SSScout

We had been told that "there really is no firewood in the area. It's been picked clean by all the tourists and Scouts". This by a Ranger at a Nat Park. So the Troop lashed two or three logs to each scouts pack....

""Blazing Saddles""? Haben sie gesehen ?

Shortridge, Camp Theodore Rooooosevelt , no longer there....

The only thing I use snickers for is baiting the ground hog trap. Braces kept me from a developing a taste for gooey candy (not to say any other kind isn't fair game !). In my ordeal, it RAINED (apres moi, le deluge...) Friday night and they put everyone in the dining hall. Saturday was for work and ceremony. Saturday night , the sky was clear over the Chesapeake....

At face, this is bizarre. The Unit, District, Council all must give their imprimatur to the Eagle rank. If the Scout met the requirements, all the signatures are there, there can be no argument. The Troop and the family design and hold the Court of Honor. It can be as formal and ornate as desired or as simple and intimate as wished. One of my favorites was a campout on the grandparents' farm. Participants/audience had to hike in several hundred yards to the campfire ring. Tables and candles and smiling Scouty people all around. Camp food. At the conclusion (singing Scout Vespers), the adults departed, the Scouts remained for the weekend. The Council has no say in the CoH. Why would they? The District is a volunteer construct and , again, what say would these Scouters have in this? The Charter Org may have a say in this, I suppose, but why deny the celebration of what has already been earned and awarded? By all means your Scout and you need to courteously and politely ask the Institution Head and Charter Org Representative and the Committee Chair and the Scoutmaster for the truth of the matter . If you can find him/her, include your Unit Commissioner and/or District Commissioner, who are dedicated by their positions to the benefit of the Scout and his Troop. You might also include the District Executive. Any willing intermediary might be useful. The light of day is never a bad thing in matters like this, but be respectful and go in jumps, so to speak, not all at once. Give people "permission" to do the right thing, rather than outright DEMAND it. Some years ago, I served as a Staff Chaplain at the National Jamboree two times . On the third time, I was denied Staff status. Both I and my faith community politely beat the Scout bushes until we found someone who could explain this aberration.. It was worth the effort, as the procedure was changed . I attended again, to good effect. Good luck to your Eagle and you. See you on the trail.

Pretty neat. "This Old House" of late is welcoming apprentice carps and masons to the crews, and females are prominent among them. Question not addressed in the article: Are these just "projects", or will these Tiny Houses be used in the camp? Storage? Scout cabins (barracks)? snack bar? Anything?

Hello ? Do we need to start another thread about the risk/illegality/inappropriateness of "Scout Accounts"? Any other Scouter dot commers out there with stories about this? UNIT Fundraising is the idea, not Individual Scout Fundraising Thru A Scout Unit Fundraiser, yes?

A good question, one I had not heard or considered before. When I teach Woodtools in IOLS, I always talk about how a Boy Scout teaching Whittlin' Chip is an excellent recruiting tool . I then progress thru pocket knives (WC) to hatchets and axes and saws. I would think, as has been noted, if the Scout has the WC (not a badge to wear on the Boy Scout uni), I would still expect (That's the word !) the Scout to operate his tool safely. He/she (!) would not be allowed to operate an axe or saw until he/she had passed the Totin' Chip, but they could still cut rope to length as needed, make Fuzz sticks and necker slides. Question for the audience: What constitutes " demonstrate safe handling" in your Totin' Chip? Around here , the tradition is the creation of a really good tent peg. Selection of a appropriate stick/limb, Sharp four sided point, nice neat notch with "wings", pruned off relief over the notch and chamfered head edges, maybe about 2 or 3" diameter, 12 or 20 inches long.... In it's creation, is a knife "allowed" or only hatchet/ax? Could you saw it? I once had a boy make a really nice one with Three Notches ! Two "natural" notches (trimmed branches left in situ) and his created notch.

I like this page's chart: https://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Eagle_Palms It's kinda like the "New Math" I was subjected to in high school. Take total number of MBs earned , (six month limitation taken into account), Subtract Silver Palms (15 MBs) until you are down to less than 15, then subtract either a Gold (worth ten) and/or a Bronze(worth 5 or less). Go to Scoutstore and buy palms.

MattR, there ya go.

Scout activity.... So the Scout registered mom and dad drive the Patrol (two cars, eight Scouts ) to the trailhead. In deference to modern communication possibilities, the PL and some others have cell phones. The Scout registered mom and dad show up at the trail end, twelve miles later, to pickup the Scouts, 5 hours later. Picnic, cookout, watermelon in the cooler. I say that fulfills the idea of "at a Scout activity", no?

