Jeffrey H

For most of the BSA, I suspect there is a big don't-ask-don't-tell de facto policy in place.

It would appear so. When an adult submits a leader application, I only ask questions that are within the content of the application itself. I dont believe that the adult application even asks the orientation question. When an adult fills out an application, he/she is signing off on agreement to the mission of the BSA, its oath and scout law, and the DRP. If he/she agrees to that, I really do not need to ask any further questions.

Now, if one of our leaders decides its time to tell all, then he/she will have to deal with the decision of our charter organization and/or local Council.

"Truth be told, even though I feel our pack has an awesome program, and I feel we really work it hard....it is not outside of reason that some parents may have chosen our pack only due to location, the night we meet on, because "X" goes there too...Then you have soccer, football, basketball, single parents with multiple kids where the oldest son may have to babysit due to mom or dad being at work, etc.... I look at it this way: If your pack only has 4 kids, and they are having a blast and enjoying it - then you have a great program! "

I can tell you that alot of folks choose our Pack because we meet on sunday evenings and our neighborhood location.  Families with boys involved in saturday sports or activities prefer our meeting schedule.  Sadly, whenever we try to move to another weekday for a special event or campout, attendance plummets. I think we have a fine active program with committed leadership but we can't give ourselves too much credit. 

We lost 3 brothers soon after we recruited them because of a single mom that could not afford the uniforms for three boys.  We wanted to help her with uniforms but told her that her sons needed to remain active and show commitment before we would assist with uniform purchases.  They never came back.  We've given out free uniform shirts before but only to see the boys never come back, so we never just give out free stuff anymore. 

I agree that big numbers are over-rated and a Pack can get too large (e.g., critical mass is reached where the meeting facilities become too small, scout to adult leader ratio becomes too large, or not enough "quality" leaders to keep up with growth).  On the flip side, you can have a great pack program with only a few boys, but you will run into a problem at re-charter time if you have less than five scouts.

Interesting process from the OP. In my District, the responsibility for taking care of the re-charter falls to the unit leaders. Pack leadership is responsible for preparing the re-charter, obtaining all necessary signatures including the executive officer and unit commissioner. Then we deliver to the Council Office with our re-charter money. When everything is approved, the Charter is mailed to the unit leader (CM or CC). No ceremonies, no framed Charter, just "get it done" and move on.

The only time I heard from our Commissioner was a phone call to remind me that our re-charter "will be due at the end of the month." It appears that commissioners do not get closely involed with the process unless their is a unit(s) that is not going to re-charter on time or threatening not to re-charter.

Not complaining. The process works pretty well and our council uses the internet re-charter process that reduces errors and paper.

"In our pack, it's always been 'until your son ages out'."

Yep, our Pack has the same expectation and that seems to be the "default" setting regarding tenure. My youngest son is going through the Pack right now and he will not age-out for another 3 years. I've been doing adult leader roles (DL, WDL, ACM, ASM) for quite a while starting with my oldest son, but I don't think I am willing do another 3 years of CM even though I had a very good first year. I better call the CC and COR and re-set their expectations and get the succession plan moving along.

I realize there is no definitive answer to this question, but as I think about my potential successor and transition plans what is the recommended time that a Cubmaster should serve?

In my pack, uniform inspections are performed at the Den level at the DL's discretion. When performed, they are done in a friendly and fun environment. I've discovered that occassional reminders about good uniforming are better than having inspections.

There is nothing to be gained by emabrassing a cub scout and his parents in front of everyone by pointing out that something is out-of-place on his uniform. If something is blantantly wrong with his uniform, you can mention it quietly and politely with the parents and then move on to more important matters.

Uniform inspections performed by UC's in our Distirct are unheard of and not expected.

"The comment of retirement has come up a time or two not only among others, but also herself. Problem is that she won't let go."

She may not want to let go because she may not have any other "hobbies" or interests outside of Scouting. Just a guess but that is sometimes the case. She should be dismissed because of behavior unbecoming of a Scout leader. Always being cranky and rude are grounds to find a replacement or just leave the position vacant. We have behavior expectations of our boys and the adult leaders must set the example.

I enjoy Scouting, but I do not want to put myself in a situation where I cannot let go. I could easily hand over my CM duties to a capable, enthusiastic leader. Transition/Succession plans are important.

(This message has been edited by Jeffrey H)

We have 33 in our Pack for our re-charter this month. That's 33 active scouts. We have found that 30 to 45 scouts is an ideal size for our Pack and a size our church CO can easily accomodate.

