gtscouter

Eamonn/Hal, points well taken. I appreciate your candor. That's why I come to the forums for input! I am CC of the attached Pack and have been a scouter for 10 years. The CC of the Troop and I are switching places in six months -- we need her experience at the Pack level. We are shadowing each other in the meantime. The SM is a good friend of mine and the one who asked me to take on CC. It's a small troop with only 2 or 3 parents taking an active role. The current leaders are looking for me to help keep the troop moving forward (they are in a rebuilding phase), but I will tre

Thanks for some good advice. Well put. I will watch and listen for the time being. If I need more info, I will get the blessing of the SM and go to the PLC to spearhead any surveys! Or, perhaps the boys will have their own ideas about how to capture this information.

I have been asked to serve as Committee Chairman for the troop that my youngest son will join in Feb. of 2010 (the troop attached to his pack). I have a lot of Cub Scouting experience, but I have no experience with this particular troop. My oldest son was a member of different Troop and had a very good experience. I hope to provide the same opportunities for my youngest, but I am little uncertain about the new Troop. I'm not sure where this troop stands as far as key issues like boy leadership. I don't want to insult anyone, but as CC I would like to know where the troop's strengths a

My son's troop does a "mini-high adventure" every year, within a month of the time that the Webelos move up to the troop. Examples of these trips have included a trip to Kansas City (cabin camped near by), Shiloh National Military Park, a ski trip, a stay at the Chicago Youth Hostel. It was usually planned around a long weekend (since most of the scouts are in the same school district). I think this is such a great way to introduce high adventure and an effective way of making a good first impression on new scouts and their families.

For the last several years our pack (chartered to a Catholic parish) has completed activities in order for the kids to earn Rosary patches through the NCCS. One of our parents is a religious educator and came up with very creative programs -- a skit, a power point presentation, etc. -- but now her family is moving!! The NCCS has a new program called "Footsteps of American Saints". Patches can be earned by learning about various saints and their work, but there doesn't seem to be any resources provided to present the stories of these saints. You have to start from scratch. Any ideas?? The

Troop 25 (Truman Elementary, St Louis, MO) is looking for a Scout and parent, or two Scouts who would like to go on a Philmont trek leaving 25-Jul-09 and returning 8-Aug-09. Scouts must be 14 years of age (or 13 and in 8th grade) and have attained the 1st Class rank to attend. The boys have selected and been granted itenerary #5 at Philmont. http://www.scouting.org/highadventure/philmont/camping/glance.aspx The contact at Troop 25 is Steve Rudolph at sprudo@gmail.com.

Troop 25 (Truman Elementary, St Louis, MO) is looking for a Scout and parent, or two Scouts who would like to go on a Philmont trek leaving 25-Jul-09 and returning 8-Aug-09. Scouts must be 14 years of age (or 13 and in 8th grade) and have attained the 1st Class rank to attend. The boys have selected and been granted itenerary #5 at Philmont. http://www.scouting.org/highadventure/philmont/camping/glance.aspx The contact at Troop 25 is Steve Rudolph at sprudo@gmail.com.

Troop 25 (Truman Elementary, St Louis, MO) is looking for a Scout and parent, or two Scouts who would like to go on a Philmont trek leaving 25-Jul-09 and returning 8-Aug-09. Scouts must be 14 years of age (or 13 and in 8th grade) and have attained the 1st Class rank to attend. The boys have selected and been granted itenerary #5 at Philmont. http://www.scouting.org/highadventure/philmont/camping/glance.aspx The contact at Troop 25 is Steve Rudolph at sprudo@gmail.com.

Found this form of release on Pace University's website for a similar event: In consideration of the above named student being permitted to participate in the Pace XXXXX Kids Night Out Program, the undersigned does hereby agree to assume all the risks and responsibilities surrounding such participation or any activities undertaken as an adjunct thereto; and further, for myself, my heirs and personal representatives, I hereby agree to defend, hold harmless, indemnify and release forever, and forever discharge Pace and all its officers, agents and employees from and against any and all cla

I was talking with a scout family whose son recently completed his Eagle Scout Project. He raised the money for his materials by organizing a "Parents Night Out" where parents could drop off their kids and go out for the evening and the scouts baby sat. Apparently it was very successful. Thought is was a great idea to pass along. Could be a good way to promote your unit, as well!

