infoscouter

Actually, the Webelos Scout handbook is the only place where active has a specific definition, which includes attending meetings, paying dues and a couple other things. The question becomes is the boy "doing his best" to make it to meetings and participate as much as possible? Is *he* skipping meetings or is it a question of Mom & Dad making something else a priority? Can and should a den leader penalize a Scout for not being "active enough" when he has no control over whether or not he attends Scout activities? When a sit down with parents doesn't result in improved attendance, does the den leader then draw the line, denying the Scout his award for something he cannot control? Every den leader has to search his or her own heart and examine whether they are applying an objective standard to that boy. He cannot be compared to the standards the other boys meet - he needs to be evaluated on *his* best - not his denmates. Just because another boy has better attendance than the Scout in question does not mean that they each have to meet the same standard. They each have to do their best. If the Scout is doing his best to attend and be active, then I believe he should receive the award and not be penalized for his parents failures.

No, it is not unusual for a Cub Scout pack to see a need for a Boy Scout troop and instigate the creation of a troop. You seem to have a charter org, so that's a good basis. Follow the procedure in the link - where you seem to be at step 3. Get the pastor to appoint a COR. Have a meeting with the COR and identify leadership prospects. Follow each step. It's worked just this way for decades, and will work for you. Be prepared for it to take some time. Training before you get started is very helpful.

In "A Handbook for District Operations" item #34739, 2007 printing, the District Activities and Civic Service Committee has as one of its responsibilities "Promote and conduct displays and skill events: (a) booth shows, (b) camporees, © first aid contests, (d) swim meets, (e) window displays and (f) shopping mall shows. The District Camp Promotion and Outdoor Committee "provides outdoor programs that most units are unable to provide on their own, and outdoor programs are often the main reason youth join a Scout unit. From Cub Scout day camp to high-adventure programs, this committee helps make exciting outdoor programs available for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturers." Camporees are not listed. We often call this committee the camping committee, but you'll notice the official name is Camp *PROMOTION* (emphasis added). One of the committee's main jobs is to track the outdoor program of each unit (partly through tour permits) and encourage each unit to have an active outdoor program. My district operates in the same way as yours kahits, which seems to be the way BSA envisions the committees operating. In a small district, I could see how these roles could get combined into a single committee. BTW - the publication is silent as to *how* the Activities committee carries out their responsiblity. I have seen it delegated on a rotating basis to troops who volunteer to plan and run the event. I have seen it all run by adults. I have seen the OA have varying degrees of participation. If the committee presents an exciting event, in which the majority of the troops in the district participate, perhaps any of those method is valid?

The materials are sort of extensive, and not mine to post. If you care to join the Scouter_t group on Yahoo! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scouter_t/ you can see the materials prepared by another member of that group in the files section.

Last year, someone at the Aloha Council used Excel to make a "fill-in" version of the chart and then PDF'd it here: http://www.alohacouncilbsa.org/calendar/content/Pack%20Program%20Planning%20Chart.pdf They haven't posted one for this year, and the PDF isn't fillable. If you can make a fillable PDF with some program, so if you can scan the chart, that's one possibility. Another would be to use Excel and copy the fonts, etc as closedly as possible to create a chart that mimics the one in Program Helps.

You're welcome, but be aware you'd be walking a fine line. You as Scoutmaster and the Webelos Den leader have to be on the same page about not making the Webelos Scouts into "Junior Boy Scouts", but allowing them to continue to experience the full Webelos program in parallel with the troop program, not as a "semi-sorta" patrol. They are still Cub Scouts, they are still a den. They will just be seeing more of the Boy Scout program than a den typically does with single evening visits. Remember, too that Cub Camping guidelines will still apply to these boys - they can *visit* camporees, not camp. When they camp with the troop (or as a den), they are supposed to have parents along. *But*, if they're going to camp, introduce them to your menu planning and food buying process. Have a Boy Scout help them make a duty roster. Have a Boy Scout demonstrate what to pack, and then have the Boy Scout do their gear check. You get the idea. It will be like having a set of rotating Den Chiefs you can shuttle into their den meetings for a skill instruction, without totally pulling him away from the troop. Your big plus will be the ability to prepare the parents. They need a lot of help making the transition. This will allow them to get comfortable with the controlled chaos of a troop meeting, and seeing the boys run things. Plan a series of 15-30 minute parent meetings where one aspect of Boy Scouting is covered (advancement, troop management, camping, and so on).

