FScouter

I have found that in the past our charter organization did not really understand their relationship with our troop. They would seem to think that the Scouts are some outside group that uses their facilities and runs up the heating bill. Our CO is our local Community Center Association. More than once I've heard a member say something like "How much rent do we charge the Scouts?" Or, "There's nothing for the kid's in our community to do. We should start a community youth group". I've had to get up and make my Scout speech more than once to explain that the Community Center has a very active youth program, called "BOY SCOUTS" and that we would love for the Community Center membership to get involved. It wasn't until I became President of the Community Center that the light began to flicker and come on. The key is to communicate regularly with the charter organization, attend their meetings, and to report on the doings of the Troop. Things go a lot smoother when they start seeing the Scouts as part of themselves.

Your original post indicated that the SPL was not doing his SPL job. If you are losing both boys and adult leaders, then that sounds like there is a lot more to it than just the issue of the SPL. The SPL is not solely responsible for the troop program. That is the reponsibility of the Patrol Leader's Council, under the leadership of the SPL, and the guidance of the Scoutmaster. Have you done a troop JLT, or has the SPL attended a Council JLT? Has the Scoutmaster and all the Assistants been through Scoutmaster Fundamentals training? Have you involved your Committee? Or talked to your district commissioner? What is it you intend to accomplish at your meeting?

I would have to say that as Assistant Scoutmasters, you are charged with assisting the Scoutmaster in operating the program. If you're not in agreement with the manner in which he runs things, you should work with him and make known your concerns and ideas. The Scoutmaster has the authority to run the program in the manner that he sees fit. If you are unable to get him to change his methods and still want to pursue it, then you need to bring up the issues with the committee. It would wrong for the Assistant Scoutmasters to step in and "take over". Consider too that the SPL is elected by the boys in the troop, not appointed by the SM. If the boys made the wrong choice, then this is a learning experience for them. If the SPL accepted his being elected, and now doesn't like it, then this is a learning experience for him too. The Scoutmaster has the right and obligation to remove boy leaders that can't or won't do the job, but he also has an obligation to help them learn their job and to become better at leadership. We'd be in big trouble if we yanked every boy leader that was not doing a great job. And we'd be in trouble if the Scoutmaster couldn't do his job without getting permission from the Assistants first.

The battle of Fort McHenry makes a great story for a flag retirement. That was one big flag, 30 feet wide by 42 feet long. The stars are two feet across and 15 stripes each 2 feet wide. Major Armistead, the commander at Fort McHenry, commissioned that this very large flag be made so that "the British would have no trouble seeing it from a distance." Almost like a challenge, "here we are, come get us!" Well, the British came all right and the bombardment went on for 25 hours. The bombs that "burst in mid air" were these 200 pound monsters that carried a lit fuse. They often exploded before they reached the intended target. The "rockets red glare" was the new British Congreve rockets that arced through the sky on a trail of red flames. At some point during the night, the bombing stopped. Francis Scott Key, not knowing what really happened, feared that the fort had been destroyed. Actually, the British decided that Baltimore was too costly a prize and ordered a retreat. It wasn't until early morning, "by the dawn's early light" that Key saw that "our flag was still there". And so was inspired our National Anthem. I believe it was 1947 when the president decreed that the U.S. flag would be flown over Fort McHenry 24 hours a day, as as symbol of perpetual patriotism. So, as far as this American and this Scouter is concerned, the flag stays on the shoulder of every Boy Scout in this country, as a symbol for our youth of our perpetual patriotism.

You might have a tough time convincing a boy to drink grey water. But announce that the last course of the meal is "soup". Do the rinse thing, then heat it up and eat the soup.

We did a Totin' Chip training awhile back. I brought my 6' two man saw to demonstrate sharpening techniques. The huge teeth on those old saws make it easy to see and understand how a saw blade actually cuts wood. Well of course the guys couldn't wait to try it out on a real log. So we went to work on a 30" diameter section of log and they were almost in a frenzy to see who would be the first to use the saw. Once you get in sync with your partner and get your rhythm going, the sawdust will really fly. Next lesson for them: How to split a section using wedges and an 8 pound sledge.

