Jeffrey H

One thing is for certain. Packs that have "power grabbing" leaders like this do not last. The uninterested CO will get what it desires: It does not want to be bothered with Pack "politics" and complaints about the leaders it approves, so the Pack will eventually die and not bother them anymore.

I agree with dg98adams. I did not read where you reported your issues with the Charter Organization. Check with your Charter organization and/or your Charter Organization Representative. They need to know what's going on with the new leadership because they are the ones that approve all pack leaders and they can terminate them just as fast.

There are RED FLAGS here and some of it sounds criminal.

As long as don't declare you are an outright "atheist", you can pretty much declare anything you want about what you believe about "duty to God" in the oath and be a BSA member. Even an "agnostic" might not have a problem because he can simply declare what "duty to God" and "Reverence" means to him and that will pass for many units.

At the inception of the BSA in 1910, it was commonly understood what was meant by "God" in the context of the Judeo-Christian belief of a Supreme Being. Many Scouters, like myself, still hold to this ancient belief. The Declaration of Relgious Principle has been with the BSA from the beginning and can be found in the first edition of the Boy Scout Handbook (Handbook for Boys - 1911, Ch. VI-Chivarly, p. 250). Nothing new.

My daughter has no interest in Girl Scouts around here because in her words, "Dad, they don't do anything outdoors like the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts." Yes, they are two very different programs. Quite frankly, the GSUSA leaders that I see don't appear to be able to handle a good hike or too much physical exertion. So, their program stays indoors.

Seems like the only think they do around here is sell cookies.

Unfortunately' date=' this scout is getting his hatred from home so there is not much that we as scouters can do about that...[/quote']

 

How do you know his objection is "hatred?" I did not see that in the OP.

Yep. I've been to the National Museum several times and Mr. Hillcourt is nowhere to be found, not even in a remote corner. Mr. Hillcourt must have really hacked off the wrong people.

Ou CO Executive Officer has already written our Council Scout Executive stating our CO may not renew their charter next year if the membership policy changes. It would require a vote of the CO membership to do this, but it is a very real possiblity. I'm carrying on as business-as-usual with the Pack as if nothing is happening. If the policy changes, my personal future in Scouting is uncertain.

I am in a conservative District with conservative CO's and I do believe that the CO's will practice local membership automomny

Scouts Canada may have better looking uniforms, but that's all they have. They have suffered massive losses in membership since they changed their membership policy years ago. The BSA does not need to be looking to them for enlightenment. A quick google search for Scouts Canada and you will find the stories and numbers.

http://www.scoutscan.com/issues/membershipstats.html

The UC's in my district are nice guys and gals with years of scouting experience. We have had some that quitetly drop by and visit a Pack Meeting or Blue and Gold. Their approach has always been the same - they never interfere with our meetings and they never draw attention to themselves. Observing the unit they are assigned to is part of their job.

Our Pack is strong, thankfully, and our UC's usually don't have much they can do with us. Often, as I've witnessed it, they tend to direct their attention to units that are in trouble and need assistance finding leadership and direction. UC's used to be very active assisting units in the recharter process, but not as much anymore as more units in my Council use "Internet Rechartering."

Yep. I've been to the National Museum several times and Green Bar Bill is no where to be found. He must have really hacked off the wrong people. Sad. I joined scouting in 1973 and I guess our SM and ASM did not get the memo from National that the program had been "modernized." We kept doing the patrol method, regular primitive camping, hiking, outdoor skills, and all of that fun stuff. The 1972 edition of the Scout Handbook I had was a dumbed-down sorry version of the prior version it replaced. Interesting to note that the Camping MB that I earned during this time was not Eagle required and it does not have the distinguishing silver border around it.

I know of a couple of leaders that treat their uniforms this way and usually see them at RT. I think there are some that really enjoy the uniform aspect of the program and it reflects in all the do--dads on their shirts. While these things are annoying, I don't think there is anything we can do about it. I usually keep quiet and let them bask in their "uniqueness."

