SSScout

And my wife wants me to heal quick so i don't waste so much time on Scouter.com (surgery on my foot. Gotta keep it up for a while...) Never heard of this Flag subscription service. Very original. When our troop decided that the popcorn market around here was saturated (Way cheaper at the store,too) we decided on Christmas wreaths. We settled on a company in the Northwest out of Scouter magazine. We've had good luck with it. We take advance orders fom friends and neighbors and order stock upfront to sell in front of local stores. Make upwards of $4000. profit each year. All done in early november, delivery by Thanksgiving (cool weather) Needs: one very well organized parent for ordering and record keeping and one parent with a large garage or at least backyard to store wreaths when they arrive under a tarp. (by UPS semi) and parcel them out. The trick is timing. Try to have them arrive friday and parse them out saturday for the store front sales and personal delivery to neighbors etc. We do two deliveries. History: In my boy Boy Scout days, our Troop would meet early on a saturday morning. A couple of the Troop dads would go to the Krispy Kreme with their station wagons, come back with 1000(!)dozen still warm donuts. These would be divided up and two Scouts would go out with a dad or mom and 20 or 30 dozen thru the neighborhoods and SELL door to door fresh, warm, gooey Krispy Kreme donuts! I will admit, the first time we did this, we got some strange looks, but soon , we were EXPECTED! What a treat! We would easily sell out by 11am and come back to the church. Take that, Girl Scout Cookies! Hah! Troop did all its fund raising this way, least wise while I was a Scout. YiS.

*Please refer to other threads about meritbadges, Uniform shirt collars and Uniform Police* When I was a CM, I had gentle discussions with parents about uniform use. The uniform is a 'method',yes? The parent would ask why the uniform was important, and I would try to explain how it encourages pride in being a Scout, being part of a greater whole, how it represents to other Scouts (and the world?) what Scouting is about. Done right, it is a walking diploma and billboard. It shows what you've accomplished and where you've been. Hopefully, the First Class Scout looking at anothers First Class badge knows that boy has the same basic knowledge and skills that he has. The uniform sets the boy apart from the rest of the world and also includes him in the rest of the Scout world. My present Troop, prior to my joining with my son, decided (voted, they tell me) to allow boys who have attained Life rank to wear the red 'activity' shirt to Scout activities as a privilege. They are still expected to wear Class A to CoH and other'formal' occasions, but it has been my observation that there is very little pride in appearance since the red shirts appeared. When my wife started being drawn into Scouts, taking training for various positions, she noted to me that she thought she got more respect from the other Scouters when she wore a uniform shirt, and more respect yet when she started to have more "frou-frou" on it. Me, I guess I never noticed any difference since I ALWAYS had alot of "frou-frou". I noted to her that the "frou-frou" represented her newly acquired experience and responsibility. Isn't being proud of your accomplishments part of Scout Spirit? Then too, I've met a few Scouters with enough 'frou-frou' that they almost didn't need a shirt to attach it to!I remember one old gentleman at Jamboree who came with eight shirts. He said it wasn't a matter of laundry, he just had too many knots, badges, etc for one shirt. Then too, where's the line demarking being too prideful (a Scout is humble...?)? I marvel at how some Troops are very Gung Ho about looking good("sharp") and some are really laizzez faire about uniform use. Some get really creative. Full Troops all wearing red berets, all in matching neckerchiefs, etc. I frankly can't see the use of the embroidered loops. Badges of Office are created and worn on the left shoulder, yes? But then the Troop could vote to only wear Chicago Bulls team shorts and T's, couldn't they? Would THAT Troop still be a SCOUT Troop? We now have matching green T's for work sessions and such. I think the boys like that uniform informal formality.But embroidered shoulder loops? Maybe I need some gold braid on my shirt cuffs...

I find, paradoxically, that I agree with every thing that's been said here. It depends on the situation. As the opportunity presents itself. Forgiveness and understanding is always appropriate. Maybe we don't know the whole of it. Don't embarass anyone publicly. Set a good example yourself. When in doubt, look it up or ask. Forgive me, friends, but this sort of discussion always reminds me of... (movie trivia question) " BADGES? WE DON' NEED NO STEENKIN' BADGES!!" Ahem... " Teach.. your Scout to sew... your Daddy's patch... will never fall off... and see ... him stick his thumb.. he's not so dumb... he'll beg his motheeeer... and... don't you stop to ask him why... he'll just look at her and cry.. til she gives in and sews it oooon and he'll tell her "Mooooooom, you know I love you!! " ( apologies to CSN&Y) ** Is there a sewing mert badge??**

