SSScout

Ladies and gentlemen, I would ask that someone, after they read the following ramble, will respond and tell me what it is I am trying to get at. The DRP is just that. If you can agree to it in good faith, you sign it. If you can't, you find a way to rationalize your fudging and sign it. If you REALLY can't, then you don't become a Scout/er. We had a wonderful lady sign up her son as a Cub and throw herself whole heartedly into the CS Day Camp. She was the best Nature person we ever had. After the camp, she came to me (wife is CD) and asked about the form she signed. What exactly was expected of her by her signing? She explained that she really wasn't religious, in fact they were careful not to teach their son about any religion. She said they found religion to be a real stumbling block in their teaching their son about the world and how it worked. And what about this "duty to God" in the CS promise? I had to say it was what it was. Scouting expected the parents to work with their son about their faith, whatever that was. I could not (would not) try to interpret the words any more than that. I did say that one's duty to God would be different for each person, and no one in Scouting (to my knowledge) would ever try to impose a particular faith on a Scout. She later resigned (formally!) and withdrew her son from the Pack. "By their fruits ye shall know them" As a first time Chaplain representing the Religious Society of Friends at the '05 Jamboree, I met many men and women of many different faiths (and some not so sure which, if any, to claim. More on that later.) The Jamboree had at least 25 different named faiths. We had Chaplains of many different flavors: Jew, Catholic, Mennonite, LDS, Methodist, Baptists, Episcopal, Congregationalist, RLDS, Lutheran, UU, Greek Orthodox, Christian Scientist (and Friend!). The only obvious absence were Presbyterian and Muslim and Buddhist. Us Chaplains worked surprisingly well together. Among other things, we established worship space for Muslim Scouts and a meditation space for Buddhist Scouts. A Muslim Imam came by three days to visit, but did not stay on the grounds. The last Sunday (First Day in Quaker parlance), the first and only Buddhist Navy Chaplain came to lead that religious service. (no mention of the different flavors of Muslim was ever mentioned. I met several Muslim Scouts, one a young lady Venturer). One of my duties was as a welcomer to the "Relationships " tent. Here were reps and exhibits of many faiths and service organizations. The Chaplains job was to guide the visiting Scout to the table of his/her faith, or, if there was none, talk to the Scout about his faith and thus fulfill the requirement for the "Duty to God" rocker for his/her Jambo patch. I have to say that I did meet several Scouts who honestly told me they weren't sure, probably did not believe in a god, let alone God, and had no idea what the purpose of "church" was. I listened but never cast guilt (?) on the boy for his searching. There are, after all, alot of choices out there. I noticed that when the Chaplains got together, each was very polite when probing the others about their faith. The Greek Orthodox taught about Icons, the Baptist taught about water immersion, etc. I learned some "polite" jewish insults! But Catholic went to the hospital with Quaker, Mennonite set up Muslim prayer space with LDS Deacon, and everyone helped as they could the Alaskan Troops. So what about the dozen or so doubting, unsure Scouts I met? 35 Chaplains times 12 Scouts equals 370 non-yet-believing Scouts? Out of 35,000 (at the Jambo)?? Are they to be summarily kicked out of the brotherhood? We do, after all, have to find our own way. I became a Friend, because that is where my searching led me. That is where, I felt, God wanted me to be. Most Friends are said to be "discovered" rather than converted. The old Friends used the term "convinced", if one was not born into Friends. I certainly cannot argue that my way is appropriate for YOU. (like Paul, I often tell folks "come and see") One may be born into a certain tradition, religion. That is how one starts. After that, I believe one must decide for onesself what, exactly, is ones "duty to God". No one else can. Perhaps another can help one define that "duty", but it cannot, should not, MUST not be imposed by another. At the Jambo, I met Troops that were totally Jewish, Catholic, LDS, one that was (I think) all Church of Christ. There were probably some more I was not aware of that were totally of one faith. Each of these homoginous Troops served their Scouts well, I've no doubt, I only hope that the non jewish Scout, say, who approached the jewish Troop was not turned away out of hand. Who am I to tell a Scout that HIS duty to God is not correct? It is, after all, not his duty to ME! But in conversation, perhaps I can understand HIS understanding and he can understand mine, and together we can see alittle more of what God might really require of us. I think it was Gandhi who said something to the effect that the most Christian person he ever met was a Muslim? Something like that. Could someone find the Kipling story about the blind men trying to describe the elephant to each other? I have to put away the dinner dishes and go to bed. YiS

