epalmer84

Ketcham died in 2001- the strip is now written and drawn by his former assistants, Marcus Hamilton and Ron Ferdinand. Ed

I'm scratching my head (or something) on this one. I have no real answer, just questions... Are popups allowed for everyone? Is it one for every two Scouts or one per patrol? Are they allowed at camporees or summer camp? What about RVs? Is the wife a leader? Does the Scoutmaster's son "camp" in the popup? Ed

> Our troop will be implementing a travel policy The others have addressed your question pretty well, so now I'm going to ask one- why do you need a policy? Packs, troops and teams do not need rules, regulations, policies, guidelines or by-laws- they are already in place and documented in the various publications. If you are trying to interpret the existing policies, then that is an open ended road as folks interpret your interpretations. The only unit with by-laws is the Venturing crew, and that is mainly to create their identity and vision. Ed

Andy over at NetCommish has a good column on this: http://netcommish.com/AskAndy95.asp Ed

Yes- it is now the Tiger Cub Den Leader Award. The current progress record is at: http://www.scouting.org/forms/34169/50.pdf I'm not a Tiger Cub expert, but from "So Youre a New Tiger Cub Den Leader": Tiger Cub Den Leadership The success of a Tiger Cub den depends on active, enthusiastic families working alongside a knowledgeable, well-trained den leader. The Tiger Cub den leader plans and carries out a year-round program of activities for the Tiger Cub den and gives the program continuity. Using the concept of shared leadership, the Tiger Cub den leader works with a different boyadult partner team each month to plan two den meetings, a Go See It outing, and the dens part in the pack meeting. (Some teams may serve more than one month, depending on den size.) Shared leadership is a key element of the Tiger Cub program because direct adult involvement is important for boys at this age. Through this sharing of leadership, each boy and adult partner team is given an opportunity to lead. Shared leadership also brings a wealth of knowledge and variety to the program as each host team has something different to bring to the program. As a Tiger Cub den leader, you will provide experience and ontinuity throughout the program year. http://www.scouting.org/cubscouts/resources/13-233.pdf Ed

Just as there is no "official" retirement ceremony, there is no official presentation. Keep it simple and dignified. For the record, I highly dislike the "cut the stripes" ceremony. Ed

It is up to the course director, but I would say either wear the proper Venturing uniform or borrow a Boy Scout uniform. Ed

>ingested soap residue. I've been told that camp soap won't cause diarrhea, but I cannot find any reference on it. Ed

This is kinda interesting. When I moved back home about 15 years ago We were in the process of switching from the Lions because their membership was in decline. We switched over to the Ruritans. We met at the Presbyterian church- I think we had met there since the troop was reorganized in the late 70s. I eventually became a member of the church. Our CO relationship was amiable but not really active. In the meantime, the pack had changed from the school, to the VFW, to the PTA and then to the Methodist church. I re-married a year and half ago, and we were flipping between my Presbyterian church and and her Methodist church in a near-by town. Neither of us was exactly happy with that so we tried out the local Methodist church, which is actually where I went as a youth (and still know a lot of folks), and last fall we decide to become members. Now, the Ruritans here have really become sports oriented. They do a really good job with the local baseball teams and they maintain a great park (which has had several Eagle projects). The Methodist preacher has a son in the troop and he approached us, so we mulled it over for a while, then decided to move the troop and crew over. I has been about six months, and it is a good relationship. Being under one roof, the troop and pack have more contact. So- given this and the other remarks, the answer to joining the CO is: join the CO if and only if it is something you would do regardless of Scouting; if it isn't fun or interesting you will not stick with it. Ed

I still have my belt loops- I earned all 12, including the early version of the First Aid skill award with a red cross (can you say trademark infringement). I also have my brother's set- his First Aid has the green cross. I still remember the ping of aluminum on the floor when skill awards were handed out. Skill awards were part of the instant recognition program that came in with the Improved Scouting Program in 1972. Essentially, the first aid requirements for Tenderfoot through First Class were rolled up into the skill award and so forth. You had to earn certain skill awards for each rank, and you had to earn the skill award as a requirement for certain merit badges; for example you had to earn First Aid skill award for First Aid merit badge. As instant recognition, these were handed out during the meetings. These came in 12 packs and units just bought as many as they needed. I don't believe these were reported to council on the advancement reports- they were recored in the Scouts' progress book (a pocket size book to record advancement). Skill awards were discontinued in 1989. But, wait! The BSA does not discard anything. Belt loops made a comeback for Cub Scouting in 1992 for the Cub Scout Academics program and were expanded for the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program in 1996. So- it has been almost two decades since skill awards were discontinued. If you really want some, you can find them on eBay. Your son does have the current Boy Scout Handbook? The tan cover with the eagle; not the two tone green cover. Ed

