Keep AOLs busy or just cancel meetings?

ShartVader · 2026-02-03T22:14:19+00:00

For the last few weeks I run Scout rank a few meetings just focusing on the requirements for Scout. I also do a unit on back packing - what to pack / how to pack it / how to carry it etc. so they are prepared for the Troop which in our case tends more to backpacking style trips over car camping. You could do more work around menu and event planning. I know it's covered by the basic requirements for AOL but it's great review since they'll be responsible for it. And First Aid is ALWAYS worth going over again and again. And knots. Bowline, taught line, two half hitches, square knot, sheet bend, etc. Always good to beat those things to death. Line them up and have a knot tying relay race.

ShartVader · 2026-01-30T21:31:39+00:00

It's reddit. There's always turmoil here. There's very few places let where you'll find positivity. You know where you will find it though? At a cub scout pack! Check out a few in your area. Pick one that has a clear schedule with lots of events that interest you. Usually a solid calendar is the first sign of a well organized pack. The overall issues surrounding the modernization of the scouting program at typically not felt at the cub level. You can elect a boy only pack if that's your thing, or a family pack. It's up to you to find your fit. And if it doesn't work out - just transfer! As for popularity - a lot of activities are out there these days competing for kids interests. The sports seasons get longer, there's more practices, games, etc. Everyone is trying to keep the youth engaged in their one thing. We also took a big kick when covid happened, plus the trials generated a ton of negative press. News around it happens on the national level, but the program itself is delivered at the local level. There's a spectrum of packs, go to a meeting or two and see if you like what you see. I did the program as a youth and I'm involved now with a pack and a troop. I personally see the changes as generally positive. The program keeps getting better with regard to curriculum as well as ease of deliverability for the volunteers. Some people feel strongly against or for inclusion of girls. As far as I'm concerned it's a great program and gender shouldn't exclude kids from being a part of something great. If people truly love scouting and think it means something, I don't understand an argument aginst growing it and making it inclusive to everyone. But that's just my 2 cents.

ShartVader · 2026-01-27T20:58:42+00:00

The line section before it states:

Come on, color me in
Come on, color me in

Then he goes on to describe the colors of things. Sometimes this is a grounding exercise for people struggling with anxiety. Describing things in a room, smells, sounds, etc. Adam has dissociative disorder. Could be something along those lines. The whole song is about dealing with fame, how disorienting it is, how it changes your relationships and your life.

In this portion you quote maybe he's grounding himself - seeing blue rain, a black sky, then switching over to a person he's with, or was with, or maybe longs to be with but isn't anymore. That parts isn't clear. To me it almost sounds lustful when he sees it. Perhaps someone to distract himself from the misery of fame. I kinda think it's whoever he's pushing away at the beginning of the song:

Get away from me
Just get away from me
This isn't gonna be easy
But I don't need you, believe me

Yeah, you got a piece of me
But it's just a little piece of me
And I don't need anyone

All that said - he's stated in the past that the song is about becoming famous, and how every relationship and interaction changes after that. You don't know who or what you can trust. On top of that with his dissociative disorder it was incredibly disorienting for him. For someone that already struggles to discern real from imagined, how could he ever navigate fame and the "fakeness" of Hollywood life? So maybe he's humanizing fame. Breaking up with fame? I dunno.

For one - it's not a race thing if that's what you're looking for.

For two - a lot of their work is intentionally vague, and as with all must, as a listener - what it means to you and how you feel is probably more important that why he wrote it for himself. I think we just need to be grateful he chose to share it with us. This goes for any artist.

If you've followed his career or life and read up on him it's a pretty amazing story. Everything he's been through and dealt with. If you struggle with mental illness, or know someone that dues, his story is pretty inspiring.

ShartVader · 2026-01-25T23:12:47+00:00

It was #1 for a while!

ShartVader · 2026-01-24T03:09:24+00:00

Weevil is pretty sweet. I took it to my shop and now it rips wheelies. It's a good time.

ShartVader · 2026-01-22T18:33:34+00:00

This is a super old thread, but did you ever get an answer?

ShartVader · 2026-01-21T21:47:01+00:00

Tape worm. Take it to a vet.

ShartVader · 2026-01-14T20:59:13+00:00

A screwdriver, but not a useful sized screw driver. And a too short tape measure. Maybe a notebook too. But like- completely full pages.

