SSScout

David CO, you have hit on the next problem for these Scouts. Who is doing what? Is the Troop Committee supporting the SM and doing things "Transparently", or is the Substitute Sub Committee To Do Things Right Regardless Of What Anyone Else Thinks doing things anyway? I think a Troop Flag should read the whole title, not be concerned with shaving cost by less letters, but to "secretly" order the flag is both a really neat gift and an insult to the SM and his colleagues. This is the very first flag the Troop has had, yes? This might lead to a ceremonial presentation, a autographing of the flag by the SM for history's sake...Is the SM appreciated, or resented somehow? My home Troop , has been in business about 62 years now. Four years ago, it was realized the drooping, darkened Troop Flag AND the US flag next to it on the stage were both the same flags the Troop had in 1956 ! The US flag had 48 Stars! Nobody had realized it til then ! We went out and replaced the Troop Flag and US flag but no one could think of what to do with them. So they are wrapped up in plastic in the back church closet. The new flag has the new SM's signature on it, for the next 60 years.

'The Work Is Done By Whoever Shows Up." Such a person as yourself, Valleyboy, dedicated to the Scouting ideal, can only do so much. If no one shows up, it is too bad for the boys, but c'est la guerre, la vie, la Pack.... In the mean time, KiS MiF...

1) Park the trailers and HIKE IN . Nothing but what you carry into the site. This does not include the water spigot or fire circles, which would be already there (OA service?) 2) Set up the Camporee as a town. Lay out streets and signposts and such. Each Troop has their own street? Award "Civic Pride" prizes for best town arrangements: Gates, pioneer tables, fire departments, "landscaping" (leave no trace?) stuff like that. 3) Try to arrange so NOBODY wants to leave by 9am sunday. They should WANT to stay another day, and MAYBE get home for dinner sunday. 4) Talk to the folks that would like a "Sabbath Friendly" Camporee. What would it take to allow such? Would the schools allow an absence on a Monday or a Friday, somehow, could that be negotiated for your Scouts? Waaaay back in the prehistoric Scout past, such things could and were arranged with our local schools. 5) Patrol competitions are what make Camporees exciting. Include Patrol Spirit in counting points. 6) Absolutely get the Scouts (SPLs? PLs? ) to plan it . Invite those ScoutLeaders to the Round Table ! 7) What Stosh and Qwazse said. 8) Invite me . I wanna see it work.

1) The girls that want to go hiking and camping and get dirty will vote with their parent's feet. 2) The girls that can't live without a hair drier will vote with their extension cords. 3) GSUSA last month announced their opinion that the BSA was "poaching" on their territory and that the BSA was only interested in more membership /money (as if the GSUSA doesn't have the same trouble). I doubt if allowing females will solve any membership number problem. Can boys (or would they want to) join GSUSA? 4) The majority of the WOSM is already fully gender neutral. The nations that aren't, aren't. 5) The COs that do not want cooties, er, females in their Cub Dens, Boy Patrols, Venture Crews, Explorer Posts, Scout Ships can organize mono-gender Dens/Patrols/Crews/Posts/Ships if they want. Such is allowed, just as mono-faith units are allowed, 6) It's about time. 7) Women have had the vote and politicians are still not trusted. Women have legally equal access to athletic venues/equipment and team sports, and the Packers are still in business. Women learned to weld/rivet/build/fly bombers and we won WW2 but still have not eliminated war. How has the world changed? 8) It has been noted that boys and girls learn at different rates, at different ages, mature differently. So? 9) Such Scout action has already been in place in many units around the country, only not "officially". So the experiments have been done. The world still spins on it's axis, the IRS still goes after scoff-laws and my well hasn't gone dry yet. See you on the trail.....

Scoutmaster Minute time. The SMMinute is a lost art. After a hike or Campout, ever do the Roses and Thorns thing? Don't mention names, but ask questions. Let the Scouts reflect on their own behavior. Review the song "Scout Vespers" .... The cynical teenager will eventually "get it" if given a chance. Even the cynical adult. Remember the C&W song about the lil' kid who keeps telling his dad "I wanna talk like you ...." Ideals are just that, but maybe, just maybe they can become realities with our help...

Yes, movies.... I have seen, and bought Troop 491, the Muddy Lions. I thought very good. Inner city kids find their way thru Scouts... AND,, try The Sultan and the Saint, based on true events... ..

Yeah, Webelos.... Uss Constellation , Baltimore Harbor. The Scouts were mustered into Mr. Lincoln's Navy as "Powder Monkeys", the adults as "Landsmen". toured the ship, ran the guns, slept in hammocks or on the deck. Some of the Scouts were picky eaters (beef stew for dinner? Apples, oatmeal for breakfast?) and pret' near starved to death, but I actually had two that stood the "night watch" on deck with me. Very neat.

