SSScout

BSA Zcouts ! Girlz unite ! Boys Stand Around ! Better say alot , because somebody already believes, singly and by surely all , beautiful sisters are being summoned and beckoned, so America behoves such absolutely.

Here is one classic outline : http://www.inquiry.net/adult/recruiting.htm Publicity is your goal. Contact the local TV news, they would love to have a "human interest" story about the "NEW" (Boy) Scouts.... and , yes, there is a "local" TV news, you have to look for it. Same for the newspapers.... Good Scouting to you !

What MBs to take at Summer Camp? The ones that would be difficult if not impossible at home. Waterfront: Swimming, Lifesaving, rowing, canoeing, sailboat, motorboat, Outdoor stuff: Astronomy (clear skies?), Bird Study, maybe Geology, Nature, fishing, Map & Compass, Orienteering, Crafts? Woodworking (carve that woggle !), basketry, I have seen Sculpture done well (clay and kiln?) "other" : Hike around and explore.... Don't forget the "unofficial " MBs: **The Write a Post Card Home. When I was SM protemp one summer, I was surprised at the number of Scouts the DID NOT KNOW their own address. Write a card home? Glad I brought some, the Camp Store didn't sell post cards or stamps. **The Re-tie the Tent So It Doesn't Fall Down or Leak. Got to practice all the knots you learned back home (I hope). Pioneering introduction. ** Read the Camp Map and Bulletin Board: Yes, I do know where the Crafts Pavilion is . Do You ? ** Scout Organization Study: Sure I'm the SPL. Do I have to be the SPL at camp, too? Duty roster? This is camp, I don't have to clean up, do I?

Latin: One suggestion, it was something I had kinda known for a while, in the back of my mind, so to speak, then I read about the same idea in an article by a well known journalist.' He had, as you had, been hospitalized and went home to recover. He said , on advice from a good friend, to not dwell on the "bad" stuff, the pain, the lack of motility, but to concentrate on the positive stuff to come. And to aid in this, to watch Laurel and Hardy movies, because these were the best examples of "what COULD happen" but didn't , to him... So out came the VCR (at the time) , and in went a newly acquired collection of Laurel and Hardy flicks, and the recuperation went a lot quicker, our writer reported.... You might try the same. "Why can't you do something to HELP me....." "Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into...." "get a GRIP on it..."

Back in my High School dayz, our marching band had a fundraising drive for new uniforms. Us kids brainstormed and came up with the idea of selling "self adhesive wound dressings", and therefore the donator would be a BAND-AIDE (!) We wrote to the Johnson & Johnson company about using their named item, they wrote back, sent us boxes of "SAWDs" and we went ahead with our campaign , and presto, in about three months we had new uniforms on order....

I wasn't sure where to place this story, but I thought it might fit here. I just returned from a tour around the local Klondike Derby. The sleds were all on wheels, but the weather was cold (went down to about 15F Friday night). By all reports the Scouts had a good time. Games, races, sharpshooting contests, fire building contests..... No chilblains, nothing broken, the EMTs on site told me they had slept peacefully. While I was walking around the camp about 5pm Saturday, I came upon a BIG pile of snow next to the headquarters cabin. The Parks department snowplow had done a good job the past week. Up on the pile were four Scouts, busily engaged in excavating a tunnel. Lots of conversation, snow flying. I stopped and asked, " Almost dinner time, eh? Who's cooking back in camp?" Because in all the other campsites I had passed, the Scouts were busy preparing the stews and chili that aroma-ed the air, my intention was to find out if these Scouts might indeed should be back in camp. The tallest Scout stood up, pointed back behind him and said "My mom is cooking our dinner." I hesitated at that answer, and said, "and who is going to clean up?" At that, the four Scouts looked at each other, climbed down from the snowpile, and ran off into the woods. I continued my walk...

And have we forgotten the fate of the (2 ?) families' Scouts? Anything to report about them in this brou haha ?

What I read in the OP sounds more like the University of Scouting Catalog. I have to agree, Powder Horn (which I have not taken), should be about multi day treks outside of Philmont, canoe trips on the Shenandoah and Missouri, week long tramps on the Appalachian trial. Not rehash of First Class requirements. Gear? Food planning? Drop off/pick up or carry everything? Sanitation? Boot/sock choice? foot care, blister prevention and cure? Rain prevention? er, I mean, Rain accommodation? Advanced back country First Aid? Navigation sans battery? Those topics I would expect in Powder Horn. Messenger of Peace? Why?

Now, why was THAT important to note? Were they also all born in America? BSA training ? Guilt by association? "They all drank coffee black " ?

