Herms

We camp by Chapters.

CC, What does your boy like to do? Is he into computers, get him started on the Computer MB. Model rocket or trains, Space Exploration or Railroading MB. Cars - Auto Mechanics MB. Animals - Reptile Study, Bird Study, Dog Care or Pets MB. The list goes on and on. Just because he is working on Tenderfoot doesn't mean he can't work on a Merit Badge as well. Boys go through phases with Scouts from interested to wanting to do nothing. I did, and my boy at home does to. Just recently he was in a down phase, just wanting to play video games and nothing else. He took a backpack trip to the Grand Canyon for a week and came home fired up. Summer camp can have the same effect. Maybe rethink taking the summer off, but instead go with him to summer camp. Another thought I just had was my boy also went through a time when he didn't want me to "always be the leader" so I stepped back for awhile and let him have his time. Last thing, if the Troop is not active find another one! Good Luck, Herms

We also had a young boy with disabilities and allowed him to do the swimming requirements with a PFD. If his fear of the water causes him undo stress, teach him how to use a boat or create an additional hiking requirement for him, or some other physical activity that he could do. Take a look at this site on what the process entails: http://usscouts.org/advance/boyscout/bsrankalt.html

Can't agree with Wisumahi about the whole knot thing. We live in a much different world then when you and I were Boy Scouts. I have a couple different uniforms, one with all of the knots and a couple without. The boys love the knots on an adult and I think it adds a little respect for your expierence. If you look at the kids of this generation they love lots of sight and sound! Ask almost any boy if he would rather do lashings or work on a computer and what is his answer?! The young adult leaders of today are the same way. If I can get more help and attendence at activites (where WE can teach the Oath and Law) by giving them a few pieces of cloth or a couple pretty beads, I'm giving them. Vigil knot, sure why not (no pun intended). If a young man will go the extra mile and provide more "Cheerful service", I'm all for it.

Get them out to visit the troops EARLY. For years I have watch Webelos leaders bring their boys on the overnight trip in Oct or Nov. For many boys this may be there first expierence camping and they come during the coldest time! From what I have seen the Webelos who get out with Troops in Aug and Sep on campouts hang around longer as they had a better first expierence during the warmer days.

Smokeybear, I would view these as three seperate participations and would sign.

hops_scout, Keep up the great job! We need leaders like you in the future. Just a couple of suggestions: -requesting rather than demanding -not acting superior Be careful with these two topics if you are applying to a military academy as they will be training you to be an officer where there will be times you will need to demand instead of request. You are also expected to act superior as an officer. (Observations from someone with 24 years in the military). However, if you did use the first idea you could explore when to request and when to demand, adjusting your leadership style to fit the situation and people etc... Could be a very good topic.

Lots of good ideas. It is sad that we have to discuss this at all. In my opinion this is something the boys should be learning from their parents and we shouldn't have to contend with it. Funscout sparked a memory of scout camp from the 70's when we had to shower with "sun heated" water so our showers were always quick!!

Welcome!!! Let the young adults (I don't call them kids anymore) do the planning AND organizing! Don't be afraid to let them fail as that can be a learning tool also. For example the Crew had a two day backpack trip planned. We all showed up on the Sat morning to head out and found that the young adult responsible for the Tour Permit had forgot to turn it in. In addition the young adult responsible for buying the food "hadn't gotten around to it". The trip was cancelled (with some grumblings), but I will tell you that 3 weeks later both of those same two young adults were well prepared. One told he she felt terrible that she had let the group down, and it wasn't going to happen again. Peer pressure was way more affective than anything any of us "older" adults could have said, and the kids learned a valuable lesson.

I whole-heartly agree with John. You had a greater impact on the boys by showing your personal integrity and telling the truth, that you would have if you would have lied. You did right Eamonn! Trustworthy - A Scout tells the truth. He is honest, and he keeps his promises. People can depend on him.

My daughter "tagged along" for years and is now in a Crew and loving it! I currently have a Wolf Den with the sister of one of the boys who participates in most of the activities (she is also a Girl Scout (I bought 5 boxes of cookies from her) but enjoys our program more). I also have a couple of younger male siblings who I try to get involved where I can. These are our future scouts! But in so saying you have to be careful with activities where they could get hurt as they are not covered by the BSA insurance.

Lots of different ideas. My two cents worth. NEVER cotton socks. They soak up sweat, are harder to dry and may cause blisters. For long treks go as light as possible. We try to get packs down to 20-25 pounds. Get a pack down that light and then wear 4 lbs of boots doesn't make sense. I won't do leather for about the same reasons as the cotton socks, if they get wet they are hard to dry. Now on the flip side if you are hiking in an area with a lot of rocky slopes you want something that is a little more rugged and ankle high, which will save you ankles some scrapes. Research and BE PREPARED for the area you will be going in to.