I found this hanging next to a Friends fireplace. Perhaps this should be in the SM Minute section? For your consideration... "Lighting a Fire" by John Oxenham (1852-1941) Kneel always when You light a fire, Kneel reverently and Thankful be For Gods unfailing Charity. And on ascending Flame inspire A little Prayer which shall upbear The Incense of your Thankfulness For this sweet Grace of Warmth and Light! For here again is Sacrefice For your Delight. Oak, Elm, and Chestnut, Beech and Red Pine Bole God shrined HIS Sunshine and entombed For you these stores of Light and Heat, Your Life Joys complete. These all have Died that you might Live: Yours now the High Prerogative To Loose their Long Captivities, And Through their Long Captivities, A wider Life to Give. Kneel Always when you light a fire, Kneel reverently. And Grateful be For Gods unfailing Charity. YiS

Campcrafter: Howdy.No, Ihave not received your PM. I've sent a few and never received a response either. Are they supposed to come in to your personal email or what? I think perhaps my spam filter might deny the PM. Is there a place to ask a question of our administrators? Meantime, Ns are a non problem in our Troop . When you can 'lose ' it and not find it, you don't have to wear it, do you?

Go for it. I am in agreement. When the collars appeared on the uniforms, they made it hard for a neckerchief to fit appropriately, or "uniformly". Choices: N over the collar? collar points stick out from under. N tucked under the collar? better, but it doesn't seem to lay right. Turn shirt collar under, into shirt and N over shirt? looks better yet, but the collar is 'bunchy', as my son says, and is scratchy. I have tried ironing the collar so it stands up and stays inside the N but that doesn't stay. I even tried (forgive me U police) doubleback tape behind the collar to help it stand up, but that wilts in the heat. Alot of the boys in our troop forgo the N for all the above reasons ("The shirt has a collar, whats the dif?" ) and conveniently lose the N in the detritus of their room at home. Anyone else remember all the uses the HBfB listed for the N?? First aid sling, signal flag, sun bonnet, hanky, dust mask, swim trunks (took two!), ankle brace, strap for broken bone splint, etc. Now the N is a 'collectors item' so ya dasn't get it dirty, and the boys complain about wearing it, no matter the occasion. Cest la vie.

Whoa. The depth of the discussions here never cease to amaze me. I was privileged to serve as a Chaplain at the National Jamboree last summer. I met alot of very talented, caring and accepting clergy. As it happens ,I am not "ordained" clergy. My fellow Chaplain of the same faith (also not "ordained") and I had the same duty as any of the other 150 or so Chaplains. We sat with homesick Scouts, listened to troubled adults and youth. We arranged services for our faith. One of the badges the Scouts could earn involved attending the "Relationships" tents. In here were represented faiths and clubs (Rotary, American Legion, etc.) that had some connection to BSA. The two biggest groups were demonstrably the Catholic Church and the LDS. My duty here was to welcome Scouts and help direct them to the faith of their choice if it was present, or if not, speak to them about their faith in REAL general terms, and then sign off on the requirement of visiting the Rel Tent (and earn their "G and C" rocker). I met quite a few Scouts who expressed the idea of "shopping" for a faith, and more than one or two who were "not sure" about God and all that stuff. Was I 'evangelical'? I tried not to be, did not feel it was appropriate. Now granted, the Scouts at J were a self selected group, (dare I say somewhat elite?), but I found myself wondering how diverse, how homogenous they were. I met a few Troops that were purely Jewish, purely LDS, darn close to all Protestant.Mixed in were a handful of Muslim, Hindu and Bhuddist Scouts. There has to be a certain self selection, but if you live right next to the synagogue and the next Protestant Troop is miles away, what should a nascient Scout do? If we ask a Scout to promise to do his duty to "G and C" and they don't yet know what that duty is, should they be REMOVED from Scouting? Perhaps they finally decide that their duty to THEIR god is to NOT believe? Is that contradictory or just too philosophical or is it being really TRUSTWORTHY to their REVERENCE? My wife started out being not too pro Scout until she met me and decided that if I was the result of Scouting, perhaps she could rethink her opiion.... She is now a trained day camp director, but along with me has issues with BSA about inclusiveness. How many of you folks are familiar with Campfire as a response to BSA's lack of acceptance of all children, regardless...?

