Good Scout / Bad Scout

One of the joys of being a scoutmaster is watching the boys grow up and hopefully taking some of the things they learned in Scouting along with them on their life's journey. It is great when former Boy Scouts stop by for a visit and we talk about the fun they had while they were a Scout, and how being a Scout has helped them in their adult life. Many of my former Scouts now have families of their own, are doing well with their careers, and a few have even found their way back to the Scouting program.

While a boy is in Scouting we try to instill in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. We try to get them to live by the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace guidelines when we are camping. We ask them, "What have you done for a good turn today?" "Are you prepared?"

As adult leaders we try to provide a program of learning, friendship, and fun. But a Boy Scout troop is only one influence on the young boy who is rapidly becoming a young man. His family and parents are the biggest influence on his life. Then add school, sports, and other extracurricular activities to the equation. Finally, add his friends. As we quickly realize, Scouting is one of many parts that help to shape his life.

I have noticed that with most boys some the values of Scouting stick with them. But not always. Once in a while I will hear of a former troop member who left the Scouting path and turned down the wrong trail. Some have fallen into alcohol or drug abuse. Some have gotten into trouble with the law through shoplifting, or worse. A few have become fathers before they were married and ready to settle down.

The public perception of Scouting sometimes seems to believe that once a boy becomes a Boy Scout he will be a near perfect young man who is always helping others through his kindness. As adult leaders of the program we understand that will not always be the case. We provide one influence in his life. Hopefully, that positive Scouting influence will be strong enough to overcome some of the negative influences a boy will happen across.

Do you have a story to share about how Scouting has helped your life or someone you know? Leave a comment and share it with us.

Close Call Lightning

In the last article I wrote about the weather during this summer's week-long outing at Many Point Scout Camp, and the Tuesday storm in which lightning hit a tree near the administration building located less then a mile from our campsite. I did not get to see the tree while I was at camp but one of the Many Point staff members did get a couple pictures of the tree that was hit. Unfortunately, while I saved this photo, I forgot the name of the staff member. Oh well, you can see the damage to the tree. It is further proof to play it safe during thunderstorms and get to a safe place.

Summer Camp Weather

A lot comes to mind when I think about spending a week at summer camp. Scoutcraft, beach activities, and friendships are just a few, but there are a lot more.

The weather always adds something to the memories of camp. I never forget to pack my rain gear because I know there will be at least one rainy day during the week. On the sunny days the temperatures can reach the 90's, which can be pretty nasty when you add in the humidity of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes. The mosquitoes and deer flies love the hot humid weather and often make the evenings a challenge to enjoy. Those are the days I am glad I made the investment of a screen porch to bring to camp.

This summer's trip to Many Point Scout Camp added a couple new memories to the many I already have. The week began with Sunday and Monday being sunny and comfortable days. The usually rainy day came on Tuesday as a cold front moved into the area. The light drizzle turned to a heavy rain along with thunder and lightning which closed many of the camp's program areas for safety reasons.

Suddenly, there was a bright flashing of light followed by a deafening boom of thunder that happened at the same moment. Everyone in our campsite jumped inside their tents, including me. My assistant scoutmaster, who happened to be sitting in the screen porch, looked up in the sky in time to see a "ball of fire" to the east of us. We later discovered that lightning had struck a tree near the MPSC administration building which is less than a mile from where we were camping.

The cold front dropped the temperature enough that everyone put on a jacket or sweatshirt. Unfortunately, it stayed cool on Wednesday, and Thursday, and Friday. It was so cool that the Scouts decided to skip their troop aquatramp period at the beach Thursday afternoon, and their two hours of sailing on Friday. They had suddenly become fans of disc golf.

Even though the boys decided it was too cool to do activities at the waterfront they did keep busy with camp activities. And there was one advantage to the cool weather. The mosquito population was down, and the deer flies were almost nonexistent. I guess the insects preferred the warmer weather.

MSPP #70: The Radio Skit

Have you ever been traveling in your car listening to the radio when you suddenly reach an area in which stations begin overlapping each other's signals? The is the premiss of this skit performed by the Boy Scouts of Troop 68 during their 2006 Laughs For Lunch Show. Each of the five Scouts represent a radio station that keeps getting interrupted by another station's programming. The five radio stations include Fantasy Land, a Twins baseball game, a cooking show, a gangster show, and an advertisement for the Boy Scouts of America.

This is one of my favorite skits, but does take a little practice to get the timing done well. The script for the show can be found on Troop 68's website:

http://melrosetroop68.org/campfavskits.html#RADIO

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A Week At Many Point Scout Camp

It was a nice warm morning on Sunday, July 12, when eight Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 met to spend a week at Many Point Scout Camp which is located north of Park Rapids, Minnesota. Unfortunately, the nice weather would not stay with the Scouts, but did they let that stop them from having fun? No way! They still had a great time.

