Posted: 8/4/2011 9:01:25 AM EDT
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Last week I went with my son to Scout Camp in Wyoming (Camp Loll). Great camp right on the border of Yellowstone. My son practices the scout motto "Be Prepared". Every where he would go he carried a small survival kit on his belt and a little back pack. In the back pack he would carry mosquito spray, some snacks, a drink, poncho as well as other gear. When we canoed across the lake to build survival shelters for the night, he was the only scout with gloves, flint and steel, etc.
By Friday night he had had it. He was so tired of no one else packing any gear and just expecting to use his. He finally told the rest of the boys that he would no longer let them use his stuff and they needed to pack their own. You should have hear the boys get all bent out of shape. By that time they were used to not having to plan for them selves. They were all sorts of butt hurt. When we went to the camp fire that night the mosquitoes came out it force (of course they were out in force every day). My son pulled out his bug spray and all of the boys wanted to use it because of course they did not bring any. Well he just looked at them and put it back in his bag and said "What happened to living the Scout Motto". Well he made his point and after the boys stopped crying like little girls he let them use some but told them this was the last time. He is a kid with a big heart and will help anyone but he got fed up after a week. I can only imagine what would happen in a true SHTF scenario. I believe in helping others all I can but there comes a point where you just have to say no. It was a good life lesson for my son and you can tell he is planning differently now. |
| I am quite proud of him (he earned 6 merit badges, 1 partial and 2 rank advancements while there). As his mother says he is a true mini-me. He was disappointed he could not carry a gun during camp. The running joke in the troop is to try and guess how many knives he is carrying (usually 3) because some time he has a lot. |
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Last week I went with my son to Scout Camp in Wyoming (Camp Loll). Great camp right on the border of Yellowstone. My son practices the scout motto "Be Prepared". Every where he would go he carried a small survival kit on his belt and a little back pack. In the back pack he would carry mosquito spray, some snacks, a drink, poncho as well as other gear. When we canoed across the lake to build survival shelters for the night, he was the only scout with gloves, flint and steel, etc. By Friday night he had had it. He was so tired of no one else packing any gear and just expecting to use his. He finally told the rest of the boys that he would no longer let them use his stuff and they needed to pack their own. You should have hear the boys get all bent out of shape. By that time they were used to not having to plan for them selves. They were all sorts of butt hurt. When we went to the camp fire that night the mosquitoes came out it force (of course they were out in force every day). My son pulled out his bug spray and all of the boys wanted to use it because of course they did not bring any. Well he just looked at them and put it back in his bag and said "What happened to living the Scout Motto". Well he made his point and after the boys stopped crying like little girls he let them use some but told them this was the last time. He is a kid with a big heart and will help anyone but he got fed up after a week. I can only imagine what would happen in a true SHTF scenario. I believe in helping others all I can but there comes a point where you just have to say no. It was a good life lesson for my son and you can tell he is planning differently now. Dude good job on your son! I wish more parents would teach their kids this lesson(or facilitate the learning of the concept), I think the USA would be alot better off. |
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I wish I could take credit for him. But despite all my bad efforts he has turned out pretty good (except those days his mom wants to kill him). Of course I have to laugh when they were asked by a Civics teacher if we are a democracy and the rest of the boys said yes and he replied "No we're not. We are a Constitutional Republic". Or the question "If a cop pulls you over for a traffic stop can he search you car if he wants?". The other boys said yes or I guess. Mini-me said "Only if he has reasonable suspicion". (Actually probable cause but at least he is thinking).
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Note: I am not the Scout Master, just an involved parent. The Scout Master and I are trying to get the boys to start thinking beyond the next five minutes. Our overnight survival camp opened the eyes of a few of the boys. For instance, if you are taking a canoe you might want to but all of you gear in a "waterproof" bag. Or at least a garbage bag. Planting little seeds (I hope).
As we showed them many of the different items we keep in "survival kits", we told them to start asking for these things for Christmas. However, I cautioned them that just having the items are no good if you did not know how to use them. Practice, Practice and more Practice. By the end of the week we were able to get all of the boys to be able to start a fire with flint and steel. |
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Outstanding OP.....live the motto....what is so hard about that?
The sad thing is....even the parents are lacking in this department.....I can't tell you how many times we have had folks begging supplies from our chow box or FAK. You begin to wonder if these folks have ever heard of making a list.....ever..... 
