going off to CSchool, she expected alot of real Scouty Scouters, and wondered how she might 'fit in'. Now with these two added "frou-frou", she felt she had added 'clout', would be more part of the "gang", and not such an outsider. And so she went to Camp School, had a veritable ball and the rest is history. She has since been awarded (in a surprise presentation, wasn't expecting it at all!) the District Award. Another knot. YiS

Behavior is a choice. Choices have consequences. As humans, we are perhaps unique in being able to PREDICT the consequences of our choices. "What was I thinking?" as the C&W song reminds us. Now, what do we tell our boys about 1) what they heard that night, 2) Why Johnny ain't at Troop meeting any more, 3) Why everybody is looking strange at Mr. XYZ and Ms. QPR, 4)Why Mr. DEF isn't ASM anymore... THEY did THIS and HERE's what happened?

OOps, forgot that part. I usually mention the website that I am familiar with that keeps track of the trail pedigree for my particular ash trail. The paper copy of this trail would entail about 50 or 60 pages. That's why God created the internet.

Usta be Webelos Son decided he would take his chore/bday and xmas money and buy a *5 D cell Mag light* (that's five!). Boy was/is it bright. Light can focus to a spot or a flood. Used engraving tool to personalize it. Took it Camping ONCE. Then he realized the benefits of AA cell flashlights. YiS