Herms

ScoutMom3, Take a look at this forum also: RE: Help - knife safety question Cub Scouts can earn the Whittling Chip at ANY age of Cub Scouting. Are most ready for it before Bear? Many Bear's aren't mature enough to handle it! Where the confusion about it being a Bear activity is that it is part of the elective SHAVINGS AND CHIPS (Bear Handbook -Page 146). Additionally the Chip only authorizes them to carry a collapsible blade (pocket knife) at "APPROVED" scouting activities. Our pack has very few of these a year and designates them ahead of time (i.e. pack campouts, hikes etc...). Den and Pack meetings are not on our Approved activities list as established by our Pack committee.

There is a new movie coming out soon called "Down and Derby". It is a family comedy about a small-town Pinewood Derby competition, where the kids' competitive dads take over their cars. When you are passing out the cars and rules for your Pinewood Derby, be sure to emphasize that this is a parent son activity (as is the Raingutter regatta). In Cub Scouts its about the family ties that are formed while doing activities. My sons and I have made some beautiful (and fast) cars over the years TOGETHER. Our pack has a couple of workshops for both sons and parents (we require both to be present) which helps them get the ball rolling on there cars, and shows them how they can work with their sons instead of doing it for them. Additionally, at our pinewood derby we make sure EVERY boy wins. Last year I had to come up with 60 categories! Everything from Most Original Design, to Tallest Car, to Greenest Car. Each boy got a participation medal at the time they got there certificate so that they felt like they won something. We also gave 1st, 2nd and 3rd trophies for Best in Show and had grandparents do the judging (as they usually dont know who or what there grandsons car looks like). No one was allowed to win both a Speed trophy and a Best in Show, so the awards got spread out among more boys.

Technically there is no "Class A" or "Class B" uniform. There is the official Cub/Boy Scout uniforms. (Crew's make up their own) That said our Pack, Troop and Crew all have there own T-shirts which they call there "Class B" for outdoor (or just dirty/messy) activities. As a parent, I really don't want to keep buying shirts because of stains. (I buy enough because they out grow them!) As a leader, I want to see the boys in a uniform/shirt that represents scouting while on outdoor activities such as a service project, to make the boys proud of their service, and to let the public see that Scouts are serving the community. So to echo my fellow posting scouters, let common sense prevail.

How about a patch jacket? They have the red wool jackets in the catalog and at your local scout shop. Growing up my father made my "Trail to Eagle" at an angle on the front of my jacket. When I earned my next rank he would sew my old rank on the front so that when I made Eagle I finished the trail. Today I am doing the same with my son, as well as sewing all of our camping patches (i.e. summer camps, Camporee and Klondike derbies etc...) on the back of both our jackets. It is fun when you are out camping to remember, and get us talking about other camping experiences.

Did that and they said either one would be ok. I'm wondering which award would an adult which to receive? Both sets of requirements are pretty much the same. If you are a Methodist scouter out there which would you rather receive?

Our experience with Venturing has been awesome so far!! Great program for older kids and has kept our older scouts interested in Scouting. We started off in March with 7 and are up to 19 with the word getting out and more showing up each meeting. The President and other Crew Leaders (the kids) have told us (the adults) that they would like to put a cap on how many more scouts we accept, because they feel it is getting to big to manage well (hah, welcome to adulthood!). What is the scouting worlds opinion and experiences with capping the size of a unit?

Ok, I've read everything there is on the web and put out by BSA and still a little confused. We started a crew in March with 6 boys and a girl (my daughter who couldn't wait to start!!). Now we have 19 with more showing up every week. Who does it mean when it references "Crew Advisor" when it comes to advancement? Do the kids have obtain and advisor or does our primary Crew Advisor do all the kids? The rest of us adults are "Committee" or "Associates". Are we considered advisors?? Next I see a "crew review committee" for the Silver Award. Is there also suppose to be one for Bronze and Gold awards? It seems like it is quite different from the way we run it in the troop so we want to get it right from the start. Please advise the Advisors! Thanks. Phil

As a Den Leader and past (probably future) Cubmaster I didn't feel it was my job to question the parent (Akela) if the boy had truely completed the requirement. Like I tell the boys in my troop during SM conferences, the badge is just a piece of cloth which anyone can buy at the store. It's true meaning is, it's a symbol of the new knowledge they have attained or a new skill learned that makes the badge special. If the parents don't get that concept at the Cub level, hopefully they will at the Boy Scout level were the boy has to demonstrate the knowledge or skill. This is hard for a lot of Webelo crossovers who are use to going to a den meeting and getting a badge.

