funscout

I think they forgot "a scout is thrifty!"

This is sad. In trying to please ALL minorities, the majority ends up losing out. Although I like the idea of adding other religious symbols, instead of demolishing the whole chapel, Trevorum is right that there will always be SOMEBODY out there who feels left out. It's odd, that I would never expect another country to cater to my religion, if I would happen to move to a non-Christian country. I would, of course, not want to be persecuted, but I certainly wouldn't expect muslim countries, for instance, to add Christian symbols to make me happy.

TBM, I'm sorry your day camp experience was not a good one. Like others have already said, though, keep in mind that it is run completely by volunteers. I would recommend writing down all your concerns, and thinking of ways that each situation could be improved. Then decide which ones are the most important to be changed. You could then make nice suggestions about next year's camp, but be sure to add something positive, so the director won't be put on the defensive. Better yet, if you can help or even direct next year's camp, then you know it will be a better situation. Ge

If the young, single, pregnant SM had been following the Scout Oath, she would have remained "morally straight." I would not consider her to be a good role model for my boys. At every Scout meeting, my boys recite the Scout Oath and Law. They would have difficulty understanding why the SM didn't have to live up to the Scout Law. Why would the boys be motivated to live by the Scout Oath if their SM didn't think it was important? I would respect this woman if she did the honorable thing and stepped down as SM, without having to be asked to do so. That would show the boys that she knew

That is so disappointing! I hope the experience doesn't turn off some families who are new to scouting. I certainly hope you guys get your money back. You should ask about complimentary tickets to a ball game for all the scout families who thought they were signing up for a fun evening, but instead suffered through a loud sleepless night.

Back in December and again in February when the temperatures here in the Midwest dipped well below zero, everyone was saying, "Where is Global Warming when we need it?!" Then in April when temperatures soared close to 100 degrees, people thought, "oh no, it's Global Warming!" No, that's just weather in the Midwest. If you don't like today's weather, just wait, it'll change in a day or two! When my own kids ask about Global Warming, I tell them that temperatures are warming up, but that throughout history there have been climate changes. I agree with all scouters that we need to follow

There once was a boy who joined scouting. His parents, at first they were doubting. They soon did succumb, and yes, did become, good leaders who went on each outing.

My husband was raised Catholic and I am Protestant, but our families both celebrated Easter with a ham dinner, and we continue that tradition. Maybe that's a midwestern thing?

Just like with "road rage," the anonymity of internet forums may encourage otherwise mild-mannered people to lose some of their inhibitions. We all lose our cool at times, but most people work harder at being civil when they are face-to-face or if they truly KNOW the person. As others have said, all we can do is keep trying to "Do Our Best." So, is there a name for "internet rage" yet?

I agree that there certainly could come a time when immediate health and safety issues trump the Youth Protection rules. For non-emergency situations, however, scouts might just have to be disappointed in missing out on an activity if there aren't enough leaders. Last weekend our troop went out to hang labelled bags on houses for Scouting for Food. One driver only had 2 boys in his vehicle, and when one of the boys was taken home by his Dad, the driver immediately called me on my cell phone, as I was closest to his location. I had room for another boy, so I took the lone scout with my

My son has been on Ritalin since the middle of kdgn., and he's now in 5th grade. He is labelled ADHD, and although the teachers and I don't see attention problems, he definitely is hyperactive and impulsive when he's not on his meds. Due to side effects such as lack of appetite, we do give our son "holidays" from Ritalin. He has no desire to eat lunch when he's on his meds., so we keep him off meds. on Saturdays, Sunday afternoons (after church), and in the summer (and other school breaks) when he's just going to be at home. I would never let him go on a camp-out without being on Rit

My troop gives the new boys a goal of First Class in One Year, but it certainly is not expected that all boys will meet it. My older son took more than 2 years to get his First Class rank, even though most of the other boys in his patrol made it in about a year.

LisaBob, I haven't been around this forum for quite a while, but you may remember that my older son is similar to your boy. My son is 13 and has been 1st Class for over a year. He was ready for his Star BOR 6 months after becoming 1st Class, but just didn't get around to asking for it. He tells me that he forgot to ask, or the leaders were busy.... He also isn't completing merit badges very quickly. He has missed out on high adventure trips that I would love to go on, because he doesn't have his Star rank or the required merit badges done. However, he LOVES scouts, and is having a g

Hopefully that's a misprint where the article states that Michael stayed behind with ONE adult. The article doesn't mention whether this is a special needs child or not. We have two new boys that our troop is going to have to keep really close watch over, because they are both "wanderers." Both boys are in special ed. and we are happy to have them in the troop, but at the same time, we leaders have to make sure that someone is keeping track of them at all times. I know this is supposed to be the other boys' responsibility, but when it comes to safety concerns, adults need to step in.

