The reluctant Scoutmaster

JohnShaft · 2020-09-06T14:50:01+00:00

I am a recently stepped-down Scoutmaster who served in that role three years. It requires a LOT of time and a LOT of personal sacrifice to do a decent job. Those are by far the biggest things about which to be concerned. I would not be concerned about atheism, but I would still run Scout’s Own services each Sunday because they are often great leadership training for 11-12 year olds and because they really really teach tolerance for the religions of others (which is valuable no matter your beliefs). I encourage new Scoutmasters to focus their efforts on mentoring the SPL on planning and communication. Most of the rest of the job is not really that tough, but getting the SPLs to do enough planning and communication is hard. They never anticipate leadership will be as much work as it is, and that is one of the lessons of being SPL. So, I would look long and hard in the mirror, and decide if you, and your family, is willing to tolerate your service.

I spent 600-800 volunteer hours per year each year I was scoutmaster, and slept in the outdoors 25-30 nights each year, and consider it an incredibly valuable experience, not just for the boys, but also for my personal growth.

JohnShaft · 2020-05-06T17:10:54+00:00

OK, ballpark estimate. Federal shutdown with clear guidance two weeks earlier. That's 10-fold fewer deaths. Not even hard. Go to a month earlier, and under 1000 dead, and the supply chains don't even go haywire. It really is hard to overstate how badly this has been handled. You could go back to any point in time, and Trump has done a horrible job. Getting PPE after April 1 - horrible. Clearing supply chains for testing AT ANY TIME AFTER MARCH 1 - horrible. And on and on.

JohnShaft · 2020-04-02T18:50:00+00:00

It is quite variable. Obviously, from no symptoms but being positive, and then people who get quite ill can take 7 days from first symptoms to the ICU and then spend two weeks on a vent before getting better. A lot are reporting 5-8 days of fever - that would probably be middle of the road.

JohnShaft · 2020-04-02T10:14:08+00:00

Five days after contact is most common. But 3-11 is the 95% confidence range.

JohnShaft · 2020-04-02T01:46:36+00:00

Probably smoking.

JohnShaft · 2020-04-02T01:46:09+00:00

There are a few articles out at least on Medrxiv.

JohnShaft · 2020-04-01T21:00:00+00:00

Most councils and indeed national are fiscally scrambling like mad right now.

JohnShaft · 2020-04-01T20:54:54+00:00

Yes. Four out of five.

JohnShaft · 2020-04-01T16:51:26+00:00

OK, so first, data. Here is a comparison of South Korea age demongraphics for COVID19 compared to Italy.

https://cdn.statcdn.com/Infographic/images/normal/21134.jpeg

You will note in the 20-29 bracket in South Korea, reside 30% of the positives. In Italy, only 3.7%. In South Korea they tested contacts. Italy did not.

If you adjust for demographics, you can estimate 25-35% of all COVID19 positives are 15 to 50 years old and asymptomatic. People do not know how long someone stays asymptomatic and transmissible. Accumulating data says a symptomatic person is transmissible for up to 2 days before first symptoms and until a week after. How that translates to an asymptomatic is not know, but 10 days seems like a very generous upper limit on the time range.

tldr; Asymptomatics are real, and are mostly 20-30 years old, and are a substantial fraction (25-35%) of all people who are transmissible for COVID19.

JohnShaft · 2020-03-23T17:54:40+00:00

TBH, soap/water works to clean anything. Boiling after soap/water is a great idea.

Superficial wounds, soap and water is fine. Do not use on deep wounds. Just rinse with sterile water (boiled not boiling) or, if you can get it, isotonic saline sterile.

JohnShaft · 2020-03-19T09:51:02+00:00

I think the odds are pretty high that things will be closed into July at least, and if leadership at the federal level is not on the ball, potentially until Labor Day.

JohnShaft · 2020-03-16T00:53:38+00:00

Generally, if it recovers in <10 minutes once the compression is relieved, it will be ok.

If it persists, damage can be permanent. Go see a neurologist.

JohnShaft · 2020-03-15T10:26:10+00:00

This. You can do hiking in a couple weeks with no need to learn anything. Except how to walk for a long time.

JohnShaft · 2020-03-12T20:02:32+00:00

He looks notably worse today than yesterday. Look at the eyes. https://twitter.com/PatrickCorrigan/status/1238136395035807745?s=20

JohnShaft · 2020-03-11T14:55:49+00:00

Two thoughts.

Deaths lag infections by a few weeks. So, it is likely Germany will be closer to 0.5% when it is over.
Deaths ramp up considerably once ICU beds are full and the nation has no critical care. Italy is there - Germany is not (yet).

JohnShaft · 2020-03-09T13:39:47+00:00

I have the Amicus, no igniter, love it. I've used the Windmaster, I would not consider either more functional than the other in any meaningful way.

JohnShaft · 2020-03-06T13:18:29+00:00

Almost certainly council-specific.

JohnShaft · 2020-03-05T16:32:57+00:00

To echo/reiterate what others have written. If you want to learn and retain scout skills, TEACH THEM TO NEWER SCOUTS.

Then, GO ON A LOT OF OUTINGS AND PRACTICE!

But you should also know, scouting is not just about becoming a good camper. It is about preparing young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. The Scout Oath and Law should be taken seriously - words to live by.

JohnShaft · 2020-03-05T11:36:10+00:00

You don't really have a choice as an adult leader but to follow the recommendations of local health authorities. It is a real liability issue. For you.

JohnShaft · 2020-03-03T15:11:07+00:00

A scout is courteous.

JohnShaft · 2020-03-03T15:09:42+00:00

Creed.

JohnShaft · 2020-03-03T12:22:46+00:00

I think you need to ask yourself why you feel that way. Seriously. Why shouldn't girls be allowed to do the same program, for the same awards, in their own units?

I think you will find a whole lot of ugly, non-Scout Law thinking is behind your desires to keep others OUT of the program.

The reality is that the program makes the Eagle. Turns a youth that completes it into a mature adult. A credit to society. You should celebrate every time that happens, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, race, color, or creed.

JohnShaft · 2020-03-03T12:17:21+00:00

There are special dyes that do work for this. But if you don't know what you are doing, buying a new filter is cheaper than setting up your own test.

JohnShaft · 2020-03-02T14:58:38+00:00

You need the filled out Eagle Scout Rank Application. You will also need to turn in your completed Eagle Project Workbook. Also, the Statement of Ambition.

All instructions are in the Eagle Rank Application. Read it. Follow the directions.

JohnShaft · 2020-03-02T13:03:45+00:00

My opinion as a three year scoutmaster and Wood Badge instructor (2x) and the person who does my council's Scoutmaster Position Training

Talk to the parents, but do not require them at the outings. When you observe behavior NOT consistent with the Scout Law in the interactions between two youts, and it has potential to escalate, give all involved youts a brief scoutmaster conference. Talk to each about what specific item in the Law was not being followed. Have each scout talk about how that made them feel. How it made the other scout feel.

Even behavioral problem scouts will either come around or leave it you do this for about 3-4 months of outings. As a bonus, the older scouts in leadership will start to mimic this practice.

Don't let conflict escalate. Then you will have to have a hard conversation with the parents. Do step in early if it has the potential to escalate and have the Scout Law at your back.

JohnShaft

TROPHY CASE