SSScout

Sloooowly I turned.... step by step....

1) The BSA model requires a corporate sponsor of some kind: Church/mosque/synagogue, fire department, hardware store, PTA, private school, private tree company, I have seen many different COs. 2) BIG corporate sponsors (Bechtel, what was Philmont named from? ) give money, and do it to gain some "good points" (Karma? Is that a thing in the biz world?), publicity is always a good thing. John H. Smith Flag Pole.... naming can be done as appropriate. Smithsonian Institution comes to mind. 3) Sometimes it is "anonymous" that gives the money to build a camp dining hall, or a new fleet of sailboats. Sometimes it is just the woman who says, "no thanks , don't need a christmas wreath, but I love Scouts, here's $20. " 4) Sometimes it's the Eagle Scout who ages out, takes his "Scout Account" (which he never utilized) and buys the Troop a new Trailer, suitably decorated and down in the corner is the notation "donated by Eagle Scout Jackie Jones, 1998" 5) I do not agree with supplanting the usual Scout symbology with corporate logos. The New Troop Flag will note "TROOP 9999 (Scout fleur de lis) Johnson's Business" if that is appropriate. On the necker? no.... On the sign out front (""MEETS HERE"") works for me. On a T-Shirt? ummmm maybe , depending... On a ball cap? Troop number up front, corp logo on the back, perhaps....

""Check boxes like in school"... But life isn't about "check boxes". We teach history, math, geography, not just to check off boxes, but to TRY and make sure that our progeny don't have to learn the same stuff our GGgrandparents did , perhaps at risk/cost of their lives. Scouting is fairly simple by comparison. We have automobiles and airplanes, but still walk. Blisters can be avoided by .... Shelter is nice, so we set up fabric roofs, held by sticks and rope. Food is better if slightly burnt, so we make fires and cook.... If these things are not TAUGHT and LEARNT and USED, Scouting becomes less fun and more "oh gee dad, do I have to?" The games can , should be used to ensure the skills are there when needed. Ropes and knots especially can be fun and even "magical" . Teach the chain knot, demo the shortening loops, Show both the INSIDE Bowline (correct) and the OUTSIDE Bowline (works, but incorrect) and the LOSERS Bowline (looks right, fails miserably). Build Lookout Towers to teach basic engineering and lashing AND knots. Watch Master and Commander , and/or The Old Man And The Sea..... Scouting? Well, what is Scouting? Remember B P's response to the question: "...prepared for what?" " Why, for any old thing...".

Your SM is missing an important idea here if he/she is only concerned with "knowing knots". The Scout's attitude toward the ideals, the lore of Scouting, her/his expectations of Scouting is what should be the goal of the SMConference. I have known Leaders , not just in Scouting, who might "twiddle" with a piece of rope while they talk, gives one something to think about . Way before I was "just a twinkle in his wife's eye", My dad was a steel rigger. He had never been a Scout. When I became a Scout, I found ropes and knots to be alot of fun and very useful. My grandfather on my mom's side had joined the navy , but was under age at the time, so when he was found out, he was discharged. He saved, and I have in my "files" his joining and discharge papers. He had taken training on the USS Constitution (!! ) when it was still used as a regular training ship. Talk about rope work..... I thought this was infinitely cool. I inherited stuff, often my dad took old things in as payment for his landscaping work. From his workshop, I found/took in 200 feet of 7/8" manila rope and two double sheave blocks. "Block and Tackle"... I used that for lifting and moving things for many years before the rope finally gave out. Manila does not stretch appreciably compared to nylon/poly. I once set up a rig where by a bunch of Cub Scouts had fun out pulling all the adults in the Pack. Try buying that kind of gear at today's prices..... Use knots? Ropes? When I have the opportunity to train adult Scouters, and /or Cub Scout Day Camp, I delight in teaching the jargon and use of ropes. Running end, standing part, over loop, under loop, For practice and teaching purpose, I create a 5' length of 3/8" sash cord (cotton, poly doesn't behave well for knot practice), dip each end in polyethylene to prevent fraying, spray paint one half end a contrasting color (red, or blue?) for contrast when tying knots. These lengths I pass out to the Cubs/Leaders to keep. I sometimes see them hanging from beltloops at Scout functions . Expense? sure, but it is worth it for the resulting pride of accomplishment. Tents, canopies, clothes line, "monkey" bridges, tug o' war, circular tug o' peace, boating, back/horse/mule packing (diamond hitch), car/truck/trailer loading, your shoe laces,,,,, Bungee /elastic cords are fine, but a good Trucker's Hitch, Bowline winch down will always work for securing the load on your roof rack....