I was raised Presbyterian, and I don't recall anyone who fit Packsaddle's description. Our Youth Group was the most popular one in town, and every Wednesday night, we had kids from all over town, from all denominations join us. I don't think they would have shown up if we were a dark, serious, humorless bunch! I don't know of any Presbyterian bank presidents, either. Funny, isn't it, how we all have our own perceptions. One of my friends didn't learn until she left home for college, that Catholics weren't any better than the rest of us! She said it was a real eye-opener for her.

WDL Mom, My Council has also switched this year to Boy Scouts-only at Camporee, with a separate Webelos Woods for 1st and 2nd year Webelos. I've already been talking to my older son's troop about the fact that my den needs to attend a Boy Scout activity, and I had planned on using Camporee for that. I know we'll get something figured out, but it would have been nice to know sooner, since everybody's schedules fill up quickly, and last Spring, I had already told my Webelos 2 parents to mark their calendars for Camporee. Now I have to tell them to cross off Camporee and add Webelos Woods

PeteM and Mr. Mal, I applaud you two for coming forward with your stories about your own sons. Normally we would have heard this story from a different point of view, such as another leader saying, "SM's son pulled a knife at camp!" It shows that you truly care about your sons, since you are not excusing the behavior, but seeking how to correct the behavior, given the extra challenges (ADHD) your sons have. As for me never hearing other parents try to excuse their kid's behavior due to ADHD... I've been thinking about that. Maybe it's the way that I dealt with the parents. I

Our Council's Boy Scout camp runs sessions only through mid-July. I never thought about it before, but it's probably because there are school districts in our area who start back to school the beginning of August.

Thanks for the clarification on finishing merit badges. I hadn't heard this policy from a leader, but from other scouts, so I guess I shouldn't have assumed they were correct. I'm tempted to let my son continue to think he only has a year from start to finish, to see if it helps him get his badges completed. Thanks, Lisa'bob, for letting me know I'm not the only frustrated parent. And you're right about having another adult give suggestions rather than me. Maybe if he finds a buddy to do a merit badge with, they could motivate each other to complete it. Okay, back to biting my tongue

Are there BSA guidelines, or does each troop make it's own guidelines? My son is not self-motivated, and is slow to finish merit badges. Two badges that he started LAST summer at camp are still unfinished, even though he only had ONE requirement left on each of them! My understanding is that his time is up, and he'll have to redo all the requirements now that a year has passed, if he still wants the badges. I'm okay with that, because I want my son to learn that it's not okay to procrastinate, but I'm curious what other troops' policies are. How much should I encourage him on this ye

Does anyone know if inviting a younger brother or friend, who has just finished Cub Scouts, would fulfill the new 1st class requirement? At present, we don't have any 2nd class or lower scouts with a 2nd year Webelos brother, but I could see the question coming up sometime. Ideally, they should be trying to recruit someone not currently in any type of scouting, but does the requirement say this specifically? Of course, the timing would have to be such that the Cub has just finished his last Pack Meeting, but not yet joined a troop.

That's great that you are organized and planning ahead. That puts you ahead of many new leaders, so don't worry too much about the parents' expectations. Just remember KISMIF: Keep it simple, make it fun! Also, you may find that some of the parents have ideas or ties to particular places. One of my parents was related to the Fire Chief, so we had a great tour of the fire station, and a ride on one of the fire trucks. My son's Tiger den enjoyed our visit to an old house that is also a historical museum. I'd been there before, and knew that the lady who runs the tours is great wit

One of our leaders made up nice looking certificates on his computer, and we gave those out as perfect attendance rewards. Our committee decided to recognize those boys who had missed 2 or fewer meetings. (Pack and Den)

My kids still have over a month of summer vacation left, but one of my neighbors will start her new teaching year next week, because her district is year round (also called Balanced School Calendar). Are there any differences for scouts who have year round school? Do the Cubs still have to do an activity in August for the Summer Time award, when their Summer is already over? Our district has kicked the "Balanced School calendar" idea around for several years. Some would love it, because you would get two to three week vacations in the Fall and Spring. Others hate it, because t

scoutldr: My mistake! I'm sure you can tell this is a hot button issue for me. I jumped to conclusions based on your statement of hating when people use ADHD as an excuse for bad behavior. I personally have never heard anyone use it as an excuse, but rather as an explanantion. I've worked with many parents whose kids have ADHD, and as you know first hand, they need our support big time. If these kids are going to be successful adults, like your child, then they need all the help they can get. By the way, I'm glad to hear your success story. Every time I hear one of these, I have ho