Google is your friend. ** Check with the local County Highway Department, ask about their "Cycling" program, if they have one. **League of American Bicyclists https://www.bikeleague.org/ (used to be League of American Wheelmen) have a program called Smart Bike, kids taught bike safety, etc. ** Effective Cycling was THE program at one time. Here is the Wikipedia about it... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effective_Cycling ** Even AAA has a Bike Safety program you can hook up with. https://midatlantic.aaa.com/traffic-safety/bicycle-safety#

I think it is an eloquent explanation of what we should strive for in Scouting. I am not so sure I could do as well. I like the way you made it as anonymous as possible. I am sure the folks involved would recognize themselves, none the less. I would go thru it and remove even veiled references ("... his son.." make it "another Scout..." ). Personally, I would add a short introduction, and say " You asked me if you were the reason I left the Troop. There were several reasons. " and go on from there. I think I would send it. Some people need to be reminded of their own humanity. You might shake some dross from their cabinets. And save the son. The downfall of democracy ? Velcro shoe fastening...…

Yep, I've seen that happen. Bummer. The Captive's Knot was supposed to be a First Class requirement, but when the HB went to press, back in the 1930's, they ran out of pages and had to cut back somewhere., I guess. Kinda like what happened with the neckerchief, why they had to make it smaller.... "they"....

Good googamooka, either he is in or he is out. What is so hard about that? Your UC and DC and DoFS (Boy Scouts?) and CSE have NOTHING to do with this. All they can do is nod their heads and say "okay" to your Pack Committee/COR's decision. This problem is for YOU, your Pack Parents, your COR and IH to solve. If he does not sign the proper papers, take the proper training, get the proper clearances, he is NOT a Scout Leader. If he refuses to "play nice" and cooperate with the other parents (your committee !) and work for the good of the Pack, he needs to be sat down with a BIG cup of coffee, and dealt with. End of story. Give him the letter. Speak with your lawyer. As for the mother, are you sure she would be a good choice? The wannabe CM will always be in the background. The resentment will always be there. She will have a difficult time too, dealing with his "controlling" behavior. I would hope you could find a proper , not tempo, CM who would be willing to "sign the papers, take the training, get the clearances, play nice " and KiS, MiF for the Cubs.....

It sure is good they had the solar charger for the Lithium batteries ….

If the Scout relevancy of this thread is "could this happen to a Scout Unit?" I say perhaps. BSA has officially made some decisions and adjustments in it's policies that are praised by some and ridiculed by others. In this present situation, Mr. Phillips saw two groups with seemingly opposing opinions and (so he stated) tried to come between them to help prevent possible violent confrontation. In this he succeeded, but not the way he expected. How would a Scout Unit react if confronted with a loud, verbal assault on it's merely being a Scout Unit? I have heard of local Girl Scout, Boy Scout, Cub Packs being verbally abused because (pick an issue) while selling cookies and popcorn and (holiday) trees in front of stores. Fortunately, nothing really bad happened, so it didn't get on the 9pm news. But still.... Maybe that is the topic.....

""The commissioner and a couple others don't want us to dismiss him. "" He has dismissed himself. If he has not signed the application, allowed the back checking, done the training, and been approved by the COR and IH, he is not a Scouter and cannot be Cubmaster. If he does not "play well with others", has a problem with rules and regs, ,,,,,, What else is there to know? The child involved is the loser, understood, but Mr. "Smith", and his lady friend must play by the rules. Smile as you hand him the letter....

Due to personal belief and history, we will not have fire arms in our household. That said, I favored the knowledge of safe use and respect of firearms and so I insisted Scoutson earn the Rifle and Shotgun Merit Badges when they were available. He easily earned them. Surprisingly, he had a "natural eye", came close to being invited to join the Skeet team at the local Isaac Walton Club. I am a RSO for archery here abouts.

Oh yes. My Fearless Leader in IOLS, said "definitely" when I suggested adding copied pages from my 1958 vintage "Scout Fieldbook" for Knife and Axe pages. Well worth the copy fees....

Good to hear from you, our electronic "pen" pal. I am glad you have recovered sufficiently to tell us about it AND we are flattered that you came to us so soon to share. Rest assured, your usual log will be waiting for you here at our virtual campfire. See YOU , once more, on the trail.

Devotedautismadhdmom: I think I finally read your whole nom de forum. I think I understand more and your dedication is to be applauded. To my mind, here is the final tally (I hope I have all the details right) : 1) You are the CCh for your Cub's Pack. 2) You were instrumental in the rebuilding of the Pack from a near abandonment to a well functioning Cub Pack. 3) Some new folks came along, and the male of the couple wants to be a Scout Leader, and because of a lack of CubMaster, assumed that role. 3) He refuses to fill out a proper application as a Scout leader, in that he will not allow a background check or Youth Protection Training, agree to other requirements. He is, therefore NOT a Scout Leader, in name or position. 4) He is argumentative and tries to take over things, regardless of the situation. 5) He will not discuss, only declare. There is a difference, yes? 6) He seems to want the best for his (?) girlfriend's boy, but not necessarily for anyone else's. Have I understood that correctly? 7) You have discussed the situation with the CO's IH and COR. and the District Executive and Commissioner. Is that correct? 8 ) Just about everyone (COR, IH, Parents,) agrees he is the problem, not you. 9) You have heard much sympathy and advice here on Scouter dot com. NOW. . . 10) Letters must be written. Emails must be sent. To the wannabe CM, yes? There must be agreement between and signatures from you, the COR and that is all that is necessary. Copies sent to the Council Scout Executive, the District Executive and... ? The wannabe Cub Master must be told he is NOT the Cub master. YOU must find a REAL one, who is registered, trained, enthusiastic. If the wannabe CM will not abide by the CO's decision, you have more legal things to consider. A no trespass order... For that , you may need a lawyer and the clerk of the court. I wish you well. See you on the trail...

