Camp Crooked Creek

We are heading to Camp Crooked Creek Sunday for a WJ Troop meeting. I'm kind of looking forward to seeing the place again.

I say again, because we used to camp there when it was just a farm. We were there several times on District Camporees. It is just down the road from Bardstown.

I remember one night I was chopping wood for the fire at 2:00 am and my Scoutmaster yelled at me to go to bed. I remember snakes all over the place. I remember hiking across the road from Bernheim Forest to a little store and buying pop and candy.

It has been close to 30 years since I've been there. The camp wasn't even a thought on paper then. I hear that it is extremely nice and I'm looking forward to the visit. We'll go back in May for our WJ shake down camp out.

I'll just have to remember: No wood chopping after lights out!

Neckerchief of GOLD

BSA National Supply Division has the World Jamboree merchandise available. Lots of collectibles to buy.

We have been told that one of the hot items to trade will be neckerchiefs and slides (neckers and woggles) while we are in England this summer. The cost of ours, caught me by surprise.

Neckerchief $18.99

3 hole leather slide $6.25

Tax, shipping, & handling $7.35

Grand Total: $32.59

It makes it difficult to "trade even" at that cost. Even if you figure the exchange rate of the Dollar vs. the Euro, it seems a bit much. Most of the neckerchiefs from other countries are handmade and have little, if any, embroidery or patches.

I bought a few to take, but I would liked to have had more.

Court of Honor

I just love a good Court of Honor. The presentation of the colors, lighting the red, white, and blue candles for the Scout Oath, and lighting the 12 candles for each point of the Scout Law. Last night, each Scout read what each point meant and it went over great.

We also had our Camp Promotion and O.A. Election. We'll have to wait for the Tap Out to see if Joe Potter and Devin Porter were elected.

We had a big crowd too, as 18 of 19 Scouts and their folks were in attendance. It made me think about our logs that we use as candle holders. They have been a part of this group as far back as Cub Scouts. They have seen a whole bunch of candle wax and one even caught fire last year.

The candles really help to remind us of what Scouting is all about. When the candles are new, it takes a little extra effort to light, but once they get lit, they burn bright!

Troop 12 Turns 3

Tonight, we'll celebrate 3 years. That isn't a lot of tenure compared to some Troops, but we have had a good run so far.

Thank goodness for TroopMaster and all of the great records it keeps. We have over 100 nights of camping so far. I was kind of proud of that until this past weekend.

Clay Rose, from Winchester, has been around forever. He was Scoutmaster when I was a D.E. I asked him how many nights of Scout camping he has? He said 1,300 to 1,400.

This guy is over 1,000 and measures the change in the 100's! I don't think Daniel Boone camped that much. What a great gift to Scouting and the youth of Clark County!

I don't know if I can make it to 1,000 nights, but I sure hope that Troop 12 will.

Happy Birthday to us. Thanks B.S.A.

Hogg Man Gets Vigil

William Hogg, aka the "Hogg Man", was awarded his Vigil sash Saturday, March 24, 2007 at the Kawida Lodge's Spring Fellowship. It was a glorious weekend, weather wise, and there was a good crowd.

Will has been very active in the Lodge and everyone is always glad to see him. His Vigil name is Gelackelendam, which translates to Funny One. The Vigil committee nailed that one!

We got campsites 9 - 13 set up and had plenty of time to have fun and fellowship with one another. The kids had a blast on the climbing tower and their campfire Saturday night and we adults had fun talking about the past, the future, and patches.

It was as close to perfect as it gets!

Tubby Likes B.S.A.

Yesterday, the radio blurted out that annoying "news announcement" music. It is usually a wreck some where, but around 3:00 pm, we heard that Tubby was heading to the University of Minnesota.

Kentucky basketball is big in my family. My 2 brothers and I graduated from U.K. My oldest brother Bill was a manager for the team when Rupp was still there. He still talks about the time Caywood Ledford came up and comforted him as a homesick freshman.

I wish good luck to Coach Smith and his family. He is dedicated to the ideals that physical fitness, competition, and academics can positively change young people. Kind of like Scouting huh?

My son Will, received a very nice letter from Tubby when he received his Eagle. Coach Smith spoke highly of the values that Scouting teaches and was very congratulatory in a personal way. I have nothing negative to say about the man. If he likes the BSA, he's o.k. in my book.

However, has anybody called Billy Donovan yet?

