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Everything posted by Jeffrey H
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My son was in the Tiger cub program 17 years ago. It was very simple and required very little work from the parents. There was one book and it had iron-on transfers to create the tee shirt uniform for the boy and his tiger parent. . I just finished a year as a Tiger Den Leader. There is still just one book to follow, very little work from the parents, and was EASY and fun. Nothing complicated about it.
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Good looking uniform shirt. I don't care for the all polyester fabric. I prefer a cotton/poly blend. As for the pants, I don't care for front cargo pockets and the all polyester fabric. I'll stick with my centennial cotton blend canvas zip-off pants. This really annoys me. I just updated my old uniforms with the new centennial uniforms and now they do another update???
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The Cub Scouter Award (CSA) exists to recognize someone who makes a significant contribution to their Pack in positions of Committee Member, Committee Chair, Asst. Cubmaster, or Asst. Den Leader. The award is not intended to recognize those that primarily spend their time as Den Leaders and Cubmasters. I'm always a little suspicious when I see someone I know that has only served in positions of DL or CM and they also have a Cub Scouter Award. As for the Den Leader on the original post: It's not appropriate to wear two Den Leader Awards on the uniform even if earned twice. One knot is enough as a matter of good taste. Also, based on his own testimony, he was given the Cub Scouter Award improperly because tenure for one award cannot be used for another. You can't do anything about it now regardless of the error that was made. The award has been given out and cannot be taken away. To maintain good relations with your new Den Leader, I would not say anything more about it or make an issue of it. Move forward with a great Cub program.
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In my District, there is some flexibility. If a Tiger Den Leader commits to a "program year", which may only be a 9 to 10 month schedule, then that is enough to recognize him/her for the award assuming all other training and performance requirements are met. Tiger Den Leaders usually do not start their positions until August or September and then often move into a Wolf Den Leader position by the following June. Our District wants to recognize those parents that have made an important leadership commitment to the Cub program and not simply cut them off because they fell short of a literal 12 month period. My final answer is to check with your District officials or your Pack Leadership and see if the same philosophy applies.
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I'm the new CM for my Pack and I'm blessed to have a CC that is extremely active. Our CC actually plans and coordinates the Pack leaders meetings and coordinates Pack activities. We work together on planning and it's truly a shared partnership for the Pack. I can actually focus on the work of being a CM and not worry about Pack committee business. Quite frankly, I don't have time to be a "one man show". I like being CM and I plan to do it for at least two years but one of my first duties is to find my replacement. It's important to show parents that a properly run Pack is not a "one man show" and that shared leadership is normal. Delegating? Well, delegation is the way to go but delegation requires work and follow-up. You should not delegate to others and forget about it. As a CM, if I have delegated a Pack event to other leaders or parents, it's important for me to check-in one or two weeks in advance to see how things are going. In the voluteer world of Scouting, surprises and the unexpected will happen, but follow-up before the event will minimize those occurrences.
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Curiosity: How large/small is your district & Council?
Jeffrey H replied to moosetracker's topic in Open Discussion - Program
Our council (Circle Ten Council) makes up 12 counties in the North Texas area including one county in Oklahoma. We have about 19 districts that represent urban, suburban, and rural areas. One district may represent one suburban city while another may represent 3 counties. The council office/headquarters is located in Dallas. We have four council-owned BSA camps spread throughout the council. It's my understanding that we are one of the largest in the nation, but I have not researched that assertion. The Circle Ten Council was originally 10 counties that formed a circular pattern and that's where we get name "Circle 10." -
Hi Renax127, I'm currenlty a Tiger Den Leader and I'm not familiar with the term "PSa." Can you give me some background? If you want to avoid further comments from this board, send me a private message. Regards, Jeff
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The concept of Loyalty is keeping your commitments to those you have made promises or made a pledge. Trustworthiness overlaps into this idea. "To those whom loyalty is due" - these are the people that we make promises to and pledge to keep those promises. They may or may not earn or deserve our loyalty, but that does not matter. We remain loyal to our commitments.
