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 tread lightly and respect the SM/PLC relationships. I am looking for a way to give the SM the help he says he wants without getting in his way.

I perceived baschram645's suggestions to be a reminder that if I am thinking of helping in any way, it should be achieved through the boys. The message to me was that a survey should come through the PLC not from the Committee, for example. I can share the idea with the SM and see if he wants to take the idea to PLC. Ultimately, PLC has to decide if it's a good idea and something they want to do.

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 and weaknesses lie so that I can recruit adults to support the boys in areas where the needs are greatest.

One thought I have is to develop a "scorecard" and I thought the starting point might be the "Eight Methods of Scouting". I am thinking that the PLs could rate the troop (themselves) in these areas and it might help me guage how satisfied they are with their program and identify areas in need of support/development.

Rating some of the methods will be easy. For example, you can easily measure if the troop completes 20 nights of camping per year or whether most members wear a complete uniform to meetings. Does anyone have ideas for questions that could be asked to determine how effective the troop is functioning in areas such as Leadership Development, Scouting Ideals, or Personal Growth?

I'd like to limit it to two or three questions per method, ideally. Remember, I want these to be questions that the BOYS can answer. Any ideas you might have are appreciated. If I get something good together, I'd be happy to share it with the Forum.

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 saints include:

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Saint John Neumann

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha

Saint Peter Claver

Saint Isaac Jogues

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini

Blessed Andr Bessette

Blessed Mother Marianne Cope

Saint Katherine Drexel

Blessed Damien of Molokai

My inpiration comes from when the pack did the "Glorius Mysteries" patch. In this case several parents were given simple costumes (a veil, a robe, etc) and they acted out the story while another parent read it. This was ideal because it got parents involved and the kids paid attention to it.

I don't want to give a bunch of 7 year olds a lecture on Saint Isaac Jogues -- too boring!! If anyone knows where to find some good saint narratives or stories, please advise!! Or if you have other ideas, please share.

Link to the NCCS patch program:

http://www.nccs-bsa.org/emblems-awards/footsteps.php

Thanks.

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 claims, demands and actions or causes of action, on account of damage to personal property, or personal injury, or death which may result from the aforesaid participation and activities incident thereto. It is hereby certified that the above-named child has no medical or psychological conditions which would preclude such participation, and I authorize XXXX through its authorized agents to secure for the child any necessary emergency medical treatment.

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. That is where things have gotten off track before. Though we love to give the Webelos time to say their good-byes, but perhaps we'll let them do so at their last pack meeting instead. We also have moved any adult recognition activities to the month prior's den meeting instead of B&G.

One year when our church was being renovated, we had to split up the Mass and the Banquet. Sometimes, I think that it might make sense to do it that way again.

Thanks everyone. Happy Thanksgiving!!

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 think he wore them on board. Make sure you have straps for everything you wear -- sunglasses, hat, etc. Brought several carabiners of various sizes, as well. He had a great time and though very fair skinned, did not get sunburned thanks to the rash guard shirt (suggested above) and copious sunscreen. The stick kind or the clear zinc oxide (check Wal-Mart or Walgreens) are great for the face.

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, let's say). The patrol and its leader must devise a way to communicate to one another to maneuver around a set of obstacles. There were other ideas for using the senses -- touch, sight, hearing, even smell -- which I think might make an interesting campfire theme.

I also liked the idea this site suggest of using a monologue. We might have a boy or two who enjoys acting. The boy(s) who volunteer(s)for this can select the monologue piece and do the preparation. When I suggested something related to a MB, I was thinking along the lines of learning an Indian game or craft, which could introduce the Indian Lore MB for example.

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 do you see scouts treating one another in this Troop? Do see actions that add or subtract from troop members' ability to live the Scout Oath and Law? Do you take any actions that add or subtract from your ability to live the Scout Oath and Law?" If boys and parents know that someone might not pass a board of review perhaps will they pay more attention to the problem?

I see this behavior among kids at school too and in online forums like "Facebook". However, I never see any suggestions about what works to stop it. As a parent I feel like a complete failure when I see my son do this. You talk and talk about it, but it doesn't seem to sink in. It's got to be one of my biggest parental frustrations!