SSScout

What OldScout said... Be totally open and visible. Give credit for the "official" WDL 's efforts, the CM's efforts and concerns. Point out that "A Scout is Trustworthy" and that the Scouts do need to "earn " their badges/ranks, it is not right or fair to simply "give" them the ranks . You will be doing "thus and so" to facilitate that earning, and here we go. You may get some push back for (?) overstepping your place, but again, be gracious and thankful to the CM and the OWDL... "It's for the Cubs", yes?

Jamboree Espana ? (phonetics) yamboree? I hiked the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain 4 years ago with a buddy, wonderful trip, even if it is kinda touristy, I recommend it for what it is (do not compare to the Appalachian Trail). We never saw, met, heard of (we asked!) , any Scout or Scout reference or Scout anything..... On the Camino, We did meet folks , young and older, who admitted to being Scouts from Finland and Norway (SeaScout), Germany (PfandPfunder), England, America, Denmark and Australia. But no Spanish Scouts. Before we left for Madrid, we did not do any research into such subjects, we just assumed we'd meet some, someplace, but none. Nada. I would be interested if you'd care to comment, Ianwilkins.

IOLS this past weekend. After that, a Camporee. Set up a saw buck , a 8" log and my two person crosscut saw. Let the IOLSers try their hand at team work. I watched some adults give up half way thru, and let another team go at it for awhile. One young Scout , who was obviously "challenged " approached and at my urging took one end of the saw while I took ahold of the other. The kerf was halfway thru, the sharp saw did it's work, and that Scout took to my direction to "only pull, don't push" with a will. He caught on to the "under" one arm technique early on (instead of two arm into you belly pull). The Scout finished the cut, the "cookie" fell off, and you never saw a prouder boy in your life. He carried that cookie around with him the rest of the day. Pride of skill.

WHY THE SCOUT PROMISE, LAW ? Here's an idea I have played with: Scouting asks a person to BE something, unlike some other groups that ask you to NOT DO something. Behavior is ALWAYS a choice. Gravity is not a choice. Eating is not a choice. Breathing is not a choice. But WHAT we eat is a choice (nutrition, obesity, etc.) , keeping the air clean (carbon footprint, pollution, etc.) is a choice. Ask your Scouts what an OPPOSITE Scout Law might look like: Dirty, Lying, Disloyal, etc. What would that do to the Troop? society? Your friendships, buddies, family? Ask about that....

"Good afternoon, sir, My name is Russell and I am a Wilderness Explorer in Tribe 54. . May I be of any service to you? "

,Weeeeelllll , in the book I quote, "swim suit" is mentioned as a possible use (use more than one ).

The iconic necker has shrunk thru the years. My sources indicate the original BS necker was about a 36" square, folded into a triangle, gathered, not rolled, and held on the neck (over the collar !) by a hand made woggle. It was intended as a tool on your uniform, which, after all, was worn to ALL Scout events, and often to school , around town, etc. One might wear the necker just because.... It had many uses, I have a book that lists more than 50 ! Dust mask, horse bridle, signal flag, arm sling, pole lashing, ankle brace, tourniquet, bandage, sun hat....... The necker of my yooooth was (is) about 30" on a side, triangular to start. The necker of my son's troop was (is) 24 " on it's triangular side. I think the real shrinkage happened when Scouting lost much of it's outdoor's vantage and went more indoors in the 70's. ISL uniform, yes? Necker became a cravat, a decoration, rather than an emergency tool.... It is still the SYmbol of the Scout. Wait for the World Jamboree in 2019 to see the importance of Neckers! Trade'm ! Collect'm ! Sic Gloria Mundi.....

The Work Is Done By Whoever Shows Up. That's the first thing. If you are blessed with an active , involved bunch of parents, how could you deny them the privilege of ?being there"? Things Done In Secret Are Always Suspect. Are they talking about me? Why do things in secret? Transparency in decisions is always desirable. That's democracy. Who knows where the money is or went? The dues are paid by the membership, EVERYONE deserves to know where they went. The Unit Treasurer needs to be the most visible, transparent of the Unit Officers. The Unit Committee is where he/she makes the report, yes? It has been my experience that if ANYONE and EVERYONE is welcomed and invited to attend, the folks that DO attend to the business of the Unit will be more trusted and be more able to make decisions and deal with things more expeditiously. Invite all, be surprised if all attend.....

