infoscouter

Ditto to Bob White's procedure. You pay for prorated BSA registration and Boy's Life when you join. Optional to buy a handbook from us, ends up being around $15. After that we budget for recharter fees, new handbooks, neckerchiefs and everything else we need to run the pack. We raise enough in popcorn to cover $115 per Scout per year. Parents only pay if they don't fundraise enough to cover that amount. 90% of our boys manage to cover their portion. Parents have the option of monthly installments of $10 a month.

If you mean the Powerpoint slides that go with the course info, they're available on the same page: http://www.scouting.org/BoyScouts/TrainingModules.aspx Scroll down below the link for the course materials and you'll see the Powerpoint links.

BSA has "advice" for those with personal or unit web sites: http://scouting.org/webmasters/units.aspx They suggest you contact your council for specific guidelines. I don't know if all councils have developed these. As to continuity of the site, I would argue for using one of the template sites. I know our pack site is sorely out of date, because we're short on tech people right now. If we had one of the template type sites, we could update it much more easily.

This neat site has pictures of a variety of ceremony props: http://www2.dmci.net/~dmanchester/Props/Props01.htm including different kinds of candelabras. NOte that you have to click on the arrow in the lower right hand corner to advance to the next page of pictures.

The activity uniform usage is primarily in the Boy Scout literature. Here's a note on what the Cub Scouting pages call a "Special-Purpose" uniform. Emphasis added by me. From:http://www.scouting.org/CubScouts/Uniform/special.aspx Special-Purpose Uniforms While the official uniform should be worn to all den and pack meetings and formal events, the den or pack may designate a special-purpose uniform, such as the Cub Scout Activity Shirt (shown here) to be worn in place of the official uniform shirt for certain activities, such as sporting events or day camp. ****Except as noted above, the pack does not have the authority to make changes to the uniform, and should encourage proper uniform use by all members.**** Specifically: No alteration of or addition to the official uniform, badges, or insigniaor the rules and regulations concerning the wearing of the uniformis permitted. Uniform parts should not be worn with other clothing. Badges and other insignia should be worn only on the uniform (with the exception of a red patch vest that may be used to display temporary insignia) and only as directed by the Insignia Guide, BSA Supply No. 33066 The local council service center can provide unit leadership with guidance in any instance where the appropriate use of the uniform is uncertain.

While troops have the option of creating custom neckerchiefs and hats, I don't believe that packs have that flexibility. I would be concerned that the Scouts and parents wouldn't understand the distinction and would substitute the Activity uniform items (I am not fond of the term Class B :-) ) for the Field uniform neckerchief, which is not an option in Cub Scouting.

A Cub Scout moves up to the next program phase on June 1st each year. So your son will officially become a Webelos Scout on June 1. As such, he cannot 'go back' and earn Bear electives - he should begin working on Webelos activity badges and the Webelos badge requirements during your pack's summer program. See "The Cub Scout Cycle": http://www.directservicebsa.org/pdf/13-027.pdf If your son's Webelos leader takes his training this spring and gets a copy of the Webelos Leader Guide, he will see that this summer is a vital piece of the den's program. Webelos should camp several times a year. Skipping a whole summer cuts out three months when camping is at its best. Cub Scout leaders aren't school teachers - we don't 'get the summer off'. Packs and dens need to have some sort of year 'round program. Webelos dens can experience a lot of program during the summer. Your den leader is short changing your son and his friends if he doesn't offer these opportunities. You may have been offered the Lone Scout option because your son has an unusual situation. In addition there may be a perception that you're 'rocking the boat' by asking the leaders to step out of "the way we've always done it". But you're not. You are only expecting what *should* happen for the den, nothing more. Offer to help the Webelos den leader plan a summer program. If he sees that you're willing to partner with him to offer the Scouts a complete experience, he may be more willing to step up and fulfill his obligation.

A recent funeral I attended included a program with a BSA cover; a Scouting biography of the Scouter; in addition to other biographical info; a display of family and Scouting photographs and her Scout awards; reminiscences (sp?) by fellow Scouters; Scouts and Scouters as pall bearers and honor guard; and a minister who was a Scout and used Scouting as references in his sermon. She was buried in her Scout uniform, wearing her Silver Beaver, with lots of chocolate to sweeten her journey. Also, kbandit did remember right. This is from the Chaplains manual online: http://www.scouting.org/relationships/chaplains/index.html Funeral Service for Scout or Scouter This outline is merely a guide. The wishes of the Family and spiritual advisor take precedent. Processional Color Guard brings in US flag and Troop flag Pallbearers follow Scouts and Scouters in Uniform follow Opening Prayer Almighty Father, as we grieve the loss of (Name of Deceased), help us to remember his involvement with Scouting. Show us how he lived the Scout oath and law. We ask that you comfort us as we will miss his friendship and fellowship. Pastoral Comments (Highlights of the Deceased's life and Scouting accomplishments) Song: "On My Honor" Readings: (Listed below are some suggestions.) Psalms 23:1-6 Psalms 37:5 Jeremiah 29:11 I Corinthians 15:54-57 Comments from friends. "Scout Vespers" Closing Benediction "May the Great Scoutmaster of all Scouts be with us until we meet again, and may our footsteps lead unto Him." Taps Recessional

