SSScout

"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? "

True, the necker was added to the uniform both as a "tool" with which to "be prepared" and as a set off from the rest of the society. The neckerchief of my Scout days was designed by the Scouts of that era, just before I joined. It now shows it's age, with some nicks and tears. It is very distinctive, has a patch on its apex that by itself would probably cost 6 or more dollars today. Triangular, It is 4" on the diagonal bigger than the standard necker the same Troop uses today, and that is the standard, Scout Stuff necker. I too bemoaned the YSL necker the Scouts promoted thru the '80's and on. It was a cravat, not useable for much of anything else. My home Troop later opted for a bigger necker, tho still not as large as the one I display at CoH in February. The utility (or lack of it) of our uniform is often noted . The pockets, toughness, (?), comfort (?) mark the Scout uniform as a useful item, not just "fashion". The necker and it's woggle/slide is often pointed to as THE item that marks a Scout around the world. As said above, it is often the ONLY uniform the Scout actually has. Go to any World Jamboree, (2019 !) and the neckers are prime trading items. I would favor the Troop utilizing the necker again as a utility item. Make it BIG. Make it DISTINCTIVE in color and pattern. And USE it for a sweat band, head covering, neckcovering, , scarf against the cold, Make it inexpensive enough to wash and wear. Signal flag, swim towel, blindfold, leg tie for games. Make the Cub Necker a Scout Necker the Cub can "Grow Into". I have seen Kindergarten teachers and day care folks use neckers as ID for their kids on field trips. Everybody with a Bright Green necker is OUR kid . Easy! Don't negate the item from poor choices of reasoning (small size, poor design, no practice or encouragement with utility). Make better choices !

Like I said: Tell the Scout/parents to call the Council and get (at least) a local Commissioner on it. The Scout should deal with Council, who, if they have their job descriptions correct, will either (1) deal with a disputed Eagle application (no Unit) or (2) help him transfer to an active, sympathetic Troop or Crew ..... And in the mean time, the Council will deal with the non-chartered unit by contacting the IH , the COR, and removing the registration of all the adult leaders and helping those Scouts desirous of continuing in Scouting to find a good unit. Commissioners?

Do songs count ? With apologies to Roy Orbison) OWLLY the Lonely, (hoot hoot oot hooty hoothoot) Works their ticket into the ni-i-i-ght, Owlly the lonely, knows how hard it is to get it ri-i-i-ight. Maybe tomorrow (hoothoothoothoot) I’ll get it DONE (hoothoothoothoot) Then no more sorrow (hoothoothoothoot) Sonofagun ! Pa –tro-o-o-ol Gui-i-i-ide (Gilgilgil wellee doowha) Comes around, woggle in haaaand (Gilgilgil wellee doowha) Co-urse Di-rector (Gilgilgil wellee doowha) With the Necker , he does stri-i-ide…. Around my neck (dumdumdum) The bead thong goes (dumdumdum) Critter song sing (dumdumdum) How does it GO????? BA_AAAACK to GIL_L_L_LWELL, Hap hap hap ha-happy Land… Wo-o-ork my ticket…. If I CA-A-A-A-AN Maybe tomorrow (hoothoothoot) I’ll git ‘er DONE (hoothoothoot) But until then (hoothoothoot) LETâ€S HAVE SOME FUUUN!

Again, why should the KIDS join Scouting? Why should the KIDS convince the parents to support Scouts? It is ultimately not the membership "policy" (we have no need to create a Sexuality Merit Badge) , it is the PROGRAM. Go read/write in the "Where is the adventure I was promised?" thread.

""Adult intervention""? If it involves going INTO the tent/cabin, that would need a parent or guardian. Emergency situations? You do what needs to be done, deal with the legalities later. Speak at length with the parents. Maybe might need TWO adults for an "intervention" to meet the requirements. In general, do everything in public view. At the Jamboree, I was asked to counsel some troubled Scouts. I would say "step into my office" and sit down in a field 20 yards away from the camp, where everyone can see, but we can speak quietly. We are here for the Scout. Thank YOU, Mash (may I be so familiar?) for your work on behalf of our future.

This will fall to the Council. The Eagle and family will end up being disappointed by National's attitude: No charter, no advancement. Period. It will be a "disputed" Eagle... Sad but true. No fees paid, no paperwork filled out, charter, no unit.

