SSScout

My favorite is the J. C. Higgins stove my dad in law gave me. Bought a propane conversion kit at Dick's for $15. and voila ! Fires up, cooks, boils, I figure that steel cased suitcase must have left the factory in , oh, maybe 1950..... It has two moving parts: A lever to shift the gas from the first burner to the second, and (on the propane converter) a turn valve. No use for the liquid gasoline tank, the leather gaskets dried out a long time ago. Hurricane insurance....

Do not give the Cubs homework . Give the PARENTS the homework. Kids read because they love to read. Parents who read to their kids regularly, every day , at bedtime, at lunch, from the newspaper comics, from "Treasure Island", from "Good Night Moon", from Donald Duck comics, from the school text books, they have kids that love reading, and get something out of a book. My folks read to me even up into the 4th and 5th grade. We read to each other. I watched my folks read. I watched (and copied !) my folks writing, letters, reports, news articles. Perhaps the Den Leader reading from Gary Paulsen's "Hatchet", Charles Lindbergh's Biography "WE" might get their Cubs interested in the Bear Book by comparison. Is the Bear /Wolf/Tiger book too much like a Arithmetic book from school to be worthy of their attention at Scouts? Is it possible we lost something else when TPTB eliminated the "Jungle Book " references from Cub Scouting? Yes, the Cubs need to be active, but they also need to see the relationship, the success and fun inherent in the book they pick up. How to do things without being TOLD to do it. They can do it themselves, by READING about it.

It's hard ain't it hard.... I teach IOLS, my usual topic is "Woods Tools". Knife and axe and saw. My home District has some reputation for doing a good job on IOLS, I like to think I have something to do with that. I teach the Scouters HOW to teach and pass on the Whitlin' Chip (knife... what a neat way to recruit Cubs than with a Big Brother Boy Scout teaching safe knife handling? ), then into Totin' Chip (axes and saws, oh my). I was asked to help in a neighboring Districts IOLS, and of course I said yes. Brought all my gear and "toys", set up my Axe Yard, and the Course Leader came up and said, "Here are the Totin Chip Patches for you to award your students when you're done" and handed me a baggie of TC patches ! I said, I can't award these, she said of course you can, they will earn them here right? I said noooo, they are ADULTS, they can't earn a youth award, she said but we always give them out and they are sooo proud to wear them, I said Not from me. I said these adults will learn what is necessary for a Scout to earn it. In passing, if they follow my lead, if I do a good job of instructing, they may indeed do the things to earn it, but no, they will NOT be asked to wear a Youth Award . She was flummoxed, to say the least. I think for the first time, that District did not pass out youth awards to Adult Scouters. Eagle medal? Wear it on your civvie suit coat. . Scouter uniform? Wear the knot. Keep the Eagle Medal in your dresser drawer until you can pin yours on your grandson's uni.

Telephonic communication is hard for some teens, true. Face to face communication is hard. As a sub teacher, I noticed that in the Mid School folks I sub taught. Even back in MY day, I remember how hard it was to raise my hand and TALK out loud. Then there was that girl in French class.... Our District Eagle Coordinators REQUIRE candidates to telephone them for appointments. They will not accept emails or texts. They politely respond, "here is/are my phone numbers, please call me." Leaving a message is even harder. I have had Scouts call me and leave a message on the line of " Mr. Ssscout, please call me about.... Thanks. Bye. " and not leave a name or number or even WHY .... TG for caller ID. Encouragement? Instruction? Example? If we teach (?) Nuclear Science at Summer Camp, why not Verbal Communication. I encourage kids to read the Hornblower novels to learn how to communicate EXACTLY. Nothing like British naval officers to example how to pass on information and instruction.

?? Why would ANYONE want to prohibit a Scout from camping with his family? YP issues aside (always consider them !) , I can't think of a better reason for "crossed over" Scout to come home and camp with his old Pack. Big Brother Scout, show off some new responsibilities, newly acquired skills (or not!). Another excuse to go camping. This is Scouting ! Go Camping ! Money earned thru Popcorn sales are the Units anyway, not a consideration for the Scout.