Spring Has Sprung

Summer is great. Camp McKee and all the big trips. Fall is excellent. The trees changing and the beautiful colors. Winter is wonderful. Snow, Christmas, and those big family meals.

My favorite time of the year is spring! I come back to life. I become re energized. Flowers are blooming and the trees are popping out. The smell of that first grass cutting. The birds in the morning, chirping their little heads off.

Most importantly, it is time to go camping. This weekend is our Lodge's Spring Fellowship and Vigil Ceremony. I can't think of any other place, with any other people, where I would like to go and be with.

If I'm a little "full of" extra Scout Spirit this weekend, now you know why.

Woo Hoo!

Civil War Eagle

This picture was taken during the fall of 2004 at the Perryville Civil War reenactment. I can remember when I went to Perryville as a Scout and it was something that I wanted Troop 12 to get to experience.

Last night, Ryan Glass received his Eagle in a Civil War themed ceremony. It was awesome. Ryan and his dad, James, have really been involved in Civil War reenactments and it only seemed natural.

The other unique thing about this Eagle, was that it was presented at our Pike County FOS dinner. Jean Hale was honored as Distinguished Citizen and also received the Silver Beaver.

Lost Boy Scout

Michael Auberry is a First Class Boy Scout, who is lost in the rugged woods of North Carolina. It is all over the news.

A couple of things about this story really bother me.

Auberry stayed behind with an adult leader while the rest of the Troop went for a hike Saturday "because apparently he wanted to sleep in."

#1: No 2 deep leadership. Are you crazy?!

#2: Boy Scout Camp Outs and Hikes are not designed for Scouts to "sleep in". Either go, stay at home, or call your Mommy.

Michael has attention-deficit disorder and takes Ritalin. I don't why he wondered off without a buddy, but some adults made some bad decisions, regardless. I hope and pray that they find this kid. It is bad press for the B.S.A., and we must learn from these mistakes and ensure that they don't happen again.

EVER!

Our prayers were answered! Michael was found today around 11:00 am. Thirsty, but o.k.

A New Chapter for the Chapter

The Tomahaken Chapter of the Kawida Lodge held it's monthly meeting yesterday. The attendance was good. 10 youth and 4 adults. I like that ratio.

It is a far cry from the 4 youth and 3 adults that we started with back in January 2005. Back then, we could all fit around 1 small table. Since then, we've been to Conclaves, a NOAC, every Lodge meeting, and 2 of our youth are Lodge officers. 1, a Section officer.

It is a magical thing when a group of young men join together to work towards a common goal. The Order of the Arrow has given us the opportunity to retain our best and older Scouts and has given them a new sense, that Scouting can still be fun.

I think Jeremiah Back said it best.

"We've grown into a 3 table Chapter".

The Business of Scouting

This is the latest, and hopefully not the last, beautiful creation from my buddy Barry Goldman, up in NJ. This is a 6" X 8" laser engraved, solid wooden plaque for only $34.50. A deal any day in my book.

It seems that the use of any BSA logos, whether on patches, t-shirts, plaques, etc. will be under the direction from our National office in Texas.

Personally, I believe it is the right thing to do and makes good business sense. Our Scouting symbols belong to all of us and if anyone is making a profit from these, I feel that it should be approved and a nominal fee be paid to benefit us all.

What do they say about opinions?

Friendly

I guess that I am like most folks. I go home and shut the door and hardly ever look out. "City folk" my Dad used to say.

We had a good rain last evening around 5:00. When it finally stopped, the sun came out, and to the east was the most brilliant double rainbow I have ever seen. The colors were distinct and you could see it all the way to the ground. It was only a hundred yards away. You could almost touch it. I didn't see a pot of gold though.

What I did experience was a brief moment of awe and friendliness. Everyone up and down College Street came outside and looked. Neighbors, office workers, and random people who were just walking, stopped what they were doing and interacted with one another in the most friendly way. Smiles, waves, and nice comments were abound.

The sun moved on and the spectacular rainbow faded. For 2 minutes, Pikeville stopped whatever we were doing, and looked upwards and outwards toward each other.

It was friendly. I wish that we could do it everyday.

British Bulldog

We had our biannual Troop elections last night. Michael Shepherd is once again SPL (5 consecutive terms now). The big news was the Flying Eagles and the Sharks, have combined forces to be the Badgers and the Headache Patrol are now Beavers. Oh, the politics of it all!

The game was supposed to be indoor volleyball, but since yesterday was such a nice day and with the time change over the weekend, it was unanimous that they wanted to go outside and play British Bulldog. It is #1 with Troop 12.