"" There are two kinds of people in the world, those that think there are two kinds of people and those that don't."

I'd like to start a discussion about "Pride" and "skills" Do we teach, encourage either? . Where do boys and girls develop pride in What They Can Do? How has it come (seemingly) that "we will pay somebody to do that " is the more common response ? Sew a rip in the jeans? Sew on a patch? Trim a piece of board to fit ? Tighten a plumbing fixture? Paint our house ? Who, after all, WILL we pay? Something as midlin as figuring a calculation... "Where's that cell phone computer?" Hand saw? Naw.... CHAINsaw. Change the tire on the car? Change a wiper blade? Accepting that autos need much less hands-on maintenance than they did 50, even 20 years ago, but still, how much "control", "ownership" are we willing to relinquish? How much SKILL is needed in a modern life? Better, How much PRIDE does one need in the tasks one can accomplish and DOES accomplish? I'd like to recommend a book to you and your Middle schooler. "SUPERPOWER: The Making of a Steam Locomotive" by David Weitzman .The illustrations alone are worth the price. Ask your book store for it. It details the reasoning, design, fabrication and construction (it was called "erecting") of a new species of steam locomotive back in the 1930's. No computers. Not much machinery. Becoming a skilled machinist was the lure for the fictional teen protagonist, rather than graduating from High School. He has a hard time seeing WHY High School, he sees easily the WHY of the Loco Works. Our great grandfathers and uncles (and aunts !) took great pride in their work, what they could and did do. How do our youngsters measure up? What do they (can they?) take pride in accomplishing? Writing. Communicating effectively. Do our kids take any PRIDE in using language well? IMHO, (!) I find many often struggle to string words of more than two syllables together. How come verbal communication seems to be less desirable than tweets? Ready , set , go.

As with most things in the volunteer world, if there is a "someone" who takes a lead in it, it happens. Canoeing? Rock climbing? There is no "Scout Program" for it, unless somebody takes on the lead. Leatherworking MB is like that. Bugling MB is like that. "Gee, I wish somebody would...." The tools for Leatherworking are rather esoteric, Somebody wants to own them, take care of them, share the knowledge the skill the tools.... "We need a CPR class. Anybody know.... " Nice topic for RoundTable....

CSDC: Some pay, fun, admiration, doing what I love, helping young Cubs along the way, this will be here when I get back.... recognition by Cubs in the local Safeway, Other job: Experience, maturing, responsibility, better pay, helping others, learning new skills, Check with the new job, maybe they are "Scout Friendly" and would allow that time off to work the Scout Camp. Or part time? Too stressful? I once had a evening job at a hospital and did a parttime tutoring at a local Middle School. Good experience, well appreciated, gave me another reference. But, a LONG day....

The original idea sounds worthy, but maybe not in the lesson area, but in the SMMinute area? Such doesn't always have to be a off the cuff, verbal story type of thing. On review, there are many things in the SHB that would lend themselves to a reading. Something like knot practice, lashings, etc. review,,, but that might be in the "Patrol Corner" type time. For instruction/practice. Just don't make it sound like SCHOOL with (groan) HOMEWORK. Oh please, don't make it sound like HOMEWORK. Scouting will have individual study, how else to learn the skills, but don't make it sound like homework....

With the recent discussion about Totin' Chip and such, I have been reminded of the unfortunate fact of the catastrophic loss of our White Ash trees here in the east , due to the Emerald Ash Borer. I have had to oversee (and participate in ) the removal of more than 20 mature , large trees of late, both around my own house and our Meeting House Property . One counted 87 rings (!). With all that in mind, I offer for your edification, a guide sent to me some time ago (you may note the dated prices), on how one might "Heat Your Home With Wood For Free": How to Heat with Wood for Free! It is easy to heat your home for free with wood! I have done it for many years , and I have been asked by many to detail the economics of it. Here, then, is my accounting of heating with wood over the last few years! Wood is available for free from many sources. Neighbors may need a tree cut down. Road crews leave wood by the road for picking up. Untended lots need thinning. One just needs a little equipment. Build wood rack from scrap lumber : FREE! Install catalytic equipped wood stove, double wall stove pipe: $2,432. Purchase chainsaw, case, chain oil, hardhat, safety goggles, Kevlar chaps & vest, heavy gloves: (“on special”!) $544.95. Two gallon gas can and 2 gallons of gas: $9.48. Buy old second hand pickup from cousin: $850. Rebuild engine, new clutch, new tires, pass state inspection: $1,347.85. Pay fine for cutting wood without a permit on park land: $150. Replace rear window in pickup (threw log thru it): $87. Sharpen saw chain after hitting rock in tree crotch: $15. Buy 2 extra saw chains: $53.05. Repair neighbor’s roof edge after maple fell the wrong way: $327. Repair chainsaw after using regular gas in it (needs 2 stroke mix): $98.47. Buy two gallons gas and pint of 2 stroke oil: $9.48. Doctor visit after wood rack falls on foot: $20. Copay. Crutch rental: FREE (local service club) Clean rug and smoke damage when wife forgets to open damper: $180.28. Lawyer visit, recommendation of marriage counseling: $250. As you can see, it is easy to heat your house with wood for FREE! Of course , not everyone is as adept at wood cutting as some, so your experience will no doubt be different. Good Luck!