Assume the worst, prepare for the best.... What is his "legal" status vis a vis the Scouts? Does he have "guardianship" of the boys? I think you need a lawyer's opinion here more than some Scout Loyal internet opinions. Regardless of your ex's status, and you do need a lawyer to clarify that, in an emergency your "live in", no matter how he is accepted by the boys, may have no say in what needs to be done. Knock on your lawyer's door.

"Fifth Graders Form Wagon Train, Recreate Old Frontier Pioneers" http://www.gazette.net/gazette_archive/2002/200219/olney/news/103770-1.html ""Children would get caught in stampedes, or drown," Rachel (age eleven) said. "They had some hardships."" It is unclear if this event has happened again recently. I could find no internet relatable item.

The three words no Scoutmaster likes to hear: "Hey, watch this ! !"

Here is an idea I would like to see done "again". When I escorted my Webelos Scouts to summer camp some years ago, I was presented with a set of forms by the camp staff. These were in addition to the usual health, realeases, desired classes, etc. These forms said, in essence, "fill out this information sheet, and we will send your boss, your employer, a thank you note, extolling your virtues and telling your employer how lucky they are to have an employee like you who is so devoted to the future of America, etc. ". Well, I filled it out and sure enough, some weeks later I received a memo from my department head acknowledging my camp time service, that this "compliment" would be placed in my file and would be considered when my evaluation came up. Wow. I think it actually helped in my next promotion. The memo from the camp (Heritage Reservation) in the Greater Pittsburgh Council had been signed by . . .Bob Mazzuca. When I suggested this idea to the DE who staffed our next CSDC< she was impressed with this way of promoting Scout Service and produced the info sheet. Some folks filled it out, I did. Presto! I got another memo from the Department head. That was ten or more years ago. I have not seen another effort at this since. SO: It takes some doing, your DE and CSE need to agree it's a nice idea, but hey, I think it's worth the effort. Typing, copying, postage, signing.... Why do we use up our vacation time? Just another excuse to go camping? Yes, I think it is nice to have someone else know WHY we go camping. If someone with some imprimatur (CSE !) can send a letter (an actual LETTER ! ) complimenting and thanking our boss for "allowing your employee to help mold the future citizens of America", hey, do it. Every little thing helps. Talk to your DE and get those letters out !

Part of Scouting, it seems to me, is the concept of "safe exploring". I have gone places even my 24 year old son has not, but he will go places I cannot. Leading Cubs on exploring hikes (see that cut tree? A beaver did that.) is an example. The cocoon of modern life is a sad thing, methinks. Back in my day, it was not unusual for my folks to just say "be back in time for dinner" and me and my buddy would go off along the Northwest Branch to turn over rocks looking for crawdads. Rare it is today that urbane parents allow their 7 year old that luxury. Geotagging? Is that the nature version of Pikachu Go ? Another way to fill empty bandwidth? When Alpha Centauri finally receives all this radio noise, how will they interpret it? Ach du Lieber. What is the mimeograph equivalent of GPS ? "Oh, nobody goes there any more. It's too crowded." = Yogi Berra =

If it is especially hot, STAY HYDRATED. Drink the health of the King (and/or Queen?) . All knights and squires can not refuse to drink the health of the king/queen. Which brings up the idea, the Camp Director should be CROWNED with due ceremony and pomp the first day.... Scout Skills ? Nay, "Squire School". Nature Pavilion? Nay, "Herbs and Notions". Medical Pavilion? Nay, "Bloodletting Site" Give appropriate awards to the Staff Scouts : Sir Cumspect, Sir Pentine, Sir Leans a lot, Sir Cumfrence, Lady Ladelah, Lady Downundie, Sir Lee, etc.

Welcome to the Scouter Forums.,....and thank you for Tadeusz Kosciuszko. Are you familiar with the game "Pin The Tail On The Donkey?", popular here at some kids parties? Create an outline map, only geographic , terrain, rivers, no political, "human" items. Create some outline of cities, towns, etc. to pin on in the right places. Use a plastic surface that can be wiped clean, and double stick tape , so there are no left over clues for the next players…. I do not know how old your Scouts will be. At our Cub Scout Day Camp, I did Map and Compass. We pasted up a series of maps, graduated as to scale. Our National Geographic magazine has a nice series. There were in order of scale: THE UNIVERSE, The "local group" of galaxies, the Milky Way galaxy, the Solar System, a world globe, a Mercator projection world map, a Buckminster Fuller world projection (nice comparison!), a national map (USA of course), a state map, a county map, a local road map, a map of the Park we were in.... I had a few Cubs ooo, and aaah actually at the connection between the maps. Showing how the smaller scale links to the larger scale , and the orientation was a nice touch, we thought. Good luck with your camp !