My Scoutmaster Handbook from 1970 sez, under Star Scout requirements: "While a First Class Scout, take part in at least one service project helpful to your church or synagogue, school or community". It goes on to explain: "It is important to distinguish between a Good Turn and a service project as related to this requirement. A GOOD TURN is a simple act undertaken to help someone else. A different Good Turn is expected of a Scout every day. A service project is also a Good Turn, but it is of such a nature that it is beyond the normal daily Good Turn in both scope and in duration. If, for example, a boy were to serve as a substitute on the school traffic patrol it would be a Good Turn; but , if he served regularly day in and day out for a period of time, it would be in the nature of a service project." In the present Scout Handbook, the First Class Requirement sez: ""Participate in three hours of service through one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster. The project(s) must not be the same service project(s) used for Tenderfoot requirement 7b and Second Class requirement 8e. Explain how your service to others relates to the Scout Law."" If your Scout Troop does a regular duty (mowing the grass, sweeping the sidewalks, taking out the trash, washing the windows...) for your Charter Org, every month or week say, is that a "service project"? Or is it "free labor"? Do modern Troops do "regular duties" anymore? Does your Troop SEEK OUT things to do for others? If your family House of Worship holds a Pancake Supper, can your Scout use busing tables as his S/P ? Must the Scout HAVE to plan and pursue the S/P himself? Can he not just "help" as he is directed? When does the "Good Turn" turn into a "Project" that earns "Hours"? How do your Scouts fulfill these requirements? How to "keep score" ?

Oldisnewagain: You do not define the work as a "service project". The Scout District, the Troop approves a project as a "service project". In your described idea, I do not think that would qualify. Perhaps the contractor would consider helping with the trail construction project in the State Park?

1) If the CD was informed, a report should have been made to the Council after investigation as to who, how, what etc. This is a MAJOR accident, could have resulted in human injury (thank the Lord it did not ?) . Ask for a copy of the report. FORMALLY, ask for a copy. 2) Yes, the Council Insurance should kick in. No "pro" on site? then they will depend on the report from the CD. If it was not forthcoming IMMEDIATELY, it must be pursued NOW. 3) Contact the "tempo" DE for your District. There should be one named, they are probably overworked , assigned to more than one, or the Senior Regional Executive (BSA makes up lots of titles for responsible Scouters) of that group of Districts. Also, contact the Council Scout Executive. Email is NOT sufficient. Write a "real" letter, detailing EVERYTHING you know about the event. 4) Who designed/approved the shooting range? Who was the Range Safety Officer? Did they make a report, sign off on the CD's report? All appropriate stuff to pursue. Something went wrong. No BB should ever leave the range. Same for arrows, slingshot pellets, rockets, throwing knives, hatchets, .22bullets, rocks.... 5) Yes, "things happen". I have stories too, having been a CSDC RSO many times, but responsibility must be taken and by figuring out the lapse in attention (?), perhaps (perhaps !) this type of event can be avoided in the future. Your efforts, dd, can help make this true. I hope this poor accident does not sour you to Scouting in the future. See you on the trail.

"A Scout is helpful." Since when did we start asking folks NOT to ask us for help? Back when I was working on my Chariot Maintenance Merit Badge, our Troop often would ask (especially to our Charter Org) what needed to be done. Indeed, each Patrol was expected to DO something every month: cut the church grass, shovel snow, prune shrubs, help at the pancake supper, usher at service, something.. But I do not remember getting "points" for it. It was just expected and we did it. Things did change when the Eagle Service Project was included. My Eagle needed "evidence" of doing service, "Good Turns", active in school, etc. but nothing like a defined, individual >project< . Free labor? Well, just what is a "service project (either Unit, District or Eagle)" if not that ? Scoutson's was the renovation of the Rabbit Barn siding/trim/eaves at the County Fair Grounds. They provided the materials, we provided the "labor". It would not have been done, save for Scoutson's desire and organizing of his Four H, school and Scout friends and their construction experienced dads and moms.

Such a tragedy, both for the families of the assassinated young men, and the families of the assassins . I attended the Saturday viewing for awhile, but could not stay for the whole funeral service, owing to another previous commitment I was struck by the great involvement of all. Artem's family is Russian Orthodox. Shadi's family Muslim. ( I would have attended the Muslim service but was unaware of it's timing). Artem's Troop is chartered by the Presbyterian Church where Artem's viewing and Funeral service was held. The Troop's Scouts did a grand job , ushering, directing traffic, helping everywhere. I was told some of the Troop's Scouts were Buddhist, as there were also Buddhist monks in attendance. Interfaith co-operation? What better example: One's loss Is a loss to all. When I sought out the family to express my condolences, it was unfortunately easy to identify the mother. She was the one dressed in black, surrounded by men dressed in black, but she wore the "mom's ribbon" layered with all the Scout Rank Symbols (Silver Eagle topmost) on it. I had some good conversation with some Muslim attenders, we spoke of Scouting (one lady said she was a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader). We exchanged business cards, her son spoke up incredulously: "mommy, YOU have a CARD??" It is unfortunate that the more frequent deaths by gunfire in other places often do not seem to merit the same attention, or the same analysis. Any human life is still important in God's view. See you on the trail....

