clivusmultrum

We had our trailer stollen. I doubt the thieves are worried about registering it.

I am in the +1 column on adult minimalism. I’d be totally cool with it if the Scouts wanted to get rid of epaulets and rank and position badges the size of coffee saucers.

This sort of illustrates the problem. The gaps in our knowledge become apparent. The idea that if good intentions are present that cultural gaffs are forgivable will only get you so far. Aztecs for instance are Native Americans. Their language has common ancestry with Utes, Shoshone, Comanche…. We are not in a position to make assertions. This specific lack of knowledge points at why we are not served well by continuing these practices. ‘Frankly I find it just as "odd and out of the mainstream" to suggest that something as commonplace as feathers is the exclusive domain of one specific group of people.’ The idea that because other peoples might have used feathers in some context doesn’t exempt you of repercussions when it super clear that your intentions are to mimic a cultural group or groups. Is this a thing we need to perpetuate?

Maybe a difference of time and location. The words I overheard the Scouts using to describe the tap out ceremony were “cringy” and “messed up”. That’s their lingo but I knew what they were seeing. Our Troop has produced only one OA candidate in three years and he politely declined. Some of these kids have a refinement of sensibility beyond my own. But, I can learn. Here is a personal analogy. I have hearing aids. Hearing aids now have some crazy attributes from recent technological advancements. For instance my hearing aids prioritize available sounds. Don’t ask me how to explain the programming but they will prioritize the sound of a human voice over a mechanically reproduced voice. When I was first getting used to them it was almost impossible for me to watch TV because it would basically mute the TV in favor of a human voice. A kid could say something from across the house and it drowned out the TV a few feet away. For years, before the hearing aids, I was doing it the other way around. I concentrated on the distracting thing I wanted to listen to rather than the human voices that I really needed to listen to. I think my real deafness has been sort of cultural. I know some of the Scouts out there see know problem with the regalia. But I think its time for circumspection. When I said there were no local First Nations people to ask in my area it was not an attempt at humor. My ancestors pushed them off their land. When treaties were made the next administration broke them. I know the OA trappings are meant in fun but I have come to adopt my kids view on this one.

As to regalia, each Lodge is supposed to get approval from the Native American tribes in the Council locality, and if they don't approve, the Lodge is supposed to cease using regalia. I am pretty sure that the Native American tribes in my area that were not eradicated were relocated to Oklahoma. Having no one to ask?

We are just back from Merit Badge Camp. My son took Kayaking, Canoe, Chemistry and Camping Merit badges. He helped some of his buddies with Wilderness Survival which has been one of his past favorites. He has awesome stories about everything but chemistry. He will glad he has it on his sash I bet. He will be taking a chemistry class in the next couple of years in high school. The other stuff will not be taught in his school. Of course STEM is important. For a lot these kids its not what draws them in and holds them. He will be telling stories about recovering a swamped canoe when he’s a grown man.

For all the good the organization has done in fostering my interest in First Nations it baffles me that they can’t come up with an approach that honors their contribution and incorporates their interests. I suppose we could ask. Maybe we are afraid of receiving a Cease and Desist.

+1 for Pack liners. Pack covers aren’t really waterproof either. They never weigh less. Even if you have a pack that will soak up water, it will dry. Myriad places for leaks. Covers Prevent access to outer stashes you may need at rain or shine. The Liner always works. If for no other reason, to segregate possible spills in the pack from things you don’t want to put at risk. It need not be expensive. Mine is a construction site 3mil trash bag. It is bigger than my pack. I roll down the top portion like a drybag. There are lighter options out there that are real champs. Before I worked as a pack salesman for a beloved three letter acronym gear company, I through hiked the rainy AT. I used a pack liner and never had a reason to cuss it. I suppose someone used a Pack cover and had good results. Observer effect, I guess I only noticed the people with them flapping. As a gear salesman I offered them. If they didn’t want one I would share my thoughts on liners.

Our Troop had developed a practice of dividing for summer. 14+ to high adventure, under 14 went to merit badge camp (if you didn’t have anything you’d rather do). Consequently we were producing cohorts instead of Patrols and a Troop. This also set up a Cub Scout-like dynamic where adults are directing too much stuff because the Scouts do not know what to do. Not always, but often enough that the Scouts looked hen pecked and indecisive. This year we got the band back together. The older Scouts joined in at summer camp. It was just a few of the older Scouts but it was enough to make a difference. The SPL did SPL stuff. The Patrol was a composite of two patrols but it was a Patrol. Young Scouts had a chance to interact with older Scouts and see what it looks like. We had just enough adult presence to be seen and not heard. I have never been more optimistic about this Troop’s prospects.

I am just back from my third summer camp as an adult. I was a Scout in the 1970’s. So I am constantly trying to reconcile memory with current observation. The first summer camp that I participated in as an adult we had one Scout called out for OA. I believe that was the last OA election the Troop had. The fellow that was chosen declined the honor. . The next years no elections. I watched our Scouts during the OA ceremony at summer camp and I was pretty sure there would be no interest in OA nominations going forward. Dutifully eavesdropping after the ceremony this year, I heard a couple of Scouts call the proceedings “cringy”. The crazy script, 1950’s western movie delivery with the mismatched costuming, I totally understand why these kids found it off putting. It seems more Mardi Gras than honor society. We have a number of adults serving in our troop who were in OA as youth. Our most recent SM is in OA. My father was in OA as an adult. None of us are discouraging participation but kids are different than when I was a kid. They aren’t buying this package. We aren’t pressing. Maybe it is time to reevaluate the presentation.

I think STEM is overrated. There are STEM this-that-or- the-other in their schools. I’m watching the kids glaze over at all the extra homework activities that go with a lot of the merit badge work. It feels like we are just hooking on to a hot topic while neglecting our core appeal. Let’s go hike, get the canoes in the water, figure out the difference between a cotton mouth water moccasin and a plain bellied water snake- set up some tents- we’ll be back Sunday afternoon with some great stories. Yes you need to overhaul your leadership model. What’s the point of having this inbred model if they are not going to lean in on your real strengths? If they are reckoning their success is calculated in fund raising instead of Scouts being fielded, they are off the path.

This is where we need to be heading.

Huh? I’m not sure if I read you on this one Fred. I was specifically calling attention to ONE person that called out a group, in this case atheists (who are not actually a group) about language describing them as inherently unethical. That described a bigoted comment. You may have conflated that with my answer to Quazse was about having the comment misunderstood to assume I am unfamiliar with the concept of being in a perpetual state of penance. Hence failed ideal. If I did not word this in a way that you could unravel I certainly apologize. The guys who seemed to have been in on the discussion apparently had read the previous posts.

(There is nothing intrinsic to Christian principles that suggests its members are incapable of falsehood. In fact the opposite is true ... they are in a perpetual state of penance for a variety of sins, or they aren't Cristian.) Thanks Quazse. I was raised with the concept of sin, repent cycle. My comment really didn't have anything to do with the Christian’s failed ideal. It was more about calling out the idea that atheists are liars because they have a different value system. I see the statement as an unnecessary display of bigotry. I see some fairly nuanced thinking in our Troop. Their fundamental assumptions span a range. For some I think recitation of the Oath is something of a mantra. Are they lying? I think for some it might be like professing a belief in Santa Claus to spare a believer’s feelings. For others I think they superimpose a more accessible concept. The thread about changes to the relationships with COs does circle back into this. We are chartered by a Lutheran church. We have no members of our Troop that are members of the congregation. We turn out for Scout Sunday but that is our only contact. I think even the COR has little contact with the congregation. The parishioners are aging and their numbers declining. That is what put me on to this thread.