Amen to all that's gone before. My nickles worth... Here is how I have explained it to my son. And Scouts.... The english language has a large vocabulary. Many words to describe many situations. Using ONE word for so many situations is first , lazy. And uncreative. And unworthy of you. You are better than that. The words in question are intended to be provacative, to evoke a emotional reaction. They are unnecessary. If you intend to impress someone with your manliness by useing "grown up" words, you haven't impressed me. Impress me by BEING grown up. A word has a meaning. That's what communication is all about. If you would communicate a painful mistake, (thumb instead of nail), I always suggest yelling at the object, not the emotional reaction :: "HAMMER!!" Each of the words has a meaning. Usually, they are used incorrectedly. Sexual connotation? Nope, not that time. Excretory connotation? Nope, not there. Show off your KNOWLEDGE by being CREATIVE in your choice of words to describe what has happened or what you are talking about. It's more fun any way. And it sure doesn't annoy the adults as much. Why not get a reputation as a good talker, not just a talker. YiS.

Slumgullion.. at last I know... two l's... That was my dad's favorite name for whatever he was cooking when mom was out for the evening. Always looked alot like hamburger stew to me. YiS And the thirteenth point of the SL is...

My best bud and I would connect over our college vacations. We went up to my favorite campsite late one friday afternoon intending to camp there friday and then hiking out the AT some miles to a rock climbing site and then back for sat evening. Trout fishing before we head home sunday. Our menues: Fri dinner: Burger king. Sat morn: eggs and sausage and bread and jam and oj. Sat lunch: bread and sliced ham and left over oj. Sat dinner: Dinty Moore and fruit cocktale Sun morn: left overs. Trout fishing in the stream (rainbow !). Take the trout home... Sun lunch: Same Burger King (don't mess with tradition) Now the sad part. I had been to this campground a dozen times before. We drove in to the park and went round and round. Couldn't find the road down into the valley to the campsite. I finally gave in and went to the ranger station to ask. Was my memory so faulty? No, it was just that in the intervening two years since I had been there,the state had damed the stream, flooded the valley, and created a lake. So we camped elsewhere, fished in the lake. And ate dinty moore. Ah, youth..

Never like to interfeer in stuff I'd much rader jes sit back and watch the conflagrashun transpire. Now that we are all educated as to who will (has to) pay for the fire service overtime, I'd like to ask an importune question: (keeping in mind the purpose of our organization::: What happens to the boys who (alledgedly) failed to properly extinguish the fire they never should have lit? Do they gain from the insurance settlement, perhaps some counseling? How do the PARENTS deal with the boys reaction? Can any of us, far removed from the incident, possibly imagine what must be going thru their minds? How do the UNITS support these folks ("a Scout is Loyal")? Revoking the Fireman's Chit? LNT retraining? They don't seem like the best thing to me, but one wouldn't just cast these folks lose to drift with the tide, if you will. YiS safely...

Myth: "Save up a pound of aluminum pop-tops and send them to Coca-Cola/Pepsi/Snapple/((enter drink company of your choice here)) you can buy an hour on a dialysis machine for a poor patient". Suuurrreee. Myth: "Twinkies are made with a preservative so that they never spoil". How long is never?? Myth: "If it's on TV, it must be true, it wouldn't be allowed on TV if it wasn't true". Run with that one, boys. Thankyew, thankyewvermuch.

