dsteele

I think we need to remember the big picture. The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is being met. Whether it's because of or in spite of, the things OGE mentions, we're very good at what as Scouters do. That is instilling in youth the values found in the Scout Oath and Law. Unc.

Staying outside of the council ramifications, if you'd like to see very similar pristine properties to Owassipe, there are several BSA camps in close proxmimity. Try Camp Gerber -- I believe this belongs to the council in Traverse City, MI. Or try Lost Lake, Lansing Michigan's council camp, or Paul Bunyan Scout Reservation -- which belongs to the Auburn, MI Camp on the other side of the state. None have flush toilettes in the campsites, but there are many beautiful places to camp in Michigan. This does not take away from the pain of your loss. However, I do hope you find alternatives. Unc.

Two wrongs don't make a right. But three lefts do! Schneider . . . from "One Day at a Time." It's axiomatic. Unc.

I'm with purce when it comes to opening lines. I like to open up with, does everyone know what Friends of Scouting is? Some, if not most, hands go up. I smile and say, "That's right . . . I'm here to ask for money!" That usually draws a few laughs and breaks the ice. Unc.

Just out of curiosity and not malice -- how does a council person sound compared to a parent? Do you mean be knowledgeable (I probably mis-spelled that) about the terms? Unc.

Here's an idea I saw once work. It was done by a gutsy Roundtable staffer who was not afraid to push. She phoned the leaders prior to the roundtable and informed them of the topic. This didn't do much for us. Then she got mad. She took the handouts and a sample craft. She cut them in half and mailed the halfs to the leaders who were not represented -- not necessarily absent, just no representative from the pack at that session. There was just enough information to make it intriguing. She promised them they would get whole copies when someone from the pack attended their particular session at the next Roundtable. Within a few months, attendance had skyrocketed. I have no idea how many complaints the district commissioner, roundtable commissioner, or DE took over this, but it sure worked. Scary, huh? Unc.

I love the letters and the links. Just please do us all a favor and don't feel the need to read every one out loud at the court of honor. It amazes me how many letters from Congressmen, the President, etc. I've had to sit through over the years. Put them in a nice keep-sake type notebook and have them on a table to display with the other awards the Eagle has earned. Keep the reading of the letters to a bare minimum -- preferably those selected by the Scout himself. Unc.

It's been my experience that some Scouts participate in more than one troop. This is particularly likely to happen if they're on camp staff, OA, or have a brother involved in a troop different than their own. They can not, by the rules, be registered in more than one troop. However, remember, registration is in the Boy Scouts of America. It should be paid only in one place. If the main troop (the one to which the Scout has his registration paid) accepts advancement done while participating with another troop, it is acceptable. In other words, when I was a Scout and the troop my friend Mark was in went on a campout, it was okay for me to go and do whatever advancement they did. It was up to my own troop to decide whether or not to accept it. However, I was not registered with both troops at the same time. Clear as muck? Unc.

Welcome Almostthere! I'm not sure what the name applies to. If you were a faithful reader of Boy's Life you were a Scout at Heart. Of course, whoever purchased the subscription for you would have saved 50% if you were a Scout. Most people don't realize that the subscription price for Scouts is 50% of what the general public (it is available to all) pays. Unc.

At our recent Klondike Derby evaluation, a couple of the Senior Patrol Leaders were complaining about the sheepshank being one of the knots required for one of the events. The question was asked, "Who here has ever used a sheepshank?" Of the 50 or so people, my hand was the only one that went up. I was surprised. Maybe rope is less expensive now than it was when I was a Scout. Our Scoutmaster raised us to never cut a rope unless it was absolutely necessary. We used a sheepshank (of varying lengths) to avoid cutting the rope. He also taught us how to get the knot out with a sharp rolling pull. Very cool. I think learning the knots and their uses is one of the best tools Scouting provides. It's one path to learning what's REALLY important . . . the values found in the Scout Oath and Law. Unc.

Trying to help with the roundtable presentation regarding what unit leaders should know in the event of injury at camp: 1) Have copies of the medical forms (the one on the back of the youth application will suffice) complete with parent signature for every minor on the trip. Have these in your physical possession. Without the permission to treat, any hospital will not treat the patient (other than lifesaving measures) until the parent has been contacted. With it, it's usually not an issue. 2) Have a basic first aid kit. If the basic first aid kit won't do the required job, get other help immediately. 3) Have an emergency communications plan. If Billy gets hurt, how do you reach a parent quickly. I've had it happen where Mom and Dad went to visit a friend while their son was on a weekend campout. The kid needed stitches, the Scoutmaster didn't have the medical form, and it took three hours to hunt down one of the parents. 4) Don't live in fear of a kid getting injured. It happens. 5) If a kid does get injured and your unit has followed the Guide to Safe Scouting (which also happens) don't beat yourself up. Just get him the best treatment you can. Unc.

