SSScout

Well, when you get right down to it .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nDhzrSFef4 I forgive the enterer for her spelling problems and lyric transposing.

Well, when you come right down to it ..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nDhzrSFef4

"Glorified plumber, sez the surgeon. Give them both Scout salute.

" A Scout(er) is Trustworthy." If a responsible adult signs up (fills in the three pieces of paper, turns them in to the Unit Commish or District Adv Chair somehow, registers thereby and gets a BSA ID number, takes the online YPT and maybe the MBCounselor online course) as a MBC, makes sure he/she is on the District/Council MBC listing, and answers his/her phone when the Scout (not the parent??) calls , we have a going concern. The number of possible MBCs should be cumulative and inclusive. For comparison, When I wanted a Aviation MBC, back in the days of Lilienthal gliders (!), I had to call the Council office, they gave me the names of the two (!!) in the entire Council and both were over the river in Virginia, maybe an hour drive from me. I called one, was interviewed by him extensively over the phone. Later, my dad took me over to his house, and I remember being his sole interest for maybe three hours, him and me and my "exhibits". Today, we can find a half dozen Aviation MBC in our District, if we know who to call to get the list. That is the secret here, finding the listing. The man I met way back when was a retired airline pilot. Most of the MBC nowadays are "interested parents", who may/may not have a career/history in Aviation. But they should, if the Scout is lucky, require the Scout to fulfill the requirements in the most fulfilling way. Could a responsible mother fill the role of a MBC for Nuclear Science? I can't say from this distance. "It Depends". Same with any MB. It depends.....

I bought a Texsport tent several years ago and have been quite pleased with it. Labeled "3 man", it is very commodious for 1 large Scouter, or two Scouts. Sealed the seams (expected_) and it has served well in many storms. They even sent , gratis, a broken hook for the rain fly.

Some years ago, a local Scout (Eagle project) developed a peer training program to help identify and help friends "at risk". It was done with the assistance of pro counselors and was a small success. His project was hooked into some national programs, but I can't remember which ones. Perhaps this one: http://www.suicidology.org/ncpys . Yes, video is dated , but hey, use what you can. Invite the discussion. Ask a local counselor to help. Like the Scout says, "be prepared" BEFORE you need the skills and tools.

"It depends". Reporting service hours is keeping score. The hours worked SHOULD be counted, it just matters how... 1) Consider: Did the first project actually accomplish something worthwhile, despite having to be "abandoned" ? Was it a total waste of time? Did somebody benefit from the effort? Anybody? 2) Hereabouts , we have a school requirement for "Student Service Hours", whereby the student is expected to do some volunteer work in the community. Soup kitchen, church, Cub Scout Day Camp, litter pick-up, lots of possible possibilities. The requirement is that it must fulfill some need from an "approved" agency, not just on the student or family, say, say-so. Can the workers on the first project use those hours, still? The school systems give awards and recognition for mucho hours or creative projects. Even Eagle service projects can be counted. 3) I must agree with Col.Flagg here. As was reported above, the Scout planned and managed a project with some obvious success. If the hours were worked 'in good faith" for a previously approved project, and , as has been said, it had to be "abandoned" thru no fault of the Scout or his supporters (wow !), report the hours. I would separate them out from the "successful" project, but definitely report the effort expended. Report them for the Eagle BoR, report them to "Good Turn for America (or whatever it is called now). Report them for the units JTE. 4) After all is finished and in the can, I might be persuaded to take this story to the local media and explore exactly what and why it happened. Some bias perhaps? Some unforeseen licensing/permitting problem? It would be educational for the next Scout who might have a similar idea. Perhaps the City/County needs to see what happened, not just the Scout and his supporters. Talk it up amongst the Scout intelligentsia of the area. 5) Lastly, at the Scout's ECoH, I would give him the "Stick -To -It -tiveness" Award (a nice mahogany plaque with his name and date and a tube of Cryacrilic attached ). See YOU on the trail.

"Special Neckerchief"? Eagle, Woodbadge, souvenir of Jamboree/Philmont/Camp Whosis... I have a "Smokey Bear" Forestry service necker in my collection. And an Amangemet Wipet (OA) award necker. And a Chaplain necker. And a District Leader Award necker. I have never heard anyone complain about any Scout necker as being inappropriate or "not allowed".

