kahits

I finally got a hold of my DE and he said it was fine to use either type. Apparently they have a Christmas sock in the scout shop that comes with a 4 sided neckerchief, and it was their impression the change was made to cut down on material cost, much like the Tiger cub totem going from leather to plastic. Now I think the whole design of the neckerchief needs to be reconsidered, starting with the type of fabric, and weave pattern. If this is going to be a more useful uniform component, the light cotton broadcloth there are using is probably not going to hold up to being used as a tool. Tha

Thanks, FScouter... there is at least the possibility the neckerchief is one part of the uniform that is optional in it's design. I found this website: http://www.mninter.net/~blkeagle/uniform.htm that had this to say: Scouting Uniforming ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The uniforms of the Boy Scouts of America have changed many times since the first uniforms were introduced in the early 20s. Before that time, military uniforms were used as the first uniforms for Boy Scouts and Scoutmasters. Today, the BSA's uniforms a

Thanks, for that great deal of information. I had thought it was further back when they material was cut in half, but that explains alot. I think the amount of fabric involved will be the issue, for the troop leadership, and as I mentioned, I'm still on the outside of actually having much say in how they do things, other then this crossover for our Webelos. I think all of the pictures I have seen of older scout uniforms look so great because the neckerchief is full, and not just a uniform accent. Maybe I can have her make a few like that, and see how it looks... I like the larger size, as

My son's Webelos II den will be crossing over into an old (1938, 2nd oldest troop in the State) local troop that is in serious need of new leadership. I was informed by my DE that we should consider this troop for many reasons, along with that obvious one. I plan to take over the CC postion, next summer, and my Cubmaster replacement at the pack will follow a year later to take over the SM position. When I asked about a troop neckerchief for the crossover (next month) the troop committee informed me they had been using a custom, hand made neckerchief that was now down to one, unissued, necke

Thanks, SemperParatus... PM sent. Wallace.

Our bear joined Tigers during the Spring roundup. He bridged to the Wolf den in May and went to Day Camp in June. He loved it all.. wearing his Wolf neckerchief over his camp tshirt. Last year he was one of 3 Wolf cubs, but his mother (his father is deceased) was without a car, or a recording machine on her phone, so she kept showing up for den meetings on the wrong days. That years Wolf den leader was a father who really did not want to fill the position, because of his other committments. Both of his kids both dropped out, after he had to leave his law practice and go on his own. This

In addition, for whatever it is worth... our pack is small (less then 25 boys), but he and I were asked to help one of the other local packs, who's leadership left with no one to step into the positions. The DE was recommending that if they could not get new leaders to volunteer, they would start coming to our pack and den meetings, until things improved. It showed me just how much a capable UC can do to help in these situations, and how much work he has cut out for him, in this one. I plan to try and help after the crossover to try and get them some den chiefs from the troop, and to maint

I guess I have to agree with you... and yes he is the UC for our pack as well. I think it did help him to take all of the work involved more seriously, but I do think he enjoys the silver loops for what they are. How all of that will help him, once he realizes how much work it will be to do both the DL and CM positions, I can't say. I know his UC connections will help, but he will still have to do the work, and this pack has always been lite on adult leaders. Too many single moms bringing their boys to the pack for some adult male mentoring and not enough of them willing to do much more th

You make some very good points, Bob.... most of the packs around the university are struggling, but the DE is committed to keeping that from happening. There just aren't any other packs that are close by, so we all try our best to get organized, trained, and do the best possible round up, in the fall and spring, with limited results. I am the CM and Webelos II DL, so all of that is going out the door at the B&G in Feb.06, but I'm trying to help these 2 dens to include the bear in with the wolf cubs, since that appears to be the only real option, or until more Bears can be recruited. It

Thank you all very much... just to clarify, our pack serves a college campus neighborhood (UNM) that has all the trappings of that kind of population (lots of single moms looking for adult male leadership...). It's a liberal elementary school, for sure, but the program still has a purpose. Dealing with the parents who can't quite embrace the perception of BSA, with a boy who can't wait to get in can be difficult, but I have learned to do whatever it takes to get that boy in the program, even if it means you get walked on by his Akela. We definitely have holes in the dens, but each year it s

Thanks, Bob.... I am looking forward to leaving the CS experience behind me. Having been the driving force to keep the Pack viable for the past 2 years, and this the 3rd year, February can't come soon enough. One of our den leaders volunteered for the Unit Commissioner position, so I think he is going to do fine as my CM replacement. The training will definitely work fine, and I am planning on taking Wood Badge, a year before the SM position opens up, after the ASM's who are ahead of me have had their opportunity. I have a 13 year old daughter, waiting for her 14th so she can join Venturi

Thanks, ASM7... I will get the ASM training, in the very least, and won't be having to deal with the SM position for quite a while. Right now they need help in recruiting Webelos,and I have no intentions of having my son be alone in his age group. I was mentioned as a possible SM replacement from the DE, but there are other ASM's who can take point, while I get a better idea what the program entails. The AOL ceremony is the 29th of November, and that will give a few months for getting ready to crossover in February, and the Klondike towards the end of the month. Thanks, again. Wallace.

Hey, everybody... I'm now into my 5th year of Cub Scouts (First 3 years as Tiger, Wolf & Bear den leader, and last 2 as Cubmaster, one summer as day camp program director) and in February my son, Aidan, will be crossingover into Boy Scouts, with his first campout on top of Mt. Taylor (NM) for Klondike. He's still loves the program like the first day he made me take him to a Tiger Cub roundup. I grew up on the Standing Rock Sioux reservation in Ft. Yates, ND, where I went thru most of Cub Scouts (Wolf, Bear, Lion.. I think.), but lost track when we moved off the rez, and never got into B

We have a small CS pack that currently has a Wolf den of 5 boys and a Bear den of one. I'm wondering what ideas or advice you all might have about how to go about doing this, and if it's advantageous? Thanks,