It's amazing how many folks show up when they smell coffee in the morning....and w/o cups.... |
| He though he was at a girl scout camp because he was not allowed to carry a sheath knife. His comment to the camp staff the first day "What kind of girl scout camp is this that I can't have a sheath knife?" They asked "Why do you need a sheath knife?" He said "In case I need to stab a bear since you won't let us carry guns." In his defense it is a heavily populated area with bears. One was spotted less than a mile from the camp the day before. |
| I think the saddest thing I heard all week was on boy saying "But my mom didn't pack that for me". Or same kid "My mom say I don't know how to swim". Really? I told him, "Your mom is not here so let's give it a shot". But no go he would not get in the water the first day. He finally got in the water on our day hike to Buela lake in Yellowstone. Same boy also would not take our advise and bring a change of clothes on the day hike. He had quite a rash hiking the 2.5 miles back in wet trunks. |
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Butch you are doing a great job with the young man.
I was saddened to hear of the lack of prep and the general "whiny-ness" of the many of other scouts, these kids are demonstrating a lack of the understanding in the area of the ultimate motto-"think for yourself and prepare for what you think". You are raising a natural leader... |
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I will be a dissenter here, I get the "point" your son was trying to make as I would have grown tired of everyone slacking too, but I do recall a line from the oath, I think the scouts still are made to take the oath right? " To Help other people at all times" Which is helping them more...letting them borrow all your gear or teaching them they need to pack their own gear? I would argue for the latter. What becomes of them when you are not around to loan them your gear. They are s**t out of luck. If they learned to bring their own, there would be no need to borrow yours in the first place. It is like the old saying, give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. |
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I will be a dissenter here, I get the "point" your son was trying to make as I would have grown tired of everyone slacking too, but I do recall a line from the oath, I think the scouts still are made to take the oath right? " To Help other people at all times" He did...he just said "last time".......Scouts don't have to be a doormat. |
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Sitting around with a bunch of friends watching them get eaten alive by bugs, while spraying more of your very own bug spray on then telling them tough you guys should have brought some. There is teaching a lesson and then there is being a d!ck.
Personally, I would have been more proud of the boy had he shared. As for the other little morons, stupid is as stupid does. Don't get me wrong they were not helped to be as prepared as they should have. Bad Parents! Some will never learn. |
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Sitting around with a bunch of friends watching them get eaten alive by bugs, while spraying more of your very own bug spray on then telling them tough you guys should have brought some. There is teaching a lesson and then there is being a d!ck. Personally, I would have been more proud of the boy had he shared. As for the other little morons, stupid is as stupid does. Don't get me wrong they were not helped to be as prepared as they should have. Bad Parents! Some will never learn. from OP.... Well he made his point and after the boys stopped crying like little girls he let them use some but told them this was the last time. He is a kid with a big heart and will help anyone but he got fed up after a week. I can only imagine what would happen in a true SHTF scenario. I believe in helping others all I can but there comes a point where you just have to say no. He let them use it....no "dick" activity there...other than the moochers.... |
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Scout camp in Wyoming sounds like a LOT of fun! I'm thinking this, damn how I would LOVE to see Wyoming, Montana, Oregon, the Dakotas, Yosemite, Great Sequoias etc, etc. and all the rest of the North Pacific areas/ states. That is the most beautiful areas of our great nation. I know there is much more in other states, but those areas with the mountains, wild life etc, is just something to behold. OP sounds like you're doing it right, congrats on your son and what you have taught him, he will go far. 
So sad that the other dads or Scout Masters haven't taught the other boys what you have taught your son.  
