SSScout

Let me understand this. Chapter A has too few members and a newbie advisor to do a quality call out at their camporee, in 11 days, and asks Chapter B for help. Chapter B has a camporee callout scheduled a few weeks after Chapter A's, so Chapter B muscles up and arranges to go to Chapter A's Camporee to help with the callout, with the understanding that if it can't workout, Chapter A will come with their candidates (?) to Chapter B's camporee to have their ceremonial callout there. Is that correct so far? While the OP is enroute to Chapter A's camporee with gear and fellow OA ceremonial team members, SOMEBODY (who??) texts (email??) everyone (really? Everyone?) that the callout is canceled? An hour before the agreed upon time? Was hurricane predicted?? You picked up the pieces (got a crew together) and (forgive the Cub Scout mention) "Did Your Best". Oldscout448, you and your fellow Arrowmen) "did your Duty". You were "Trustworthy". And "Helpful". And " Loyal". You have nothing to be ashamed of and reason to be proud. I would feel "put out " too. I would beat those bushes and find out who canceled and why they thought it should be canceled. Canceled? Good googamooga, they had Scouts expecting SOMEONE to be Called Out (usta be "tapped Out", I know....). Tap out, call out, put out... Chapter A MUST realize (and if they don't their DE or SE needs to make it plain), that no matter how small or irrelevant they may feel as a group, they have been very unScoutlike to you. If Chapter A is in the throes of a rebuilding, then here is a prime example of a chance to "make things right". Understanding. Apologies. Cooperation.. Owning up to a very poor faux pas. And Chapter B has a chance here , too. By YOUR example, give Chapter A a leg up. You won't be sorry. See you on the trail....

Thank you, Merlyn for the reference to Mary Dyer , et al. When political leadership is questioned, it is often folks that "go to the source" that do so. "Believe as I tell you to believe" has always been a contentious idea. Just ask any Quaker farmer who was forced to move from Virginia to Ohio so he could legally free his slaves. "Duty to God" is always an important part of the Scout experience, but defining that duty , and how to judge it's successful accomplishment (can it ever be considered fully accomplished?) is how we get into nasty debates here on Scouter dot com. As a parent, I came to the realization early on that my job was to give my children something to either agree with or rebel against. Many parents never realize this, or that they do this not only by instruction but by example. Such will happen whether or not it is done consciously.

Howarthe: Have we answered your question? Well, I Sure Hope So. If not, please feel free to come back any time, and rephrase it , so we may attempt to answer it again.

blw2: Amen to that. I tried to start "Junior Webelos " and "Senior Webelos" but no one else seemed to pick up on it. Now, we usta have Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, Lion and Webelos (look at the initials : Should have been "Wobeli" but that didn't ring in the ear as well as "Webelo" , I guess. Turns out it stands for "We'll Be Loyal Scouts" . Which came first, the word or the symbology? Seven rays can remind us of these seven virtues... well, if any 11 year old can remember that, he can remember the 12 points of the Scout Law as a 8 year old Wolf, right?

Aye, there's the rub. Qualifications. If the Scout meets the qualifications (days/nights camping, etc. ) and haven't actually broken any of the Scout Law, but merely bruised a point or two, then the SM needs to make it clear in his introductory remarks to the Troop before the elections, as to what is expected, how to choose between the various candidates. They are electing a Scout as an "Honor", not a "Reward". ((? Is there a limit as to the number of Scouts that may be elected to the OA in a Troop? I forget). I like Q's comments: ""At least twice before the election we remind the boys to think about each candidate along two very important dimensions: 1. Does he serve cheerfully? 2. When you or your patrol needs help is he there?"" Do not make it specific to the Scout, except privately , in your SM Conference, how he has not met your expectations in being a "Good Scout", but let all the Scouts know, what is expected of them.

