SSScout

Now, That is something up with which I can put. Did anyone ever collect and publish a book of the strips? Well, sort of. Not on Paper , it seems: http://www.kenpiercebooks.com/powers.htm

It just occurred to me: At the last Jamboree, AT&T sought initially to get every Scout to have an included Smart Phone. Am I remembering that right? The whole site was to be WiFi wired. Each Camp had a tower. They were still wiring ours (Camp A) when I arrived. The idea of giving each Scout their own Smart phone was abandoned, but they tried to service all the folks that had such already. The Daily Notes were not reliable, the recharging stations (solar powered!) became hangouts for the bored ("Hey! Mines up to 35%! Now it's 38%!"), and had to be rewired by cable to make'm work reliably. And the octopus connectors were collected as souvenirs by some (!). I even remember that the shower house (Ambient!) plugs were placed off limits to phone charging out of fears of electrocution. Would this mean we might get a "BSA SUMMIT JAMBOREE" branded Ipad? Ooops....

"It Depends". One of our Church camps ( three resident camps, one traveling camp), was required by the county to rebuild all the simple lean-to cabins into "bear resistant" cabins. This meant double screened windows (open to the weather), one screening being heavy " hardware cloth", and the other being regular window screen. The doors(double screened), (at least two on opposite sides) must have a self closing mechanism and open onto a porch (with strong railings) sufficiently large to allow the door (must open out) to swing all the way open and allow the person to walk down any steps unimpeded. Our camps are blessed with a carpenter that likes doing mortise and tenon construction. Camp #2 has not been so required as of yet, just keep the mosquitoes out and the rain off (different state). Camp #3 is by definition an "arts" camp, so "real" cabins are expected. All three camps have a hiking, camp out session, maybe one half of the week is out of camp. The traveling camp "Teen Adventure", uses tents and tarps. Bicycle or canoe, they alternate each year. Scoutson , who went to Philmont twice (once as a Trek Leader), said he had more "roughing it" at our Teen Adventure, but learned more at his Scout Camps.

Rain forest country! Welcome to the Forums!

Sounds like three deep to me. One look out and two nappers.

The consensus around these here parts (4 people?) seems to be the PTB want FA to be instructed by some "professional "type medico person (Who? Doctor? Paramedic? EMT? Red Cross instructor? ) . We have used the same flip chart FA course from the Red Cross Certification course, but not with a RC person reviewing it. Worked for some years.. Personal story: During the County Fair, I help out at the Rabbit Barn. My son and wife raised rabbits for many years, won some ribbons. But I am allergic to the little gems, so I usually sit at the entrance to the Rabbit Barn where the air is coming in and "cleaner". One afternoon, a fellow walks up to me and stops and looks. I recognize him as an IOLS Scouter from a few months back. We shake hands and reintroduce ourselves. He says, " I've been meaning to call you up or email you about your training. It saved my life." Here I began paying more attention. "The possible signs of heart attack? After the IOLS, I went home and when I went to work the next week, I remembered them and went to the ER after work and talked to a doctor there. I went in for tests, and they said it was a good thing I did." The rest of his story went as you might expect. He came in and toured the Barn, and we parted friends, again.

The original post asked about a particular CO and the requirements they had set for their Scout Units. They are within their rights to do that. I have known at least one CO that famously refused (politely) a Scout applicant because they were not of "their" faith, and referred them to the Assistant District Commissioner who had assisted in their chartering (me). I referred the boy to another local Troop, everyone is happy.