If I'm recognizing new Den Leaders, I present them with den leader position patches for their uniform. This is not much but they appreciate the fact that they do not have to go buy one. Hiking staffs make good appreciation gifts and you can add scout emblems to them if you wish.

I generally avoid plaques and certificates unless it's for a long-term leader that is leaving. If we do plaque, we also include a gift.

Yep. Sunday evenings is the day we have our regulary scheduled Den and Pack Meetings at our church CO. Many families in our Pack chose us because we meeting on Sunday evenings. Our Pack started this years ago due to conflicts with Saturday events and sports leagues. We have plenty of folks in our Pack that go to church and our sunday evening schedule does not interfere with those choosing to attend morning or afternoon worship services.

Faith said: "...but some of the other boys have a very strict regime for church and I am not about to stick my nose in that one."

It's best that you don't and never do. In scouting, respect for one beliefs and religious convictions is expected.

What you describe is quite common for most Packs, mine included. Base offers excellent advice about building community. Try not to take attendance at campouts or summer acitivites personally. Some people like the overall cub program but they hate camping. TIger/Wolf/Bear Cubs can't attend camp without their parent/guardian so they will not be camping if their parents don't like it. Our Pack campouts have about 25 to 30% attendance and these are the folks that like camping and are already invested in camping equipment. Summer activities are a challenge due to family vacations and other conflicts. My Pack does well to have 30% attendance at any one summer event even with advanced planning. The only time we might exceed 50% is Cub Day Camp. The bottom line is to enjoy the time with those that do attend these events because this is your true "core" group that will sustain the Pack going forward.

Our leader meetings are combined pack committee/leader meetings and what you describe is not really a problem in my opinion. We are all present together to hear each other and make plans. We never have 100% attendance but it works well overall. Oh, by the way, we don't have every committee position filled.

I've been Cubmaster now for 2.5 years and I have felt some burn-out even with good leader/parent support. Learn to say No even for those things that may fall under your responsibility. My family comes first and then scouting. I learned that I don't need to do everything to be a decent CM. When I say "No", I have found that encourages others to step up and fill the gap. If they don't step up, then the event does not happen. If I am doing everything, then no one has an incentive to volunteer. Sometimes, you have to let things slide. If a parent complains about an event that did not happen, that's an opportunity to ask them to help with the event next time around. Further, you don't have to be at every single event - take occassional breaks. Just let folks know ahead of time that you will not be there. Oh, did I mention the Council/District might ask you to do stuff because you are CM? I generally say no to District events because I'm too busy at the Pack level. Finally, have a succession plan and start targeting adults that can potentially take over your position. If you are ready to retire, make an announcement now that you will be stepping down within the next year to allow for a transistion time.

Our Pack is a uniformed Pack for our Den and Pack Meetings and appearing in public for special events. We also have Pack T-Shirts for active events. The only real complaint we have about the uniform is a concern that it might get torn or dirty at a physically active event. Parents appreciate the pack t-shirt option.

The downside of a pack T-Shirt is it does not readily identify the boys with the Scouting program. Sure, the shirt might say "Pack 123" on it but it's not the uniform. The distinictive look of the uniform with the necker is unmistakable to the public and who you represent. I try to emphasize this as a Cubmaster and take this into consideration when we plan events and how we should dress for those events.

Make sure an enthusiastic Tiger Den Leader is ready to take on the new tiger den. Yes, I know that it's supposed to be shared leadership with the adult partners but it works best when you have strong Tiger Den Leader to coordinate the den and keep things moving along. If you have weak, uncommitted leader, the "new" den will be a disappointment for the boys and they will move back over to the "better" den and then you are right back where you started. Don't split up unless you have to. If the current TDL has strong assistant support from the Tiger Partners, you can make it work with 14 boys and keep the dynamics you are enjoying right now. I've seen over-sized Dens work quite well and I have experienced one first hand.

Banana republic genreals? That's a good one. I think 3 knots on the shirt is enough (my personal policy and opinion). If anyone meets the requirements for an award (knot), they have the privilege to wear it. Our uniform guide remind us of keeping the uniform neat in appearance and uncluttered, but it also shows us how to wear muliple knots that would contradict it's own guidelines.

