SSScout

"....the hieght of a buffalo..." Thank you for reminding me of a Scout Leader of umpteen years ago. But he measured grizzly bears in his advice... Still a good thought thumper. YiS yet,,,

Petard, Petard... Why would anyone want to be lifted up by a Starship Commander?

At Jamboree, one of my tentmates had 5 (five) seperate uniforms that he wore in rotation, one dating back to his Scout days, and he was rather proud of the fact that he could still (barely) wear it. Each was correct from its period, each was similar to the others, each was a Scout uniform. He had updated each with the particular adult office he might hold, except the Scout one didn't have any epaulettes. I don't know of anyone who would have challenged him for the appropriateness (or lack of) of any of them.

What they said. Be careful you don't do too much, even if you are able. Please get with your Committee Chair and CM and talk about who will call on whom to ask them to take on a couple of these responsibilities. Reasons: **Personal burnout. Already addressed. Which often leads to... **Personal life neglect. Scouting is a noble calling, but be aware of the needs of your own family and career and psyche. **Training up the next generation. If you are the only capable Cubber in the Pack, who's there to take over when you 'graduate'? How do you 'pass on' the corporate memory? Get others involved so as to avoid... **Jealousy. "Oh, I could never be as good as dsantos". Why should they try? Don't become "THE PACK PERSON" even if you could. Encourage and Ask. Many are willing, They will help, but not until They are asked. **Exampling. All that being said, one good example can lead and suggest the possibility. But several average efforts can suggest to others "well, if she can't do it, how could little ole me make a difference?" Meantime, KiSMiF...

"Why, daddy?" Now, who, as a parent, hasn't heard that plaint? (okay, maybe mom) And can we not expect that our response to it will color the childs expectations to every next inquiry? Now, which 'follower' would most leaders want: the unquestioning sycophant or the well informed willing person that wants to do what is required and right? By questioning, we make sure our 'leaders' really are considering what they are about. And this goes on up the 'Chain of Command' all the way to the top. (look under 'prayer'). I was called to a meeting at work. We were to be informed about a new, multi-million dollar radio communication system that was to be installed soon. The staff listened politely to the contractor's presentation. One of us asked a "what if" question (I remember thinking 'well, yeah, that could happen...'). The contractors looked at each other and said "well,gee, no one ever thought of that before". The bosses went ahead with the installation. The problem that was asked about was never addressed, and comes up on a regular basis. Should the question have never been asked? A lot of 'we told you so' comes up still. Most of the bosses involved in the installation have 'moved on', but the corporate "why Daddy?" was resented by the corporate daddies, and the result is a resentful staff and a radio system that is not what it could have been. So this Qing of A goes both ways. The Questioners must be respectful, but insistant. The Questioned must be understanding and accepting and provide good answers. The success of both Qs will be increased thereby. YiS

Phelps deserves the same consideration as any human, mistaken or not in his beliefs and actions. Do we have his address, so we may write him and remind him of the Sermon on the Mount and the sacrifice of it's author, which friend Phelps seems to have forgotten. It does little more than bruise our backs as we slap each other congratulating ourselves for our groups righteous indignation.

Dear Cluttered. dear Cluttered, "You have no complaint You are what your are and you aint what you aint So listen up buster, and listen up good Stop wishing for bad luck and knocking on wood" (thank you, John Prine) Get your gal involved in Scouts, and see how neat HER household becomes. See what HER priorities are/become. Better yet, buy her a sleeping bag and pack frame for Christmas and see what her reaction is... "With the #3 dinner you get the egg roll. No substitutions" YiS (This message has been edited by SSScout)

epalmer84:: Thanks for the attribution. I never read that Heinlein. I can only quote from the things I did read... You grok that?

MINNSM: Add my congrats to all the rest. You and your son both deserve the 'Perserverance' MB. At the boys Eagle COH, have someone read B-Ps "final letter to Scouts", you know, the one about 'being happy'... Now, what can we do for the poor DAC? Does he deserve any sympathy? A remedial WB? A boot in the pants? Where does HE go from here? (another thread?)

So that someday, maybe, our grandchildren will finally learn from our grandparents mistakes (because we can't seem to).