"From out the mouth of babes". 'Nuf said. YiS

I like that. "Trust but verify". You have to go with your gut feeling, but stay within BSA guielines AND be sensitive to the troop adult commitee concerns. The NAES should know of your concerns and be honest in his desire to be open with you. His Scout experience is valuable and not to be wasted. Good luck to you and your Troop.

As a past CM, I'll suggest a couple of "games" for you. #1 We would open our P meetings with a flag ceremony and then one of the boys would lead the P in the Cub Promise and Law of the Pack. Do this: Write the CSP and LotP a word or two at a time on 3x5 cards. Fold them in half and throw'em in a bag(I did one bag for each, but you could mix 'em up). Just before the Cub starts the Promise or Law, step forward and say "hold on a minute! We ask our boys to recite the LotP and the CSP each time! I'd like to see if our PARENTS have been listening." Here, walk around and have each pareent draw a card out of the bag. Ask the parents to arrange themselves in proper order for the CSP or/and the LotP,silently, WITHOUT SPEAKING. And when they are arranged, to say it correctly. You can allow books if you wish. The boys will get a real kick out of it.The adults will be semi embarrassed, but THAT's THE IDEA, RIGHT? You could do the same thing at your Den meeting. #2 We made small ID cards for the boys (something to put in their wallets!) with the CSP on one side and the LotP on the other, space for their name and address, CS logo. Make 'em look legit. Practice it together at the Den Meeting, with the card in hand. Have fun. YiS, SSScout

Our Council just opened a new mega Cub Scout camp. The price for sodas in the machine in the Council store just changed from $1. to $1.25. (20 oz.) Is there a connection here?

Eaglebeader: You sound sensitive and sympathetic to your 'new adult ES'. If you know his past history, is it unreasonable to assume others are aware of it as well? I would not be so concerned with 'keeping an eye on HIM' as being sensitive to others reactions to him. How accepting or prejudicial are they? I tend to think NAES is very aware of others eyes on him. Any rumors or talk among the SCOUTS? Some times my son will keep me posted on things that 'don't sound right' to him among the troops and then I can bring it up in our adult committee meetings (or in the "parking lot committee" meeting). Make sure NAES is 'appreciated'. "by their fruits shall ye know them".

Works at the pool: Try a "Steal the Bacon" variation amongst the 'swimmers'. Use a volley ball. Use personal topics instead of numbers("everyone who was born in January" " ... if you normally wear glasses" " If you have a sister who's a Girl Scout" etc. ). Use your magination for topics! YiS

When playing poker/euchre/hearts/I doubt it/spades/cribbage the card most needed will be a substitute joker with grape jelly on the back.

We must be doing something right if the folks that we "offically" seek to exclude seek to be included.

How big was it? If it was a young one the colors might not be so proounnced. How many native USA snakes have a diamond pattern on its flanks? I think I must vote with AkelaT and scoutldr. There are diamondbacks on MD Eastern Shore, why not in DE? YiSafe S!.

Lisabob and other Scout friends: I hear a familiar story here. Some personal experience, if you will. As a CM, I met a young man whose parents wanted a Cub Scout for a son, and he seemed to have a good time ,'up to a point'. His mom was very involved, his dad much less so. He was intellectually advanced for his age, and often fell back on making himself 'superior' to his fellows. At first,he exhibited a strange behavior: He refused to button any shirt but would wear the neckerchief. His mom allowed this. But when I finally came up one meeting and told him I wanted him to look good and proceeded to button his shirt, he let me and thereafter he always came with his shirt buttoned. He eventually dropped out, but not before he had earned Wolf. Is Scouting for every boy (or parent?) Evidently not, if our experience with recruiting of late is any evidence. I feel that any boy can benefit and have a good time in Scouting. Making that possibility available is the responsibility of parent, Scoutleader and peer Scout. Back when I was working on my Candle Dipping merit badge, my Troop recognized that the a new Scout's first trip out shouldn't necessarily be a 20 mile backpacking trip in the Adirondacks in January. Even tho the new Scouts (me) were inserted in the Patrols, there were 'easy' trips planned along with more 'advanced' activities. I've seen Troops use the "new patrol" method to good effect, I've also seen today's Troop use the 'old style' way. Mom seems to be aware of the situation. I also would ask, where's dad? Falling back to Cub Scouts? Not appropriate, not 'legally'allowed, not productive. I like the "buddy scout" idea alot. Graduated activities (Troop level and Patrol level)are important to educate and encouage new Scouts. Rank advancement is not the end all, be all of Scouts. I wish more Troops would see this. If a boy does not reach First Class in his first year, is not the end of his Scouting world. Even tho our goal is "Boy Run", us Scouters need to be proactive in encouraging beginners activities and training along with allowing the older Scouts rein in planning the bigger more challenging activities. If we make it impossible for new Scouts to 'keep up' in the initial hikes and camps, how can we expect them to do anything but drop out? YiS

