SSScout

I have not seen one idea mentioned thru this interesting thread. If this Scout is truly a "climber" (nothing wrong with that !) , it might be noted that his effort is a challenge and example to the other Scouts in the Troop, who might just be coasting along in the fun of just "being" Scout. Perhaps the fun part of Scouting (game with a purpose ?) is sometimes lost in the fulfilling of requirements. The fun and the quest for requirements should go along together. The recognition of the attainment of skills (First Class) is important, and the passing on of tradition and those skills from older Scout to younger can be lost if not encouraged by the Adults. Each Scout should be treated as an individual and all Scouts must be treated equally and fairly. What is the culture/policy in the Troop? How has the SM, CCh, AdvCh dealt with other Scouts? Is this perceived "problem" truly that of an individual or is there another , greater problem ? Are other BoR's being delayed? Should this be dealt with over a cuppa or in the Troop Committee meeting? I am sure this soon-to-be Life Scout will be satisfied in the near future. A Scout is Cheerful and Loyal and Obedient.... and patient?

Finished the IOLS weekend. Nice BIG group of nascent Scouters. My Fire safety/building instructor was fascinated by the idea of "alternative" fire starters. Not your usual pine cones, Mountain Laurel, fuzz sticks. So we talked about and demonstrated:: : *Original Fritos. * Peanut butter on saltines. * Pringles. * Crisco candles. Any others out there , any favorites?

Scouting every where is voluntary, a kid joins because he(she?) sees some benefit /fun for themselves in it. Except for our LDS friends. I recently finished an IOLS weekend. We had , oh, maybe three LDS folks with us, had a nice conversation with one man. As is usual, he said he had been "assigned" the duty by his Bishop of being the next Scoutmaster (his son was a Cub presently). His son had been "signed up", Scouting is the youth ministry, and had come to love it, owing to the good leadership in his Stake. Perhaps that is the exception? So, why do we (here on SdotCom) think Scouting is a good thing for kids? Why do kids join? Why do parents not support the kids that want to be Scouts? If LDS resigns from supporting the "Senior Scout" programs, what can we do about it? Our Council has five up to now long lived Scout Ships. One is dechartered (no kids joined in the past three years, no adult leaders stepping up) and one is in trouble the same way, despite well meaning PR and media coverage. Why teen agers would not want to "mess about in boats" is beyond me, but there you are. No sign ups of late. LDS Scout population was not volunteer, it was "volunteered". If the Scouts/Venturers transfer into other units, it is because they see the fun/benefit/social connection possibilities, not because their church wants them to. The final answer, I think , is that Scouting will become leaner and more efficient. It was never meant to be appropriate or the end all for every kid. But it is seen as, and has the reputation of being, one of (if not the) best youth program around. Would you be the CSE for a buck? Or do you NEED the six figure income for the title?

Merit Badges are fun and a worthy challenge, if one has a knowledgeable MBCounselor. That is the trick. Let's say you want to do the Music MB. What's to prevent a Scout from going to his school Band Director and asking him/her to sign up as a MBC? Go to your District DE or Troop Advancement Chair, and obtain the three pieces of paper to fill out and the list (four webpages? Is that a list?) of online training to take. Presto! another MB opportunity ! Does your Council require a membership fee for signing up as a MBC? Some do, some do not. Our Troop pays the fee, it is a one time, life-time thing. No more fees if you keep your YPT up to date. The same can be done for just about any MB. Farm Mechanics? Chess? Aviation? The problem is finding the good candidate to be a MBCounselor. See you on the trail !

At any Eagle Service Project, the only question should be "who's in charge?" and the only answer should be (must be?) (pointing to the Eagle Candidate) "HIM." Adults in attendance? Good idea, not required, except for good guidance and use of tools and equipment the kids can't use. Troop committee member attendance at the project? Nice but hey, if none are there, what does that indicate about their support of the Troop Program? It certainly does not reflect on the Scout, if the rest of his project is in place and working. Who gives approval of the project's completion? Not the Troop committee, not the SM, not the parents..... has to be the project's "beneficiary", yes? Scout12: any repercussions for the Eagle Candidate, I hope we have given him some guidance, but it is up to him....

