SSScout

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....

Ryobi rechargeable area lantern. Li-Ion 18V battery, good and reliable. Cold weather makes the batteries less effective, but very good for what it is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIplfp1ZViE

Depends on the tribe. I am not any where near Native American and not active (physically) OA, but my membership dues are paid. The local tribe(s) here'bouts like the interest in their tribal history and culture and cultivate it when the OA or any Scout unit approaches them about it. Our District had a fall Camporee at the Piscataway Museum awhile back, and even though it was more than an hour drive to the site, the boys had a good time. The indian cultural connection to OA is tenuous, to be sure, but the connection for honor and service is very useful . And if it helps our Scouts to realize local history , so much the better.

Then why do what we do? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrC1VMh7lnc Skip the ad, it pays the bills.

From the BSA Media Guide/Glossary: quote: recharter Avoid the use of this term; use "to renew a charter." See "charter."

"" Chartered organizations must utilize the Scouting program to accomplish specific objectives related to one or more of the following: Youth character development Career skill development Community service Patriotism and military and veteran recognition Faith-based youth ministry "" Don't tell the Scouts we're trying to teach them "character development ", they might quit. I need to go camping and hiking more often.... """methods of Scouting The eight methods are the ideals (Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan), patrol method, outdoors, advancement, association with adults, personal growth, leadership development, and the uniform. """

Ya, Raignis, welcome. Remember the Cub Mantra: KiS MiF, KiS MiF..... Keep it simple , make it fun, and you won't go far wrong. Cub Scouting should do two things: Teach stuff that the Cub can use (remembering his limitations of age and size) that you can couch in fun but is still worth his effort,and (two) having fun with his "gang", his Den. Ideally, the Den should be the gang he likes to hang out with, go and do stuff with. You, his parent and Den Leader see to that. Learning how to throw a rescue rope. Tying knots and using them (how to really tie your shoe so it won't come undone) How to hike safely and effectively (what to carry, what to see and do along the way). Visits to the model train club, the airport, dad's work place, stuff they don't teach or do in school should be your prime objective. Build bird houses and feeders, Finding out that yeah, they really can hike 4 miles (or more!). Contact the local Boy Scout Troop and elicit the services of a Den Chief. This young man, with your coaching , can be the best thing ever for a Cub Den. He probably has been a Cub Scout and can coach YOU on how to be a successful Den Leader. Use the Cub Themes, go to RoundTable, look up "BALOO'S Bugle" online , or perhaps someone nearby ("old timer") has an old print copy to share or pass on. Your boy is only 8 years old once. Make the most of it, and he won't regret it.

I also remember a Fieldbook recipe of coating the egg with mud, then placing in hot coals and rotating every few minutes.

""(Personally, I think OA would be miles ahead if it would dump all the Indian stuff.)"" And replace it with what?

He's your son. He knows you saw and appreciated what he did. Was it at risk of his own safety? By your description, I would say no. Did he do what he knows was right? Absolutely. Would he do the same for someone not kin? Probably. He has had the training, the example and the opportunity. Take him to his favorite Barbecue place for a dinner, just him and you and let it go at that.

Check with the "local" military district. Contact the Army Corps of Engineers. They came out to our CSDC and ran a pavilion on building and structures and structure testing. It was a hit. They brought in some heavy duty crane trucks and such that the Cubs ooo'ed and aaaah'd over. Structures built with ice cream sticks, bridges tested to destruction, lots of fun and we didn't have to do a thing except make a lot of phone calls.