Bob58

My Unit does not, nor do any in my district to my knowledge -- but you've started me thinking. Starting with Summer camp is better than say.... Klondike!

I do believe that the tape of bugle calls is still available, but I'm not sure. ( My son the clarinetist, did the Music MB several years ago & his buddy who did Bugling at the same time had purchased one then. (Scouters are frequently better at Bulging than bugling.)

I can't speak for them but I'll pass the question along to a troop in the Valley Forge, PA area who has a "signalling" contest that is judged by an Army Signal Corp group from Ft. Indidantown Gap (?)

(I know that they did Morse Code through 2003.)

your humble servant,

Bob

Sew What? I couldn't resist....

Some of the newbies might want to Search the Forums for the "Sewing Merit Badge" Or does my memory fail me? Could it be Tailoring, perhaps all who earn Totin' Chip & Paul Bunyan Awards should become Sawyers!

From the wings, "Stand back I think he's gonna' blow!"

The preceding stream of consciousness was brought to you by the Trieste branch of the Dublin Wanderers Society, -JJ Presiding

A Book Never written, "Every leader deserves a properly uniformed Scout" by Need L. Enthred

I hope I'm note posting this a second time but...

Some thought / questions...

Have you thought about talking w/the SM re his father's concerns? The grandfather might be reflecting concerns w/ the Chartering Organization, this could call for some gentle PR work. He might also be a quiet supporter of Scouting who wants to make sure he understands the "issues" that he might now be asked about because of his grandson's accomplishment. I just think that we need to be open to questions as opportunities to increase support.

FotoScout, I read your post as indicating that he was shooting the breeze, and not necessarily denigrating or challenging the BSA stand. I do feel that if he really has questions he should be offered the BSA side in a positive setting. (Like sending him to the Principal's oops I mean, Council Exec's Office.)

Beautiful weather here today & I'm going Cubbing w/ my son! Bob

Our district Exec hits every class from 1 to 8 if the principal will let him into the bldg. (That is our problem getting into the schools -- he makes appts & still has to carry a copy of the Superintendents "letter of introduction". I guess I buy the, "but if we let one in we'll have to let them all in" line. ) We haven't seen great results yet, but he's planning on it again next Fall.

I like the idea of special events that take Scouting to the kid community. But so far my pastor won't our troop build a monkey bridge across the fountain in front of church. (We offered to set it up during the parish festival, charge to cross & donate proceeds to the parish but still, "No go!")

I'm tempted to suggest they consider asking about the school's field day, but the liability could be a big issue.

Council used to host "Extreme Scouting" with the espoused purpose of recruiting new boys. We actually wound up w/ leaders trying to plan crossovers for Webolos 2's & AoL since they "had to be in camp anyway." One troop had a bunch of very unhappy new Scout Parents that year.

Perhaps we should... sing!

Our guys do sing. Years ago it was hazing even our youngest boys have heard tales of having to sing for your.... misplaced items.

When staying aboard a local historic Talll ship we routinrely invite some friendly musicians (guitar, mandolin, bodhran, tin whistle & bones) to teach sea chanties and other folk music below decks after dinner. No one gets through the whole evening w/out at least joining in for the SitCom theme song set. (See OneHour's note)

Slightly longer story

Our troop is chartered by a church w/ priests from a religious order. Each year I teach all our middle school students a song written by the first American to join the order (1920+/-). The oldest kids in the school sing it during the Mass at the feast day celebration and every year there are a few who already know it before I teach it. (No real surprise!) 2 years ago we were blessed w/ a chaplin who is an Eagle Scout; Fr. Jim camps w/ us whenever he can and celebrates the Eucharist (Mass) at many District events. That first winter with us he chose to attend his first Klondike Derby (as a leader) instead of joining his confreres for the official feast day celebration. On Friday night while Fr. attended his first leader's Crackerbarrel I pulled out song sheets & a challenged the older boys to teach the troop the song. I sat back until they asked me to nail down t melody. I begged off & they did a great job. Father was really impressed (remember this was his first year in the parish and he had not attended the school Mass that morning.) He publicly thanked them at our Sciout Sunday COH, no, he didn't make them sing that day.

This summer my son, another scout & I took instruments to summer camp & we've been singing ever since. Light of Scouting, God Bless America, Scout Vespers (O Tannenebaum - O Christmas Tree), & yeah a couple of those summer songs that bring back the smell of beach fries, salt water & suntan lotion.

Dude!

I'm w/ FOG on this one. (Although I admit to buying a second one to wear while keeping the 1st pristine.) Don't know if anyone remembers a Patch Blanket which FOG he also mentioned eralier in the thread (like last October!)

Our unit has access to a school (parish) display case during September & February each year we load it up w/ patches, neckerchiefs or projects to help w/ recruiting.

Bob

Hey Guys, I'm a little disppointed that there haven't been a few more posts to help Dana hash this out.

