SSScout

This is a sad day for both organizations. The one doesn't realize it has lost it's original focus and the other has just begun to realize what it's focus could be but isn't.... 1) No one is required to join either organization. Choose the program that suits your kids' interests and your desires. 2) The present GSUSA and BSA have very different programs and philosophies. Units in GSUSA are owned by the local GS Council. All money and unit gear is owned by the Council and parceled out to the unit. Sell cookies? Council gets money. BSA units are owned by a local organization: a church, synagogue, fire dept. PTA, even a hardware store. Sell popcorn? Unit gets 1/3, Council 1/3, Popcorn 1/3. Unit can do what it wants with it's gear and money. 3) BSA: Leaders are recruited, trained, encouraged to get out and do stuff, especially let the BOYS plan and do stuff. There is a definite program of advancement and adventure. GS: If a woman wants to have a GSTroop, she can. If she wants tea parties, or fashionistas, that is what the GSTroop does. If she wants to hike /camp, she does. (she does?) BSA: many female leaders. GSUSA: Males are refused. 4) Membership: I once asked a GS Brownie leader to join us in a Cub recruiting event , she replied: "oh no, we don't want any more girls, we have enough." (?!?!?!) If the GSleader wants no more girls in her clique, she need not admit them. BSA: You better have a real good reason not to admit a boy to your Troop (Charter org only wants certain religion, for instance). 5) When the GSTroop members graduate, that's usually the end of that Troop. No continuity. My home BSTroop just celebrated 65 years. There are Troops 100 years old. 6) Echoing a previous comment, when a GS leader wants to operate her Troop ala BSA , she is often chastised and denied GS support. Smaller Patrols making up the larger Troop?? Older girls mentoring younger? Every girl having a chance to lead? Doesn't seem to fit the GSUSA model some how. 7) See number one again. See you on the trail.

Many (not all) of today's kids have things done TO them and FOR them. Cub Scouts? Well, we expect that. AKELA (is that term obsolete?) plans and provides. But today's society provides almost everything. Even school is planned to a fair thee well for the middle schoolers. Danger lurks around every corner, so everything must be planned and permitted for the kid. The parents help with this, because it is easier for SOMEONE ELSE to take care of, educate, provide leadership for , their kids. Values? Responsibilities? Boy Scout leaders encourage the Scout to take responsibility for their own expeditions, but what can they plan? Without experience to draw on , they wait for the Scout Leader to provide "THE PLAN". I once provided the PLC of my home troop with a package of maps, booklets, agendas, campsites for a series of hikes and campouts on the C&O Canal. They looked at this package as if it was an invitation to go to Mars on roller skates. These 13 and 14 year olds could not get around the idea of planning such an exercise , not even with adult help. It seems they all depended on their parents to keep track of their "calendars" . I am still waiting for any sign of excitement. It takes ONE Scout, hopefully the SPL, to pick up the reins and say "Let's do this". Some years ago, Wife and I were very proud of our 12 year old son when he came to us and announced that he had "done his laundry " himself. I smiled at my wife and asked Scoutson, "how much soap did you use?" Scoutson said, "soap?" He is now a strapping young man of 23 and doing quite well for himself. Example, instruction, intervention, oversight, ideals, all the Scouter can provide. Whip and chair optional.....

Yeoh !

Either ! BOTH ! Any...

I am going to try. And make a point to visit the wurl famus MYSTERY SPOT, jes' down the road a piece..... http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/10971

Candles. Darkness. Solemnity. Then celebration. Have someone important to the Troop or the Scout (not necessarily a "famous" person....) read a speech about his history, the history of Scouting, the Eagle... and give the Eagle Charge. Make sure the speaker is up to the task and doesn't just read something from the internet. The COH is the Scout's and his family's party, planned and executed with the help of the Troop. Some traditional stuff, some ceremonial stuff, some "special" stuff. SM , mom and dad, the nascent Eagle's Scout buddies should be included. And then the Barbecue and cake.....

Sad but true.