"Follow the money" "Publicity. Get a local news writer interested." "Communication" "CORs are the voting members" "Who REALLY owns the camps? Research the land titles" "Publicity. Facebook, tweet, blah, blah." "It's for the kids" "Confront the Council Leaders with the Scout Law. Are they Trustworthy? etc. " "Good Luck"

We interpreted the new syllabus as a guide for the "Troop". We do things by "Patrol", regardless. Instruction depends on how big our crowd is, sometimes the whole Troop in a class, sometimes we divvy it up per Patrol, rotate thru the class areas. We had 4 full Patrols once last year, only 10 people this past April. We also, quite honestly, view the syllabus as the "minimum" we need to do. We include more instruction as the experience of our Scouter Staff allows and permits. It is almost always closer to 2 days , Set up early Saturday morn, go home sunday afternoon around 4 or 5! No one has ever complained. We also try to schedule a "Sabbath Friendly" IOLS when possible. The goal , as always, is to get the newbie SMs to "pass" the FC requirements. Exampling the Patrol Method, the Boy (Scouter?) Led Unit, the "Never do anything yourself that a boy can do" sort of Scouting. Yes, we try to have individual Experts in Woods Tools, Cooking/Sanitation, Animal/plant ID, Compass/map, First Aid (discussion about whether we need an actual Paramedic sort of person here), we look at the introduction of experienced Scouters to the newbies as a form of networking, and "hey, we been there, it ain't that hard" kind of thing. Hope that answers your question. See you on the trail!

** Mary's going too?** :-)

**Talk to the orthopedist. *** Talk to the Scout. Talk to the other Scouts. I bet they'd like to help. **** TALK TO THE DAD... Golfcart? Perhaps overkill. Dad at camp? Would he have gone otherwise? Is he a registered ASM? Crutches? Wheelchair? I have seen some clever accommodations. Wheeled casts for whole leg. Some things will have to be avoided/eliminated, for sure, but if the Scout can adapt, let him go. As was said before, camp might well be more relaxing than home. I was at the 2013 Jamboree, and watched a Scout get places on a pair of crutches . He had broken an ankle four days before the opening day! . He took it easy, but managed to have a good time, despite the distances involved. He got an occasional lift from staffers "going his way". He even worked on his Episcopal religious award with one of the Chaplains. If he can't "fit in", your Scout can always go home early, and say "he tried".

Experience in Boy Led: Life Scout (SM's son) is presenting his proposed project to the Troop Committee for comment/approval. It is a good project, to convert a courtyard in the church into a meditation garden. It would convert a concrete gravel path into a low maintenance, bench lined , natural setting . SM (dad) is sitting in the background. Scout has nice pictures, list of materials, everything is in good shape. Committee asks questions , seems pleased. I ask, " whose project is this again? "... hesitation.... Scout: " I guess it's mine ?" "And when there is a problem, who makes the decision about what to do?" Scout looks over to his dad. "I will?" (To the SM, who is usually a get in there and make things happen sort of guy) "Steve? You good with that?" He smiles, says " absolutely". Project goes off well. Eagle awarded last month.

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/l/t1.0-9/13322056_10153360665401191_7029914768053834169_n.jpg?oh=56fac4358e9002f47bc601af4a6183ef&oe=57C6671E

Y'all gotta do your time... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kWiaMw2Ynw

What ever happened to Campfire? Too all-inclusive?

We forget that the "Youth Protection " policies and training are misnamed. It really is, if you think about it, "ADULT Protection". Two deep? No one on one contact? Windows in classroom doors? SMConferences in public areas? Of course these things protect the youth, but who is also protected? Folks will say, if I have nothing to hide, why hide ? Well, it comes down to not letting anyone possibly misconstrue or misjudge our actions. I was once chastised for including the whole Troop in my emails to the PLC. One parent said there was no reason to "overload" his inbox unnecessarily. I reminded him of our "no one on one contact" and my desire to be completely transparent and observable. He apologized and we got on.... I vote no on "friending " a non-related underage child. Speak to the parents, they may not know. They may not WANT to know, but they should.

