SSScout

Welcome home, Hedge. I would ask your permission to reprint your "confession" in our Scout District Newsletter , pretty please?

Syrup ?

""The work is done by whoever shows up."" Definitely start the planning early. My High School class tried to have it's 60th reunion recently, but couldn't get it's collective act together, so had it's 62nd anniversary instead.... Newspaper, TV, Facebook, media, Scouter Magazine, Boy's Life, check Council records (microfilm !), county council, State Legislature resolution, presentation to the CO, special BBQ picnic party, lock in movie night("Follow Me Boys", "Down And Dirty", "Boy Scouts To The Rescue" old serial, )), invite old alumnae, invite YOUNG alumnae, special necker, t-shirt, patch, exhibit in the local library/museum, present Unit Flag/banner to (?) somebody, Any excuse for a party, right ?

Well, here's one way to teach "thrifty". Each Scout pays(?) an amount, say, $12. The Patrol Treasurer (!!) collects that and the Patrol then goes out TOGETHER and plans the menu and buys the food from THAT amount. No going over. Maybe get some stuff from home? Three, four meals? Carry in? Not car trunk'd in? I marveled when my Scoutson first went camping with his Patrol. They went out and bought STEAKS and POTATOES and REAL MILK ( not instant), eggs, OJ etc.... , and THEN divied up the cost (Bank of Dads) . When half the Patrol DID NOT (!!) go on the trip, the four Scouts that did ate ALL of the steaks....

Oh, I would never do that. The idea that one must "accept any and all beliefs" was never my desire. Like B-P once said (paraphrase) a Scout's faith is generally determined by his family. Since there are so many different types of worship, I would never point and say THIS one is correct, all the rest are poor imitations. No, no, no. Not my decision. Not yours (or anyone's) either. We can only "do our best", and when the final exam comes around, see if we pass. One of my favorite comedians Emo Phillips wrote/created a joke about this... Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, "Don't do it!" He said, "Nobody loves me." I said, "God loves you. Do you believe in God?" He said, "Yes." I said, "Are you a Christian or a Jew?" He said, "A Christian." I said, "Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?" He said, "Protestant." I said, "Me, too! What franchise?" He said, "Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?" He said, "Northern Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region." I said, "Me, too!" Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912." I said, "Die, heretic!" And I pushed him over.

Wood badge, as with any training, is dependent on the following: 1) The curriculum. Is it a "school" that teaches what it says it teaches? Scouting, values, yes. Camp skills, not so much. Spirit and devotion, yes. People management, maybe. Activities ideas, yes. 2) the Teachers/staff. You may get Baden Powell in carnate, you may get Bozo Clown . Can't predict. Sometimes, the staff are experienced in their topic, sometimes could be better. Depend on the idea that everyone is dedicated and "Doing their Best". 3) The attitude of the Attendees. If you have already had some (a lot?) of management training, you may be bored stiff. If it is all new, you may have the time of your life. Go with an open mind and the idea that "any excuse to go camping is good", and you will not go half wrong. Have fun. Ask questions. 4) Classwork and Homework . Get it done. Work together. Reach out to your Patrolmates. 5) In Wood Badge, you will be asked to design your own "Homework" , your Tickets. Be prepared (!) to name some possible projects in YOUR OWN REGISTERED AREA. This was a surprise to me, as I was then registered as an ASM in my son's Troop, but I helped a lot in Cub Scout Day Camp. Can't do Cub things ! So, I ended up registering as a Commissioner. Commissioners can work in ANY Scout area !. Good luck and have fun..... See you on the trail.

Matt R: Thank you for looking up Penn's work. The whole book is very thought provoking, yes? As to your wonderment, you are not alone. In the religious category of "Christian", would you like to begin the sub group list? The how and why they are so divided? Would a Catholic admit a Methodist is still a "Christian"? Our Jewish compadres have many similar groupings. I know Jewish Scouters who will not set foot in a Social Hall built into a church under their sanctuary, others who see no problem with that but would not participate in a Interfaith Service in a Baptist church with other faiths. And there are at least four (six? Seven?) titled subgroups of Islam. Hindu? Buddhist? Penn's revelation is that all these folks often live very similar lives in their demonstration of adherance to their faith, tho their "official" declarations may be very different. "The "golden rule" can be found in just about every defined faith in one form or another. The religion/spiritual faith shown by the actions in one's life is not necessarily the one labeled in their House of Worship, altho we will honor that division. The actions in one's life better demonstrates and defines one's faith. Handle snakes and vipers as a sign of ones faith? Ramadan? Celebacy? (Ain't no more Shakers, there's a reason for that). Why hatred and lust for gold and power are NOT values propounded by any faith I am aware of (perhaps save Nichiren Buddhism) is significant. "Radical Islam" not withstanding, there have also been "Radical" other faiths thruout history. Sikhs versus Hindu versus Christian versus Coptic versus Muslim versus Buddhist versus …. The Druz and Sunni and Shia and Amadhaya (hope I remember the spelling) and whoa the rest of our Muslim friend's divisions and their internecine rivalries are typical. Penn's point is that WE may think we have the correct belief system, but WE will not know for sure until all our "forms" are removed, ultimately , by death. Oh, and Hey to you Merlyn ! And where is that Sub Forum on Faith and Chaplaincy???? See you on the trail.

