SSScout

Tandems are a serious sub culture in the World of Cycling. There are races, clubs, time trials, magazines devoted to Tandems. Just as with single seats, one can be as frugal or as profligate as one wishes. $300 or $30,000 ("nicely equipped", as the auto ads say). Unfortunately I am far removed from my bicycling days, rich and varied as they were. I'll not bore you with those details. But after reviewing the Cycling MB requirements, I see no reason why a Tandem could not be used to fulfill it. Certainly a pair of adult leaders could participate in a Scout ride on one. Perhaps it would be appropriate to require the two Scouts on a Tandem to trade positions so they could demonstrate their skill both as "stoker" (rear) and as "captain" (front). And believe me, the two positions do need different skills. Maintenance requirements are the same, perhaps even more rigorous for the slightly more complex mechanism. Trip planning requirements would be the same. So go for it! YiS Willy Nelson* and Gene Autry** *on the road again... ** back in the saddle again(This message has been edited by SSScout)

Wow, the luxury of having a seperate RT Commish for Cubs and Boys (note the distinction: I feel all of them younguns are SCOUTS. We have Cubs and Boys)> We have ONE RTCm and then we divide up as possible for our seperate discussions. Our District is in the throes of reorganizing and rebuilding the interconnection between units. I would counsel the following: Make sure you have an accurate District Roster of Units and Leaders. This should include the District Leadership at the front, for all to contact as desired. Then include Unit number, CO, where they meet and when, CCh, CM, SM,phone numbers, addresses, (shudder) emails?. If this information is not collected, you can't use it. If you have it, you have no excuse not to use it. Introduce yourself to as many of your constituency as you can. Call and INVITE folks to come to RT. This roster should be in the hands of all the District folks, and (why not?) every Cub, Boy and Ventuer leader. Encourage cooperation, inter-unit activities (esp. small units). Find out what they might like to see/hear at RT. Make the time fun, useful and worthwhile (or mirthwhile, as one RT commish once said to me). (don't forget the ribs and slaw). Programs::: Make a calender and ask folks to sign up to lead a night. Could be about the monthly theme, or not. Once upon a time, the Cub theme was "Circus of the Stars". Fellow signed up for it, and instead of Circus acts, he taught Astronomy! Marvelous! KIS MIF YiS K-ingIS&F(This message has been edited by SSScout)

Robvio:::Hey, and add my welcome to all the rest. What they said, and here's my nickles worth (inflation): Don't just say to the TC: "hey, I need..." but say to SOMEONE:: "Jack, could you help me with..." or "Betty, would you know how to..." I find asking PEOPLE will gain the help, but just ASKING often doesn't. Good Scouting to you. YiS asking away

Howdy Boothil, greetings from the right coast. 50degrees here, soon to be 20 this weekend, sez the tv weatherman. You have four main tasks ahead of you (personal exp.) 1) Get together with some likeminded boys and adults and plan out one or two easy trips as examples.Check with local parks people. Local trails, parks, etc. Ask the local District DE or Camp chair for suggestions. One or two miles in, camp, one or two miles out. 2) Convince the Troop Committee (I hope you already have the agreement of the SM!!) that your rut is getting uncomfortable. Too much car camping can make a Troop sick if not lead to a slow death. 3) Your SM takes the plans to the PLC and gains their agreement. Schedule a trip in the spring, another a month later, a little longer perhaps.. Here, the "older boys" get the chance to teach camp skills. Troop meetings can be planned around First Class skills (all of which are camp related, yes? ) and the Patrols encouraged to work together to camp, cook, share the load as a PATROL. 4) The SM and you must give the SPL the responsibility and back him up in all this. Communication is the key. Nothing happens with out calling, asking, assigning, following up. Your SPL and his ASPLs and PLC will rise to the occasion, given the chance. Good Scouting to you! YiS

Yep, what they said. The boy is father to the man. He will be what he has been. He is a Scout, to be sure, but he is not only a Scout. Let him proudly show what he has accomplished, even as a boy. As your boy looks over his shoulder to see where he's come from, remind him to not get a kink in his neck from dwelling on the past and not paying attention to his next possibilities. Congratulations, Scout. You done good. Congratulations, mom. You done good, too. YiS

