SSScout

One closing I have seen with good effect: The SM asks all the Scouts to join in a circle, holding hands, left over right, (heart over head, it was told), and the SM declares that these Scout brothers are family . Talk about what family means, help each other, support each other, etc. , but this is not all the family. SM then asks anyone else present who was ONCE a Scout to join in the circle. But that's not all, he then asks all the rest of the families, moms, dads, bothers, sisters G-moms and G-dads, to join in. Speak of the importance of family, and the circle unfolds to go home....

Maps. MapQuest. GoogleEarth. Print out, write out directions. We will leave the school parking lot at 5pm sharp. We will regroup/meet for dinner stop at the Snack and Bag on Rt4 at Bingo St. Exchange cellphone numbers. Record phone number of the camp office. Remember to give the cellphone to the "navigator" of each car. Driver drives. Navigator navigates. First Class map reading requirement? Do not depend on following each other. Dangerous. Leads to frustration of folks who drive faster than and the folks that obey the speed limit. Following folks might take chances in trying to keep up, leading to accidents? Not good. Do not plan on "caravan" or "convoy". See Tour Plan form.

Is there any pie left? I brought the coffee.

Montgomery County (Murlin) parents being "investigated" for child abuse because they allow their kids to walk home from local park without adult escort..... http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/montgomery-county-neglect-inquiry-shines-spotlight-on-free-range-parenting/2015/01/17/352d4b30-9d99-11e4-bcfb-059ec7a93ddc_story.html And we try to run a "Patrol Method", "boy led" program................

The answer to all this is "it depends". In our area ( and I can't really find all the weblinks immediately) we have a Quaker meeting that rents space to a fledgling Hebrew congregation, a synagogue the rents space to a small Baptist congregation, a new Sikh temple that opened about 2 months ago, a road that has chock-a-block to each other a evangelical Christian church, a Mosque, an auction house, and a LARGE independent denomination church. Our Interfaith Ministerium is very active and includes (at least on paper) just about every house of worship within a 5 mile radius. I woke up this morning and watched "Religion and Ethics Newsweekly " on PBS before going off to Meeting. One story was about a Catholic Deacon in Missouri who was organizing a Silent Retreat for police officers and had about 35 already signed up to participate. Another was about Jaipur Foot, an Indian organization that helps provide prosthesis for amputees. The leader is a Jain, but the facility is decorated with pictures of Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Jain, Jewish and Buddhist iconic pictures. And after the R&ENW, I watched a documentary about the Tabor City, NC newspaper editor, Horace Carter and his editorial policy concerning the Ku Klux Klan. " The Editor and the Dragon" will make you sad, glad, scared, and spellbound in turn. "It all depends". Mostly on the courage of the people involved to stand up and point at the truth of a matter.

Andy, you are most welcome herein the virtual crackerbarrel. It is elastic, expanding to accommodate all who enter. Greetings from the Old Line State, Murlin.....

Teen Adventure, Baltimore Yearly Meeting: http://bymcamps.org/programs/teen-adventure/

All good ideas. If you choose to copy a home designed flyer at a professional shop, ASK for a Scout discount. My local shop knocks 20% off their usual price. Ask your DE (go to Round Table to meet him? ) and see what the Council has in colorful photo type, paste in your info posters. He should be able to create and print'em up free. DO NOT waste them by putting 500 on the "Info Table" of one school. Put out a reasonable number, maybe 25 at each school, but pursue the "take home backpack" possibility. Learn and meet their requirements. Hey, where is Kudu? His website has some really good ideas for recruiting: http://www.inquiry.net/adult/recruiting.htm

Guten tag, wie gehts? Ich muss meine Deutsch uben! Und ihr inglish auch!

Kirby Delauter is an elected Councilman in Frederick County Maryland. He threatened to sue a reporter for using his name in an article about the county council. http://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/delauter-issues-apology-calls-social-media-blast-to-news-post/article_ae995daf-d43e-5ec7-a011-0111103e9005.html When he realized that he was , indeed , a "public figure", he had second thoughts. How is this episode similar to Paris? Both alledgedly injured parties felt "insulted". Both felt the need to "do" something. One decided to kill the source of their angst, the other sought to merely "kill" the source's professional life. One sought to convince others with violence, the other by proving his opponent wrong by law and logic. One saw no way to withdraw their decision, the other was dissuaded by friends and relations. '' Many have used their religion as a rationale for their violence. Names have been mentioned above. One can go all the way back to the Crusades and further back for examples. The problem remains that killing someone never serves to convince or convert them. The only way to convince someone of the rightness of a belief is by the evidence of the believer's life. Hence the success of Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius , Bahá'u'lláh, and others. A person who is an "adherent" by force is not a "believer" . The jihadists have not come to this conclusion yet, and may never. We should never use "well, they did it" as an excuse for our own actions.

