Eliza

>>Yes, boys are amazing. Our pack of about 120 scouts is pretty competitive with pinewood. Its a big family event for us also. One year a Tiger won the whole thing with a car he built himself. His dad might have helped a little, but he is mildly retarded and was very limited in his skills. It was pretty amazing and fun. Barry

Wow, I am SO glad to hear about the boy who won the PWD -- put a smile on my face too (and a tear in my eye).

That is an interesting question. looking at the Webelos/AOL requirements, I see several places where scouts are specifically prohibited from using one activity to fulfill two different requirements (AOL camping/hike, Boy Scout outdoor activity, math loop for either Engineer or Scholar, but not for both). So, based on that, my reading would be that using an activity for two requirements would be allowed, unless specifically prohibited. Makes me wonder if requiring three letters would be adding to the requirements. In the case you mentioned, if a scout did one fantastic letter, full of news

I like the ideas that have been posted. My son's favorite Pinewood Derby was a not too competitive one. Scouts had time to tune up their cars -- adults were on hand to add/take away (mostly add) weight, straighten alignment if wheels were really crooked, etc. Kids whose cars were ready could run them down the low tech wood track before entering them. The kids loved this! After the race was over, the kids had another chance to run their cars on the track -- kids loved having as many chances as possible to see their cars shoot down the track (without timing anything). Since each kid got to run h

SeattlePioneer I almost forgot to thank you for your original post -- I told the teacher who runs the model rocket club at my son's school about the prices and he was thrilled to get the info. Thinking about your question about experience -- would any of the elementary schools near you have model rocket clubs? Someone who runs one would have experience with the Cub-level age group and also might be a help with any local regulations, good places to launch, etc. Also, another slightly related thought -- there is a wonderful, based-on-a-true-story movie called October Sky, about a hig

rdclements Thank you for explaining the engine differences. I had noticed that the Wizard, for example, took various engines. Now I see why. We are in the suburbs, without big, empty fields, so I am thinking that the smaller engines will do for us.

Very basic questions here: I see the rockets take various engines -- how do you choose which engine to get? And, any launch pad recommendations?

I used to use the ziploc bags and scotch tape pins to a file card inside. It was not a pretty sight! The little bags looked better and, since they were smaller, the awards filled the bags, so the bags didn't flap around so much, if you know what I mean. It was also easier to read the labels. Yes, I know that sounds a bit picky. (Well, very picky.) But I pay for the bags myself, so it doesn't come out of pack money.

ScoutNut Thanks! I didn't see the "12 pack" at the bottom of the page. That is an amazing price.

I didn't check out all the other components, but the Estes Wizard is $8.32 on Amazon, free shipping with Amazon Prime.

I found these mini baggies in Amazon -- I don't recollect seeing them here, so I thought I'd post. These worked well for awards at our recent B & G. I used the smallest size (2" x 3") for pins, beads and the lanyard pieces that hold beads. The largest size (4" x 6") was big enough for totems, badges, belt loops, and the little baggies. It made a nice, neat presentation. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=bagettes&x=0&y=0

Well, I was comparing the $90 price tag with some events in out local Council. Centennial Camporee was $20/person, Fri-Sun, bringing own tents. own food. Webelos were for the day only, $13 per scout (parents free) for a day jam-packed with events. Cub level day long events, with lunch included, $10/person. Upcoming Weboree, Fri-Sun, $20/person, own tent own food, but some cabin camping @ $32/night per person. So, if I multiplied $32 per night x 2 and added food, I could see where a $90 per person cost comes from. But, to my mind it is a VERY HIGH price, compared with similar events I am f

Well, this is something we used at home. It's pretty silly, but it works if you can make a mental picture of it: Tiny, little hippo followed cuddly kangaroos Ornery crocodile terrifies brave clean raccoon A proper swim looks like a bad dog Adult Physically fit Safe swim area Lifeguard Lookout Ability groups Buddy system Discipline

I like this one -- the boys have made videos describing how to do most of the Tenderfoot - First Class requirements. http://www.troop44bushkill.org/RankRequirements/Journey2FirstClass.htm

Well, we had a the same question about the Outdoor Activity Award, and I asked the go-to person at our local Scout shop. The answer was that, if a Webelos II attended camp in his second year, as well as his first, and, if he did the other required activities in his second year (not re-using the first year activities), then he would get the paw pin. I know that is not 'official', but the person I asked is looked upon as a sort of authority, so I felt comfortable with it. Plus, it just sort of made sense: one year of camp + activities = one award.