Ahar, Thar ye go agin, with the idee of a Cub Scout Day Camp Code. We been thinkin', it be more like guidelines, afterall...ahar. Seriously, a Manual is a good ides, especially if you have alot of new folks helping, as is often the case in CSDC. It gives you something to point at in training, too. And them that come after you will appreciate the headstart for their turn at the wheel, ahar. What is your theme this year? They ("THEY") have given us "Land Of The Pharoahs". Did you hear about the young lady that was studying Ancient Egyptian Plumbing? She was a Pharoah Faucet Major.... YiS, ahar.

Pogey bait? Bug juice? Geedunk? Tube steak? Brillo cakes? Chicken tetraterrible? Moo juice? Burger bombs? Hen fruit? What IS on the menue???

Oh well. The link will give you the Baltimore Sun Page. Go to the Baltimore Sun home page, March 7, go to the Howard County section (left side), story is ""A Place to Love and Preserve"". YiS

Well, let's see if this works... http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/howard/bal-ho.patapsco07mar07,0,2896540.story?coll=bal-local-howard

Seems a fellow named Kit Valentine useta be an Eagle Scout, then he grew up (sorta) and founded a group to help preserve a State Park that he worked in as a Scout. His project is still there... (the Eagle mention is about half way thru the article) ((did our headline section catch this?)) http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/howard/bal-ho.patapsco07mar07,0,2896540.story?coll=bal-local-howard

Aye, Pack, me bucko, 'tis good ta see that Aye'm not tha oonly one what sees tha Pirates Coode ta be maar Guidelines, like. A Harr. "I would never belong to any club that would have me as a member." == Groucho Marx ==(This message has been edited by SSScout)

If the 'A' person believes that his/her "duty to God" is to NOT believe in him (my perception is of a more male image), then so be it. ( see also 'spaghetti monster') The Scout Promise is not a "judicial oath", but never the less, I will remind them to whom it is important, that our Lord instructed us to "swear not at all, but let your yea be yea and your nea be nea". Hence, certain folks (please correct me if I am wrong in my naming) such as Quakers, Amish, Jehovahs Witnesses, Mennonites, Brethren, Hutterites, et al, will not swear either in court or else where. They will "affirm" that what they say will be (is) the truth. And isn't that what we promise in the SO and SL? 'Course, not all the above will appear on the Scout rolls. "On My Honor" is a declararation of intention, so hence a promise. What you say is what you'll do. "A Scout is Trustworthy". That's the core. The rest is extra sauce on the already richly merinated ribs. ((There I go again thinking of food)) The basic question, I think, is what is ones ultimate authority? If one wishes to declare themselves a "Conscientious Objector" for Draft Board purposes, one must convince the Board not only of ones beliefs and the sincerity behind them but of the origin of those beliefs and the "ultimate" authority one claims. It can't be a "belief of convenience", to use their term. Same thing here, to a lesser degree. Now, if one thinks that ones god requires one (your "duty") to steal from 7-11s and knock over mail boxes, well maybe we need to imbue that one with knowledge of ANOTHER god... Do we talk about the so-called Pledge of Allegiance here or on another thread? YiS

Ditto oldsm. In our Council, we have a noble personage known as the "Merit Badge Dean". He/she keeps track of who is the up to date MBC for a particular subject. You might poplitely beat on doors until your Council Advanvement Chair tells you who it is ( if there is one), or perhaps if your District has some umph, you might have a District MBD. But be forewarned, you may be asked to BE the MBD! Godspeed , YiS

Hey, there's that question again. Howcum only certain "Headlines" appear in our "Headlines section" but some newspapers never seem to make it?? This marvelous story appeared in the Maryland Gazette Newspapers last week. Try http://www.gazette.net/stories/022807/chevnew225915_32320.shtml . YiS

A Grand Tally Ho to the one that can identify the book from which comes this evocative scene (modern Sci Fi): Our hero has a dream in which he dies and goes to "heaven". At the Pearly Gates, he is met by the Gate Keeper, who tells him that to come to God's throne, he should walk thru the door of his choice in the wall ahead. The wall stretches far into the distance to either side, there are innumerable doors, each with the name of a religion above it, everything from Anglicanism to Zoroastrianism and everything in between. As he walks along, the hero cannot choose which door to walk thru, he can't remember what he did on earth. So he walks thru the first one he comes to. On the other side, he sees ahead of him the blazing bright throne. But when he looks behind him, he sees the infinitely long wall... with one closed unlabeled door. Then he wakes up.