Yeah, I've done that too. OGE points out that you can edit after posting, but only until you exit the thread. A spel check feature would be nice.

Yes, sir. I mean OK. You have earned my respect through your thoughtful insights and "Sir" just seems to naturally flow. Besides, anyone that can sing the "Darky Sunday School" deserves an honorable title.

Mr. OGE, sir, you are not alone in your dream.

Not to get off topic, Mr. OGE, sir, but what is meant by "get out of the thread"?

On the message reply screen there is a button labeled "Would you like to preview this message before it is added to the forums?". One may edit, edit, and re-edit before posting.

Hmmm ... Remembering Pooh and Piglet on the hunt for the heffalump. I wonder if there's a way to weave that adventure into the 1st class orienteering lesson. Will have to give that some thought.

I'd find it difficult to believe that BSA would accept money from the John Birch Society at all, let alone accept it with qualifications.

It is amusing to watch all the mental energy expended in finding new excuses and rehashing all the old excuses for not wearing the uniform of the Boy Scouts of America. I love my uniform.

There is a lot of improper display of flags, and casual disposal of worn flags. And there are a lot of flags displayed that are far past the point of being worn out. Instead of campaigning to remove the flag from Boy Scout uniforms, maybe we should channel some of that energy into flag etiquette education, and the collection and retirement of worn flags.

I would appreciate knowing any rumors flying around about my Scouts. I would hope others would believe I have enough good sense to not rush to judgement on hearsay accusations. Just because nothing is proven doesn't mean the Scoutmaster should be kept in the dark.

There's an auction on the eBay right now for a group of 20 shirts. (link http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1063530815 ). The current bid is $41.00. Even adding in the shipping cost, that's only $2.65 per shirt.

At one of our pack's pinewood derbies, the boy's had the most fun after they were eliminated from the competition. They got together racing their cars around on the floor. Some cars would curve off in a wide circle, others would collide together, others had a wheel fall off and and the car would spin out. It was a hoot!

Last night our district had our annual recognition dinner. One of the awards given was to a 90 year old gentleman who had earned his Eagle rank in 1927. Last year he attended an Eagle court of honor for a boy in his church. Afterwards commented to the district Eagle counselor that he had once earned Eagle rank, but no longer had his medal. It seems at some point after he left his boyhood home in Devils Lake North Dakota, his medal and certificate were lost. He very much regretted losing his medal so many years ago. Our Eagle counselor decided to see if it could be replaced. He wrote to National for advice, then initiated research to track down the original Council records. After several month of correspondence and phone calls, he was able to verify the dates that this gentleman had earned the award. National approved a repacement award. And it was at our dinner that he was presented with his new medal, almost 75 years after receiving his first one. Of course he was expected to make a speech, and using his cane, hobbled up to the podium. Although not active in scouting since a youth, he eloquently spoke at length about how the principles of the scout law and oath influenced him throughout his life. And how the Scouting program today is more important than ever for our youth. Of course when he finished he received a long, long, standing ovation. It is scouting moments like this that keep me charged up.

There is a lot of behing the scenes work required to maintain the support structure that allows we scouters to present the program to the boys. How much does it all cost? I couldn't hazard a guess. It would be interesting to see an annual financial statement from Council, and from National. I can't imagine it would be considered secret. Ask them and see what response you get.

Mr. Long has a great point. They are already SA's. Just pull one of these dads aside and tell him what a great job he is doing. And to show him how much he is appreciated, you would like to honor him by granting him the right to wear the uniform. When the rest of the dads find out, I'll bet they'll start jockeying to be next dad to be honored!

Our troop will be doing elections soon. I'm faced with a situation where a Den Chief wants to also be a Patrol Leader. He is well qualified, and the other members of the patrol are decidedly not ready for PL. In fact, the entire patrol wants this boy to be their PL. Is there any particular issue with a boy holding two leadership positions at the same time?

I'd like to see the beekeeping merit badge returned.

Scrape the bottom of the pan of candied yams and smear it on you sleeping pad. That should take care of the slipping problem. Or do like my son does and skip the pad. He says pads are for wimps. Personally, I use two of them.

The kid should look forward to removing the patch. He can then sew it onto his brag rag.