"All feed back is a gift". Full communication is a gift. His concern for your success is a gift. His concern that you be aware of how he would do it is a gift. Coffee is a gift, but that's another thread.... Now, how concerned are YOU about HIS success? Would you have said, "hey, you're on your own, buddy, the Scout hut is over there...." or would you discuss how you might tackle the various activities/desires/requirements and then be ready to divvy up the Den(s). Yeah, his way might not be your way, but if you are both desirous of giving your boys (YOUR boys, do you like the ring of that?) the Scout Experience, I know both of you will be there for them. "Yeah, Frank, um-mm, nice ideas.... I think I'll try this,,, and This... but I'd like to try it this way over here. waddya think?" Don't take offense , take his ideas, add yours and have fun !

This past Weekend I helped taught IOLS to 28 really active nascent Scoutmasters. The weather predicted (near Harpers Ferry WVA) was for rainy off and on all weekend, possible gale force winds and heavy rain Saturday night thru sunday. The schmart phones were kept busy, looking at the radar/satellite images.... We rearranged the schedule to accommodate the possible weather (we have a nice big open pavilion), and so did the hikes and such Saturday. Fortunately, the weather moderated, we had no need for "plan B" (retreat to the big barn on the property). The group was very gung-ho Scouty, they had worked up Patrol flags, good cooking, gear sharing over the previous weeks by email and phone. A disparate group from Baltimore area, DC area, Virginia and West Virginia. One Muslim, three Jews, three LDS, handful of Catholics, one Buddhist and assorted protestants of several flavors. We discovered that one lady was there as a tribute to her husband. He was the Scoutmaster of the Troop for the last (?)5 years, but had suffered a stroke. He was back home recovering, paralyzed from the chest down. She had previously been his unofficial assistant and now was being supported by the Troop to become his replacement (!!). She dove in to all the training, left at 9pm to go home and take over from his caregiver and returned sunday by 9am to continue. There seemed to be lots of "aha" moments, saw many heads nodding in agreement over the weekend. Teach the skills to your boys, boy led, step back, let'm go. There is hope for the future....

1) Make sure all your adult volunteers get the required/necessary/appropriate training. 2) Get yourself noticed. Go to your District RoundTable, the District Committee meeting (look online? ). Communicate with your District Commissioner, MAYBE , just maybe , you have a Unit Commissioner assigned to your Unit and he/she/you don't know about it. 3) Put a sign outside your Meeting Place, Council/District can get you a generic one, so folks will know you're there. Put an ad/article in the local paper. Media exposure can't hurt in recruiting. 4) Oh, apropos #1, get your Scouts into the next NYLT camp from your Council/District. Nothing like some pumped up Scouts to make a Unit grow.... 5) Go camping.

Indeed, check with the COR. Let her/him "earn their pay". At the very least , contact the Charter Org Head (Institution Head in BSAspeak) and find out how important the Scout program is to the Org. It would be VERY nice if you can get some Org members to join the Unit Committee for planning, oversight, "attaboys" when appropriate, general support. An independent treasurer sounds nice , too. Congratulations on your assuming the responsibility to resuscitate the Unit, but be realistic. Do not jeopardize your health or family dynamic or sanity if , after major efforts and communication, it becomes apparent that it ain't gonna happen. Sign over the Unit check b0ok to the Charter Org and move on...

The three words no Scoutmaster wants to hear: "Hey, watch this !" I was reminded when I rode a motorcycle regularly by an old timer that a helmet was never required except by law and when it was needed.

Younger Scouts... How much younger? Are they just out of Webs? Maybe they aren't used to/ready to take up responsibility . "Mom did it all", that kind of expectation can stick to the Young Scout for awhile. They have to realize the Fun of Big Boy Scouting comes from Doing It Myself, not just doing what Mom set up for me. Running around and being crazy? Yeah, I bet the PL was like that sometime in his past. Any leader has to realize that part of his "job" is reminding the team that the meal doesn't get cooked without the stove/fire being set and lit and the food being prepared and the water bucket being filled and the dishes being cleaned up afterward. Sports? Competition in being your "personal best" and being on the team (Patrol) that does the best in the Troop. There is a pride earned in having the neatest campsite (Gate? Signs? Gear? Tents don't fall down? ), in doing the map & compass course the fastest... Those Young Scouts will remember the Older Scout that took the time to teach them (By example? By instruction? By gentle reminder?) how to stay dry in the rain, warm in the cold and cover distance in the hike....