Our Council is also running a "Tiger-Mania" this spring. Each district is tasked with putting on several events aimed just at the new Scouts to keep them involved, even if their unit doesn't run a strong summer program. Typical events would be water bottle rocket shoots, raingutter regattas, trips to minor league soccer/baseball games, nature activity day at a local camp or nature center, etc. Just a couple hours where district level volunteers would run something simple. The boys would complete an elective or requirement or receive a belt loop or patch. We are asking our units *not* to participate if they can't commit to a full summer program that would involve the new Tigers and their partners. I our pack, I run the new Tiger dens each year for 2 months. I am the Pack Trainer and do *not* serve as a regular den leader. This allows us to let the parents ease into the shared leadership concept, get used to the rhythm of meetings and go-and-see-its, etc. It allows us to get to know the parents and make educated choices for leaders. It works well for us. I realize not every pack would have this luxury, but it might work for some units.

Public librarian, for the last six years. Before that, 5 years at a private business library, 5 at an advertising agency library/research department, .5 as a sales rep/trainer for a library software company, 12.5 as a law firm librarian. That doesn't count the 10 years I spent as a student aide working my way up to library technician during jr./sr. high school and college. My favorite G.S. merit badge was Books. I did some of my service for my Senior G.S. interest projects running a children's story hour at my hometown public library. I have a 40-year career in libraries, and I'm only 52!

I have the same numbers on my Pack membership card as on my district card. I believe you're only supposed to have one number. If somehow, you got registered in the two positions with slight variations of your name, ScoutNet may have assigned you two numbers, but I believe that is an error. When I filled out a form for a troop committee I'll be serving on, I wrote my ID # on the top, so the registrar can just add my multiple position. Also ensures that my new unit won't have to pay an extra $10.00.

I have some friends who are the Cubmaster and Webelos leader in a local pack, chartered by a Lutheran Church. There is also a troop chartered by the same church, although the two units didn't interact very much. Early last summer the Scoutmaster informed the church that she was stepping down, as the last of the boys she had brought over from Webelos had earned his Eagle. The church actually took the chartering relationship seriously enough, that they came to my friends and asked them to take over as SM and CC. It's amazing, because the troop did very little for the church. Now, my friends have worked really hard at cultivating a relationship with the church and its members - doing service projects, etc., so the church leadership had some idea of what a good chartered relationship is like. Out of 96 units in our district, I would guess that less than a dozen have this kind of relationship.

To reinforce what others have said with BSA published info: This is what is referred to as a "Council Organized Family Camp" From: Cub Scout Outdoor Program Guidelines for 2007-2008: "Council-organized family camps are overnight camping activities involving more than one pack. The local council or district provides the elements of the outdoor experience, such as staffing, food service, housing, and program. These overnighters often are referred to as Parent-Pal or Adventure Weekends. In most cases, the youth member will be under the supervision of a parent or guardian. In all cases, each youth participant is responsible to a specific adult. Leadership of these functions is provided through the family camp administrator, who is at least 21 years of age and has successfully completed National Camping School training in Resident Camp Management. It is his or her responsibility to promote, schedule, and oversee the family camping opportunities in the council. The family camp administrator has the responsibility to train family camp directors and other staff who will be providing leadership for the family camping activities." http://www.scouting.org/cubscouts/resources/13-361/index.html the Age appropriate Guidelines showing Wolves as being eligible for Family Camping http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/resources/18-260/chart.html.

