Forum Replies Created

  • Arden Musselman

    Member
    February 28, 2024 at 3:21 pm in reply to: StocKar Painting Stand
  • Arden Musselman

    Member
    September 15, 2023 at 1:44 pm in reply to: Growth and Mens engagement

    Great to hear about the first meeting of the new Battalion year and Fall season. Like to hear that your unit is starting to open up their Adventure Trails for achieving as young men and disciples of Jesus. Encourage this in a positive way as evidence that they are growing in physical, mental, social and spiritual ways.

    I do pray that men in Blacksburg Christian Fellowship will respond to become steady and faithful mentors to the young men as they advance through these achievement check-ups and the ranks. Let us know how it begins and how it continues.

    Let us know how it goes with the Battalion Small Engines Mission!

  • Arden Musselman

    Member
    July 6, 2023 at 1:55 pm in reply to: Good Advice from Mentors on Scripture Memory

    I found the two pages in our Building Men manual that give 10 good suggestions for Helping Boys Memorize. It is found in the Leadership Skills section, under the chapter Exploring the Bible with Boys. In my copy of the book this is on pages 107-108, the very last pages in the text.

    Arden M.

    A New Question, July 2023

    Rory also asked how to better get his Stockaders to participate in Bible memorization. He is getting some push back from the leaders of their other children’s ministries saying that is an issue with the CSB program with no name recognition. I offered the idea of finding out something the boys would really like to do like a field trip or something like that to offer as a reward for memorizing Bible verses.


    The phrase “an issue with the CSB program with no name recognition” has me somewhat baffled. Are they saying that Brigade is not well known? Perhaps they do not understand the meaning of our name? CSB has been a hold-out regarding the importance of memory verses. Has this been a contributing factor to our shrinking numbers? We must plant our flag and stick to our values OR perhaps find alternate ways of bringing God’s Word in a relevant context to the lives and hearts of boys.

    Most likely the leaders of other children’s programs (Sunday School, VBS, and ?) have seemingly ceased requiring memory work–typically because many of the teachers of kids have never been encouraged to memorize Scripture in a meaningful way. Offering prizes can seriously cheapen the value. How many kids have memorized just for the reward and never are offered the opportunity to interact with a caring adult mentor about its meaning and its application. AWANA offers plenty of prizes. I would be very cautious about using such “extrinsic incentives.”

    Without question, memorization of Scripture verses has been a long-standing issue, even in evangelical Christian churches. The rebuttal cry: “Kids don’t want to do it,” begs an examination of the hearts of not only the kids, but more significantly, of their parents and their teachers. Kids are fully capable of memorizing. Kids do not want to memorize verses because it is not meaningful UNLESS a caring adult takes the time to build a relationship, learns the verse himself, and enjoys discussing with each “kid” the verse’s purpose and how it can be applied to life.

    In Battalion, Stockade, and Tree Climbers we have always encouraged Scripture memory. We are at fault if we do not keep training leaders in seeing how a boy- when learning and saying the verse, then discussing and praying together with the leader is THE MOST LIKELY TIME in the whole meeting when that boy will come to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of his life.

    Ron Rynd

  • Arden Musselman

    Member
    March 16, 2023 at 12:59 pm in reply to: How Battalion Works For Us in Pittsburgh, CSB 2760

    Photos from my visit at CSB 2760, January 18, 2023

  • Arden Musselman

    Member
    October 18, 2022 at 2:59 pm in reply to: Registration

  • Arden Musselman

    Member
    September 8, 2022 at 8:33 am in reply to: Registration

    Thank you, MIke, for going through the new registration process. User experience is important in order to fix what needs to be fixed for anyone else who runs into the same questions.

    The thing to do is write your question in Support, which is the last category on the column on the left. Open “Get Help”. I’ve gone and submitted your question there in order to facilitate and get it looked at as soon as possible.

    Thanks again for taking your part in the process.

  • Arden Musselman

    Member
    August 30, 2022 at 10:22 am in reply to: Stockade Bonus Bar Awards

    This is how I understand and have seen the bonus bars, being worn only on left sleeve, under the unit numbers. see document attached. if that doesn’t show right, your diagram looks correct, Builders (navy ) first in two columns of four, followed by Sentinels (gold) in two columns of four, left to right.

  • Arden Musselman

    Member
    August 26, 2022 at 11:54 am in reply to: Stockade Bonus Bar Awards

    That’s a catch; Go with what the boys’ Trails books say.

    It’s mainly a guideline for those organizing the activity.