A typical day at camp is broken into three parts. The Scouts work on merit badges and advancement projects in the morning. They participate in troop activities in the afternoon. The boys scatter to all areas of the camp in the evenings when all program areas are open for fun.

Monday afternoon was busy for the Boy Scouts of Troop 68. It began with an hour long session of team building games called Ethics in Action. They than participated in a camp service project for their Super Troop Award. Then it was time to cool off at the waterfront for a game of water polo.

Tuesday's activities included an hour of canoeing, a visit to the fire tower and museum, and the Ironman competition, but due to thunderstorms and lightning moving into the area these activities were cancelled for safety reasons. The campers used this time to relax in their campsite.

Wednesday's schedule included some the the troop's favorite activities. The fun began at the Buckskin Camp climbing tower and bouldering wall. The troop went to the archery range to work on their skills with the bow and arrow, tomahawks, and sling shots. The afternoon finished with an hour at the beachfront sauna.

The weather turned very cool on Thursday so the Scouts decided to play eighteen holes of disc golf on the camp's new course instead of swimming at the beach. This was followed by the troop shoot at the rifle range.

The weather stayed cool and cloudy on Friday so the boys followed their 'camp reflection' time with another trip to the disc gold course, instead of going sailing. Many of the boys improved their scores from the previous day. The day ended with the closing campfire program which included most of the troops in camp performing a song or skit. The Melrose Boy Scouts performed one of their favorite skits, The Pickpocket, to the enjoyment of the whole camp.

The eight Scouts also did very well on working on advancement. They earned a total of 21 merit badges during the week.

The Boy Scout Memorial

I remember very well when nine members of my Boy Scout troop participated in the 2001 National Jamboree. How could I not remember it? I was the Jamboree troop's scoutmaster. One of my assistant scoutmasters was my Jamboree third assistant scoutmaster. One of my Boy Scouts was the Jamboree troop scribe. Another was a patrol leader. It was a great time, made greater by having many members of my home troop along to share it with.

Before we arrived at the Jamboree, the two troops from Central Minnesota Council spent a couple days in Washington DC to see some of the sites. I remember the Lincoln and Roosevelt memorials, the very quick tour of the Smithsonian Museum, and our walk around the Capital building. But one that will always stay with me is the Boy Scout Memorial. Yeah, that's right, there is a Boy Scout Memorial in Washington DC.

It is a very simple memorial. It is a statue of three people, a man, a woman, and a Boy Scout. It also includes a small pool. According to kittytours.org:

"The memorial stands on the site of the First Boy Scout Jamboree in 1937. The two nearly naked figures represent Manhood and Womanhood; the realistic Boy Scout is leading them into the future.

Next to the statue is a pool which bears the inscription: "In grateful tribute to the men and women whose generosity, devotion, and leadership have brought Scouting to the nation's youth and to honor all members of the Boy Scouts of America who in days of peace and times of peril have done their duty to God and their country this memorial was authorized by the Congress of the United States and erected in recognition of the fiftieth anniverary of the Boy Scouts of America."

After viewing the memorial I think I have the same question that many visitors to the statue have these days: Why is a nearly nude statue of a man part of the memorial? Of course, when the memorial was erected in 1964, the views of society were a lot different then they are these days. No matter, it is still a great memorial, and one I am sure will be visited by many of the Boy Scouts who will be attending the 2010 Jamboree.

For more pictures of the memorial check out:

http://dcmemorials.com/index_indivAllPix0000750.htm

Around The Scouting Campfire #7

It has been over a month since the last show so Buttons and I thought we better get one posted before you all think that we quit doing them. We have not. In fact, we have outlines for another three shows, and hope to write a few more while we are at summer camp this year.

During Around The Scouting Campfire #7 we find out that Buttons had a small problem during his scoutmaster conference for his Star Rank, and how he came up with the theme for this show which happens to be The Scout Law. Scoutmaster Steve then introduces us to a Scout Law song by the Croutons, and talks about Boy Scouts and adults who use bad language. During Buttons' Corner we hear about one of the radical Scout's first videos uploaded to Youtube. The show closes with Scoutmaster Steve sharing a story about being trustworthy from his 1950's version of Scoutmaster's Minute book.

Steve and Buttons would like to thank everyone who listens to the podcast, and who have sent emails about how they have enjoyed the shows.

Please rate the show and/or leave a comment at the iTunes store or at PTC Media forums.
You can contact Buttons at buttonst68@yahoo.com. You may contact Scoutmaster Steve at stevejb68@yahoo.com. We appreciate your emails and letters.