For your "free" time:::: DAY OF DECEIT by Robert Stinnett AT DAWN WE SLEPT by Gordon Prang, et al

Yep, Cheers and songs, especially Cheers. Try these two: **Bus Driver Cheer::: Okay, I think that deserves a cheer,Okay? How many of you or your folks ride the bus around town or to work,ummm? I'm gonna make you all BUS DRIVERS!! First, I'm gonna split you into two groups ((encourage "Chopping" sound SHHHHUUNNK!! as you karate chop the group into two sections)) Now, this group will say "Watch Your Step!!" (point and lead group one) AWWW , you can do better than That!! Let's hear it!! ((again)) Okay, now THIS group will say "Have A NICE DAY!!" ((lead second group again)) ((make it LOUD!!)) Point to each group in turn, Repeat as long as you deem necessary...Watch your step, Have a nice day... **Scout Slogan::: Same as above. Divide group into THREE sections. ((SSSHHHUUUNNNKKK!! twice...)) Practice each section a couple of times...""DO"" ""YOUR"" ""BEST"" until you think you 'got them'. Then go thru the usual DO... YOUR... BEST...a couple of times. then have some fun by varying the routine. As Conductor, vary the order ((""Wait for it"")) DO...DO...YOUR...YOUR...DO...DO...BEST...BEST...BEST...YOUR..DO (etc) Vary the tempo, the glissando ""DOOOOOOO... YOOOUURRR...BEEEEEEEST"" etc. If you see smiles and giggles, you know you're doing something right. KiS MiF (This message has been edited by SSScout)

How very sad. I wish Mr. Phelps would read the rest of the Bible, not just those three pages.

Hunt: Possibilities as they occur to me... 1) Don't want to clutter up the uni with too many patches and badges. Ruins the nip in the waist. 2) Anyone rescued by a Scout type person would no doubt want to check and make sure the rescuer was properly certified for the job ("TRAINED"). 3) Spread the badges around on more sites, therefore allowing more badges to be awarded. (sold?) 4) Get opposite gender folks to glance/stare at the handsome, muscular leg/glutes. 5) Cover up the hole torn in the side of the baggies which was torn during an unauthorized detour thru some less than easily traversed pathways. 6) If it was on the Field shirt, "they" might expect you to be ready to jump in when trouble threatens. Kinda like wearing a (blank)Uniform? "Hey, he's wearing a LG patch!! He'll know what to do!!" Thereby avoiding unwarranted liability issues. YiS, TiCh

Itsme:: I am also glad to hear of your settlement. I bet the sigh of relief from the Pack Committee could be heard down the block. Now, are you leading the next Whittlin' Chip class?

'Fraid not. Check www.usscouts.org/advance/boyscout/lifeguard . Get your baggies out, and sew on the 'guard patch, mile swim and WSI patch, if you get there. I've seen some Scout Camp waterfronts award a nice red jacket to their 'guards. And the boys sew on their aquatics badges on the sleeves. But not on the 'field' shirt. Not even supposed to put it on the back of the MB sash, which has recently been okeyed for "tempo" badges like Camp Patches and such. Be glad you have the skills and strength and pray you never are called on to seriously demonstrate them for real. YiS, wet or dry.

Alright class, let's consider the difference between anecdotal evidence and statistical evidence. If an Adult Scouter notes that, in his day as a BOY Scout, he had to call the Council office, obtain a list of Merit Badge Counsellors, call up and make an appointment, get there (mom taxi?), make plans to pass the requirements, pass the requirements, have the MBC sign his cards and pass them on to the Scoutmaster, that is anecdotal. If the Scouter says that his boys Troop today has 25 MBCs listed among the Troops leadership, that the Troop offers periodic classes for such MBs as First Aid, Citizenship, Bird Study, Preparedness, and Personal Fitness (among others),that is anecdotal. Now, take out your texts and turn to the Scout Membership Lists on page umtieleventeen. Look at the Eagle Award Lists. Calculate the percent of Eagles awarded as a fraction of the membership of each year. See the rise in the graph? That is statistical evidence. Which do you think is more compelling?Yes, I know we are being very simplistic and perhaps not considering all the affective quantities. Yes, Algernon?