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So what means do you use to get the Bobcat requirement on Child abuse completed? As a Tiger DL, I ask the parents to inform me when they have completed #8 at home. No test, no evaluation. I take them at their word when they tell me they have completed #8 exercices with their Scout. In Cub Scouts, the parents are Akela and can sign-off on their requirements.
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Chartered organization requesting fees
Jeffrey H replied to bokris's topic in Open Discussion - Program
I think this issue should cause us to pause and understand that church CO's do not operate in a vacuum and sometimes (and often) need our cooperation to help keep costs to a minimum. Our church CO is not struggling financially, but they watch their utility costs like most of us do anyway. Our Instituional Head or COR will politely remind our Troop to make sure we shut off AC or Heat to our Troop Meeting Hut when we are finished. A big part of our relationship with the CO is to be good Stewards of the assests that are entrusted to us. $50 a month is not a sacrifice to help your church CO. On the flip side, your Pack could volunteer time to the CO that could save them money. A boy scout troop in our area mows the grass and maintains the grounds at their church CO in return for the use of CO's building, utilities, etc. As Scouts, we are called to be reverent and have a "duty to God" and that can be expressed as supporting your church CO as a house of worship to God. If you are not a member of the church CO, then I would consider making a personal offering to the church as an expression of your appreciation of their long support of your Pack. My thoughts. -
I'm a new Tiger DL and I do use the Tiger Handbook as a baseline for den meeting ideas, especially when we work on Tiger achievements or do some of the electives. Another resource that has been invaluable to me is the "Cub Scout Leader How To Book". It has lots of great ideas to add to den meetings whether it's games, crafts, skits, ceremonies, etc. I've served as a Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Den Leader and the "How To" Book has been a great resource for all of those years. Also, the BSA "Sparklers" book is very helpful as a quick resource. I agree about the Leader Handbook. It's designed more as a Pack resource for the Cubmaster, Committee Chair, and Pack Committee members. It has limited value for Den Leaders.
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We have about 45 active scouts and we budget about $80 per scout annually. This covers all awards, pinewood derby cars, and any Pack meeting and supply essentials. We collect $40 per year for Pack dues. The remaining $40 is covered in Popcorn sales if they meet their sales goal of $200. If they don't quite meet their sales goal, then they pay extra dues based on their "shortage." If they go way beyond their sales goal, they could possibly cover all of their Dues plus receive a credit into their Scout account based on their sales. I won't do the Math here, but you get the idea (each Pack does it differently). Campouts: Scouts and their families must pay camp fees by a designated deadline or they do not have a reservation for the campout. If they pay, they will come. We do not cover the cost of annual registration and Boy's Life. Again, if they pony up a little money they will be more committed to the program and active in it.
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I have never been to LNT training and I don't intend to start. I have the guidelines in my hand and they are very clear. I learned the principles of LNT long before it was called LNT when I was a Scout back in the 70's. I think back then we called it "don't just clean up the campsite, but leave the campsite better than you found it." I have yet to find an acronym that will fit that phrase .
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Since "fitness" is one of the Aims of Scouting, talking about what we eat and drink is important. However, banning sodas and other suspect "junk foods" is not the answer. The answer is promoting a nutrtious diet that teaches moderation in what we consume. Moderation is the key in what we eat and how much we eat. My Troop informs our Scouts to avoid sodas at camps throughout the year and to drink lots of water. Water bottles are required. We usually don't have a problem in this area.
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Leader refuses to use immediate recognition beeds
Jeffrey H replied to OldSchool Scout's topic in Cub Scouts
A Den Leader should follow the Cub Scout program as closely as possible as given in the Handbooks. Further, they should be following the guidance of their Cubmaster and Pack Committee when delivering the program their Den. Granted, we Cub Leaders may perceive some things in the Handbook as "silly", but what we consider "silly" is very enjoyable for a 7 to 8 year old. My Tigers enjoy enjoy getting the beads. -
You need to tell her that you will come by and pick up her son before the meetings. I know that she has turned down offers for help, but I believe that you should take the initiative and announce: "Hey, I will drop by in a few mintutes to pick your son for tonight's Den Meeting and would like to continue doing this every meeting." Of course, if she says no you will have to back down. However, make it clear to her that she does not owe you a thing for doing this and it would be "your pleasure" to help out. Don't depend on her to help the Den. This is your opportunity to help her as a Scouter. Don't expect anything in return and you will be happier for it. Your scout can still finish on time. He should have until May or June before he crosses over to Bear. He may not receive his Wolf at the same time with his peers, but he still has time.