What is his Scout history? His Scout experience? Does he know the territory? "But he doesn't know the territory!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ9U4Cbb4wg

Once upon a time, I attended a big conference at a small college. We had the whole campus to ourselves, maybe 500 people. The Student Union provided meals. The dorms HAD been air conditioned, but they didn't tell us they turn everything off in the summer (!). But the windows do open. But the 'squiters off the lake. But it's hot. etc. I became an entrepreneur. I went to the local hardware store, bought every bit of nylon screening they had, several rolls of "the handy man's friend" , and for a small fee ( I think I asked $8) , fitted and taped the nylon screen over several dozen dorm windows. The week went much more comfortably . (provide your own fan!) On another note, Here's an opportunity for your Scouts to "be prepared" and have a hand in their own comfort ("but dad, I NEED to buy it!"). Have a "build it" weekend, make the frames (PVC pipe, knuckles, press fit) , cut and fit the netting for each Scout's cot. At the end of the camp, you can either sell/give the sets to the next Troop OR take'em home for the next time.... I like the idea of the big clips, easy to adapt to size.

Repeat as needed: "Ask your Patrol Leader".

Observations: My son is an "agricultural worker", therefore exempt from much of the FLA. He is paid a very good wage for a 22 year old, hourly, but no overtime. His boss often provides lunch, training (on the job), trips to business fairs, personal encouragement and other undefinable benefits of agricultural work. He does work "seasonally" , dependent on the weather and crop needs. 14 hour days, then 5 hour days.... as needed and necessary. When I was in college, I remember two part time jobs: The first was in the professional grade theater on campus. Because of the size and rep and quality of the theater (broadway shows!) the stage crew was paid "guild" wage. Adjustment for after midnight. Best paid job on campus. The second was for a national grocery chain. First time I ever joined a union, and it was an education. Work Rules. Shop steward. Union meetings. But after speaking with the "old timers", I understood the importance of the union to the "worker bees" that staffed the cash registers and stocked the shelves and freezers. Good pay, respect from the managers, and they no longer could require "work after hours". I graduated and moved on before they "automated" , thus reducing the staff need by 1/3. The union (and rampant publicity) was the only thing between the company summarily firing folks and getting them retrained and reassigned. Walmart anyone? I am also reminded of something called the Weimar Republic....

"Tain't the way it usta be, begorra. Camping trip: Patrol gathers at the church at 6am, Patrol Treasurer (!) collects $4. from each Scout, Scouts load gear/packs into dads' cars an we take off. Some of the collected money goes to the driver for gas (35 cents a gallon!), the rest goes to the designated cooks (first class requirement?) who stop at the Safeway on the way and buy what is needed (no refrigeration) , if there is something left in the Patrol box (dry milk? Catsup? Canned Peas? detergent? ) from the last O/night, that is considered. There is the budget: What money is in hand. Not enough? Put the donuts back. Yearly Dues: Collected at the weekly Patrol Meeting (before the Troop meeting, another day, whatever ), I seem to remember maybe 50 cents a week.. Patrol Treasurer or PL, keeps the Patrol money (ours was in a pipe tobacco pouch) and uses it for Patrol outings, or at least the down payment. A per person amount was paid to the Troop for the Scout dues, too. That is what was expected of us. "A Scout pays his way". **I found out later, that our parents also paid something to the Troop to help us along, but it was made clear that we had to earn our way, I had conversations with my buddies about mowing lawns, doing chores, etc. , allowances vs hourly wages for stuff done. What would that translate in today's dollars? Camping trip coming up don't forget the ice for the fresh milk and OJ. , how the groceries are bought, THEN they are "billed" for their share. Dues? All upfront, in September. No 12 year old can afford $125. all at once. Well, some, maybe, but still. How do they earn it? How CAN they earn it?

