SSScout

Is Campmor still in business?

Go on line and print out the insert of the new requirements to use with the old handbook. http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/programupdates.aspx in general, Cub Scouts is more particular. http://www.scouting.org/filestore/boyscouts/pdf/524-012_BS_Requirements_Insert.pdf Boy Scouts more specific for each rank. Hoo boy, some veeeery interesting new stuff. Not unreasonable (still no Morse code in FC), but interesting. Lawyers been at work? Venturing is there too.

Awards.... I am on the national committee for my faith, the Friends Committee on Scouting. Among other things, we plan, design and administer the religious awards for our faith. Two, three years ago, it was announced thru PRAY that our store of awards , by federal statute (!), had to be either tested for lead content (each one, individually!) or replaced in toto with new awards that could be certified by the manufacturer as being lead free. Why? Because they were deemed as "jewelry for children". Children might chew on them, or otherwise be in danger of somehow ingesting any lead (or other toxic substance) inherent in them. This did not apply to the adult awards, adults don't chew on their "jewelry", only to the youth awards. I hope, (any way to check this?) that the official Scout/Venture metallic awards are equally 'safe' for our youth to wear, even if judged "tacky" in construction.

Too bad Isher doesn't have Scouting... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Weapon_Shops_of_Isher

Now there's a point for discussion. I hadn't thought about it this way before. If the Unit is not supposed to solicit "donations" and a Scout is supposed to PAY his own way, and any fundraisers are supposed to give "value for the money spent" (bags of mulch, cars washed, spaghetti dinners cooked, flags place on front lawns, flamingos emplaced, etc.) , how is this (20% night at the Pizza Hut) not soliciting a donation? The scouts are not doing anything except asking folks to go eat at a specific, privately owned , professional restaurant. And then, that restaurant's owner GIVES the Troop/Pack/Crew a DONATION. I am all in favor of supporting the Troop. I buy popcorn and cookies and Christmas wreaths and even mulch (altho it is free to pick up at the county dump) . I even eat at the Greek restaurant that announced it would "donate" 20% of that nights intake (not including tips) to a Scout's Eagle project support (went to the school he was projecting at). What then is a "donation?" When I help the Troop sell Christmas/holiday decorations, and someone comes up and says "I'm Jewish, we don't decorate our house, but I love the Scouts, here's twenty bucks", we will say "thank you !" and put it in the box. That wasn't solicited, was it? We didn't ASK him to give us money, he just didn't want to buy our wares. But if the Scouts are asking folks to EAT at Hut de la Pizza on Thursday, maybe we can say the Scouts are WORKING for the restaurant, and EARNING their "donations" by being PR men? . In another vein, when we helped the CO at their Fried Chicken Dinners, busing tables and directing traffic in the parking lot, they would give us a "free" dinner . Did we work for that dinner? Or was the church really losing money on our help (hey, a Scout might eat three times the dinner of the paying guests!) ?

Somewhere, in somebody's basement or attic or garage, is the EAGLE Patrol plaque I carved for my Woodcarving Merit Badge. It hung over the Patrol campsite gateway and went to many a Camporee. When I graduated, it was passed down to the next Patrol Leader. Wish I had it now..... Made a good parade banner type of thing too, on occasion, as I remember. As to Patrol Flag, I agree, let the boys decide how much "worth" they put into it.

An iconic award winning actor was once asked how he did it. He responded that his craft was not so much 'putting on a mask' as 'taking one off ' and revealing what everyone of us has within. Perhaps to leave the Scouts with something to think about as they leave the meeting: ""Everyone of us bears within him the possibilities of all passions, all destinies of life in all it's manifold forms. Nothing human is foreign to us"" = Edward G. Robinson =

My apologies for expanding the discussion unintentionally. "As usual", I thought the discussion had swerved into other, somewhat connected topics. The SLS classroom part also often suffers from the "Official" only training. It can also be flat table listen to me lecture boring. The trainers (who might want to take Trainers Edge if offered in Council) are well urged to bring out their experiences and encourage the participants to share their own "time in the trenches" as appropriate. When I was last called to help with the SLS training, both Cub and Scoutmaster, I was disappointed to note the curriculum had been cut significantly. See the appropriate threads here for details. The reason seemed to be (1) deal only with what SMs are officially responsible for (cut out discussion of finance, for instance) and (2) It was "too long" before. By all means, anyone eager to be trained and Be A Scouter should attend.