I wouldn't call it 'reatricting', necessarily. Put unofficially, my take on Scout badges (Tiger on up...) is that their earning is intended to 1)encourage the trying of new activities 2) reinforce good, healthy behavior 3) encourage the attainment of life enhancing (even survival) skills and 4) help boost the boys self-esteem. Especially in Cubs (but also in BS) often one is encouraging the adult in the above categories, too. The parent often learns along with the boy. If one learns how to ride the Public Transit System, all of the above categories have been fulfilled. If you then ride the PTS everyday (to work, to school, etc.), yeah, you can say you are fulfilling those categories again and again, but not for the first time. We don't award the First Class badge every time a boy cooks over a campfire and comes home safe from a 7 mile hike in the woods, just when he shows the first time that he can do it safely. Perhaps the "Gold Star" on the fridge routine could be suggested for safely coming home each day on the school bus or sitting down with dad to hear a story. I know some younguns that enjoyed that sort of positive reinforcement to help them to concentrate on what needed to be done. A gold star earned for one occasion, so many (?7?10?20?) earns a movie night or some other reward, just not another bead! Lordy, how you gonna walk with all those beads dragging on the floor? Trips up a fellas feet, it does. YiS Beads and all.

"It's what we do" Yes. I like that.

Boy, these forums do bring jog the memory. (Theres a topic... forms of exercise... memory jogging, down alist running, but I digress) I remember when my folks and I were filling out the Eagle applications that there was a request for "letters of reference" from a number (3?) of non-Scout people that could vouch for the applicants "character, citizenship and worth" as I remember. This reference stuff was new to me. Perhaps it was only Council required, I don't know. But there was included a form letter to send to the requested referencers. Who to ask? School counselor? Teacher? Camp counselor from a non scout camp? Clergyman? Family friend? Coach? Past employer? I think one of them was Mr. Vonessen, my school Counselor. I really don't remember who we asked. I suppose sometime in the not so distant future, I may be asked to serve in some capacity about an Eagle applicants application (TBOR? DBOR? Advisor? DAC? My sons application? Hasn't happened yet...) so then I'll have to think about whether Reference Letters are "required" or not NOW. I can only testify to some dimly remembered past... Perhaps once upon a time, there was a "requirement", but it has been TWEAKED to a phone call, or a email, or a suggestion...

"OOOH NO MR. BILL!" "Spoonerism: a transposition usually initial sounds of two or more words, thus: '...he quoted a white horse souse...' for 'white house source'. hoobert heever... ?sister mouse matter?

I think it great that you are working for your boy(s) to have the Scouting experience, whereever you might be. Waaay back when, my Scout Troop had a SM that had a cousin who had a brother in law who knew someone who owned some wooded property not too far away (something like that). The Troop fathers got together and organized our own summer camp. In the seasons before we held it, weekends were spent building a Quartermaster's cabin with telephone company donated poles. We cleared tent sites, dammed the creek for a swimmin' hole, dug and built a privy, cleared out and capped the spring on the property. And so "Camp Freedom" was created. Our Troop not only attended the Council camp, but always held our own weeklong summer camp there. Each Patrol also had the option of a weekend campout there if we couldn't come up with a new Park to visit. "Camp Freedom" was our camp, long after I ceased to be a Scout. "The Property" as it was called, eventually became a religious retreat center, so it didn't lose all its purpose. What I'm trying to say is that, I think with a little prayer and planning your group will find the place to develope your own camp? Somebody near you may have a bit of forest they wouldn't mind loaning. Good luck.... YiS on the property... (This message has been edited by SSScout)

Greetings, Ryan: Welcome to our electronic crackerbarrel and/or roundtable. (Trev: I've told you, microprocessors just don't get along well with CAMPFIRES. They tend to melt!) I've seen many Troops that conduct most if not all of the religious ceremony. When I earned my G&C way back when, my class arranged and led easily about 50 minutes of the whole UMC service. The CO pastor just sat back and smiled. We chose the hymns, the readings, we wrote the responsive reading(all about the Scout Law). I still have the program from it among my souvenirs. The Troop I belonged to attended services of the faiths to which many of our boys belonged, both during "Scout Sunday" (or saturday) and other occasions . I remember attending Jewish synagogues, Catholic sevices, Baptist churches among others. Everybody eventually has to find their own "place in the choir". If the boys faith does not permit them to attend another faiths service (there's a religious word...service), for whatever reason, well, that's the way that is. He's still a Scout. The Troop I presently am attached to is sponsored by a UMC, and I happen to be a Quaker (as is my son), but I would never think of limiting my sons choice of worship, should he ask to "try out" another faith. At Meeting, his First Day School (read sunday school) class does 'comparative religions' every so often, trading classes with other local churches and temples. And he brings home some interesting discussions, to be sure. The Troop and the CO UMC have no present plans to 'take over' the Scout Sunday worship, but that could change as the new pastor gets educated to the way of the Scout. (Scout Tao? Trev?) Ryan : Listen to your folks and faith leaders. Learn their truths and as you discern your "duty to God", make the Scout Sunday service your own. YiS and Christ.