I concur. If the event is overtly pro-political party or candidate, I would politely refuse the invitation. Candidates debate? Maybe. Election/Get out the vote promotion? Maybe. Public parade, historical commemoration, something like that, by all means, go and wave the flag in uni.

1) Have lots of SMMinutes about the Promise and the Law. And personal responsibility. 2 ) Address the Scout, in the presence of the parents. Do not address the parent, except as it applies to them, "their" requirements, not the Scout's. If the parent(s) ask a question, ask the Scout about that, "Jonny, what do you think about that?" Do not let the parent drag you back to them, it MUST be about the Scout. 3) If the Scout needs accommodation (ADHD, physical disablement, psychological problem, separated family dynamic, autism spectrum, etc.) ,sit down with parent and work up a definite IN WRITING IF NECESSARY (emphasis intended) plan. Get the Scout to agree, he has to understand and admit his limitations. This is a good thing, if done correctly. Seek guidance from pros, school counselor, county health Dept. etc. 4) Ask the Scout (in private SMC) who packs his backpack? I remember it was a "Big Thing" when I told my mom "that's not the way a Scout should do it". I think I almost made her cry. 5) See #2 above. In your conversation with parent(s), (see #2 again) , remind them gently but firmly, it is BOY Scouts, not PARENT Scouts. Remind them it will be Johnny who picks out their Assisted Living Facility. Do they want his resentment coloring that? Or do they want him to come back from Philmont/Summit/Northern Tier glad to be home? 6) Scouter: YOU do not cut the apron strings . The parents do not cut the apron strings. The Scout must be the one who either cuts or rips from his parents hands the apron strings. Always good to have some string handy, never know when something needs to be tied up (or down). See you on the trail.

1) Times change. People change. Expectations change. 2) Yep, if you are disadvantaged sufficiently, you can earn Eagle thru "alternative" requirements. A wheel chair bound Scout should be denied Eagle without a blink? Not very Scout-like to me... 3) My Eagle did not include a Service Project. But then, I learned Morse Code and had to identify constellations. Things change. 4) Are today's Scouts too protected? Possibly. Depends on the Scoutmaster and the helicopter mom that packs the kid's backpack. And the kid that let's her do it. 5) Are today's Scouts encouraged to hunt and kill animals? Only if they have a parent that enjoys such and teaches the Scout such. Scoutson once trapped, butchered and served up a rabbit to his Troop. His buddies thought it was not as good as the burgers in the other Patrol, he said. I had nothing to do with it, but thought , wow... He raised rabbits in 4H (barn had 35 rabbits in it at one point. Mini Rex. Won some ribbons.) 6) I know Scouting began in a desire to help make boys more able to be good soldiers. I would like to remind folks that later in his career B-P voiced the hope that the international brotherhood of Scouting would foster not so much better soldiers for their countries but a more peaceful world. I often pray that humankind might finally learn from their past mistakes. 7) Skills, independent thought and confidence in one's judgement, ability to make one's way in the world , either the wild part or the more civilized part. These are what I found I wanted for Scoutson. Despite the modern limitations, I think he gained a good deal of all that.

Yes, I saw that too. I wonder at a Cub leader who would "remove" a Cub from a Den, for ANY reason. 1) As in many events, perhaps we do not have all the information. "Chicken Gate"? What does that mean? 2) I would hope we encourage our Scouts to think for themselves. If Ames did his homework (sounds like he did?), he asked a reasonable question and got a reasonable answer from the Senator. 3) I am thinking, if I am still around in 30 years, and in his state, I might vote for him for governor.

I like Tampa Turtle's list. Note for the adults eager to "go to camp".... It is BOY Scout Camp, not MAN Scout Camp. Female adults? Them too. I am sure there is a volunteer program for the Scout Camp. TAt the NCAC camp Goshen , there are the Goshen GOATS. Put the extra adults on to this, I know the camp can use extra hands for projects and supervision, IF they have had the necessary training and registration. Adult registration? Dues paid? YP? SMS? IOLS? Back Country First Aid? Powder Horn? Put those Adults to work on behalf of the Scouts ! It is NOT a vacation, yes?