I'd suggest as well that your role be minimal at best. You are no longer the Scoutmaster of the troop and it's operation is now out of your control. My suggestion would be that the SPL plan the next meeting/outing and that he arrange a time to present the plan to the Scoutmaster well in advance. He should approve him by saying, "Mr. X, I've got a plan for our next outing. Can we go over it together to make sure I haven't missed anything?" The SPL should then be able to get buy in from the Scoumaster and go from there. As a "retired" Scoutmaster myself, I can tell you that taking that leap of faith for boy leadership is the hardest baptisim of fire I ever took in Scouting. You don't know me, but that's a strong statement. I've had several "baptisms of fire." Unc.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Laugh it up yucky-boy! Never tell an Englishman a joke on Saturday. He'll interrupt the sermon on Sunday when he finally gets it. Unc.

John: I do know it's a current fact. I'm not sure of the exact wording or who else gets the pay increase. I wasn't aware the military even let people with 4 year degrees enlist. I tried to do just that in the late 1980's, but was told I was over-educated. Of course, we weren't at war at the time. You actually can learn something each day! Unc.

Sticking my neck out again here against the magic wand of subliminal insults to the intelligence . . . If giving Eagle Scouts/Gold Award recipients a break on tuition is unconstitutional . . . Then isn't it amazing that the ACLU has not attacked the U.S. Marine Corps, United States Navy, US Army, or US Air Force for giving Eagle Scouts who enlist and automatic pay increase? Does the ACLU not have the mojo to go against the Feds, or must it all start at the local and state level? Unc.

If you can find someone with a copy of the old BSA video "Ages and Stages," which came out with the Ethics in Action program in the early nineties (okay I'm dating myself again) The tail end of the video contains a video for Boy Scout age kids that goes into exactly this kind of a scenario. It can be an excellent starting place for a PLC discussion and a guided discovery. The portion of which I speak is only about 10 minutes long. The program was never very popular. I'd wager that whoever keeps your video library in your council service center can find a copy and dust it off for you. Unc.

So chives weren't my brightest idea ever. Go ahead and sue me Eamonn. Actually, now that I'm totally off my rocker, how about a chia pet? Just kidding. Unc.

I was about to suggest scissors as a stain removal technique. I'm glad the goof off worked! Unc.

I think the ACLU may have a tougher time fighting this than what they think. How is an Eagle Scout/Gold Award full ride scholarship different than a son or daughter of a Medal of Honor winner attending West Point for free? I realize that everyone attends West Point for free, but the sons/daughters of Medal of Honor winners are the only ones guaranteed admission. How is this different from Affirmative Action, or race-based scholarships? I applaud the move. Unc.

Chives. It's as easy as growing grass . . . not that kind. The kind that's on your lawn. They can grow indoors and they can be snipped and top a baked potato or other dishes. Practicle use and easy to do. Unc.

I really can't complain about 12 year old first years being elected into the OA. I don't remember at what age I was elected, but I can tell you that I took my Vigil when I was 15 years old. Served many years as a Vice Chief, but never wanted to be Chief. Unc.

Bob: Did you hear the one about the professor who left Harvard and went to teach at Yale? He improved the quality of both schools. Unc.

After all these years of calling myself a conservative -- it's good to know I'm a moderate after all. At least in comparision Unc.

PS -- As to the Post Red Beret Stress Syndrome. I am imune to it's symptoms. I wore one and owned one in the 1970's, but it was only on my head for about an hour before being tossed in a dumpster on the way to Philmont. We had an overzealous Assistant Scoutmaster in the 1970's when I was in the troop. He actually carried his son's pack -- and his son! on a five mile hike and then gave him credit for making the hike for his skill award (yes, I earned all of them.) When that guy tried to shove the red beret down our throats as the elected troop hat, I led the rebellion. Hmmm . . . I guess that did leave a mark . I hated the red beret because I associate it with all the crud that guy tried to pull. Unc.

John: Actually, I have been known to sing "Happy Wanderer" out loud with special emphasis on Valdereee Valdera. Sometimes that is exactly what is needed. I've struggled with burnout several times over the years. Unfortunately, it's led to me having a very thick skin. I'm not immune to the plights of others nor to my own. A very wise friend of mine once said "These things are not a big deal if you take the time to think them through." That's what I try to do here (I'm not always successful.) I try to take a look at a situation, the resources available, subtract out the emotion, and suggest a next step. I don't pretend to have solutions, simply suggestions for the next step. I realize that it's impossible to present every variable in these forums. There may be things going on of which the poster isn't even aware. Today's tidbit to the den leader -- if you're getting frustrated with your situation, spend some time with a couple of boys and look for the light in their eyes. When you see that light, and realize it wouldn't be there without you . . . things change. Unc.