SSScout

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.

""It is no longer policy for Boy Scouts to be involved in any political activity even if it's non-partisan. The closest one gets today is Memorial Day observances and 4th of July picnics. They do have 3 MB's on citizenship that seem to give some kind of political education and we do say the Pledge at opening flags."" I invited the County Board of Elections to our Round Table. They set up a display of the new voting machine/method. Talked about recruiting Election Judges (adult position. Paid!) to work the polls, and student volunteers to help. Fairly successful, new to some folks.

It is always hard when a good Scout leaves us before his time. Krampus, The fact that you are spreading this need is evidence of your quality. The Good Scout does what needs to be done even before the need is recognized by the person needing it. Sometimes the best thing is just "be there" for them. Listening, offering to take on a usual need (lawn mowing? Trash pick up? Sit younger kids? A ready made meal? ) that takes up some slack for the grieving family. I will mention this at Meeting First Day, tomorrow, to hold the family "In the Light". God be with you and them.

The "offishul" BSA RT training is a good beginning, but YOUR success depends on the following IMHO: 1) Publicity. Tout the RT in all means. **Mention it at Camporees, ** Make sure every training , BS and CS, and VC, mentions RT during the training. Collect email addresses from the newbies for::: **Send a postcard to ALL registered Scout Leaders in your District. (Your DE should get behind this and council should foot the bill. What else have they been doing with that surplus from CSDC?), **get yourself (The RTcommish may have to do this) a list of the emails of all the registered Scout Leaders (CS and BS and VC) in your District from your DE. Collate this, talk to your internet provider and find out how to send emails to all (?) 350 of them! Verizon requires I divvy them up in blocks/pages of about 30. Big deal. This way, you don't have to use a proprietary template, but , do what is best for you. Instead of in the body of the email, I create an interesting Newsletter and attach the pages. Works good, folks can copy and resend easily. ** In all this PR, don't forget your COs. ** Answer the question "What the heck is a "RRRRound Table? I have a lot of other stuff to do. " Make it plain that every Scouter or Parent (or Scout? How about the SPLs coming? Another discussion) is welcome, but all you really need is some representation from the unit to share in the fun and fellowship and to pass on the gleaned info and new knowledge and experience. Which leads to ::: 2) An Interesting Program: Yes, we let the "pros" speak, but it is understood "they" are not the reason folks come to RT. Yes, we do "official" announcements, and sometimes a WB beading (SHORT! only one chorus of BtG), but the real reason our RT numbers have almost doubled in the past years is because folks enjoy their time . I'm just sad the church won't allow food in our meeting space. It should never feel like a classroom, IMHO. No "death by Power Point". Speak to me, use the white board, give out souvenirs. Ask and share ideas. CS: Our CSRTCommish is a good one. Sample Pack Meeting. Divy up into Dens and do skits, follow the theme of the next/2 months on. Sample crafts, songs, invite WHO to your Pack? BS: Demo skills with REAL experts: Podiatrist comes and talks about blister prevention, boot fitting, socks can be interesting? VCrew that does Mountain Rescue as a specialty (seek these folks out!). LNT? You have a council committee , call them. Rule #1: If it sounds interesting to you, (in moderation!) It will probably be interesting to your RT. Rule #2: Ask your folks what THEY might want to discuss/ see/ learn. And try to set it up. Disabled Scouts? Found the Council Committee for that, I actually had an old Scouter come up and shake my hand to say "Thank you " for that one. Rule #3: Always have a Plan B. This includes having an Assistant RTCommish to call and include in ideas. And if you are sick. Or the scheduled presenter can't make it, Maybe show a video (got a projector?) "Down and Derby". "The Scouts of Harlem: Troop 759". et al. Challenge these old fogies to a knot tying contest . Patrol Competition among Scoutmasters? Whadaconcept! Rule #4: Don't forget to break the rules now and then. We never had an end of season cookout, but hey, second year! Two years, it's a tradition! Actually got two Troops to offer to do the cooking demo . And, since "no one is here in July" (?) I scheduled an "Oval Table" meeting at a local restaurant. Had twelve folks show up for coffee, a sandwich, slice of cake, and some good back and forth. Have a table of handouts for folks to take IF THEY WISH. We have no printed agenda, we put it up on a white board. No "Mail boxes" with lots of stuff that only gets thrown out, I put all of it out (except the real important stuff. THAT gets hand delivered by some Commisher to the Unit Meeting) on a table, over file folders. Easy to spread out, pick up at end of night. It does disappear. That's enough for right now. Remember, if it isn't fun for YOU , the RTCommish, it won't be fun for your Unit Rep Audience, and why should they come? See you on the trail...