Wool socks. 100% wool socks. Some folks are mildly allergic to wool (sad), but I wear wool rag year round,,,, padding , no blisters, warm in winter (add a liner?), cool (believe it or not) in the summer. Not much more expensive than the blends (thorlo?) and all natural product. Get the right size, not too tight. Change socks for sleeping, dry wool socks keep tootsies warm. Wear night socks the next morning, Hang yesterday socks up to dry the next morning. Wear the old day socks (now dry) for the next night. On long hikes, bring three pair. One rinse out, hang on back of pack to dry thru the day, use for night. One pair in reserve in the pack, in plastic baggie. One pair on feet, hiking. And ,of course, properly fitted boots. Snug across the instep, looser in the toes, wiggle room. Your feet expand when you hike seriously, they need a little room to "spread". snug into the heel cup, but not so tight it is uncomfortable. Seek out the Gortex clones, all but 100% waterproof in small puddles, but breath for your sweaty feet. True story: Bought a LLBean pair, and their "Gortex Type" liner was installed BACKWARDS. They soaked up rain water and dew, my feet sweat so much , it was like walking in a lake shore. Returned for refund. Bought Vasque pair, (as my last three pairs) and exact opposite: Dry feet, puddles no leak into boot. Happy hiker. See you on the trail...

"Must be THIS TALL to ride this ride.... "

"Helmets donated by the Able Bicycle Company". "Bike Rodeo organized by Troop XYZ, West Muddy Branch Colorado" Doesn't benefit the Troop, benefits the Public. Go for it.... Set up a donation bucket for the local League of American Bicyclists chapter.... ask them for help !

Resurrected, indeed. Our three local Districts last month held our joint "Program Launch", again. This time, at least 75 vendors, first aid demos, Coast Guard Auxiliary demos, our "program" program listed over 100 possibilities for the Scout Unit (not everybody could attend, but we collected their info). Campgrounds, museums, High Adventure places, Jamborees, fun stuff, official Scout stuff, and a chance to pick up your units new program year info packet and press the flesh of fellow Scouters. It was in a smaller indoor venue than we had last year, but it had a large outdoor court to spill into. The hard part is finding a venue half way central to our county, and FREE, because we ain't got no budget. It was fairly easy to work the three District honchos together after everyone realized the benefits of not having three separate P/L's . Once again, proof of our maxim that "The Work Is Done By Who ever Shows Up."

Not so much how to TEACH, but how are the Scouts going to EARN , PASS the requirement ? When I teach IOLS to nascent Scoutmasters, I always mention the need to give/create/have opportunities for the urban, modern Scout to chop wood, set fires, splint broken (imitation!) bones, lash tables/towers/bridges together. Same here at camp. One can EDGE to death the skills and techniques, but WHEN are the Scouts going to have a chance to DO IT FOR THEMSELVES ? Games? Competitions? Camp improvements? When it comes to ID'ing plants and animals, recognize it may get harder thru the summer as the "signs" get used up, as the critters get shooed away by all them Scouts that want to see them. Rope off the Poison Ivy examples so they don't get pulled up by eager environmentalists. Set the example thru your attitude, language and standards . They meet your standards, not you allow their desire. Classroom? Yes, of the woods. Every so often, just sit and LISTEN. WATCH. Learning For Life? Here at camp, that can have a different meaning. Even at this great remove, I can remember some of the senior Scouts that I encountered at Camp Roosevelt, altho I do not remember their names. Would that you make THAT kind of impact on your campers. One last suggestion, and this will be a hard one to implement. DO NOT address any Scout as "guy". They can be that back home. They are here at "Scout Camp". You are a "Scout Leader." They are Scouts, Campers, Boys, Girls (!?), they did not come to "guy camp", did they? Try hard , and encourage your fellows to do the same, do not rename our movement or our members. Use their correct, appropriate, hard earned, title. Make'm special thereby. " Scout" is a title to be used and valued. Spread THAT around. See you on the trail....

Very good to hear a happy ending. Why is this in "Scoutmaster Minutes" ? Perhaps 'Advancement" re-move ?