In September of 1979, I became a Scoutmaster; I remember this well since it was my 21st birthday. I had been the "acting" Scoutmaster Since February or so when the previous Scoutmaster had actually left. Was I a good Scoutmaster ? I would like to think so. I delivered the program as I had learned it. We went camping every month, we had a fair advancement program and we had a lot of fun. I don't recall ever having an assistant Scoutmaster with that troop, and I can't recall who took over when I left in December 1980. I know I was a more energetic Scoutmaster than I am now, and probably a bit more enthusiastic. I don't recall ever using a sleeping pad during that time; air mattresses are lovely these days. I never had any training during that time. Now- to put this into perspective- this was in Neu Ulm, Germany, a small military community. I was a young SP4 in the Army and the closest troop was an hour away. I don't ever recall meeting the DE who was two hours away. Ed

A few ramblings... According to my 1986 version of The Order of the Arrow Handbook, male Explorers could be elected to the OA. It appears this was dropped entirely for Venturing. I think female leaders could be selected to the OA in 1988 or so, just after females were allowed to be Scoutmasters. The COD that kahits mentioned is the Corps of Discovery, a nascent Venturing honor/service society. It uses a pocket flap similar to the OA flap. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/corpsofdiscovery/?yguid=305994200 A few years ago, we started an event called the Iditarod. Run in conjunction with the Klondike Derby, the Iditarod is an advanced program for senior Scouts and Venturers. It involves survival and advanced Scoutcraft skills. Ed

Here is the current Pack Committee Chairman emblem from ScoutStuff.org, #00380: http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/images/05NDC/images/00380.jpg I really did not realize the Cub Scout leader emblems still used the gold and silver borders. Scoutmaster used to have a silver border and assistant Scoutmaster had a gold border until the new versions with the tan backgrounds were issued. It looks like Cubmaster is the only unit leader emblem with the silver border. You might check eBay for older style emblems. The borders were used to outline leadership- silver for primary leaders like Scoutmaster and senior patrol leader, gold for assistants and secondary leaders. And yes, silver is higher than gold in the BSA, except for shoulder loops (I think no one told de la Renta); this is a carryover from the US military. Ed

Personal opinion time: North either committed the crimes he was accused of and lied to get out of it, or he was a patsy for those who did. Either way, I find I have little respect for him, and probably less respect for those who actually pay him to spout his rhetoric. Was North a Scout? Ed

Great idea- as a disabled veteran/combat veteran I give my stamp of approval! I just wish I had thought of it first. And that our troop wore neckerchiefs. And that we had a Memorial Day parade here. Ed

All good answers. And you are not the only one who double posts. It has noting to do with the connection, as I do if from work, home and out of state. And no, you don't get credit for two posts- your number only increments by one. Ed

A good Scoutmaster: - Understands and cares about the youth - Has a commitment to deliver the program and not re-invent it - Understands that the Scoutmaster and the SPL are the troop leaders; the CO and the committee are there for administrative support - Understands that no matter what other might think, the SPL is the *real* troop leader - Is able to not only apply the program and the rules, but also be able to impart the reasoning behind both - Understands that the methods of Scouting are just that- methods, not goals - Is able to make the Scouts buy into the goals of Scouting - Praises in public, reprimands in private I'm sure I have missed a few... Ed P. Assistant Scoutmaster, Advisor

If it wasn't for parents, we wouldn't have Scouts. It is always a balance. Parents have every right to participate in the program (see below), but we should also expect them to allow their sons to participate fully as well. The parents of new Scouts need to be educated to understand what they should and should not do in the program. Our troop has a parent orientation before we have a crossover- this seems to help quite a bit. If this parent is the COR and on the committee, then she definitely needs to be educated. As COR or committee, she is an administrator; the Scoutmaster is the unit leader along with the SPL. My first thought is that there are issues with the Scoutmaster, and the other messages reinforce that thought. I agree with Hunt in that this does not count as camping. National Parent Initiative- ever heard of this? Take a look at the very bottom of Adult Application 28-501E: "The National Parent Initiative has been designed to increase youth and parent recruitment, retention, advancement, participation, dedication, and a passion for Scouting. Your involvement and commitment is essential to the success of your childs Scouting experience. We encourage the parents (guardians) for each child to: 1. Participate with them. 2. Go to and observe their meetings. 3. Be part of their units programboth weekly meetings and outings. 4. Support the program financially. 5. Coach them on their advancement and earning of recognition awards. 6. Help in at least one support role during the year." http://www.scouting.org/forms/28-501.pdf There is also a whole new website for parents: http://www.scoutparents.org/ I have a room full of personal memorabilia from almost 40 years in Scouting. I have bits of historical memorabilia though the life of the BSA. One of my most prized pieces is a note from a Scout's mother thanking me for not letting her take her son home from a campout. I brought this young man through two years of Webelos and seven years of Boy Scouting. He had physical and learning problems, but he made Eagle Scout on his own merits. He had problems on that outing, and mom wanted to take him home. I convinced her to let him go- that I would keep an eye on him and make sure he was OK. She left with tears in her eyes, but she was so proud when she picked him up after the trip. This is why I am a Scouter- it doesn't get much better than this. Ed P.

