ManyIrons

I just received my "Troop Membership Tools" CD from National. Much of it is already contained on the Scout Zone website (www.thescoutzone.org), but it's handy to have it in CD format. We'll definitely use the "Recruit a Friend" portion to prepare for Fall Recruiting. However; by far the best item on the CD is the "Scout Zone" music video. I think it's awesome. The tune is really catchy and there are non-stop images of Scouts in action and having fun. I'm planning to show it during our annual planning conference this weekend and we'll run it at a troop meeting to pump the guys up for recruiting. It'll be a great "attention-getter" at School Night for Scouting. In fact, I think a shortened version would make a great TV commercial to promote Scouting. Who else has seen it? Your thoughts?

Brotherhood - Taleka Lodge Proud father of an Ordeal member (oldest son) who marked his younger brother at a call-out ceremony a little over a week ago -- and used my Ordeal sash. Congrats to Acco on your recent addition as well.

What's that clever saying that goes something like "some people exist just to be an bad example to others". I also know a few self-promoting, anti-council Scouters. I prefer to avoid them but it isn't always possible. On the bright side, they keep me humble. They set the example for what I do not want to become. Ice cream? -- I likes mine vanilla and firm!!

Right behind you Purcelce! Camp Joy should be great. This is the first time in 4 years that we're camping in council. I'm looking forward to having our OA candidates called out by our own lodge, as well as having our Scouts participate in the camp leadership program -- Tribe of Mannaseh. The Scouts are jazzed up about both. In addition to that, I'll also be able to do some visitin'. There'll be 3 other troops we know personally at the camp next week (along with 200+ other Scouts). It'll also be a mini-Woodbadge reunion with 1 of my patrol members, several course members, and my course director who is serving as Camp Commissioner. Purcelce if you really loved me, you'd have your Crew install a latrine in our campsite -- I really dislike long walks with a flashlight

Last time I make a Rocky Horror reference in a thread, but I do toast your enthusiasm

In my short tenure as Scoutmaster I've had to warn one Scout that he needed to change his ways or he would be taking a vaction from Scouting. He'd only been with us for a few months and was prone to temper tantrums -- the classic varitety: screaming, crying, whining etc. usually due to him not getting his way, or from a perceived slight done to him. Although I had had many discussions with him about his behavior and how to deal with his frustrations, the last incident (which involved shouting at an adult) took the cake. I immediately sat him down and laid it all out. For the past month, that young man has flown level and true. However; I was fortunate enough to have 2 things on my side. 1. His mother gave him the same admonishments as I did, and backed me thoroughly. 2. The boy loves Scouting and sees the value of correcting his behavior. I'm really pleased to see his progress. The other evening I praised him for his behavior and told him I was impressed with the positive changes he has made. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but I think this Scout is going to make it.

Congratulations Unc and Eamonn, your wisdom and manners will be most helpful in your new roles. Thank you for taking on this job and may it not become a burden. Terry, thank you for providing and continually improving these forums. I'm also glad to see you've sealed the leaks I'm getting happy! (Hey OGE -- that's a great set up for a Patridge Family tune, eh?!)

OGE I can't possibly improve on what Terry has already put so eloquently, so let me just say "Thank you for a job well done!" Do not blame yourself for your perceived lack of success with sniping posters. You were on target with your attempts to keep things positive. Those who choose not to play that way do so deliberately. Ill be honest, I winced when I read your last sentence, but since it's so out of character from your other posts that Ill chalk it up to a level of frustration Im not sure I can even begin to imagine. I think it's worth noting that one of the individuals I believe you are referring to had the class to thank you for your work here. You may have had your differences with him, but at least he acknowledged your efforts. Ive got to respect that. The other individual chose to make a snide and thinly veiled reference in another thread -- and thus proving your "parting shot". He obviously didn't agree with your assesment, but he doth protest too much, methinks. I certainly hope you'll continue to participate here. I've enjoyed your comments and have come to respect you even though we've never met. Keep smiling -- and singing!!! YIS Many Irons

It might be the "Policy on Use of Wilderness Areas by Personnel of the BSA". The G2SS says that caving trips have been incorporated into this policy, but it looks like it has to be ordered from National. Council shops may have them.