To: Ezekeal "Izzy" A. Shcout, Patrol Leader, Lionaround Patrol From: Franklin N. Schtein, Chair, Subcommittee for the Approval of Prank Plans (SAPP), Troop 6 7/8ths Re: Your application dated 1 March 2009. Mr. Shcout: Be advised we are in receipt of your application for the Prank titled "Oh So Deserving". The approval of your PP is dependant on the clarification of several questions we have about your plans. Could you please elucidate on the following points: 1) On page 4, you mention "cans of goo" Could you please be more specific? As you are aware, the Guide to Safe Scouting (14th ed.) requires Pranks be "innoccuous and harmless to the prankee". We need to be assured that the "Goo" you refer to is not only non-toxic but also bio-degradable and washable. 2) We must remind you of the requirement that both the pranker and the prankee sign "hold harmless" agreements, relative to each other and the Troop, District and Council. A sample of such was included in your application package. Please attach same, complete, to your response to this letter. As you are aware, the membership applcation you signed already included the disclaimer as to National BSA. 3) We would like to congratulate you on the originality of your proposal. However, it should be noted that Al R. Geen, the previous SPL of your Troop, already utilized the sneeze powder. Any that you appropriate from Troop stores must be replenished. 4) On page 3 of your proposal, we note a possible typo. Did you really mean to say "XXXXXX the YYYYYYY". We question the physical possibility of such an act. 5) As to schedule, we would like you to reconsider your request for the Troop overnight to Therenback National Forest, as two other pranks are already scheduled. It is recommended that the tour to the State Memorial for the Invention of the Dry Cleaning Bag the following month might be a valid occasion. Again, we thank you for your application. Please be assured that it will be given every fair consideration and applied as appropriate toward your rank advancement. Very Truly yours, Frank Schtein, Chair

"Aye, it be an arrrrt form, not just guide lines." Beware the "Revenge Prank"...Oh, I'm gonna get that guy. He can't embarrass me like that. Just you wait... This can lead to a series of one-up-manship pranks that usually end in a really bad scene. The first prank should be enough (Shelf Stretchers? boy!) Beware the "Prank to Impress".... Listen up guys, here's what we'll do to that other camp.... These usually end up being the ones in """Bad Taste""" Beware the "Proxy Prank".... The young member that wants SO BAD to be INCLUDED that he will risk too much of his safety and self esteem in executing someone else's plans. See also the "Double Prank" as illustrated in the movie "The Sting". Who really was responsible for the bed on the pavilion roof??? Beware the "Chemistry Class Prank"... The replacement of certain usual liquids with other questionable liquids, or edibles with inedibles (rubber chocolates? Is choking possible?). Think those through REAL thoroughly. Now ammonium tri-iodide is a good project... And don't forget to keep the Scoutmaster antennae raised and attuned (what? they didn't pass those out in your WB?),(See Ray Ralston) so your early warning system can be activated. Ever glue a quarter to the floor? 'Course, Allen Funt might be the one to ask for advice... And Spin And Marty, as I remember, had some real classics. "Life is like a box of chocolates... You never know what you might get." YiS