Great catch BrentAllen!!

Nope, about the closest you will get would be the Emegency Preparedness pin (http://usscouts.org/advance/EmergPrep.html) or High Adventure Training (HAT) Wilderness First Aid (which goes over the BSA strip).

Welcome Kudzu, Once you get Scouting in your blood it's tough to lose it! As far as where to start, the Cub program and Boy Scout program from an adult leader standpoint are quite different. I have two boys in Cub Scouts (twins), an older boy in Boy Scouts and my daughter is in a Crew, and I love working with each group! SemperParatus did a good job of outlining the different areas you could get involved. As you can imagine the interaction with each group is different as the maturity level is different, but the bottom line is I am getting to spend QUALITY time with my kids in a fun environment. My recommendation would be to start simple. Start right now! Find the Pack your friends son would join, and start going to the Tiger Den Meetings, that way when your friend's son starts you can sign up as the new Tiger Den Leader! PS - If your are in New Mexico we'll take you!!!!!!

We do a mix of both and usually get in about 3 backpacking trips a year. There is some spectacular back country to see! The boys are able to develop a different skill set than normal car camping, plus there is something about exploring new country that just appeals to the boys (and us big kids)! We are going to Havasupai (the Grand Canyon) next month, which is a favorite of both boys and adults. I think that one of the reasons some troops don't backpack as much is that it takes much more preparation to do a backpacking trip than a simple car camp, but once you get the boys trained it seems they enjoy it so much more.

It has been a source of amazement to me over the years how one man's vision has made such and impact around the world. I was in Korea, Singapore and the Philipines last year where Scouting is growing stronger every day. In Manila, Philipines they have a very cool museum with lots of old photos and momentos of B-P. In Singapore I got to talk to a Scout about their advancement system. In Korea much the same. In the words of B-P "As you pass through this world, wittingly or unwittingly, whoever you may be you leave a trail behind you. Others will notice and may follow it. It may be one that leads them to good or it may be one that leads them astray. That depends on you."

Welcome TS! You have the right attitude. We can't always control the actions of others, maybe, just maybe we can be an example to not only other adults but more importantly to our sons and daughters.

We've tried this a few times with both the Pack and Troop with lest then steller results. What most parents seem to want is action photos. We put up dozens of pictures on the troop website for parents to download, put up pics on our troop board at the church, and both the Pack and Troop put out a yearly CD of pics for a $2 fee which the parents of both groups really enjoy. Additionally, every three months we do a 15 min. slide show of campouts/events to show boys what fun they had (or what they missed) as a way of getting them fired up for future campouts/events.

Parents didn't seem very interested.(This message has been edited by Herms)

I also agree that it is the MOST important part of the uniform. When a boy makes Eagle, if he has never worn a neckerchief is it right that he should he be presented one at his Eagle COH?(This message has been edited by Herms)

Make it simple for yourself. Print out a nice saying on a nice sheet of paper with a border. It would likely mean more to them than a small trinket. Here is another favorite of mine: To laugh often and much: to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children: to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends: to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition: to know if one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. -Ralph Waldo Emerson (This message has been edited by Herms)

I used this at our B&G a couple weeks ago: A Heap It takes a heap of working with a boy, to make him a man. A heap of care and patience, and youve got to understand That he wont be any better, than you were as a lad, Unless a spark is kindled, to show him what is bad. He looks to you for guidance, and he looks to you with pride Its up to you to demonstrate, you cant just let it slide. For with that eager mind of his, he watches you each day; Judges you by what youre doing, not just by what you say.

I posted the version the boys sing (mostly to me!) on the 2nd page of the thread. I don't find it offensive at all. Heck I originally taught it to a group of Webelos six years ago! I can't tell you how many pack meetings (the majority) that I have been to where the boys just sit there an LISTEN. A pack meeting is about showing and doing. Showing off the things they have accomplished during the month and doing something. Songs are a great way to get the boys INVOLVED in the meeting, but like everything else if you tell them they have to do something, many times they will groan and give a half-hearted attempt, but if it is their idea they will jump right in. Lastly, even though these boys are only 6-11 give them a little credit for knowing that it is just a fun song. My boys (and I really think of them all as "my" boys) sing the song at me all the time, but are still respectful the rest of the time. PS - One of the boys from that first Webelo group just got his Eagle last year and requested that I read the "Eagle Charge" at his Court of Honor.(This message has been edited by Herms)

Every year it seems to be a struggle to get boys to the showers (mostly the younger guys). Any "fresh" ideas on how to get boys to take a shower at least once during the week of camp?