gwd-scouter

They did it! I was actually moved to tears last night as I watched each Scout step up and light the candle for their point of the Scout Law. So quiet, so meaningful. The last point, A Scout is Reverent, was done by our Chaplain Aid and he then led the group in an opening prayer. Absolutely wonderful. Of course, there were a few misteps along the way, presentations of awards a little awkward at times, but it was their plan and their ceremony and I was proud of them all. We are very furtunate to have a SPL with experience who doesn't mind "winging it" in front of a crowd. Best part for me

We are having our first ever Scout planned/Scout run Court of Honor tonight. Scouts have planned an opening involving candles and the Scout Law. Rank awards are to be given highest first, then recipient of that rank will present the next lower rank, etc. SPL asked me to present merit badges since all the Scouts are receiving something and it seemed easier to have one person present them. Then he asked if I wanted to do a Scoutmaster Minute just before their closing (he did remind me that the SM Minute is ONLY a minute!). It's wonderful to be asked to participate, rather than be expected

When my son's were Webs II and getting ready to join a Troop, Santa thoughtfully filled their stockings with small Scout items: compass, pocket knife, fire spark, handbook. Over the years each has received larger Scout gear: backpack, cold weather sleeping bag, and so on. Usually these were items they saw and read about in Boy's Life Magazine. Regarding Philmont, a couple of Scouts I know who went to Philmont said that hiking poles were very useful. Don't know where you'd find them, but I'm sure a good outdoor outfitter would have them.

I have been asked many times at school nights if there was a program for kindergarten aged boys. My oldest son and I got involved in Scouting when he was in 1st grade (1992) and joined the Tiger program. Back then, it was most definately NOT the program we have today. We didn't even know we were part of a Pack. Our program was for the Tiger cubs/parents to get together once a month and do an outing. Each family took a month and made up an outing (fishing, zoo, fire station, etc). There was no book, no advancements, no training for leaders, no "big ideas," no uniform - not even the orange

Ken, Hope your troop is able to arrange the outing. Our Scouts always have a great time. Haven't been very expensive in the past since the Gun Club we go to has not charged for the instruction or use of the range. They also provided the bullets for the rifles since each Scout only shoots a few to get his marksmanship score. The shotgun shells, on the other hand, we had to buy. The club provided the clay targets. I think I remember my husband telling me the shells were about $15.00 per 100. So, a very inexpensive trip. The Elberton Gun Club in Georgia (about a 1 mile trip for u

Met my husband while he was in Navy Reserves - loved him in his uniform then, love him in his Scout uniform now. And, he says about me, "I love a woman in uniform" (I think he prefered the yellow blouse when I was a Cub leader though).

By the way - HI to all you COI staffers and campers out there. Wonder if I've met you before?

I will agree with everyone who has said COI is the best Scout camp! May be a little prejudiced since it is my Council, but without a doubt the camp staff MAKES the camp. I have had the priviledge of running Cub Scout Resident Camp held just before summer camp begins at COI and worked closely with the Scout staff. Now as a SM and attending camp for a week each summer, I get to see up close again just how talented, knowledgeable and enthusiastic the staff members are. Scoutleaderxvi gives an excellent picture of the camp's facilities. One thing has changed however - the Pathfinder program h

Thanks OGE, forgot to mention the shotgun ratio, but that is how we've always done it. One instructor, one shooter on the range at a time. By the way - that's Sister GWD!

Happy Anniversary! My husband and I celebrated 19 years last September. I've been involved with Scouts for 12 years, Mike signed on about 5 years ago. In the early days when our oldest was in Cub Scouts, Mike wasn't too keen on all the time I spent preparing for Den Meetings, then Pack meetings (as Cubmaster). I think he would say the worst years were the five years I spent as Camp Director for Cub Scout Resident Camp. Cub Stuff all over my house, constant phone calls, out of pocket expenses. But, that's when he decided to get involved and signed on as an Asst. DL for our youngest son. A dec

Our Troop has had outings to a rifle range a couple of times to work on rifle and shotgun merit badge. Instructors at the range were all NRA certified. All areas of merit badges were covered including safety (first), hunting regulations in our area, cleaning and accuracy. It is one of the Scout's favorite outings. Our district has also had a camporee held at a Shooting Club.

