Maybe it's a regional/local thing but I don't recall ever having to sell anything as a kid in the Cub Scouts and Webelos and have never seen male scouts, of any age, selling anything where I live. This is the first I've heard of this popcorn so many of you are familiar with.
Boy Scouts going downhill!
- Thread starter mkk41
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Texas Star
US Veteran
I was just a Cub Scout. We moved away before I went beyond Weblos rank and I never got back into Scouting. I think a younger brother was in a Dallas pack for a couple of years.
I got my first pocketknife as a Scout, the official model. I think mine was made by Camillus. You didn't have the Swiss Army models then. I think they're a better option now. Some have had BSA logos on them. Oddly, all seem to have only Phillips-head screwdrivers in lieu of the corkscrew option...They have no Merit Badge program for wine knowledge. That'd have saved me taking wine classes later!
Do Scouts still carry knives, at least pocketknives, and get taught safety with knives and axes?
Many today forget that the Scouts originated in Great Britain and were formed to create young men who had military skills. Lord Baden-Powell wanted lads who could be scouts for troops. I think he was inspired by the Chief of Scouts in the Boer War of 1899-1902. That man was Maj. Frederick Burnham...an American! The Scout hat was a copy of one worn by Burnham.
I got my first pocketknife as a Scout, the official model. I think mine was made by Camillus. You didn't have the Swiss Army models then. I think they're a better option now. Some have had BSA logos on them. Oddly, all seem to have only Phillips-head screwdrivers in lieu of the corkscrew option...They have no Merit Badge program for wine knowledge. That'd have saved me taking wine classes later!
Do Scouts still carry knives, at least pocketknives, and get taught safety with knives and axes?
Many today forget that the Scouts originated in Great Britain and were formed to create young men who had military skills. Lord Baden-Powell wanted lads who could be scouts for troops. I think he was inspired by the Chief of Scouts in the Boer War of 1899-1902. That man was Maj. Frederick Burnham...an American! The Scout hat was a copy of one worn by Burnham.
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"Do Scouts still carry knives, at least pocketknives, and get taught safety with knives and axes?"
Last I heard, you still had to get your " Tote & Chip" card before you could handle a pocket knife or axe.
Fundraising became an issue when a certain nationwide group that gets donations by payroll deduction and then divvies them up to deserving smaller groups was offended by a certain belief that BSA held. I refused to donate through that organization for that reason, and because I disagreed with another group they favored with funding. I'll make my own donations , thank you.
Last I heard, you still had to get your " Tote & Chip" card before you could handle a pocket knife or axe.
Fundraising became an issue when a certain nationwide group that gets donations by payroll deduction and then divvies them up to deserving smaller groups was offended by a certain belief that BSA held. I refused to donate through that organization for that reason, and because I disagreed with another group they favored with funding. I'll make my own donations , thank you.
When did Boy Scouts take a page from the Girl Scouts and start selling snacks?
In 1969, my wife bought a large decorative tin of popcorn from
the Boyscouts. Dang good thing she did too. I was fresh back
from Nam and had a car insurance bill come due I'd forgot
about. We lived on popcorn for a month at least 1 meal a day.
Couldn't afford but very few groceries. So I know they've been
selling it since at least 1969.
Dano
Jim, thanks for the heads up on this one. I thought the BSA jobs was to to help prepare young men for a better life. The BSA will no longer be on my annual Christmas donation list.
It's sad I tell ya just sad.
Tcoburn
Member
I believe the Boy Scouts are a good organization, or at least the ones around here are. They still place flags on veterans graves at many if not all of the national cemeteries. A friend of mine informed me that their troop was in need of a 22 bolt action and some ammo (not begging just brought it up in conversation). I donated the money for one and some ammo. Others in the area donated ammo and other things to support the local organization. With the battering they have been taking lately for their beliefs I will help them as much as I can. I believe it would be a travesty to lose such a necessary organization available to our youth because of the lack of funding. If I need to help in some way, I will. I will even buy popcorn if that's what is needed.
I condemn no man for his beliefs and/or his opinion, I am just stating mine..
Be Well
Ted
I condemn no man for his beliefs and/or his opinion, I am just stating mine..
Be Well
Ted
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Hack
Member
Actually....
We called them Hobo dinners or Coffee Can meals. Back in the day, coffee was sold in small tin cans that had keys to open them. 'Chock full of nuts' coffee, was one of the brands that had the 'perfect can' for this. You took the cans, sans coffee, and layered potatoes, meat, etc in them. Put the can into the campfire and in 45 minutes to an hour, ya had dinner.
cballman
Member
Scouting has changed over the years. We still teach items that will stay with a child forever. Yes the still have to earn the tote n chip card to be able to carry a knife. You also have to be an older scout to do the Rofle shooting merit badge and Shotgun shooting badge. We have been getting a lot of bad press lately about different items. Not all scouts and leaders feel the same way about the issues at hand. I will continue to teach the skills to scouts the same way I was taught in the 1970s. Yes they sell items to fund outings that they could not normaly go on as in High Adventure trips. These trips put some families in a hardship because they would like to send the child but would also like to eat and have a roof over their head. Before you knock any group I think that you should know more details about what is going on. I have been involved in scouting for quite a few years now and I support it very much so. And Yes I have helped change a couple of children over the years that was going down the wrong path in life. Lastly Yes I am a Eagle Scout, and I beleive in the values that I am teaching thru scouting.