NJC: The only way to describe the BSA is as a "religious organization', and not a 'religion' (regardless of my good wife's description of my attitude towrd Scouting !). We have no specific faith, but we promote the idea of religion. That makes us a "religious organization", similar to the National Council of Churches, or the National Prayer Breakfast, or (locally) the Greater Olney Interfaith Ministerium. No specific view of a Supreme being, but an acceptance of the idea of many ways to view/worship/pray/reverence/acknowledge that Supreme being. Is that a better explanation?

Paper. Print out a notice and HAND it to them. I am the Clerk of our grounds committee. Our Committee planned a work day and made up a list of all the chores we sought to accomplish. Scheduled it MONTHS in advance. Listed on calendar. Listed in bulletin. Verbally spoke about it after meeting. Folks still asked, "when are you having the work day?" We printed out the chore list and HANDED it to everyone one first day , THAT got their attention. Good attendance, got some stuff done, people were now aware of our desire to get things done....

First... How do you create a sub forum again? Name it " Faith and Chaplaincy" and move THIS discussion there. Where are you, Merlin? Second..... Yep, been there, done that. Many 's the time I've had to disabuse someone of the idea that the BSA (or Scouting in general) is a "Christian" organization. Religious organization, yes. Particularly Christian, no. Are our "values" religiously based? I would posit that the SPromise and SLaw may have their origins in faith, and even be inspired of faith, but Baden Powell had to argue that the Church of England could not claim the Scouting movement as their own, much as they tried. Third.... The BSA's attitude toward religion/faith has always seemed to be more insular than other Scout associations. France has, what, three or four Scout associations, defined by variations of Catholicism. Some SA's have broadened their definitions. Some do not have a mention of "Reverence" or anything similar in their SLaw. Just sayin' . Fourth.... Personally, I think the encouragement of a Scout's spiritual acknowledgement and growth is a good thing. When I served as a Chaplain at the Jamboree, I enjoyed listening to a Scout (more than one Scout !) speak about his "not being sure about this God thing." Let me explore my reasons too. Fifth.... Back when William Penn was arrested and thrown in gaol for his new found faith , he spent a lot of his time writing a book. From "Some Fruits of Solitude" : ""519. The Humble, Meek, Merciful, Just, Pious and Devout Souls, are everywhere of one Religion; and when Death has taken off the Mask, they will know one another, tho' the divers Liveries they wear here make them Strangers. "" Sixth.... Yeah, I also thought the Resolution was poorly worded. See you on the trail.

And they have to adapt. Buy your trek food packs , ready to go, :: http://www.toothoftimetraders.com/surplus-trail-meals/2021/dept and :: https://www.facebook.com/PhilmontScoutRanch/videos/2172478239446757/UzpfSTIzNjkyMDc1OTA6MTAxNTYyOTUzMDY0Nzc1OTE/

Absolutely. That is the example you can set. If your Pack has a "standard", you can wear the beads and leather woggle with your Pack Cub Leader Necker. Looks good.

I forgot there are big neck nalgenes and small neck nalgenes. The bottles are nearly indestructible, but how would you clean the egg out of the inside? Long brush, I guess. Eggs do not really need refrigeration for short times (days?) if not cracked, true, but why risk the contamination in a water bottle? When I carried eggs, I decided it was sufficient (safe) to put them in a ziplock bag and cushion them well in a hard case. I had an old metal lunch box that a half dozen paperboard egg carton just fit in. Put the half dozen in the ziplock, into the lunchbox, into the pack. Never had a problem. Paper board egg carton was fire starter. Ziplock was used (sometimes) as a egg-ina-bag scramble (in boiling water, right?) .

