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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 11:55:14 GMT -7
Posted by: mrgare5050 Jan 14 2016, 06:50 AM probably need to get down to the den level, the administrators might not make those kind of decisions. i remember my sons cub scouts, not even the PACK did anything but sell popcorn as a unit - all our little trips were strictly the den leader.
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 11:55:36 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 14 2016, 10:13 AM Half way down on the right is a scroll with the listings of each individual pack in your area. Most have the name of the pack leader and this is where I got the names of the individual leaders to send the emails to.
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 11:56:13 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 14 2016, 01:58 PM This is the generic email that went out to the various scout leaders.
Hi (Scout Leader), I'm not at all sure if this would be of interest to you or not but after retirement I decided to complete a lifelong dream of building a small planetarium. It is now complete and I am happily giving shows to those interested. I'm wondering if any of your troop is interested in astronomy or if my meager efforts could help in generating a badge in the subject. Or perhaps you might just enjoy a show on the introduction of the night sky. If interested just drop me a line or perhaps sit in on a show. I am doing a "Star Of Bethlehem" program at 1 and 3 pm on Saturdays and 1 pm on Sundays through January. If interested or if I can answer any questions please email me.
Ron Walker, Cave Creek
Perhaps I should have put my email address on there as well....oh well.
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 11:56:40 GMT -7
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 11:56:59 GMT -7
Posted by: mrgare5050 Jan 15 2016, 05:04 AM those are good links, though yes, its curious why pack 99 in gallatin isnt in there. i wonder if there are any astronomy badges anymore in the old wolf/bear/lion books. or maybe navigation
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 11:57:37 GMT -7
Posted by: SteveDurham Jan 15 2016, 06:12 AM There may be Astronomy badges or at least certificates. Several years ago I was going to volunteer to teach a "badge" course to a couple different scout groups. The only guide book found for the teacher was printed back in the 60's. At the time the scouts were going thru the discovery of some really bad men in charge of some of the troops. The process I would have gone thru to get permission to teach became way too involved so it never did happen. I am certain Astronomy has taken a seat on the back bumper of the badge bus due to a lack of insructors to teach it as well as overall interest. That said, I wish both of you many opportunities to spread the word of Astronomy!
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 11:57:59 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 15 2016, 11:53 AM QUOTE(mrgare5050 @ Jan 15 2016, 05:04 AM) * those are good links, though yes, its curious why pack 99 in gallatin isnt in there. i wonder if there are any astronomy badges anymore in the old wolf/bear/lion books. or maybe navigation
It is interesting that, as far as I can tell, the guidebook for the girl scout brownies is only one page with questions that you can answer off the top of your head, like, "Which of the nine planets are visible to the naked eye?". The girl scout sky search badge expands to three pages with questions like, "About how many weeks are there from new moon to full moon?".
The boy scout manual is another story as the book for the astronomy badge is about a half inch thick. One of the requirements is to visit a planetarium and write a report on what goes on there. (This is where I am right now) To actually lead an entire class to get the badge would take a substantial commitment in time (at least to do it right) that I'm not at all sure I'm ready to commit to right now. I would tend to doubt that very many scouts would be interested in going after such a badge. I suppose if even one wanted to it would be worth the effort and once the curriculum was complete then it would be always available but first things first. I hadn't thought about it before but it could be that the leaders have broached the subject of such a badge but none of the members were interested.
The proverbial ball is in their court so I will give them time to think about it and inquire or not. As I look at the email response page I can see that I was required to enter my return email address so I now remember that that was indeed filled out.
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 11:58:20 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 15 2016, 12:07 PM QUOTE(SteveDurham @ Jan 15 2016, 06:12 AM) * There may be Astronomy badges or at least certificates. Several years ago I was going to volunteer to teach a "badge" course to a couple different scout groups. The only guide book found for the teacher was printed back in the 60's. At the time the scouts were going thru the discovery of some really bad men in charge of some of the troops. The process I would have gone thru to get permission to teach became way too involved so it never did happen. I am certain Astronomy has taken a seat on the back bumper of the badge bus due to a lack of insructors to teach it as well as overall interest. That said, I wish both of you many opportunities to spread the word of Astronomy!
From what I have found is there is a patch or badge for every level of scouting. Some of it, especially the girl scouts, is rather old (the nine planets thing). The boy scout book is within the last couple of years. I was asked by a group in Phoenix to do very much what you were planning to do, but the group wanted me to do all of the prep and then asked if it could be given in Phoenix and not at the planetarium. Obviously I do not plan to to make all of that extra work for myself since I can barely keep up with the new stuff I want to add to the planetarium.
I tend to agree the overall interest is down or even nonexistent, but if there was any interest at all one would think they would ask if I was willing to take on the entire project. Perhaps the various bureaucracies just need time for the gears to turn and the rust to fall off.
Anyway, the offer is out there and we will see if they act on it or not.
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 11:59:13 GMT -7
Posted by: mrgare5050 Jan 16 2016, 06:02 AM yes - anecdotally speaking from my wife's school employment, field trips are on the outs these days - too much trouble getting consent forms signed etc. but I'm with you, the travelling life wouldn't be for me - one time the school bus group that did come out here first asked me to come to their club house in a state park, I went and looked at it (pack 99 met in the basement of a catholic church), and short of an inflatable (which I just dont have the energy for), there was no way to do anything other than what would amount to a powerpoint presentation. im sort of leaning away from 'build it yourself' projects (there is SO much online now on PINTEREST etc), I'm thinking more of some dumb giveaway like the constellation spoons. But yeah I'm not into travelling.
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 11:59:36 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 16 2016, 11:53 AM Then you must consider the liability issue as well. If a class came to me I would require some kind of waver from the school. Also would defiantly need some kind of bathroom facilities. Better to just have a few kids at a time to do the visit a planetarium kind of thing for their badge.
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 12:00:01 GMT -7
Posted by: mrgare5050 Jan 17 2016, 12:50 PM QUOTE(Ron Walker @ Jan 16 2016, 06:53 PM) * Then you must consider the liability issue as well. If a class came to me I would require some kind of waver from the school. Also would defiantly need some kind of bathroom facilities. Better to just have a few kids at a time to do the visit a planetarium kind of thing for their badge.
seems like you could just put an ENTER AT OWN RISK sign on the door and call it a day though ....
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 12:00:26 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 18 2016, 12:03 PM I'm not at all sure if that would work.
Please note, upon entering this property you agree to hold harmless this facility and the owners thereof for any injury, both mental and physical as well as damage to any personal property, that you might sustain while on said property. Also you give your permission to allow photos of yourself to be taken for the facility and the owners thereof to be used for any purpose at their discretion.
That might work.
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 12:06:30 GMT -7
Posted by: mrgare5050 Jan 18 2016, 12:39 PM i think I'll just put up a sign NOT RESPONSIBLE etc, but make a brief 'housekeeping' announcement at the start - something nonthreatening like NO SMOKING NO BATHROOMS NO RUNNING NO LAWSUITS if you fall down! That would be repeated on the website and email/phone setting up a show just to manage expectations. Oh and mention the exits. especially since i'm going to charge something going forward!
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 12:06:49 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 19 2016, 10:21 AM Charging can open up a can of worms, it makes you a commercial business. Just a jar and a sign saying donations are appreciated and help in continuing our educational endeavors.
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Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 12:07:08 GMT -7
Posted by: mrgare5050 Jan 19 2016, 05:55 PM well after 2 years of NOTHIN, its time to do SOMETHING.... what to do.. what to do...
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