Velcome... Bienvenue... Welcome... Sometimes a "prank" is done... "because it is there". Local summer theater had a roof that was a low slope and peak roof. I (Scouts Honor) have no idea how, but one summer morning the theater folks woke up to find a Ford 8N farm tractor fully assembled on the peak of the roof. A crane had to be brought in to remove it. Newspaper article. The only detail that was notable in the paper was that the tires were NOT fully weighted, so the tractor was maybe 600 pounds lighter than normal. Many years ago. Sometimes because the 'prankee' needs to know they are "really are part of the group". Might be no other way to convince 'em. Camp with church youth group. One kid was NEVER having fun, there because his folks MADE HIM. Set up a snipe hunt. Paper bags, good pets, "weep, weep, weep", didn't realize it was gonna rain that night. The prankee came in soaking wet, but boy, was he part of the group then. Became one of the leaders, as I remember. Sometimes because of the challenge... College had a chem lab at 6am (!true!) on a winter saturday morning. This necessitated getting up at 5am to wash, dress,etc to walk the 20 minutes from the dorm to the campus. It's still dark. No time for breakfast. Arranged with EVERYONE on the floor to be up and busy as normal at real time 3am. Reset prankees alarm clock as appropriate. Had him up and out the door halfway to campus. Everyone else goes back to bed and LOCKS THE DOORS. (open on auto lock at 5am). THIS WAS THE FLOOR COUNSELOR. "Cap't Bob's Fifth" was a very coherent group. Sometimes cooler heads must prevail...listen for that "still small voice" that tells you "maybe I wouldn't want this to happen to me, even from/by those that love me". Sometimes a prank is a chance to show yourself equal to the task after all... The old time carpenter sends his young helper to the crib for "North Wall Nails" and has him return with the message from the clerk that they are all out, but the clerk suggests that these South Wall Nails will do, just put'm in backwards, to the glee of the rest of the crew. The helper became a good carpenter (one armed. My dad.) Sometimes... Oh, that's enough sometimes. Each occasion is unique. Some are memorable, some never shoulda happened. Some we are thankful no one got hurt("WHAT WERE YOU THINKING OF???"). If it is routine, then it is not a prank, it is hazing, and NEVER appropriate. If it demeans and there is real physical danger involved, it is never appropriate. The Scout use of ceremony and work-thru requirements (even the OA Ordeal) leads to belonging and membership in the group. The African tribes of BP's day used the initiation process to weld the boy-man to the group (course, often the trials then were succeed or die. Bring back a Lions mane?). We have to be a bit less extreme, but the purpose can be the same. Often, I've noted that when the "official" stuff somehow fails, the boys will step in ... Pranks? Sorry, "I know nnnnothink. I see nnnnnothink". As a Scout leader, careful not to unnecessarily cramp style, careful to love and care for the boys, careful to step in when you should (?when?) and step back to enjoy the show when you can. It is, after all, more often an art form, not always a science. YiS

Depending on your overall situation... *Invite the kids and parents from the local school and or churches.. Have a information table for newcomers. *Check with neighboring Packs and see if you can borrow some "used" cars for the hordes of newcomers that visit. Then those boys can race in the "open" class (in our Pack, the OP class... Other People...) * By all means, work up awards for everyone... Most Colorful, Best use of Decals,.. Most Historical, Most realistic, bring some blank award forms that you can fill in "as apropriate" on the site. "Every Cub's a Winner" * Make sure the 'starter' runs a line of patter , "Start you engines!!" that sort of thing. Count down each start 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,, There they GO!!.. everyone will get into the spirit. * Have a Winners Circle and a Photo Op place with some flags and posters behind it. * Go to your local Auto Parts store and see if they can't scare up some Car Racing Posters and flags and such for you. Any one know a local that races pro or amateur? lots of tracks around the country help Packs that way. Nothing like a real racer in his Nomex... ** Wait til next year... YiS MiFKiS

Planning and advance notice, so there is no reason to say" but I didn't know..." Our Pack would have 3 classes: Cubs, Unlimited, and EBE (every body else). Cubs class was Cub built cars (adults can help, but "Scouts Honor", Cub designed and Mostly worked on. Unlimited was just that. Anything goes, so long as the physical limitations (weight, size) are met. EBE class was for siblings, visiting friends, etc. We usually had a few visiting boys sign up after racing in EBE class (borrowed car anyone?) AND... we made sure there were LOTS of special awards: Best use of decals, most historic, funniest, Cubs favorite, most Scoutlike, most realistic, Cubmasters award, animal type, most clever, etc. The speediest cars had their reward. So should the other Cubs. An ambulance with flashing light and siren? A dragon that SMOKES? A 7 inch Semi trailer? (four wheels, but eight carved). KiS MiF