John in KC: I agree with your perspective. The UC should be more of a "Dutch Uncle" than an "Enforcer". He/she needs Scout experience and training. They need to have the "glad hand" rather than the "iron hand". She/he should be able to tie a square knot and be sympathetic to the vagaries of life. It would be good if they had had a good Scout experience in their yoooth, but not necessarily. I know , IMHE, that I have been called upon to voice opinion on "what should be done" and have had to say "this is what NEEDS to be done" . I wish more Scoutmaster Emeriti would become Commissioners.

""“There's the South Pole, said Christopher Robin, and I expect there's an East Pole and a West Pole, though people don't like talking about them.â€"" ― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Mimeograph and ammonia ....

" .... but you can leave your hat on....." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfgwrdYUQ2A I'll go with my expert... Joe Cocker....

Eagledad: Boring is as boring does.... If your IOLS team doesn't make the course at least worth "camping without kids" , then somebody else needs to try and "fun it up". IOLS and the SLS indoors needs to be a time when the Scouter (1) can pretend to be a Scout and try to see the Scout stuff from the Scout's perspective, ( 2) Hear from folks who have "been there and done that" and (3) get to share their own skills and questions (and answers?). All that should make for an interesting day, I would hope. I have taught some portion of the SLS and IOLS classes many times with other old timers, and never have we been told it was a "boring" experience. Some folks do come away saying "ho hum" and most with a "thank you very much", but we always strive to " give value for your time". And, truth be told, we never limit ourselves to just the "official" curriculum. We always find lots more stuff to hand out and talk about and elicit any and all personal material from the participants. I would never see the need (?) to "test out". There is always something to be learned, if only to find out that one has been blessed in being ahead of the game in my personal experience.

Scoutson works for a local farmer delivering hay bales, feed firewood etc. to folks around and in the Wash DC area. He (finally, according to his mother) accepted a "smart phone" with Blue Tooth and Walkie Talkie capability. He says that the 4" screen is fine if he is already "in the area", but he has been well trained by his dad to trust and look at the map books he carries to GET him "in the area". True story: Family finally got our act together 4 years ago and we got to Hawaii for a nice vacation. On the Big Island, everyone said we MUST visit Waimea Falls. Beauty, history, swimming, hiking, you just HAVE to visit Waimea Falls . So, one morning we set out from the hotel for Waimea Falls, I driving, wife in passenger seat, Scoutson and brother in the rear. Scoutson pulls out the AAA map and guidebook, wife says "oh, no, I can get us there with the GPS/Smartphone" and I proceed to follow her directions. We turn here, turn there, pretty soon we are in the middle of a subdivision that could have been back home in Murlin except for the palm trees. Eventually, we are stopped , on a gravel road, facing a chain link fence and locked gate. I say," this can't be right" and when I look up to the left , there, on the fence , is a hand painted sign that reads: "NOT WAIMEA FALLS". I say to Scoutson, who has the camera, "Take the picture!!" We turn around, go back down the mountain, and in about 20 minutes, with the help of the AAAmap, arrive at Waimea Falls State Park. It is worth the effort, go see it when you are in the islands.

Yep. Follow the money... http://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/boy-scouts-organization-considers-signing-50-year-lease-with-golf-course-developer-for-200-acres-at-camp-meriwether/ Once the camp is gone, it's gone... http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/12/controversy_swirls_over_golf_d.html Help save our salaries... http://www.eastoregonian.com/golf-course-developer-eyeing-oregon-boy-scouts-property-eo-ap-webfeeds-news-northwest2b0c6a6fd48440a2a02af31959fbe348

My observation form another thread: "" At the first PLC of the season. The SM has suggested some stuff to do, but no one is jumping in to decide.... The SM keeps saying , "What do YOU want to do, Randy?" The new SPL gets wide eyed and finally says , "you mean I can DO that?". The Troop had a very good year after that. ""

At the first PLC of the season. The SM has suggested some stuff to do, but no one is jumping in to decide.... The SM keeps saying , "What do YOU want to do, Randy?" The new SPL gets wide eyed and finally says , "you mean I can DO that?". The Troop had a very good year after that.

Interspecies hammock camping: https://www.facebook.com/TELEGRAPH.CO.UK/videos/vb.143666524748/10153860707449749/?type=2&theater and she didn't go to REI....

I had an adult female leader (In GSUSA and BSA) tell me this story: She was a Cub leader, took BALOO, organized Pack overnights and GSTroop overnights. She said it was not at all unusual for other moms to come to her and congratulate her for taking the boys/girls out, "braving the elements", "putting up with the primitive", "dealing with the creepy crawlies/animals/bugs/dirt/lack of plumbing/poor food/ etc." She told me she could not convince these ladies that she ENJOYED all that, being away from the usual, making do with out "stuff", being independent of electricity.... She'll be taking IOLS and Woodbadge in due course...