Ditto what Col. Flagg said. I would add: You mentioned TWO different Troops. Make sure to include the Scoutmasters in the ceremonies. Ask around to other parents (make a call to the District Eagle Coordinator) about possible scenarios. Who makes the speeches? Who leads? Who MC's? Eagle Charge? What version (there are several). I personally do not see a problem with wearing the uniform (if they can still fit into it !) for the ceremony and evening festivities and photos. Congratulations to your Scouts. When they are ready, they will "come back" to Scouting. Give them a nice send off into adulthood. See you on the trail...

Courtesy Seneca District, NCAC: ""Funeral services for Artem Ziberov are scheduled to be held at Neelsville Presbyterian Church this Saturday, June 10, 2017 with visitation from 3-6pm and the Memorial Service at 6:00. 20701 Frederick Rd. Germantown, MD 20876 Scouts and Leaders are asked to wear their dress uniforms. Matthew Beyers Chair, Seneca District National Capital Area Council senecaadmin@ncacsenecadistrict.org""

For our BALOO courses , there is a pocket pin http://www.scoutstuff.org/bsa/uniforms-insignia/insignia-metal/pins/cub-scout-hat-pins.html#.WTnoWzE2zIU It is official, nice to have. I still have mine, on my "pin" ribbon.

Stosh: Well, yeah, I agree , when the ego gets in the way of the Scouting , the SM needs an attitude adjustment. But sometimes, sometimes, the SM is the boss. In setting the example, in encouraging good Scouting, in saying "hey, I don't think throwing THAT into the campfire is a good idea." and like I said, when the SM decides that BSA established policy (he had the training, yes?) is not his way of doing things, maybe he does need to be taken aside and , as we say in the Quakers, "Eldered" a bit .

PirateLou: Sit ye down and welcome to the virtual crackerbarrel. There you have true family history. Obviously very important to your grandfather. As has been said, there are FB and online groups for BSA patches and badges . If they appear to be (or you know ) mainly from NC , contact the local BSA Councils . I daresay you will find folks that can give you some info about the provenance (love that word) of your items. Camps that have been closed and sold, events , awards, items given to your Gfather by friends and folks he passed on the trail of his life. Scrapbooking? Display boards? Family reunions? Scout reunions?

Ditto all the above. Sometimes the king must be reminded of the agreement given in Magna Carta. Scoutmasters are "A" boss, but might not be 'THE" boss of the Troop. "it depends...." Why do what should be done? We have BSA policy, well established and published and TRAINED ? We have a Troop Committee and lots of tradition (cue Fiddler on the Roof music) which is very important, but sometimes gets in the way of being "fair " and in the boy's best interest. We have the "Boy Led" aspect, which should always be considered first, except when BSA standards are involved (rank requirements? Safe Scouting? Scout Promise and Law? ) It is always embarrassing when a Scout (or his parents?) brings a BSA book to show the Scoutmaster (or Committee Chair or Advancement Chair or...) something that does not jibe with what has just been said or declared (" you must do it THIS way"). Talk over the seeming disagreement between what is "read" and what is "heard" with others in the Troop community , then ask the Scoumaster to meet with you after the meeting, in the hallway, over a cuppa in Fourbucks and politely ask about this mismatch between his way and the BSA way.... Give him an "out". Try not to back him into a corner, but allow that his heart is in the right place, just maybe not how he wants to guarantee the best program for the Scouts. See you on the trail.

Kitchen duty: Fancy apron, or two. Or three! Silly hat. Sunglasses. Promote the same from the rest of the crew. If it ain't fun, the quality of the food will suffer, even more ! Make sure everything is CLEAN , every day. Sing a cleaning song....

SSF: What you say is true, but remember, it is PATROL competition (I HOPE !!), not individual Scout...

Mzkelly Welcome to the forums. And thank you, Robert12, nice catch... "Et tu, Scoutmaster?" I knew we had seen this sort of thing before. "search function is your friend".... go to http://scouter.com/index.php/topic/28731-i-lost-blue-cards/ on another browser page and come back here to rant some more The Scout needs : 1) a caring, knowledgeable MBCounselor. 2) to follow the instructions on the Blue Card (one part to the MBCounselor, one to the Troop, one part to the Scout ). 3) The name of the Troop's Advancement Chair/secretary/registrar. 4) As the Scout progresses in Scouting, he needs to record EVERYTHING in his BSManual. Dates, names, places. And keep that manual safe. I knew a Scout who had TWO BSManuals: One in his desk at home, one in his hike haversack. He also had a baseball card plastic page three ring binder to keep all the MBCards and Training Cards etc. He was glad he had these records when he had to appeal his Eagle application. 5) Not a bad idea to periodically check the Troop's records against the Scout's, against the Council's (Troop does utilize the internet registration, yes? ) 6) Buy the MBBook. It is a good (nay, excellent) source of information about the topic. It makes a good Middle School curriculum for homeschooling . If Scout READS it, he will probably not need any "worksheet". All the "answers" are there, in the MBBook (surprise !) . Even Bugling and music ! See you on the trail....

