johndaigler

We start summer with participation in a Memorial Day Parade (counting this as a June Pack activity for the purposes of Summertime Pack Award) and end summer with participation in a Labor Day Parade (counting for August). If a Cub attends Day Camp (planned in July, naturally) that covers it. Then, to offer additional opportunities for the boys, we also plan at least one other activity per month (June - campfire/cookout; July - AA Baseball game; and August - Pack Overnighter). In Greg's case - attending one event each month covers the individual Cub. jd

So, HYPOTHETICALLY, you're moving cross-country. You're going to find a new home, school district, neighborhood and Scout Unit for your son. You've got an advantage though, you're a Scouter. You know what to look for. . . . Don't you? What would you look for in a Unit for your son (and, probably, yourself)? Would that answer be different for Cub and Scout Units? Would District or Council be of any help, or too politically correct to be useful? (I guess, one way to consider this is to decide what about your present Unit you would "sell" to a prospective Scouter .)

Friend4U, WELCOME! Nothing official, just fun. Your Pack may have turned this into a local custom - giving it more value, as a tradition, than an actual "rule". It may be near and dear to some hearts so ask around within the Leadership that has been there for a couple of years. jd

Champ, I do take it seriously. But, it's not the work, or the requirements, or the award that is worth taking seriously. What's worth taking seriously is our Purpose. By allowing any adult within 20 feet to be the adult partner, we distance Family from the boy and the activity. I don't care what the activity is, I don't care what the badge is -- it's not about the soocer game, the soccer skill, the soccer belt loop ----- it's about the Family and Cub together more, rather than less. Kids can get all the fun they want without Scouting, so what makes this Fun better? The Pur

Our Wolves used electrical tape to "whip" rope and then duct tape to tape together the two "whipped" ends to make the rings for ring toss. Kittle, your at the end of the wolf year - what you do these next two weeks should depend on what they've done for the last 40. But here are some ideas: do a quick check for some fun, simple electives they haven't hit yet - or consider(parts of) Leave No Trace. As Bears they'll need the LNT to work on the World Conservation Award and the CS Outdoor Activity Award. Is thee an area that the usual DL wasn't all that excited about? Maybe he/she stayed

Scoutnut, according to the Sports and Academics books, the Tiger may earn belt loops in a school setting, but working with the Adult partner. That's where my present problem exists. The "adult partner" is clearly defined in the Leader book as the adult who co-registers with the Tiger. Obviously that again leaves the school teacher out of the picture as an "adult partner". However, it would be counter-productive to disallow another parent, grandparent, or even a babysitter/nanny if the family is comfortable with the arrangement. Though we, obviously, can't be that flexible with the d

How does your Pack define "adult Partner" for Tiger Cubs? How strictly do you stick to that definition? Can any parent-selected adult serve that role on any given day? For example, can the music teacher be the adult partner in music class, thus allowing the Tiger to earn his Music Belt Loop in school? Can another Tiger's parent be the "adult partner" for a cub acticity like a pack campout? Some questions have come up for us and I'm looking for infor to help resolve an issue or two. Thanks for your help. jd

Thanks, BW! You should feel great about that -- and by sharing it with us, you make all of us feel great, too! jd

Unc, not sure what exactly ruffled your feathers, but I hope that flight has put them back smooth. Eagles are Eagles -- only non-Eagles would ever think to disparage them. And today's Eagles are every bit as Eagley as the ones who first flew back in the day! As an "oh-so-close, but just a Lifer" Scout, yet me say, You da man! - And so is every 13 - 18 year old with his freshly minted wings! jd

BW, please, go look at your first "future" comment. You paralleled my description of a hypothetical future to the LFL program begun 14 years ago. You used my words, making them your own. Your comment made me curious and I started finding out about LFL. In this thread, you haven't been helpful. Please, stop going round the word carousel. LFL is not BSA for "others" - it's different content and intent. It's not different because of it's target audience - it's different because of its messages and methodology. The differences go well beyond necessary changes due to open members

so then it's not intended to be what you suggested in the "future" thread?