For me it really depends on the situation. With the troop I only wear my Eagle medal and neckerchief for Eagle COH's. I would wear it to our pack's B&G, but usually I am in some sort of theme costume! As far as knots go, I have three uniforms, 2 with the knots and one with just my AOL and Eagle knots (this is my camping uniform). I think it is important to be an example for boys to be proud of your uniform and accomplishments. All of my boys, crew, troop and pack know which one of my knots is my Eagle and AOL. I've also had boys say they would like to have knots like mine some year, so if that little spark leads to a future leader, I'll wear them! Be proud of your accomplishments and the fact that you serve today's youth and wear your knots!!

Our Scoutmaster has served the local United Methodist Church and our Troop for over 40 years. He has been active in the church and has promoted religion (all religions) among the boys for as long as I have known him (5 years) and almost longer than I have been around!. My question is I would like to nominate him for an adult religious award, but am unsure of which. I have found the Cross and Flame which is awarded by the National Association of United Methodist Scouters, and the God and Service which is awarded by P.R.A.Y. Suggestions and reasons?? Phil ASM P.S. I am Catholic so Im not sure which would be most appropriate.

P330, You really need to get your committee involved. Our pack is over 35 years old and has gone through many ups and downs over the years. Right now we are on an up (looks like the size of the pack will double this year!). At our Roundup we really stress the importance of "family oriented" and spending quality time with their son. We have a list of the years activities (that the committee put together from our Great Day of Planning), which we ask the parents to sign up on as a committee member for an activity. Your Scouting energy will be contagious. Talk about volunteers and volunteering every chance you get. We had a table at the local elementary schools meet the teacher day and after talking with the parents, had 7 adults who told me they wanted to be leaders. The point is your energy for scouting is awesome, but make the CR, CC and other pack leaders do their jobs. Teach them, give them the tools, encourage them, reward them but let them- do it. If they don't get the your DE involved. You have the greatest job in the Pack. You get to wind up the boys and then send them home!

To throw in my two cents worth, I have to agree that you are going to hav to split the den. I have seen the "sub-den" tried before, and was more trouble than just splitting the den. Of course if a den is very active no one will want to move. Your committee needs to get involved, get the parents together TELL them you are splitting the dens and take the volunteers first. After that maybe have a draw or draft. Like Bob White said the first step is to get some new leaders recruited.

I'll jump on the band wagon with boleta. We take boys out before or after the scout meeting and have them do the beginning test. Before they start we talk about a scout being trustworthy and giving his best effort (we've had a few hold back so they could show improvement). We print off a spreadsheet with the whole thirty days (it usually comes back with only a few entries) and have them write there starting scores on that. We encourage them to do the activities on a daily or every other day basis. After the 30 we have them do it again and record there scores. I think sometimes just the added incentive of "show improvement" provides enough adrenaline. The whole point of the requirement is that they: - Learn the importance of physically fitness - Learn the importance of goal setting - And most important, learn to test themselves in a fun enviornment.

Great post Unc, I chuckled for ten minutes!

Great job Hops! Sounds like you had a good time, and welcome to OA!

Our council also requires a seperate registration. Besides the background check, the MBC's are then added to the pool for their district (unless they specifically request to be an MBC for their troop only) which makes it a lot easier to find a MBC for all 100+ merit badges!

We are leaving for Summer Camp on Sunday. The SM and I are taking a lot of additional materials to have around camp (i.e. Compass, Toten Chip, First Aid etc.) because what we have seen in the past is that the Scout Crafts area where the First Year Campers go is so busy that none of them get any quality, so we will have materials in camp and be available to work with them there. About the scouts answering for others, I would have a serious talk with the councilor, program and camp directors. A couple years ago at the end of camp there was a signed merit badge card for one of our boys that did not even attend! (Something came up and he couldnt make it) The SM and I had a LONG talk with the program and camp directors (who were pretty embarrassed) and they agreed to talk to all of the councilors about insuring attendance and/or completeness of the different merit badges. We had a boy on staff, and from what he said the point got across to everyone.