To condense the past discussion: (we will ignore the over/under debate...) Reasons to wear a neckerchief: * It is tradition. Scouts have always worn neckerchiefs. *It marks/identifies the wearer as a Scout., recognized thereby thruout the world. ( Noting this, the rest of the uniform might be seen as not necessary). * It (they ) can be used to identify/organize Patrols, Troops, Camp Staff or other Scout groups. In this , the Unit may decide on it's design and construction. * It can be useful. First Aid , bandage, wrapper, sweatband, sun cap, emergency rope, dust mask, game/team ID, * It can be an award for noting a Scout's (or other person !) activities. * It can be used as a mark of achievement (see previous). * It can be a souvenir of a memorable event, or place visited. * It can be a means to secure a new friendship thru trading. Implied: * The slide or woggle used to secure the neckerchief can be a means to exhibit one's creativity. *The slide/woggle can be all the above , in and by itself. Reasons NOT to wear a neckerchief: * It can be itchy, uncomfortable. * "It's dorky", (perhaps compared to a gent's necktie/cravat/ascot?) * It can be expensive, an extra expense. * Fashion statement? HAH ! * They get lost easily. * The slide (woggle) is inconvenient, it gets lost, it is an added expense. * The "useful" reasons mentioned above can be better met with more appropriate gear/items, rather than a piece of apparel. * It has become mere decoration, and has lost it's "traditional" reasons. Let the old time stuff be old. Time marches on. * We don't really "need" it. * Why should I want to LOOK like a Scout? (perhaps there are other dynamics at work here). * If I don't have to tuck in my shirt, or sew on these patches, or come to meetings, or go camping .... what's so big about a neckerchief? I think that's about all....

Like a farmer in his field....

Scouting is not about who is the better Scout Scouting is all about how an individual Scout is better than he was before. I like concentrating on Patrol teamwork .

â€I went out camping with my Scout Troop just last week. The fun and woods there were everything I seek . But I when I got home and counted noses I realized… There must be… fifty ways to lose a camper. Fifty ways to lose a camper…. ҠJust call the roll late, Nate, Get off to the john, Ron, Be in a rush, Gus, just listen to me…. A PL that’s loose, Moose, string out the hike, Mike, Just laugh at that boy, Roy , , , And let those Scouts be ! I called my DE up and told him of my woe, he said he’d meet with me , and so to Four Bucks then we’d go. He smiled and shook his head “You’re not the first,†he said, “There must be… fifty ways to lose a camper…. Fifty ways to lose a camper….†Check your Tour Plan, Stan, run over those names, Ames, call the Micky Dee , Lee, and calm try to be…. Reassure mom, Dom, be cool with the dad, Vlad , get out the cell, Mel, and call the SE.†And so we called the Council SE on the cell. She told us to not fret, she’d see what she could tell. And sure enough, the family called back, it seemed that…the kid had stayed home with a cold all along.......... So wipe off the brow, Dow, Have another cup, Krup, smile and cheerful be, Dee, and set your self…. Freee…..

So go to the National Meeting and suggest it. http://nam.scouting.org/NAM2017.aspx Or make sure your COR goes and makes the suggestion.

""Baloo is required for Pack Overnighters, which are Pack organized events. If it's a Council-organized camping trip (and a District Camporee is technically a "Council-organized" trip), it is not considered a Pack Overnighter so Baloo is not required"" As was said previously, Webelos would need a OWLS trained leader, and might camp with the Scout Troop at the Camporee. Other Cubs may visit and observe, but not camp over night there. Our Council does "One and Son" (parent and cub, Dad and Lad, etc. ) camps at the local Council property, and do not require a Pack BALOO trained person in attendance at those, but they DO require the registration thru the Pack, I guess for registration purposes. The home Troop loves to have Webelos come along on the Camporee, with a parent of course ! That way, the Parent gets an inoculation of Scouting the easy way ! Lots of gear to loan (tent, cooking, extra sleeping bag, etc. ) so it's easy for a novice camper to come along the first time !