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Sitting around with a bunch of friends watching them get eaten alive by bugs, while spraying more of your very own bug spray on then telling them tough you guys should have brought some. There is teaching a lesson and then there is being a d!ck. Personally, I would have been more proud of the boy had he shared. As for the other little morons, stupid is as stupid does. Don't get me wrong they were not helped to be as prepared as they should have. Bad Parents! Some will never learn. from OP.... Well he made his point and after the boys stopped crying like little girls he let them use some but told them this was the last time. He is a kid with a big heart and will help anyone but he got fed up after a week. I can only imagine what would happen in a true SHTF scenario. I believe in helping others all I can but there comes a point where you just have to say no. He let them use it....no "dick" activity there...other than the moochers.... Thanks Echo2. Yes there was not "dick" activity. He did share but gave them fair warning that next time they are on their own. As for "helping others people at all times", he is helping them more by teaching them to be prepared and self reliant. If he continued to enable them then he would not be living the oath. |
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Quoted: Last week I went with my son to Scout Camp in Wyoming (Camp Loll). Great camp right on the border of Yellowstone. My son practices the scout motto "Be Prepared". Every where he would go he carried a small survival kit on his belt and a little back pack. In the back pack he would carry mosquito spray, some snacks, a drink, poncho as well as other gear. When we canoed across the lake to build survival shelters for the night, he was the only scout with gloves, flint and steel, etc. By Friday night he had had it. He was so tired of no one else packing any gear and just expecting to use his. He finally told the rest of the boys that he would no longer let them use his stuff and they needed to pack their own. You should have hear the boys get all bent out of shape. By that time they were used to not having to plan for them selves. They were all sorts of butt hurt. When we went to the camp fire that night the mosquitoes came out it force (of course they were out in force every day). My son pulled out his bug spray and all of the boys wanted to use it because of course they did not bring any. Well he just looked at them and put it back in his bag and said "What happened to living the Scout Motto". Well he made his point and after the boys stopped crying like little girls he let them use some but told them this was the last time. He is a kid with a big heart and will help anyone but he got fed up after a week. I can only imagine what would happen in a true SHTF scenario. I believe in helping others all I can but there comes a point where you just have to say no. It was a good life lesson for my son and you can tell he is planning differently now. Sounds like you doing a great job with your son! |
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I will be a dissenter here, I get the "point" your son was trying to make as I would have grown tired of everyone slacking too, but I do recall a line from the oath, I think the scouts still are made to take the oath right? " To Help other people at all times" I think your interpretation of this is why our country is in the mess it is in now. |
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I think the kid did right. TJ has an excellant phrase about how you feed a hungry man but if he needs anything else you let him earn it. To do otherwise makes him less of a man. Those kids need to realize that when they have the tools to provide for themselves they need to provide for themselves. To some extent I think the kid should have been bargaining perhaps, let those other kids realize what happens when you don't want to carry something but someone else is willing to carry it around with them. That bug spray is worth a lot more when it is far away from all the other cans of bug spray. I was a scout. We were the burbs troop that loved to play rough and brought all kinds of gear everywhere we went. I learned from the older scouts that they would always help me out if I asked for help. But I did need to keep in mind that I was expected to accomplish as much as I could with the tools I had on hand so that I did not make others carry my load. Once again, I think the kid did well and he is teaching other kids to not be parsites. This goes for bug spray on up to demanding help with housing or food when they get out in the world. |
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Sitting around with a bunch of friends watching them get eaten alive by bugs, while spraying more of your very own bug spray on then telling them tough you guys should have brought some. There is teaching a lesson and then there is being a d!ck. Personally, I would have been more proud of the boy had he shared. As for the other little morons, stupid is as stupid does. Don't get me wrong they were not helped to be as prepared as they should have. Bad Parents! Some will never learn. you can't read? |
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Sitting around with a bunch of friends watching them get eaten alive by bugs, while spraying more of your very own bug spray on then telling them tough you guys should have brought some. There is teaching a lesson and then there is being a d!ck. Personally, I would have been more proud of the boy had he shared. As for the other little morons, stupid is as stupid does. Don't get me wrong they were not helped to be as prepared as they should have. Bad Parents! Some will never learn. you can't read? <sound of crickets>....... |
OP, great job with the boy, he done right if i ever get the chance i'll buy him a root beer!