They got 3 rounds in, with only 2 lost buttons and 2 scraped elbows. Everyone was sweating like a hog. It is one of the few games that offers physical fitness, team work, individual stealth, and minor first aid.

It is a hoot to watch. I asked Sam Cochran, our Chartered Organizational Rep. / Troop Chaplain, why they liked British Bulldog so much?

He said, "It is everything that young men like".

He's right!

Flag Ceremony

We have been doing a lot of flag ceremonies lately and have a few more to do. This Sunday will be our Scout Sunday at the First Presbyterian Church. We'll be presenting the colors at the Pike County Friends of Scouting dinner next Tuesday. The following Tuesday will be our Court of Honor and the 3rd anniversary of Troop 12.

I am always proud of our Scouts, but never more proud, when they perform a flag ceremony! It brings a tear to my eye every time.

My old pal Bill Gay and I go way back. I'll never forget when I was promoted to Senior D.E. in Lexington. He came by to see me and complain that the District's Boy Scout activities were in shambles and needed leadership. Guess who got the job? Bill Gay, Stuart Conley, and Troop 98 pretty much ran the show and it was awesome. The only thing that Bill wanted was a can of sardines every outing. YUCK!!

Bill very politely reminded me after the Council Banquet that nothing comes before, or in front of, the US flag. We did the criss cross thing, with the US flag going first, followed by our Troop flag. He is correct and we will work on that a bit tonight.

Crossroads

Legendary blues musician, Robert Johnson wrote a song entitled "Crossroads" back in the 30's. The song has been covered by a lot of great musicians, like Clapton and Skynyrd. Enough for now from the School of Rock.

We had a great time at McKee this past weekend. We finished up the requirements for 2 Tenderfoot and 1 1st Class. I am still a little sore from the hike, but I needed it. The food worked out and was actually pretty good. Don and Billy got the new OA "Guide" hammered out. Andy, Aaron, and Devan did a great job in their leadership along the trail and with the Totin' Chip and Firem'n Chit. It really is wonderful to see the older guys teaching the new Scouts.

Will Goff decided at the last minute not to go on this trip. Basketball games, a friend's grandfather's funeral, and probably girlfriend excuses. It would have been his 100th and 101st nights camping. He is at the crossroads of his life and is making decisions. His absence did make me think though.

How long am I going to do this? I don't think that I will be a Doug Cox or Clay Rose or will I? Should I have stayed home for my wife's birthday Saturday? Am I at that crossroads right now, or is it just a bump in the road?

Back To The Basics

We are heading up to McKee this weekend to work on some Tenderfoot and Second Class skills for the new guys. The menu that they planned includes hot dogs, noodles, spaghetti, and a few other odd choices.

We'll do half of the PMT to get a 5 mile hike in. I figure that we'll take a right, instead of a left, after Grape Knob. That is close to 5 miles. We've got maps and compasses.

Saturday afternoon, the plan is to work on Totin' Chip and Firem'n Chit. The older guys are teaching and can earn the Paul Bunyon, if they teach it correctly.

One of the things that we do in our Troop, that happened in my old Troop, is that, if a Scout messes up with a knife or fire, the Scoutmaster tears a corner off the card and literally eats it. I've chewed up and swallowed several. It makes a lasting impression.

Hey, if I don't like what they cook this weekend, I can hang out while they whittle and get a bite to eat!

Scouting News

The head dude in South Africa said this:
"We want to ensure that by July this year, out of the 6,000 schools in KZN, there is at least one teacher who will be responsible for Girl Guides and Boy Scouts. The answer for many of our children, who are aimless and do not have any direction, lies in becoming a Scout or Guide."
"We as government will open up our facilities for you to use to learn about yourself and your surroundings. We will open up every available opportunity to you. We will also arrange transport for you to travel to different places. The sky is the limit."
http://allafrica.com/stories/200703050409.html
I like this guy. I wonder what would happen in this country if President Bush said the same thing?

Scouting Magazine is out and there is a great article about a Troop from Stanton and their adventure at Carter Caves. Doug Ramey and Glen Felty were just there with their guys. http://www.scoutingmagazine.org/

My old Troop in Bardstown is still cranking. They are doing a really cool Merit Badge Fair. http://www.kystandard.com/articles/2007/03/07/news/local_news/news04.txt

Boy Scouts of America has agreed to pay $330,000 and plant 9,000 tree seedlings to settle a state lawsuit over a wildfire that burned 14,200 acres in Utah. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,257258,00.html We don't need news like this!