Richmond, I think your problems are over. The G2SS says: All caving, other than simple novice activities, should be limited to adults and young people 14 and older members of Venturing crews and older Scouts in troops, and teams. "Simple novice activities" means commercially operated cave excursions and easy caves. As long as your Scouts are over 14 (and you follow the other guidelines) you can "wild cave". Heres the link: http://www.scouting.org/pubs/gss/gss09.html#b Cave On

Thanks for the compliment Eamonn. Neil, I understand where you're coming from. When the staff told us that one of our ticket items had to incorporate diversity, it seemed like everyone began thinking along the lines of racial or handicap awareness -- including yours truly. Once the staff realized we were all headed in the same direction they stopped us all and said "Folks the requirement simply says diversity. What does that mean to you?". That really threw me off. Here I was trying to think of a worthy item involving racial, ethnic, or abilities awareness and then I was essentially told to quit being a lemming. I continued to fret over this one item until a staff member then gave me excellent advice -- go back and review the purpose of the wood badge ticket. After doing that, and then noting that the course materials said the item must "incorporate some aspect of diversity". I got the idea for hobby night. As I said in my previous post, our troop draws from 4 different school districts. Because of this, our Scouts tended to clump in their school groups. On top of that we have a wide array of economic status too. On one end I have a soon-to-be-Eagle who drives a BMW to troop meetings. Another drives a Cadillac. At the other end, I have two brothers that religiously work every fundraiser in order to earn enough to attend summer camp each year. Reaching out to each other was going outside of their comfort zones. It all boiled down to this for me. I saw barriers forming in my troop due to human diversity and I designed a ticket item to resolve it. My thought process evolved something like this: What's the best why to combat barriers? Communication. How do most people communicate effectively? When they're discussing things they're interested in. Interests - - hobbies - - hobby night (a.k.a opportunity to discuss/communicate) - - interaction - - communication - - understanding/common ground Did we achieve Shangri-La? Nope. Did it help? Yes. Our Scouts interact with one another more than I saw in the past. I wont claim its solely because of a few hobby nights, but I will take credit for setting the tone. Am I done? No. Do I approach it differently? Yes because of Woodbadge.

For my diversity item I set-up a troop Hobby night -- diversity of interests. The rationale was that most of our members only know each other through Scouting and only interact with one another at Scouting activities (our troop draws Scouts from 4 different school districts). The Scouts -- and leaders -- were asked to set up a display of items that were, or represented, the things they like to do for fun (when they're not at Scouts). Everyone was given space to set up their stuff and we all took turns viewing all the displays and talking with the owner. The point of this was to get to know one another a little better and to possibly find others who share your recreational interests. The boys loved it. They enjoyed sharing their personal interests with everyone and I learned a lot about the boys and other leaders that I may not have learned otherwise. The PLC has kept it a part of the annual program for the past 2 years.

Unc, you're not all wet, it's just that Memorial Day was originally conceived to honor those veterans (specifically Civil War vets) who did not come home. You plans for the day are great and I admire you for it. I believe all of us with the opportunity, will certainly thank those who did come home.

Thanks btps and Unc. Right back-atcha. This year we're doing something that I hope will become a troop tradition. Tomorrow (Saturday) we're placing flags on the graves of all the veterans in the village cemetery. We have only 75 known veterans, but they range from the Revolutionary War thru Vietnam. In addition, we're conducting a small ceremony on Memorial Day at a monument near our village hall. We've modelled the program after a court of honor with our Scouts running the show. The opening and closing prayers will be led by our Chaplain Aide and local clergy. The mayor and local VFW commander are invited speakers. Taps will be played by our Troop Bugler, accompanied by a Scout from a neighboring troop. Our chartered org is providing a wreath which will be set in place by a Boy/Cub Scout. Following the ceremony, all attendees will be invited to tour the cemetery to pay their respects. I hope our actions help remind the folks in our local area of the original intent for this day. I know the senior members of our chartered org, and the VFW Post are thrilled at what we're doing. Wishing you all a safe holiday.