Treasury? Have a final picnic/campout. Use the funds "for the boys". The remainder goes to the Charter Org. Equipment? Ask the IH and COR if they really want the tents, cook kits, etc. If not, get their OK to parcel them out to the new Troops. Seems right to me. Who would buy them , after all? Craigs List? eBay? You could do that , I suppose. Anything else? When the boys are happily transferred to the other Troops, take the Troop flag, sign it, and present it to the final Scoutmaster or IH as a thank you for their service. Depart with memories, not remorse. It was a good run, yes? Any wall decorations, plaques, does the CO want them as remembrance? Probably not. Pack them away, give them to whomever wants to keep them. DE? No... Commissioner? As was mentioned, no... Sad day, but try to remember the good times. See you on the trail....

It was not "German Chicken salad" per se, but the recipe included mayonnaise, celery, salt and pepper and... turkey. The menu stated "Chicken salad". In my tenure, no one ever asked about that. Das war nicht ein huhner, aber eine puter.

You Fired !!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZAt6NJWfWk

During college, I studied German, so I got a job as an assistant cook in a German restaurant. Very fun job. The owner/chef taught me her recipes. Her chicken salad was a favorite. It was made with turkey.....

Way to resuscitate a thread. Good topic, tho. "It's for the kids". Absolutely. "One of my most memorable (insert activity here) was with (insert Scout name here)." Absolutely. That's why we do what we do, some of our threads not withstanding. And so I have experience. One of the things WB is supposed to teach is the idea of "leaving a legacy". Look to my previous post , the "leaving a wake " nautical metaphor. Yes, I can have a salutatory affect on some boys, that's what I remember from my days as a Scout, the men (and women)(Dad and Mom, too) that set examples, gave me standards, applauded my successes and helped me correct my mistakes. That is one of the things I seek to do in my time as an Adult Scouter. But what about that legacy thing? How far can I spread that? I do a lot of Adult Training. I help with the Cub Leader Specific, IOLS, and Round Table., among some others. I get thank yous, and see the "aha" moments. I see I am doing something right. Maybe, just maybe, some of me goes into the Scouting that the WBer gets from me , from the IOLS course I help with. "Oh, so THAT'S how you do/respond to/manage that", and that little part of me is passed on to a Scout waaaaay over there, not only just here in the neighborhood. Look at the conversations we have here. How many of them are about successes? How many about events and incidents that should not need to be discussed here "if only" the folks involved had been "TRAINED" in the Scout Way... ? Are all WB/IOLS/CSLS/NAYLE courses the same ? Well, theoretically, yes. They all utilize the same curriculum, but "the work is done by whoever shows up". Some courses and training turn out to be superior to others. "Hey, you gotta sign up for Xxx Y's course! He's great !" All Scouting is local, despite what Irving may say, after all. "If I am doing something right, tell my boss. If I am doing something wrong, please tell me." See you on the trail.

Here is an idea I have used. Go to the local Scoutshop. Look in the leather working kit section, and you will find a leather fleur des lis (Scout symbol). Turn it up side down and squint your eyes alittle, see if you can't make out a short canoe against a paddle, if you cut off the upper (lower?) hooks. Cut off the hooks, punch a hanger hole in the "handle" of the "paddle", outline the canoe and write on the date and such NEATLY with a black ball point. Voila ! A custom canoe trip award....

""The Many Problems With Trump's Boy Scouts Speech " by Ted Genoway, Eagle ""I’m an Eagle Scout. But I’m glad my son wasn’t at President Trump’s Boy Scout speech."" https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2017/07/25/im-an-eagle-scout-but-im-glad-my-son-wasnt-at-trumps-boy-scout-speech/?utm_term=.bbc8f91e7cd8

"Stuff happens". Scoutson staffed at the 2010 Jamboree. We drove him down and helped him schlep his trunk etc. to his staff camp, and met his roomies. shook hands/hugged him goodbye and left. When we picked him up twelve days later, he was tan and fit and had stories to tell. One of them involved the number of staffers that were kicked out on the second or third day for marijuana use. He also said he was glad I suggested a padlock on his trunk, as others reported stuff missing.... Sad.