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<OOOH> Idea time- we should find the coolest Scout camp in the country and form a provisional troop of ARFcomers and their sons...how would THAT rock? I was once a counselor at Lenhok'sin High Adventure Camp in Goshen VA for one season(growing up and getting a real job prevented me from return service). I helped out at the Foxfire Outpost teahing blacksmithing and Appalachian Mountian living. Philmont in AZ is the equivilent on the Western Coast. I'll put up some info and links in a few. http://www.scoutmastercg.com/2011/05/lenhoksin-high-adventure-goshen-scout-reservation/ http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org/openrosters/ViewOrgPageLink.asp?LinkKey=16562&orgkey=1933 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Capital_Area_Council wiki article on the 4000+ acres that make up Goshen Scout camp. dang added a 500yd rifle range since i was there in '97 sounds like a lot of stuff has been added... Cheesey YOUTUBE video A less cheesey video K. |
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I will be a dissenter here, I get the "point" your son was trying to make as I would have grown tired of everyone slacking too, but I do recall a line from the oath, I think the scouts still are made to take the oath right? " To Help other people at all times" I think your interpretation of this is why our country is in the mess it is in now. +1 Bill |
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He though he was at a girl scout camp because he was not allowed to carry a sheath knife. His comment to the camp staff the first day "What kind of girl scout camp is this that I can't have a sheath knife?" They asked "Why do you need a sheath knife?" He said "In case I need to stab a bear since you won't let us carry guns." In his defense it is a heavily populated area with bears. One was spotted less than a mile from the camp the day before.
Reminds me of a time when I was in the army. I was supposed to go into the field with my battalion but a last minute change had me going to some school for a couple of weeks. When I get there all our gear is dumped and checked. I get reamed for five minutes by some sergeant, who's probably had his stripes for about an hour, I suspect he had a small penis as well. This guy is bitching at me because I have a sheath knife, a Camillis trench knife as I recall. He tells me the only purpose for a knife like that is to kill someone and it has no business in my gear. I reply "yes segeant" thinking the whole time "this is the army, what the F#%k do you think we do to people"? |
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I will be a dissenter here, I get the "point" your son was trying to make as I would have grown tired of everyone slacking too, but I do recall a line from the oath, I think the scouts still are made to take the oath right? " To Help other people at all times" I think your interpretation of this is why our country is in the mess it is in now. Explain? |
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Sitting around with a bunch of friends watching them get eaten alive by bugs, while spraying more of your very own bug spray on then telling them tough you guys should have brought some. There is teaching a lesson and then there is being a d!ck. Personally, I would have been more proud of the boy had he shared. As for the other little morons, stupid is as stupid does. Don't get me wrong they were not helped to be as prepared as they should have. Bad Parents! Some will never learn. you can't read? Apparently not, I stand corrected. |
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I will be a dissenter here, I get the "point" your son was trying to make as I would have grown tired of everyone slacking too, but I do recall a line from the oath, I think the scouts still are made to take the oath right? " To Help other people at all times" I think your interpretation of this is why our country is in the mess it is in now. Explain? The scout oath pertains to people who you see that need help as you go about your daily life. Such as little old ladys crossing the street, children who are lost, etc., etc. without regards to race, national origin.... Not doing something for someone ALL the time because they don't feel like doing it for themselves. Your interpretation is pretty much a form of slavery where one person has to continually give to another. Much like what our social programs in this country have evolved into. In the OP's case his son WAS helping those other scouts by not continuing to do everthing for them. How? He was helping them learn to be self sufficient. Maybe we need to send our politicians to scout camp with this kid BEFORE they take office. |
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I will be a dissenter here, I get the "point" your son was trying to make as I would have grown tired of everyone slacking too, but I do recall a line from the oath, I think the scouts still are made to take the oath right? " To Help other people at all times" I think your interpretation of this is why our country is in the mess it is in now. Explain? The scout oath pertains to people who you see that need help as you go about your daily life. Such as little old ladys crossing the street, children who are lost, etc., etc. without regards to race, national origin.... Not doing something for someone ALL the time because they don't feel like doing it for themselves. Your interpretation is pretty much a form of slavery where one person has to continually give to another. Much like what our social programs in this country have evolved into. In the OP's case his son WAS helping those other scouts by not continuing to do everthing for them. How? He was helping them learn to be self sufficient. Maybe we need to send our politicians to scout camp with this kid BEFORE they take office. You assume too much. |
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Sitting around with a bunch of friends watching them get eaten alive by bugs, while spraying more of your very own bug spray on then telling them tough you guys should have brought some. There is teaching a lesson and then there is being a d!ck. Personally, I would have been more proud of the boy had he shared. As for the other little morons, stupid is as stupid does. Don't get me wrong they were not helped to be as prepared as they should have. Bad Parents! Some will never learn. you can't read? Apparently not, I stand corrected.