Our troop sent four boys, young men really, to the National Jamboree last summer. The longest line was at the shooting range. This coming from Montana boys who all own guns and are shooters and could shoot anytime. Shooting is still an important part of scouting with 3 Merit badges I con think of off hand. Marksmanship, shotgun sports [not sure of the name] and muzzleloading.
Fishslayer
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
When did Boy Scouts take a page from the Girl Scouts and start selling snacks?
Careful there, Hoss. Them Girl Scouts are nobody to mess with!
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jlrhiner
US Veteran
I think Tcoburn and I are in the same district.
I don't really want you to buy the popcorn. I think you should find a local Pack or Troop and volunteer. This is from someone who has been everything from Tenderfoot to Unit Commissioner since 1964. (in an effort at full disclosure, I did not make Eagle. The Navy got in the way. Only crime I've ever committed).
I don't really want you to buy the popcorn. I think you should find a local Pack or Troop and volunteer. This is from someone who has been everything from Tenderfoot to Unit Commissioner since 1964. (in an effort at full disclosure, I did not make Eagle. The Navy got in the way. Only crime I've ever committed).
Harrison
US Veteran
I was a boy scout in a small rural town. in the 50s and 60s there were four scout troops in town. Even the tiny towns had at least one troop. Now, there are no scout troops in that entire corner of the state (about a 10 county area). I don't know where they went, but they are now gone.
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
Webelos, Tenderfoot and 2nd class-by then the hormorones had kicked in, pack meetings were Friday night....and well ya know....
Loved the scouts when I was in, Smoked my first cigarette on a camping trip, drank my first beer on a camping trip. learned how to smuggle in a can of lighter fluid to start that campfire. Boy Scouts was fun.
Loved the scouts when I was in, Smoked my first cigarette on a camping trip, drank my first beer on a camping trip. learned how to smuggle in a can of lighter fluid to start that campfire. Boy Scouts was fun.
SmokeStack Lightning
Member
No more visible tattoos when dressed in short sleeves and collar?
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Every organization has to hit a low before it rides up to the top....the Boy scouts of America are all about the leaders. Some areas have great leaders and some not so much...easy to blame...harder to fix...don't complain, do something about it...these young men need the direction Scouting gives them...in my opinion.
The popcorn is very tasty...by the way.
spricks
The popcorn is very tasty...by the way.
spricks
OP
mkk41
US Veteran
Wow , did I start a fire! I never realized the Boy Scouts did this. I recall back when I was in , we went around offering to do chores for donations. I guess that would be construed as child labor these days. I could see Cub Scouts selling stuff like this , but I guess this is the 90s , 00s , 10s or whatever modern new age decade it is! (How'd I get this old?!?!
)
Back when I had my gunshop (early 90's), an old friend and retired Army officer who came in weekly was a Troop leader and asked me about perhaps working with him to do some smallbore training with his troop. Since I was an NRA instructor and rangemaster , I would coordinate things on that end , get the proper certificates , insurance , legalities with my clubs range , etc. He would notify parents , get permission slips hold a class or two and have some Army buddies help out. He suggested me appearing at a meeting and maybe set a display of some guns we'd be using. I had single shot , bolt , lever and semi-autos as well as single shot break open .410 shotguns and a few.22 pistols
The parents were overwhelmingly AGAINST it!
)Back when I had my gunshop (early 90's), an old friend and retired Army officer who came in weekly was a Troop leader and asked me about perhaps working with him to do some smallbore training with his troop. Since I was an NRA instructor and rangemaster , I would coordinate things on that end , get the proper certificates , insurance , legalities with my clubs range , etc. He would notify parents , get permission slips hold a class or two and have some Army buddies help out. He suggested me appearing at a meeting and maybe set a display of some guns we'd be using. I had single shot , bolt , lever and semi-autos as well as single shot break open .410 shotguns and a few.22 pistols
The parents were overwhelmingly AGAINST it!
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I had to go get a "bucket of steam" and go on a "snipe hunt" when I went on my 1st outing. It was fun. My dad came on one of the outings as a chaperone, and could he cook a good breakfast over a campfire. I really miss him.
My dad came on one of the outings as a chaperone, and could he cook a good breakfast over a campfire. I really miss him.BillBingham2
Member
Scouts has changed over the years. Part of it is because the sponsor-ship has changed from schools (thank you ACLU) to private groups, churches or what not.
I was in Cubs for about three months, Scouts for about four years, did OA, stopped at life as they changed the program to be less outdoors/camping oriented. Learned lots of stuff that helped me form who I am today. Honesty, respect, lot of great things that I think are more from my leaders (Fred Farmer, Bruce Rohr, et.al.) than from the program.