Where is there any disagreement here? For a boy or girl to take pride in being a Scout, how wonderful is that? At a friends wedding, another friends son wore his Cub Scout Uniform to the ceremony. The boy considered the uniform HIS formal wear. I would certainly wear my adult uniform to a Girl Scout Court of Honor. I would expect any brother of a Girl Scout being awarded the "Gold " would wear his full uniform in her honor. Of course its appropriate. At the funeral of a man who was the Cubmaster of my sons pack before I was Cubmaster, I went to work that morning and then changed out of my work uniform and into my Scout uni before I entered the church. The man was (among other things) a Doctor in the Navy, and the Naval folks all attended in uniform, in his honor. When is there a bad time to wear the uni? YiS dressed...(This message has been edited by SSScout)

evmori: Mega congrats! I hope someone was awarded a "translator" strip for ASL?

What Beavah said AND... It may be more a 'you can't make me' thing developing with the parents. Any observation of the dynamics between boy and dad? The boy may not want to admit he'd like to be more Scoutish because that would be admitting that his dad is right about something... Make the opportunities available, keep your interest in him open, give him 'attaboys' when you can. He may be missing the dad factor somewhere. Praise him when you can IN FRONT OF THE PARENTS. Let them see the good you see and listen to and watch their reaction. YiS

Paranoia.... "The chances of being eaten by a tiger in the middle of Main St. may be a million to one, but once is enough." back to the topic... So it seems we have a LOSS of membership, both absolute and relative to the pool of possible members. And we seem to have an INCREASE in Eagle awards, both absolute and relative to possible award earners and relative to past years... Does this equate to an easing of the requirements and/or a greater desire on the part of the possible earners and/or a greasing of the ways (JohninKC: more E MBs for S & L)(MB mills), and/or more competitive parents pressure and/or ....?

Now, as a 'temporarily able' person, I would guess that OGEs Scout was required to meet some "officially" adjusted requirements (which means they are "official program") from the "normal" requirements for otherwise "able" Scouts. ? I think such ideas are fascinating. When I see a FC badge on a Scout, I would expect that that Scout would have the same skills and basic knowledge as any other FC Scout. Now, tactilly, I would not expect a blind Scout to be required to identify Poison Ivy in HIS way (touch!), but how would he identify it MY way (visual description?) ? Does one just say "it can't be done" and pass on? Perhaps rubber gloves? FC Scouts of my era needed knowledge of Morse Code and Wig Wag signalling (dot to left= patrol patch, dash to right= troop patch). Not so today. Is this "official adjustment" a bad thing?

"Aye, the Pirates Code...We been thinkin', it's more like 'guidelines' anyway... arrrgh!" So we install windows in all the church classroom doors... we hold SM conferences on the bench in the hallway and passerbyes just know to ignore them...we make it a point to never be in PRIVATE conversation with only ONE Scout... If the young Scout is having a nightmare in his tent, we make sure the tent flaps are wide open and we sit at the tent door to comfort him...most important, we show and discuss "It happened to me" and remind the parents to discuss the pamphlet that comes in the front of all Scout handbooks... and then we get back to the original topic... Question: If the "adjusting" of the "program" can be "good" or "bad", can anyone tell me about any "impaired" Scouts (pick an impairment: visual, wheelchair, mental/emotional, MD, Polio, etc.) who were awarded their Eagle and how the "program" was tweaked for them? Was this appropriate? or (shiver) wrong?

