featherbear

A neighboring Lodge to us holds a Brotherhood ceremony every week at Camp. On that day they also have an "OA Day" and encourage OA members in the camping Troops to wear their sashes. They hold a call-out that evening, and also hold a retirement ceremony for old Lodge button blankets. That really made a big impression on the campers... our Troop came home talking up a storm about it.

I know, I must be living under a rock because I just heard about this one through Animal Planet: National Wildlife Federation's Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program http://www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/ As I read through this, I'm seeing tons of possibilities, from Cubs on up and even a Camp that I know of that's wanting to put in a nature trail, bird and bat houses and habitat. Have any of you utilized this program? If so, how were your experiences with it? YIS

ROFL!! I like that response, orennoah. He rattled my cage with the way he got right up in my face and all. But he did back off considerably when I made a comparison to some Drill Sgts. I met in Basic Training. No real foul done, I just took it for what it was.

Thanks all of you, that was helpful indeed. That patch has no buttonloop, but it's not something I ever want to take off. I'm active with the Iraqi Scouting Movement, and at least from my perspective, that patch says as much. It gives me a chance to tell folks about the program when they see it and ask. As for the National fellow, he's a paid Scouter, and he's been active *forever*... so who knows, maybe the rules have changed since last time he checked? Anyhow, thanks so much for the clarification. YIS

Welcome, shortad, you're in for a whole lot of fun! I concur with the plastic badge holder, as long as that's acceptible in your Pack they make life a lot easier. The adhesive is ok, but it sure makes a mess of the uniform. I don't know how it is where you're at, but here we like to pass on outgrown uniforms at Roundtable to families who need them but whose finances are an issue. Which leads to another point: chances are, your son's going to outgrow that shirt well before you get a chance to complete that diamond. My son went through two blues and a khaki before he went on to Tro

I'm hoping you folks can steer me in the right direction on this one. I sure don't want to wear accoutrements on the uniform incorrectly, especially in front of youth! On my Cub leader uniform (khaki) I wear a temporary patch above the pocket. The patch is an Iraqi Scouts patch, one I wear proudly as I am very involved with that. According to the female inspection sheet, "Cub Scout Leaders may wear one temporary insignia centered between the right shoulder seam and the BSA strip, above the pocket. Boy Scout and Venturing Leaders may wear one temporary insignia centered on the pocke

I'm not even sure if this is the right category for this... but, I was wondering what ways your units have found in this regard? I know of a unit in our district that "adopted" a Stryker unit in Iraq, for one example. My CS unit has been involved with these: ~Packing care packages for a nonprofit organization that does this on a large scale for soldiers overseas ~collecting hand-made cards from local grade schools to send to many deployed servicemembers for Christmas ~care packages to Landstuhl Army Regional Medical Center through the Wounded Warrior Hospital Fund, http://www.wound

That's definitely a good thought, Semper, especially since our Council is having a lot of difficulty in getting such things going. Cheerful Eagle, you hit it on the head. That's what I was kinda getting at, in my own scattered way... while they are nationally trying to increase the visability at Cub Scout level, Leaders are still in the dark. The only Cub or Webelos leaders I've encountered that had any idea of what the OA is or does are just a couple of them at Roundtable who either have a spouse or son who is a member. While conversing with such leaders, I'll ask whether their units

*sigh*.... whatever, nldscout. I sure am glad I don't work with you. I don't give a darn what you think...the fact of the matter is you don't know me at all, how I work, what I do, or what compelled them to think of me as a possibility for nomination in the first place. I don't know their reasons either, but the fact remains that they DID choose me. I feel very honored that they thought enough of me to select me, and I fully intend to do my very best by them and by the youth. End of story. Like it or not, I really don't care... it's not you who had any say in this. Thank goodness f

You're definitely right, TCD, our particular program was most assuredly not a "one size fits all", and I felt my way through it, seeing how my guys responded. I would not take them farther than they were ready for, and in this case of my little Den, it did what I'd hoped. There wasn't any culture shock when they hit Troop, instead they're all working along on their rank and enjoying all the outings that their Troops offer. Now this is seven Webelos disbursed to four different Troops. Each one of them gained enough confidence while in webelos that he felt he could go his own way and c

Thank you for posting that, Lisabob! As one reads text on a screen, it is easy to forget that there are people behind those words. All too often folks start treating one another in a forum in ways that the *never* would if they were face to face. It's one of the reasons I seldom post in forums. If it were possible for us to respect one another as though we knew one another in real life, or were having a conversation face-to-face, perhaps we wouldnt devolve to such antics that are hurtful to one another. Again, thank you for the reminder.