We experienced a "revolving door" last year. Our recruiting efforts added added 16 new boys to our roll last year but we also lost 17 due to various reasons. A net loss of 1. This paints a picture of just how critical to do planned recruiting at key events. If we failed to recruit, our Pack would have re-chartered with about 17 boys.

Sorry that happened. It's a good idea to keep a hot iron off of plastic buttons for any shirt.

I bought the Fieldbook and have enjoyed going through it. It's not meant to be read front-to-back; it's a resource book. I love the outdoors and possess some good outdoor skills but I'm not that good. The Fieldbook has been a good resource for "city boys" like me.

I bought the last edition of the Fieldbook on ScoutStuff.org for $4.88. Go to the "closeout" section of the website.

My grandfather began his 80 year "career" in Scouting as a Lone Scout in 1922 at the age of 12. There were no BSA Troops in his area of rural south Texas, but he was eager to be a Scout and as soon as he could join a Troop he did.

Rural communities and remote areas of the country are still with us. There is still a need for the program and it is just as relevant for today as it was in 1915.

Simply claiming to be "Homeschooled" is not a good reason to be a Lone Scout regardless of what National allows. Neither is wanting to keep your child out of a youth group a good reason. Physical disability/illness or living in a remote area where getting to a Troop is difficult are the only good reasons to sign up as a Lone Scout. I have nieces and nephews that are homeschooled and they are at home only long enough for their education and then they have "extracurrilar" programs away from home that they attend. We have a homeschool boy in our Troop that is enjoying his Scouting experience.

"There are plenty of parents today that take a VERY active role on their children's job hunt. Including attending the interview, negotiating salary, and calling HR."

What you describe is the fastest way not to get a job in my part of the country. 

Scouting seems to be the only uniformed organization I know of where people resist wearing the uniform and will devise every excuse not to wear it.

This could be because there is no threat of being removed from the organization if you don't wear it correctly or wear it at all.  Uniforming is a method in scouting, but it is not required for membership.  Enforcement of uniform policy is really at the Troop level.  To use your "baseball team" analogy, you might not be allowed "to play" if you don't follow the enforced rules of your Troop. 

So, I have a small troop of 8 scouts. We are not associated with a Cub Pack. I need to recruit, and our DE says to recruit at the Webelos Dens, and he gives me a list of the packs with a cubmaster's name and phone and a WDL name and address.

As a Cubmaster, I would welcome your call and so would my Webelos leader.  We often find ourselves reaching out to Troops when it really should be the other way around.

Our Pack has a long-time relationship with a Troop XYZ in town and we have often provided new scouts for them.  We are in close proximity to them which has fostered the relationship over the years.  They assume, by tradition, that we will bring them new boys year-after-year.  Well, this year none of our Webelos Scouts will be going that Troop and that took them by surprise.  The main reason I believe the Webelos did not choose Troop XYZ is because the SM and CC did not return phone calls or e-mails in a timely manner.  In some cases, they failed to call back.  This did not leave a good impression for me and the Webelos leader.  We always let the Webelos decide what Troop they want to go to, but I can tell you that I did not make any recommendations that they should consider Troop XYZ.  Troop leadership that does not return calls is a Troop that does not need any new recruits.

Lesson:  Do not assume that a Pack that is in near proximity to your Troop will be knocking on your door.  Reach out to them and invite them to your Troop activities and campouts.

We have one official scale...period. Our derby rules clearly state this with no exceptions. Adjustments to the weight can be made before race time. I'm grateful that I have parents that don't really care that their car does not weigh in at 5 ounces. Many are happy with 4.7, 4.8. Easy-going parents - thank goodness!

The Pack winner this year was a car that weighed-in at 4.8. Weight is a factor, but it will not give the desired effect if the wheels and axles have not been prepared. I witnessed many cars that were 5.0 oz and did not fair well.

PW Derby is not my favorite event - Too much planning, too much preparation, workshops, and too much hoopla for a 20-minute race. I'm always glad when it's over. If I could take it off the pack calendar I would.

"...I'd like to get a few for 2010 for the boys who were at that one, too."

AnnLaurelB,

It's your Pack and nothing wrong with going back and awarding for past participation even if 2 years have gone by.  Do what you think is best. 

Is that a Cub Scout thing? I have never heard of it.

Cub Scouts can participate.  My church is the CO for our Pack and our Pack has participated on Scout Sunday.

"Any ideas on how to get him on board?"