Does anyone w/ Crew experience at BSA summer camps have anything to offer? I know that some camps welcome co-ed Crews on paper, but have they worked on the program to make the Crew friendly or is BSA going to leave that up to Dana & company?

Bob

Hey Guys, I'm a little disppointed that there haven't been a few more posts to help Dana hash this out.

Does anyone w/ Crew experience at BSA summer camps have anything to offer? I know that some camps welcome co-ed Crews on paper, but have they worked on the program to make the Crew friendly or is BSA going to leave that up to Dana & company?

Bob

Hey Guys, I'm a little disppointed that there haven't been a few more posts to help Dana hash this out.

Does anyone w/ Crew experience at BSA summer camps have anything to offer? I know that some camps welcome co-ed Crews on paper, but have they worked on the program to make the Crew friendly or is BSA going to leave that up to Dana & company?

Bob

Gooood Morning!

Dana, I'm not sure just what the question is.

If you are asking if there are BSA camps that welcome Venture crews for summer camp, the answer is a resounding yes!

...is there a regional organization that specifically addresses the needs of these campers? Not that I know of.

...do BSA camps provide adequate program oppoptunities for VEnture during the summer? Can only be answered on a case by case (camp x camp) basis.

But, "By Jove I think you've got it!" This could be just the place to raise the topic & get some input for addressing your question.

Best of luck.

Bob

For the newbies & unindoctrinated OGE sings to the tune of "Scotland the Brave". "The Light of Scouting is a great piece for opening campfires a little too(?) upbeat for leaving, especially if you officially closed w/ vespers!

rpm

Good Morning!

What will the funds be used for?

Could these materials or services be donated by the suppliers?

A visit to the vendor in at least your field uniform with an outline or drawing of your Eagle project can make it easier to solicit funds. It is often best to target particular sources for certain supplies. (Lumber from the "home center" is a natural, but keep an open mind and notebook in case additional materials might be available. If the manager says, "What are you going to use to hold those boards together?" he might just be offering the "nuts & bolts" or nails & deck kit as well!

Service organizations such as the Rotary, Kiwanis, fraternal groups like the Elks, Lions & Moose, and even local gov't can be a source of cash contributions.

Again whether your talking to a store manager you might really be doing a 3-5 minute presentation to the decisonmakers (maybe even a group's "Executive board" meeting so come prepared with some type of outline, brevity & clarity are keystones of such a presentation. Be preparfed to acknowledge contributions on the spot & after project completeion in writing. (Pictures of finished project are often appreciated by donors & definitely good publicity for the troop.) One of our lumber yards has a "wall of fame" with photos of the Eagle projects to which they have contributed materials.

As an aside, anytime one of our leaders stops into the local home center for ANY hardware (Scout or home related)or even if I just stop in to shoot the breeze, Terry's parting line is, "Thanks for thinking of us. Let us know when your next guy starts his (Eagle) project."

He's never been a scout or leader, his son was not a cub, scout or crew member but some folks really enjoy being a part of Scouting in their community!

Too much said!

Bob

IOnterestingly the Uniform Inspection sheet displayed combines pack & troop leadership. The left sleeve carries a Troop Committeee patch while the right Flag & QU patch, but the accompanying text allows for Den Numeral,

"Right Sleeve.U.S.flag.Den numeral,

if applicable,is worn 2 inches below

seam.If appropriate,the most recent-..."

Carried to its logical conclusion... if Webelos dens should choose "patrol names etc" should their leaders not where them as well?

"Pot-stirring 101," slowly, smoothly so as not to tip the pot!

Hey maybe that should be our Patrol name, yell, "Get to work or get outta the kitchen!"

Bob

And I was hoping that someone(whose name begins w/ E) was headed for a "dude ranch". Think "City Slickers" resident camp. Check FOG's 2nd paragraph.

Bob

Well said, Eamonn. Well Said!

I reminded of the saying,

"Hope is not a plan."

And I would like everyone to understand if we dredge up those publication numbers every once in a while...

Selecting Cub Scout Leaders,

No.13-500

Selecting Quality Leaders,

No. 18 -981.

I understand the need to look elsewhere when one fails, I'm sure that I have. Failed and looked elsewhere but part of delivering the promise is making sure that there is good communication with Charter(ing) Organizations and if at all possible a second string of trained leaders.

I believe that we also need to convince parents that if they think their child benefits from the program they need to ask how they can help the unit, & therefore their child. (All are not born to lead, but everyone has a role.)

Thanks for the entre Eamonn

Sorry, I'm not a Marx Bros. fan .

I've sentenced myself to rubbing down my cocoanut horse & polishing armor the rest of the day.

Happy Easter, Passover & Spring holiday! ( Please not the alphabetical order of greetings!)

Bob

Why a DUCK? from the Holy Grail.... witch hunting 101.

Sorry but this is a rather imprecise process.

2 huge scales one holding a duck the other a person acused of being a witch.