I understand your concern. I can understand why the future of your troop has so much invested in recruiting these boys. That said - don't take them until they and their parents are truly ready. How much camping have they done as a den, where the boys set up the tents, make the duty roster, do the cooking and the KP, pack their own clothes, etc.? If they haven't done enough, September, October, and depending on your climate November would be great opportunities for den meetings and outings focused on those skills. I have heard of troops and dens at this stage of transition where the Webelos start meeting at the same place and time as the troop. They have a joint opening, then during the troops skills instruction time the Webelos have a den meeting. If you have Boy Scouts to spare they could help teach an activity badge session during that time. Depending on the nature of the activity, the Webelos come back for the interpatrol activity and the closing. These joint meetings would be great opportunities for parents to see the Boy Scout troop in action, to see "boy led", to meet with you and an ASM or Committee member to learn how Boy Scouting will differ from Cub Scouting for their boys and themselves.

Physically fit is the one that pops to immediately. Kind is also something I struggle with. I tend to be judgemental. Sometimtes my tongue gets sore from biting it - sometimes I should bite it more often.

We are one of two "training" districts in our council. These districts are those to which new pros are assigned when they are hired. They are also the two largest districts in the council, in terms of numbers of units served. The DEs are the junior of a two professional team. A DD or Senior DE is assigned in each district. They serve as a supervisor/mentor to the new pro. S/he usually serves 18 mos - three years in the district and then moves on to another district, if a position is open. Consequently, over the years I have seen many DEs come and go. Some lasted as little as 4-6 months before moving on or moving up (mostly up). Our council seems to do a good job of retaining staff and promoting from within when we can. Several of the trainee DEs from our district are still part of the council staff, either as DEs or in other positions.

We've offered this course for three years. This year we're ramping up to twice a year. The syllabus for this course is not available from National Supply, AFAIK. It was supplied to me as a BIN item. I *believe* it is available for professionals to order from the National Council or to download from MyBSA (that's the intranet for the professional staff). The BIN item number is 13-33640. Someone at your council office should be able to order the syllabus for you. The format for the the training which is concurrent with IOLS keeps the Webelos Leaders with the Boy Scout leaders for 20 minutes of several of the sessions (knots, woods tools, etc.) then the Webelos leaders are pulled out and instructed about the Webelos aspects of those topics. There are other sessions which are totally separate from the Boy Scout leaders. I'm going to PM you with more info.

I also think it's also not appropriate for them to wear them while they are the color guard or flag bearers in a flag ceremony. (I thought I had a cite for that somewhere). Other than that - what the others said.

We have several "non-geographic" Scoutreach districts in my council. As you can infer from the description, they do not serve a particular area, but units w/in existing geographic districts which serve Scoutreach populations. One is concentrated on Hispanic populations, one on African-Americans, one on SE Asian populations. Another non-geographic district serves special needs youth and adults. We also have three geographic districts which are considered Scoutreach. http://www.northernstarbsa.org/Districts/

Just a note. Den flags and yells are not reserved for Webelos. Every den should have them, from the Tigers on up. They should be part of every pack meeting. The den flag should be posted by the den's seating area at the pack meeting, and be used in the den meeting, along with the U.S. flag. Den yells are great for recognizing a den's participation in the pack meeting; and for cheering den members when awards are presented.

Well, to continue the pedantry, Webelos are Webelos - no such thing as 1 and 2 or Jr. and Sr. Just Webelos. Just because most packs have a den of 4th graders who are Webelos Scouts and another den of 5th graders who are Webelos Scouts, doesn't make a whit of difference, they're still all Webelos. So, the sooner the better as far as I'm concerned.

what do you mean by audit? Is there a question about the finances? Do you need to do a financial audit? If so, I assume you'd do the same thing as you would for any other audit. Where did the money come from, how much came in. Where did it go and how much is left. Or do you mean to conduct a unit visit, such as that conducted by a commissioner. If so, there are tools in the Commissioner literature (checklists, etc.) which will help you with what to look for, and how to assess the unit.