Our pack gatherings start at 7:00 and finish no later that 8:30 - usually 8:15 or so. We try and stick pretty close to the themes, but how much gets incorporated varies Pre-opening & displays (usually den projects from the previous month) Opening ceremony - rotates between dens - assigned at pack planning conference in July Pack formation and uniform inspection Skit/song/story from Cubmaster or other leader Awards Sometimes a den demonstration Above takes 20-25 minutes Rest of meeting is spent in activities - games; theme/activity related stations; craft activity (for instance - we devoted a meeting to the Emergency Preparedness award w/ stations for various requirements) Cubmaster's minute Closing ceremony Clean up

>For the Pack to charter it needs two leaders for each Den. >It doesn't need a ACM to charter or recharter. Actually, Eamonn, the leadership requirements for a Cub Scout pack to charter are: a committee chair a Cubmaster two committe members *a* den leader (this used to be one den leader for each level -Tiger, Cubs and Webelos - it was changed several years ago). At one time, an Assistant Cubmaster was required to earn the QU award, but the new CQUA does not require it.

I don't ever remember having an anniversary banquet as part of my Girl Scouting experience. I have heard of units having father/daughter dinners, either on a troop basis or on the service unit level. I do remember that we typically had a Court of Awards (similar to a Court of Honor in Boy Scouts) during March, which is Girl Scout Anniversary month. The only food involved was typically cookies and punch.

Calico - I can attest that there are indeed National Camping Standards for Cub Scout Day Camps. These standards fully apply to the typical volunteer-run, held at a local park, district operated Day Camp. These camps are under the auspices of the Council Camping committee, even though sometimes they're treated as an afterthought, or shunted off to a subcommittee of Cub Scouters. I have been certified as a Day Camp Director twice at National Camping School. I've been 'inspected' and 'visited' by accreditation committees and received the little pennant (10 times). I have also been on the accreditation team for local day camps, and ensured that the camps met the National Camping Standards. Unfortunately, I can't answer John-in-KCs question about NYLT. Ours are held at one of our council camping properties, but it's the activity that operates the standards (day camp, resident camp, family camp), not the facility itself, AFAIK. I know I've never seen camping standards specifically for a training course camp. I don't know if our council camping committee would consider this event under their purview. I know that the courses themselves are run by our training committee.

Beavah asked about how we go about observing people in action. For Cubmaster, our candidates have been Asst Cubmasters, fellow committee members or active parents, so we have been able to see how they worked with the Cub Scouts and other adults. For den leaders, during the time the committee member leads the den (usually two to three months), there is an opportunity to interact with the parents, see who does well in shared leadership (for Tigers), who steps up for field trips etc. As to are we trained - yes we have 100% trained leadership. Since we're a Cub Scout pack, we don't get input from the kids, except the indirect input you observe when you see the kids flock around a particular adult. I would endorse that idea for a troop. As to Bob White's comment - we do also check references. In addition, we run our own criminal background check at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. These are our volunteer standards from our Parent Handbook: "Pack 512 appreciates all of those who want to volunteer. Unfortunately we cannot accept everyone who applies. All volunteers must complete the Boy Scouts of America Volunteer Application prior to serving as a volunteer. Den Leaders and other volunteers who work directly with the scouts must complete both the BSA application and Pack 512s Application and Background Check. Pack 512s application authorizes the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to provide extended criminal background information. The Boys Scouts of America and Pack 512 have high standards that determine who is eligible for leadership. The goal of these standards is ensure the safety of the Scouts. As parents, we want you to be confident that adults who are working with your sons are providing a safe and well-run program. To make sure this is the case, all registered leaders attend Cub Scout Leader Training and Youth Protection Training. Once Pack 512 has received the application, Pack 512s Chartered Organization Representative will perform background and reference checks. Based on this information, the application is approved or denied. Applicants may be turned down or removed from a volunteer position based on any of the following reasons: 1. Information contained in their Criminal Background report. a. Any Crime Listed as a Felony or Gross Misdemeanor. b. Any Crime prohibiting the applicant to work in childcare, health care or volunteer position within the Anoka Hennepin School District. 2. Failure to meet the qualification standards of the Boy Scouts of America, the Northern Star Council, or Cub Scout Pack 512. 3. Bad chemistry of the applicant with the pack. (One who cannot get along with others.) 4. Being a poor team player. (One who prevents others from being effective.) 5. Inability to serve in their position effectively. 6. Failure to complete leader training within one year of registration. Those who cannot serve as a leader or work directly with the Scouts, may still qualify for other positions within the pack. All applications will be handled in the strictest of confidence. Please consult the Cubmaster or Chartered Organization Representative for any questions regarding the volunteering process."

We've gradually come around to something close to the suggested procedure. We create a prospect list, rank them as to first, second, third choice,etc. We then offer the job to the first choice. This applies to all positions - including den leaders. If that means that a pack committee member operates the den for a while while the selection process takes place, so be it. It has also meant that the committee chair has performed the Cubmaster's job for one or two months during the selection process, but that's just what is supposed to happen (it's in the CC's job description).