The ratioale...

It he / she weighs less than a duck he/she will float.

If it floats its like wood.

What do we do with wood -

BURN IT!

What else would one do with a witch?

There's a skit in there somewhere, but I hope my boys don't find it!

Sorry I found it very funny as a youth & don't apologize for my strange sense of humor or ridiculous Englishmen.

Bob

Hardly MacGyver maybe McDona;d's...

really impressed our older scouts by using three litter poles as rollers to move an "immovable object". I am constantly amazed at the things that kids miss is basic science clases. (Actually I think that they just didn't want to move that serving area (bar!) from in front of the kitchen service window.... they were right - it was filthy underneath it!

Bob

KS,

You do mean "Boy Scout" application / health history don't you? I've just run into a few troops (with "feeder packs") that have discovered unregistered (new) scouts in the Fall because they "only crossed over" from the pack. Ergo no one (leaders or family) asked for a new application Nyet, the boys changed programs.

I heavily starch my shirt collar and like the look w/ one of the BSA green ties. I can tolerate the effect on the rolled collar. By the way my unit wears the neckerchief under the collar so I'm not forced to flatten it by turing it under.

Other ideas... the Muldoons invisible spring stay reminds me that "It's ll fun and games until someone loses an eye!" Just kidding, but how springy is it?

In the late 70's early 80's I wore a collar bar with dress shirt that had a very, small solid ball or cube on both ends. One end screwed off to reveal a sharp point that could be passed through the collar, behind the tie & out through the other side of the collar. (I had one that was very sharp, a second actually looked like an oversized safety pin and a third that had come with a shirt with a finshed hole in each wing (?) of the collar.)

Oh the possibilities!

I'm 46 years old & very proud of my association w/ Scouting, therefore I use any excuse to wear the uniform. Community days, holiday parades, even when just attending CO activities. If pushed I'll explain that Scouts are an important part of our community.

AAARRRGGGHHH!

I'll find a picture & insert it!!

Bob

lets try that again...

Ignore the periods...

..........._____

.............|..........|

.......B...|..........|

.......A...|..........|

.......R...|..........|

.......K...|..........|

............|.........|..........C

______|.....| A

|...............| N

|... branch... |.......... D

|_______......|.......... L

...... S...|.....|.......... E

...... I...|.....|_________.....______

...... D...|...............|...|......|

..... E |..........................|

....... |__________________________|

. Clean cut through log / branch

We use split logs all with bark on and holes drilled for the candles. (3/4 or 1 inch"?)

The 3 candle version is a foot long. We usually flank it with one 18" log on each side. These two will each carry six candles / points of the scout law.

One of the neatest pieces we have is a lighter that was made years ago. It was made by cutting at 90 degrees through a 4 inch branch just below a younger branch to for a short back with handle above a flat platform with hole in wich a candle can rest.

Something like...

_____

| |

B | |

A | |

R | |

K | |

| | C

____| | A

| | N

|branch | D

|____ | L

S | | E

I | |_________.....______

D | |...| |

E |_________________ ________|

Clean cut through log / branch

Way too much time on my hands!

Bob

This thread has been moved to open discussion. Please post replies there.

Bob

Sorry for the double. Earlier Imistakenly posted this under Advancement. Hopefully I can route most replies here.

Bob

Boy Scout 5K

Posted: Wednesday, 4/7/2004: 10:20:20 AM quality

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Our venture roundtable chair came up with the idea of a 5K/1 Mile Fun Run as a fundraiser for our district.

www.boyscout5k.org

Please feel free to pass it along to runners, Scouts, scouters or anyone else who might be interested in participating in or sponsoring this event.

Wilmington is revitalizing a 375 year old waterfront (Including the Russell Peterson conservation area) and we hope to bring people w/ an interest in supporting scouting (or running) out to this neat location. (We will be running on the riverfront boradwalk, not in the nature area!)

Bob

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Eagledad

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Registered: 11/21/2002

Location: Edmond Oklahoma

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RE: Boy Scout 5K

Posted: Wednesday, 4/7/2004: 10:29:22 AM quality

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Hi All

I have thought about this idea for a couple years. I like the idea of fundraising and bringing more awareness of scouting to the community. Was it hard to set up?

Barry

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Bob58

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RE: Boy Scout 5K

Posted: Wednesday, 4/7/2004: 10:45:37 AM quality

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Hi Barry,

At this point its a work in progress. Primus has worked closely with the "Riverfront Development corporation", they have allowed the use of the area for many non-profit programs. He has lined up professional timing so that serious runners can report this score. There will be a start finsh archway, route markers (possibly with sponsors names,) water stations, first aid, music and other sub committees. (We're planning on support from individual units who are not going to be running.)

Since we're running the waterfront there will be few traffic safety issues.

Looking it appears that I didn't provide a good weblink. Try:

http://boyscout5k.org/

I'm also reposting to the open discussion forum.

Bob