As in everything else in the world, we remember the things that are/were important to us. My phone number when I was in third grade: Walker 4-7221. Five things CAN make a skill remembered: Good, pleasant associations, Bad, unpleasant associations, Repetition, Need of use, and Pride of use. When I teach ropes and knots to Cubs, I try to give them pleasant, fun associations and repetition and pride. * ""Cubs, NEVER buy rope with only one end, such rope is inherently defective and will only give you trouble. ALWAYS buy two ended rope."" (Oh, the looks on their faces...) ** Show teach them some "fun" knots, like the Chain Knot, or the multiple string knot... *** Bowline? Show'em the three types ( only one will "pass" the requirement), the three ways to tie the correct one... **** "Mr. SSScout, what kind of knot is THIS (showing a jumble) ?" "What's your name, Scout?" "Tommy!" " Well, that's a Tommy knot !" ***** Tie it again, tie it to your neighbor, tie it on your mom's arm. Square knot? We tie each Cub's practice rope to his neighbor's, in a big circle, and see if we can tug-o-war the circle. Will it hold? Will any knot come loose? Granny, is it? ****** Scouts should always be given REASONS to practice these skills: Build a tower, a catapult, a gateway, a handwash tripod, (shudder) set up a tent/dining fly without bungee cords. ******* Patrol competitions in Troop meetings, in Camporees. Tie the knot/lashings the fastest, correctly. ""Oh, we have an emergency ! A Patrol forgot their tents ! We need TRIPODS and EXTRA LONG POLES to set up tarps for shelter ! Oh, who will be the quickest !" Itsbrian, if your complaint is valid (yeah, it is), the fault lies equally in the Scout's and his leader's lap. The Scout hasn't seen the need, hasn't had fun at it, and hasn't taken the pride in the knowledge. Give'm the opportunity. Give'm the "attaboys" when they deserve 'm. See you on the trail.

Install an E-Z-Pass gate on the CO's parking lot (tongue firmly in cheek).

Then, too, there is , perhaps , some precedent. Our school's fourth graders go to "Outdoor Camp" for three days each school year in a County Park. Bunk rooms, they must bring or borrow or get loaned sleeping bags. It is highly chaperoned and adult overseen by park people and teachers. It is not Cub Camping, not as we would like to think of Cub Camping., but for many of the kids it is the epitome of "roughing it". Some may not even see any sort of summer camp, not even a day camp thing, so this is looked forward to by all the kids. The school curriculum even includes some "training" for the kids and parent chaperones. (You want your mom on the camp with you? ) . And of course, some of the kids want nothing to do with this insult to their indoor/ipad/smartphone/computer ethos. Deal with it, kids....

*sigh* When my Fearless Leader told me (us trainers) of the email announcement ("Immediately", see above) he had just received , three days before our BALOO Saturday (requested and organized by a local Pack with parents who collectively had NO camping experience and wanted to give the Cubs the "adventure " they had been promised), we collectively said "huh?". F-L declared he would proceed with our original plans and he would send our collective protest to Irving via Council Training Committee. Our Saturday included about 20 adult Cubbers, from all around our District. We started in the aforementioned "church social hall" and went outside for equipment demos and the charcoal lunch: Hamburger and 'taters in foil. It worked. Lots of questions, lots of sharing of experience, no "death by powerpoint", not even a bruising by newsprint pad. F-L asked folks if they thought an overnight would have been a good idea, they reluctantly said , maybe, but again, how would they prepare for such when NONE of them had ever been Scout camping? Some summer camps back when they were many moon younger, but they were cabins and dining hall camps. We had many compliments and thanks from them in the evaluations. F-L and us trainers all thought, how much more trouble an overnight tent camp with well meaning Cub adults would be? We also do the IOLS, and that is a fun thing. Most IOLS folks have some camping under the belt and them that have help them that haven't. F-L and I haven't talked about the adjustment that will come . As was testified to above, regardless of the curriculum, "It Depends" very much on the Trainers.

EBoR s here abouts usually work like this: The Eagle candidates (plural! These are scheduled in advance !) bring their Scoutmaster to introduce them, and usually parents and maybe some other interested adults. There might be two or three EBoRs that night. Each EBoR is chaired by a District Eagle Coordinator (usually different from the one that counseled the candidate earlier), and the other Board Members (two or three more) are made up with the other Eagle candidates' parents or Scoutmasters. I have sat in on several such Boards. The Candidate's Scoutmaster (or designee) introduces the candidate to the EBoR and then leaves the room. He does not observe, that is considered a breach of etiquette . The "drafted" Board members might serve on another Board that night , if needed. It can be impressive or challenging or just fun, depending....

Is it "Boy" Scouts or "Man" Scouts ?

Back a few years, I served as a Chaplain at the 2005 Jamboree. The Scouts could earn a "rocker" for their Jambo Patch by going to the Relationships Pavilion and talking to their faith's exhibit folks. If they didn't have a "faith", they were supposed to speak to the "Chaplain on Duty" at the front of the Pavilion. I did that duty more than once, and the stories I listened to were either very personal (" I'm not too sure about this God stuff") or were just matter of fact ("Are you the man I speak to for my rocker?" ). They didn't have the same arrangement for the 2013 Jamboree, but I heard from my fellow Chaplains about some sit down and discuss sessions. Duty to God? Hey, what's God's duty to me?