How does the hat fit into all of this discussion? I ask boys to wear their hats, most do, but those few that don't still salute. Would this be correct?

In our SM conferences we don't discuss anything that could be considered confidential. (A Scout is Trustworthy). If a parent wants to sit in (they usually don't) we ask them to sit quietly and if they have questions or comments to visit with us after. Many times we have both the SM and ASM there during the conference, so it I guess in that case you would have someone to corroborate your version. However, I think I like how EagleInKy would handle it.

I got in to patch trading after attending the '81 Jamboree. It was amazing to see literally miles of guys, with blanks spread out trading all kinds of patches (the hot patches that year were the Malibu OA flap and the South Florida CSP). Scout patch traders each have a unique personality. Some trade just National or World Jamboree patches, some trade just CSPs, some just OA flaps or will even specialize in NOAC patches or their specific lodges patches. Some try to get scouting patches from around the world, or any kind of patch from their district or council. Some specialize in the older rank advancement patches, and then there are guys like me who just love to trade any kind of patch. Another part of trading is what you do with the patches. People put them on jackets, blankets, neckerchiefs, flags, in shadow boxes, display cases, books or just put them in boxes. Patch trading is like treasure hunting. There I always a new treasure out there to be found. I was in South Korea in March and brought back some Tiger patches (the Koreans version of Eagle Scout), which I gave to my father, brothers, sons and nephews. They all loved it! Right now my two youngest sons (twin Tiger Cubs) like any patch that has orange on it, doesnt matter what it is for. The great thing about patch collecting and trading is, YOU develop your own Patch personality (made that up myself, Ha Ha!). And finally, it can be a great family activity (my 33 year old baby brother and I still show like to show each other our new acquisitions) and something that you can pass on to future generations.

Wheelman, Non-commissioned officers do not run the military. Employees do not run the store You got these two just backwards. Non-commissioned officers DO run the military. In the military, officers make the policy, but the non-comms carry it out. Employees DO run the store. Managers tell them what to do, put the actual work is done by the employees. In both of these examples without non-comms or employees you just have people making plans with no action. To apply this to scouts, if you dont have boy leaders, you have adult dictators and boy drones, and that is Marxist!

Our council runs a great Brownsea program, but in all there great wisdom have discontinued selling the Brownsea shoulder strip. Does anyone out there still have a scout shop that is selling them? I need three.

Jason, You might think about joining or starting a Venture Crew. It's all about High Adventure for both girls and boys! Your girls may not be quite old enough yet (the program is for 14 year olds and up), but if you start with a Crew now it would be good and strong when they turn of age. My daughter was a Girl Scout for 5 years until the troop just drifted apart (new teens, who can figure?!), but she saw a presentation by a national Venture member at the Council's banquet (her grandfather was awarded his Silver Beaver, way to go Dad!), and the young woman gave my daughter her full attention and encouragement when she talked to her. My daughter can't wait to turn 14 next year so she can get started!

Eleven year olds CAN lead other 11 year olds, or 12 or 13 year olds. My son just got back from Brownsea 22, and his mother and I went up to watch on Friday. It was amazing how much these boys had grown in leadership in just one week! This same week we took up our 15 year old ASPL to Junior Leadership Training (JLT) and he also grew by leaps and bounds. Fantastic programs for teaching new and older scouts the nuances of leadership. Additionally, our troop has an outstanding 14 year old as the Senior Patrol Leader (also a staff member for Brownsea), and is respected by the older 15-17 year olds. I think a lot of it has to do with how we as adult leaders are seen to support our youth leaders. If we show that we trust and support them, no matter what there age, then the other boys will feel that confidence in there leadership also.

Frankj is right, for most (there are exceptions) boys it takes a little parent guidance (pushing) to get the boys to work on MB's. I probably wouldn't have made it to Eagle without my Dad's foot once in a while. One thing we do is put the requirements for one merit badge in the Troops monthly newsletter and send a set home with the boys when we work on a particular interest during a meeting. As many of you have alluded to, I think many of the boys (especially the younger ones) don't know what the requirements are. By getting the requirements out to both the parents and boys, it has generated more interest in the boys, and a little more "guidance" from the parents. Interestingly, I looked at my old merit badge cards and realized that most of the MB's I earned where done in the summer and fall. I think it goes back to how busy kids are during school. I guess in that respect things haven't really changed from the 70's.