The necker is a much maligned item. It started out as not only a Uniform item, to identify one as a "Scout", but as an all purpose "be prepared" item. It was expected the Scout would wear his uni to all Scout activities (hence the term "Field Uniform") and even to ordinary places. As a Scout, he would be expected to be available to help and "be prepared", "why , for any old thing". The old Scout book I have lists no fewer than 52 uses for a neckerchief (remember, these were four sided, 36" neckers.). Signal flag, bandage (many types), arm sling, horse bridle, dust mask, sunhat, sweat band, ID for wide games, stave tie-up, lashing, three legged race tie, game item (steal the bacon?), it was expected to be a tough item, made useful by necessity. My old Troop necker is still bright red, but with many bruises and snares from first aid practice. It has become a nuisance, a fashion statement (YSL ?), an item for profit (a new one for each rank? C'mon, Cub Scouts !) . Look to the World Jamboree, you will see comraderie created with necker trading. In many countries, if you cannot afford a full uni, the Scout WILL have a necker ! That is his/her symbol. Why do American Scouts/Scouters have so much trouble accepting the tradition, the history inherent in that scrap of cloth ?

""" throw it all in the Nalgene """" ? ? ? Whose Nalgene are you going to mess up? And how do you cook in a Nalgene water bottle?? Or is there another kind ? Or has Coleman really come out with a campfire microwave oven ?

Pass the pie ? We have some pecan over here..... Café americano ? Con leche? See you on the trail. (deedeedumdee dum…) We hear you're leaving, that's okay.... I thought our wild little time had... just begun. I guess you sort of scared someone, they turned and run. But if you have a change of heart...…. "Tampa don't lose that URL, it's the only one you need, send it off in an email to yourself.... Tampa don't lose that URL, it's the only one you need, you might use it when you feel better,,,, when you get home.....

Petula Clark.... Downtown.... When you're a Scout and life's is getting you down , just come to - SCOUT CAMP..... etc. Make up your own words.... Whistle Colonel Bogie March.... (Bridge on the River Kwai theme)

Facebook, eCalendar, Troop googledocs, all good tools. But many do not readily use these well. For these folks I would recommend the Scout Law , and print things out on paper for their review. They seem to be non-electronic, I know I myself prefer a "hard copy" to a "schmart phone". When the dad wants to discuss TODAY, make sure you discuss TODAY, and not yesterday. Help him to keep on topic and task. If necessary, and sometimes it is, keep a small notebook with you and when giving times/directions/instructions, write it down and "courteously", "kindly", "friendly" hand it to the Scout. Smile a lot. Remember that they are NOT trying to prove you inept, uncooperative, uninformed and/or deceptively trying to embarrass them. No, they are not trying to prove you guilty of these things, because , in their eyes, you already are (as is most of the rest of the world). You must play their game better than they can, and you can, since you now know the rules, and have described it so well. "Special Needs"? Absolutely. Can you supply those "needs" ? Absolutely. The Scout has learned much of his coping skills and manipulative techniques , it would seem, from his dad (is the mom involved? ) . I would concentrate on the Scout. The dad is on his own here. See you on the trail....

Kayak/canoe flotation, bug juice dispenser, seat cushion (tape multiple together), boat/dock bumpers, ,,,,

Not necessary. Order the "Box of Joe" from Dunkin. After the 'Joe' is drunk, disassemble the box. Recycle the cardboard, the coffee bladder is a triple layer , VERY tough bag. Rinse well, you have a collapsible water bag, swim support, punching bag, silver surfer support, pillow, etc. etc. Free.....

Scarlet Johansson as Ilsa. Now who for Louis....

Some years ago, the theme was "Land of the Pharaohs" and the Egypt Embassy DONATED 200 clay pyramids (from Egypt !) that the Cubs could carve hieroglyphics on.

I'm waiting for the remake of "Casablanca " with Johnny Depp as Rick.

Sad but true. Parents? Only as necessary. Talk to, deal with the Scout. It is his rank to earn, not the parent(s). The Scout may need to deal with "dad". I have been in some meetings where the dad/mom did all the asking, and we had to keep directing the questions/answers to the Scout, and effectively ignore the parent. Safety issues? Direct the Scout to the County Building permit office. If the structure is on the CO's land, they do not want to have to deal with "after effects" if it is wrongly done. Scoutson wanted a "barn" for his 4H rabbit projects. We included him in all the planning, permitting (this is not a SHED, it is a 30 by 12 BARN) , costs, reviews, inspections... An education for all of us, especially him . Deal with the Scout. Let him deal with the parent.