From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Fri Nov 21 22:51:30 1997 Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997 22:51:28 -0500 (EST) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: yyyyyyySCOUTS-L - Youth Groups Discussion List Subject: Handbooks and Literature Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: Earlier in the week we had some discussion of how BSA Handbooks and Literature have changed over the years. There were some comments about some of the things that used to be there that are missed and some thoughts about what be good to have in a Patrol Leader Handbook, the BSA Handbook, the Scoutmaster Handbook, etc. Well as things would have it, I ended up chatting with one of the folks I know who serves at the National level and who would be happy to take a look at ideas I receive from Scouters and Scouts. If you have ideas on what would help make the handbooks more useful to Scouts and Scouters, things that ought to be included, things that aren't particularly useful, things you'd like to see, please take a minute to hit the keyboard and share your ideas. If you want to send them to me privately or share an idea with the list to see how others feel, I'll see that your comments get forwarded on to my contact at National. Mike Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Fri Nov 28 09:24:47 1997 Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 09:24:45 -0500 (EST) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: "settummanque, or blackeagle (Mike Walton)" cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Subject: Re: Eagle BOR Expectations In-Reply-To: <1.5.4.32.19971128073332.00c62b8c@mail.dynasty.net> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: Mike, While I stongly believe that it is important to encourage Scouts to attend an Eagle BOR in uniform, I would hesitate to establish a rule requiring a particular type of uniform for Explorers, deferring instead to the decision of the Post as to uniform. If a young man were to arrive in scrubs with a nametag, that would be fine with me, if that happened to be his Post's uniform. BSA (whether inconsistent or not) has allowed Explorers (for now at least) to finish work towards Eagle and to pick there own uniforms. If BSA had meant that Explorers could pick there uniforms for everything they do except Eagle Boards they could have and would have said so. Some "uniforms" may be a bit odd by our standards, but the choice was left to the youth members of the Post. We've been focused on Eagle Boards of Review, but I would venture to say that we ought to be focusing on every Board of Review, encouraging Scouts from the first one onward to come in uniform. Once the habit is built, it becomes progressively easier for the Scout to understand the expectation and there is no great shock later when it comes time for an Eagle BOR. It is just important, if not more so (knowing that most Scouts never reach Eagle), to encourage uniforming at the Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class boards as a way of reinforcing this METHOD of Scouting (it isn't a goal or aim, but a method). I add that last bit because I think it important to remember that there is a distinction between the goals of Scouting and measuring progress towards them and the methods used by leaders to help Scouts reach those goals. Character development, citizenship, and fitness are the aims/goals of Scouting. We use advancement as the carrot to encourage growth and measure achievement with an eye towards helping the Scout reach those goals. The methods are what we as leaders use to help Scouts reach those same goals. But we should be careful not to let any one method become so important that it begins to look like a goal in and of itself, whether advancement, uniforming, or whatever. Nor should we decide a Board of Review on whether a Scout has had the advantage of a method of Scouting or has assimilated it. The methods are our tools as leaders. Uniforming is a tool. We use it for a purpose. If the uniforming method didn't always work for a particular Scout, but he grew in character, citizenship, and fitness, I would be inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt (might ask a few more questions though). I can recall a Troop BOR session a few years back where I had two young men up for Star and Life. The Star candidate came in complete spotless, freshly pressed, immaculate uniform. Unfortunately he was also disrespectful, rude, and otherwise a pain. He hadn't learned much of anything and said so. He wasn't enjoying Scouting, but was there because of his dad. He did not pass that night and was coached into coming back after trying harder. The next young man came in with a uniform shirt untucked hanging over his sweats. This kid was as nice as any you'd ever hope to meet, had gone the extra mile twelvefold on everything he'd done, had helped a second Troop that was struggling, took extra time for younger Scouts on campouts instead of running off with his buddys because he knew he had a job that he was responsible for performing as ASPL. He passed without question. Yeah he felt bad about his uniform and would do better next time. But he had the right stuff. Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Sun Nov 30 02:24:04 1997 Date: Sun, 30 Nov 1997 02:24:02 -0500 (EST) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: LClossen@aol.com Subject: Re: Handbooks and Literature In-Reply-To: <971122135214_413183107@mrin44.mail.aol.com> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: Linda, I'm impressed. What a difficult job that must have been. My posting on this subject was on behalf of another Scouter involved in the same process. I understand that National frowns on disclosing who worked on the project and that t he handbook is due out in 1999 (might slow sales of the current handbook). :-) I'm involved in a Task Force also, but on another subject. When I read some of the postings that have a we/them undertone about National, I have to chuckle, because there are so many of us involved in the "them" part. There are at least a dozen or more folks on Scouts-L serving on one or another of these Task Forces. Many use Scouts-L as a sounding board without stating where the question came from or just listen to get a feel for grassroots feeling. The business about Quality Units growing as a requirement was postponed due to postings here that were forwarded on to a person at National, for example. ;-) It was hard to ignore 60 postings. Glad to know you were involved. What an experience that must have been. Mike Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Fri Dec 5 00:03:21 1997 Date: Fri, 5 Dec 1997 00:03:20 -0500 (EST) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: SCOUTS-L - Youth Groups Discussion List cc: NCAC BSA , GWD Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: _____ / ___ \ / / _ \ \ / / / \ \ \ \ \ \_/ / / \ \___/ / \_____/ Three stones piled one atop the other largest on the bottom and smallest at the top is a symbol many of us learned those days long ago at Scout Camp as meaning "gone home" only to learn much later that B-P's grave also had these rocks as a symbol that he had "gone home." Today I have symbolically piled these three ascii rocks atop one another in my way of passing on the sad news that a true Scouter's Scouter, Tommy Thompson, passed away on Wednesday evening here in Northern Virginia. Many of you who recieve this e-mail whether here in the local area or in other parts of the country may have known Tommy and many more I know will say a prayer for his family and the friends who grieve his passing. Tommy lived a life of service starting as a youth in Sea Scouting and continued on to serve his country in the armed forces. He especially enjoyed working with Scouts and his home became a place for den meetings. He served in a number of unit positions and eventually ended up becoming a leader among Scouters. I first met him when he was serving as the District Commissioner for the George Washington District of the National Capital Area Council, BSA. And it was he who presented me with the Arrowhead Honor as I started commissioner service more than five years ago. By then Tommy was staffing Wood Badge Courses, was a Silver Beaver Holder, and had been recognized by his Diocese with an adult religious award, the St. George. In his years as District Commissioner he drove us hard to do our best to provide the best in unit service because it meant helping the Scouts. I can remember sitting with him at an elementary school in Alexandria where there had been no Scouting before and where there was no unit to hold a Join Scouting night. The school was in a less prosperous area, one that some might even think a bit dangerous, but he was there waiting to sell Scouting to that one boy who might come through the door and three did. Tommy was like that. He was also the sort to grab a fellow and give him a bear hug at a meeting while presenting an award. And when you visited his house you knew he was dedicated before you got to the door. His front yard had a flag pole and flag and his porch was guarded by a variety of foxes (he was a Wood Badge Fox). And his home bore the marks of Scouting inside as well. Once down in the basement while admiring his model railroad layout I saw an old ham radio and got to talking. He had been interested in ham radio, but had given up his newer gear to an Explorer Post that was helping provide Safe Rides on weekends. Again that was like him, he always gave completely of himself, because he believed in Scouting and wanted to see it work for the young people we served. He was indeed a Scouter's Scouter. And it hurt when he had to step back due to cancer and limit what he did, but he fought and was back from time to time in uniform to join his brother Scouters even when it was tough to do. Tommy will be missed by those of lucky enough to have know him, but he will live on in our hearts. His funeral is at 2:00 pm on Saturday at Mount Comfort Cemetary, Alexandria, Virginia. Peace, Mike Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Sat Dec 6 08:50:48 1997 Date: Sat, 6 Dec 1997 08:50:46 -0500 (EST) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: Grant O'Neil cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L Subject: Re: Campfire Pyrotechnics In-Reply-To: <3.0.2.32.19971206195802.007bf650@alpha2.curtin.edu.au> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Status: RO X-Status: Grant's comments and Doug's story remind me of a campfire nearly twenty five years ago. The campfire ring was backed up against a lake which made for some impressive ceremonies. Out in a canoe a "chief" stood amidships illuminated by torchs to port and starboard and asked the spirit of the East wind to light "our campfire". The hidden "spirit" behind the campfire attendees arose and in the same fear of hitting someone when he realized his vision was obscured by the flame decided to aim high, in fact more than a little bit high. The flaming arrow passed nicely over everyone's head and then over the fire lay clearly headed for the lake. Now the fellows in the canoe about this time realized that the end of the arrow's flight path looked to be exactly where they were. The immediately started to back paddle furiously. The "chief" trying to keep his composure remained standing for a few seconds, tottered, lost his balance and fell overboard. Tipping the canoe and putting the torches out. At about the same time the arrow went hissing into the lake not to far away. Blackness. Then every flashlight was trained on the water to aid in rescuing the wayward chief. Meanwhile while the drama unfolded an old Scoutmaster unnoticed walked up and lit the fire with his lighter. When calm was restored a few of the boys wondered how the fire had been lit, others thought the opening the most impressive they'd seen and most fun. Made for a lot of good fun all week at camp. The archer also drove a camp truck everyday to deliver food. Shortly thereafter, the hood of the truck sported a large cross-hair bombsight in place of the hood ornament. The following week the camp director was able to find some extra money to buy wire for the campfire ring and settled on using steel wool and a battery for the magic. Mike Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Fri Dec 19 09:50:12 1997 Status: O X-Status: Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 09:50:11 -0500 (EST) From: "Michael F. Bowman" To: mfbowman@scouter.com Subject: Baloo's Bugle (fwd) Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org Visit: ftp1.scouter.com/usscouts U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) Helping to deliver the promise of Scouting from Alexandria, Virginia ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 16 Dec 1997 00:28:20 EST From: CMR1954 To: mfbowman@CapAccess.org Subject: Baloo's Bugle * #*# *. *.- ~.~. ~ -._ . _.* ~~~~~~~ | | Have a Very Happy Holiday! Mike, I have always been impressed with your responses in Scouts-L. I would like to include the entire text of your message about the clip art. If you are not familiar with my work, Baloo's Bugle, I invite you to go to the following site http://www.rannie.com/40th/bb.html Let me know what you think. Earl, the webmaster of that site is moving from that district so the Bugle might only be there for the next month or two. Otherwise, the only other place I load it is to AOL's scouting forum library. I also have a mailing list going from other people who have contacted me directly to receive it. I will try to include your message in my next Bugle going out hopefully within a week. Would you also write a brief description of the US Scouting Service Project for me to be included with your message? Hey, do you have any summertime pack activity ideas? : ) Your Friend in Scouting, Chris