SSScout

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 =

Look for new bumper sticker: "" Support the Parmesan Initiative: Make America Grate Again ""

Stosh: Absolutely. "Beat To Quarters" did not refer to a race for twenty five cents. :-) Patrick Reynolds produces a comic for the Washington Post, here is the best internet version I could find of the "Bugle" strip: http://www.redrosestudio.com/Civil%20War.html I pass out copies with my MBclass.

Stosh: I feel your pain, so to speak. I have gained a bit of reputation herebouts as "the" Bugling MBC. I am always surprised if not disappointed by the Scouts that sign up and arrive (1) without a horn (the listed prerequisites always mention that) (2) bring one but can't even make a buzz with it (what's a horn for?) (3) haven't even SEEN the MBBook (that is mentioned in my prerequisites too) but have printed out the MBWorksheet but not even looked at or filled it out (4) think the Bugle was invented during the American Revolution (had a Scout say that this past weekend) or some such (5) I tell them they do not have to memorize the calls (altho most do learn them by "ear" ) but can read the chart. And then , even if they are in the school band or town orchestra, can't read music! The look on their face, as if, "you mean this is music?" (6) I have had Scouts actually admit they came expecting to have the Blue Card signed off for merely coming and listening to me talk and/or play. And then, I meet the Scout who has practiced, has played at camp, knows why Tattoo is different from Taps, realizes that a silver/chrome trumpet mouthpiece is better than the poor brass mouth piece that came with the bugle. I had a 6th grade Scout that played cello (!) and wanted to play trumpet. He was good. Knew both bass clef and treble clef. After an hour , his tone was better than the kid that played (so he said) in his 5th grade band. Last MBDay, I had two sessions scheduled, 5 Scouts in each, morning and afternoon. Three showed up in the morning, two in the afternoon. Ten paid the fee, five didn't come. Oh well. The morning three: two had horns , one "oh, I forgot". Only one could make a good tone, much less play any calls. The third "borrowed mine, and had a good tone, but hadn't practiced any of the calls. We practiced, I demo'd. Bugle only has five, maybe six or seven (if you are really good) notes in it's scale. We sat and talked about philosophy (what is music? What does it MEAN to "EARN" a Merit Badge?), history (ancient Romans, etc. How Taps was created), actually making money as a bugler (Bugles across America), care and cleaning, how to make the tones, why bugles are useful, how they might even go to camp and get PAID to be there if they can play. I demo'd the calls and techniques, played my CD (available from , ahem, Scoutstuff) and gave'm small partials . Call me when you are ready to play the calls, I'm available. Afternoon pair were better "prepared". We did all the talking as I described above. One had a trumpet, one a real bugle , both could "buzz" and make some of the scale. Both played in school bands . We worked and number two convinced me he could, if he wished, read the music and play the calls. He had played at summer camp for his Troop. He needed more practice and to develop his stamina. Number one had a better tone, but struggled to make the full five notes. He needed to hear the calls and connect the notes he heard with the black dots on the page. Both had written new calls , (req. #2B), this is good! Neither had the note from their SM about serving as Troop Bugler. Number two's SM later sent me an email attesting to number two's Bugling service. I signed off on #2, gave #1 a partial . And, yes, if I sign a partial, some do call me back to demonstrate the calls. I will meet them at their Troop meetings and listen to them. And that's what Scouter dot com is really for: venting and sharing success stories. See you on the trail.

Once upon a time, I was named an Asst. QM as Bugler for a Wood Badge class. Course Director had me at his elbow most of the time, I was also expected to carry the "official" time piece (oversize clock duct taped to my wrist) and set the time to "do" things with my calls. One morning, I got up early, as usual, to play reveille to find most folks were already up and in the wash hut , 10- 15 minutes before the time. I played Reveille maybe three minutes early (hey, they're all out and about already) and the CD chastised me gently for not being "on time" ! At the end of the 2nd course weekend, the class was asked to fill out some evaluation/comment pages, "why did YOU take WB? Were you satisfied? Why should ANYONE take WB? etc.". Among the "learn new things" "renew my Scout Spirit" "hear it from them that know" kind of comments, I was gratified to read in one their reason was "to hear awesome bugling." Bugling MB every chance I get.....

oh, we get the word out. The email news does that. Problem is getting folks to hand it over to the Newsletter so it can be sent out. Often, one person has one email list , somebody else has another. I know on the list I use for the WODSRTNews, I have emails for folks that haven't been seen in Scoutland for years, but we're afraid to delete without their request. In the old days (remember the aroma of ammonia?) , the newsletter would collect stuff over a , what, month? before mailing it out, and the plans in the newsletter would be set sufficiently in the future such that folks could PLAN their plans. Now, in the eNews, it seems folks want it NOW for later so they can decide what is the "best offer", I guess. And since they don't have the calendar posted on the 'fridge to look at, they hope there is a weblist somewhere to look at. And who is it that updates and organizes that? Is it on Facebook? Dropbox? Council website? District page? What if one still uses the library computer (save a lot of money that way, true) and has to go there to access the listings? Well, come to RT and pick up a printout. "It's in the Program Calendar we pass out in June..." Now, where did I put that?

qwazse: Well, heck. Lemme know when you're in the neighborhood, I might be up that way again at Heritage with the Troop again can't never tell.

