SSScout

I have just been "led to believe" by a Scout in my circle, that in his Troop, any Eagle project proposal to be considered by the Troop Committee should be (?must be?) done with a Power Point Presentation. Now, I have no argument that such a thing is wonderful and a sign of our times. I have sat in on many Eagle Project discussions that had detailed pictures and photos and diagrams and charts, but never, up til now, a Power Point. Seen 'em at work, in other venues, but in a preliminary Eagle Proposal? It sounds like the Troop is requiring this, but as a Commisher of the District, I have not approached anyone else as of yet. Thoughts?

History Montgomery is the organization that promotes and seeks to preserve the history of my home area, Montgomery County, Maryland. Here is a recent video presentation about Troop 33 of Takoma Park Maryland, and the founding of their Camp Schmitt..

Aye, the work is imdeed done by whoever shows up. Consider the recent case of a District Commissioner. Wonderful Scouter, bleeds khaki, as they say. He covers all things Scouty in our District for several (several!) years. Comes the new DE. He checks the record, confers with his fellows, and declares that the DCommissioner in question has been DCommissioner long enough, and as of xx date, he will be "retired", thank you for your service", and recommends (?) that Assistant DC be promoted. Assistant DC says "what?" Present DC says "WHAT??" When this news is spread, the rest of the District's ADCs and UCs say ""WHAT ? ? "" Scout politics occurs. 90% of the District's Commissioners threaten to resign. DE et al declare the policy is.... and that's that. The District's ADCommissioners , UCommissioners and Committee Chair et al all stomp their metaphorical feet, read the fine print and note that the DC must be APPROVED by the Council Commissioner, but can be (can be) elected by the District Commissioners and/or Committee. After alot of back and forth, our aged DC agrees to step down, but not quite yet. A dedicated ADC agrees to be DC, and is elected by acclamation at the next District Meeting which happened to be the Annual Meeting, when such things should occur. This ADC is not the one the DE announced, to no one's surprise but relief. The DE and CCommish (on ZOOM) both nod in agreement, revolt/resignations averted. Camporee in four months...

YinYan: Thank you for "Being There" (a very good movie by the way) for our youth. You will eventually be glad you did. Going over this once more. I retired from local gov't service about umpteen years ago, and we had a similar program. I could (and did) donate money to a charity , and got the appropriate tax benefit, and my employer also donated an equal amount to the charity. The charity got twice the money, I got a tax bene, All good. The charity does good things, so I support them. I might even , eventually need the service they provide, but did not seek to use it in any way. The charity gets to decide what to do with the money to serve the purpose they serve. In YOUR situation, what I hear is this: Parent would donate money to a charity , in this case, his Scout's Troop, thru the CO apparently, and his employer would send an equal amount to the Scout Troop too, thru the CO. All good, Scouting gets twice the money, the parent can use the tax benefit as allowed. They are BOTH "Charity donations", yes? BUT... Parent now wants her/his donation credited specifically to his/her Scout's benefit to pay for fees, dues, etc. This is not right or appropriate or legal in many ways, and I am surprised the parent does not realize this. Or do they? Donations to any charity must be done with no expectation of a personal benefit in return, no Quid Pro Quo.... That makes it a business transaction, not a DONATION. Our Scout Council has several properties that are named for the donor that paid for them. That is the only "quo" I see in that. Did their son or Grandson or Great Grand daughter get any direct benefit? I don't know, but the name is on the gate and above the door. Your parent wants both a charitable donation AND paid Scout fees from the same bag of money. Tain't funny, Magee....

If it is a regular Bugle, that slide can serve three purposes. 1) it is used to tune the Bugle to the exact tune of other instruments. All wind instruments have something similar. Watch a band or orchestra "tune up". 2) it also can be used to lower the tone. Being a trombone player (Bass clef) I never worried about this, but I was told the Bugle (Treble clef) was a G instrument and pulling out the slide makes it an F instrument. 3) you take the slide out to shake the spit out and when washing out your horn... Green gunk.... As to your other comment , ALL of the "work" is done with the lips/mouth.... This is called one's "embouchure". and it is, indeed, the biggest stumbling block for young would be trumpeters or Booglers. Buzzing, alot, SQUEEEEZE and get that high G.... Ain't no valves or slide to change the tone. Yes, the "echo" effect is wonderful when done well. The Bugle can be heard a mile away over open land, less thru the woods. bouncing off mountainsides or lake.... Taps is known, but the Tatoo , can be either an Army thing to getthruquick or played with some mellowness and emotion.

