SSScout

Craig dot Noah, Sit ye doon, lad. The Haggis is aboot doon.... Seriously, welcome to our virtual cracker barrel. Lean in and grab some of that chili dip....

The Scout promises to follow the Scout Law, yes? Scoutmaster Minute about number nine... What does that mean? Is The Bank of Mom And Dad going to be there tomorrow? How do YOU want to pay for your camp out? Summer camp? How important is Scouting to YOU , the Scout? How do YOU pay for the stuff you like? Is it really dependent on TBoM&D? Back in the day, I agree with the previous poster that , it seems we often got together and raised our money thru part time jobs, car washes, selling donuts, ... It has been often observed of late that our kids today seem not to have a grasp of how we keep score in this game. Money is exchanged for time and talent, and then exchanged for "things" we want and need. Food, shelter, adventure, health, fun, travel, knowledge. TBoM&D is too often assumed. Our family early on had the conversation with our kids about this. Scoutson wanted a model tugboat. Remote control , fun to be had in it's construction and operation. He collected his birthday and Christmas checks from Gmam and Uncles and worked for a local farmer (he works for him even now! Made that connection!) took a small loan (he signed the papers to us!) from TBoM&D and bought it himself. That tug could actually tow our canoe! Many hours of enjoyment, until it was attacked and nearly sunk by a jealous Canada Goose on the local pond.

And look to Brian's Blog : http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2017/02/17/scouting-service-award-combines-five-awards-into-one-cool-new-square-knot/

""The Work Is Done By Whoever Shows Up."" BSA is well known in it's ability to ignore it's own guidelines if it means the Unit is up and chartered. "Some ink on every line" is the mantra I am told to repeat in times of chartering. It is certainly advisable and desirable to have Active leadership listed , rather than merely space holders on the applications. Who approves? Who is willing? I have known folks to come to me and say, "I never said I'd do that." when it is discovered that their name is in a slot. What is desired, as has been noted, is that the Uniformed, Youth overseeing positions should not also be the "civilian" overseeing positions. But then too, we all tend to have more than one hat hung on the Scout closet door rack, don't we?

Frank Buck, Theodore Roosevelt, Darwin and the Beagle, Shackleton, Hillary, Lewis and Clark, Jacque Cartier, Vitus Bering, William Beebe, Jacque Cousteau, Hernan Cortes, Michael Ryan, Roy Chapman Andrews, Noonian Sung....

That is all that is required, that the Scout love the program. You (metaphorical "you", I trust there are more of "you" out there in New England) are therefore doing something right. As you may have gleaned from these pages, we feel the Happy Scout is the one who will continue in Scouting, that that is the ultimate standard of the program. Who wants to play " the game" (no matter WHAT it's purpose), if it is not FUN ? Oh, and welcome to our virtual Cracker Barrel ! Have some chili dip over here.... And my mom was from Brookline, MA.... Bearess: Why do you think ""the Lion program isn't popular here"" ? It has had a nice welcoming here in the Wash DC area....

If the adult/parent views camp escort duty as a "chore", yeah, you will have a hard time filling those roles. **Discuss with the parent/adult how it can be a mini vacation, away from home. It is not a rough and rugged camp out, not "Philmont", not this time. The adult can offer help in any event, as they see themselves able, but it can be a sit and watch, or walk thru the woods, or sit and fish type of thing. ** Offer them a letter from the Troop or camp or council (work this out with your DE and SE) addressed to the fellow's boss/company, testifying to the adult's worthiness in helping to grow "good, responsible citizens" thru the Scout program, and thanking the boss/company for allowing their employee time off in this important endeavor. They will get back a better trained, rested and enthusiastic employee, etc. And MEAN it when the letter is written. Examples of this are all over the web, especially from Greater Pittsburgh Council. Looks good in the employee record folder. Makes the boss feel good. Oh, make it a PAPER letter, not just email. I always saw the signing of several hundred of such letters as a worthy responsibility of a Camp Director or Scout Executive. ?? Bonding with son? Maybe, but not so much bonding as the growth of respect, one to the other. Setting an example for the Scout? Sharing of skills and stories? You are not camping with your boy so much as beside him. Pity the poor parent who does not regret the time they could not (would not? ) spend with their child.

Have you heard about the dyslexic, agnostic, insomniac Scouter? Poor fellow was awake all night wondering if there is a Dog?

Could this have any significance vis a vis the Challenge Run scheduled for The Summit, where the website offers beer after the run?

Here is a test for the Eagle Service project: If someone arrives and asks "what can I do to help"?" , everyone else should point to the Eagle candidate and say "ask him".

A minor feudal fiefdom. Questions to ask/explore, all with a smile and persistence: Who is the Unit treasurer, how much money is in the till, who is the Unit sponsored by/chartered to, who is the Institution Head and the Charter Representative (these you can get from the Council office), . Do all this with politeness and an offer of cooperation and gratitude for what others are doing on behalf of Our Youth and The Future Of America. See you on the trail...

