gwd-scouter

Oh please. Don't we girls all wear diamond studs, rings on every finger, gold chains, nice leather pumps, and, of course, full hair and makeup? Back on topic tough. I did wear the yellow blouse when I was a Cub Leader. Never could find blue pants to fit right, so I wore a navy pair docker type pants in winter and or shorts in summer. It was a lot easier to get something similar since the pants did not have the same "cargo" type styling they have now. I even wore a navy blue "skort" from time to time. Yeah, I know, the uniform police can arrest me! I also had the tan shirt and green p

I've been revieweing a lot of the very early posts. In 2003, someone posed the question: Are you a car camping troop, or a backpacking troop? Which do you prefer? Since it seems that none of the folks that answered that post are involved in the foum any longer, thought I'd ask again. Our troop has always been a car camping troop, with maybe one backpack trip a year. However, in the Scout's planning session last August they mentioned they'd like to do more backpacking, so we're going next month for first time in 2 years. What do you guys do?

Gee, was it something we said?

Administration says they were very carefully screened. Gives me a really warm fuzzy secure feeling.

I apologize in advance for the Long Post: Ah, fix the attendance problem. What an interesting statement. Just how do you do that? That's the question I was asking myself over a year ago. The Troop we are in has at various times been Troop method and Patrol method. About 8 years ago when the troop was just getting started the SM was new and eager, the ASMs and Committee were new and eager, and the Scouts were new and eager. Everyone learned and worked hard and Patrols were functioning with leaders, cheers, flags, names - the whole works. Cut to several years and several sc

Wow, who knew washing dishes could be a controversial topic? Anyway, pardon my ignorance, but what exactly is swilling?

Surfin - I have a certificate I could send you. We made it up for our Webelos Leader that was crossing over to Boy Scouts. He had been the den's leader since Tigers. If you send me your email, I'll be happy to send it to you and you can modify as you need.

Amy, Weldome to the Forum. I really enjoyed being a Webelos leader back in my day. Now a Scoutmaster, but I miss the cubs. This forum is a great place to get ideas and answers to questions.

From Advancement Policies and Procedures Manual (33088B) "The Boy Scout is tested. A Scout may be tested on rank requirements by his patrol leader, Scoutmaster, assistant Scoutmaster, a troop committee member, or a member of his troop. The Scoutmaster maintains a list of those qualified to give tests and pass candidates. The Scout's merit badge counselor teaches and tests on the requirements for merit badges." So, my impression is that if the SM approves, the PL can sign off on requirements. That is the way we do it in our troop. PLs, TG or another senior scout that may be teach

Hey Akela. Good for you in taking all the necessary training. You are correct in being cautious about how you approach the lack of training among other leaders in your Pack. Ruffles a lot of feathers when "the new guy" jumps in and says folks are doing it wrong. As the Pack Training Chairman you should encourage all the leaders to take their training and bring it up during committee meetings. It might help to make it a bit personal and tell them that their sons deserve well-trained leaders. I don't mean to suggest that during the meeting you call out by name those leaders that haven't tak

mdkeplers. Congratulations to your son. What a smart, quick-thinking young man. It's a shame that so much time has passed since learning of his award and still not receiving it. I think his AOL ceremony would be a wonderful time for the presentation.

Hey Belinda, Just tack the patch across the top to the seam of the pocket flap. No need to sew all the way around. That way, your son can still unbutton the pocket and hang his progress toward rank. That's what I do with my son's OA pocket flaps (Boy Scouts) and it works out great. As for the summertime pack award, it is supposed to be pinned on the pocket flap centered over the button. So, I guess he'll have to forgo wearing it. However, without trying to set off the uniform police, Cubscouts want to wear all their awards and I personally don't see a thing wrong with it. They

Absolutely try to arrange to visit all the troops. I think doing it together as a den is the best way, but if schedules conflict scouts and their families can visit on their own. Set up the dates and times with the troops and give the schedules to each scout. As Lisabob says, they can then decide what and when they can attend. Keep in mind, Troops are not one size fits all. One troop's program plan may attract a couple of your scouts, while another troop's plans may be more appealing to the other boys. And, of course, their parents may ultimately make the decision for convenience if one

Hello from South Carolina. It's a very lively forum, Rodd. Welcome aboard.