"Follow the money". Go back to the Owassippe debacle. National backed up the local DE despite the local volunteers proof of connivance in the sidestepping of the corporation requirements and voting out of the "rascals". National, thru the Council leadership continued to push for the sale of all of Chicago's camps , against the vociferous , vocal, legal protests of the local Scout leaders, the County zoning board and the press coverage. It was not about loss of revenue or lack of desire to use it. It was about a lot of money to be made in it's sale. Camps can be promoted and used, but the PTB must want to use it. For Camping, Nature Study, public school trips, Girl Scouts, Camp Fire , local Museums, emergency preparedness drills, movie sets, even some selective logging. The secret is in the promotion and realization that it doesn't have to be purely BSA stuff. Oversight, security, volunteer Campmaster Corps, lots of stuff needs to be considered and kept track off. But always, it must be remembered that once SOLD, it can never be brought back. A close in urban natural park is a local asset. A useful camp is a diamond in the rough (!) that cannot be replaced. It all depends on what is considered "VALUABLE", and in what sense.... money? Woods? Quiet? This will always be a problem so long as the tax assessment is predicated on what a property's "best use" is predicted to be, not what it is being used for NOW, or what it might be used for , other than McMansions or industry. My children can never go to camp in the camps I camped in. One is now a Nuclear Power Plant, another is a County Park and religious retreat center, another is subdivision, another is State Park, tho much smaller and not big enough for camping. Way back when, NCAC sold all their local camps to purchase Goshen , a four hour plus drive down in VA. Then, years later, some farseeing folks arranged a deal to trade/buy/exchange land/tax credits/wet lands credits for a close in property (Snyder) which is developing into a real nice close in Cub camp/training center . This they are using as camp, pub school outdoor ed center, convention rentals, etc. Nice place, perhaps they see the necessity now..... "follow the money".....

Sounds like a Chaplain-in-Training to me.....Let me add to your confusion https://www.dropbox.com/s/szt488vm839j5tj/Scouts%20DtG%20Overview.pdf?dl=0 for a WoodBadge Listing of ALL the Religious Emblems..... Good Scouting to you, Faith!

Patrol competition is inherent in just about everything BP wrote. The only way to have a "fair" competition between Patrols is if the Patrols are mixed age and experience. The Troop of my yoooth was thus. I remember joining the Eagle Patrol and being welcomed (and hassled in a friendly way) by the older boys, who immediately sought to get me up to speed in knots and first aid bandaging. I learned to cook by watching Bill and Jeff burn the bacon consistently. I learned about how the dead American Chestnut (burns blue flame) in the back woods was worthwhile making the trek aaaalllll the waaaaaay there and back for them. I had school friends in all the other Patrols, and in the Eagle (mine), no problem, we hiked and camped together, but the Patrols competed for ribbons, extra watermelon, time on a paid trip, even free movie tickets. In my Scout Leader Training, I was taught to "teach them, test them, trust them". THAT is the Patrol Method. ALLOWING the boys to get dirty and get clean together. When I was a Scout, didn't have a name for what I was doing, I just did it. The Name came when I grew up. As a Scout, I learned what a "goldbrick" was. I learned that not everyone wants to pull their fair share. I learned who to ask to help that would help and who to expect nothing from. We learned how to get that person to help and then feel good about helping. Teamwork? Doesn't happen if the adults are directing/telling what to do. That is not a team. That is a "job". In my career in the County gov't, I came across a lot of different types of managers. Some were "Patrol" Methoders, discussing what was needed and letting folks accomplish it their way "owning" the process. Some were Micro managers, with thumbs on everything. Guess which ones had the happiest departments? The first had folks that sought out the problems and solved them before the need became critical. The second waited for "the boss" to tell them what needed to be done and then did ONLY what was asked. Train, Test, Trust.

Yeah, BMX bike is not for distance touring. Neither is a 28 gear hybrid. Bicycling Merit Badge. Look up the local Youth Hosteling/ Hosteling International USA chapter and talk to them about Bike touring. And the League of American Bicyclist chapter, same thing. Ask about Bike touring. If you don't have a BSA person who is experienced in such things, LAB can help you there. Local Bike Shop may have a contact or two, also.