"Encourage", not "require".

Check your airline, if that is your preference. Closest major aeropuerto to Mount Hope WestbygodVirginia is about 200 miles. There are no close AMTRAK stations (Thurmond is an AMTRAK station, about 10 miles away but over some tiny mountain roads). Access to The Summit is and will continue to be motor coach from the bigger towns and cities.

The idea is that the Scout may wear his Merit Badge Sash over his shoulder, NOT folded over his belt.... I have a hard time convincing folks about the right thinking of that. Then to, I had a Scout with some ADHD issues (his dad too) that carefully sewed (himself!) all the MBs on his sash so as to wear it over the LEFT shoulder... Buy the long sash to start with, hem it up temporarily for shorter fellows until they grow into it. Wear it proudly whenever the uni is appropriate. Keep the OA sash at home until you are doing OA service, then pin it to your left shoulder to keep it up. DO NOT wear both sashes together, YiS,

The expectation from the title was perhaps Spamalot or Eric Idle and company. I was always at odds with my family ( when I remarried, a 9 year old daughter, twin 11 year old stepsons, later another boy) with taking them to a "serious" theater.. The King and I was appreciated by the boys and not the girl (go figure), but everyone liked the Flying Karamotsov Brothers (jugglers par excellance). Nutcracker was "okay". I think your Scouts were well served with the experience. When I was growing up, my mom had already been playing music of many kinds on our phonograph. As a treat, my dad took me to see the Doy'le Carte company when they toured the states and came to Washington. Boy, that was something for an 8 year old! Pirates of Penzance ! I have always loved Gilbert and Sullivan ever since.

Happy Holidays to all Scouters and Scouts out there in Scout Land... May I counsel you NOT to waste your money on the poor gooey excuse for egg nog you find in the grocer's cooler case. Here is the recipe handed down in my family for at least the past (one) generation(s)..... Please note, this recipe has NOT been approved by any cardiologist. Bon Appetite! EGG NOG Need: 3 Bowls: #1) 2 gallons, at least #2) & #3), smaller , ? one gallon or so… Hand whisks (3?), big rubber spatula, electric hand mixer, ladle and cups.. Ingredients: 6 eggs, separate (see below) 1 Pint REAL whipping cream (Heavy & unpasteurized if possible) 1 Quart whole milk ¾ Cup sugar Nutmeg, Brandy/Whiskey to taste (extra) * * * * * * * * * * * >>In #1, Beat egg yolks until thick. Use whisk here. >>In #2, Beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Use hand mixer here… >>In #3 whip cream until stiff. Use hand whisk or mixer, as you will. >>In #1, blend Milk and Sugar and Egg yolks fully. Use hand whisk. ***FOLD into #1 the contents of #2 and #3 in turn. EASE all into fancy punch bowl, if desired. Add B/W and N as desired to taste. * * * * * * * * * * TIPS: Copper bowls, prechilled on the back porch (if it's cold out!), whip eggs & cream quicker, yield stiffer egg whites. More fun and better results if 3 celebrants do the various whipping concurrently. Enjoy!

Glad to see the Scouter is back up and running. I concur with the seeming consensus here. A) What does the Scout want to do? B) One ceremony a year seems to limit the options unnecessarily. C) I also believe less is often more. D) I also am feeling the Troop sounds less Scout led, more Adult led. What does that mean for the Eaglets (!)? To elaborate: A) & B) Every Scout is different and will appreciate brou-ha-ha to differing degrees. Balance out the fellow who wants to go home and watch Wii with the one who will listen to 12 people extolling his virtues and fun gaffs. One of the best Eagle ceremonies I ever attended was a campout in the back of the Eagle's grandparents' farm. Attendees had to hikeback a couple hundred yards into the woods, BBQ and picnic potluck (over an open fire that the Scouts tended!) candle ceremony on a fold up table. Due ritual, pinning on medals by mom and pop, many Scouts in attendance. Very Scouty , to my mind. My Scoutson opted for receiving his at the regular CoH (Troop does it every 3 months) with a catered BBQ (friend brought in his smoker) picnic after. No one ever said tradition can't be adjusted... D) Who controls the content of the CoH? Who plans it, ultimately? The SPL and PLC or the ASM in Charge of CoH? And, too, you can have the "official" CoH and then your own celebration elsewhere with the Troop et al invited.... "Well done" and congratulations to your Eaglet....