I remember being "specialized" by my fellow Scouts as the patrols expert fire builder and (!) powdered milk mixer. Everybody "knew" I was the best in these things. While I think gaining expertise in your favorite activities is important, consider this opinion from computer scientist Lew Hitchner: "A human being should be able to heal a wound, plan an expedition, order from a french menu, climb a mountain, enjoy a ballet, balance accounts, roll a kayak, embolden a friend, tell a joke, laugh at himself, cooperate, act alone, sing a childrens song, solve equations, throw a dog a stick, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, love heartily, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." Are you too "specialized"? Have your buddies "specialized" you? What say ye, friends?

miki101: You and your classmates have finally reached the REAL answer. The design of a statistical study will ultimately determine the result, raw data not withstanding. The base Eagle rate is 1.98%.(and I don't think that reflects the elimination of boys who join LATE in the game, and could not possibly earn Eagle before age 18). Now, one must establish a rate of change over the years. so EACH year must be calculated (potential Eagles/ Eagle awarded) per year and the rate of change over the past 90 years (dE/dY ?) calculated. If the rate is highly positive (I would expect) then either (1) the awards are more attractive (more Scouts decide they WANT it), or (2)Scouts are becoming more capable (smarter?) or (3)the awards are being made easier (merit badge mills, excessive "coaching", pushy parents, accomodating MB counselors) or (4)the EBOR/judges (called "gatekeepers" in another thread) are being more complacent. Anyone discern any other possibilities?

No,No,No,No. A false premise will result in a false result. The question CANNOT be how many EScouts in a year, the question is : "How many Scouts have earned Eagle as a percentage of ALL Scouts that had the potential to earn Eagle?" If a boy does not become a Scout, he cannot become an Eagle. The nascent Tiger CAN earn Eagle, in 8, 9, 10 years ,yes? If the boy 'drops out,' he still was a potential Eagle, and must be included in the consideration. Joins at age 12, drops out to play B-Ball at age 14, still a POTENTIAL Eagle. He was a Scout. But not Female Venturers, or Exporers. Uh-uh. Therefore, the important question is (disregarding how easy or difficult the earning task is) solved thus: Total number of signed-up Scouts (male, from Tiger on up) excluding boys that joined after age 15 (since they can not even theoretically jam everything in to satisfy the published requirements, time wise) since 1910 divided into the total number of Eagle awards given since 1910 will yield the percent of Scouts that have EARNED (there's that word again) the Eagle. Class? Anyone? Yes, you there in the back with his hand up... (This message has been edited by SSScout)

See "walk the walk, hike the hike" in the forums.

? como se llama? Yo llama! Llama? Si,si, llama!!

Kraut60: Positive reinforcement, ooooo, I like that idea. I believe I will suggest that at our next Comm meeting. Do you recommend a 'fair warning announcement' to the troop before you start the candy awards, or just start as you see the good uniforms and let word get around?

hops-scout: Thank you for your candor. Way back when I was earning my Stegasaurus husbandry MB, I also was piled high with activity. Kept me out of trouble, you bet. Band, track, drama club, part time job, home chores AND scouts' (and the occassional ETC.). But the Eagle was almost automatic for me, looking back. The MBs were all fascinating to me, my folks drove me to the MB counselors ( not necessarily 'embedded' in the Troop) or at camp, and the rest just sort of happened, as my Scout career progressed. I guess I'm interested in a comparison of THEN and NOW and are things any more difficult. My boy likes to kid me about how he has MORE history to learn than I did. And it does seem that there are more distractions to the 'straight and narrow' NOW than THEN. But, ... see #5 above. Just reading your message, I feel you are making the best decision for YOU. If the time will not allow, or you find yourself drawn to other means of growth, then Godspeed, and I wish you well. Don't forget to share your wisdom with those coming up behind you. I know Scouting has "done it's best" by you and you have given as well as you have got. Smile and wave as you go by. Now, about the rest of you??? YiS somemore

My title is "Transit Coordinator". I work for the local transit(bus) service and for lack of a better description, I'm sort of a "street supervisor". My office is a Jeep Cherokee. I oversee route drivers, investigate accidents, ameliorate pasenger-driver conflicts, play "what if" with our operation for the higher-ups. Scoutwise, I'm a ASM and District Camp Chair and Cub Scout Day Camp gofer. YiS still...