Here we are, talking about doing TOO MUCH in Scouting. Really, us? :-) Look at the few comments above. And other writers on this forum. We have every type of career represented, both active and retired. We have husbands, wives, Gmoms and Gdads. Single folks, you name it. The secret is "balance", Grasshopper, balance. And juggling is a good metaphor, too. How many plates can you keep spinning with out losing some? Which ones are the important ones? Wife, kids? Career, boss? Church? House maintenance? Shoe polish? Scouting is important to you, that is obvious. It shows in your short intro above, in the fact that you sought out this forum. You see the benefit to your son and the sons of others. How do you translate that into action? How to transfer that passion to others? And you NEED the others, believe me. You are valued for your Scouting experience and organizational ability (they want you to be a SM???). Someone else (the same CO?) wants you to be CM and help resuscitate a moribund Cub Pack. Do you have any OTHER parents/adults who share that desire? You say you lost a bunch of Cub Leaders, why did they leave? Perhaps discovering that might help with your decision as to your course. You DO NOT want to be the ONLY Cub Pack Savior. How can you be a Leader when there is no one to lead? If it was me, (and you are not me!) I would opt for the Cub Pack, assuming I have some support. The Scout Troop might need a new SM, but that can wait. If it is already a viable Scout Troop, there are some other candidates in there, somewhere. A Cub Pack can be breeding ground for new Scouts and new Scout Parents. Take those boys hiking, to CSDC, to the museums and zoos and ship overnights. Show those shy young parents how easy it is to help their boys to be confident, independent and able. When they reach Boy Scouts, they will help transform the new Troop into the Boy Led Troop we seek. Seek to hear that boy who says, unbelieving, "you mean I can do that?" You can (you will) help your boy in his Scout career by being his dad (Pardon my assumption) (and how about mom? Where does she come into this, ummm?) . Parents do not necessarily need to "bridge over" with the boy. Some of the best CM and SM are the ones without boys "in the program". AND don't forget to take the training. All good things. SLS, BALOO, all the online stuff, and look for the U of Scouting in your council. Even the SMaster stuff can be of benefit to a CM. Wood Badge? Eventually, don't hurry it. See you on the trail.

1) If the state requires tags on the trailer , then the trailer has a "title". It is a vehicle, albeit a non-powered one. The title has a name and address on it, and probably either the driver's license number or the SSN of the named individual. If it is titled to an "organization", , then the org's EIN, perhaps.. 2) Find the title If no title can be found, go to your MVA/DMV and ask for a replacement title ($$). If named owner is dead, then next of kin will probably have to get in the act. Certificate of death? With that in hand, go thru the process of selling (?giving?) the title to someone (something? ) else. Talk to a sympathetic (yes, they can be) MVA agent about the problem. It is a Scout Troop trailer..... 3) Unit Committee and CO (the COR?) need to talk. Why is the CO a CO for a Scout unit if not to SUPPORT the unit? Closet space, parking space, insurance, etc. all are reasonable "support". If the CO owns the trailer, CO's insurance should cover theft and loss while not being actively towed (check with your insurance agent). Towing vehicle is USUALLY the "insured" if involved in a traffic accident and attached to the trailer. 4) Discuss maintenance costs: Service brakes, new tires, burned out light bulbs (out of the "Scout Spirit" of the adult leaders?). 5) Here's a "what if" to discuss: Mr. ASM tows trailer to the Camporee. Forest fire breaks out, camp is evacuated, everyone is OK, but the trailer had to be left behind and is now a total loss. Who pays for all the tents, stoves, lamps, etc.? How to claim it, God forbid? Is there an inventory? 20 year old trailer is worth how much now? I'm just sayin' ...

