SSScout

Required or not, the neckerchief is the one iconic symbol of Scouting that is "uniform" around the world. A Troop in Kenya might not be able to afford or use a full uniform as we know it, but they will wear a necker. It will have badges and pins attached. They may only have a colored Tshirt , but they will have a necker. Kids coming to the World Jamboree in 2019 , you can be sure, will bring extra neckers for trading. Not badges so much , but neckers. Look at the videos from Japan and Kanderstag, you will see Scouts with their necks enwrapped. And not so much a slide or woggle, but the ends will be tied in a "Friendship Knot", so the necker can be slipped off over the head to trade or pass on. Not required? Style is as style does. Hats? Shirts? Green trousers? Red Jacshirt? We may not need a necker to help tether a run away horse (once on the list of neckerchief uses!), but it is still a neat thing to consider, a tradition to reject at our peril.

What Calico said. Why limit yourself and miss out on the fun just because you can do double duty? When we were Tigers, (Scoutson is now in college), we visited a Train Museum, saw the model train exhibit in TWO places, watched a couple of trains cross thru town, then visited the local lunch counter , talked about making food and had an ice cream cone. Three requirements in one Saturday morning and afternoon! The requirements have been "adjusted", but the idea is the same. Have fun with your Cubs while they are still kids, learn some along the way. And eat ice cream. Check with your State Police or local hospital. See how the rescue helicopters are done. Our Maryland State Police have an aviation division that will allow tours of their helicopter bases. Talk about WOW factor.

Not only is the Eagle Project super cool, but the media coverage! That's what ya need, too. There is a story in almost every Scout activity, you just have to make the call to the newspaper/tv channel. And, perhaps an OA connection? With real Native Americans? Wow.

Hello , s'morestashe! Welcome to the land of Omagogamogagag, which is Kickapoo indian for "many suggestions, many opinions, your choice ultimately". If I hear you right, you have joined a Scout Troop that is mostly (all?) a bunch of senior Scouts that like to do Big Things, and view young Scouts as a drag on their speed/distance/adventure. It also sounds like the Troop leadership has embraced the idea of "Boy Led" to the extreme. And it is not a good extreme, or appropriate to Good BSA Practice. You and the other young Scouts (and adults) must do one of three things: *A*: Talk to the CC, the SM and ASMs, and try to change the culture to embrace the idea of Older teaching Younger, setting the example and taking pride in Passing the Torch, so to speak. *B* : Form a New Patrol, and start doing Patrol Things, with the blessing of the SM and CC. Use your Boy Scout Handbook, and have your New Patrol plan their own hikes, campouts, etc. , slowly learning the skills and knowledge inherent. Make an Axe Yard in somebody's back yard and everybody earn the Totin' hip. Find a Big Back yard (grandpa's farm mentioned above) and set up a long weekend camp. Parents can bring in supplies as needed. Invite some of the better (?!) older Scouts along, to teach . Express your gratitude and praise their Scout Skills as appropriate. The few Older Scouts involved might bring the others around to seeing the younger Scouts as the way to continue the Troop tradition, because if they don't, PRESTO! in a few years, there is no more Troop XYZ! * C* : Search out a new Troop that will allow (hate that word) your young Scouts to grow in the ideals of Scouting. Like Bob the Tomato said (he had to be a Scout in another life) : " It's for the kids."

"Who's going to do your cooking?"

Here in the Delta Quadrant, IOLS will commence in two days. Rain will be gone by Friday evening, so the TV lady declaims. We have done the usual promoting, and in the past have had 20 or 30 folks participate and have a good rep. This season, we have 6 signed up, ( from 8, two had work emergencies come up) all from out of District. Fearless Leader and I (Stout Minion) will give them the benefit of our experience and inspiration. Fearless Leader tells me that First Aid has been eliminated from the official curriculum. More time for knots and sanitation, I guess.