In my short time as a Scout and Scouter, I do not remember a 'Blank' Meritbadge, least in my Council. MBs go in and out of fashion. I have a friend that earned his Rabbit Husbandry MB. No longer in the catalog. A boy in my old Troop earned his Blacksmithing MB. Is that available anymore? At the National Jamboree I met a group that is lobbying Irving to create a Racing Pigeon MB. MBs are created (Computer Science) and laid down as the "market" requires. Other Scout associations around the world have really (to our eyes) foriegn and neat badges. Saudi Arabia has a "Camel Care" badge I saw exhibited once. Sometimes MBs are created by dividing (old Citizenship into the multi Citizenship MBs) or combining (Backpacking) to adjust things. I would, however, like to say that there is absolutely no truth to the rumor that Irving is planning to combine the Cooking MB with the Pet Care MB. YiS

I was attending the official opening of Camp W B Snyder near Mannassasn VA last Sat., and met a gentleman, SM of an Annandale Troop, name of Cortney. He was a Brit, hosted a nice display about Brownsea Island and Gilwell and B-P. We had a good conversation. He told me that there was no documentation about collecting ashes at Brownsea (he had several collected interviews with the original 20 or so "Scouts" at Brownsea), but there was good evidence, both from participants and B-P about his collecting campfire ashes for passing on to the next campfire, beginning at Gilwell. Good enough for me. As for the various "pedigrees", I guess I'll have to trust to the Scouts that passed them on to me, just as the folks that I pass them on to will trust me, I guess... "Think back if you will, to the first time our umpty ump ancestor found a tree that was struck by lightning..." YiS.

"Follow the money". I believe that came from DEEP THROAT. "It's for the kids". Bob the Tomatoe said that. "Let's sell the 2 main Council camps and buy this bigger property for cheap, and consolidate our camps" Somebody said that 15 years ago... "Wow, I didn't know it was a 4 hour drive down to camp Q. Let's go to camp X in this other council. It's only 1 1/2 hours away." I said that... The question almost always seems to gravitate to deciding between: **Is the BSA Council a 'Business'? (A business must show a profit, and if it does, who benefits? Are there "stock holders?") ** Does the BSA Council have a 'Greater Purpose' that it was created to serve? (not just making widgets.)(would Habitat for Humanity really worry about monetary profit?) ** If there is a 'Greater Purpose", what assets are most useful to that end? Money in the bank? Well paid, well dressed executives? Can these 'Bosses' demonstrate their worth? Wooded Campsites close to the Clients? Equipment kept in good condition? What might it cost (in salaries) to replace any volunteer workers with "professional" workers? ** Are reputations or egos being challenged? Are egos more important than the 'Greater Purpose'? Or the "clients"? ** What is the REAL purpose of the Council Executive Staff, as defined by the above questions? Get the newspapers interested in helping to define the difference between the OFFICIAL 'Greater Purpose' and the REAL purpose of the governing board. "follow the money"...

When B-P was asked about the Scout Motto, 'Be Prepared', he was asked "be prepared for what?" His reply was, " well, for any old thing". That great social commentator, Giles Murphy, observed that "If anything can go wrong, it will". We have since been given the Selective Law of Gravitation ("that will be dropped that will do the most damage") and The Parkinson Principle (" junk will be collected to fill the space available") and the Peter Principle (" an employee will rise in an organization to his level of incompetence, at which time he will no longer be promoted"). In light of Mr. Murphy, Scouts should be prepared to counter such predictive dictums as The Bicycling Law (" the wind is always in your face") and the Back Pack Rule (" the item you really really need is either at the bottom of the pack or on the kitchen table"). I would ask my Scouting friends, are there any more to add to the list? YiS