Q: No, not really. We just spoke about what "our" Troop did. I do not remember anyone mentioning the "instructions". ((read the instructions? What a concept....)) As the RTC, I did not think it my place in this instance to mention that,,, the instructions on the card. I did ask leading questions, and was surprised at the various choices we heard. The SM who mentioned #2 is one of our prime movers. Very much a "boy led ", high adventure Troop, known by example and reputation. And they keep the cards as a service to the Scout? I still have my cards in that shoe box in the back/bottom of my closet. Small box, but still....

Stosh: That puts you in "my" category. Seven times seventy....

RT last night: Discussion point meandered from "Does the Scout need to keep the Merit Badge Worksheets after he is awarded the badge? " (no, not necessary. Not even necessary to earn a MB.) to "Who should keep the Blue Card, because the MB is ALWAYS entered into the Council Advancement Record, right?" Choices testified to: 1) Blue card is the final record of last resort. one piece stays with Merit Badge Counselor. Second piece stays with Troop records (Troop Advancement Chair enters electronically to Council) and third part stays with Scout. He can do with it as he wants. Shoebox, special book, desk drawer, whatever, not our problem. He also gets a special card with the patch at the CoH. 2) Blue card has three parts. One stays with MBCounselor, second part stays in Troop records until the Adv Chair enters it in the Council electronic records, and then this card is MAILED to Council. ("we've always mailed them to Council") , third part is put in a record book (baseball card pocket page) that the Troop keeps(!!) until the Scout leaves the Troop. Each Scout has a book the Troop Adv. Chair keeps in a cabinet at the Meeting site. Scout DOES NOT keep a piece of the Blue Card himself. 3) Blue Card has three parts. One part stays with MBCounselor, one part stays with Troop in a special file , which is cleaned out periodically (?), third part is STAPLED to the special card the Scout gets with the MBPatch at the CoH. Scout receives a Advancement Record every year, listing his ranks, MBs (with counselor listed), PoRs, and dates associated with each. Such a choice , some I never would have thought of. But then, I'm not a Scoutmaster.

"""Trump also berated Senator John McCain for being a prisoner of war.""" If you listen carefully, you will see Mr. Trump berates anyone who does not agree with him or who he is jealous of.

Dang, you are good ! I promise to hijack every single page to pass around here in Beltway Land! Here's the page on Dropbox we made for promoting Scouting (admittedly, local notations, change to your own) : https://www.dropbox.com/s/45xmncmcrbzb0k2/ScoutsPromotionstuff.docx?dl=0

Gumby: I think you have most of the understanding here. A Charter School around here is a privately established school that is essentially "licensed" by the public school district/department to operate. Any ordinarily acceptable student may attend there, but the curriculum is somehow adjusted. More tutilege, more concentration on a particular subject, they wear a "uniform", their staff is hired by the Charter school not the PSD , something sets it apart from the "average" public school. But They do get public school funds. They may raise other funds, too, but it is publicly supported, primarily. A totally private school depends on NO public. government funds. Since the Charter School is , technically, NOT a government run school ,( as you say, a separate tax ID?) they could, I think , charter a Scout unit. Learning for Life units are specifically, so I understand, intended for those public school situations, with unlimited acceptance.

I like the cut of your jib, bbender. Things to remember and , perhaps, the windmills we tilt against: #1) "The work is done by whoever shows up". As is the way in most volunteer orgs, 90% of the deal is done by 10% of the people. Doesn't vary much. The challenge is ALWAYS getting that 10% up on the line. And, remember, it doesn't have to be the same 10% all the time ! #2) What I call the "soccer syndrome". Many (dare I say most? Nah....) modern parents look for an "expert" to do things with/for/to their kid(s). Take the kid to soccer/Scouts/school/sunday school/karate etc. and let "the expert" mold the kid into a nice , well behaved, educated, knowledgeable child "I can be proud of". How to convince some parents that , yes, they do know what to do, and yes, we do have some training to help them do it. Being a parent is something you can take pride in, but YOU have to do it, not just Mr. Scoutmaster/schoolteacher/coach/Youth Pastor/Ms Parole officer....... " I don't know anything about this Scout stuff, but I want Jimmy to get the advantage of this camping/hiking stuff. Here, do your thing, Mr. Scoutmaster." #3) Most of the folks I work with in Scouting and elsewhere, (church, clubs) if there is no paycheck dependent, (I'm retired), being personally asked is how folks get involved most often. "Hey , I need some help here". only works at Scout camp when the folks are already Scouts. Broadcast emails? Don't have to deal with it. Post cards, printed newsletters? Might get more attention, posted on the fridge at home. Phone calls, and face to face are often the only way to engender cooperation and the jumping in that gets the Blue and Gold organized. but most often, once they get their feet wet, so to speak, it is easier to enlist them in other projects (CSDC, Camporees, trainings) #4) Sometimes, not having the B&G happen is the only way to get folks to realize that SOMEBODY has to step up and take the lead or things aren't going to happen. Sometimes , after you have phoned every parent in the Troop, despite all entreaties and ideas on how to make it happen , there really isn't anyone to accompany the kids to summer camp. Too bad, but sometimes it happens. Sometimes you have to go over the head of the parents and make sure The Boys know what is or is not happening. Then, you may be surprised how quick things can turn around . Is it really "all about the kids", or not? See you on the trail....