BW, I hope you're not purposefully missing the point. But since I've seen how informed you can be, it does appear that way in this thread. Obviously, there would need to be programmatic differences; but to imply that the LFL is designed to bring the BSA Scout Program to "ineligible youth", but because of their needs cannot resemble the traditional Scout program is corp-speak at it's best. We know there are active Scouts and Scouters who keep their sexual orientation and faith private. The Program seems to work fine for them. LFL is certainly not a "tweaked" version of their BSA. Y

Greg, the pre-BnG day would have been before the early 40's not the early 70's! You need a little vacation - you seem to be feeling your age! Actually, you seem to be feeling your parents' age!! jd

BW, as far as you've gone, that all makes sense. In fact, that part you needn't have broken out for me - and I understand your comments regarding the words "welcome" and "eligible". My question is about the program. It doesn't seem to resemble the BSA National Programs for kids of the same age. It isn't delivered, structured or "methoded" in any way that I can see, as yet, similar to the Cub and Boy Scout program. As I've said before, given my limited research it most resembles a "PeaceBuilders" type curriculum for schools. That's a fine program to deliver in and of itself - I'm not

Temporary patch on the right pocket (pg 14 - Insignia Guide) jd

Can anyone tell me more about "Learning for Life"? I've been to the website and read some resource material. Has anyone worked directly with the program? Since, in another thread, it has been described as fitting this description, ". . . BSA will split off a program organization that has a more "open" membership policy. The BSA would remain what it is, but a BSA2 will come into existence (with program support from the "real" BSA - perhaps, less than publicly), which will accept Scouts whom aren't welcome into the present BSA. ", and I am uncomfortably unfamiliar with the prog

It's not a future I'd necessarily appreciate, but I see a Great Schism. I believe at some point BSA will split off a program organization that has a more "open" membership policy. The BSA would remain what it is, but a BSA2 will come into existence (with program support from the "real" BSA - perhaps, less than publicly), which will accept Scouts whom aren't welcome into the present BSA. No crystal ball here... jd

Doesn't "Young At Heart" count? jd I may be an old man, but I'm a young Scouter. Thomas Jefferson (sorta)(This message has been edited by johndaigler)

meckanic, WELCOME! Units don't create other units. There may be a willing CO in the next town, but that Troop/Pack would be a totally separate unit from your own. Just go over there and recruit. Bringing in another CO would take those boys out of your hands as they develop a Unit or two of their own. I think one concern you need to address is why boys choose other troops. You're definitely at a disadvantage without a school, but develop a great program with the boys you have and other boys will learn about it and start joining your unit. If you already think you have a great unit

Pack, I'd stay away from food prizes if you can. The simple worry would be allergies, but the real problem is children equating food with "winning" and "feeling good". jd

Tortdog, your original question is causing the grey. Your definitions (the Sistine Chapel is pornographic?) are such that if anyone answers D, they're lying, yet that's your desired answer. Comparing yours to an SAT question is inaccurate, since SAT questions have correct answers and go through rigorous testing to be sure they are not culturally biased - a test your question would fail. Are we talking about sexually explicit material having a place in Scouting?? That might have a simpler answer, but that's not the question you asked. Are we talking about pornography in a S

If you put your cell phone on a key chain and then loop that though the hole in your ear . . .

Welcome!!! You must be the only Dolphin Mom in Indiana!!! jd

I'm (CC, DL, and Pack Trainer) trying to convince my Leadership Team that we need to award rank badges (and other awards) as Cubs earn them. It's simple, it's the Program, it's the right thing to do. Unfortunately, by tradition we do this wing-ding of a BnG and everyone in the room gets a Badge or CS Logo coffee cup or a "Thanks" card, etc. I've heard most of the arguments and rationale for doing it this way and other locally unique ways. I'm not interested in debating the issue (again!). But, ... How many Packs out there do it this way? Anyone have a way for determining this? One o

Kahuna, I'm not a die-hard ACLU fan, but isn't their beef with the govt.? They can't change BSA, they can only impact how the govt. acts toward us in relation to how the govt. acts toward other private clubs. I don't think BSA is as important to the ACLU as we sometimes think. BTW, wouldn't ACLU lawyers argue that they're just freedom fighters standing up for the disenfranchised and those whom are discriminated against? Tortdog, Law is society's statement on "order" - not morality. We lock up bad guys, not because they're immoral, but because they gum up the works, cost mon