Perhaps 'cops' is too strong a term. Sounds like a punisher. I watched the show 'Cops' last night in between new years music shows and steamed shrimp with the family ( good new years eve party, small and intimate, ya know?). One of the 'cops' said he saw his job as keeping the streets open and safe, and reminding people what they ought to do. Catching and punishing bad guys was the last thing he WANTED to do. Perhaps 'Program Uncle'? I kinda remember my uncle Melvin as a fellow who was just sort of there when I needed to be reminded about what I 'ought' to do. Isn't that the promise? "On my honor, I promise to do my best, to do what I ought to do..." YiS some more

Update: I am a Scout Leader, hiker and work for the transit system. KOA in Harpers Ferry has a good rep. And Harpers Ferry is a National Park, and a neat historic place to visit. Ap Trail crosses the Potomac River there, the C&O Canal trail goes down to Washington DC (about 60 trail miles),there is an American Hosteling International Hostel nearby, too, in Sandy Hook MD. With a little planning, many "hiker-biker" campsites along the canal are available for use I Highly Recommend "184 Miles of Adventure - Hikers Guide to the C&O Canal" published by the Baltimore Area Council BSA and available from any local National Park Store or the local BSA Councils. It is AT LEAST an hour+quarter drive, from HF, down US340 to I270 to Shady Grove Metro station. More in 'peak' hours. Alternative adventure: Take MARC Rail (commuter train) from HF all the way to Union Station, Washington DC. But don't be late for the last train back! Tickets for this, check MARC Rail website? or buy your tickets on the train. No Checks! Unfortunately, the Metro is not designed for the tourist, although it is by far the best way to access our nation's capitol. Parking at SG Metro is getting more limited everyday, as it is at any Metro Station of late. Park all day $4.00, must have a special card ("Smartcard" ...see the website) to exit the garage. Check out the Metro website. Order your "daily" pass by mail, if you can, $6.50 will get you an all day pass, good after 9:30am, get on and off as often as you like, wherever you like, up to close time (midnite at least). Be warned:::: Metro has recently announced that due to its financial woes(!), all rates may increase this summer. There are four public transit services in the area, all fairly easy to use with alittle research. There are lots of easy to read (I think) maps available to offload from various websites: Metro is the "subway" and the transit bus system between MD and DC and VA. Ride On is the transit bus system only within Montgomery County,MD (adj to DC) MARC Rail is the MAryland Rail Corporation, commuter trains between WVA, DC, Baltimore. THE BUS is the Frederick County bus sytem, north of Montgomery County. There are other bus transit systems, connected but further afield, but I won't confuse you any more! Make sure every Scout has a timepiece and phone numbers to call when they get lost! Have fun, stay safe! YiS

One learns a skill for one of three reasons: It is fun, I get rewarded when I am successful (or punished if I am not), or I see it is useful. Knowledge of ropes and knots can be fun, can make life easier, can even save lives. When you go camping or hiking, find (make) ways to use the knots. Lashings, setting up tents w/o "hardware", slings across creeks, packboards rather than big bag packframes, learn "turks head" necker slides,set up camp 'gizmos' and flagpoles. Speed games are good. Relays (one boy ties a knot, the next unties it on down the line), get some BIG caliper rope and try moving logs and other big things with properly applied rope. Find a "rigger" who works with cranes and high steel and see if he can lead your boys to an appreciation of ropes and harness, "block and tackle'. Yes, the trick knots are fun. Cast around in your Council for a magician who works with ropes. Perhaps a sailor, or Sea Scout. Any Venture(er)s out there that are into rock climbing and rappelling. Especially old style without so much "hardware". "If the only tool you have is a hammer, every job will look like a nail". Learn many knots and proper rope use. You might need the knowledge some day. The Square Knot is not the best choice in every situation. YiS "I'm tied up this weekend..."

If the carpet is red, Spare ribs. If the carpet is beige, greenbean casserole If the carpet is light blue, hold the CoH at the local BBQ place. If the carpet is dark blue, hold the CoH at the local seafood place. If the carpet is white or light grey, go to another church. How impractical for a high traffic area!!

We have an historic town nearby and on the anniversary of its founding ("Oldetown Days") part of the celebration is a "treasure" scavenger hunt type thing. Your family starts at the old train station, where a guide hands you a clue and town map. The clue leads you to the next spot (an historic house or other site. There are more than one trail.), where another guide gives you the next clue, and on you go. The each trail is about 2 hours or so to traverse, you get to see the town, the kids learn a little history and everyone gets a nice walk. This one is free.