Now here's where "one shirt fits all". All First Class Scouts. Seal in plastic? Showcase it on the wall? I'm thinking it is a neat idea for encouragement, but this shirt is, I think, going to have more wear and tear than an ordinary shirt.

Yes to all the above. ** The Pack budget and checkbook should be open to all interested parents. Come to the Committee meetings and raise your hand. ** Likewise, the Pack Committee and leadership should be available to all, not only to those "registered" people. Then too, why not just fill out that piece of paper and be counted? "The work is done by whoever shows up." In our neck of the woods, anyone showing up for the Committee meeting is on the Committee ! ** Any fundraiser should be for the UNIT, not the individual (another discussion, another thread). This does not mean the Scout can't receive an "award" for his efforts, hence the Airhogs, and Starwars and even pocket knives (has he earned his Whittlin' Chip?) given out . I suppose the parents could ENCOURAGE the Scouts to donate their award to the Pack, but I have not heard of REQUIRING such sales numbers be pooled for the purpose of garnering a Pack prize. I suspect the Council would frown on such things, but you never know. ** Such "pooling" might be a deterrent to some parents, if not the Scout. "Why should I do work if I don't get credit for it?" But that is part of the lesson to learn. Even the record popcorn seller in our Council ($26,000. gross !) didn't make any issue of the fact that his Pack used their portion for a new PWD track, entrance fees for some trips for ALL the Scouts and other "group" items. He was recognized for his record efforts with a certificate, applause and some toys. I know a Troop that bought a new trailer. The Scouts that pooled their "campbucks" for it knew they couldn't take it with them when they graduated from the Troop, so they bought the trailer, signed their names on the INSIDE for bragging rights. Off to adulthood they went.....

Welcome (back) to camp ! Pull up a stump and pass the chili and chips...... If you listen to any 10 of us here, you'll soon hear 12 opinions...

1953 Brit First Class Scout Test: http://www.thedump.scoutscan.com/firsttests.pdf Can't find a web copy of the BSA First class requirements from , oh, say 1960's when Morse Code and signaling was still required. Seems to my poor fevered memory there was more "campcraft" stuff required. Time required between ranks, must be First Class to begin earning MBs, ummmm.

First , you need a sympathetic DE. He would "probably " be signing the charter on behalf of the BSA. Like most things BSA, "it depends". You need the charter org, the interested boys, the responsible adults. And a desire to have fun with your kids (you have no idea how many parents I have met who have no conception of that last thing). Doesn't hurt to have a really really Scout Gung Ho person to shepherd things along. This person would need to "be there" most of the time to help answer questions, point out possible problems, possible blessings and hold hands of the new leaders. Sounds like a "Commissioner" to me. An old Eagle Scout might fit that bill. Traditions will be started. Ceremonies designed and held. Awards sought and made. Patches sewn on. Trips to Cub friendly places pursued. Cub Scout Day Camp signed up for (preposition?). Knots tied. Crawfish found. Hikes trod. Songs sung. Cheers cheered. KiS, MiF..... See YOU on the trail.

Yeah, RivetSmasher, I keep telling these ol' boys and girls that fire is not a good thing around electronics. A virtual crackerbarrel is much better. The cheese and crackers are even more lo-cal that way. I bet you have some good stories to tell. We'll see you on the trail...

Six plus pages about the Scout Neckerchief. Not Handkerchief. Not Kerchief. Wow. Find/order/read "Matching Mountains With the Boy Scout Uniform" from 1929. https://www.amazon.com/Matching-Mountains-Boy-Scout-Uniform/dp/143256918X I was lucky to find a copy in an second hand thrift shop. Look to page 87 chapter "The Necessary Neckerchief" . It talks (at length !) about the symbolism, practicality, and "necessity" of the BIG neckerchief. They list no fewer than 50 (!) uses. Signaling, horse harness, first aid, boat rigging, game team ID, sun protection, dust mask, all kinds of things the Scout might be expected to "Be Prepared" to whip off his 'necker and do. Oh, he was in Uniform at all times, right? So , us Concerned People are concerned concerning why Scouts don't like wearing the uniform, don't like wearing the neckerchief, don't like wearing a ""Scout"" hat, (shudder) don't like being identified as a "Scout"? Am I hearing a pattern developing here? My favorite response to the peer query " Oh , you're a Boy Scout? Woo Hoo !" was "Yeah, I went to Philmont and hiked a hundred miles in the Rockies last summer, What did you do ?"