You heard it here first!

Wood Badge

"Wood Badge is the greatest training that you'll ever have the chance to do in Scouting. If you don't think it is worth the money, I'll personally write you a refund check".

I've stood up and said that often. I've never had to write a refund check. It really is that good.

Way back in 1986, as a D.E. in Thoroughbred District, I got some junk mail from Cincinnati about a Wood Badge course. I didn't look at it and threw it in the trash. However, while eating a sandwich at my desk, I pulled it out of the garbage for something to read.

EC336X was going to be an experimental Wood Badge, like the very first Wood Badge, and the Scoutmaster was going to be William "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt. I made copies and mailed them out.

We knew it was going to be legendary. It was. Check these names:

Don Stanko Beaver

Allen Arth Bob White

Barry Goff Eagle

Kevin Willis Fox

Barry Brandenburg Owl

Tom Peek Bear

Johnnie Ross Buffalo

Don Bryson Antelope

We were all from the Blue Grass Council and all in different Patrols. Everyone has received the Silver Beaver. I think Mr. Hillcourt would be proud.

Each participant received 2 of these 1936 - 1986 Gillwell One patches.

Square Knots

There are 2 types of awards in the BSA. Earned or bestowed. I've been getting hit with the later recently.

This is a virtual recreation of what my uniform could look like. That is 14 knots! What is that? A gaggle, hoard, or flock?

The 1959, 5th edition of the Scoutmaster's Handbook says, "While Scouters may wear the insignia to which they are entitled, a 'total display' may not be in the best taste if the uniform looks overdecorated". The current insignia guide, just states in columns of 3 and no suggested limits. Do you ever wonder how myths and legends get started?

I started out with a blank uniform. I was encouraged to wear my Eagle knot and others, because I should be proud and they are important. I've got several shirts and wear knots on some and few or none on others. I look at the Assistant Scoutmasters in Troop 12 and are very proud of their Scouter's Training Award knot, because I know they have worked hard and earned it.

My Venture uniform is blank. I go to things like Powder Horn and Kodiak CDC and people talk to me like I'm a rookie. Hey, I am, as far as Venturing goes and I never let on.

I think I will sew all of them on my poly wool uniform. I want to be buried in that.

Just knot anytime soon!

Council Banquet

Saturday, March 3, 2007 will be a day that I will never forget. It was the annual Blue Grass Council Banquet, plus an O.A. LEC meeting before the big event. Our Troop had been invited up (Clue #1) to do the flag ceremony. Something that we do well. Also, two of our very own, Jean Hale and Norm Marcum were getting the Silver Beaver award and we needed to be there (Clue #2) to support them.

We left Pikeville that morning with just a few Scouts, Mike Shepherd, and I. We picked up Todd Goodman at the MAC in Prestonsburg and Alex Hill at the BP in Salyersville. These are all bus stops along the way. Mike keeps asking me what this banquet is for and (Clue #3) what is the Silver Beaver? Anyway, we do our traditional lunch at Dairy Queen in Clay City and off to the LEC at Karrick Lodge.

The LEC went well, as far as those mind and butt numbing sessions go. The kids are learning a process though and they did great. So we go to the dining hall to practice our part and I walk on stage to set up and was told to (Clue #4) GET OFF THE STAGE!! So, I do and we run through it a couple of times. We are looking pretty good. One of our Scouts, Will Hogg, forgot his neckerchief, so I loan him mine. Now Mike is taking his neckerchief off and insisting (Clue #5) that I wear it. I see that Alex Hill needs one too, so I give him Mike's.

It is almost time to begin, and people start rolling in. My wife Karen and daughter Amanda, Phil and Andy Smith, (Clue #6) Hugh B. Hall, Tuan and Viet Pham, Tom Hill, James and Ryan Glass, and Don and Leslie Combs. I'm looking at Mike and he's talking about maybe it is because we are getting some Popcorn award (Clue #7) ?