Man, what Beaver said. And eagle019 and nldscout, I hope you boys know each other. It's like the realestate broker said when he was asked why invest in realestate: "because God ain't making any more land!" Don't those yoyos understand? Once a Camp is gone, it's gone. You cannot recreate a camp someplace else. The money gained thru the sale of a Camp will never replace what has been lost. As a boy, I spent summers in a private Camp in Maine(anyone recognize the name Stanwood Cobb?), a Private Camp in VA., a Scout Camp on the Chesapeake Bay and a Camp run by my Troop on property owned by our SM's cousin's uncle's brother in law (something like that. What did I know?). The Troop property was saved to a religious retreat center (Scouts can still camp there), the Bay Camp (Roosevelt) became a nuclear power plant and State Park, the Camp in Maine (near Portland, on the ocean)is probably beachfront condos now. The VA Camp wrote to me (30 years later? How did they find my address?) to ask for help to prevent the camp from being developed into a vacation resort. I sent them some money because I remembered. Now there's a concept. The memories and lessons the Scout takes away from Camp remain. Years later, the memories and lessons remain. I believe we call that "program". I would hire Rennel in a minute to run the "program" Here's a man (and I've never met him) who knows about "program". He's lived it from the proverbial ground up. How many thousand of Scouts has he seen go thu Camp Teetonkah? And how have the Council Execs benefitted from his experience? Once a Camp is gone, it's gone. Without the property, there is no place for... the "program". The loss of THREE camps on the premise of reinforcing ONE Camp, does not allow for (dare I say it?) expansion! What would happen if (Praise the Lord!) Scouting became the pre-eminant youth program once again. Where to put all the eager young bodies? The "program" seeds need places to be sown if the crop of memories and lessons are to be reaped. And the Camp ground need never be left fallow. With proper tending, it is nevdr depletted. The crops of lessons learned and memories made are always ready to be gathered. I cannot take my boy to many of the places I camped. Most of them ain't the same. "Heritage" and "tradition" are also part of "program". When the property is gone, that part of "program" is lost forever. Here I must repeat part of my previous post. Find a sympathetic newspaper reporter. Follow the money. Make the Council Execs explain themselves in public forum. Contact the COs that (theoretically) elected the board. Hold the Execs feet to the fire (you do have your Fireman's Chit?) I am no longer too young to know. and too young to care. Now, I must care for my son's sake. Where do I send my donation to the legal fund? And which Newspaper will accept my letter? YiS sceptically

Brentallen: Wowsers. How can one obtain a copy of your Powerpoint , and perhaps a recording of your commentary to share with our District? It is certainly a selling point about the world wide brotherhood all Scouts belong to. BB: I look forward to hearing of the success you have when you finish refining the findings of your trip/ticket. Nothing is worth saving if it is not worth sharing. YiS everywhere...

I once had a supervisor (one of many. I work for a goverment agency) come to me and compliment me on a report I had just submitted. He said he always found my work complete, clear and such that unlike some others, he "never had to come back and ask more questions". I said thank you, and then in a fit of inspiration, I said "could you maybe put that in writing for me?" He was obviously taken aback by that request, but replied, "absolutely. You know, I should do that sort of thing more often. I'll address it to XYZ ( the department head). Let me know when you hear from him?" I thanked him again. About a month later, I hadn't heard from XYZs office, so I called a friend in her office. No, they hadn't seen the compliment. So I checked back with the original super, and he said, "mmm, I sent that up the day after I spoke to you. Let me check". Turned out a jealous colleague had held the compliment and so XYZ would never see it. The first super good naturedly sent a copy directly to XYZs office, rather than "via" the other colleague. I received my official "attaboy". BB: 1) Reread the sentence you quoted sending to your TG. Does it sound respectful (never mind the request itself) and grateful for the opportunity, or does it sound like you attach any value to the award? 2) What Lisabob said. 3) Everyone wants to be "appreciated", even secretly. Even tho your comments here have raised hackles, you have accomplished your purpose in getting folks to think about what to some Scouters is the unthinkable: that maybe, MAYBE, somethings in Scouting need attention. They may not agree with you in everything that needs attention(Lord knows, I don't), but I do agree that Scouting as a movement needs to be thought over and fingers can be pointed. THEREFORE I would ask you, WHY do you NOT (seemingly) want to be appreciated? Having your award "MAILED" to you really leads to all sorts of questions none of which have anything to do with Scouting and everything to do with BB hisself. 4) Try not to concurrently try to be successful and then poo poo that success (gorsh, ain't I humble). Help others to be successful. Your 'sky is falling' attitude is useful only if you know how to patch the ceiling plaster, and the congregation wants you to do the patching. I'm signed up to take WB this spring. I've been aske why I didn't put in for it sooner. I've been asked when I DID take it (compliment there). I look forward for the challenge of it. I almost dread accepting the challenge of it. was your WB REALLY that bad? YiS, because.