What to expect? Why take the course at all? Here is the list of "Reasons" we were given after a course: ~~“REASONS WHY I TOOK WOOD BADGE†( or, Why YOU should take Wood Badge) *I took away a lot of ideas from everyone else, not just the staff. *It reminds me of how much fun Scouting can be. *The fellowship. *It helps to build leadership in my Troop. *My sense of obligation makes me want to payback to Scouting. *Self-empowerment. I can do more, because I can. *To grow spiritually. *It keeps the Pack trainer off my back. *It’s my Eagle. To accomplish it as my special project. *To hear awesome bugling. *To learn leadership skills. *A chance to play and camp as an adult. *Train to make better project planning. *Gives you the BIG picture of Scouting, not just the day to day stuff. *Gets you in a Scout Spirit atmosphere. *Looking for the “AHA†moments. Found’em. *Make the transition from Cub Scout to Boy Scout more seamless. *Gain in understanding the “other†Scout. *I am not alone. *Seeking ‘Personal Growth’, it’s not just about the boys and girls, but adults too. *It renews your energy for Scouting. *Big chance, not just happenstance, to interface with lots of other Scouters. *“A raven is like a writing deskâ€Â. *Supreme networking. *Observing excellent exampling of Scout leading.. *Learning that everyone has their own strengths and talents and weaknesses – that the group can often accomplish more together than anyone singularly. *To experience the very best in leadership (what they told me before I came!). I think I did. *I gained tools to look at one’s past to be a better leader in the future. *You can’t help your Scouts “get it†until you “get itâ€Â, and Wood Badge is where I “got itâ€Â. *“Rehydrate†for Scouting souls: Water for the physical body, Wood Badge for the “Scouting†body. *For the Coffee. *Obtain a deeper understanding of the purpose of Scouting. *If you choose to do something, if you volunteer to do something, don’t you want the best skills to enable you to do that something the very best way possible? Why do it half way? *To benefit from them that have “been there and done thatâ€Â.

Depending on where you are and how "urban" a setting, think about taking the bus or train or subway OUT somewhere and hiking BACK. I have been trying to interest my home Troop in this idea, and so far only "umm - mmms", but it is being mulled over. Or maybe there is a touristy site that migh tlend itself to such a trip. Helps eliminate the "shuttle". Check your map....

"There are a million stories in the naked council, this is one of them...." 1) Operate by the Scout Promise and Scout Law, 2) Document, 3) play nice, 4) make and keep copies (see #2), 5) when in doubt refer to #1. "~~No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave". = Calvin Coolidge =

One more thing! Develop a skit that involves the parents! They should be there too! At CSDC, at my station (whatever it is), I always make it a point to assign duties to the Den Walker parents who "assume" they will be sitting down waiting..... No, I don't think so.

Oh, they will love performing before the "public". Remind them to SPEAK UP and "remember the deaf old lady in the back row", as my drama professor would (always!) tell us!

Gee, I'm going to miss the Colbert Report....

Oh, all right.... Go ahead and discuss religious stuff in the "Issues and politics" section.... Since in the US one can be compelled to appear before a court of Law, or before the US Congress, but canNOT be compelled to give testimony against yourself, and also cannot be required to swear "on a Bible" (but give "assurance") that what you say will be true, is there any other evidence necessary that we are truly NOT under some sort of government theocracy? I mean, "nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition (or bugger!)", but what happens if someone is held to a religious standard in a government setting? ""~~Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation (my bold): “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.†"" And when Hoover took his office, he did "affirm"....

Idea provoking. I think I may mention it in our Roundtable....

Roundtable.... ask the DE for names and numbers of nearby successful Packs..... partner withthem for PWD and other things..... The Council website should give you names and dates for training and activities..... call the Scout Executive (!) yes, you are going over your DE's head, but his office may be able to direct you to your Districts leadership. Some DEs see it as a loss of face if they can't do everything for you, but that's not right. We are all volunteers, and the District is the area you need to look to for most of your help. Find the DIstrict RT, the District Commissioner, etc. Cub Scout Mantra: (repeat as needed): KISMIF, KISMIF..... keep it simple make it fun...... YiS

And the original purpose of this thread was .....?

Don't forget to le others do some of the work. I know you know they know who they are....