OwntheNight You really had me scared with the WICKING for a while -- thank you for correcting it, or I'd be googling away in vain. That is a neat way of getting thread on -- one of those "Why didn't I think of that?" ideas. But I am wondering about a boy who had 20 Webelos pins -- that is a lot of thread whipping! Having the parents involved is nice -- I wouldn't do it in our case, as some boys have a lot of achievements and some boys have very few. No need to over-emphasize that!

Eagle92 The unworthy arrow? Running from that idea as fast as I can go... although there was a super-confident boy last year who would have loved that! Scoutfish Thanks for the detailed plan. I can ask around and see if people want the completely plain arrows, one of the 'career arrows' or a boy-decorated arrow. I am hoping, obviously, that people will like one of the decorated arrow ideas, rather than the plain one.

moosetracker Thanks! I can live with the back and forth stuff. I see it on other threads and don't take it that personally. Plus the good advice is really GOOD! It is nice to have a board with so much expertise & experience. Yes, the sled arrived in 4 days in 2 UPS boxes. Two people were able to put it together during a meeting and it looks great -- pretty much like the troop/packs' other sleds The SM and everyone from our Boy Scout troop like it too. (Everyone reviewed the specs before the sled was purchased.)

ScoutNut -- he said it was his AoL.

Hawkrod That is a wonderful, practical suggestion! Although I also love the idea of marking achievements, on a practical level, it could be difficult. Pack advancement records are not that great for past years, and it might be hard to find out what a boy had done as a Bear or a Wolf.... We have one more meeting before B&G/crossover. It could be a nice project. And I would like the boys to have something that didn't look as if it were off the shelf. THANK YOU!

Wow, this board can sure be counted on for a lot of opinions! Twocubdad & Clemlaw -- hello out there in curmudgeon-land! I The other day I was talking to someone who might be classified as a curmudgeon. I was in his office, and what is hanging prominently on the wall of this very successful businessman? You guessed it -- an arrow of light arrow on a plaque. I can't explain exactly why this is so important (haven't BTDT), but, on some level, I "get" it. Not to say that I don't get your point of view also. Basementdweller -- I'm not looking for special recognition for any relative

I just read the last posts. For what it's worth, the new sled is for another Webelos team -- not the one my son was on. NOW I know there are lots of ways to get a sled, but THEN, at the very end of a meeting, when I was asked to buy a sled ASAP, I did not know. As for the survival kit, the parents are helping their boys put together kits. I posted here and spoke with people in our Boy Scout troop for ideas. This is shared with ALL the parents. One parent is buying space blankets to give to everyone who needs them. I have a box of surgical gloves (Boy Scout suggestion) and will GIVE

tdk THANK YOU! I get it about the colors. I am not sure how you added the thread with a knot only at the beginning and the end -- is it the glue that holds the joined threads together? The raw hide for hanging is a good idea! And the nameplates -- were they attached to the arrows, or separate?

Scoutfish -- I like what you have described. To me, it seems important that all the boys do not receive EXACTLY the same arrow, ie that there is a way of recognizing that some boys have worked extremely diligently, while at the same time not marginalizing the boys who were not able to work as consistently. I'll have to think about this (ASAP) -- in our pack the ceremony is memorable -- there is a "fire" (dry ice and so on) on stage, and as each boy goes up to get his arrow from someone dressed as a Native American (more or less), the arrow flashes in a burst of light (using flash paper).

Scoutfish -- I like what you have described. To me, it seems important that all the boys do not receive EXACTLY the same arrow, ie that there is a way of recognizing that some boys have worked extremely diligently, while at the same time not marginalizing the boys who were not able to work as consistently. I'll have to think about this (ASAP) -- in our pack the ceremony is memorable -- there is a "fire" (dry ice and so on) on stage, and as each boy goes up to get his arrow from someone dressed as a Native American (more or less), the arrow flashes in a burst of light (using flash paper).