Shot my first firearm at the range during summer camp. Shocked the 5hit out of the kids there as other than the first shot they rest were all within the second circle. 760 pump and my father taught me the basics and polished by many hours in the basement with a sand trap he built.
My wife and I were Den leaders for our oldest as no other parents would do it (started with 22 kids, crossed over 18) and was an assistant scout master as we bounced from troop to troop. Between bullying and stupid control issues in the first two troop we were in, not to mention at counsel, I got sick of the my tent is bigger than your tent mindset. Third troop ROCK, great leaders and kids but we moved to Iowa after one year there. Both kids lost interest after the first year here as the troop they selected did almost no camping.
Fund raising if I never see popcorn again in my next three lives it will be too soon. For high adventure stuff lots of troops do all sorts of things, sell candy at the train station, sell christmas trees, you name it. My oldest is a kick butt salesman because of selling pop corn door to door. Sadly he hates sales as much as my wife does (she was #1 in the world for her division at Xerox many moons ago).
While we were always in competition with Troop 176 from Mother of Sorrows (we were 175 from Paddy Hill) we always helped out other troops loaning stuff, never saw any of that as an adult. Maybe it was due to being in the North Shore of Chicago, money talks, niceness gets walked upon.
Very sad to hear that the parents were against basic firearm training. A few years back most summer camp programs had it available there, though that was before the ammo shortage really hit.
I was in Cubs for about three months, Scouts for about four years, did OA, stopped at life as they changed the program to be less outdoors/camping oriented. Learned lots of stuff that helped me form who I am today. Honesty, respect, lot of great things that I think are more from my leaders (Fred Farmer, Bruce Rohr, et.al.) than from the program.
Shot my first firearm at the range during summer camp. Shocked the 5hit out of the kids there as other than the first shot they rest were all within the second circle. 760 pump and my father taught me the basics and polished by many hours in the basement with a sand trap he built.
My wife and I were Den leaders for our oldest as no other parents would do it (started with 22 kids, crossed over 18) and was an assistant scout master as we bounced from troop to troop. Between bullying and stupid control issues in the first two troop we were in, not to mention at counsel, I got sick of the my tent is bigger than your tent mindset. Third troop ROCK, great leaders and kids but we moved to Iowa after one year there. Both kids lost interest after the first year here as the troop they selected did almost no camping.
Fund raising if I never see popcorn again in my next three lives it will be too soon. For high adventure stuff lots of troops do all sorts of things, sell candy at the train station, sell christmas trees, you name it. My oldest is a kick butt salesman because of selling pop corn door to door. Sadly he hates sales as much as my wife does (she was #1 in the world for her division at Xerox many moons ago).
While we were always in competition with Troop 176 from Mother of Sorrows (we were 175 from Paddy Hill) we always helped out other troops loaning stuff, never saw any of that as an adult. Maybe it was due to being in the North Shore of Chicago, money talks, niceness gets walked upon.
Very sad to hear that the parents were against basic firearm training. A few years back most summer camp programs had it available there, though that was before the ammo shortage really hit.
BSA & S&W
In 1990 my Cup Scout pack sold popcorn in Sioux Falls while I was assistant leader. Our den was guns & camping. Much emphasis on safety and accuracy. My local troop stops by every time for a "sale". They get a $20 check for knocking and I force them to promise " NO POPCORN DELIVERY!! "
Down in Georgia, the last weekend in March is for Marksmanship Merit Badge. About 70 young men, 15 Dads, and the former Scout Master is senior chef (my neighbor) and obtains access to private land for shooting and camping. I bring 22 LR match rifles for Marksmanship shooting. Scout fathers run the Marksmanship program. I and Chef neighbor run long range shooting for fun. Good time had by all and I get a bucket of cnterfire brass.
History repeats itself each year, "Can I shoot the buffalo gun?" is the most fruequent question during the "safety and organizing" meeting. I load round ball and 420 grain buffalo loads for the Quigley replica. It has a ureathane cushy pad. No one has missed the 50 yard or 100 yard 8" bullseyes, yet. Peer pressure is wonderful! The smiles are unbelievable.
In 1990 my Cup Scout pack sold popcorn in Sioux Falls while I was assistant leader. Our den was guns & camping. Much emphasis on safety and accuracy. My local troop stops by every time for a "sale". They get a $20 check for knocking and I force them to promise " NO POPCORN DELIVERY!! "
Down in Georgia, the last weekend in March is for Marksmanship Merit Badge. About 70 young men, 15 Dads, and the former Scout Master is senior chef (my neighbor) and obtains access to private land for shooting and camping. I bring 22 LR match rifles for Marksmanship shooting. Scout fathers run the Marksmanship program. I and Chef neighbor run long range shooting for fun. Good time had by all and I get a bucket of cnterfire brass.
History repeats itself each year, "Can I shoot the buffalo gun?" is the most fruequent question during the "safety and organizing" meeting. I load round ball and 420 grain buffalo loads for the Quigley replica. It has a ureathane cushy pad. No one has missed the 50 yard or 100 yard 8" bullseyes, yet. Peer pressure is wonderful! The smiles are unbelievable.
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