2191!

mbscoutmom, From what you've already described, it doesn't sound like the problem you have with your CO is going to get solved. It seems they are unwilling to work with you on setting aside usable rooms for your den meetings. It's true, having all the dens meet in the same place on the same night makes it much easier to give out information, collect dues etc. But, many Packs operate with meetings in different locations on different nights and do quite well. It just takes a bit more effort on the part of the Committee, the Cubmaster and the Den Leaders. Perhaps you could have your

Being a child of the 60s and 70s I remember wearing hip huggers that rode much lower than those worn today, a big wide belt, and a halter top that only had strings holding up the top and across the back. And, does anyone remember sizzler dresses? so short that matching panties came with them? And bikinis? Those skimpy little things are not new. Wish I could find the picture of the little, strappy, white bikini I wore when I was 16. But, somehow, the clothing for girls today (even though they are fashioned like those worn in the 60s and 70s) seem much more provocative. Not sure why. Is

mbscoutmom, Your situation with the CO is not unique. I had similar problems when I was Cubmaster with our CO using rooms that I thought were set aside for us on Monday nights. Also, we would routinely get bumped from using the Fellowship Hall for Pack meetings, even after it had been on the church calendar for months. Sometimes, we wouldn't even find out about it until we showed up for the Pack meeting. I've never heard of any restrictions on where dens hold meetings. When I was Cubmaster, most of the dens met at the Church on Mondays. However, some of the den leaders prefered to ho

The subject of new leader training came up at our last month's Roundtable. NLE is offered in the Fall each year with one session in Sept., Oct. and Nov. New leaders can choose whatever session they'd like to attend so it seems that given a choice of 3, all new leaders would be able to find time in their schedule for one. But, in our District, less than 20% of our new leaders get even the basic training (this is mostly true at the Cub Scout level). I am a Boy Scout leader now and it seems a bit easier to get new Boy Scout leaders to training, but when I was a Cubmaster it was

Oh boy, sure am glad I'm not the only one! Took over as SM last year with a Troop that had the SPL open meetings, then adults mostly took over. A lot of the same happening on camping trips. Boys coming to me asking what to do next. I was a Cub Scout leader for many years prior to becoming a SM, so learning to sit back and let the boys do it was a difficult learning experience for me too! I was also told that turning it around would take a long time and one year later, I can see small steps forward - both by the Scouts and by me. ASMs are also learning to step back and not jump in at the

Anyone know of Ski Resorts in Eastern US (preferably South East) that offer discount packages to Scout Groups? Know of one in West Virginia, but was hoping to find something closer to South Carolina - maybe in Tennessee or North Carolina.

Hi Dan. Yes, I've been both a Cub leader and Scout leader at the same time. Was Cubmaster while my youngest was in the Pack and Advancement Chair for my oldest son's Troop. They are almost 7 years apart, so I did both leader positions for a number of years. When youngest reached Webelos, however, I stepped back from the Troop so I could spend more time with him in his last year of Cubs. Then, gave Cubmaster over to someone else and followed youngest into the Troop and resumed Advancement Chair duties. Last year, moved up to Scoutmaster position. What a time it's been. Never in my wi

Hi Mom from South Carolina! I'm a Scout Mom myself (one Eagle, one Star). Welcome to the Forum.

Robin, Congrats on such a wonderful Den Meeting. Your enthusiasm will go a long way in helping ensure your boys have a great experience as Webelos Scouts. It is fantastic that the Scout thinking of quitting has changed his mind. Keep up the hard work and FUN and enjoy every minute of being a Den Leader. I sure did - Tigers thru Webelos for both my sons. Karen

Thanks guys. I really didn't think it was true, but it was told to me by a Scouter with many many years of experience. Being a new SM, I sometimes take another, more experienced, Scouter's word for things for a while until I have time to check it out myself.

Hi Forum Folks, Was recently told at an adult leader training that Scouts/Leaders are required to wear Official Uniform while traveling to events in order for insurance coverage to apply. Has anyone heard this before? Not sure if it's accurate. If it is, can anyone tell me where to find it in the insurance or scouting literature? I realize this may open a "can of worms" since I see many posts and discussions about Class A, Class B, wear the uniform, don't wear the uniform, etc. Just wondering if there is really any kind of policy as regards insurance.

EagleInKY - thanks. I have looked through most of the previously posted SM minutes and have started using them at end of Troop meetings. Scouts aren't used to this as it hasn't really been done consistently before, but the look on their faces tells me they like it. Comments at the end like, "hmmm" "oh wow" "that's cool" etc. Troop2Eagle. We have a campout coming up in a couple of weeks and I plan to use your idea. I've been looking for something to meaningful to do at the close of our Saturday night campfires. Thanks! I'm a new SM (almost 1 year) and this forum with all you experienc

Scoutmom: Others on this forum have far more experience than I, but I say without hesitation that an outing is an outing is an outing. Doesn't matter if it's summer camp, weekend camp, or a day trip to go hiking (or swimming, or fishing, or bowling, or service projects, or putt-putt, etc. etc.). At least that's how it is in our Troop.