1) If you are the Den Leader, make sure the other parents AND the Cubs know this. The Parents should make clear to their urchin of this fact. Doesn't hurt to do this publicly, let the Cubs see their mom/dad nod in unison when you make this "announcement". "In loco parentis" still applies. 2) Make no threats you are not prepared to follow thru on. If you make conditions (beads, candle burning, time outs, not attending, whatever) do it and don't look back. When the discipline/reward time has passed, move on to the next thing. A past punishment must NOT be used for a future problem. 3) Use games, "statues" or exercises ("Den Leader Says !") when the Cubs reach their limit of attention. Reward all the den when everyone has been successful at the project. If one has been less than attentive, reward him for what he has accomplished. This is important. Gradually, the problem child will see he can get attention for the "good" stuff as well if not better than the "bad" stuff. 4) Realize that you may never understand their home dynamics. Makes no difference, ultimately. As the Cubs mature, they realize that some of their "home" behavior can be appropriate outside the home, some of their "Scout" behavior can be appropriate at home. But not all the time, same as at school, for instance. 5) Yeah you're just a well meaning volunteer, but that is the best thing. You are not PAID in money to do this Scout stuff. You don't have to do it, do you? Your family's well fare doesn't depend on it, not withstanding your own Cub? You are doing it (we hope !) because of your love of the kids and Scouting, at whatever age you ,and they , are. Thank you for your work on behalf of our future. See you on the trail.

Christian Children's Fund became the Child Fund International so they could more easily include non-Christian children in their efforts. Same idea? Or different?

Girl Scout Cookie sales soar with brutally honest opinions of "THE COOKIES" : http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/girl-scout-makes-honesty-her-policy-for-cookie-sales/ Thank you , Charlotte McCourt. And mentioned by Mike Rowe: scroll down to 19 February: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealMikeRowe/

Scouting is an easy target, I guess. We can google and read about the theft of Christmas trees, Troop trailers, SUVs on campouts with Scout gear inside, money from Girl Scout cookie sales, money from Boy Scout popcorn sales, gear from Troop Scout Huts, "welcome to the big city". Everyone else does not live by the Scout Law and Promise. Doesn't mean we should abandon them as our ideals. Set the example, be the role model....

For some unknown (to us) reason, the Scout had his Eagle award held up. For some unknown (to us) reason, the Scout is estranged from his home Troop. This is sad. His Council saw the wisdom to "make things right", and make the award of the Eagle to this Scout. At his desire, the Scout can celebrate , with his parents and family, his accomplishment. An Eagle Court of Honor can be arranged with the help of the Council that "made things right". The Scout, with family and friends, can plan on Barbecue or cookies or ice tea, with candles symbolically on a log , as he desires, with his family and friends in attendance. He should, I feel (but that's just me), invite the leadership of the home Troop. They did, after all, help him along in this accomplishment, gave him the opportunity, even if things did go awry toward the end. . Maybe thru an intermediary that can help "make nice" between the two. The Scout should, at his desire, ask his favorite Scout person to say a few appropriate words , of inspiration and congratulation and closure to this chapter of his life. It is, after all, the beginning of another chapter. Or he can take the package from the mail box , open it, and put the Eagle pins and patch in the back of his closet for another time and place. I say do the party, such things are, after all, not just for the Scout. Rather, make it a time of healing and rejoicing, not of remembering the hurt. Congratulations to your Scout, Belladonna, and see you on the trail....

The difference in rope is very telling. Manila will stretch some , but not as much as nylon/poly. I tried to move a big rock with a block and tackle using Plymouth Goldline, and I just watched in amazement as the rope stretched and stretched and stretched but the rock did not move! I doubled the length of the rope, and it did not fail! Finally the rock moved, but wow....

I like the website you reference. That said, I have never seen a working Monkey bridge (county fair with public guided over it? Camporee? ) with a less than 7/8 or 1 inch manila hawser on the foot rope. This is expensive stuff and needs to be taken care of each up and down, but it would, I think, give more confidence in the construction. 1/2 inch for the hand ropes and ties. I especially like the double a-frame supports. And the ring tackles for tightening.

""Show me what a man does with his hands that I may know his heart." = Amish Proverb =

522. It is a sad Reflection, that many Men hardly have any Religion at all; and most Men have none of their own: For that which is the Religion of their Education, and not of their Judgment, is the Religion of Another, and not Theirs. = William Penn (1644-1718) Quotes, from “Some Fruits of Solitude†1682 =