EGAD!! Three pages on whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous protestors or by ignoring them end it.... Or something. 1) Swords are , by definition, weapons. If fake or replica, then they are a FAKE or REPLICA weapon. Perhaps the item in question was illegally on the premises, perhaps a moot point. Should we be dealing with weapons, real or toy? Another discussion. What is the purpose? Archery and BB guns are skills to be mastered, used in safety. 2) A sword is a very big knife. BSA does deal with knives and their safe use. Even really big ones. 3)Cub Scouts (and Boy Scouts) use to use the idea of Knights and Chivalry epically in their programs and activities. This has been mentioned. Knighting a Cub Scout? Into what part of Cub Scouting? What award? Wear it where on the uni? Or just for fun? CSDC coming up.... My good wife was CSDC Queen for the Knights of the Round Cub Table. I was Sir Cumference. My buddy was Sir Pentine.... 4) Parent with a problem needs to be listened to courteously and questioned politely so as to make no mistake about their discomfort. Can it be explained? Is there a different understanding that someone missed? Value to be found, none the less, despite the difference in view? Rule to be cited? Perhaps something can be learned from their perspective. 5) As for the danger involved in handling a dull sword replica around Cubs, there was once a Blue Knight in our area that did a really fine presentation in full knight regalia/armor about the dangers of child abuse, on line problems, etc. He had a two handed Clamor, and the kids loved it when he unsheathed it. Until a school principal reminded him of the rule about knives in school, and they found out he had other legal problems which I will not propound here, and so we no longer have the Blue Knight in our schools.... 6) Once upon a time, the sword was not only a weapon, but a piece of male fashion. No English gentleman would be without one, whether he was able/willing to use it or not. And so, when Quakers declared their aversion to violent settlement of any differences of opinion, when William Penn became convinced of the Quaker faith, and asked George Fox if he (Penn) could still wear his sword, Fox reportedly replied: " wear it as long as thou canst". 7) What is the lesson to be learned? Or is it merely some form of (dare I say it) "showing off? See you on the trail....

The DE and SE of the Council should be consulted. There are rules about Scouts (as Scouts, in uniform) fundraising for another , not related to Scouting, organization. Here is some of the information. http://www.scouting.org/filestore/financeimpact/pdf/CFD-Manuals/Policies_and_Procedures.pdf I know there has been backlash about uniformed Scouts ringing bells for the Salvation Army, worthy tho they be.

Maybe the PLC should elect their SPL? PRO gress, CON gress, etc. etc. "The work is done by whoever shows up."

Absotively. There are (unofficially) three requirements for a BSA charter: (1) A willing organization who is willing to agree to the *terrible,* noxious, *inadvisable,* Machiavellian, *draconian (Tongue firmly in cheek) requirements. (2)A group of parents who are willing to be BSA leaders (Scouters) (see previous listing of terms). (3)A group of boys (and /or girls age 14 and over) willing to submit to the rigors of having fun while learning the responsibility (whether they are aware of doing so or not) of maturity. Your unit cannot, in reality, be forced to transfer to a CO with which you are not comfortable. Your DE may have a prejudice in some way to let the Parish be a CO, but they need not be YOUR CO. The VFW or Moose are both good candidates for Scout chartering. So is a Parish office. Take your pick, and get out in the woods!

Bobcatbrown: Welcome to our virtual crackerbarrel! If you are not gluten intolerant, have a Ritz.... "It's for the boys". Keep this firmly in front of you at all times. This man, (call him Carl), is he truly a "Registered Leader" in the Pack? If so, he may not continue to be registered and be a Cub's Leader next Charter time! Does he have a boy in the Pack? Is the boy "perfect"? I would talk to some other parents and get their views on Carl's attitude. Are they seeing the same as you? Next, decide if there is a "policy" about Leaders Being Trained in the Pack, in the District, in the Council. The whole idea about being "Trained" is to try and make sure everyone has the same set of basic "rules" and "resources" to fall back on. If Carl has a hard time seeing this necessity, then the rest of the Pack leadership needs to gently remind him of the purpose of Scouting (as you implied and said: Encouraging Success, following rules , helping Boys grow up to be Good Men, ...). One never knows the full dynamics of another's family life or past history. You will never be able to explain Carl's attitude toward non-perfect boys or training requirements. You don't have to. What you will need to do, is to encourage (there's that word again) your other adults to "do the right thing", to help your Cubs enjoy their time in Scouting, and by example and group pressure, help Carl to see the benefit of such. I remember a Staff Scouter at the National Jamboree who expressed aloud his frustration at some Scouts who wandered into the Staff campsite and asked for some help. Water? Directions? He chastised them for not "being prepared". I ignored him and gave them some water out of our jug and walked them back to the trail to point them in the right direction. My colleague never acted that way again, at least in my sight. He was still a "good Scout" and perhaps was tired past his limit that day. It happens. Carl , in your case , can't use that excuse. Perhaps your example can help him on his way. Good Scouting to you!