One of (if not the only) reasons for the idea of a "license" to operate the possibly dangerous equipment known as knife/axe/saw is to instill in the young Scout a pride of skill. The possibility of seeing a "tool" as a "toy" is always there , but Toys do not hurt people. If something can be injurious (physically or emotionally), then it is not a toy, no matter what the person says. Yes, it is true that "The only difference between a man and a boy is the price of their toys", but one's attitude toward that item also determines it's purpose. If a Scout has pride in his skill, if he/she sees the use of that tool (ax, knife) as a sign of his/her maturity , then such occasions as would necessitate the removal of the "License" would not occur. Even the older Scouts approbation would be a deterrent to the younger Scout's poor choice of action. Find a copy of :Superpower: The Making of a Steam Locomotive by David Weitzman. It extolls the old time skills and pride of completion our grandparents had in making things. We have lost much of this need in our modern world of googling and Amazon ordering of anything we desire, rather than making it for ourselves. Hold that Scout to his/her standard. Remind them of their heritage. Axes built our nation, after all. Even a tentpeg can be a thing of beauty , if the creator wants it so. I am still reminded of the new word my students taught me , as their Sub Teacher. Someone would bring up their assignment and ask, " Mr. SSScout? Is this GUDNUF?" Well, is it?

""All Scouting is Local"" I foresee the local Pack/Troop folks doing what they feel benefits THEIR kids. National GSUSA has alienated many in the field with the byzantine requirements about money, membership number limitations, no male leadership allowed , activities defined by Council only, I have heard many..... Joint Pinewood Derbies? Where is the harm in that? Joint GSUSA/BSA hikes? Camps? My BSA Troop did that back in the stone age (1960's). What's the harm? If we (BSA) stay true to the Promise and the Law, and remember the Golden Rule, I say we will be serving our youth and assuring our future. See you on the trail.

Popcorn AND cookies....

"The work is done by whoever shows up. Therefore, SHOW UP ! "

"It depends".... Everyone on the Patrol needs to help. Chores, duties get assigned and rotated so no one gets "picked on" . I might review the duty roster with PLSon, and note any problems. Weekend campout? Three meals? Four? Are any of them simpler, easier cleanup than the others? Did the Cooks "clean up as they cook" (as I learned to do when I worked as a sous chef thru college).? Nothing worse than a cook that PURPOSELY leaves stuff dirty.... Been known to happen. Did the duty roster reflect a balance? Clean dinner (hard? but important) then water duty (easy, but also important), etc. No one does dishes thru the whole campout, right? And the Patrol cook gear has to go home clean, yes? EveryScout in the Patrol understands that , yes? In the successful Patrols/Troops of my acquaintance, the gear closet, or Troop Trailer or (your garage?) never smells like month old bacon fat, true? Clean cook and eating gear means healthy Scouts ! We always thought the Sunday breakfast cleanup was the most important thereby. Speak to the CM? Maybe not. Scoutson needs to be able to explain and "Courteously" defend the duty roster assignments, if necessary, in another's presence (Two Deep?) . If CMScoutson is not used to "work", he will come to realize his place in the Patrol "pecking order" will depend on his ability to "do my duty" , willingly, with the knowledge that EVERYBODY ELSE in the Patrol is doing the same, when it comes their turn. Maybe the SM should talk to the CMparent, take him aside and put him in the know of how a Scout Patrol works... And too, it is important that the PL show his leadership by being "Helpful" and "Friendly" by making sure he has his turn a "duty", yes? I tell Scouts that there are THREE SKILLS they should learn, with which they can always put a roof over their head and food on their table: The first is COOKING, even if you are only in a "burger joint", someone will always be wiling to pay you to cook. Put me thru college (among other things). The second is CLEANING. If you can sweep, wash, clean there will always be someone who will pay you to clean their rooms, kitchen, pet, car, truck, dishes. The third is DRIVING. with a valid, clean license, there is always a car, taxi, bus, truck out there (self drivers not withstanding) waiting for your pilotage. WHICH ONES DO SCOUTING TEACH ? Which ones can you gain practice in while having fun on the Appalachian Trail? Bearess, let your Scoutson find his own level, but be there for him... Remember, our children will be the ones who pick out our Assisted Living Facility... See you on the trail.