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Show notes:
The Scout Law Song by the Croutons  -  http://music.topdownloads.net/mp3/view.php?id=2829

Buttons Talks About The Scout Law is show #6 of Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast.
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Flags For The Parade

 We had discussed it a couple times at committee meetings but I was still a little surprised when the troop finally decided to hand out small United States flags along the parade route in town this year. Our troop had not done anything for a parade for twenty years or more.

The flags were small plastic flags bought from an online retailer. Our charter sponsor, the VFW, agreed to pay for the purchase of the flags which came to nearly $100.00 for almost a thousand flags. The Boy Scouts would walk the parade route, a block or two ahead of the honor guard, and hand them out to the people along the route.

We thought this would be a great public relations project. The Boy Scouts would be in uniform and show their patriotism by giving away flags. We would be seen by thousands of people sitting along the streets, giving us some much needed exposure, something the troop does not receive for cleaning road ditches, holding paper drives, and working early morning park clean-up projects.

I arrived at the high school, the starting point of the parade, about an hour before things would begin. Two Boy Scouts were already present, with a third one arriving a short time later. And that was it. Only three of the nine members of the troop decided to join us for this project. At least that left us two people per side of the street. I would be riding my gas powered scooter which had a basket to hold the thousand flags. The Scouts would be walking.

We really did not know how soon we should leave before the parade started so we began when the honor guard began lining up at the head of the parade. Unfortunately, the honor guard caught up to us after only four or five blocks, and soon the parade was passing by us. Since we had to hand out the flags person to person it slowed us down and took much longer than we first thought.

The crowd loved the flags. We began by handing them out to kids but they were so popular that teenagers and adults wanted them also. We ran out of flags with a third of the route left to go.

So, we learned two things about this project. First, we need to leave about 15 minutes ahead of the parade in order to have a chance of staying ahead of them. Second, we will need to order about 1500 or 2000 flags for the next time.

Pioneering At Woodbadge

 I did my Woodbadge course in the fall of 1988. Yes, that was long before the current "Woodbadge for the 21st Century", but I have a feeling the core training is still pretty much the same. The course was held at Camp Stearns in central Minnesota. We camped out, cooked outdoors, and slept in tents. In fact, most of our training was held outdoors. We seldom found ourselves inside the Woodbadge Lodge.

The staff kept us pretty busy between training and projects. One Saturday afternoon, each of the five patrols was assigned a pioneering project to build. The projects included a catapult, a ballistica, a swinging gateway, and an overhead gateway. My patrol, the Bobwhites, received the weather station project, which we found to be quite interesting.

As the patrols arrived at the field to build their projects we discovered piles of rope and logs and a drawing of the completed project. No directions on how to build it, just a drawing of what it should look like when finished. We needed to figure out how to construct it ourselves.

The weather station the Bobwhites were to build looked like a large diamond balanced on ropes about a foot off the ground.We guessed that the humidity and barometric pressure would tighten or loosen the tautness of the ropes, thus raising the diamond higher or lower. The closer it was to the ground, the greater the chance of rain. If it rested higher it was probably meant that we would have great weather.

The Bobwhites had a good time building their project, as did all the patrols. I like pioneering and knots so I was helping out the patrol members who were not as proficient with square and diagonal lashings. Raising, balancing, and tying the diamond onto the cross ropes proved to be a fun challenge. We hung a little strip of cloth to the top to show wind direction. One of our patrol members came up with another small embellishment for the project.

The scoutmaster and a few other staff members inspected each of the projects. When they saw a stone hanging from the end of a rope on our project their curiosity lead to ask what it was for. "It is a weather rock", we replied. We placed a sign next to it that explained: If the rock is wet it must be raining. It the rock it swinging it must be windy. If the rock is warm and dry the sun must be shining.

All five pioneering projects turned out very well. There was even a competition between the ballistica and the catapult to see which would throw a projectile the furthest. Yep, we all had some fun that afternoon.

For more pictures of this project and my Woodbadge course check out my page at community.scouting.org  You will need to be a registered member of community.scouting.

"Scout Camp" Winners

On Wednesday evening, Cubmaster Chris and I did a live recording of The Leaders Campfire podcast. We had never done that before but we had a special reason for doing it. It was time to give away the prizes for the "Scout Camp: The Movie" Twitter contest. Quite a few people joined us in the PTC Media chatroom for the event which made it even more fun. The winners are listed at ptcmedia.net, but I thought I would list them here also:

Scout Camp DVD Winners:

ScouterTom
johneegeek
Taxgeekkm
mbeyke043
Brian Leslie

Scout Camp Poster Winners:
kcwccc
joeparajecki
onlinst
bryanspellman
CD_Ranger

If you are a winner, please e-mail your address to: cubmasterchris@gmail.com

And thanks to Garrett Batty at Scout Camp: The Movie for making a lot of this possible!