purcelce, yeah right. Remember you've got to sit up front in order to save one! Besides, I'm not sure I can walk that far. (This message has been edited by ManyIrons)

Ouch! And that ladies and gentlemen comes from a guy I attend church with. purcelce, I'll see ya on Sunday. Look for me on the other side of the sanctuary -- you know, the young side

"BTW - Check your own tone before you begin chastising others about theirs." Hmmmmmmm. I offered an apology up front when I mentioned the tone I perceived. There was no need for that comment. However, good point about parental permission for the knives. I do try to watch my tone. I usually spend a bit of time composing my posts and try to keep it pleasant. If you think I'm ever out of line, please let me know and I'll correct it if necessary. jteamnmj, well if Virginia doesn't work out, please consider the lovely environs of Scott AFB in Illinois. There's a nice little troop (and pack) just off base, which always has room around the table for another family.

FScouter, I think we agree. My point is that we can answer the questions and keep the tone pleasant. Your last paragraph communicated your message better than the post I was referring to. jteamnmj, glad you've got the materials you need. Just a tip, when dealing with those who say only Bears can earn the Whittling Chip (or other points of difference), use the softer approach that FScouter mentioned. An earlier post of mine implied one should "whip out" the reference and cite chapter and verse. That's not what I really wanted to convey, but I really wanted to use that "loaded for bear" pun. I assume you folks are military, when is your DEROS?

Testify cousin(s)!! Hunt I think you said it best.

Bob White, my perspective is just fine. I keyed in on your comment "Is it really fair for you to use language which was specifically intended to get a response and then ask us not to respond to it?". As I said, before, redfeather didn't do that, I was the one who essentially asked everyone to not respond to it. I did so because it was clouding the discussion. Red feather, the information youve received is correct The committee needs to follow the steps in the troop committee guide, chapter 5 (the link I provided is essentially the same). I cant point to a personal success story with that method (I hope to change that someday), but I can tell you, as others have already, the other methods dont work. You may get a body or two, but those are not the results you need. Note: As you see in the guide, you dont need to limit your search to just the parents in the troop. You can also include your chartered org, friends, and others in the community. Good luck, and keep us posted on your progress.

This past weekend I attended a local high school graduation. While there, I saw 5 of the 7 young men who were in my Bear Den, graduate. Talk about doing the time warp. It was great to see them all in one place again, but it was also a bit of a shock. The energetic little boys with their sing-song voices that I remember so well were now tall, composed, young men, clutching their high school diplomas ready to head off to college. Where did those 10 years go? Sadly two of the boys moved away and out of touch. Of the 5 remaining, only 2 stayed in Scouting. On a positive note, both of them reached Eagle and Im proud to say I was the SM at both of their courts of honor. I like to think that someday, after Ive done the Boy Scout thing Id like to go back and be a den leader again. I imagine that the wisdom Ive (hopefully) gained working with older boys would be of good use with the younger ones. Maybe Im kidding myself, maybe Im just being nostalgic, maybe Im just getting old. Still I like thinking about it. Somehow it makes me feel better -- and perhaps a little younger.

red feather didn't ask anyone not to respond to the babysitting title. I basically did that, by asking everyone to look past it and focus on the question that was asked. I also don't think it's productive to question anyone's honesty in this case. Let's just address the problem he raised and help a fellow Scouter improve his troop.

Hey all, here's a link to a great inspiration for den/patrol flags. http://www.troop142bsa.org/sketchbook/Patrol%20Flag%20.pdf Hope it gets your Scouts' creative juices flowing!

Folks, Can we get off the babysitter thing? red feather only used that in the title and if it was intended to be an attention-getter it sure worked. However he's asked for help with getting parents involved with the troop. Over to you red feather. Ditto, what's your troop role and what specifically do you need? What do you mean by "sufficient committee membership", how may is that?

Eamonn, If anyone was trying to "physic me out" I think I might get pretty sore -- in every sense of the word. I suggest you not eat or drink anything else OJ offers you for the foreseeable future, unless you actually see him prepare it -- just to be on the safe side.