Troop 12 does a great presentation of the colors. I get emotionally proud when we do this. Norm gets the Commissioner of the Year award, which is well deserved. When they start the Silver Beaver part, the rest is like a dream. They start reading the bio and it is so generic, that it could be anybody, but it is me. Alan Watts escorts me, Karen, Amanda, and Will up, but he has the great idea of having all the Scouts come up too. I've seen a lot of Silver Beavers presented and that was a first to have a bunch of kids come on stage and I wouldn't have it any other way. That award is just as much theirs as it is mine. I'm looking out over this huge crowd and right in front is my old pal Jim Swinford, whistling and patting his belly, simulating the "Whistling Scoutmaster Skit" we do at Summer Camp for the kids. Jean Hale, couldn't be there, but Norm Marcum was just as surprised as I, when they called his name. It was nice to see Elizabeth Hawkins receive it also. She and I were in the same Vigil class. Finally, I get to set down and everyone is shaking my hand and I'm looking at Mike Shepherd and Todd Goodman, like you DOGS. Tuan hands me this little gift bag and has to remind me to open it. Inside is one of the funniest patches that I've ever seen. The 2006 Eagle Class was announced. It was nice to have Ryan and Will get to go up. All Eagle Scouts were asked to come on stage. I got to stand between the Hogg Man and Don Combs and his Dad. I told the Hogg Man that he'd better turn his cell phone off. He quickly does, thanks to a previous Todd Goodman prank. After the banquet, so many friends congratulate me. It was a blur. We finally leave and stop by the Dairy Queen for the traditional ice cream. I'm still in a daze. I never saw it coming. I did start getting suspicious around (Clue #5).

We get everyone dropped off and made it back around 11:30 and the last person I say good bye to is Mike Shepherd. I tell him, I don't know if I should shake your hand or kick your butt. He just smiles and said either one would be fine. I get home and start looking at the book of all the past Silver Beaver recipients. Pikeville names like: Baird, Combs, Rogers, Pruitt, Thompson, Walters, and so many others. I discover that all of my fellow Wood Badge mates that went to Camp Hook years ago, had all received it.

It sill seems like a dream. My family there. All my guys. All my buddies. The best camp and Council in the world. I'll never forget it. Thank you all!!!!

District Banquet

We finally got to have our Lonesome Pine District Banquet last night. We packed the banquet room at the Shoney's in Pikeville.

Good food and as always, the best folks in the world! Doug Ramey got the Scoutmaster of the Year. Well deserved. We have so many great Troops and Scoutmasters, that was a tough one to win. Donna Burke received the Cubmaster of the Year. Congrats!

2 long time volunteers, Todd Goodman and Tricia Mullins got the DAM award or District Award of Merit for you newbies. They have both given a lot of time to their units and the Pine. I wonder though, who will get it next year? Some of you leaders might consider hosting a District event. We need some new blood in those positions.

Speaking of new blood, watch out for a Tiger Cub leader from Pikeville. Derrick Owsley is on fire.

I was surprised to get the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Service award. I thought it was going to someone else. Norm Marcum got it in 2005. Mike Kilbourne got it last year. I found out that Mr. Kilbourne sneaked around and wrote me up. Thanks, but it is so humbling to receive anything, when you are surrounded by some of the greatest Scouters I have ever known.

Lonesome Pine is strong and for the right reasons.

History For Sale

I saw this item on Ebay and just had to get it.
THIS IS A ONE OF A KIND ITEM FOR THE SERIOUS COLLECTOR!!! Manufacturer's master patch --- KAWIDA LODGE 480 - BLUEGRASS COUNCIL - along with the pattern drawing. The patch is a sample kept by the manufacturer in their master book.
The pattern drawing was prepared by an artist and used prior to computer designed patches to run the embroidery process or to punch the tape drive to run the embroidery machines. The pattern designs measure within a range from 18"x24" to 24"x36" depending on the shape and size of the item and the amount of paper used by the artist. Great for framing. The patch or flap may contain missings or thread breaks and is usually a rejected item.

My buddy Tim Brown tells me: It is the first flap (rounded bottom). The guy selling these is from Illinois, and thus it’s my guess that he got them from Mid West Swiss Embroidery Company in Chicago or from someone else who did. I heard that Mid West Swiss had sold many of its early samples and design patterns.

Mid West Swiss made many of the OA patches in the country in the 1950’s and 1960’s (as did the Geer Company in St. Louis). I know that they made our S1 (white belly), and they probably made our X1’s and F1’s. However, our F2’s were made by Geer, as they have the distinctive Geer pointed bottom (see also the Lodge 367 F1, F2, and S1; Lodge 435 S1; Lodge 499 F1, etc.). All were made in the 1950’s and early 1960’s.

This is a one of a kind item and shouldn't be rolled up in some one's closet. I'm going to have it framed and donate it to the Lodge. It belongs to all of us.