  • Arden Musselman

    Member
    January 9, 2022 at 12:48 pm in reply to: First Aid Mission – I need a Patch

    First Aid Presentation

    Some years ago, a battalion in Penna. did a First Aid patch. The man who taught was in the medical profession and shared his notes. We hope that material like this can someday be written up into a Battalion Mission guide. CSB is looking for people, maybe Alumni with time and talents to write and format such material, so that other units can present it to their guys as well.

    Here is the first meeting plan of First Aid presented by Mike Shaw at unit 8034. Outline and handout. If anyone is interested, the rest of his presentation is available for the asking. We want to be able to share material like this in a Battalion Mission format. PS I think the red cross on the white background, red border came from this battalion.

  • Arden Musselman

    Member
    December 30, 2021 at 6:05 pm in reply to: Two Derby Nuts – Which Car Should We Make?

    I will send my vote to shaima@csbministries.org

    Please send in your votes soon, so they can start their car in the new year!

  • Arden Musselman

    Member
    December 9, 2021 at 1:38 pm in reply to: Service Projects

    CSB Battalion 6468, Chapelgate Church, in Maryland does an annual service weekend with CMTS, Christian Missionary Technical Services in PA. It’s a 3 hour drive to this rural facility that serves in many ways, providing material resources for mission projects and workers in countries like Belize and Nigeria.

    The battalion organizes a trip and they can stay in a dormitory and have meals at CMTS, while providing helps in the warehouse and on other parts of the property. Founder and Director of CMTS is a Brigade Alumnus, was discipled as a boy in battalion, and led another battalion as captain in NJ. He has a lot of good things to say about the Christian Service Brigade experience of discipling young men as Christians and as leaders who are able to do the same in discipling others for Christ.

    Photos of CSB 6468 at CMTS, Bernville, PA

  • Arden Musselman

    Member
    December 2, 2021 at 12:55 pm in reply to: Service Projects

    Units from the Capital Region CSB (Maryland, Virginia) make service projects part of each year’s program. I’ll be sharing some information from their email communications to their members.

    ​CSB 7117 Severna Park EPC, MD Some regular December meetings were cancelled, but they continue service works.

    Table Setup Service – normal Battalion meeting is cancelled but if you’re able to help set up tables for the Women’s Brunch, we will start around 7pm.

    ​Indian Landing Service – the camping event has been cancelled but we are still planning a single-day service project building kayak racks starting at 9am.

    ​HoC Service Day – we will meet at the church in the morning (10am), and disperse to rake yards until noon (bring raking tools), grab lunch at a fast food place (bring money), and then go to BeMoreCaring at 1pm to disassemble and rebuild pallet shelves (part of Seth Ratajczak’s Herald of Christ service).

    All leaders, you are welcome to post your own messages and photos in replies.

  • Arden Musselman

    Member
    November 8, 2021 at 5:31 pm in reply to: Battalion Camporamas or Camporals

    Here is the way our Battalion meetings and Camp-O-Ramas end up, with the Battalion Watchword.

    “Now we trust in God to keep us bright and keen for Christ.

    Because we love him, because we want to serve him, until we see him face to face.”

    I wish we could post videos here, we do have this on video as well. For now just imagine, and compare to your own!

  • Keith, When will the 252 Challenge patch be coming out, and to whom will the patch be given?

    Will the top three places of the competition be posted? Like which battalions, by church name and number and city and state would be interesting to know.

  • Arden Musselman

    Member
    February 8, 2021 at 12:41 pm in reply to: Summer 2021 Camp Outlook

    Re: Camp Hemlock Re-Opening Plans in Summer 2021

    There has been much work done by a Camp Hemlock Re-Opening Committee for summer of 2021. This is in addition to the 10 volunteer work weekends which accomplished so much last May-Aug.

    There have been clarified policies that will allow a non-traditional form of camp this summer. Although the State of West Virginia has not changed or relaxed the restrictions regarding health safety and the corona-19 policies, there will be 3 “pods” of camp going on separately, with maximum of 25 individuals or less in each pod. Staff are accounted, and there will be no contact between the pods. There is also a staff training week prior to the registered camp programs.

    Pods are designated as:

    1) Leadership Training of boys staff – SALT for 2 weeks, and girls staff – LACE for 2 weeks

    2) Administrative and Kitchen directors with their families

    3) Family Camp options for a selection of 3 day periods, or Day Camp for families, with no overnight.