"Put some ink in every space" is the usual rule when filling out a form. If the Scout totally and correctly fulfilled the requirements, I fill out everything and sign . If only SOME of the requirements fulfilled, I do not sign the final slot, but fill in the rest. In the requirements section I note which requirements are done (Okay) and strike a line and write "PARTIAL" across the rest as I initial those. I give the Scout my note with my name and numbers on it and wait (!) for them to call to meet and finish the MB. It does happen.

Three rules/ideas/guidelines are involved: #1) "We're in this for the boys and girls". #2) "The work is done by whoever shows up." #3) "It doesn't matter who gets the credit, just so the kids get the Scouting". Keeping these in mind, my understanding is the following: The charter belongs to whomever signs the papers and takes the responsibility. This would mean the dues go thru the "resident " Council. The Scouts, therefore, would belong to that District and Council. Howsomever, the Scouts can go and participate wherever their friends and homes are. So the Troop/Pack can be sponsored by the Muddy Creek American Legion (which really has no good place for them to meet in) in Blessme BSA Council, but meet 5 miles away in the Smoky Glen Volunteer Fire Company, which have the closet space and social hall available and is right next door to the Scout's school. If all involved are happy with the arrangements and the Scouts get out and about safely, I see no problem. All you need are some DE's that are really "Scout" oriented, and not in it for the money (so to speak). See you on the trail.

Once upon a time at a camporee, I was caught under a dining fly with a new DE during a torrential downpour. In the ensuing conversation, I found out he was assigned to a neighboring District, but owing to our present lack of DE in our own, he was assigned to "cover" ours. I asked him if he could come to a Committee meeting of a new, struggling Unit to "meet the troops" and "wave the flag" for us. After he heard the location and sponsoring org, he responded that " Oh, I have people to do that. I'll tell them to visit." (end of discussion). His "people" , it turned out , were the other Commissioners I worked with, so they told me later, when he called and TOLD them to go visit this "problem" unit (not merely troubled, as I had said). He was not a DE in about six months.

Ustabe the Scout would READ the handbook, SEE what he needed to do, or pick out the things he WANTED to do and plan accordingly. "hey, Aviation Merit Badge. Neat. ummmm, , I could do that.... I build models... Dad? who do I contact for this? " Now , it seems the Scout WAITS for someone to ask him to earn a badge, and TELL him when he can earn it on this weekend, and like that. Or am I wrong in my observation? Scouts that come to a Bugling Merit Badge Class without a horn, without any practice, without the Merit Badge Book or printed Website sheets.....

Once upon a time, a boy joined a Scout Troop. He had been a Cub Scout, had heard from older friends that this Troop went camping and stuff like that, and it sounded fun to him. His dad and mom said okay, and signed him up . At the "joining" meeting, the Scoutmaster had a little ceremony to welcome him and the other new boys into the Troop. He presented the boys with the Troop shoulder patches (number, town name, state ) and talked alittle about the Troop's history, which back then wasn't too long, being only five years, but they had been to Philmont, and had hiked some of the Appalachian Trail. The new Scout, now much older with a grown, adult Eagle son of his own, remembers the Scoutmaster presenting lastly the new Scouts with the Troop's bright red neckerchief. He said that it had been designed by boys in the Troop, and noted the motto on the tag end , "Always On The Go". He warned the new Scouts that it was a motto not to follow, but to live up to, that they should never be afraid to go places and do things, that they were now Scouts and should never, ever sit still for too long. He then asked the Patrol Leaders to come up and welcome the new Scouts into their Patrols. Everyone clapped and cheered. Then we practiced knots and planned the next camping at "The Property". The same Troop no longer has a "Property", now has a generic, stock BSA necker, it is light blue. The Scoutmaster of today is new and learning how to encourage Patrol activities. The Scouts sit at their tables and wait for someone (an adult?) to tell them what to do.....

