OldGreyEagle

In another thread, the topic of how to teach knots came up and strategies to have the scouts retain the skill. I wish I had an answer, but I dont, but I would love to hear what other people do to keep knot skills honed. When demonstrating a knot, I always face away from the person and raise the rope over my head to tie it so the scouts see the knot tied as they will tie it. I also use two rock climbing ropes,they are huge, which makes it easy for little hands to work with and they are two different colors so its easier to see the relationship of the ropes to each other as the knot is tied. Knots are a skill, and as with any skill, the more you do them, the better you get, so what do you do to get them to do them?

Ahhh, Packsaddle, To keep things more or less on topic, see the thread in the Programs section "Not Knots"

So during this weekend I was watching a few older scouts helping a group of new scouts learn knots. They did Square, Taut Line Hitch, Clove Hitch and the rest. When they where done, I showed them how to tie the infamous bowline on a bight, or the French bowline to which a scout said, dont you mean Freedom Bowline? And thus a new term in born...

Interesting thought Zahnada, what would the world view of the United States be if we funded the Peace Corps with the same gusto we do our military. Now, I am not saying we disarm so please everyone catch your breath. But being from the Woodstock generation, I have to wonder where we would be if we would have stayed in Afghanistan after the Russians pulled out in 1988/89 and helped the Afghans rebuild their country as we are doing now, what a different world we would have. I think it was from a link in this forum I read a UN report (ok, no comments please) from a few years ago where they estimated what it would cost to provide every human on the planet clean water and basic sanitation. The cost then was estimated at $100-120 billion, I think. So outrageously expensive that no one took it any further, just what will this war cost us? I agree with the war, we have to stop those who support terrorism in its tracks. After this is over though, I would like to see the US wage peace with the same vigor we prosecute war

Interesting thought Zahnada, what would the world view of the United States be if we funded the Peace Corps with the same gusto we do our military. Now, I am not saying we disarm so please everyone catch your breath. But being from the Woodstock generation, I have to wonder where we would be if we would have stayed in Afghanistan after the Russians pulled out in 1988/89 and helped the Afghans rebuild their country as we are doing now, what a different world we would have. I think it was from a link in this forum I read a UN report (ok, no comments please) from a few years ago where they estimated what it would cost to provide every human on the planet clean water and basic sanitation. The cost then was estimated at $100-120 billion, I think. So outrageously expensive that no one took it any further, just what will this war cost us? I agree with the war, we have to stop those who support terrorism in its tracks. After this is over though, I would like to see the US wage peace with the same vigor we prosecute war

"... And a Child Shall Lead Them..." ASM1, if you can take a moment from your cutting and pasting campaign, you may want to check out previous posts from Hops_Scout. You will find that Hops is either 12 or 13 years old (Sorry if I got that wrong Hops, but I know you are a "younger" scout, then again my son is 17, age is relative) You can insult and pretty much antagonize any adult poster on the internet with your political views, which is your First Amendment right, but when you start to attack a youth, I have to step in and say back off. Perhaps you didnt realize Hops's age, I can understand that, but if you choose this forum to vent, (which again is your first amendment right)it is you who may wish to stay informed as to who your audience is.

Ed, I guess the answer is there is no difference so that makes what your District is doing suspect in how I understand BSA fundraising policy Check out this link: http://www.minsitrails.com/resources/index.asp Click on forms and look for the Unit Money Application Form Check on page 2, item number 6, The last sentence reads "... You cannot permit anyone to capitalize on a Scouting connection or induce sympathy as a substitute for a worhty product or service." Any type of "a-thon" does not return either a service or a product to the customer/donator/whatever. Now, if you wanted to do a marathon baseball/basketball/etc game and sell tickets for people to watch, that would be ok as then it would be presented as entertainment to the ticket buyer. I am relatively sure of my answer, if you remember Bethlehem, PA is home of the Bogus Cub Scout whose parents had him go door to door soliciting money for a campout. (side note, father skipped bail and left Mom and scout). We have had a lot of discussion over fundraising and the above is what we were told. I guess its the interrpretation that an "a-thon" does not return a worthy good or service. At least thats how I understand it, how would you defend a bowl-a-thon against the "worthy goods or service" statement? (This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

92, you have a great idea, unfortunatley its against BSA official policy. When fundraising you are supposed to return goods or services for money. A Walk/Jog a thon is glorified begging. Not that that's a bad thing, its just not how the BSA wants funds to be raised. I am not sure what message a youth receives from getting money for himself by going around in circles. Wait, that might be training for erstwhile politicans

I've heard the same thing, that unless its the drivers son, all youth passengers had to be in the back seat. Made my son happy, as the back seat of a Toyota Tercel fills up fast. But its not new, its a Youth Protection Principle that isnt often talked about. Maybe because its not real, will be intrested to see how this thread develops

We do close to Ed, the scout talks about himself, what experiences he has had and what he wants to do in the position. Now, that comes close to politicing, but he has to stay in line with the Scout Oath and Law. In case of a tie, the troop revotes until the tie is broken. Hasnt gone past one addiitonal balloting

Can an athlete have too much hustle? Can a piano player or anyone who plays a musical instrument play with too much passion? Can an educationally gifted student learn to much? If so, I guess a scout can be too excited about scouting, but I would have to hear the explanations on the first three statements I have to consider it. At last night's chat, the name of Jim Croce came up. I quote from a line in his song, "Time in a bottle" "But there never seems to be enough time to do the things you want to do once you find them..." If childhood is a special place to d the things you want to do, why would anyone interrupt?