"Has anyone any direct experience with BSA retribution against a leader expressing disagreement in a rational and courtious way?" "Packsaddle gives us an example of a threat to revoke membership if a critical op-ed was published--is anyone aware of anything like that actually being done? It seems to me that it would be pretty bad PR for BSA to kick out somebody for disagreeing in an orderly fashion (it would violate the Scout Law)." I was cruising thru the "headlines " area a few weeks back and came upon the story from Bradenton Florida about the future of "Camp Flying Eagle" of the Southwest Florida Council. Seems the council is not really considering selling the camp BUT " we'll listen to serious offers" ummm... So the Volunteer Campmaster , B.J. "Red Dog" Maynard, age 77, a Scout for over 50 years, decided to protest this non-policy, and after going thru "official" channels, helped form a community activist group to lobby about zoning subjects, and ended up being president of the association. The association brought suit against the Council to prevent the sale of the camp (bequest considerations, wills, non-policies etc. complicate things). And so the Council ( a combination of two prior councils, another story there) has stated that Mr. Maynard must EITHER resign from the community group OR resign from Scouting, OR he will be removed from the rolls, the Council citing a perceived "conflict of interest" and "loyalty issues". Google ""B. J. "Red Dog" Maynard"" for lots more info... Is THIS retribution ummm?

Thoughts as they come... My mom grew up as a "flapper", one of the first "liberated" women. She was one of the first female Journalism degree earners from Boston U. And she smoked like a factory chimney. When I knew her, she had a 3 pack a day habit. Then, when I was, oh, maybe 7 or 8, she announced that she was quitting, got down to 3 cigs a day and then quit all together. She finally died at age 82. Might have lived even longer, the Dr. said, but her emphesema would not allow. News item: Tobacco company memoes reveal plan to add chemicals to tobbacco products to increase their addictive qualities. When the Europeans arrived in the New World, they met folks that used tobacco for ceremonial purposes, even spiritual purposes. They recognized that tobacco had an effect on the person. White man took that and ... Bob Newhart has a wonderful routine in which he is the Queen's agent in England, talking on the phone to Sir Walter Raleigh in Virginia, about this new activity: "It's called tobacco? uh huh. to- back- koe. It's a leaf? Okay, and what do you do with it? uh huh. Umm. What you do is you, you roll it into little cylinders and, and you stick them in your mouth , yeah, okay... and then you set fire to it??? Is that right? Walt, are you pulling my leg?" It's all down hill from there. "Some times a cigar is just a cigar" ...Sigmund Freud. Not a few years ago,I once met up with an acquaintance of mine who smoked like an old WW1 destroyer. Never saw him without a cig in his mouth. I asked him, "How'd you like to have an extra $100. a month?" he brightened up and said, "sure, how'd I do that?" I said, "quit smoking". I still remember the look of recognition on his face. Back then $100. was a LOT of money. He cut down soon after. When I was running track back in school, I trained with a senior who smoked (big man on campus, had to smoke..). When he trained for the season, he quit. After the season, took it up again. Never understood why the difference. He spoke of how he breathed easier with out the weed, but 'he enjoyed it'. Maybe you should have said something, but then, maybe you did...

Everytime I see or hear an episode like this (someone can't WAIT for our boys to make things/decisions/discussions HAPPEN....because I can do it faster/easier/more appropriately...) I am reminded of the classic routine by Bob and Ray, "The Slow Talkers of America". Find it, look it up, listen to it, learn from it! "...ofAMERICA!!" LoL YiS

WELL!! Here I am,minding my own business, listening to my "classic rock" station as my son and I return from his Ice skating lesson today ( I want his cultural education to be complete), when the DJ, Shelby, announces that the lunchtime theme today is SCOUTING, from a request of a "Tiger Scout Pack", who had done some service project. People called in to suggest songs in line with "Scoutings Values" . HELP by the Beattles, CCRs "Run thru the Jungle" (Be Prepared), "Get Ready" (Be Prepared again), usw.. CELL PHONE TIME...AND when I called in to request Allan Sherman's "Camp Grenada...Hello mudda, Hello Fadda" (hey, Scouts go camping!!) THEY PUT ME ON THE AIR!! I reminded them that our Scout camps were NOTHING like Grenada!! I thanked Shelby for mentioning Scouting, and a good time was had by all, even the fellow that called in to say that the Scout motto was "trustworthyloyalhelpfulfriendlycouteouskindobedientthriftybravecleanandreverent" (he asked for something by the Eagles).(someone else called in to remind him that that was the LAW, the MOTTO was...) Even the woman who asked for Adam Ants "Goody Goody Two Shoes" had a good time. And the boy thought his old man was way cool... Thank you, WARW, 94.7 fm in Baltimore!!