infoscouter

We present the graduating Cubs with their next neckerchief and book. Our graduation happens at our spring pack campout, so the ceremony is tied to the theme of the campout. This year's theme is space, so I plan on doing something with planets or rockets.

National Supply sells a holder you can add to the flag pole, which allows them to display better and not tangle: http://www.scoutstuff.org/streamer-holder.html I have also seen units attach them to a second flag in the manner of a coup stick: http://www.nativecrafts.us/barred-turkey-coup-stick-p-1147.html

My most effective FOS presentations are 1) short & 2) personal. The council may give you lots of facts and figures to spout. Know the most important two or three points. Let the brochure or handout cover most of the rest of the stuff. Tell a personal story about how Scouting and camp have had an important impact in your life, or that of your son. Let that story talk for you about why your families should support Scouting. Keep it to ten minutes - max. Tell them you'll be glad to answer questions at the back of the room. Do try and collect the Cubmaster's or Committee Chair pledge card in f

It won't help for this year, but next year, phrase it as an "early bird discount". If they have the fee in x amount of time the price is "discounted" to whater it really costs per Scout. The "regular" price includes the late fee. Somehow, telling them they're getting a deal makes people more willing to get things in on time (somtimes). Other things to try - "save the date" type reminders 4 or 3 months early. Time speeds by for people - it feels like things you know to expect (like annual dues) sneak up on you. Make sure dues/recharter deadlines are on the annual planning calendar, and pub

In our district we have a "Spousal Award" which is awarded to supportive spouses at the district dinner. Too few of them are handed out IMO. There is this: http://www.scoutstuff.org/wife.html - which is a certificate (there's a husband one too).

In addition to what's mentioned above, the OA is supposed to promote long-term camping in their council. and support the Cub Scout outdoor program: http://www.oa-bsa.org/resources/videos/cubscoutguide.pdf

In "BSA Speak" family camping is a council or district operated event, run by trained staff. It's not taking your family camping . If your council runs a "Dad and Lad" or "Mom and Me" or "Fun with Son" weeked end - THAT's Family Camping, in BSA's parlance. Our council also runs Family Camp at our two long-term Boy Scout camps. This is a staffed camp, with program elements, BSA swim and health form requirements for a week. Usually its the spouses and families of Scoutmasters who attend, but doesn't have to be. http://www.manypoint.org/content/family-camp

The Cub Scout who showed up in purple, gold and black Zubaz with his uniform shirt finally pushed me over the line. I started encouraging "generic" blue pants.

It was not uncommon for "society" women, such as Daisy Gordon Low, to use maiden names as a way of keeping a connection to a prominent family. Now days you see it with many prominent women in government and industry - Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Among the women who attended my all female college is is also a convention. I myself use my maiden name, and my married name as my legal name. They are not hyphenated - just three names.

The idea behind the ambient temperature showers was part of the sustainability of the Summit. See: http://www.summitblog.org/so-whats-the-story-on-showers/

You could have a plaque made that the donor is able to display at their business. Some with like: "With appreciation for your donation to support xxxx's Eagle Scout service project benefitting xxxx"

Thanks for the information! Have you participated in it any specifically? Any significant issues you've run across so far? (Yes, I'm nosy.) We had our first successful Lion den last year, after a previous attempt which didn't 'gel'. I generally like the program. Its low key enough for five year olds, and the materials incorporate solid direction for parents on how to be involved with their son. Our Grand Adventures took awhile to take off, but I know of other packs who were more successful with them. We converted a parent to a Tiger leader for this year, who has committed to taking traini

The camping standard which referenced a minimum number of square feet is apparently no longer in force. I just had this discussion on another list, and took the opportunity to look at the newest standards: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/outdoor%20program/pdf/430-056.pdf. There is no reference to size of tents.

Our council (Northern Star) moved from the pilot phase of this program to full implementation last year. More than 75% of our packs have a Lion Cub Den. The program is very much like the old Tiger Cub program. There is one den meeting and one "Grand Adventure" (field trip) each month. At this time, Northern Star is the only council officially offering this program. I do not know if there are plans for a national implementation. More info: http://www.northernstarbsa.org/YouthPrograms/CubScouts/LionCubs.aspx http://www.northernstarbsa.org/Forms/Membership/LionCubsProgramFall%202012Info

The Guide to Safe Scouting indicates that all co-ed camping has to have co-ed supervision. I can't imagine that Philmont will let them trek with just two female advisors.

We actually see this milestone as three separate events. 1) the Scouts who are eligible receive their Arrow of Light 2) all Scouts "graduate" from the pack 3) those Scouts who have chosen to join a troop cross the bridge and are greeted by their Scoutmasters and SPLs. We have both used and not used the bridge for our graduates who are not moving on to Boy Scouting. They are still passing out of the pack and onto another stage of life. We had their parents meet them at the end of the bridge.

I've gotten backdaters from my DE in the past when I was running day camps. I believe you they are on the BSA intranet, called "MyBSA". The professional staff used to get CDs with them on a long time ago [Tells you how long I've been around! ].

We have recently received guidance from our council, based on IRS "private benefit" rules. This is what was printed in our annual Program Planning Guide: "Some units allow youth to accrue portions of funds raised in an account under their name, rather than billing families that don’t participate equally in the fundraiser. To prevent violation of IRS “private benefit†rules, the youth member should not earn more than 20% of the total net profits from a fundraiser; the funds may only be used for Scouting purposes reflected within the scope of unit activities; and

The pick in which I serve as Cubmaster just turned 50. What have your units done for anniversary celebrations. We are particulary interested in contacting former Scouts and leaders. Anyone have creative ideas for finding unit alumni?

This is from the Guide to Safe Scouting (it is point 10 under Leadership Requirements for Trips and Outings: Single-room or dormitory-type accommodations for Scouting units: Adults and youths of the same gender may occupy dormitory or single-room accommodations, provided there is a minimum of two adults and four youths. A minimum of one of the adults is required to be Youth Protection–trained. Adults must establish separation barriers or privacy zones such as a temporary blanket or a sheet wall in order to keep their sleeping area and dressing area separated from the youth area.

There has been talk for about a year now, that all the Cub Scout materials will be changed in 2015, so we have a couple years yet, I think. The info is buried in the latest strategic plan somewhere.

Our Council has a couple day camps where siblings are welcome, but I believe they are grouped separately from the Cub Scouts. It's not a "Tot Lot", they do the same things the Cubs do (with age appropriate program), but they get patches, lunch, etc.

The achievements that are counted towards the badge can't be counted towards arrow points, but some electives have spaces to show where they can be done multiple times, this may be where the confusion arose. Check the books, but I believe you'll find spots to intial multiple times on some pages.

Anything you make with ground beef can be "healthified" by subsituting ground turkey or ground chicken. Once ground turkey is mixed with taco seasoning/chili seasoning/spaghetti sauce, the taste and texture are very similar to ground beef, with much less fat. Substitute Canadian bacon for pepperoni or use turkey pepperoni. Or turkey sausage instead of beef sausage. You can also get whole wheat pizza crust. You can even get low fat cheese. Make sure there are nutritious sides. Carrot chips are a big hit with Scouts at our events.

Anything you make with ground beef can be "healthified" by subsituting ground turkey or ground chicken. Once ground turkey is mixed with taco seasoning/chili seasoning/spaghetti sauce, the taste and texture are very similar to ground beef, with much less fat. Substitute Canadian bacon for pepperoni or use turkey pepperoni. Or turkey sausage instead of beef sausage. You can also get whole wheat pizza crust. You can even get low fat cheese. Make sure there are nutritious sides. Carrot chips are a big hit with Scouts at our events.