I seem to remember the Cub Den of my yoooth meeting once a week, in somebody's rec room or around the kitchen table, and a monthly Pack Meeting, and in the spring/summer, a Cub Scout softball league. The Den meeting might be a trip to the zoo or a museum, or a hike/picnic in the park. But I remember all the parents were involved. Maybe my memory has mellowed, become more "rose colored", but that is what I remember. Carpooling, making the hotdogs, cutting up the plywood for the key holders and pen holders we made. My dad had the pen holder on his desk up to when he died. Now, kids (the parents?) have a lot more choices. Athletics, sunday school, after school clubs, maybe (!) a family trip somewhere. More ways to spend the family 'discretionary income'. Camp gear, hiking shoes or Cox Cable? The Cub program has changed a lot over the years. Maybe the changes reflect more the parents involvement rather than the kids abilities or the culture around them . Are there really many 7 year olds that don't enjoy finding crawfish under a rock, or getting glue under their fingernails, or seeing a gleam in their mom's eye when they receive a plywood key holder? How "academic" is the present "official" program now, compared to the older ones? What does that really indicate? Is that cartoon character Ethan a better choice of enthusiast/encourager than Baloo or Akela or some other classic adventure story character? I have vivid memories of the CSDC I worked as Nature Pavilion. Did a bit about "Leave No Trace" where I sent the Cubs out to pick up litter that 'wasn't there' (they found a lot!). All the while, this woman was on her schmart phone declaiming to someone how she would have SO MUCH work waiting for her on Monday, and why couldn't someone else have done this Den Walking "thing", and these little Cubs were such a chore, her boy was no trouble, but the OTHERS.... and she went on. The other DWs stood and smiled...

""If I were to make any suggestion to tweak da current approach, I'd say 2 adult ASMs per patrol is a bit of overkill."" Maybe two Scouts per 6 adult leaders......

Wow. "Thees ees a whonderfool cauntree" from should Scout Patrols camp without Scoutmaster sanction to whether or not schools should have free tuition for non-resident students. Way back when, I was at Purdue U as an out-of-state student . The state legislature got angry at the Universities for some reason, cut the budget and raised tuition for everybody, I seem to remember, by 35% in one year. Despite my counselor's assurance that much of that increase could be handled with scholarship, I had to decide whether I would declare myself a resident of Indiana, or stay in Maryland. Couldn't do it. I transferred back to U of MD. Lots more story, not worth telling here. My take is that it seems that everybody (everybody!) is expected to want a college education. Should that be an "entitlement"? What if one's desire does not need a college diploma? And what happened to the cost, much less the expense , of our colleges?

Check with your local State Extension Service. Soil Conservation District. You can even find maps that have the different soil types named and defined, maps of delineated aquifers, erosion control areas, soil horizon for a given area. Here's Marylands: http://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Pages/technical_assistance.aspx Each Extension Service is usually under the State University: http://extension.umd.edu/hgic/soils/soil-testing Get down and get dirty!

1) His Eagle is his, nobody elses. 2) If he is 18, he is OK to be an ASM. Take the training, ask the questions, wear the patch, do the duties. (Drink the coffee? Is he LDS?) 3) Get a serious job for the summer. Ask around, don't be shy to ask about things that interest him. Scoutson met a friend of our family when he was young, man owned a "custom farming" operation, and told SSon, "see me when you turn 16, you will have a job". When he turned 16, I helped him earn his Class B license (drive trucks), and at 17 he was working for our friend making $13/hour, not bad for a teenager with no other experience. Age 22, he is graduating from Community College, paid all his own expenses, his second boss is paying him $23/hour, his hours, days off for school, and boss #1 wants him back to be the Chief Mechanic for his shop. Trucks, tractors, farming, responsibility, he sees the way we brought him up was a good one and now is scratching his head about where to go next. 4) Think about college, but allow for "exploration". The Year Off is now an accepted thing for HS graduates. And , hey, he may not want to be a colleger. Merchant Marine? Philmont Wrangler? Now is the time to explore, find out where those roots need to be set. 5) Friend of Scoutson turned 18, is attending the same ComCollege, and is ASM for the home Troop. He is OA, Scout Camp Staff three years, knows his stuff. Why even think he isn't ready to "pay back", "dig the well?" 6) You trained him, he's been tested, trust him, let him lead.