Inquisitive Scouter says it. So let it be written, so shall it be... Sorry, recently watched Yul Brynner as Pharoah... I am often sadly amazed at the neglect of the Scout Law and Promise. Not to mention the Golden Rule and (nudge nudge) the desire to find ways around personal and societal limitations. This sort of thing makes me think about how things have changed , and/or stayed the same... A Scout is Trustworthy (1948 Fieldbook): A Scout's honor is to be trusted. If he was to violate his honor by telling a lie, or by cheating or by not doing exactly a given task when trusted on his honor , he may be directed to hand over his Scout badge. ((Scout Handbook, 2016): A Scout tells the truth. He is honest, and he keeps his promises. People can depend on him. A Scout is Thrifty (1948 Fieldbook): He does not wantonly destroy property. He works faithfully, wastes nothing, and makes the best use of his opportunities. He saves his money so that he may pay his own way, be generous to those in need, and helpful to worthy objects.. He may work for pay, but must not receive tips for courtesies or Good Turns. (Scout Handbook, 2016) : A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for the future. He protects and conserves natural resources. He is careful in his use of time, money and property. The IRS has a purpose, often overlooked, and that is to make (some of the monetary playing field even. Donate money and then to claim it back for personal use just on face seems wrong. Thru the company's largess, that this parent wants to help the PURPOSE of Scouting along is wonderful, but the way that is requested is jut wrong. If the parent wants to establish some funds in his Scout's Scout Account (which idea I personally have never liked) is fine, but that is not what the company would understand, I bet. Oops, can't bet. No gambling in Scout fundraising... Company matched donation? To CO for use of Scout Units? Wonderful;. Buy a new Troop Trailer, a new Cub Pack Pinewood Derby track, new pop up tents, cook sets, camp stoves for the Patrols. Renovate, repaint the meeting rooms. New sign out front "HOME OF CUB PACK AND SCOUT TROOP XYZ< MEETS FRIDAY 7PM>>>>" Send the whole Troop to Philmont. Send the whole Cub Pack to overnight on the USS Constellation in Baltimore. But not for one Scout....

Here's one of my "kickers"... The regulation Bugle has about five feet of brass tubing..... Take your old garden hose, cut off five feet of hose, smooth one end with some fine sandpaper, jam a kitchen funnel of appropriate size in the other end and PLAY it.

Oh, the tangled webs we weave.... I have a local reputation, being a Bugling MBCounselor. I get called and travel some... "Can I use my guitar"? Yes, I have had Scouts ask about the "other" wind instruments. Saxophone? mmmmm nope. Trombone? Maybe, let's hear you.... Baritone? Sousapohone? mmmm rather not, transferring the technique to a Bugle isn't too hard, but you are starting over. I knew I would never be a professional musician (Trombone!) but played thru high school and college marching band and orchestra. Went places, did things I would NEVER have done without that musical stuff. I always encourage the Scouts to "srick with it"....... Bugle in Scouts was fun. I liked some old TV shows where the Bugle was used.... "Boots And Saddles" calvary cowboys.... " Captain Gallant of the French Foreign Legion".... wow, French Bugle calls... I have gone to Merit Badge Colleges (!) and had Scouts show up LITERALLY exoecting a sit and git session. Two brothers showed up, with new "Cavalry" Bugles (those little one loop things) still in the plastic bags, never even tried to make a buzz before. We talked, and "discussed". When they left, they could at least make noise. Many times I have given a "Partial", they always leave with all my contact info. RARELY have I ever had a Scout contact me to complete things. The biggest stumbling block, the one thing that seems to be the hardest, is that high G, the highest of the five (or six!) notes for the Bugle repertroire Then, the occasional young Wynton Marsalis.... . Trumpet? Open valve? one and three down? Make the scale.... Last time, I had a nascent Eagle Scout, he had I think 70 some Merit Badges, wanted to earn all 138... He played piano, never a brass instrument. Bugle was his goal today, new Bugle, He made the buzz, he followed my directions, when he left, I was pleased to give him a partial, he knew he needed to practice, I knew he would do it. Two months later, I have not heard from him....

So, the Commissioner is sort of like the Dutch Uncle of Scouting. The experienced, knowledgeable, understanding Scouter who can listen sympathetically, point finger without casting blame (maybe), mention rules when necessary (or not), see things "as they are" as well as "how they could be" . She/he is available for consultation and diagnosis. Higher degrees in Social Science, Auto Mechanics, Corporate Dynamics and Timber Engineering are appreciated, but mostly "Life Engineering" is most needed. . Prior Scouting experience in one's yoooth is useful but not necessarily necessary. Red Jacshirt covered with patches is okay, but again, not necessary. Commissioners meet with Committees, Key 3s, watch Troop meetings, teach lashings and knife and axe safety and tell stories about "back when I was a Scout....". They either make themselves well meaning nuisances or appreciated Dutch Uncles.... Depends on the personality and Unit Ecology..... When I took Woodbadge, I had some ideas for my Tickets, and the Guide(s) liked them, but there was a problem. I was registered as a ASM, Scoutson having just crossed over into the Troop. My time as a Cub Parent/leader was fun and rewarding, and so my Tickets had both Cub Scout ideas and Boy Scout ideas. I was told my Tickets HAD to be appropriate to my registered position. What to do? Eliminate the Cub ideas? No. "You should be a COMMISSIONER ! They can do ANYTHING!"" Great . What's a Commissioner? I'd never heard of that, never met one that I knew of. Here, sign this paper.... Three days later, I had a new patch on my sleeve, a newly minted Unit Commissher, noted to my son's Troop, in my home District (which had just changed it's name for the second time since I had returned to Scouting as an adult). This has led to new friends, new "jobs", helping with CSDC, adult training, Troop mechanics and society, public appearances, faith connections, some successes and smiles, some disappointments. The Troop I Commish ,like every other one, has it's ups and downs, I hope I can say I have inspired and helped along the way.... I know the present SM and two ASMs have been to Woodbadge and came back with enthusiasm. Even if I forget (or never learned) the parent's names, I am welcomed and approached for advice. Must mean something. You say you haven't seen a Commissioner in your Scout neighborhood? What was it Mr. Rogers said? Look for the "Helpers"? Maybe that's the answer. Maybe YOU could be one of the "Helpers".

