Gyms of Scouting
Image by Thomas B. from Pixabay I remember when I was in Cub Scouts and Webelos, and we always had our Pack meetings in the gym of my elementary school. That usually worked out well, especially when there would be some physical activity that was a part of the Pack meeting, like Dodgeball (yup, that’s how old I am). According to Wikipedia, a gymnasium, also known as a gym, is a covered location for athletics.... [More]
By: scottyiserv On: 2020-07-09
National Parks and Isle Royale
I had a chance to go to Isle Royal National Park during the summer of 2008. My youngest son and I had a few days off and decided we would spend a day touring the island. We boarded the Isle Royale Queen IV, which was a 100-foot long ship that would take us 56 miles across Lake Superior. The trip was supposed to take three and ½ hours, but a storm had blown across the... [More]
By: scottyiserv On: 2020-07-06
The Value of "All that Scout crap"
Facebook image by Nick Owen My mother and several of my friends (mostly males) all asked me the same question as I was growing up. As a young Scoutmaster, I was asked that same question by parents who were interested in Boy Scouting but wondered out loud, "what will he get out of this?" Black and Latino families ask that same question when I go to communities of color and introduce and explain Scouting to... [More]
By: settummanque On: 2020-06-29
You know you love Scouting...Why are you hiding it?
Fire image by Mike Walton (This was written in 2002 before my unit, and I was deployed to Kuwait and later to Iraq as part of the U.S. Central Command. The message has not changed and is still important, however!)Hey, Scouters!For those who did not "catch the clue," I've been serving as Exercise Director of the last Public Affairs Nationwide exercise. Next year, "Info Strike 03" will take place, and I will be handing off... [More]
By: settummanque On: 2020-06-22
5 Scout'struction Ideas
Image by Van Huy Bui from Pixabay Do you wonder what Cub’struction is? Basically, it's having cub scouts construct something--anything--out of everyday household items. Here are five really cool projects you can do with your Scouts, whether you’re at home or attending a den meeting. All five of these cub’structions can be made from things that almost all of us have in common use around the house. We will start by making a hat out... [More]
By: scottyiserv On: 2020-06-15
Find a Need
Cortney Grosz provided the images for me...thanks! I collect, trade, and sell a lot of various Scouting items. The things I tend to keep are tied to my membership and service in several locations as a volunteer. I also keep things which tie my military service -- as a combat Signaleer, personnel manager, and public affairs manager/director/stick arranger -- to my Scouting service as a mentor, counselor, committee member, and supporter. For instance, I have... [More]
By: settummanque On: 2020-06-08
What do I want to be when I grow up?
Have you ever thought of what it might be like to be part of a medical trauma unit working in an emergency room? What about being an automation engineer at a cereal factory? What about getting to see firsthand what it's like to be a fireman who is going to respond to a blazing fire somewhere in your city? We thought it would be useful to you to provide a list of potential field trips... [More]
By: scottyiserv On: 2020-06-01
The Importance of Displaying one's Competence
A long explanation to demonstrate why I -- and many other people involved in Scouting -- wear what seems like uniform shirts better fitting for third world dictators and military chiefs than those of volunteers or professionals interested in helping your family have a great Scouting experience. (Illustration of what I'm talking about) The last time I was in Iraq, I suffered a serious eye injury. The year I was there, there were two... [More]
By: settummanque On: 2020-05-25
A Letter to Mom
Backpacks ready to be worn to go camping. Stock image purchased by Mike Walton (This was originally included in "Patches and Pins," but several editors recommended that I remove it from the book because it was more truth than fiction, and I reluctantly was "selling" the book as a fiction novel based upon my life. "Make up your mind," they would write. I kept this story, however, and some of you who followed me... [More]
By: settummanque On: 2020-05-21
Brought to you by the Letters Q, M, C, and S
Courtesy of the 007 Museum (thanks!) I am a fan...no, I am "ga-ga" over Captain James Bond, formerly Commander James Bond, otherwise known as "double knot seven" (007), one of a few who have a legal "license to kill." A few people have played this role, among them my "best" Bond, the actor Pierce Brosnan ("Remington Steele" if you recall how he got to be "James Bond"...), shown in the above image on the left.Even... [More]
By: settummanque On: 2020-05-18