Hazing I say again, if safe behavior is in question, if poor choice of behavior is observed, the PL, or SPL, or APL, or the adult nearby needs to step in, CAREFULLY remove the tool involved, and take the Scout aside , and "Courteously" explain what is wrong. If deemed necessary, indeed ask for his/her Totin' Chip or Whitlin' Chit card. Any policeman observing really unsafe driving will remove the license from the driver. How is the Scout world different? Those cards are the Scout's "License" to use the tool, yes? If you lose your driver license from poor choice of behavior , how do you regain it? By following the law, and perhaps taking some "Safe Driver" training. Can it not be the same thing here? Probation? That is the means to prove, by good subsequent behavior, that one is worthy of the trust involved with "owning" a license. Can this not be the same with the Chips? Hazing is wrong and counterproductive. Public humiliation does not teach good behavior, it only creates anger and resentment . What behavior would you favor the Scout copy? Semi-bullying ? Or asking him/her to live UP to your standards?

It is not "Hazing" if done properly and if the result is expected. Every government agency, every company or organization big enough to be concerned about public performance or safety and accidents has standards of behavior, and consequences for not following those standards. Cause an accident? Neglect a responsibility? Reprimand in file, day(s) off work , forfeited annual leave,,,, Every state requires standards of behavior to drive a car, a truck, own a gun, practice medicine. Fail to follow those standards, lose something.... Throw a knife? Drop an axe? Threaten another human with a sharp tool? Lose a privilege. In the Adult World, it is called "Progressive Discipline". It is not hazing. BUT>>> Requiring a Scout to sing, IN PUBLIC, to HUMILIATE himself IN PUBLIC to regain his/her property, that is hazing.... PRAISE in public, DISCIPLINE, COUNSEL, ADVISE in private..... Scouts will emulate, copy, expect what they see their adult leaders do. They will copy, emulate, try to outdo, pass on ("well, he did it to me....") what they see, hear, from their SPL, ASPL, PL.... SO, DO AS I SAY< NOT AS I DO ? I don't think so.

Throw another IC chip on the virtual campfire...

Almost any responsible "legal entity" (ask the BSA Council to define that) can charter a Scout Unit. It is like a franchise. In fact, it IS a franchise. I know of a family owned hardware store that charters a Cub Pack. Up to few years ago, a military post could charter a Scout Unit, but because of Fed concerns about the BSA's membership requirements, that was stopped. If the PTO has scruples against being a Scout sponsor, go and find another sponsor. It is annoying and takes some doing, but there are lots of Scout friendly folks out there. And , think about it, you already have the Unit! Scouts and Leaders, fait accompli ! They just need to have the DE come round with the paperwork !

The PTO you describe is something I have never heard of. The School District sponsors the PTO? That means the School District is sponsoring the Scout Units ! The way I heard it, that can't be because of BSA's requirements, being a "private" organization. BSA Council needs to consider what it wants: A Scout Unit or consistency in it's recruitment. Of course, perhaps the new membership non-requirements (gender neutral, sexual orientation neutral) may allow such sponsorship, Wonderful, more opportunities for kids to be Scouts. Otherwise, check with your Scout Unit Parents, find a Lions Club or Kiwanis Club or Church or Temple or Volunteer Fire Brigade or American Legion to sponsor your Unit, all to the better. It will work our, keep on the trail.

No longer SM? Hey, you with the wealth of experience.... volunteer for IOLS instructor. Become a Unit Commissioner (for a different Unit! ). Ask the District Commish if there's a new Unit around that needs some finger pointing or head nodding. I think the idea " stick a fork in me, I'm done" is waaay off in the future. Smile and wave as you go by....