Wow, way to resuscitate an old thread. We never did hear back from onetallmama, did we? Guess we scared her off with our encouragement as to how to work her group.... And yes, Welcome @@Bridget_in_MD. I am in Mungumry County Murlin..... Or are you up near Balmer?

"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and supporting your government when it deserves it". = Mark Twain =

Here's the model for Irving's statement: From Marc Ryan, Lake Erie Council SE, the day after.... Look to the 25 July page.... https://www.facebook.com/LakeErieBSA/

Sounds like a new manager wants his fiefdom to be operated his way, make his mark, leave his org in his image. Loss of face to face? How is IOLS , WB, other training to be done? Scouting is NOT an "online " activity. It is an out in the woods activity, if you catch my drift. I was a Deputy District Commissioner, a few years back, show you my patch if you like. I was told it was a "specialized" Commish, mine was to be helping with new units, which I did. Then I was "promoted" to Assistant DC, and told the title of DDC was to be "retired" from the National lexicon. Sorry for your angst, Tahawk. Maybe they are trying to economize by eliminating underused DEs.... naw, couldn't happen. The DEs will be made Assistant Chief Scout Executives, bet. Wait a bit. They will feel the heat from the volunteers, the lack of "service" from the pro's and presto ! Eastern Service Area, Western Service Area, River Bend Service Area..... See you on the trail.......

Antique gear.... This was my Scout packframe, lashed a Yucca pack to it.... http://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-US-Army-Marines-Packboard-American-Sea-March-1944-/232173807534 It's up in my attic. I am surprised, that when I took it to a Troop meeting for a "show and tell", none of the Scouts had any interest in it, but the Dad's mmmm'ed and nodded.... Back in 1959- 60, it was all the rage at Philmont.

""SUPPORT THE PARMIGIANO INITIATIVE >>>> MAKE AMERICA GRATE AGAIN""

Three words no Scoutmaster wants to hear: ""HEY ! WATCH THIS !!""

""We pick a week in July and hike for 7-10 days."" umm- mmm-mmm. Yep, that's the way to do it. Go south. Work with the rotation of the earth to help push you along. And, just look at the globe, heading north is always uphill...

Please hold the iPad to your shoulders and feel my back pats.... Are you hiking with anyone else? Are you headed into Maryland?

Hat courtesy... a contentious topic historically. Here, in Scoutworld, the answer is.... "It Depends " Tsk, Tsk, Tsk…. The subject of “Hat Courtesy†goes back at least 400 years. For our purposes, the short answer to the original question is… “It depends†. Back in the 1600’s, in England and in many other european countries, folks that had a hat on (and the wearing of hats had as much to do with unwashed hair as with anything else), were expected to take it off as a sign of respect to their “social superiors". There was no law about it , it was just expected, and if you didn’t you might be hauled before the local Magistrate and thrown in jail. Quakers were the first to challenge this, they chose to treat all as equal before God, and kept the hat on, even indoors.. And were thrown in jail for their timerity. So Jews wear their hats in temple, and elsewhere, “church ladies†wear theirs seemingly everywhere, oldtime male Quakers would wear their hats in Meeting (worship), taking them off only if moved of the Spirit to stand and speak a message. Sihks wear theirs everywhere, so do our Muslim brothers, if they wear any. Our military direct that theirs be doffed indoors, unless in a ceremony. Scouts? If it is "the uniform" (Cub Scout Day Camp uniform, Uni of the Day at Camp Woebegone), keep it on and salute as usual. Take it off in the dining hall, indoors, tuck it in the back belt. My Woodbadge cap kept the sun out of my eyes and rain off my head, but got tucked into my back belt when I entered the “barnâ€, my Quaker sensitivities not withstanding. I took my hat off not out of “respect†for any person, but as part of the expected routine. So, “it dependsâ€.