"Follow the money". This is never about the need for copper, or the need for jobs. This is , unfortunately, about the need of a very wealthy man to be even more wealthy. What we have is a wealth of wilderness and the filter of our drinking water and washing water. Does anyone remember Love Canal? Can we not learn from the past? It predicts the future. What is once polluted and defamed is long time in cleansing and the folks that caused it will be also long gone. I have an idea. Ask Mr. Luksic (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antofagasta_PLC) to pay off the US National Debt and then we might consider the Lease in Minnesota.

Back in my day (your day?), each Patrol was supposed to have a Patrol Leader, Assistant PL, A quartermaster (yes, we had stuff to take care of), a Treasurer, (who collected our dues monthly or weekly and presented them to the Troop Treasurer, who was an adult), and when we went camping, a grubmaster and Cook which changed as we went different places. I remember being each of these positions thru my Scout Career. When I graduated from Scouts, I left a well appointed Eagle Patrol. Our menu for a camp out could vary, but inevitably, we did our shopping on the way to the campground or trail head. We would stop at a Safeway or Acme (there were regular places depending on our direction) and the Patrol would run around the store collecting stuff. Dehydrated milk, cocoa, Tang, canned fruit, eggs (repacked in foam for the trip). Fresh hamburger meat would be frozen the night before, this being probably the only thing bought and arranged ahead of time, wrapped up well in foil and towels , and by the time dinner came around, it would still be cold but thawed out. The Treasurer paid for it, no parent's credit card, cash only. At the trail head, we parceled out the gear and food among the hikers, repacked everything, and set off. Some dad followed along behind, or had gone ahead to reserve the cabin or site. We had the map, or had been there before and knew the way. A hatchet, matches, flint and steel, tinder in a candy can, a plastic tarp tent, no roll up "umbrella " tent as of yet. We took a liking to a campsite in the Cunningham Falls state park, near a trout stream, nice short hike in, camp store a short quarter mile away. Fire rings, picnic tables, memories. Much later, after college, I called up a friend from another Troop, and said let's go up to Cunningham Falls for the weekend. He agreed, we gathered our gear, dusted off the old tents and sleeping bags, bought some Dinty Moore and set off. When we arrived, we drove around and around and could not find the entrance to the campground ! We finally gave up and stopped at the Ranger Station. Where was the Campground? Were our memories so faulty? No, the Ranger said, pointing at the map on the wall. We built a dam and formed a swimming lake two years ago. Your campground is now here, under about 50 feet of water. Sic Gloria mundi. No more trout stream there. We found a different campground.

DiREQUIRING Scouts to come will gain push back. What they want is challenge, (safe) adventure. The Philmont experience, close to home. Contact the local hiking clubs, the local canoe/kayak clubs. Here in Maryland, we have the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and the Canoe Cruisers Club. Get your Scouts involved with them. Plan a week long trek, somewhere, so they can USE the skills they think they have. If you have a parent, uncle, grandparent who owns some property, ask about a long term campout, away from home... Any fire wood? Build a cabin ? (Yes, build a cabin !). Dig/build a privy, supply water, designate a quartermaster... Work with your Scouts, include them, INSIST they make some decisions, some ideas, some plans. DO NOT give them the plans, let them come up with them, on your suggestion, but they MUST make the decisions. Parents make it possible, but the Scouts make it desirable. Campouts are boring? Whose fault is that? Who is denying these Scouts their opportunities? Read... https://www.atmuseum.org/1936-boy-scout-thru-hike.html Could our modern day Scouts do the same? Why not?

Rookiemom, parent hood does not come with an instruction manual, but you know what is what, obviously. Amen to MattR's recommendations. Also, I would approach the other parents and form a "Ad Hoc Committee to Address the Problem Cub's Problem." The Cubmaster/parent has problems that need defining, confronting, sympathy, and (MAYBE) understanding . You and your fellow Pack Parents, unfortunately, are not the ones to help with these. Your duty is to your Cubs. The CO, The COR need to take charge here, and YOU need to vote with your feet.... Good Scouting to you, in any event.