Faith: Just saw you post. Thank you for your energy and obvious organizational skills. Something not yet mentioned: Cub Scout Day Camp. Being one of the Camp Directors (Program, Campsite, Prime Director, or however your District names them) can be a very rewarding and fun thing. You can do such as a Commissioner, or Assistant Scoutmaster or just an interested Scout Volunteer. Being recognized in a neighborhood grocery and having a Boy Scout age (!!) boy point me out to his parent as "that archery man" is one of my favorite things . My Good Wife was the CSDC Director for her five year term and I know (despite some occasional word to the contrary) enjoyed every challenging minute of it. I therefore became the "First Assistant Everything Else" (my official title !) . Mention Cub Scouts and things happen. Free or cheap gear and supplies. Special appearances (astronauts, trucks, bulldozers, hawks, raccoons, airplanes and helicopters, Egyptian pyramids, knights on horseback !) . And the Cubs eat it up, despite their parent's misgivings. Contact the District folks and raise your hand and say "I want to take the training and help ". you and lots of other folks will be glad you did. See you on the trail.

T shirt: "Please remain calm I am a Boy Scout". and "Don't Mess with the Boy scout. He knows places where you cannot be found."

""The Work Is Done By Whoever Shows Up"". The Institution Head and Charter Organization Representative , whoever they are, have sway over the choice of Unit Leaders. 1) No one can deny access to the Committee meetings. Even the Committee Chair, which, now that I think about it, how was she chosen? Did the IH and/or COR choose her? Was she the ONLY one who raised her hand when the job was first discussed? Was there any kind of election? And hey, what if someone is Not a listed Committee member? Fill out a Adult Volunteer form, take it to your COR for signature, give him the check for dues, voila, you are a committee member. Now, basically, in our Troop and Pack, if you show up at the Committee meeting, you are , ipso facto, a committee member! You help decide! You will be given responsibility for an event! Don't show up? you have no cause to complain. 2) Make sure the IH and COR know who is the "Treasurer" of record. The CO owns the Unit, legally, and the assets thereof. They should know this. 3) As has been said, concentrate on your Den. Make sure the boys have the Scout fun you can provide them. Get them dirty. Get them active. Go places. See things. Earn awards. Enlist the parents and make sure they get the Scout experience they deserve, too! 4) "In you spare time", take training in other areas, take your Den parents with you. Anyone can take the Cub Leader Specific training, not just the "CubMaster" types. The education will be eye opening for them. Oh, by the way, are your Pack and Den Leaders "fully trained?" Just thought I'd ask. 5) If you see the necessity and have the spare time (!!), take Wood Badge. Take your other Den parents with you. Yeah, it's time off work, but the money can be found thru Council Scholarships, Union scholarships, Church scholarships.... 6) The only way a Scout unit can go bust is if folks let it. Is it worth the effort to try and save it? Should you "abandon ship" and jump to a better run Pack? Only you can decide that. You and your spouse and Cub. If he is having fun and learning some from the Cub program, that is all the impetus you need to do one of those two choices. Your efforts will be an example for others , regardless. I wish you and your family smooth trails. Good Scouting to you !

Would you rather have your child "play to win" or "Play to be better"? That is what I asked my team parents when I coached daughter's local soccer team. Scouting may, indeed, be a "Game with a Purpose". What do folks see as the purpose (for THEIR child) of the game of football? Soccer? Traveling Baseball? I often speak of the "soccer syndrome", meaning the parent wants to drop the kid off, and come back in 2 hours , having trusted the coach to teach the kid How To Be an Adult. I guess I also would include the schools, too. Teachers and coaches are often seen as the "professional" that can do the job of child raising ( not just knowledge relating) better than the parent. Perhaps that is too simplistic. It also includes the role of "sitter" (as in baby?). Here is a place, situation that will devolve me of the need to watch, care for, teach, example my child. I see a Scout unit , properly done, as allowing the child to observe, be instructed in hand skills, and learn from his/her mistakes in cooperating with others in obtaining a goal. Living in camp, traveling by foot, building a tower or catapult or just setting up a dining fly. Maybe a good sports team does that. Maybe we both set unobtainable ideas (pro sports? Eagle leading to college? ). Is just being the Scout Law (recite it here to yourself) is sufficient?

"Ummm. Well, what do YOU think, Tom?" "Ummmm. Well, what do YOU think Kevin?" Ummmm. Well, wht do YOU think, Pete? "