We have pummeled this expired equine enough. The Council can not "take over" a unit's project. The Council can ASK if the project could be SPONSORED by the Council, in which case, the Council can do it however the Council leadership wishes, but then it is up to the Council to do the legwork. Even if the Unit has not done the Fund Raising Approval Request (who does the approving in the Council office? I wonder....), no one can take away the event if it is lawful and not against Scout principles (no gambling, value given for the price accepted, publicly held...) . Sell them Holiday trees. Hannikah Bushes. Christmas Greens. Smile and wave as the Council walks by. !! Maybe counsel the Council > > > ( OO-oo ! University of Scouting Class !!) as to How To Hold A Successful Fund Raising Holiday Greens and Tree Sale !!

"It's not about YOU, it's not about ME, it has to be about US..."

1) Take Treasurer, ComChair and yourself (nascent CM?) to the Bank. Cancel old account, decide whose signature will be on the account (two or three ?) Create a new checking account and sign new signature cards. Cancel any Debit cards. Do not activate any new debit cards, ONLY do paper checks. 2) GO back to Committee, announce new policy of MONTHLY financial reports from treasurer. Start with present balance. Decide /agree who has permission to spend how much when. Who will keep the Check Book. 3) Make sure CO and COR and IH are fully aware of past events, if THEY choose to pursue some form of recovery, fine. Do not put yourself or the present Unit leadership in any bind over it. You are the "new sheriff in town". 4) Move on. Give your boys the Scouting they deserve and want. 5) Be examples of the Scout Promise and Law for your boys, unlike what seems to have occurred previously. 6,7,8....) If none of this will work, if you have any push back from the other Unit parents/leaders, find another Cub Pack that will live up to (not down from) the Scout Promise and Law. Good Scouting to you, Tiger, See you on the trail.

Two years ago, my home Troop asked me if I would be an Adult Presence at summer camp. Scoutson had graduated two years previous, but I kept in touch with Troop as the Commissioner. No other parents would escort the boys. We had twelve good Scouts wanted to go to camp. The next up SM was going with his newscout son and so I agreed, that made the necessary two Adult Leaders. Wife was not happy. Why should I put out, we were (so she thought) done with Scouting, if the Scout parents want their sons to be Scouts, shouldn't they "take up the reins"? Maybe they should be the ones to explain to their sons why they were not going to camp. I am really glad she had no way to actually speak to the Troop parents ! ... But I went. Being somewhat senior in the situation, I became the SM du jour, so to speak. I had the necessary training and certs, so I went. We had two Patrols, one new SPL, and the soon-to-be new SM as my adult partner. When we arrived and set up camp, I was approached by the Camp Director . Would one of us adult leaders be willing to staff a Camp activity? They were lacking several staff positions due to illness and general lack of local Scouts, evidently. My partner and I talked, and when our boys were out and about, I helped at the Axe Yard. Poor kid there was overwhelmed. He had just been told "you're the Axe Yard Counselor. Teach Toten Chip. Safety, etc. " and left there, basically to set things up and make it work. I worked there for four days, every afternoon after lunch. Leave the camp? Ha! They had most of the Troop adult escorts helping at the various camp stations.... crafts, nature, Trail to FC, every where were Troop Leaders. It was sad the camp couldn't make things work for the boys without the Troop Leaders to help, but there you are. Our Scouts had a vacation, earned some stuff, played Hearts in the evenings. Our newish SPL earned a camp patch for the Troop. My partner learned how a Boy Led Troop might happen. Came home and made up with wife.

Money needs to be accounted for. Any money "raised" for the project, no matter how raised, if left over, should belong to the project beneficiary, yes? "A Scout is Trustworthy."