""The work is done by whoever shows up".. Sic semper volunteering... You fellows remember the Cub Den because you had Den mothers (at least I did. Then 40 years later I was a Den Leader) that made sure you did memorable things. I still think that plaster cast of a Cub Scout has to be some where up in our attic. Soccer teams will never go up in an airport control tower (do they still allow such things?). We have a dam nearby that has our county's only hydroelectric plant. Our Cub Pack took a tour of it , I remember the cave it was in, the stalactites of (?) hanging from the ceiling, the noise and machinery, man that was neat! By todays standards (Niagara Falls? Boulder Dam?) it is a small operation, but back then, wow! I called the water authority recently and asked if they would do that again for our Cub Pack . The lady said she had never heard of such a thing, did I really remember doing that? They could not , that the D of EP would never allow public access to it . Forty years ago, lady..... So, the Lion/Bobcat/Tiger/Wolf/Bear/Wombat/Leopard/Cheetah Cubs will just have to depend on "whoever shows up" to give them a quality, memorable program.

My uni had no collars! How about this one? And loooooong tails or not so long? Long sleeve or short?

If Mr. Scott sees this, tell Ms Seton that the Scouts of White Oak District in Maryland say hello, and thank you for the interesting talk!

I agree with the observations about the vintage being pre 1920, at least. Some Scouts would have used any hat they could get, not just the flat, wide brim campaign hat. Look at the leather strap "puttees" on those legs. I like the idea,, as has been suggested, this is the cover of a "notebook" to write "messages to the chief". Another idea: one of a set of trading cards, from Cereal, or bubble gum or even tobacco cards. Each card of the set (ten? 20?) might have a picture of a Scout activity on it. I myself have a collection of cards that came in Shredded Wheat boxes of an Straight Arrow Indian Guide Skills set. This might be a remnant of something similar.

So a "Moderator " is someone that makes (or keeps?) things moderate? Rather than being an "extremetor"?

"SMF" = Back then , they called it ScoutMaster Fundamentals. "Layer Cake Stew" = Serves 6 to 8, depending on the time of year and size of Scout. Prep: 20 mins. Cook: 30 mins. The directions may seem overly precise, but they are intended for beginning cooks. Utensils: *MINIMUM size 10†x 3†deep cast iron skillet, ‘seasoned’ and oiled, or equivalent (dutch oven may be used, but do not ‘top heat’) * Cover for skillet. High top, if possible. *cutting board and knife * veggie washing brush *pancake tuner/spatula or big spoon (for serving) *big fork Ingredients: *½ lb. bacon, sliced 1/8†thin * 1 lb. ground beef, lean *1 fist size onion * 3 fist size potatoes *3 nice carrots * 1 or 2 sticks celery * salt and pepper to taste * catsup on the side * water, in big pot for rinsing and washing veggies. Directions: * Prepare nice, HOT fire. HOT coals preferred. Make preparations to support HEAVY skillet over HOT fire. Cook stove may be used. * Place skillet on table or prep area. Rub Soap on OUTSIDE and BOTTOM if using open fire. ***WASH YOUR HANDS WITH SOAP AND WATER*** * Bacon: COVER inside bottom of skillet with bacon. Leave no bare spots. * Beef: Crumble ground beef evenly over bacon. * Onion: Remove skin , cut off ends and any bad spots. Rinse. Cut in quarters and slice ¼†thick. Spread evenly over beef. *Potatoes: Cut out eyes and bad spots. Do not peel. Scrub and wash well. Slice into ¼†slabs and spread evenly over onions. Salt and pepper to taste. * Carrots: Cut off ends and any bad spots. Do not peel. Scrub and wash well. Cut diagonally (fancy!) ¼†thick and spread evenly over onions. * Celery: Cut off ends and bad spots, leave leaves if green. Wash well. Cut diagonally (fancy!) into ¼ “ pieces (leaves too) and spread evenly over carrots. Try not to MOUND things up in the center. * Clean up prep area. Cuttings to compost , if possible, otherwise, “Leave No Trace†guidelines. **Place cover on skillet. If it sits a little on top of the “stewâ€, don’t worry, it’ll settle down as it cooks. **CAREFULLY lift the skillet and place on/over fire. Do not disturb for thirty (30) minutes. If there is no steam escaping after 10 minutes, the fire isn’t hot enough. *** After thirty minutes, remove from fire and lift lid. Poke potatoes with big fork. Should be soft. If not, replace cover and place back on fire for ten more minutes. Try again. ****Salivate at will. Serve with biscuits or toast and jam.