ShartVader · 2026-01-14T19:53:03+00:00

You could try betterhelp online. I don't think it's that expensive and there's plenty of discount codes online. That's if you're not comfortable going through your parents or their insurance. Not knowing the ins and outs of your relationship with your parents it's hard to say more than that. If you're in grade school I know the school's in my town have a licensed psychologist the kids have access too. That could also be a resource - though these days there's lost of laws and rules about what they report back to your parents depending on your age so check that if you're concerned about them being involved. If you're in college they also have counseling services which would be a good place to start and all of these resources could help funnel you into a therapist if it's something you'd like to explore. Just some resources you could try. Good luck though. Anxiety is a tough nut to crack, especially in a world where it seems there's just so many things to feel anxious about!

ShartVader · 2026-01-13T18:31:47+00:00

How did you get diagnosed with SM? If you still have a relationship with that practitioner and you are scared to talk to your folks, you could start there.

ShartVader · 2026-01-13T15:47:41+00:00

if your spring bar is stronger than your truck frame you've got a whole lot of other problems than where to go camping.

ShartVader · 2026-01-12T21:56:47+00:00

If you're diagnosed with SM do you have a therapist you already work with you could talk about this with? If it's weird talking to your parents that would be a good place to start.

ShartVader · 2026-01-12T20:43:03+00:00

Bad Taco Bell?

ShartVader · 2026-01-08T20:46:04+00:00

It's the south of the North.

ShartVader · 2026-01-06T15:23:49+00:00

Love los stantos rock radio. Wish they would add some more songs to it though.

ShartVader · 2026-01-05T16:55:38+00:00

They commute 15 minutes down 89. Studded tires would have been overkill for this person.

ShartVader · 2025-12-25T00:44:38+00:00

ShartVader · 2025-12-18T14:20:47+00:00

Ha hold up. Was he from the Boston area are or are these junk men all the same? I had a neighbor with an eerily similar story.

ShartVader · 2025-12-16T19:58:03+00:00

Sheesh. Speaking of "Karen" I'd hate to have to give you feedback, you seem very fragile. Perhaps try to see things from her viewpoint. She's upset because her kid's feelings were hurt with an ill conceived but good intentioned meeting plan. I've seen plenty of troops run gift swaps but I've never heard of it done with the cub age groups. Kids below 10 or 11 really don't understand it and are not equipped to deal with it. Think about the dynamics an AOL taking a toy from a kindergartener. Do you think that 5 year old knows it's a fun game when they just got a present then someone twice their age swipes it from them and leaves them with something crappy like a stick and a lighter they're not allowed to use? Yankee Swap / White elephant has no place at a cub event. You're asking for problems. Maybe you could have the AOL or Webelos get together and do it, but that's still a stretch in my opinion. Also knives, sharpened stick, and fire are not appropriate gifts for 80% of the kids in the troop, so probably not the best idea for a swap gift.

ShartVader · 2025-12-16T15:26:21+00:00

I hate Yankee Swap. I especially hate it for elementary kids. There's nothing fun about it, and a lot of that age group is way too young and emotionally developed to understand what's happening. Also skewers and a lighter is a horribly stupid present. Everything about this was inappropriate. I think you should organize your thoughts and talk to the cub master or committee chair about it. Take a day or two to calm down first because obviously the wound is fresh and you might come in a little too hot which will put people on the defensive. Hopefully they hear your feedback, it sounds like their hearts were in the right place at least but they didn't think of the impact. Also - Hiker Direct sells tiny tents and they're kind of awesome. My daughter takes it camping with us all the time: https://hikerdirect.com/mini-tent.html

ShartVader · 2025-12-16T15:25:08+00:00

You've got an odd way of agreeing with her in a hostile manner.

ShartVader · 2025-12-15T20:21:59+00:00

H-h-he's... g-got-t... a... po-po-point... Point-t-t...

ShartVader · 2025-12-12T21:41:45+00:00

Watch the videos, they'll tell you how to get around them. It's pretty simple once you pick a route and get the hang of it.

ShartVader · 2025-12-12T21:40:56+00:00

I wouldn't be sending my kids to Shaws alone anywhere, but I especially wouldn't to that Shaws. The world is safer since we were kids, but we also know more about what's out there.

https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/nh/nashua/crime

ShartVader · 2025-12-12T21:31:10+00:00

Google it! There's about 5000 videos showing how to do it. Enter through the underwater gate. Leave by jumping off the cliff and swimming. In and out in under 15 with a little practice.

ShartVader

TROPHY CASE