1) I have often wondered why there is no bright colored rain ponchos for sale. Black, dark blue, dark green. Rainy weather is by definition dark and drab. Why make it more so? And a bright color rain poncho would make it easier to not bang into someone in between camp and the latrine at night. 2 ) Pack out your poop? : http://www.amazon.com/How-Shit-Woods-3rd-Environmentally/dp/1580083633 3) Deer: Around here, there have been seen deer stopped at the side of the road, waiting for the traffic to clear, look both ways and then cross. This is the epitomy of evolutionary survival of the fittest. Genetically enhanced, trained by their parents, deer. The ones that LEARN about traffic, will survive to procreate. 4) Bright colors show dirt more easily. Dark colors look more... unused? Newer? Less dirty inherently? Is that a consideration? Then too, dirty bright colored clothing shows a certain... experience? Seniority? Fun filled? 5) Perhaps nudists do have it right. Natural colors and all.....

Popular name , Joseph. And another "old Line" stater! Look for your PM!

Stosh has the answer here. In BOY Scouts, it is (theoretically?) up to the boy to pursue his rank/award. If he has the gumption (there's a word for you) he will ask for opportunities to do so. The Troop (boys?) will act to provide those opportunities. In CUB Scouts, it is the adults/parents that must present the opportunities and provide the expectations for the boy to match. No expectations? No opportunities? How's the boy going to meet the requirements? Rare is the Cub that will go to his Den Leader/Parent/CubMaster and ask "when are we going hiking/to the Fire Station/build the bird house/practice first aid so I can pass this requirement?" Some might, I wish them well. Those will be the exception, in this age, not, I fear, the usual. Most will wait for the ADULT to make it happen. Then, later (if the boy is lucky) , the Boy Scout leader will have to convince the boy that , yes, you CAN make that choice for yourself. See you on the trail....

Expenses: Staff, more than 12 days. Scout/participant, maybe 10 days. Both set by national, non-negotiable. Staff is expected to arrive early to set up, stay a day or two (!) later to take down, clean up. AND... National uses pro people to help set up and take down and rearrange and re-purpose and sell off. ?Profit considerations? Maybe. Cover expenses? Absolutely. Plus Travel: Can't amortize that . Folks from California and Hawaii and elsewhere, well, I understand their angst. Maybe National could arrange a discount per mile traveled to help encourage far away folks, but then near to folks would cry "unfair", canst but please but some.... Plus extra sight seeing along the way, overnight stays, ... I remember my Troop going to Philmont by private car caravan, staying along the way at cooperative army bases , National Guard Armories. Rarely hear about that now. You've come that far, might as well see something more than the inside of The Summit.... Plus Council uniform stuff: Patches, tshirts, flags, banners, Plus: souvenirs Patches, tshirts, coffee mugs for GDad, pins for the home SM, it mounts up. Plus extra (we use to call it) Gedunk. Ice cream, a burger at the Base Camp, Cellphone useage, extra Duct Tape at the Camp Store ("I told you to include that in the duffel!"), rain poncho at Jamboree store ("I thought mom packed it"), It adds up.... Plus ? You name it....

Cal has the first good idea, but there is no reason why one could not do a second: The choice is whether (a BIG unit) you set up the Survey Monkey or whatever and email out the www.address,com or (small unit) you write up some questions (poll the committee members, the SM, ) and telephone them IN PERSON (what a concept! talking to people!) to ask for their responses. That way, you might even get some ideas that were not initially thought of when the q's were first listed.

Any registered Scouter can take any Scout course. IOLS is a good camping weekend (at least that's the way it is treated in my District), and you end up being "Trained"! No reason why a "mere" committee member couldn't take SMS and/or IOLS. Get the other fellow's perspective, multi task, be ready to move up or over. Like the Jewish granma says, "It couldn't hoit !? "

If you look at the Jamboree the right way, it is a bargain. It can be a "working" vacation yeah, away from the rest of the family (means you will eventually "owe" them. Spouse time! ) Really, camping with a few thousand good friends, top notch entertainment, exciting activities (well, sure, not the adult staff, shucks. Still, lots of things to see and participate in), pleasant natural surroundings (for the most part). Food for staff is "catered", you don't have to cook, might even be invited to eat with some others from around the country and the world. Souvenirs galore. Much of the gear (tents, bunks, etc.) are provided, . They say our "ambient" showers will be less "ambient" this time. Ten days? Do the math. What vacation time could you do cheaper? With such interesting, companionable folks. Time off work? Ask your Council Contingent to write your boss "the letter", congratulating him for having such a responsible and generous employee who willingly uses his time off for the benefit of our Nation's Future, our youth. In fact every one of your Contingents' staff should get such a letter. Suggest it to them! I got one when I escorted my Troop to summer camp. My Department Head was surprised and pleased to receive it! I got an "attaboy" in my file, worth points toward my raise!. Buy your new boots early and break them in. Wool socks. Sandals for around camp. Rain hat. Extra rope and some laundry detergent and an extra bucket will make you popular with your fellow staff come laundry time. Insect repellant. Sun glasses. Paper plates and a marker to make signs for your "stand"? Canteen or other water carrier. Day pack. Read everything. and.... Good Jambo!