(Ancient history). Hike in Washington State Park, Maryland. Bright sunny day. Troop of, oh, 20 Scouts. Point comes to a big fallen log and hops up on it and hops down, hikes on. Second hops onto the log, hops off and hikes on. Third hops on, SCREAMS ""BEEEES!!!!!"" and hops off and runslikehell. Yellow jacket nest under log. Point and Second look back (I'm maybe fifth), wonder what's up, quickly come to the realization of why their buddy screamed "BEEEES!!"" and take appropriate action. Swarm is flying forward, Fourth and me wake up, and turn to run, barging into the rest of the Troop, who soon , after picking themselves up, turn and run, too. Point, second , third are by now waaaaay up the trail, the rest of us are waaaaaay back the way we came. Scoutmaster(s) is/are following us back. It probably took us an hour to collect everybody, walking waaaay around the log. No one is stung (!!), I forget whether we left a warning for the other (if any) hikers.

I'm with jwest09. Look for alternative indoor stuff. Is there a local museum you might ask to have "lock in"? Archery in rain and high winds just ain't right. Gin rummy tournament? Bowling for Scouting? Indoor pool? Look at the map and see how close you can be to the original site and ask for help.... The name of "Boy Scouts" will open many doors.

Oh, one bit of personal experience. We planned the sort of thing you mention (with mixed results the first time) and thought, "hey, why don't we invite the Girl Scouts to share the gym with us? Brownies are good people too." So we got in touch with the GSUSA, and found the only GSTroop in our school was led by the PTA president! Wonderful! When we asked her, she said (quote) "oh no, we have enough Girl Scouts, we don't want any more. Thank you just the same." And that was my introduction to the difference in philosophy and operation between the BSA and the GSUSA....

As the ol' Scoutmaster said, "It depends". On the activities: Pinewood Derby? Campsite? Crafts? Cub races? Fish in a Bucket? Bike-a-Ree? On the date : No homework? No concerts or other competition? On the time: Right after school? Saturday afternoon? Morning? Evening after they go home and have to come back? If "right after school", is there supervision so the kids can stay and then get picked up? Do they need a note from mom? On the weather: 'nuf said. On the advance publicity and it's density and repetition. Back pack notices? PTA newsletter? Posters? Guidance office? PA announcements? Morning TV show? Word of mouth? Buddy invites? Room moms? Dedication of the Pack Scouters.... Who will do what when? Like the coach said, no one ever missed the shot they never took.

Yeah, talk about being chauvinistic. ""... our particular group isn't very outdoor/building oriented.... "" Just try to help a GSUSA Troop be that way. Sometimes a dad (or "outdoor oriented" mom) can affect a change, but IMHO, you need to get the girls in Daisy's first. My buddy Ted formed (after much internal GSUSA angst) a Daisy Troop for his then 6 year old daughter and ten of her friends. The local Council , I think, gritted it's metaphorical teeth, but the girls and their parents loved it. They went crawdad hunting in the streams, and cabin camping, and learned to "cook" outside of the usual kitchen. Most of the group is still together, even tho Ted and family had to move out of the area .

Once upon a time, I tried to register for a course that had a prerequisite. TPTB said I had not taken the prerequisite. I knew I had taken it, had the little card with the old Scouter's name on it. Phoned Council, asked to come in, we'll straighten it out. Went down to Council, sat with "registrar" ( they no longer use that title) for more than an hour. Turns out 1) there were (are?) FIVE people in the Council with the same first and last name as myself. Only one "junior" (me) and two with my middle initial (only me with the exact middle name). AND 2) I had course/training records under THREE BSA membership numbers . It seems some of my trainers had used different variations of my name thru the years (James E. Smith, J. E. Smith Jr. , Jimmy Smith, etc.). AND 3) Some of the cards I had (Ms Registrar even knew the old names of the trainers) weren't listed at all. At the end of the day, I had only ONE membership number, a freshly done list of trainings, experience and a new thing to tell people I taught in IOLS etc. INSIST THEY USE THE SAME NAME EACH TIME YOU TAKE A TRAINING.