Absotively, welcome to the Forums.. "A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forums" Oh, what has been said. It is about the boys, not the parents. If you can make the Boys (Tigers) see fun and success in Scouts, they (the Boys) will make the parents participate. Scouts is one of the best things a parent can do with (or for?) their kid, boy or girl (problems with GSUSA not withstanding). I often tell folks , if they don't have a connection with their kid when they are 10 or 12, they won't have that connection when they are 18. I agree that if your ADL has an idea, for certain, you should make it work. Adapt it to have fun AND be Scouty. Anything a Scout does, anywhere he goes, it can be a Scout activity , assuming it does not disobey the Scout Promise or Law, or ignore the Guide to Safe Scouting! Use the Cub themes and BALOO'S BUGLE , and look up some of the old Cub Guides for ideas. After all, all you can do is offer. But do not give up on communication. Talk to the Cubs, leave the bookmark/sticky in their book. Ask them, what might be fun to fulfill this requirement? What might they do at home? Ask them what their dad/mom does for a living? Is it a possible Go and See? Does somebody have a pet at home? If you have an idea to pass the requirement for your Cubsonat your home, talk about that to his Cub Buds. Could they do that at their home? LIke Bob the Tomato says, "It's for the kids". And think about all YOU are learning along the way! It is, if you think about it, not only for THEIR benefit alone! See you on the trail!

Ah, Merlyn! Mi amigo! I was afraid you were hospital bound, or moved off shore or something dire had occurred to you. So let us recap: A Catholic Bishop declares , apparently for himself and not on behalf of all Catholicism, that BSA, Girl Scouts USA and Amnesty International (among other organizations of note) are not up to Catholic standards of behavior and values. We are reminded that many Catholic priests and leaders have not themselves exhibited the epitome of good Christian behavior. GSUSA has become known for not being very welcoming of male Scout leaders (note to self: Contact friend Ted who was his Daisy Scout daughter's Troop leader and is now his Cadette daughter's Troop leader, with mucho other girls in Troop, who all apparently like to hike and get dirty). GS cookies are ubiquitous and of various types and elicit various opinions as to their desirability. GSUSA has no known "offishul;" policy on gender of approved leaders. That said, step up and see what the local service area (much like the BSA District/Council) leaders say to you individually. Many girls, as they grow up, will voice their desire to hike and get dirty by either joining the Venture Crew nearby or pushing the GS Troop leaders to allow "high adventure" activities. Anything left out? That about all?