I would like to point out that anyone who NEEDS, could possibly benefit from, having CPR performed on their person, is PROBABLY NOT going to ask to see the possible performer's CPR Training Certitficate.....

IF ( I say "if") you can find a place/organization that will sponsor CPR/AED training by the above named organizations, do so. Arrange to collect and pay their fee, it will be worth it for the possibilities involved. Since I was a Scout, many moon ago, I have been taught and learned no fewer than 5 , maybe six, different techniques. From Back Pressure Arm Lift to mouth to mouth to CPR (do you know what that stands for?).... I have only been called upon to attempt it once. Another time..... Not a few years ago, my son (Eagle, now off on his adult own) raised rabbits in 4H. The 4H Rabbit Barn at the county fair was easily proven one of the most popular exhibits. Because of my allergies, I could not spend too much time in the barn, but I helped out by sitting at the entrance, in the (more or less) fresh air and welcomed folks, answered questions. One bright sunny day, I was so established, when a man came walking down the Fair Ave. , stopped in front of me, pointed at me and declared: "YOU'RE SSSCOUT ! " I replied, " yes , that's right" (I'm thinking, ,, who is this guy??) He says, "YOU SAVED MY LIFE ! !" I said, "I'm glad !" (? ?). He then explains that some years ago, he had attended a CPR/AED class that I had arranged at the church our Scout Troop was sponsored by. At that class, the instructor had talked about the possible signs of heart trouble, incipient heart attack, he had recognized some of those signs, and had gone to his doctor and 4 days after the CPR class had had quadruple bypass surgery. I stood up, we shook hands, he smiled, I invited him in to see the rabbits, and I still don't know his name. Nor do I need to. I think it's time to arrange another couple of classes....

The Patrols stand around the flag pole area and, in turn , give the cheer and (gesture) or whatever they have created. Woodbadge is the ultimate adult Scout training, and if done right, the participants "get into it" and have fun , along with having many "aha ! "" moments. Owl Patrol: Who, Who, Who wants to know??? Buffalo: KATANKAH ! (with horns).... etc.... The Patrols are , thru the training, given projects to accomplish and should (SHOULD ) present the project with the cheer, introducing their (THEIR) Patrol.

Patrol Yells.... Ask them what the Team Coach wants from the Team... Cohesiveness? Esprit de Corps? Sense of "BELONGING" ? Same for the Scout Patrol... Attend Woodbadge... Each Patrol has a name, and,,, guess what? At Opening, a Yell/Cheer is expected. The leadership roles may rotate, but hey, it is Scouting. The kids grow up and move on... That 12 year old will learn by watching the 14 year old who learns by watching what the now 18 year old did. Your own kid will learn by watching YOUR example. This is nothing new..... Harry Chapin recorded the result. Go Google " Cat's in the Cradle".... At my last District Camporee, I led a US Flag Event (fold it up, answer some trivia ), and gave EXTRA CREDIT POINTS if they started off with their Patrol Cheer or yell (previously noted!) , no surprise when many Patrols (not all ! ) came up and said "huh?" ... What else is there to lead to "Belonging to" a Scout Patrol? I always marvel at the reasoning when a Troop re-assigns a Scout from Patrol to Patrol, because of Age or Rank or Advancement, or.... The Scout needs to be in a Patrol, his/her gang, to have fun with, make memories with, succeed in games and tasks with. How do you do that when you are in a different Patrol each year? 60 years ago (!!), I had some adopted Big Brothers I learned from, cooked bacon with, got dirty with. I still remember them with fondness (for the most part!). Eagles screammmmm. All you adult leaders... Get together with your SPL and her/his PLC.... Set the expectation, make it fun for them....

Sort of like this ?

Sic Gloria Mundi... Scouts in chairs, "assume LOUNGE position", no neckers, shorts of every color, Scout Uni shirt buttoned crooked, untucked, might remember the Scout Promise, Conservation Pledge, Scout Law.... Flag ceremony? How many stars on the flag? True story from at least now sixteen years ago::: My son chose to join the Troop of my yooth. They still were very active, outdoorsy Troop, he did well, served in all the Leadership positions.... Made Eagle.... One night, early in his career, I stood in the back of the hall with the other parents and watched the opening ceremony. Scouts were attentive, uniformed well. Flags were marched in, pledges recited, flags posted. Something attracted my attention, and after the meeting, I went and checked the US flag. IT HAD FORTY EIGHT STARS>> This was the flag that had been in use when I WAS A SCOUT ! And I graduated from the Troop in 1966 ! I spoke to the Scoutmaster, we had a laugh about it. The flag was replaced with an up to date 50 star flag, there was some "education" and the 48 star one was subsequently retired appropriately at a later event. And yes, I realized that that wasn't corrected by the Troop when I was there either. ( You do the math). Last thursday's Troop Meeting (I am a Commisher), they let me make a small talk about this episode. None of the present Scouts knew my son, but knew me by reputation. NONE of them could say what the last two stars represented. Or when.... I encouraged them to find out.