Non-sectarian means that the BSA will respect and welcome our Pack conducting a Christian scout's own service that meets the needs of our Pack family members. It also means they will respect and welcome our decision not to offer a multi-faith or inter-faith service. Also, we will be respected and welcome if we choose not do one at all.

I can't get some of my leaders to put on basic insignia, but they do a great job anyway. For many folks in my pack, they resort to three options: Use Badge Magic, hire someone to do it, or don't do anything at all. The art and science of sewing is lost, at least in my neighborhood. No one seems to keep sewing kits at home anymore. Needless to say, I don't bother with uniform inspections.

Don't care for the velcro application since it looks "temporary" and not as neat in appearance. As far as boy scout rank patches are concerned, you should sew those on. Takes only a few minutes with needle and thread.

"So I was looking at the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award today....and I wanted to ask others. While I love the idea of this award....I feel like it's whole purpose is to promote, there-by raising money for, District/Council Cub Scout Resident/Day Camp. I'm curious how others feel about the award...."

It's a fun award and popular with our Pack. It is true that to earn the award you do have participate in at least one official BSA resident camp or day camp event. I don't have problem with this because it is good for the boys to complete at least one requirement within the context of a larger Scouting activity and support your District. Not all of the requirements have to be done with the Den or Pack, they can also be done with your family. As far as fundraising, that depends on the District/Council running the camp and their financial needs for the coming year. Our District charges $60 for 5 days of Twilight Camp. I don't know if they make money or not because they also give out a substantial number of scholarships for boys in need to go to camp.

Our Pack charges annual Pack Dues of $40 per scout to cover the cost of awards, belt loops, pins, and handbooks/necker/slides for returning scouts. If a scout sells a miminum dollar amount of popcorn, he gets his annual dues for free. This approach works best for our Pack and we always have an adequate budget to fund the primary program. Money needed for den outings or den projects are collected at the den-level if the need arises.

Faith,

They are taking advantage of your generosity and you are being too nice. They may think you have "deep pockets" and enjoy doing this for the Den, but it's time to say "no" to outings/events to those that do not pay. Once you learn to say "no" and re-set expectations, the freeloaders will catch on pretty quick. What's the worst thing that can happen? - They will stop attending and that will be okay for your Pack and your sanity.

If he is a registered Cub Scout, I don’t see how you can keep this lad from attending unless your Pack has a minimum attendance/participation policy. Delinquent dues can be an issue but that depends on what the dues are used for in your Pack’s budget. In my Pack, dues are used to pay for awards, belt loops, new handbooks, etc. A scout that is delinquent on his dues would not receive his awards, but would not be barred from going to camp.

Ultimately, what determines the success of camp is an adequate number of adults attending from your Pack. Sometimes, one extra boy that signs up late creates a “seat belt†problem and the need for an extra car which may require another adult to attend. If you are maxed-out on the adult leader to scout ratio, then you can close registration to other boys until you get more help.

In my Pack, boys that have this amount of excessive absenteeism are usually dropped from membership at recharter time. We give the parents a warning first, then they are dropped from the recharter. Once dropped, the camping issues are resolved.

Should you take this kid to camp? He may not deserve it, but he may need camp more than your other boys. Going to camp might be the highlight of his year and you can help him make some great memories.

During the school year, Pack meetings are usually once a month and den meetings are three times a month. We build-in breaks for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break. When we have a Pack Family Campout, we count that as a Pack Meeting. We take a break from our regular meeting schedule for the summer and have Pack events at least once a month during the summer months.

I have been to the National Scout Museum several times and have never seen Green Bar Bill mentioned or displayed. That just seems wierd and a shame. He must have really "hacked" off the wrong people.

Typically in the BSA when requirements change, there is usually a "grace period" to finish up under the old requirements if they are currenly in progress. If not in progress, then they start on the new requirements. For example, boys that started work toward their Bear Badge under the previous handbook would stay with that book until they complete their Badge.