It has never come up to me in conversation, but why not ? BUGLE as the instrument in the MUSIC Merit Badge req.#1. and #4b........

You all speak my mind. The folks that want to believe without research or believing their own eyes and ears have , it seems, always been with us. One episode from my way past history sticks with me.... Way back in 19 and 66, our HS english class somehow (I forget why, maybe it was close to a holiday) got to discussing WW 2. Our english teacher , Mr. Emler, let the discussion flow where it would. One of my classmates, he was a football "star" , spoke up and declared that the Holocaust was fiction, made up by a Jewish conspiracy... Mr. Emler got very quiet, sat down on the edge of his desk and proceeded to tell us of how his Army unit had been among the first to enter, "liberate", Buchenwald. The class got very quiet. The footballer never spoke up again. It was not until much later that I made the connection, that Mr. Emler, and indeed many of the men, and women , I knew and admired were of "that age". My first SM had been in the army, but I never knew much about that. Our local Sea Scout Ship was Skippered by an old Chief Bosun's Mate. The local Sea Scout Regatta is named after him. And then we ignore what is right in front of us, and hope for the best....

I once proposed a "Religious Study/Faith" Merit Badge. It would have been a comparative religion sort of thing. They politely turned it down as not necessary with the Religious Awards program in place. Now, I want to reiterate that the rumor of combining the Pet Care and Cooking Merit Badges is FALSE...

As in any organizational effort, ""The Work Is Done By Whoever Shows Up"" Thank you for "Showing Up". You will not be disappointed. How big is your Troop? Encourage the PLs and SPL to do the planning of activities with your oversight and blessing. One of my favorite memories is as the Unit Commish sitting in the back of the room while the new (old, he had been there before. Another story) SM met with his newly elected SPL and PLs. The idea was to plan the coming year's camps, hikes, museum visits, etc. These Scouts were not new to Scouting, but new to their roles. The SM suggested things, trips, and the Scouts obviously were WAITING.... Finally, the nascent SPL said "You mean I can make that decision?" to which the SM responded ""DUUHH !"". They had a very successful year. As to your training, IOLS etc. Yes, sign up and have fun with it. IOLS is mostly about Scout Skills and safety and traditional things. Most of Scout Training, whether in person (how would you really teach knife and axe online?) or virtual, is about safety and personal experience of the trainers. Ask questions. Save Wood Badge for later, if you are new to the " Scouter" role, it is good to have some experience to compare WB to. One bit of personal advice: Do not neglect the "Scoutmaster's Minute" , either after the Troop Meeting or by the campfire. Your personal bits, observations, reminders about what the Scout Promise, Scout Law, real character is all about can have unknown , big results. If you need some ideas, some inspiration yourself, you can find lots of stuff in print and online. I recommend Robert Baden-Powell, Ernest Seton, and William Hillcourt from Scouting. Eric Sloan, Kipling, Jack London, St. Francis, Kahlil Gibran, John Muir.... outside of Scouting. Best of luck. See you on the trail.

Repeat after me:... Jamboree at the Summit...

A couple of things come to mind. I have been thru WB as participant and staff (twice that). As staff, I did not do any ticket approval, I was an "assistant" to others. One thing I never heard of was the cooperation between participants. Has it ever been known for folks to work together for a ticket? or two? Does the ticket HAVE to be only an individual, personal thing? Yes, my Patrol (hoot hoot) worked a training project for the WBTroop. Secondly, my experience was , to my WBSM et al, unique, in that some of my proposed tickets were about Cub Scouts, but I was registered as a ASM at the time. I had alot of CS experience, in CSDC and being a CM for a lengthy time. They liked my ticket proposals, but told me my tickets had to be about my registered position! This is a rule? yes they said. They put their various Scout heads together and spoke to me and PRESTO ! in 48 hours I was registered as a Unit Commissioner. Commissioners can do ANYTHING Scouty! (so they said). I am muti registered as a ASM, and have worked my way thru the Commish ranks so to speak, and still seem to be doing CS tickets fairly often.