Hat... Hat....... The grand mother and grandson are walking along the beach, enjoying the sun and surf. The child is running thru the sandy water. Suddenly , a bigger than average wave comes in, sweeps the boy off his feet and out to sea! The grandmother is also knocked off her feet. When she regains her feet, she realizes what has happened. She is terrified ! She looks up at the sky, raises her hands in supplication! She calls out "Please God ! He is so young ! Bring him back to me ! I beg you, return my grandson to me ! " Just as she covers her eyes in sadness, another wave rolls over the beach, throwing the young boy, sputtering , at the woman's feet. She quickly picks him up, hugs him tightly, kisses him up and down, looks up to the sky, and says...."He had a hat !"

I was fortunate to have a dad who had been a timber cruiser in his younger days, and a mom who was all in favor of having me "assist" in the kitchen when I was old enough. Sunday mornings were my dad's time. He made the pancakes, bacon, scrambled the eggs. Mom was a roast beef, chicken, baked potatoe and salad person. I went off to summer camp (non Scout) once with my number one cousin, and was astounded at his lack of eating variety. He darn near starved to death those weeks,,,, My Troop was an outdoor Troop first and last. We were fortunate to have some families with wooded property we could camp on and have real wood fires. This is becoming rare, for sure, in our urbanized society. Camp stoves are de rigeur, for sure. I like the idea of Patrol Cooking in someone's home first.... Even a good stew will do... Try this Layer Cake Stew::: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vh0htp2pyfrc36pnguzhz/FoodLayerCakeStew.docx?dl=0&rlkey=9e1790xu8mduexslqaiykv84t

I finally looked at this thread. The symptoms mentioned are visible in other organizations. Lions clubs, Red Cross, Rotary, etc. I have had conversations with friends about such organizations. Many are reporting lack of interest, lack of membership. Older members age out (die !) and for some reason, younger folk do not find the social milieu , or something, attractive to them. Oh, there are other groups forming, picking up, but the older, traditional groups seem to be faltering in some areas.

What they said..... youtube button factory skit

Bugling.... A good Bugle can be a hundred, or so. And then, if the Scout is already a brass musician, a good trumpet or trombone can run a thousand or more.... Farm Mechanics? John Deere combine? An antique Ford 8N ? Naw,,, Farm Mechanics can be applied to the family riding mower.... Both can lead to lucrative careers....

Hey ! What about this couple hundred hectares over here... It doesn't get used very often by ANYBODY, only during 3 or 4 months each year... I bet we could find a condo builder, give us a good price....

"Nobody expects the Spanish INQUISITION."

Well, what are you trying to do? If the originators of Scouting saw it as a Christian thing, and B-P (and others) sought to keep a spiritual component, but not a specific religion/faith, and you seem to want to allow (?) atheists and agnostics to still "do my best", without acknowledging that spiritual component (or am I misreading your purpose here), as I said: "I am not sure what he (B-P) would make of the new movement to make Scouting un-religious. The Scout should not be "required" to acknowledge that component? Should she/he have to? If others do not want to acknowledge any such component, would that mean the other others would not have to acknowledge their belief in that component? I am HERE not merely because of some biological result. There is more to my life (and yours!) than that.....

Golly gee, AES, I am not at all sure what's been decided here. Way back when, B-P had to make clear to the Church of England that the new Scout Movement was NOT going to be a prosyletizing part of the Church, altho in his writings he made clear he thought there had to be a Spiritual component in Scouting. He was open to any faith, just not only the CoE. I am not sure what he would make of the new movement to make Scouting un-religious. Yes, there are some who would like that BSA be, as you say, a "Christian/theist organization", but that train has already left the station, as they say. I have worked with two Synagogue sponsored Troops, They are an example of something the opposite of the way the United Methodist Church has reacted to BSA's recent troubles. The UMC has to large extent disavowed themselves from the BSA, as has many Catholic Churches. We have one really big Muslim Mosque here in the Wash DC area that sponsors two Troops, a Cub Pack and at least two GSUSA Troops. We have at least one Buddhist Temple in our area that sponsors a Viet Namese predominant Troop and Cub Pack. They regularly participate in a national Viet Namese Scout Jamboree (!). The Mormons have backed away from the BSA as being not religious enough (like them) for them. There are evangelical churches that have created Scout-like clubs for their young people. Look up "Royal Rangers". Then too, I am not sure what Jesus would think about some of the folks that claim his teachings as their own, either. Go watch "Sister Act " sometime. Via con dios, mi amigo....