Oldscout448: Yes. Look for the parking lot full of old station wagons! Desertrat: "The work is done by whoever shows up". Sounds like a good group. Pass the Samoas, please....

LeCastor: Anytime, look me up, White Oak District, NCAC. Qwazse: Seneca? Really? Tap in. We may be combining in May with Potomac..... Constant Contact may have advantages , but I haven't been allowed to try them out yet for eNews. We just do an ordinary email list with a saveable, printable newsletter attached. Seems to work, at least until Verizon insists that I divide the emails into separate listings of 40 addresses each click. Oh, well. Semper gumby.

Aw, come on gang, it's a robbery, this poor excuse for a human decided it was an easy target. He could've mugged somebody in the parking lot, but he chose the easy target. Gun control? Doesn't help after the fact. It got so much news coverage because it was a Girl Scout, not an otherwise poor woman or man on the street. Read "The Weapon Shops of Isher " by Vogt. Might as well blame the Boy Scouts for not getting this boy into a Scout Troop. Might use this to talk about the need for after school programs, job training, better opportunities for youth, Guns are used because they can be used, and they are often seen as the thing to use, and the easy thing to use. Might blame media too, for modeling violent, use of guns to get what you want. Work and cooperation is booooooring. What did I hear on TCM this evening? speaking of old movies vs modern flics, " back then we couldn't blow up buildings, so we had to have good stories and develop characters..." .Pass the Tagalongs....

"Funny you should mention..." I are the RT Commish, took over when the previous moved and the replacement only knew how to Power Point.... Show a picture and read it to the assembly. I even have a "staff" of an assistant! I feel your pain, LeCastor . Limiting announcements is critical. Eliminating "death by power point" is important. Providing interesting, (dare I say) entertaining information is necessary. RT serves , or SHOULD serve several purposes:: Information, a chance to discuss common issues, a chance to schmooze with like minded folks, a chance to connect the face with the name. I recognized this early on, developed the email contact list, provided topics some months before the date, and strived to provide speakers, presenters, info of interest. My first RT was a podiatrist who spoke about foot care, socks and boot selection, blister prevention and care. Wow, hadn't done that before! I continued: No printed agendas, everything is written on a white board on the wall (Sunday school class room). Everything to hand out/pick up is on a table out in the hall. Scout cartoons on the walls . I run the RT like a mini Troop meeting: I start ON TIME and end ON TIME. Opening/gathering, PoA, Announcements (SHORT!) ( Necessary stuff is on the table out front. Computer references are given in our email newsletter ) , presenter/topic to discuss/exhibitor, wrap up, "Commissioner's Minute" , recite the Scout Promise, "Godspeed" and go home. Unfortunately, we are not allowed any food or refreshments in our meeting space. We do not use "Breakouts", we meet all in one body (Boy Scouts in this room, Cub Scouts down the hall). Sometimes, we rearrange the chairs in a circle for open discussion. In June, we have a cookout, demonstrate some "scout skills" , the privilege of the cookout is hosted by several Troops, we have use of a nice backyard fire pit. In July, which is usually considered a dead month (Scouts take a vacation?) so I host a "Oval Table" at a local restaurant , Dutch Treat, and we just visit and talk. May is "Program Launch" so we line up a bunch of exhibitors who are eager to present their opportunities to Scouts: BSA things, museums, County Parks, Climbing walls, Red Cross, Sea Scouts, Religious Awards, last time we had 25 exhibitors, a neighboring District had at least 50 exhibitors. I have learned that as RTC, I must insist that I am in control of the event. I have even politely, gently had to remind my DE that he should ask for time on the agenda.... Things are written on the white board (dates, time, names, etc. ) and if folks want to take notes, they do. I encourage cooperation and communication between us Scouters. "The Work is done by whoever shows up", so it is with the RT. The BSA intended this event as a means to communicate and network. It becomes whatever is desired and expected by whoever takes on that responsibility. I realize that RT will never reach everyone, (other things will need to be attended to) nor will everyone see it as a benefit to be utilized . I will say , however, that I have doubled our attendance in the past years. Your mileage may vary, as has been oft said. See you on the trail.