Let's see now... "Forest Fires... see Bear, Smokey. Ummm... Okay! "For a good time, call..." oops wrong reference. Okay, scouts, for a fun internet time try... http://www.smokeybear.com/kids/games_smoke.asp and learn how to be a SMOKE JUMPER!!! YiS KiSMiF

Bogus, dude... Why would anyone hire a guard you KNOW is dishonest?? Still, assuming that the two guards both know the safe way out, and one always tells the truth and the other is honesty impaired, I would ask the LEFT guard " Dude! When the fire gets here, Which way will the RIGHT guard dude tell YOU to go to escape those righteous flames?" If the LEFT guard is the truthful dude, and he says "Right", then the RIGHT guard is the lier and therefore the left trail is the safe way out. If the LEFT guard is the lier, then by saying "right" he means that the truthful guard would say "left". Either way, the left trail is the safe way out. And vice versa. (verse visah?) But then we still don't know how the fire started. Was it a Scout Patrol that never read thru the G2SS? Or a bear that decided to jump several steps of evolution and discovered fire? And what about that first guy we met? The intro dude? Can we really trust HIM? Maybe HE'S the lier dude? and BOTH of the guards are truthful? or Liers? My head hurts.

Eagle Scout... Yep, I can say that line on my CV did open some doors for me. Did it save me from doing some dumb things? Nope. Did I learn WHY they were dumb from being an ES? At least partially, I think. The difference ,I discern, seems to be whether the Scout figures out what the Scout Oath (promise) really is and whether the Scout Law really is a guide or just some hokey recitation like at school.... And you make that connection by seeing the look on your dads (or counselors or SMs, or pastors...) face when you haven't made the connection between the WORDS and the LIFE . Note that I didn't say DEEDS. Because the Scout is not just learning a way to DO things, so much as a way to LIVE. My Truly Significant Other had a poor opinion of Scouts dating back to a real jerk of a boyfriend she had once upon a time, so she's told me. When we met, and while we were dating, I often told her about my Scout history. She married me anyway. Her twin sons, my daughter and then our son lived in the smallest 6 bedroom house in town. The twins had nothing good to say about Scouts, owing to their fathers opinion. My daughter saw nothing good from GS, owing to a really poor GS troop at her school (yeah, they didn't want a divorced dad as a GS leader. Another story.). So when youngest son announced he wanted to be a Cub, well, we had some discussions. And lo, the transformation was great. After ADL, PCC,and PT, MTSO is now the District Day Camp Director. I've been a DL, CM, WDL, and now ASM. MTSO told me (finally) that since Scouting had obviously such a salutatory (her word) affect on me, she'd thought she'd give it a try. And so she did. All education is one of four types: Instruction. Example. Reasoning. Self discovery. If the Student WILL NOT learn from the first two, and refuses or can't use the third, then they MUST participate in the fourth. "This is a hot stove. Do not touch it" "HIEEE!! I didn't know that stove was still hot!!" "The light labeled 'Hot Surface' is on, therefore..." "Ummmm... I wonder what this is... OOWWEEE!!!" nldscout: Perhaps your Scout fell into the fourth category for awhile. Have faith. As has been said before, with no priors, perhaps some mercy will temper the justice, yes?

'Course we aren't at the "A Scout is trustworthy stage, yet, or are we? If the Cub and his parent(s) say "this is my entry", then this is the entry. Cars can be reworked. (even repainted). Pack PWD night... final weigh in... Cub brings a friend to the meet... Friend does not have a car... My son takes his last years car off the display rack, removes the "cert" sticker off the bottom and hands it to the friend...Friend 'races' the last year car under his name in the "OP" class ("Other People", after "Cub Official", and "Adult" classes)... Lots of excitment... New Cub... YiS KiSMiF