When the Troop Meeting Room Is Sold..... http://citydadsgroup.com/nyc/2017/04/scout-office-closes-ridgewood/

Matt: I call it the "Wake" effect. Our passage thru life affects many others, and hopefully we have an effect that helps rather than hinders. The smile I give, the door I hold open, the branch I don't let slap back into the face of the fellow behind me on the trail... all do something to let that "other" go on their way without feeling worse than when they encountered me, because then the next person THEY encounter may get a better response, a better smile, a slower door closing and that may make THEIR passage more worth while and then they may stop and help with that flat tire.... One wave can affect many boats.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." = Yogi Berra = After a semi successful session teaching the Bowline to Cub Scouts, one smiling Cub holds up a tangle batch of cord and asks me, "What knot is THIS ?" "What's your name, Scout?" "Jesse! " "Well, I think that's a 'Jesse Knot' ! "

Are they still considering combining "Pet Care" and "Cooking"?

Somebody has way too much time available.... Only fair results. Maybe in my short perusal I missed these, but Did They Consider.... ** Tightness of knot? ** Skill of knot tier? (self actuated indeed...) Who pulled it how tight? ** Material used? Cotton stays tied better than synthetics. Roughness of surface, etc. Every sailor and "pioneer" knows a sisal or manila rope will hold a knot better than a nylon cord. ** While laces are snug around a foot at rest, the lace will stretch a mite and the foot will shrink a mite as it exercises and the fluid/blood collected in the foot at rest gets pumped out . Hence, a loose lace will untie easier than a tight lace. Because... ** A properly tied , snug SQUARE bow will stay tied. A GRANNY bow will loosen by dint of it's own construction. Pulling on a Granny will untie it. ** One of the reasons for the flat lace is it jams more effectively than the round kind. Which did they use? ** Can this be replicated with other cordage? Bet they lost their grant on this and couldn't continue....

Umpteen years ago, my first wife decided she wanted her "freedom". I won't go into the details, but I eventually had full custody of our then four year old daughter. A single adult male. In the ensuing years, I was visited by my daughter's school staff, her best friend's father ,after allowing his daughter to visit our home, refused to let his daughter come again, I coached (with a male partner, out in fields) my daughter's soccer team (after three seasons, we were the league champs), daughter first wanted to join Brownies, but TPTB decided I would NOT be a GSUSA Leader. Daughter decided she did not want to be a "fashion and cookie" Scout (her words). I came to understand our unique situation, my unique situation. With help of other family, we progressed. There was always , it seemed, something hanging over me, us. But I think my previous reputation certainly did help, in judicial, social, and familial considerations. Now, the daughter is grown, the stepsons (second good marriage) are grown . All , I believe, have come to see the past situations as "learning" to benefit from. The youngest, Scoutson, is grown and almost on his own :-) . As a now "single " male in Scouting, I do what is appropriate in this climate. As a Jamboree Chaplain, I was called on to counsel some troubled Scouts. I would invite them to "step into my office", which was the hillside outside their camp, in view of a ASM. We would talk there. I was asked to speak to an adult Scouter, we stepped to the far end of the Dining tent, and he vented. I copy all emails to others. I was once asked by a ASM in our Troop to NOT cc him in every email, he was "tired of deleting my uninteresting stuff". I explained to him my need to apply YP standards to my communications, and he ultimately apologized. He had not considered that idea. I counsel Bugling MB. Folks have asked, couldn't you CLOSE the Band Room door?? I tell them no, I have to leave it open... And smile....

"His own genetic tree"? Scoutson's project was rehabbing the Rabbit Barn at the County Fair. He did have some Scout folks in helping, but in reality, the majority (in numbers, anyway) were Four H and Rabbit Breeders Club people. As has been said, the only Scout required to be there, is the Eagle Candidate.

Must be a loooooong way to go for meetings. And that makes HOW many Districts in the Council? Our County here in Murlin had three, then ONE big one, then six small ones then one big one with three service areas and now three Districts. Looks like the BIG Council is really four "Service Areas". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scouting_in_Michigan . "Stay tuned", I guess.

No COBAL? No FORTRAN? Why did I waste my time in college....