SSScout

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

Salt licks for deer. (hunters would like that). Spread peanuts around yard, chipmunks like them. See http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2014/07/british-man-sets-squirrel-obstacle-course-back-garden for some fun mammals...

"Be There" for him, call him up periodically, include the parents in your plans and such . They may even welcome your "in loco parentis" taking over , for whatever dynamic is involved. Their loss. Be like Harry Truman, who was once asked his advice for parents for the success of their children. He reportedly advised that the parents should find out what the child likes to do and , so long as it was not life threatening, encourage them in it. Buen Camino!

""About 2,500 boys are members of 79 mosque-based troops and packs nationwide, according to the Boy Scouts. Roughly 2,500 more Muslim boys are members of units at other religious or civic institutions, according to Syed Ehtesham Naqvi, chairman of the National Islamic Committee on Scouting"". https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/muslim-scouts-pursue-an-american-tradition--in-an-america-wary-of-muslims/2016/05/25/ac6c798e-fa7f-11e5-80e4-c381214de1a3_story.html Article describes the wonderfully successful Scouting program at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS). Full disclosure: I played bugle at the dedication of their flag pole courtyard (an Eagle Project). Camping, broken camp stoves, cold ground, selling cookies, all that Scout stuff.

Class, can we say "Back to Gilwell, happy land?"

See my previous post. And contact Ken Burns. Might be a movie in this.....

Did you "earn the patch" or "Medal"?

22 year old Scoutson is "tedding" and raking and bailing for 12-13 hour days until all the fields are harvested. "... while the sun shines."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxFosR5tjE0 Like dat?

Sad, but it happens. Sounds like a dad who is going to lose a son. Might lose him to Scouting, might lose him to something much worse. Daughter , as described (really sketchy), is going to be lost, too, but in the other direction, with no standards to meet, only the mom and dad's vicariously living their unmet personal things thru her. What a opportunity for a tv script. By all means, support the boy, but do not present him with a "plan". He will make his own plans, it sounds like. Take the Scout Leader training, become a Troop Committee person, or even a ASM or (shudder) a Commissioner, but stay at aaarrrrmmmmsss length from the boy. You will help him best just by "Being There". No matter how you do it, you risk alienating your brother (sister?) with your "meddling". Be aware of that possibility. And no matter how successful the boy is (Eagle, Nobel Prize, ,,,) the dad and/or mom may never be satisfied or proud. See you on the trail.....

"All done with Scouting..." ummmmm, mebbe not. Pay attention, and I think you will find it (scouting) will color the rest of his/your life. Buen Camino!

Back in my Scout days, we had an active, (today called) boy-led Troop. Of course, I didn't pay too much attention to such things back then, I was just eager to hike and camp and earn some badges ( and march in the band, and go to Key Club conventions and...). In the 7 years I was a Boy Scout , I distinctly remember 6 Scoutmasters. At least, they acted the part. No one said they weren't. Maybe Mr. McDaniels was only 3 months? I forget. They were all memorable, and I do think I learned something from each of them.

We have a very active Troop down the road, perhaps 60 boys, has the same Scoutmaster for 26 years. Almost as many ASMs, very much a boy led Troop, Patrol organization. Very traditional, no one seems to want him to leave. He delegates a lot .

A really good discussion here on the Chaplaincy and Faith forum. Here we have an example of one of the three (four?) divisions of faith. Faith or belief in a Creator, a bigger than I am "something", an ultimate "reason". We are here with purpose, maybe mine, maybe yours, maybe we won't ever know the real, ultimate "reason""""", but it seems like we are doing something for a reason.... Einstein said "God does not play at dice." Faith in the idea that there is no "ultimate", that God(s) is (are) a fiction created by humans out of a need of humans to have something bigger than themselves to depend on/blame/ask for help from/use to make sense of. (Yes, Lack of Faith is a faith IMHO) Faith that maybe, just maybe ... there is a "something", out there, but I am not sure about the definitive what it/him/her is (are). I will wait and see. Faith that things can be explained, if not now, then eventually, by the human rationale intellect. Nothing is "Supernatural", all is "Natural" . (Maybe #4 is #2?) . Coincidence is what miracles turn out to be. Things happen because things have to happen. "Alea iacta est". The Pastarfarian so-called faith I think, belongs in the area of the folks that are not sure, that have to create something of their own and not of someone else's . faith idea . Would I make fun of such if espoused by a Scout in his EBoR? Certainly not. I would treat it in a serious manner and use my questioning to understand the Scout's understanding of his idea of his faith. Here, I will mention William Penn's suggestion that ""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."" I would welcome a well thought out dissertation by an Eagle Candidate on Pastafarianism rather than a half hearted recitation of someone else's religion.

“â€I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good thing, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.â€â€ = Stephan Grellet =

The Scout Executive signed the letter? No details? Are you a "Pro" or a volunteer? Do you have a talking relationship with your DE? Do you know anyone else in Council (Wood Badge, OA, Camp Director...?) you can speak to ? Anyone in your unit/district? Someone has an "inkling" of what this is really about. Seek an intermediary that can speak for you. I have had a somewhat similar experience, tho not so drastic. I politely asked, and asked and asked. Different people, different views. No voice raising, just persistence, Scout to Scout. I pointed to my Scout record, training, I even asked many friends both in and out of Scouting to write letters of reference for me, which was very gratifying, finding out how many folks held me in such high esteem. Eventually, I found someone who would speak to me and I found out the truth of the matter and successfully dealt with it. I would first ask for an interview with the SE, since the letter of removal came from him, to review the situation. Politely, gently, speak to your otherwise good record ( no blemishes? search your own record for ANY possibility. Be honest with yourself) ) and your incredulity at such a mysterious letter. Refusal of an in person interview? Craft a letter to send. Have it reviewed by folks you trust before sending it. Make no threats, just be persistent in seeking the truth of the matter. And go from there. Such a letter , like "social media" can have unforeseen consequences. You need to know the realities of this. Good Luck.