Thank you, perdidochas and David CO. Good to have up to date info. I did know of K of C's in this area that did In the past.... Wonder why that is, tho?

As to the requirements #1a and 1b being redundant, I see them as being first answering the question "what if" and then "What do I do if". Maybe they are somewhat overlapping, but , hey, let the Scout tell you about how not to get sick and then how to deal with food poisoning AFTER it occurs, despite the best efforts (have you really done your best?) to prevent it. Advancement Forum, perhaps?

The "Work Sheet" is not the thing you need to consider. Go to the Merit Badge Booklet, either the "real" one, or the virtual one. Read the requirements, do not read anything into them, just talk/discuss/do the requirements. Often, MBCounselors take the so-called Work Sheet as the real requirements (and like quazse said, there are lots of them) often are not on the Work Sheet.. There is no "official" BSA worksheet for any MB. These are a tool developed by others to help in the instruction and meeting of the requirements, but they are NOT, per se, "meeting the requirements". In my career as a MBCounselor, I have come across the Scout who brings in a "work sheet" and thinks that he has met the requirements by filling this out. Can he discuss the subject in person? Can he "tie the knot" in the real world, so to speak? That's what is important.

Well, it is good to know we now have a "Faith and Chaplaincy" forum to discuss ... oh, wait...

Here is where the BSA has been trying to have it's cake and have a snack too. Scout Packs, Scout Troops, Venture Crews all are of one type of Charter . Learning For Life are NOT considered "Scout" units and have a different program, which specifically does not dis-include anyone. No requirements other than attending the fun stuff, after school stuff. Are we perhaps discussing LFL units? My understanding is that since no governmental organization (military bases, schools, testing labs, embassies, etc.) can exclude anyone from it's activities for religious, gender, or other reason, BSA will not charter a Scout unit to that entity. Hence the creation of Learning For Life. Any responsible organization can charter a Scout unit: hardware store, PTA, Lions Club, church, Volunteer Fire company, "Friends of Troop QPX", Knights of Columbus, Hospital Foundation, Sierra Club, almost any group wanting to help kids camping....

Scouting, of any nationality or region, is a promotion of "IDEALS". If one strives to meet and live by those ideals, they are being, IMVHO, a better than the average human, ... Is not our purpose, as "SCOUTERS" , then, to encourage young folk to see the benefit to themselves and the rest of the world of striving to meet those ideals? To see the advantage of those ideals to human , if not the Earth's existence? If one strives to live by the ideal "me first, everybody else fend for themselves". well, I guess that explains a lot of the world's problems, ultimately. The fact that we have centerlines on roads is part of the Social Contract we modern folks live by. The internet hackers that have found electronic ways to steal others' bank accounts without even going into a bank to say "put the money in the bag" are evidence of the ultimate "Me First" generation. I have had raincoats (with my name and phone number in it) disappear off chair backs after Scout meetings and never appear again. I have had whole backpacks be returned, untouched, to me when left behind on the Metro. I have had drivers give me the finger AFTER I let them preceed me on the off ramp. I have had folks wave me on when I tried to slow for their progress. Should the CO pursue the miscreants in court? Possibly. It would make it easier for the BSA to , as Shift would have it, "discipline" those folks out of Scouting. On the other hand, would that lack lead me to believe all Scouting is a waste of time? I doubt it. Sometimes paying no taxes is legal, sometimes not. Depends on 1) the law 2) your lawyer and accountant 3) Your desire and sense of "fair play". As Dr. Kent M. Keith said in his famously misquoted poem said," Do good anyway". See you on the trail.....

Camb: In advance, welcome to 'Merika ! All the suggestions above are good and correct. A lot can be found out from 'our friend Google'. Some more to note: National Capitol Area Council has two nice campsites, I dare say will be gearing up for hospitality: Camp Snyder, near Haymarket VA, and Goshen, in the south part of VA, near Goshen VA. Also, other nearby Councils may offer camp hospitality, notably Baltimore Area Council and Blue Ridge Council. Tidewater Council , out near Norfolk VA, and there are others .... Be advised, there is NO railroad near The Summit. Closest AMTRAK station is Thurmond West VA, (? 30 KMs by road? ) but the road into Thurmond will not allow (it ain't big enough) busses. Unless the West Virginia Highway folks really do some work, the roads into Thurmond are SMALL. Then too,if you look at the map, one might be led to think you could HIKE into The Summit, cross country. We will see. International folk will be coming into BWI-Thurgood Marshall (Baltimore) or Dulles (Wash DC/VA) or Philadelphia (a long ways) or somewhere else, and bussing into The Summit. Stuff to see/do: Harpers Ferry, US Civil War, Beckley WVA Coal mine (into the dark !) , Washington DC, Baltimore MD (Inner Harbor, Ships, etc.), Richmond VA has many sights. IH hostels in Harpers Ferry, Wash DC. and Philly. I think the Baltimore hostel closed. Time to start planning, I guess....