Council managed camps (day camps and resident camps of all levels) operate under the BSA national camping standards. One of the mandatory standards for all camps is that the council appoint a physician to serve as the supervising camp physician. "The council will appoint a physician, licensed by the state to practice medicine, to be in charge of medical care and health supervision for the camp. This supervisory physician will be responsible for providing written instruction (standing orders) for the camp health officer to follow. The physician must approve the employment of the health officer and be available to support the needs or concerns of the health officer throughout the camp season" (from the Camp Health Officer training) This individual does not have to be present at camp. However, s/he writes the medication orders and procedures under which medical (including the administration of medications) is handled in your council camps. These are the rules that are followed at camps - in general the Guide to safe Scouting procedures apply to *unit* operations, not council level activities. Remember that districts don't operate independantly of the council - district level camps such as Cub Day Camp are extensions of council functions, in this case the Council Camping Committee. In dScouter's case the NYLT event is a function of the Council training committee. I don't know if the National Camping standards would apply to this event. However, that doesn't mean that the Standing Orders provided by the council physician couldn't be applied to this event. The professional advisor to the camping committee will likely be able to provide the contact info for the council physician, and may have a copy of the current standing orders. In my council this event is multiple (5 one week sessions) long. We have documented procedures for all aspects of this event, including Health and Safety. I don't know for sure, but imagine that standing orders have been produced for this event. This event has a national syllabus and operating manual. While I haven't seen those documents, they well may address this question. Again, the professional advisor to the training committee may know these answers. This course operates in much the same way as a Wood Badge course - any course directors out there? I would bet the issue is addressed in the WB Course Director's materials.

I am registered as 1) Pack Trainer, 2) District Member at Large, 3) Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner, 4) Troop Committee Member. Yes - I know - too many hats. Happily I am able to only work part time. My full-time "job" is Scouting. When I most recently registered with the troop, I wrote my membership # on the top and noted "dual registration" on a blank part of the form. I know it might mess up the optical scanning of the registration, but that's O.K. because it will force the registrar to notice the multiple position and make sure I get added properly, so the troop doesn't have to pay for me. It will also mean that multiple records don't get created for me in ScoutNet, which can happen with variant name spellings, etc.

Our Chartered Organization is our PTO. We make sure that our Chartered Organization Representative attends all the PTO meetings. We take a visible part in our PTOs events at school, with Scouts and leaders in uniform serving as waiters at the spaghetti dinner, running a booth at the family fun night, etc. We also do a grounds clean-up and plant flowers in front of the school every year. We emphasize to the parents that since they have children at the school, that they are all members of the PTO. That makes them owners of the pack, since the PTO "owns" the pack. We present a report to the PTO each year showing how we have contributed to the school through service, citizenship training, etc. Gradually, we have built up the relationship to the point that the PTO puts our activities in their newsletter, and advertises our recruiting events in their e-mails to parents. It helps that parents of our Scouts are often officers in the PTO. They help the PTO understand how having the pack contributes to the health of the school and how we share the same goals.

For the U.S. Flag, you might check with a VFW or American Legion post. The best thing to do is to put these items in your pack budget and hold a fundraiser to support your needs.

I have a son with autism, so hopefully I can help. I also work with our council's Special Needs district. Autism disorders are described as being on a spectrum. This means that a wide variety of symptoms and behaviors can be included in the definition of autism. Behaviors can be quite mild or very extreme. If the young man does join the troop, find out from his parents his specific behaviors and the management techniques his teachers and parents use to address them. Consistency across environments is important. Naturally, find out about any medications he is taking. There is a new edition of the Scouting for Youth with Disabilities Manual #34059 http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/ItemDetail.aspx?cat=01RTL&ctgy=PRODUCTS&c2=BOOKS_LIT&C3=PAMPHLETS&C4=&LV=3&item=34059&prodid=34059^8^01RTL& It includes a section of working with Scouts with autism. Here are some other resources: http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org/pages/225_serving_scouts_with_disabilities.cfm?redirect=yes http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org/download/3500_specialneedshandbook.pdf http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org/download/2426_autism.doc You may want to create an Individualized Scout Advancement Plan (a Scout version of an Individualized Education Plan) http://www.wwswd.org/ http://www.wwswd.org/individual-plan.htm Please let me know if you have any other questions

Here's a gondola - you could fill it with mints or little Cub Scout figures made of pipe cleaners: http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/cutpaste/feature/famf39kidcot/famf39kidcot7.html