Something to keep in mind: Not every Scout has the LNT, Outdoor Ethics thing down. I have met some Park Rangers (and others) that have come across the "leavings" of not-so-responsible Scout Patrols/Troops, and who therefore have a poor regard of Scouting in general. The group is often judged by the actions of only one member. Let your Scouts, no matter where you hike/camp/visit, understand your expectations of them, that those are also their PARENTS' expectations, and the general public's expectations. "Character is what you do when you think no one is watching".

Somewhere, in somebody's attic or basement or garage, (I hope) is a hand carved "Eagle Patrol" gateway sign. My dad got the cedar plank (he said it would be weather proof) and a buddy carved it . As PL, I kept it for awhile. It was passed on to the next PL, and the next. We used it for camp entrance, trail ID. And there was a hand made Patrol Flag. I can't imagine anyone involved would throw them away, but you can't tell, ultimately. My mom kept all my old school papers, the good and bad. I had to ultimately decide what to keep, what to recycle. (Not throw away, recycle.). They make interesting conversation with my kids. And I have to decide what of my kids stuff to keep, to reminisce about. Will Scoutson appreciate that I kept that "A" history essay from 5th grade? His genetics Science fair entry poster? I was proud of him for them. I think when he is much older, he needs to know that. It is said that no one really dies, so long as there is someone alive that remembers them. That is why, I guess, we study history: to remember and try to learn from our successes as well as our mistakes. But then, we have to admit they were mistakes to learn from them. What do the young owe the old when it comes to remembering? Valuing of the past? You young Scouts have more history to make than I do at the moment. Make sure it is history you will want to remember.

Tnmule20: Mucho congrats. Sounds like you got a good course. Now, as they say, "go and do ye likewise!" The young lives you touch will be the better for it. The torch is passed ...

Welcome to the virtual cracker barrel, Doakley. It will be hard to change an "easy" Troop. Easy, as in it's "easy" to let the adults do it. Check with your Council and District folks. Commissioners, etc. Is there a NAYLT course available for your boys? You can ask about that in your WB course, too. ! What a ticket.... When you are the SM, Officially, get together with your CC and COR and talk to them about your vision of what a Scout Troop should be. Get their support. Then, talk to the Council and District Training folks (assuming you have some. You did take SLS and IOLS, yes? ) and ask about the Troop Boy Leader Training course that YOU can give your PLs and SPL. It should be available to you thru the Council. That is how you make the boys BELIEVE that they can do what you are asking, allowing them to do. One of my favorite anecdotes concerns the PLC I sat in on one time. The newby SPL was mulling over the calendar the SM had suggested and the PLs were looking at. The SM kept asking "what do YOU think?" Finally, the SPL said, incredulously, "you mean, I can make THAT decision?" The SM said "DUH...." and the meeting progressed . It was a good troop for the next year. So: Take your training, train your Scouts, lead by example, go to Round Table, ignore your own Scoutson (as appropriate) and gently remind your other adult leaders that "No Adult should Do What A Scout Can Do."

It can be done. Start here: http://www.appalachiantrail.org/home/explore-the-trail Each section of the AT is maintained by a local club. The sections are defined in the ATC website. It is natural and rural , more so in parts. Lots of maps available, Coast and Geodedic Survey..... Google is your friend.... For a teaser, see "The AT in 5 minutes" https://vimeo.com/20218520 The ATC headquarters is in Harpers Ferry, which is, as you may glean, a touristy place, National Park. There are Hostels in some areas you can avail yourselves of: https://www.hiusa.org/ click around to find them. Out of state adventure? More flat? Nations Capitol? C&O Canal , connects to the Allegheny Trail , Washington DC to Pittsburgh (mostly up hill that way): 330 miles total https://gaptrail.org/ Spread the maps out on the floor and start dreaming.