OUCH, nld, that was rather harsh. Perhaps they chose me because I've been active helping out in district and Council-level events, as well as out-of Council matters. Or maybe it's because of redistricting, and the fact our Chapters are struggling to get back on their feet, as well as the districts trying to get back into pace after border-shifts. I'm sorry you feel I am so completely unacceptible, even without knowing much about me or what I do. Thank YOU, John in KC, that's a really good idea. And thank YOU, sst3rd, for your well wishes and giving me the benefit of the doubt. Al

I crossed my Webelos not too long ago (sniff, sniff!) so I can only offer up what I did with my Den that seemed to help them a lot in their new Troops. According to their new SM's they are doing very well and slid right in, so I guess that is the best gauge for effectiveness. SO... please excuse my wordiness, but this is what we did and it seems that it worked very well: In their first year, we hammered out all the badges that were required for Arrow of Light. Most of the requirements for these Badges was handled through outings. As the year progressed, particularly by early Spring,

ScoutNut, Sorry, you don't know the whole picture. I was chosen by District. I have an older son who has been in Troop for a couple of years, though I have conducted/had more opportunities at overnight outings at Pack/Webelos level, including international events like the Rover-run Nite Hike up in British Columbia. I ran a pretty high-octane Webelos program. I am currently standing at 22 nights' camping in a 2-year timeframe, which includes Troop summer camp last year. I recently began working at ASM level with 2 Troops (I was not ASM when chosen), so yes, I am very active. I'm we

I'm a Cubmaster/Webelos Leader who has recently been called out, and am awaiting Ordeal. I'm really looking forward to helping out at Chapter in any way that I can. When I crossed my Webelos recently, I did so on a grand scale... Firebowl setting, rented a camp lodge for the weekend, Firelighting Ceremony, Ashes, Arrow of Light for all 7, and asked the OA in to do the Crossing ceremony. We also worked in a call-out for two boys in two of the attending troops, those who missed the big one at Scout Fest. All of this gave the attending Cubs in the audience as well as the crossing Webelos

I received an email from the founder of a charitable organization I belong to. This fellow's an Eagle Scout. Last I heard from him, he was driving from TX to MS with his big BBQ rig (which can feed over 2,000) to help feed those who haven't had a meal in days. He put out a call to his geographically-closer volunteers to help him with this.

I used to be a bear.... and I'm working that ticket! WE1-609-05

I think I might have to agree with the majority that Scouting may not be a matter of genetics. My father was a Scout, but the rest of my family has nothing to do with it, although myself and my household are neck-deep in it. I'm going to examine the matter from a slightly different angle: Does the sight and scent of a campfire cause one to burst into song? Does one also harbor the tendency toward Packrat Syndrome (i.e. "I'm not throwing that away! That would make for good __fill in the blank__)? Have you finally found that 8th day in the week? Can you no longer eat eggs unless they

Hi, Beth! I'm so sorry about the loss of your Den Leader. I fully concur with what everyone says about training. Don't limit yourself to the position-specific... keep an eye out for all that is available through your Council. Attend the Powwow. Go to your Council's website and keep an eye on their calendar. Also, the matter of outings...keep an eye on your community's events. You're likely to stumble upon something that would make for a wonderful outing! Local historic sites often have programs or discounts for Scouts, museums often have a free day or free night once a month, o

Perfect! Thank you!! I'm sure not having any luck around here!

I became acquainted with this child-survival program when my unit was in Canada this Spring. All of our youth on that particular trip took the course and got their certification. Upon returning, I tried to get the training materials through National Search and Rescue, and have had absolutely no luck... not even a reply. The program is very strong in Canada, and endorsed by the RCMP. You can find more information about it here: http://www.rcmp.ca/ccaps/hug_e.htm If you're not familiar, it teaches kids exactly what to do if they become lost in the wilderness, to survive, and to in

Thanks Seattle Pioneer, and everyone! Good sound advice all around. Hopefully these will ease the difficulty of the situation some.

Most of us on our committee are trained, and three of us are WB trained. We have two new leaders and one committee member yet to get training. Training can be difficult to obtain in our Council. The sessions are sparse and erratically-scheduled, but for the position-specific at Pack level, we've got it done. It gets more difficult at Troop level. I've been encouraging others to attend those trainings and other sorts, like ALOST and LTC, through the neighboring Council. That seems to be working. The more training everybody in our group is getting, the more diverse and interesting the

I know... I'm resurrecting another dormant thread. I hope nobody minds, but I witnessed something that IMO certainly lends credence to keeping the uniform. Every year my unit is invited North of the Border to participate in a Canadian Cuboree. We're the only Yanks at this one, so it's indeed a big honor and priveledge to do so. We have good friends up there as a result. It's no secret that the Canadian Scouts are struggling to survive in some regions. This region that we go to is certainly no exception. Their numbers have been in decline. Last year, much to the dismay of our ho

Just to add... we were advised by others of high position (not of our Council) to seriously consider pulling out of the unit altogether and find a new home, and leave this CC to her own devices. We were not willing to do that, but were instead ready to put forth the work and effort to improve the Pack's situation. Now we're at that crossroads again. None of us want to give up on this unit, we'd much rather see things improve and we're willing to work hard in order to achieve that.