stevejb

Would you like to see an interview of some American Boy Scouts from 1987, twenty years ago? Check this out...

(I write this knowing, and fearing, the replies I am going to receive.) I do not have too many problems with the boys using bad language in my troop. When a boy joins the troop I sit down with him AND his parents and explain that bad language will not be tolerated in the troop. If a boy, or adult leader for that matter, uses some bad language then he is on the ground doing 15 push-ups. The parents know we do this and have always supported it. The boys learn to watch their language, and they listen to each other, sort of self police themselves. Only the adult leaders can have the boys do p

Interesting way to have a fundraiser. I like it. I especially like the roadside signs. Nice touch. My troop had a successful fundraiser this weekend also. We did a pancake, eggs, and sausage breakfast. The boys presold tickets for three weeks before the breakfast. We charged 50 cents more per ticket at the door. The troop made nearly $1500 in profit. Steve B Scoutmaster, Troop 68, CMC http://melrosetroop68.org/blog.html(This message has been edited by stevejb)

Many Point Scout Camp is located in Minnesota, north of Park Rapids, near a little town called Pondsford. It is owned by the Northern Star Council of the Twin Cities.

At the week's opening campfire on July 16th, 2006, the staff of Many Point Scout Camp, Buckskin Camp, paid a tribute to the legendary Paul Bunyan. Watch it at:

Do you attend the monthly roundtable meetings? Do you even know what they are? Does your roundtable staff conduct good meetings? Are they worthwhile attending? I am not sure why, but lately I have been thinking about the monthly roundtable meetings. In fact, my last three entries to "A Scoutmaster's Blog" are about this subject. I invite you to read them and see if we share similar thoughts. http://melrosetroop68.org/blog.html Roundtables: My First Years Roundtables: On Staff Roundtables: Keep It Fun Steve B Scoutmaster, Troop 68, CMC

Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, has almost learned the Cub Scout Promise from Michael, the Cub Scout, in the newest video. This time the two get sidetracked and start talking about long hair and hockey. This is the third video featuring Buttons and Michael. The video can be seen at YouTube: or Troop 68's web site: http://melrosetroop68.org/videos.html Thank you for watching the videos. We hope to be making new ones this spring when the weather gets nicer as we take Buttons out into the campgrounds with the Boy Scouts. Steve B Scoutmaster, Troop 68, CMC http://melr

Here is my two cents.... Let the boys give their input, I think it is a good idea, but do not let them vote on the matter. As stated earlier, appointing a scoutmaster is not the boys responsibility. They need to understand this, and the reasons for understanding this. The committee needs to explain the appointment process to the PLC. I have a feeling that if the boys are allowed to vote on the scoutmaster it could backfire in ways you do not foresee. Steve B Scoutmaster, Troop 68, CMC

Glad you enjoyed it Bob.

The latest of the videos featuring Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, has been posted. He is still trying to learn the Cub Scout Promise from Michael, the radical Cub Scout. Unfortunately, Buttons is not the brightest Cub in the Pack. I am sure you will get a chuckle or two from this, the second video of this series. You can see it at: http://melrosetroop68.org/videobuttonsCub2.html or (If you watch it on youtube be sure to leave a comment and rate it, and add it to your favorites.) Thank you to everyone who has watched the first of the Cub Scout Promise videos. It ha

Just look what you started OldGreyEagle. You should be ashamed of yourself. lol

I like it OldGreyEagle. May have to use that one sometime. Steve B Scoutmaster, Troop 68, CMC http://melrosetroop68.org

Okay then, I will drop you an email. Thanks. Steve B Scoutmaster, Troop 68, CMC http://melrosetroop68.org

Yes, I have thought about doing a podcast, but I do not have a clue as to how to do it.

Update: Wow! This latest video featuring Buttons and the Cub Scout are getting a fair number of hits. The youtube page has been viewed nearly 700 times. Add to that over 200 times on the troop's website. Not bad for being online only two weeks. I have discovered two blogs that have posts that include Buttons and the other Scouting related videos. Both were positive reviews. Steve B Scoutmaster, Troop 68, CMC

No, I missed it. Steve B Scoutmaster, Troop 68, CMC http://melrosetroop68.org/blog

I don't know of a place online to get them from, however, I have had so many people contact about these BSA commercials and promotional films that I did finally put them on a DVD. I have been trading the DVD for a council shoulder patch plus an OA lodge patch plus $2.00 for shipping. Get back to me if you are interested. Steve B Scoutmaster, Troop 68, CMC http://melrosetroop68.org

For some reason the links to the video got messed up in the original post. http://melrosetroop68.org/videobuttonsCub1.html or

The first of the four new videos featuring Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, has been posted. This one features one of our troop member's brother with Buttons as he tries to teach Buttons the Cub Scout Promise. Of course, things do not go as planned, and hairy issues arise. You can view it in two places.... http://melrosetroop'>http://melrosetroop 68.org/videobutt onsCub1.html or http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=nMLSNj4UHFE Steve B Scoutmaster, Troop 68, CMC http://melrosetroop 68.org

I am a 46 year old "solo" scoutmaster. I became an assistant scoutmaster right after tech college, at age nineteen, when I moved back to my home town. At 21 years and two months old, the committee appointed me as the scoutmaster (in 1981). I have been the scoutmaster of the troop ever since. I am still single, and never been married. Just be sure to follow the BSA rules, and always be sure to have at least two deep leadership. I have canceled several events over the years when we have not had enough leadership. I have never had a problem with being a single scoutmaster, and as

I preferred the older Scoutmaster Handbooks also. Easy to throw into the briefcase without taking up all the room the newer "notebook" versions do. Easier to read also. I could hold the older handbooks in one hand and relax in my chair. The notebook versions are clumsier. I have several older scoutmaster handbooks in my collection, including a hardcover two volume set (just like new) from I think the 1930's or 40's. It is one of the highlights of my collection. Steve B Scoutmaster, Troop 68, CMC http://melrosetroop68.org/blog.html

Watch this video as the Many Point Scout Camp Buckskin Staff (in Minnesota) lead the Boy Scout campers in the MPSC rouser song at the opening campfire on July 16, 2006. It can be seen on our troop's website at: http://melrosetroop 68.org/videos. html or on Youtube at: If you think they did a good job then leave a comment on the youtube page. Steve B Scoutmaster, Troop 68, CMC

In my latest post to "A Scoutmaster's Blog" (http://melrosetroop68.org/blog.html) I wrote about the Scouting related films I have seen during the last three decades. I was wondering if any of you have seen any other films featuring Scouting as a main part of the storyline. Steve B Scoutmaster, Troop 68, CMC

I thought it was time to update this thread a bit and add "Down and Derby" to the list of Scouting related movies. It is about a Cub Scout pinewood derby and how dads can get carried away with the competition. It is an entertaining movie. It has been released on dvd.

A new video with Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, has been posted on you tube (and soon to be added to the troop's website). This time he tours the scoutmaster's rec room and makes fun of a geeky scoutmaster who plays Dungeons and Dragons and collects Star Wars action figures.