Cubs and parents that are not interested or have the "Soccer Syndrome". Drop the child off and come back in 2 hours. And in 10 years, they will wonder why the child has no interest in them. Or is a behavior problem at school. Or can't work by themselves. I liked the demonstration I once saw at a PTA meeting , where the teacher unrolled an adding machine paper roll and announced, "This is your childs life". He taped it to a wall and proceeded to mark it up with a marker, Here's where he is born, kindergarten, sixth grade, high school, etc. And here's the period when YOU , parent , have some say over his life. And here is where you won't. If you don't have a connection HERE (indicating 6 thru 12years), you won't have much if any connection HERE (indicating 14 thru 21) . And we talked about church, Scouts, 4H, and maybe sports..... Engineering: Find out where the parents work. Any mechanics? Tradesmen? Construction? Aunts? Uncles? How about an architect? We have one in our Meeting, he was great talking to our Cubs, showed 'em around his workshop, even how he builds models of his projects. Bus depot for the transit service. Auto machine shop? All you can do is ask and offer. The Cubs and their parents can only say no. Their loss. Make a study of a bridge in your area. Talk about the forces of Tension versus Compression. Which force is in what direction n which frame member? Reason it out. Can concrete be pulled? Can stone be pulled, or pressed? How about a steel I-beam? Same for a house's frame. Talk to a house builder, try to look at a house under construction. How are the "Loads" handled? Than you for your service to our future. Remember, it will be that Kindergartener that may ultimately pick out your assisted living facility!

Sounds a lot like mom is stuck in Cub Scout mode. Definitely talk to Scout . Good SMMinute topic: Honor. "Character is what one does when he thinks no one is looking".. Many Star Trek episodes hinge on that value. We even had a TV quiz show entitled "Who Do You Trust?" (whom?) This brings up another topic. It occurs to me, in line of our tendency here to ask "where is it written?" ... Who signs off on a requirement? Why not mom? Who really defines that role? In Cub Scouts, I seem to remember "reading" that the parent should "pass" the Cub. But in Boy Scouts/Ventures/Explorers..... Is the Scoutmaster ultimately responsible? Does he/she delegate to the ASMs? The PLs? Any First Class or higher? Could the Unit Commissioner quiz/test a Scout on the lashings and sign off on them? Is it particular to the Unit's culture? In a new unit, where everyone is a Tenderfoot, could you delegate to one of the newby PLs? Who can/should decide?

Ovaltine.... And a sheath knife on the belt.... and a hike by your lonesome, with a kid size pack frame tied with a diamond hitch. Youda thought Joey would know where the old abandoned wells were on his dad's ranch. AH, the days of yore.... Thanks, Bud.

As the Unit Commish, I get to sit in on many Troop Committee Eagle Project reviews. Often, not always, the parent is there, too. Sometimes, not often, the Eagle candidate has a Troop Scouter as a parent. I have always counseled the committee to ALWAYS address their questions and comments to the Scout. If the parent says something, we ask the Scout about it. Occasionally, I have been moved to ask the Scout, with the parent right there almost next to me, "Pete, will you be able to tell your dad to bug off when he begins to tell you how things should be done? This is, after all, YOUR project." Usually, but not always, everybody smiles in recognition. But sometimes, they don't..... SM, MBCs, need to gently remind mom that it is "Boy Scouts of America", not "Parents of Boy Scouts of America."

"picking up tidbits...." Hey, this is a LNT website. We don't leave any tidbits laying around. The very idea..... Now you just might get some good ideas and WE might profit from YOUR experience , too! Now THAT'S a good Idea! Welcome to the virtual crackerbarrel!