Ed, you are right, if the scouts do it themselves, the problem might not go away. So the scouts would learn sometimes what you do doesnt work. If the problem doesnt go away the scouts will have to try another solution. Eventually they will work it out and be wiser for the experience. Living with the consequences of your actions, I think that would fall under Charactor in the three aims of Scouting

Welcome, Ask your Scoutmaster about Junior Leader Training Conference (JLTC)and if its done in your District/Council. You have the unique opportunity to set the traditions of your troop that could last for a very long time. Seize the challenge, try to assure everything is as much as possible boy lead. You do that, the recruiting will be easy. Remember, Scouting is fun with a purpose, keep in the fun and dont forget our purpose

The Chartering Organization Representative approves all volunteer leaders, so only the Chartering Organization Rep (COR) can "take away" a volunteers position. If its the Chartering Organization Rep thats the problem, then the Institutional Head of the Chartering Organization would have to act. If the Institutional Head is the COR and thats where the problem is, I think the unit is stuck... At least thats how I understand it

Eagle90, how about next time you make your donation you do it at a Court of Honor, make the presentation, take a picture and run it in the local newspaper with a caption Scouts help __________?

I went to Woodbadge in my Council, one of the first things I noticed was the incredible number of Staffers it took to run the program. We had a Scoutmaster, a couple of Assistant Scoutmasters, two Quartermasters, 8 troop guides and a few other support personnel that I am sure I missed. These were obviously dedicated scouters from my council and I got to know many of them during the course. Now they are much more than a name on paper or a passing face. Between the number of attendees, all 8 patrols were represented, and the number of staffers, I cant go anywhere Scouting and not know at least half of the attendees. This is the advantages of staying in Council, you get to know so many people you will be seeing later during your Scouting tenure. Going out of Council has its advantages as well. You get to see how its done that may be different than what your Council does. You bring back different ways of doing things. I think the phrase "It's all good" works here. Let me finish by saying whether you go Out of Council, or stay in Council, the bottom line is: GO!!! And Howdy Greyfox

Befoew this goes too much farther, the original post was in 2002, I think the Camporee has been held...

Our Rountables have the opening and closing done on a rotating basis by scouts form different troops. Plus, when presentaitons are made about Winter Camping, Ourdoor Cooking, Places in the Area to Camp, the troops giving the presentaion are encouraged to have scouts do as much as possible, it fits in the communication merit badge and Venture Crew members always have to teach something for their awards. I would say we have about 50-60% of our ROuntable topics done by scouts.

After seeing recent posts, I thought this would be informative so here goes, Complete this sentence; Our Chartering Organization is:

hey KoreaScouter, I beleive you should have asked for an "Old English" translation (which I need as well) (This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

Chucklehead, How do you reconcile not using the patrol method versus the fact that when Lord Baden-Powell started Boy Scouts he based it on the Patrol method? And if you think that the longer an insitution has done something a certain way the more it proves its validity, how do you reconcile Boy Scouts 90 years of the Patrol Method versus your troops 25 years of doing it your way? Interesting discussion eh? We were talking about older scouts who disappear and looks like we got an older scout who has no problem being a visible scout!

Chucklehead, First let me apologize for my early rather "flip" posts about you and your troop. There is something for you to consider, as you read the posts, take a look and see where these posters live, its all over the country. Then think to yourself, why would all these people, from all over the country all be saying the same thing? I have to admire your stamina at hanging in there and answering all these posts in a quite lucent manner. I was sure you would read a few and never be heard from again, but you have the strength of your convictions which is great.

He is old enough to be a Boy Scout, so I think he should be a Boy Scout. He will need a troop that will welcome him with all his talents and limitations. Whatever his problems, be sure the adult leadership knows about them, but he will gain more from being with his peers than with younger boys

Plan outings, at least one a month, keep them simple at first and then make sure they happen and increase the extremeness of the events (start with car camping and move on to back packing, if you have experienced campers, go right to back packing) Have the Crew plan each event (another reason to keep it simple) they will get the hang of it and will increase the complexity of the events, in other words What does it take to make Venturing go? Just Do!

Every troop I know always has at least one major thespian in it, have them write new skits every time, give them a challenge to come up with fresh ideas.