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Quoted: He though he was at a girl scout camp because he was not allowed to carry a sheath knife. His comment to the camp staff the first day "What kind of girl scout camp is this that I can't have a sheath knife?" They asked "Why do you need a sheath knife?" He said "In case I need to stab a bear since you won't let us carry guns." In his defense it is a heavily populated area with bears. One was spotted less than a mile from the camp the day before. Reminds me of a time when I was in the army. I was supposed to go into the field with my battalion but a last minute change had me going to some school for a couple of weeks. When I get there all our gear is dumped and checked. I get reamed for five minutes by some sergeant, who's probably had his stripes for about an hour, I suspect he had a small penis as well. This guy is bitching at me because I have a sheath knife, a Camillis trench knife as I recall. He tells me the only purpose for a knife like that is to kill someone and it has no business in my gear. I reply "yes segeant" thinking the whole time "this is the army, what the F#%k do you think we do to people"? I never did understand the restriction on "sheath knives", and still don't to this day. Anybody have insight into the real reason (in scouts)? Good job w/ the little guy OP, sounds like he's pretty well grounded. |
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I never did understand the restriction on "sheath knives", and still don't to this day. Anybody have insight into the real reason (in scouts)? From my understanding...a child was injured when he fell...the sheath knife went through the sheath and severely injured the scout. That being the case....Kydex scabbards are the answer. What gets me though.....is if you go through "Mountain Man"....you make and carry your own sheath knife.... .....and some of these are truly scary.
I tend to have one anyway..... |
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Sitting around with a bunch of friends watching them get eaten alive by bugs, while spraying more of your very own bug spray on then telling them tough you guys should have brought some. There is teaching a lesson and then there is being a d!ck. Personally, I would have been more proud of the boy had he shared. As for the other little morons, stupid is as stupid does. Don't get me wrong they were not helped to be as prepared as they should have. Bad Parents! Some will never learn. you can't read? That was my first thought... |
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I never did understand the restriction on "sheath knives", and still don't to this day. Anybody have insight into the real reason (in scouts)? From my understanding...a child was injured when he fell...the sheath knife went through the sheath and severely injured the scout. I tend to have one anyway..... As did I and a cold steel tomahawk when I was at Lanhok'sin! Also while I was there helping out as a counselor at Foxfire outpost a child rammed a wood gouge through one of his fingers(no, it wasn't just a little booboo either), the same kid that week had somethign else kinda bad happen to him(can't remember what it was right now) and then he wrecked the crap out of a mountain bike and ended up in the hospital IIRC. Had to feel bad for him as he was apparently just "that kid" that stuff happened to according to the rest of his troop. Not blaming the kid with the sheath knife or the cursed kid I encountered, some folks just aren't coordinated and even in those that are sometimes Shit just happens. At least in this case wood working and mountain bikes weren't banned. Classic example likely of reactionary P.C. liberal parents ruining shit for everyone else becauce their sensibilities were offened. But then again Scouts are also prohibited from what I understand from brewing sassafras tea as well as it's carcinogenic(though it turns out apparently less so then your average glass of orange juice)... K. |
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I never did understand the restriction on "sheath knives", and still don't to this day. Anybody have insight into the real reason (in scouts)? From my understanding...a child was injured when he fell...the sheath knife went through the sheath and severely injured the scout. I tend to have one anyway..... As did I and a cold steel tomahawk when I was at Lanhok'sin! Also while I was there helping out as a counselor at Foxfire outpost a child rammed a wood gouge through one of his fingers(no, it wasn't just a little booboo either), the same kid that week had somethign else kinda bad happen to him(can't remember what it was right now) and then he wrecked the crap out of a mountain bike and ended up in the hospital IIRC. Had to feel bad for him as he was apparently just "that kid" that stuff happened to according to the rest of his troop. Not blaming the kid with the sheath knife or the cursed kid I encountered, some folks just aren't coordinated and even in those that are sometimes Shit just happens. At least in this case wood working and mountain bikes weren't banned. Classic example likely of reactionary P.C. liberal parents ruining shit for everyone else becauce their sensibilities were offened. But then again Scouts are also prohibited from what I understand from brewing sassafras tea as well as it's carcinogenic(though it turns out apparently less so then your average glass of orange juice)... K.  we are ???
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