Yep, "Pooh Sticks". Just the thing for Cubbies. Check with the Park people. Back when my daughter was small (4? 5?) we took a vacation trip down along the Blue Ridge Parkway. There is a site, I think Mabry Mill, that had a working water driven grist mill. It had a Loooooong mill race to feed the wheel. When we arrived, we decided to have a little picnic. The race had a bulge in it, creating a small pool. We took our shoes and socks off and cooled our tootsies in the water there. Daughter discovers, much to her joy, that her sneakers float! And just then, the mill called for more water to push the wheel 'round! Off go the shoes! Daddy had to ask the nice Park Ranger to help him retrieve the shoes from the downstream side of the mill wheel! Daughter didn't mind being barefooted a while.....

Boy, for a group as "old Fashioned" as this bunch usually sounds (Boy Led, 300feet, BP was right, GBBill is not forgotten, where's my SMCoffee? ) I was expecting some ideas, some experiences, some .... games, competitions. The older books I have been perusing have PAGES of different skill games. As it happens, our DCamporee is coming up, and when the PTB asked for a Troop/Leader to organize it some months ago, we were surprised when the fella (call him "Bob") came back with a Troop of Scouts that wanted some Patrol Competitions. So that's what we have coming up. Scouts must sign up as Patrols, of 6 to 8, NOT by Troop. They will go thru the Skills competitions by Patrol. They camp in separate campsites by Patrol. Adults escorting the Scouts may NOT camp in the same site. Each Troop has so many assigned sites for each Patrol, and ONE for adults. Maybe not so surprisingly, sign up has been rather low. But, as Bob said at last RT, "it is an experiment". We have a full set of Saturday competitions, everything from No Match Fire building, to Cooking Tasting, to Pioneering Tower construction (only one level), to BIG US flag folding (it will take a Patrol to handle it). We shall see.....

As the RoundTable Commisher, I try to run the RTs as a small Troop meeting. We have an opening, and announcements (groan) and then a program presentation or two. The RT Guidelines talk about "Big Rocks" and "Break Out Sessions" and sometimes do we will split into "Interest Groups", (Patrols?), but mostly we are one big group of 20 to 30 folks each night. I feel I have succeeded when an old Scouter comes up and tells me he had a "good time, for a change". For closure, I try to have a "ScoutMaster's Minute" (Commisher's Minute, really) with which to send folks out into the night and therefor go to many references for inspiration. Sometimes I read a passage from an old "Scoutmaster's Handbook" I bought at a second hand book shop., circa 1970, or another I have, circa 1950. This has led me to read the WHOLE book. In the back are listings of games and competitions, to help teach Skills. Knots, cooking, pioneering, axmanship... Anyone out there still use Patrol Competition to help teach skills, encourage group loyalty, cooperation? I can't remember the last time I saw, on a Troop level (sure, camporees...) Patrol competitions. "Axmanship. (Active. Outdoor) "equipment: for each patrol: 1 hatchet, 1 board 12" long and at least 6" wide, 1 chopping block "Patrols in relay formation, opposite equipment. On signal #1 runs up and splits one piece off board, runs back and touches off next player, and so on. The idea is to find out which patrol can split the greatest number of full lengthpieces from the board." Wow, the ideas in these sections for activities....

Recruiting: "Boy Scouts? Do they still exist?" "Mom? Jeff at school came in wearing his Cub Scout t-shirt/uniform/hat/backpack/lunch box/ . He says its neat/fun/awesome/adventurous thing! He invited me to come to his Den meeting Friday. Can I go? He gave me this card/flyer/phone number/website for you to see." "Hey, Janet, I was passing that Methodist/Catholic/Baptist/Volunteer Fire Department and they put up a new sign that says they sponsor a Cub Scout Pack/Boy Scout Troop. I used to be a Cub Scout. Think Petey might enjoy it?"