Yep, GSUSA is a good deal different than BSA. The GSTroop depends entirely on the wiles and wishes of the leader. If the leader wants to do fashion and cookies, that is what they do. Sad is the father who offers to take the girls out and catch crawdads in a creek. He will be looked at with a scant eye. Lucky is the girl who finds a GSUSA leader who is an outdoorslady, they are rare in the GSUSA world. And remember, the GSTroop lasts only as long as the leader allows, there is usually no continuity, no passing of the torch from older to younger. When the leaders' Brownie graduates out as a Cadet/Ambassador, the Troop disappears. Rare is the GSTroop that values a continuous existence. I know around here, the local Service Area actually denied a GSTroop it's "charter" ( they are owned by the Council, not a C.O.) because "it was too old". And membership denial? If the GSTroop leader has enough girls, they can say "sorry" to any one. Not my daughter's friend? "sorry". Not from our school? "sorry". Been known to happen. But there are some ladies who have the right idea, much to the Big WIgs amazement, and so we do have out and dirty camper GSs, long lived GSTroops (longer than 10 years?) , and dads who are a big part of the GSTroop . I Knew a Boy Scouter who chartered a Daisy Troop thru his wife's name, and he took'em on hikes and rock hunting trips. Mom often stayed home. The other moms and dads thought it was great. Local Service area had to eat the humble crow.

(Sound of Door Slammmmm) "Hi honey? Something wrong?" (sound of teen body dropping onto couch, books dropped on floor) ""I am done with this Troop. They are idiots." "Sorry? What happened?" ""Aww, Mr. J said he couldn't sign my Eagle Project because he thinks (fill in the blank) and there won't be any meeting next (day) because ""HE"" doesn't think it's necessary. I told him the PLC wanted the meeting, heck I'm the SPL, I thought, and why couldn't we have the meeting? WE NEED to plan for the campout we were going to have, and now THAT won't happen. I - am - thru." " Sounds like there are a lot of problems. I heard you mention the lack of meetings before. Why do you think he does that?" ""I dunno.... I think Mr. J wants to be THE boss, but that isn't the way I learned about at NYLT." "Oh, I remember how excited you were when you came back from that. Who was your instructor there? Is that the right term? Trainer? What did you call him?" ""Yeah, Mr. X. He was cool. They were all cool there. And they talked about Scout Troops being a whole lot different than the way this one is. It doesn't make sense. Why would they teach one way and let a Troop do it this way?" . " I know you're frustrated. I am too, and your dad is scratching his head. You know how much he thinks about Scouting. Maybe you and he could call up Mr. X and talk things over? Maybe they can help you find a way thru all this mess." "" That won't do no good. It won't change Mr. J, and he won't sign off on my Eagle book. I - am - thru with all this paperwork. Don't mean squat, any how." " Oh, you have done so much good work on that . You deserve to have that finished. I think between your dad and Mr.X and you, we can find the way. Maybe Mr. J doesn't have to sign your book, approve everything. Maybe Mr. X can see another way. Listen: This is just one bump in your life. Don't let it stop you . This can be done. You wanted it, you can still have it. I don't know what is going on with Mr. J. Maybe there's some jealousy or something. What do you say? Let's talk it over after the movie tonite. "

As I remember, might have changed....Home Troop asks for $125. per Scout, per year, or participation in annual Holiday/Christmas wreath sale. Everyone knows the profit margin goes up, the more sold. The calculations involve how much a Scout sells, minus the cost (to the company), half remaining allotted toward the dues, half to the Troop general fund. (which means ALL of it initially goes to the Troop general fund) When dues are covered, half goes to Scout's Camp expenses (you could call it a Scout account, but it is only applied toward Camp fees). The rest to the Troop General fund. Troop supplies neckers, books, bling, purchase and maintenance on equipment, CoH stuff, camperships, scholarships for training classes (sometimes NAYLE, WoodBadge , etc. ), cover startup for Camporees, sign out front of CO, donation to CO, that's all I can think of.

""A story of Boy Scout courage during World War II "" http://www.wyomingnews.com/opinion/sniffin-a-story-of-boy-scout-courage-during-world-war/article_2b6233e2-254a-11e6-8d2d-d371561e87fe.html