SSScout that's terrific! I think this will work because the MBs are sewn very high (too high according to my son), so I've got some room to add some length by leaving more material above the top of the current row of badges (I think). I'm a decent sewer, so I'll give it a whirl. I'll let you know if it works out.

There are 22. They all fit, it's just that the sash is too short now that he's grown to 5'10" in height. Just made Eagle Scout. So, I think he should have a sash for Court of Honor.

I can't believe I did this!! I finally got all those MBs sewed on the sash. My son was all ready for a board of review last night and low and behold, the sash is now too short!! Is there a practical way to lengthen it or am I destined to rip them all off and start sewing on a new sash?

A few years ago we started inviting siblings, so we have some very young kids there sometimes. I think in general the families have appreciated not having to get a babysitter, but I suppose it adds to te fatigue factor potentially. I don't think I would forgo all the awards, but we'll need to work on how we streamline the process.

I forgot to add that we are chartered by a Catholic Church. So B&G is preceded by a Mass -- adds a hour before you even get dinner started. And I completely forgot FOS is thrown in their too. Last year we probably sat 200 or more and this year's roster is probably a good 25% larger than last year. We could have 250+. We added a second buffet line last year and plan to do that again to speed up serving. I think the planning recommendations are very valuable. Our cubmaster is new, but well organized. This year we will get the den leaders to commit to a time schedule, as well. Th

Our pack is busting at the seams! A high class problem I suppose, but I am trying to anticipate how we keep the B&G banquet from lasting 4 hours. I feel it is important to keep the pace of the event moving along, otherwise the boys (and parents) get restless and bored. Any suggestions from those with large packs?

Actually, my son is now back from Sea Base. He packed lighter than many of his fellow scouts and still came home with clothes that I'm pretty sure were never worn. He brought his extra change of clothes in his carry on bag, so that everything he needed for the boat was in his checked baggage and all he had to do was transfer his sailing gear to the mesh bag that Seabase provides. He brought a dry bag, but didn't end up using it. Waterproof disposable cameras were very handy. He said the restaurants in Key West are expensive, so bring adequate cash. He took boat shoes, but I don't t

Coral Reef sailing

I've checked the gear list for Sea Base. It's pretty straightforward, but still wondering a few things. What's the best thing to bring to sleep on/with. Is a dry bag a good idea and if so about how big? Can you bring a digital camera if you have something to store it in or would you recommend against it? You can bring a small suitcase that you leave at Sea Base while you are gone, right? For those who have been, anything else you wish you would have thought to bring with you?

Has anyone used clubspaces.com. It says it's free, but is there a catch?

Great! Thanks very much for the file. We'll give it a try.

I am trying to find out if such a thing exists for Cub Scout advancement purposes. Our pack has a new volunteer willing to shop for the awards we give out at each pack meeting, but we are looking for a way to make the job easier. Does some type of spreadsheet or master order sheet exist in the scouting world that leaders can use to check off the beads, belt loops, pins, and patches they need for each scout? Any ideas would help me! Thanks.

I see your point. I didn't explain myself too well. We have a desire to keep things a little calmer (we had a pie eating stunt go bad not long ago)around the fire. The boys will be paddling during the day. I anticipate they will need something to do after they get back from paddling and then something to wind down with around the campfire. I looked at the website suggested by the last poster and I liked the games that require the patrols (or pairs of boys) to work as a team. For example, the game called "Ships in a Fog" where the boys are blindfolded, except for the "pilot" (the PL,

Any thoughts on campfire programs that go beyond the typical skits and songs (Boy Scout age, not Cubs)? Anything like a team building exercise or something that might count toward a merit badge, for example? I've looked at the macscouter and other sites many times. Just looking for something fresh and new.

A few questions from a newbee here... If a scoutmaster or other adult leader is aware of a boy participating in this negative behavior, could the topic become part of his scoutmaster conference or board of review? I realize some of the biggest perpetrators may be those that don't advance. However, for those that do, could the scoutmaster suggest that the parents doing the board of review ask the boy about how boys are treated in the troop. It doesn't have to be a singling out of the boy's specific infractions. Rather, the questions could be general in nature. For example, "How