I need all the help I can get. If someone wishes to invoke the blessing or help from their version of God (or lack thereof) , no problem. A gift is a gift. I accept it in the spirit presented. I have been present when God, Christ, Jehovah, Buddha, Vishnu, the Great Spaghetti Monster and "none of the above " (really!) have been asked to positively affect the outcome of an event, and found myself only slightly shagrinned when I had to think about who or what was being mentioned. I know where from I have been helped. I can only witness to my own experience. I can only react to what training , education and experience I have been thru. Bible (pick a translation), Torah, Book of Mormon, read whatever and pick and choose what to follow. I have been present, holding my dad's hand when he died, and felt "something" leave the room. I have been present, in worship and knew when something joined us in the room. If I succeed at something, it hasn't been only me. Past events, prior family, friends and.... what? ... have led me to that success. I need all the help I can get.

Okay, let's get specific then. I will start with Lutherans, only because one of my favorite people is Garrison Keillor and he ALWAYS starts with Lutherans.... https://garrisonkeillor.substack.com/p/thanks-to-lutherans-i-skipped-ballet?

Well bless yer little Scouty heart. Nay, laddy, such as this always deserved it's own "Faith and Religion" (and ethics? shudder) forum. Oh, let's get back to Epicurus....

I apologize if I didn't make that clear.... A Scout's own, to my mind is just that. It is not led by ordained ministry. It should be done ""By The Scouts". This is not to say particular faiths can't do what they do. But it should be labeled such: Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, etc. Ain't the web wunnerful? http://usscouts.org/chaplain/scoutsown.asp Dropbox "Scouts Own " IOLS discussion and example... Please copy and use as you see fit..... https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/wszubc4hnh2i9bj/ScoutsOwnDutytoGod.docx?dl=0&rlkey=a70403zksewfp1m8o1dscu0nv

WELLLLL, Old compooter died, new compooter finally up and humming. Had to sign in "new". AES: Some folks are just that way. Please find the grace to forgive them, and learn from whatever lesson they teach. Maybe it applies, maybe it doesn't in your case. So be it. Did you hear about the agnostic, dyslexic, insomniac ? Poor fellow lay awake all night wondering if there is a dog..... Bada bum bum.... As our District's resident Chaplain , I discuss (I try to not say "teach") "Reverent" at our IOLS sessions. It is sometimes hard to get thru to some folks. Is there room in the Scout tent for all faiths? Or lack of them? I like to think so. The Bible starts from a vengeful, violent god to a forgiving, peace seeking son's example. Much of the Bagahvad gita is similar. And the Torah. I like to think we are improving as a species, but only time will tell.... At the Nat Jam when I attended , I often came upon a Scout or two who espoused the idea that "mmmm, I'm not too sure about this God stuff." Yep, me too. But I keep finding things (miracles? Ways opening? Still small voice?) that insist on some "higher power" being there. "Scout's Own" should be just that. If it is "taken over " by any ordained clergy of any faith, it ain't a "Scout's Own". On the rare occasion (Camporee?) I am asked to arrange a sunday observance , I ask the Troops attending to send me their "Chaplain's Aides" , if they have one, or any interested Scout. We meet, I tell them, this is up to you Scouts. I will help as you want, but Here's my Bible, here's the Torah (in English ! where did I get that?), here is the "Sample" S's O I present at IOLS. You design it. And they never fail to please me (and confound some adults?). If I can figure out how to attach/transfer old files to this new compooter, I'll do 'er.

There is a difference between "I'm going to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches " and "I am going to build a new kitchen for the homeless shelter". The planning can be as important as the project completion. At work, we used to talk about back dating what we just did to accomplish solving a problem. So the Eagle Project Book has a "Planning Section"..... The Scout can recreate ( ! ) his/her process.... In the negotiations with the Beneficiary, the project is fleshed out. . What do they want. What does the Scout want to do. What is POSSIBLE with a crew of well meaning amateurs (? augmented by some friendly professionals ?). What would satisfy the beneficiary. . All that can be explained in the EPB. And it can be recreated , in the past tense if necessary. Been done, seen that....