    Much thought and planning has already going into the summer of 2021 and has been approved by the camp board of directors. We’re looking forward to this form of re-opening and staying in ministry with a limited # of the camp staff and families. Info will appear on camphemlock.org

  • Arden Musselman

    Member
    December 2, 2020 at 10:08 pm in reply to: Adapting Stockade Modules: Flight as an example
  • Arden Musselman

    Member
    October 26, 2020 at 12:55 pm in reply to: Resources for Mentors

    The wording posted was slightly shortened from the brochure that came with the 1996 published Adventure Trails. I’m attaching a scanned copy of that brochure, titled You Can Mentor Him. Yes that’s Ron Rynd on the smaller photo, and Brian Eisentraut (Camp Hemlock Director) on the larger photo surrounded by text. Note that any reprint would have to change the CSB PO and city address, as well as the Fax number and Email address. Yes, rewrite would involve reassigning some terms. Action Steps are now Adventures in Quest for Manhood, and ReAct, ProAct and InterAct are now Trail Notes, Action and Encounter. This was written for new mentors and should still be used.

  • Arden Musselman

    Member
    October 21, 2020 at 2:49 pm in reply to: Annual Invitational

    David, What can you tell us about the 2733 Invitational of last weekend? You may want to ask others who were there to field this question as well. Was it exceptional in any way this year?

  • Arden Musselman

    Member
    April 17, 2020 at 12:43 pm in reply to: CAVING TRIP – Spelunking in West Virginia

    Add On to Caving Trip: Prepping and Equipment List

    We will carpool from the church and take as few cars as we can.  I will be driving since I have a lot of the equipment and have room for 4 to go with me. It is a one and a half hour drive there.  We will stop a few miles before we get there for everyone to use the bathroom, so we don’t have to go in the cave.

    I will be bringing plenty of helmets with lights and fresh batteries for each participant to have one.  We will adjust it to fit. ​Wear your old caving clothes so we are ready to go.

    Please ensure that each boy and adult coming have the basic equipment needed as outlined in the attached equipment list: The basics are:

    1 – Hiking boots or winter type boots with good grips for the slippery cave floor.  Tennis shoes are not acceptable because they get wet and also slip on the muddy cave floor.  Old clothes, jeans are good. No shorts.

    2 – Leather or cloth and rubber palmed gloves (Walmart or Lowes/Home Depot have cheap pairs for hand protection).

    3 – Light jacket or sweater for in the cave.  Nothing too heavy because it is 55 degrees in the cave and we will be moving around.

    4 – Flashlight with fresh batteries as a backup light to the helmet with mounted light that I will provide for each caver.

    5 – Small backpack to carry your gear (flashlight, water bottle, snack) on your back to keep your hands free to manuever about the cave..  No paper or plastic bags for hauling your gear.

    6 – Bottle of water (at least 12 ounces)  You will also want to bring a snack for in the cave (something easy to eat with muddy hands like a candy bar, granola bar, etc).

    7: Two trash bags for putting your muddy boots and clothes in after we finish caving.

    8.  A complete change of clothes, shoes and jacket in a separate bag to leave in the car for the trip home.

     

    There is no cost for the trip except to bring money for a fast food lunch when we are done caving.

    Without these essentials, you will not be allowed to go on the trip, because we need these items for safety in the cave.

    Adults will need their own set of this same equipment, and I will trust that you will bring that on the day of the trip.

    We will be in the cave for about 3 hours, then change clothes and go eat lunch at a fast food place before heading back to the church. We should be back to the church before 5 pm.

  • Arden Musselman

    Member
    September 9, 2021 at 8:40 pm in reply to: Continental Kick-Off 2021!

    Battalion Kickoff online, Sept. 16, 8 pm

  • Arden Musselman

    Member
    December 1, 2020 at 1:29 pm in reply to: Resources for Mentors

    A couple of thoughts to answer your question about involving other men of the church as mentors.

    Note, as they are referred to as mentors, not as leaders, we want to see more men identify with the Brigade ministry in a church. “Oh I can be involved this way, without committing to weekends away?” This is also a way to further intergenerational connections between men and teens in the church. We know of churches where this has been done successfully, as was intended.

    In such cases, a mentoring coordinator had a role in matching the mentors and mentees and typically found it necessary to encourage more engagement, and give some basic guidance to the mentoring. This was a role delegated by the Battalion Captain to a Battalion leader he trusted with this coordination and keeping in touch with the individual mentors. In one case it was a previous captain, in another case a current lieutenant.

    If the mentoring is seen to be so closely identified with achievement, as only Battalion leaders can know what it’s about, then it seems to be ingrown, in my opinion. We should spread the awareness of what we are doing, so that more men can see the important influence they can be for a youth.

    See the attachment, interview with a Captain Dennis and the mentor Lou who took Josh P. through 3 Stars during his high school years in Battalion using the Leadership Trails, prior to the current version. There is also a link to a 3 minute video taken during this interview.