Boy Scouts of America Youth Application 28-406: "Venturers registered in a crew or ship prior to their 21st birthday may continue as members after their 21st birthday until the crew or ship recharters or they reach their 22nd birthday, whichever comes first." http://www.scouting.org/forms/28-406.pdf There is a subtle but distinct difference between to and through. To in this context would mean that membership would stop at age 21, through would mean that membership can continue through (past) age 21. This is one of my minor pet peeves with National. Having said that, I might be wrong about Exploring. The age for that program is "14 (and have completed the eighth grade) or 15 through 20 years old." http://www.learning-for-life.org/exploring/index.html But at least this states through, implying that membership continues through age 20. I was thinking that Exploring had the same age requirements as Venturing, but it appears I was wrong. I can't find an Explorer application online. Ed

I mulled this over a bit, but have the same opinion as Ken- this is just not right. I would not countenance this as a "fund raiser" for my unit, nor would I pay for such a service. I have to think this reflects badly for all of the units involved. I wonder who approved that Unit Money-Earning Permit Application? Especially after reading the guideline that states "is it consistent with the ideals and purposes of the Boy Scouts of America?" http://www.scouting.org/forms/34427.pdf Ed

Lets see... matches, plastic and a flashlight. Sounds like the stuff I keep in both my backpack and my daypack. Along with a first aid kit, water bottles, cordage, poncho, emergency poncho, spork, steel cup, snacks, drink mix and other goodies. As noted, this thing will work only if bought and carried. For $30 you can get a full complement of emergency equipment. If you are smart enough to carry this, you are probably smart enough to not get lost in the first place. Oh- if he is referring to the Utah Cub Scout who was lost for four days last week- then he needs to add instructions to not hide from rescuers. Ed

Sounds like a good start for this young lady. This does illustrate an issue I have with how Exploring is marketed. Exploring is a program of Learning for Life, a subsidiary of the BSA. My council (kinda small as we have five professionals) just lumps Exploring in with Venturing. Also- Exploring (like Venturing/Sea Scouting) goes through age 21 (not "to" age 21 which is how all the publications show it); members are registered until their 22nd birthday or the unit charter expires, whichever comes first. Ed(This message has been edited by epalmer84)

Camp Shenandoah in Stonewall Jackson Area Council, Virginia has a central shower house for campers. It has two sections for youth with individual stalls, one for adult female and one for adult male. The showers were rebuilt just a few years ago to meet local code and National camp standards. As I understand it, National now has a standard for individual stalls. There are also showers in the Fix campsite for staff and one in the backside of the dining hall for the cook staff (and for Campmasters in the off season). I set up a cold shower by the campsite latrine, using a Coleman shower tent. This is real nice for quick showers in the morning and afternoon just to get the sweat off. The SPL is responsible for troop hygiene. He ensures that the patrol leaders get their patrols to the showers on a regular basis. The Scoutmasters gently remind him from time to time (or when someone starts to smell). They also ensure that the latrines are used (we have had issues with some of the Scouts who avoid using them). The SPL and PL are also supposed to keep watch on Scouts at mealtimes to ensure they are eating and drinking properly. Ed P.

>P.S. Does anyone else have images of Eamonn croonin' like Bing Crosby now floatin' through their heads? Nope. I see Eric Idle singing and whistling this tune from The Life of Brian while being crucified (records available in the lobby). Ed

anarchist- Normally I would agree with you on the "adult quartermaster" issue, but frankly this sounds like their system is broken. Once they have a handle on the situation, it is time for the troop quartermaster to take over with oversight from an assistant Scoutmaster. That kit on eBay is a good deal- those bitty cups are really only good as measuring cups. I have found several bits and pieces of cook kits and chef kits in yard sales for cheap. I'm always picking up camping gear at yard sales and re-selling it to some of our disadvantaged youth. Frankly, I'm of two minds on the cook kits. They are standardized, and they assemble neatly, and they are traditional. They are pricey though, and if you have boxes for bumper camping then you can use any sort of pot and pan set from a discount or thrift store. If you are backpacking, then as a kit, it is too much. The chef kits are way over-priced compared to discount/thrift store prices. The frying pans are about useless for actually frying meats, but are OK for simmering stuff like pre-cooked meals. The big pot is great for backpacking when you are making a big pot of spaghetti or the like. It packs neatly on the end of my sleeping bag. Ed