I get the feeling it's less of a competition in our area and more of a "how dare you mess with OUR cubscouts." A couple of months ago, I contacted a couple of web II dens in our district asking if they'd like to schedule a visit to our troop and join us on a campout. Got a great big no thanks from the CMs and DLs saying that their webelos always went to such and such troop. Must admit, same was true while I was CM for the largest pack in our district. Webs II ALWAYS crossed over to the Troop (also largest in the district) that had the same CO and met at the same time. Seemed natura

Question about the 3 pan method of washing up after cooking. Pan 1: hot soapy water Pan 2: hot clear water for rinsing Pan 3: here's the question. I've seen 2 different methods being used. 1) cold water with clorox, 2) hot boiling water (no clorox). Learned the cold water with clorox in the 3rd pan when I went to outdoor training. But, see other troops during district events that dip everything in a final rinse of plain boiling water. Any thoughts or suggestions as to which is correct, better, or does it matter. Thanks.

I thought I read somewhere in the rules of wearing the BSA uniform that it can't be worn at political rallys. Maybe I'm mistaken.

MaScout - your 15 years beats my 11. Started Cubs when oldest was in 1st grade. Was his den leader for 5 years. When he crossed over to Troop, signed on as CM for the Pack. One year later, youngest son joined as a Tiger and I remained CM for 5 more years 'till he crossed over to the Troop. Oldest now in college, youngest just finished 2nd year with the Troop. So, CS years + BS years = 13 years altogether (probably just a youngster compared to others on this forum). Hmm, let's see - how many hours would that be at 1 hour a week per 13 years worth of weeks? Ah, to tired to do the mat

Just reading Feb 20 edition of Newsweek. Perspectives section has a quote from Roethlisberger "I don't think I got in." - You know, in reference to that controversial (non)touchdown. Doesn't say where or to whom he said it. But, why would he say that after the game. Did he feel guilty about the call going their way when in his heart he knew he didn't make a touchdown? We'll never know, I guess.

John, Been in Scouting in my District for a long time and have never heard of a DE calling or visiting the CO unless it involved trying to organize a new unit. Maybe I just missed it when it happened, but I was CM through 6 recharters and now SM completing the 2nd recharter. NO DE visit to our CO. Of course, it could be that we keep changing DEs and they always seem to have to go to Texas for training during February (our recharter time). So maybe they've always been out of town and couldn't arrange those meetings. Yeah, right....

If I do the counting, will I get a patch?

Dan is right, ask the SM don't tell him - sorry I didn't type it correctly. Dan, you are also right in that all the old leadership in our troop eventually left so I really haven't had to change around any "that's the way we always did it" type leaders. Did have one former SM return last Feb. just after I took over as SM and I think he was sure that I would step down and turn over the job to him. But, the committee felt strongly that I stay in the job and so he said he was OK being ASM. He sure made things difficult. In July, after only 5 months, he left, causing a big scene as he went say

Thanks for the kind words. Now, where's that comfy chair. Oops, can't get comfy yet, gotta finish that recharter. Yes, I know, probably should have someone on the committee doing that. One step at a time.

Wow, so many similarities to what our troop had become a little while back and what I faced when stepping up as SM 13 months ago. The only difference is that we didn't have ANY parents involved in any way other than the SM and one ASM. But, both their sons had reached Eagle the year before and dropped out so SM and ASM were just waiting for someone new to join and take their places. Big surprise for my husband and I that one year after our son joined the troop we find out all the adult leadership is leaving! Ah, water under the bridge. Back to your situation: Sue M makes a very goo

Semper - that's the best laugh I've had today. Gives a whole new slant to the buddy system.