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Leader refuses to use immediate recognition beeds
Jeffrey H replied to OldSchool Scout's topic in Cub Scouts
I'm a TDL and the beads are part of the Tiger program and it records their progress toward the Tiger Badge. The Tiger Handbook is clear on presenting beads to the Tigers. I report them to our Advancement Chair the beads they have earned so they can be presented to them at the Pack Meetings. It's not rocket science to keep up with the Tigers progress. The Adult Partners are Akela and able to sign off on achievements and they typically know what their son has done from the book. I do believe it is the DL's job to keep track of Tiger progress. How they do it is their business, but their job just the same. The excuse that Tigers "receive enough awards" is a subjective opinion and not based on the Tiger program as it's delivered and described in the Tiger Handbook. -
I concur with the previous posts. Certainly, one ACM is good to have either for succession purposes and/or have someone to fill in for the CM when absent. Multiple ACM's can be utilized based on the needs of your Pack. At one time, I had the dual role of serving as ACM and Den Leader. The majority of my time was spent in the DL role, but was ready to step in and lead Pack Meetings when the CM was absent. I also would make sure that I attended the monthly rountables if the CM was not going to be there.
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Nice resource. Thanks for sharing!
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Moosetracker, Here's information for all your questions. You can also buy the CS Academics and Sports Programs booklet from the Scout Shop if you want to keep a copy for your Pack. Otherwise, here's a free resource: http://usscouts.org/advance/cubscout/a-sindex.asp
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He was not so big on the pins, though I know it signified more work, they just didn't interest him as much at the belt loops Yep, there is usually less interest in the pins because you can't wear them on the uniform like you can the belt loops. Strange, the pins require more work, but no place for them on the official uniform. The pins actually go on a Big "C" that can be placed on the optional cub scout patch jacket.
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I wear the full uniform as an Adult Leader in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts for the following reasons: 1) To show that I'm a member of a great youth organization that I believe in. 2) To set an example to the Scouts and Scouters for proper wearing of the full uniform. 3) I paid good money for my uniforms and I'm not letting them sit in my closet just because I'm saving them for a more "formal" event. 4) It is a method of the Scouting program. When Adult Leaders are more consistent with our uniforming, then we will see more boys doing the same.
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Money is also a factor in dropping out of Boy Scouts. Boy Scouting can be expensive or simply alot more expensive than Cub Scouts and payment shock occurs. Dues are typically higher and an active schedule of camping trips, summer camp, and various outings demand money and resources. We're struggling with that in our Troop today. We have pretty good retention and an active Trail to 1st class program, but we have lost some boys from families that did not want to pay. We have "Scout Accounts" to defray the costs, but if a Scout does not have a good fundraiser then he has very little money in his account.
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thriftyscout says: "What about the Scout who doesn't like to camp? Is there a place for him in today's Scouting?" If the boy has no desire to advance, it's possible. If he wants to make it to 1st Class, he will need to grudgingly attend the minimum 3 required overnight campouts. Once he's past that, he can pretty much advance to Life without camping anymore. If he wants to be Eagle, then he have to endure earning the Camping Merit Badge with the required 20 days and 20 nights of camping minimum. The camping requirements to advance are very lax.
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I concur with the others. Wearing your awards (knots) is optional. I have a couple of knots on my uniform that are very meaningful to me and I wear them out of appreciation. On the other hand, I have another uniform shirt with nothing on it but the basic insignia that I use in Cub Scouts as Den Leader. Honestly, I have "decorated" shirt that looks like a billboard and it's really over-done and little ridiculous and I'm thinking of removing some of the patches to tone it down. Like most adult leaders, I'm in Scouting for the boys.