One thing to consider is to have the Popcorn chair (Kernel) not be a registered leader. Sometimes parents will be more receptive to the message about the value of a fundraiser when it doesn't come from someone in a uniform. In addition to the fact that earning money for the Scout's account relieves parents of paying for everything, and teaches the Scout to be self-reliant, these are some other positive results of participating in fundraising: Fundraising isn't *just* about making enough money to do great stuff. There are hidden educational purposes which we are trying to achieve. By taking part in fundraisers Scouts learn: Social skills - they have to speak persuasively to adults whom they do not know. Character - they have to overcome their shyness and be brave enough to walk up to someone's door, or approach someone in a community setting and make their sales pitch. Goal setting - they learn to choose what they want from the experience (camp funds, prizes, etc.) and then gain the satisfaction of meeting that goal. Fellowship and community building - all of the Scouts are working together to fulfill the needs of the pack. They learn that a few people, working towards a common goal can achieve a great deal.

Pack meetings used to be structured so that there was a 15-20 minute portion where the boys left the room, and the parents and the leaders met separately. While going back to this every meeting would be overkill, we still follow this pattern 2-3 times a year. It allows us to talk about "grown-up stuff" without boring the boys to tears. (I only discovered the old method in some historical documents after we had been doing this for a couple years). Otherwise, we rely on newsletters and e-mail.

I grew up on the edge of the BWCAW. As many of you know, while the mosquitoes are bad, the sand flies (black flies) are vicious. Unless we were absolutely filthy, my mother only *let* us bathe once a week. When we were dirty, we attracted fewer biting insects. I don't know if it was that we didn't smell "clean" or if the scent of Breck shampoo wore off. Living outdoors in the summer, we tended to wash with products like Dial and Phisohex - nice medicinal smelling stuff which made us less attractive to critters.

Many service members are working through the "Green Zone Council", and another similar organization (in Basra?) to assist Iraqi youth who have joined the reconstituted Scouting organization there. Here is one way to donate: http://www.spiritofamerica.net/cgi-bin/soa/project.pl?rm=view_project&request_id=119 WOSM is also assisting Scouting in Afghanistan.

12PTS

If you can a Scout interested, you may want to have him take the new Den Chief Fast Start. http://olc.scouting.org/courses/dc/base.html Some of the reluctance may be because they don't have younger siblings and don't have any idea how to relate to younger boys. The online course does a good job with information about boy behavior, etc.

Sorry - I made an assumption. Very often the "double-dipping" question comes up when people are trying to find a one size fits all solution. Trail building is probably beyond the scope of Wolf Scouts. Create a rain or butterfly garden for your school, Chartered Org. or a local park. Plant trees or native plants for the park district/conservation district. Invasive species removal would be another possibility. All of those would work for World Conservation. A "Leave No Trace" related service project should focus on one of the principles of LNT. Making trail signs, distributing LNT info, making a LNT presentation at a school event, etc. would be appropriate.

A local troop has orange t-shirts and neckerchiefs. They meet in "The Halloween Capitol of the World", so the orange has a particular meaning for them. The orange neckerchiefs are for younger Scouts. When they earn 1st class they receive a different version of the neckerchief (black w/ orange embroidery, if I recall correctly). So, while the orange makes their boys easy to spot, that's not the reason they wear it. I would think that some other troops might have similar local associations with a color. In a small town, with one high school, they may use one of the school colors, for example, to identify with their locality.

Oops - a couple more thoughts. The upholstery fabric is going to be heavier - advantage is that it will flap around less, and might negate the need for a dowel in the bottom pocket. An alternative to the dowel would be drapery weights. They are used in high-end window treatments to keep the curtains hanging straight. Another fabric option would be heavier weight rip-stop nylon. Again, this is an outdoor fabric, which will stand up to rain, sun, etc. It will require weighting since even a heavier thickness will flap more. This may need to be purchased from an online fabric supplier specializing in outdoor/adventure fabrics.

If you want to use fabric, look for outdoor upholstery fabric. One brand name is Sunbrella. This is fabric designed to cover cushions on deck/patio furniture. It is designed to be outdoors and can stand up to rain, resists fading in sunlight, is resistent to mold and mildew. I see it often at our local fabric outlet, where you can buy supplies like this for less than at a typical retail fabric store. This would also be my prefered venue for purchasing vinyl.