structuralrik

We run each car in each lane once and average the times. Our track is four lanes and we ran 101 cars in under 3 hours. We had new timing software that had a feature I really liked. After the first heat (which were alphabetical by first name) it sorted cars by elapse time to group similarly speedy cars together. Made for far more exciting races and even slower cars looked competetive on the track. Even boys who were way down in the timing could win their heat, which made them very happy.

Well over my years in scouting Ive seen countless bruises, cuts, dings, minor burns and scrapes. Ive been around some near misses where only luck avoided injury. Including a boy falling off a cliff into thorn bushes, that we now laugh about. But the worst event involving scouts I ever encountered happened on a weekend trip for our annual Father-Son Chili Cook. I was about 14 and we usually all stayed in a large cabin, but that year a small group wanted to stay in their new tents. So, they set up a bit away from the cabin. In the middle of the day during free time a few of them were hanging out under their dining fly when a large tree split overhead at a fork. I was about 50 yards away and the image of the falling timber is seared into my memory. The tents were demolished and we sent two scouts to the hospital. One with a possible lower back injury (he was fine); the other suffered a skull fracture (it started on the right side arced around the rear of his skull then fanned over the crown of his head). He was catatonic (eyes open, no response) when we uncovered him in the debris and required re-hab (he fully recovered). As far as response; Im sure there was good and not so good, it was a long time ago. The scoutmaster and ASMs took the lead on the injuries. But the outcome; no injuries were exacerbated and no responders were injured. So it could have gone worse.

Thanks for the input. Blanc, I agree on the plaque. The West Fellowship would be nice if he were still invloved in scouting, but alas he is not. He was always a shutterbug, so photos of us in scouting he has in droves. I like the scrapbook idea. A number of us made eagle (not me), we have served in the military, have families and serve in scouting. I think a look at the men we have become due in part to his guidance would be a nice honor.

Ok, so here's the deal. Through the wonders of Facebook, a group of guys (about 30 of us) who were in scouts together in the mid-80s have re-connected. We all shared some wonderful experiences under the mentoring of our scoutmaster, for whom we all have a vast amount of respect (dare I say we love the man like a father). Some of us are geographically separated; so we are planning a get together (reunion) and are planning to invite said scoutmaster. We want to honor him in some way for everything he did for us in our youth. We have time to arrange quite a lot and we have access to his family to assist us (especially his wonderful wife) and still maintain a surprise. I am looking for ideas from some of you who have served as scoutmasters, or those who just have an idea.

I do not believe a ceremony is in order. It's one thing to bring the leader up, hand him the tab and give him an atta-boy; but a formal ceremony? When I completed Tiger Cub Leader specific training, the instuctor handed out the trained tabs with the card. we got handshake and told to be sure we had YPT etc. before putting the tab on the uniform. When I completed Den leader Specific, tabs were given to those that did not already have them. Same routine. In my pack, the leaders get a brief recognition at Blue and Gold. We line up on stage and the Cubmaster gives a 30 second talk about what we mean to the program and thanking us for our efforts. Last year the assembled parents gave us a standing ovation; far more meaningful to me than a ceremony to give me trained tab. Just my 2 cents Rik

I think it depends on what you want the site for. I set up a site via Shutterfly for my Den. It has a calender, automatic e-mail notification of events, an area for journal posts, works great for photo sharing & has an area for boy/parent contact info. I can add links to other BSA websites & post documents that parent can donwload.

It'll be a shame if they're banned. They great fun to make and experiment with, but I think only for older scouts. I have made several from soda cans and use them on overnight backpacking trips on occasion. Very light, but I agree they're a poor choice if you will put a lot of use on the stove. I'll stick with my trusty old wisperlight for heavier use. You can use a cut down larger can as a stand/wind screen (sand those edges).

I don't see why you say his future in Scouting is doomed. As he moves beyond Cubs the program becomes less family centered and encourages more independence. All his life he will face those of differing opinions and ideaologies, he should take this journey, explore what it has to offer and make his own decisions. What if he finds a tolerant troop? Scouting at the unit level can vary based on the adult volunteers. What if through his journey he finds his own faith? For now, have fun and deal with the future when it gets here.

Sounds like great planning to hit multiple requirements. The important part is it sounds like the boys had fun.

We double the plastic cord and tie an overhand knot at the loose ends. You can then string the bead from the looped end and put that end through the totem. Having trouble descibing, wish I could provide an image.

SMT224, I'm glad I was wrong. It may just be goofiness, like the rabbit ears. But these days, with all the information load, you never know.

From your discription, I'm not sure what you're seeing. But, I suspect it may be "the shocker" hand gesture or some variation. It is a pretty crude statment, I suggest a quick Google search.

I would recommend going to roundtable to meet other scouters. It is amazing what kind of contacts you can develop and who you find involved in scouting. I was having the same issue and mentioned it to my co-worker (who happens to work for the district) and she knows an ASM for a local troop who works for a TV station. Voila, instant contact who is happy to help.

I think waterboarding is torture, but I will defer to someone who has more experience in the area: "Reacting to the news that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was waterboarded 183 times, McCain responds thusly: It's unacceptable. It's unacceptable. One is too much. Waterboarding is torture, period. I can ensure you that once enough physical pain is inflicted on someone, they will tell that interrogator whatever they think they want to hear. And most importantly, it serves as a great propaganda tool for those who recruit people to fight against us. And I've seen concrete examples of that talking to former high-ranking al-Qaeda individuals in Iraq." Not ok in any situation.

Greetings! I was a scout as a youth and am recently involved in scouting again. I took my son to the Pack roundup and he took to it pretty well. He's now a new Tiger Cub (one of 18 in the Pack) and I decided to step in and volunteer.

A friend of mine's dad gave us talking to once. Boys, profanity is the vocabulary of a weak mind. Now we all get weak minded on occasion, like when you smash your thumb with a hammer. Or maybe when you get really angry to blow off some steam. But in conversation profanity is not neccessary. That brief talk has stuck with me for thirty odd years since it was given. Yes, in some situations I find myself using profanity; then I think would I want my children speaking like this? The answer is no. I think the argument that profanity is appropriate because of the setting, industry, people etc. is bogus. That's like saying "He did it so it's ok". If we strive for an ideal; that ideal should run through the entirety of our lives not just when we are scouting. I don't judge any of you for what you think is proper, just putting out there how I feel about it.