SSScout

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

Thak you, Oak Tree, for trying to head'm off at the thread. I copied and reset and reknewed my acquaintance to the subject. All depends on who one counts and from when. 20%? 5%? 2%? 1.8%? Take your pick and the reasoning will follow. http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=146678&p=1 Is a 1930 Eagle "worth" the same as a 1960 Eagle or a 1980 Eagle or a 2003 Eagle? It is to the boy it is awarded to...

It is no accident that the first point of the Scout Law is "A Scout Is Trustworthy". I'd like to tell you two stories, one about ME, one about YOU. (((insert story here from your own history about being trusted with something new, expensive, important from when you were a boy))) Now, How many of you know your grand parents? Maybe your Great grandparents? Isn't that wonderful. When you go home from this((camporee, Webelos WE, etc)), visit them, call them. Ask them how things were when they were your age. They are walking history. My mother told me of watching the dirigible Hindenburg fly over her house. Hear them out before you have to say, "I wish I'd asked them about..." Okay, now think back beyond your GGparents, your GGGGparents, think back 1,000 2,000 even a million generations. Some body, one of YOUR ancestors, first brought a hot burning stick back to his family's camp or cave. He found it next to a tree that had been struck by lightning, or next to a lava flow. Somewhere along the way, they figure out that this hot stuff could be kept going by adding more sticks to it. WOW!! it kept us warm at night, kept the big animals away. OOPS, dropped that loin of Sabertooth in the fire (is that what we call it now? Fire...) ummmm smells interesting! AND BARBECUE WAS INVENTED!! but I digress... Hey, look at this, if I hit these two rocks together, it..sparks... Maybe if we... rub these dry sticks together... We have learned to use fire to keep us warm, to cook our food, carry us to the Moon and beyond. We use it to create and heal...and to kill and destroy. That choice is yours and mine to make. But one thing has remained. The power of the naked flame to draw us together. Since the time of the neanderthal family in front of their cave, Scouts, church camps, YMCA camps, soldiers on picket duty, all know the desire to just sit around a camp fire and be together. We sing, we share stories, There Is A Fire At The Center. It is spiritual, it is visceral. It is universal. Robert Baden-Powell recognized this early on and started a tradition of collecting ashes from the campfire he had just been to. In the morning, when the fire was cold, he would collect some small amount of ash and take it with him to the next campfire. When that fire was cold, he would collect some ash from that fire ring, and so on. He kept track of the history, the "pedigree" of the ash trail. I have here ((hold up baggy)) ash from the ((last camporee, Woodbadge, etc.)). The pedigree of these ashes includes the last jamborees, , campfires from Scouting events, church camps, and other places all the way back to the Brownsea Island Camp. ((throw the ashes in the fire)) . It is a continuation of that tradition, started so many years ago. If you would like a souvenir of this campfire, tomorrow morning there will be some baggies here and you may help yourself. The tradition will continue if YOU continu it. You can have a piece of Baden-Powells campfire. And your mom will ask "what's this bag of dirt doing on my kitchen counter?" And you can tell her. Now, How do I know all this is true? Did these ashes realy continue the trail from Brownsea island? Because another Scout told me... and A Scout is Trustworthy. You have a good night..

I have a favorite organization that I name in my will. I stipulate that $1000. is to go to renovate a particular house they use and $200. is to be spent on a pizza and beer party for the Board of Directors. And my daughter gets my vinyl collection and turntable. Son gets the Lionel set. I like the tavern idea. Time to call the attorney...

I concur with the above. The same request showed up at my home email and at work. Each had a different "hook", with the same request. I "deleted" without opening.

Please,please, please.... campfires and computers do not mix. CPUs melt. Remember: Virtual Crackerbarrel!! Howdy tagguy, company at last from the Old Line State. YiS

Wolf Even Bear Eventually Lion On to Scout I think I remember my CM telling us that. Then "they" told us it was "We Be Loyal Scouts" . Poor grammar. I think I liked my version better. Wear the knot, already.

mmm-mmm-mmm. Sounds like the start of a Pulitzer Prize documentary if I ever heard one. Where's Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward when you really need them? Are ANY of ther CAC present board former Scouts? and who gave their memories the quick wash and rinse? Does the SE hold a realtors license?