" It depends"... When first wife abandoned our marriage, I had a four year old daughter to raise. I was helped by inlaws and Gmom. I was "visited" by my daughters school (it was a private school that I helped by being the maintenance man and "daddy with the pickup truck"). Daughter wanted to join Brownies, local GStroop was a tea party troop, not outdoorsy. When I offered to lead hikes, it didn't happen. Daughter dropped out in less than a year. A couple of parents at school did not want kids to visit our home. No reason given, just "no thank you" for birthday parties. Supervisors at work often asked me "how do I raise a daughter?" No accommodation, just the same expectations as everyone else. I was blessed by family and friends and paid babysitters and daycare that were there when I needed them. I got her to other birthday parties, we went for hikes, she was a whiz at soccer,I commiserated with a friend in the same situation, we even went vacationing together, he and I and out two five year old daughters and had a good time. I coached her soccer team (15 ten, eleven, twelve year old girls). We lost alot , then won the league championship. When she found her love and we planned her wedding, there was a misunderstanding and her mother refused to attend the wedding (I had remarried by then, new wife, two step sons, one new son, nice new family). Then, daughter said she finally understood where she stood with her mom, and what I had done for her. This discussion has rambled from Catholic church leadership problems, to church doctrine vs BSA and GSUSA, to church abuse of parishioners young and old, to GSUSA problems (cookies? To what purpose? Chef Ramsay says they look like dog biscuits), to fund raising as testimony against intolerance to gender intolerance, to Believer versus hypocracy, to Biblical inspiration to jealousy of experience as a Scouter to fear of expected possible perversive acts by opposite gender parent to where I had to relate my experience in the opposite parent guilty by inference situation. I hereby forgive all those unfortunate folks that I couldn't help in their angst at my daughters situation. See you on the trail.

There it is. I got into training when the District Training chair (who I knew from Cub Scout days) asked me if I had been an Eagle Scout? I said I still was (!). He said, could I teach camp cooking? I said what do you mean by that, he explained what IOLS was, and he needed some help, I said sure, what should I expect, he said talk about camp hygiene, demonstrate a breakfast, lunch and dinner meal, do I do a camp fire, he said no, just cooking, I asked on a stove, he said yeah, but talk about the difference, we'll have a camp fire ring to point at, I said well, okay. What he neglected to tell me was that the folks were expecting to EAT the dinner I cooked, so my layer cake stew was stretched a little thin, but they came away impressed none the less. AND the fellow who was to teach fire safety and building didn't show up, so I taught that too, that weekend. And then he gave me SMF, IOLS and BALOO training cards for my collection.

Sad but true: Cub Pack was very successful for many years. Chartered to a "hands off" Non profit CO. Came a year when some families had to move away, no Tigers were signed up, some Cubs quit. Cub master says, son is "bridging over next year, I'm going too". Pack needs new leadership. One man says, he will be Webelos Leader. One mom says she will be new CCh, Den leaders (2) stay on. Come June, no one is Cubmaster, everyone sees the handwriting on the wall, and transfer to other Packs. Of the remaining families, treasurer says, "let's have a REALLY BIG picnic to end the year." So they do, the Pack treasury is depleted, some awards are made to the Cubs, the Pack Committee (such as it was) votes to give the remainder of the treasury to the CO. the CO is told the Pack is folding , they say "OK, Good Luck" and that's the end of the Pack.

I see the "competition" is of three kinds. There are "games", used to teach and make you think. The prize here is more self awareness than anything else. The second kind is more of an exhibit of what old time Scouters would call "Scout Spirit". How loud can your Patrol do it's cheer/call? How much good natured groaning can you evoke in the other Patrols? And why would any flies settle on anybody's table, really? The third kind is to demonstrate how Patrol competitions (the "gang") can lead to learning skills, cooperation and confidence. I would agree with Q's advice and... Come with an open mind, and an expectation to enjoy yourself. Bring extra rope, duct tape and a silly hat. And aluminum foil. And read everything they give you.

""The Work Is Done By Whoever Shows Up"" is a Scout motto you won't find in any Wood Badge guide. You adapt. You use the resources that are available to you. If the TCCh is there to chair the BoR, but no other Registered Committee Members, so you quickly INSTRUCT ("train" is such a harsh term) some parents as to the purpose and expectations of the BoR and drag 'em in. Shanghai comes to mind. Most folks are only waiting to be asked, anyway. Get them involved. Q: You are present, you are experienced, your example in the BoR will only give inspiration to any newbies. Teach a knot, demo it's use, help a Scout Patrol along the way , same thing in the BoR. Sign the papers and become "offishul". The Troop will pay the registration fee, yes?