Continue to uniform by example, but I recommend dropping the matter.  The BSA is not the military.  If he is truly a help to your Troop and supports it, then count that as a blessing.  You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink it.  As one poster mentioned, "is this a hill to die on?"  As a unit leader myself, what is more important to me is the overall character of our co-leaders and the personal example they set before the young scouts. 

Kudu states:

"Here is a video of our Chief Scout Executive explaining why it is wrong to expect 12yo Hispanic Boy Scouts to sleep in tents: "http://inquiry.net/leadership/sitting_side_by_side_with_adults.htm

After watching the video, it becomes apparent that the BSA has an identity crisis at the national level.  I sympathize with our CSE's vision to reach youth from different backgrounds, but I do not agree that we should do that at the expense of moving away from the outdoor method. 

Wood Badge in Spanish: How else are Mexicans going to learn that Hispanics hate camping?

Jeffrey H writes: "That's news to me. Care to elaborate?" Jeffrey, Since 1972 Wood Badge has used "diversity" as an excuse to move the Boy Scout program away from camping, and replace Scoutcraft with "character and leadership." Here is an example of the "Urban Youth" program introduced the year after our current Chief Scout Executive began his Scouting professional career: In general, Patrol Leader training should concentrate on leadership skills rather than on Scoutcraft Skills. The Patrol will not rise and fall on the Patrol Leader's ability to cook, follow a map, or do first aid, but it very definitely depends on his leadership skill. http://inquiry.net/leadership/index.htm Here is a video of our Chief Scout Executive explaining why it is wrong to expect 12yo Hispanic Boy Scouts to sleep in tents: http://inquiry.net/leadership/sitting_side_by_side_with_adults.htm

Yes, I'm quite familiar the 1972 "Improved" scouting program because I saw those changes first hand as a scout from 1973 to 1977.  It was a weird time and I knew scouting was going in the wrong direction.  Fortunately, my Troop rejected those changes and we continued our Troop program of primitive camping, backpacking, and a patrol method that followed the philosophy of Bill Hillcourt. 

Is History repeating itself?  Possibly.  Eagle scouts can make rank with mimimal camping and outdoor experiences.  I was at an Eagle COH recently where the young man had only clocked 31 nights of camping for his 6 year tenure with the Troop.  We can scream "foul", but he met the written requirements for making Eagle.

I spent about 2 years with a Troop that could  not seem to get beyond "drive up" camping at State Parks.  No backpacking, no hiking, etc. 

"If you want to wear the name of your town,.......But don't bend the uniform insignia rules in order to include it on your shoulder. It doesn't belong there."

Actually, community strips indicating your town and state pre-date council patches and were official at one time.  Wearing community strips (if you can find them) is acceptable in my opinion if your Troop chooses to go that route with their uniforming.  They look great, historic, classy, and do not violate the "spirit" of the insignia guide.  The BSA consider uniforms that were once official always official.  Even the red berets can still be worn by Troops if you can find them.

"How else are they going to learn that Hispanics hate camping?" That's news to me.  Care to elaborate?

The Boy Scouts of America, along with the leadership of National executive board member Jose Nio invite you to the first-ever Spanish Wood Badge Course at the Bechtel Summit in West Virginia to be held in conjunction with our friends from Scouts de Mexico. Certain segments of this course will also be conducted in English. Oscar Santoyo | All Markets Strategist BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA Program Impact

Not a problem for me.  This sounds like we are simply fostering goodwill and information sharing with our scouting brothers/sisters from Mexico.  I see nothing in this post to indicate that Woodbadge is becoming a bi-lingual course on an on-going basis. 

When I became a new Cub Leader, what I was looking for in theses courses were hands-on examples since I'm not very creative and art-challenged. Most important, I needed a list of resources that I can pull from for ideas long after the course is over.

I still don't understand the obsession with including girls in BOY SCOUTS. (cap for emphasis, not yelling). I can only imagine the reaction of GSA if my son wanted to join one of their troops. I believe in a co-ed world for children, but some things ought to remain by boys and for boys.

I understand your position. However, many scout associations and around the world are co-ed at all ages. Now, I'm not saying the BSA should do that but just an observation. I applaud the Cubmaster of this Pack of at least trying to be "above board" to register this girl rather than just putting a uniform on her and sneaking her in. Registering her through LFL was a clever move but I'm not sure how well that is going to work in the long-run.

One question I have is she covered by BSA insurance like the other Cub Scouts since she is officially registered through the LFL program? This one will be interesting to watch.