Time has passed. How goes Chicago Area Council and Camp Owasippe? ""How high's the water, mama?""

" I love it when a plan comes together" Mucho congrats.. Don't forget to let others have some fun too. Ya gotta make sure other parents have some of the good feeling too! In other words, don't let yourself do everything. KiS MiF YiS

Scout Sign means: a Scout leader holds up HIS sign and the next Scout passes the "word" along by holding HIS Scout Sign until all Scouts have their Scout Sign up and are listening. When I work the CSDC, I hold the SS up and look at my watch. When all are quiet I announce "35 seconds (or what ever time elapsed). Let's try it again. LET"S HEAR SOME NOISE!!!" SS up again. " 22 seconds. Getting better." And each time I SS, I announce the time. It slowly improves. I sometimes mention my experience at the National Jamboree, at the big amphitheater, where we have 50,000 plus Scouts in one place. The Scout on the Stage shows his SS and within 15 or 20 seconds, all have the SS up and all are paying attention. 'Wow' moment. Yes, the SPL must be willing to set the example and not give way to the mob. Each PL must also agree and insist their patrol follow suit. An ASM can educate the other parents in attendance, or perhaps take them to the 'Rocking Chair Patrol Room'.

G-W: Personal experience and scientific evidence... Check out the "Science News" April 22, 2000 by Corina Wu Carbon dioxide, lactic acid, heritage, unknown stuff. Course, if one is dirty enough, the 'skeeters can't get thru to you. That's why hippos coat themselves in mud! Also, it seems that DEET doesn't really REPEL the skeeters, it just make one smell like a PLANT, which skeeters aren't looking for. Confuses 'em.

District Camporee::: 20 plus Troops...300 plus Scouts...Climbing wall... tug-o-war... archery...hammer the bell...air rifles... log drag for time...two man saw on a 12" log...trebuchet (pumpkins are very consistant in size!)...run the obstacle course......Campfire... skits...cheers...songs...SM minute... Drizzle on friday set up... help neighbor Troop that left the rope basket at home...Pour down rain at 11pm... Saturday sunshine... clear night... dewey Sunday morn... Oh the aromas thru camp...Dutch oven brownies...Bacon and eggs... spaghetti... fresh cooked donuts... burgers and baked potatoes...beef stew...turkey sandwiches...chili...oatmeal and maple syrup...flipping pancakes for the first time... New Scout Troop sponsored by Islamic Organization comes to first Camporee... New Scout in my Troop comes back to campsite, flops on bench and announces "I'm bored" (see above list). Can't do this, doesn't like that, not good at that, too small for this... Take out my hatchet and start sharpening it with the file. Talk about need to keep hatchet sharp. Would he like to try? Totin' Chip requirements... Contact method. Now you try it. What's this called? Here's how to split kindling. Did you watch Joe and Scott make the fire last night? Make a tent peg. Pretty good, now watch this...make another, Even better. Hey, you can pass Totin' Chip can't you? Can I take this home? Big smile... The only bad camping trip is the one I don't go on...

As they occur to me, questions to consider: Distance between cays? Expected weather? Plan B? Water sources? Required skill/stamina level? Historical side trips? Tours? "Sag boat"? (thinking bike trip parallel) Industrial size canisters of sunblock? 'Squeeter repellent? Where do I sign up?

That's why we're here. It might be tomorrow, it might be thirty years later. The skills will be there, if they are needed, IF they are taught and practiced NOW. Keep telling your Scouts, IF YOU'RE LUCKY: you will never need the skills and confidence you gain here in Scouting. On the other hand, IF THE FOLKS THAT NEED YOUR HELP ARE LUCKY: You, with your training and confidence, will be there when you are needed.

Just like this forum... From Christ symbology to motorcycles. 1980 GT550 2 stroke sitting in my garage. Goldwing? I've driven cars with smaller engines. Weld two GL's together, Now you've got a vehicle.