Wisumahi

Hi, This is one of the most interesting topics related the OA and one of the most abused. First and foremost it would be appropriate to say that using the material culture of a local tribe is a process fraught with trouble. For example, if you are in California, the clothing is likely to be none at all or very inappropriate sacred ceremonial clothing. Other regions have similar problems for Scouts. It is also the case that many tribes have not been well researched and there are no appropriate resources available. Now, let's address powwows: the clothing used at powwows is DANCE

Hi, Jeffrey, One of the oldest still in existence is the Tribe of Tahquitz, Long Beach Area Council, Long Beach California. Most of the early societies converted to Order of the Arrow lodges. In Southern California, the Tribe of Siwinis, serving both LA Area Council and Arrowhead Area Council, passed into oblivion and those councils started OA lodges named Siwinis (252, still in existance) and Wisumahi (478, now merged), respectively. There was a second Tribe of Tahquitz that served the Riverside County Council; it, too, became an OA Lodge, Tahquitz (127, now merged). The

Hi, again, I am delighted to hear that you are headed for NOAC: it is a great event! You may find, though, that Ceremonies tend to deal with how lines are delivered, etc., and do not focus on the accuracy of outfits. For that aspect, you must look mostly to AIA. There are also workshops on headdresses, beadwork, quillwork, and numerous other topics that may interest you. There are also classes galore! If you do come to the staff powwow (Gathering of Nations), you will see some excellent outfits. I will be in an Old Time Sioux outfit, but there will be outfits from many c

Hi, Hillis, You are truly on track to become an avid American Indian hobbyist. Are you going to NOAC? If so, you will have many opportunities to enhance your education in this area. AIA at NOAC is filled with classes and activities that will be of great help to you. There are singing classes in which you can learn either southern or northern. And you can meet Scouts from your area. I believe you are located in the SE; if so, you should look into attending the Carolina Indian Seminar and/or the Tiak Lodge Indian Seminar. Both of these are normally held around January and Februar

Hi, I joined the Boy Scouts in 1953 and my troop had no communal gear other than flags, flag poles, and cooking equipment. Each Scout was expected to have his own gear: back in those days equipment from World War II was in abundance. We all just visited a local, well-stocked war surplus store and got our gear. Each Scout got a shelter-half, one half of an Army or Marine puptent. I think our SM brought along a spare in case we had an odd number of Scouts, but you could make a lean-to type shelter if you did not want to have a whole puptent. Other equipment we had were US-issued

Hi, emb021! We wrote: ""(2) On the pocket I sewed a Philmont "Dollar" patch with 5 segments." "I was an Explorer in the 50's and earned all the patches that requiered earning. " Did you earn those segments? There were requirements for them. Personally, I would have gotten a 1950s Explorer shirt off eBay, rather then using a Venturing shirt. I have gotten several that way. "" Yes, I earned all all but two segments, Philmont Horseman and Frontiersman. At any rate I earned only have 5 and they are the ones on my shirt. I still have my old Philmont Program Hand Bo

Hi, Gang! Well, I decided awhile back to completely ignore the UP and make a retro-uni from some modern parts. So, I took a Venturing uni shirt, removed the Venturing patch over the right pocket and began adding patches. Here is the list: (1) Over the right pocket I sewed on a 50's Explorers patch. (2) On the pocket I sewed a Philmont "Dollar" patch with 5 segments. (3) On the pocket flap I sewed on a Wisumahi Lodge 478 S2 patch. (4) On the button I hung a 1950's OA ribbon with a 1950's Vigil triangle pin. (5) On the right sleeve I sewed on a CAW patch and a National Standa

Gents, I hardly know where to start. I have read much of what B-P wrote what has been writen about him. Further, I have spent considerable time at B-P House in London and absorbing much of what is there, a wonderful experience. Here is an online list of the many books B-P wrote and he was a prolific writer: http://www.scouting.milestones.btinternet.co.uk/bpbooks.htm Let me point out a few: Reconnaissance and Scouting; this was written in the late 1800's and it is more than coincidental that Boy Scouts got its name based on military Scouting. B-P was a proponent o

Hi, I think we sometimes forget that what Baden-Powell attempted to create was a paramilitary organization for middle and lower class boys. The very name, "scouts", is derived from the military function of persons whose job it was to sneak into enemy territory and get information for military planners. His experience in SA led him to believe that the men who were not officers, i.e., did not come from the upper classes, had insufficient background to prepare them for military duty in the sorts of places where the British Army did its work, the colonies in Africa and Asia. That is, t

John, you wrote: "It's way too much to expect perfect altruism (especially from me), thus plenty of adult recognition is a tool in the box for retaining Scouters." And I am fully on board. We cannot RECOGNIZE Scouters too much. They are wonderful folks who are devoted to helping young men along a pretty rocky path to a useful and fulfilling adulthood. I think we should take every opportunity to recognize the men and women who go the extra mile for our youth. Every opportunity and then some! However, let's do it in a dignified and adult-appropriate manner. I love the example

Oops--I forgot one: on the right sleeve below your troop number, you put your position patch. Sorry, Wisumahi

Hi, I earned my Eagle in 1956 and we had no Eagle Project. You had to earn 21 merit badges--and they were different than the required ones today--had been a Life Scout for 6 months, served your troop as a leader, and served your community in a variety of ways. I cannot remember if this was a BSA requirement, but in our troop one had to present letters from various community leaders indicating one's standing. One had to be from one's school's principal. I think the Eagle Project was a wonderful addition to the Eagle requirements. Wisumahi

Hi, fellow Scouts! Sorry for being so late in getting to this...too much rain here in Northern California! I was a Boy Scout from 1953 to 1956--at which point I became an Explorer--and I have to tell you that our uniforms were much less adorned than those of today. On the left sleeve we wore a city strip, a state strip and our unit's numbers; on our right sleeve we wore just our circular black and red patrol emblem--and up to 6 mbs on the long sleeve. On, under, or over our left pocket we wore service stars and attendance awards, our rank, and our AOL. Over our right pocket could

"I have always felt it inappropriate to critize others for their choices as to what knots they wear. We may not know what their reasons are, and it might NOT be for show or to brag." Hi, emb021! I guess I was not clear: I am not critical of the adults who wear all those myriad of knots. I am critical of the BSA for creating the opportunity. I think the BSA encourages an inappropriate display of awards on adults by having such awards in knot form. I also think it diminishes the importance of one of the most important things a Scout can achieve, the award of Eagle Scout. Tha

Hi, John-in-KC! Thanks for the kind words. However, we may be in the very small minority. I have so many examples of what I believe to be over-awarding and going too far in the OA/Scouting. In my lodge (and many others) one is give beads of various colors for attending events. These are then strung on a necklace that one wears to OA events. In addition, things like pouches are added when one attains Vigil. I cannot express properly how foolish I think a 50 year-old looks wearing a necklace with all sorts of beads and fuu-fuus on in it. I mean, seriously, is that truly behavior that