kari_cardi

I think they are just jumping on the blog giveaway bandwagon. It's advertising for the products, the organization and for the blogs. I see similar giveaways all the time on the cooking, crafting and mommy blogs I read. I'm signed up. ;o)

We do a practical blend of all the methods listed. If positions change in August or earlier, we do new adult apps. If positions change in October, we'll wait for recharter. The IH signs the charter, isn't that in essence approving the new positions? Scouts fill out new apps when they change units, including moving from the pack to a troop.

We've had a similar influx from another pack. Our DE knows, he referred several of the families to us. I think it does matter to him because part of his job is to retain the boys that are currently registered as well as increase the number of registered scouts. We can't handle too many more boys, new or transfer, and the other pack isn't recruiting or retaining effectively. The main issue we have is that the transfers are seeking financial assistance. Our pack doesn't mind helping families out, but there is a limit to how much we can afford to give. And these families have not yet inv

We had a two-man den last year for Tigers, both from scouting families. I thought it was great. Like ScoutNut said, few scheduling conflicts, easy to accomplish a lot, and money was not as much of a consideration. The two boys really like each other, which helped of course. It was also easy to join up with the Wolf or Bear dens for activities if we wanted. Downside is that if one boy was unable to attend the meeting, we cancelled the meeting. In recent years, we also had a two-man Tiger den with parents who did not want any involvement whatsoever. That didn't go well.

If we don't have a Tiger Den Leader, we assign a committee person to run the den until we identify and recruit someone. It has been me for the last several years, I like the age group and the program is simple enough to execute along with my other responsibilities. The new parents seem to really appreciate having someone with scouting experience to work with, it takes some time to orient to Cub Scouts. By the time everyone has had a turn planning a month of meetings and activities, it is quite easy to identify who enjoyed leading the group, who did it well and would like to do more. Our rete

I like going to roundtable, I enjoy networking and meeting other scouters. So does dh. But the reality is that it is another evening meeting to squeeze into our family schedule that is already dominated by BSA. I think a virtual roundtable is a good option for folks like us. We can get information/announcements that we would otherwise miss on our own time.

I agree with boomerscout. Doing the hike requirement as a hike isn't worth the risk. The boy's physician should determine when the scout should hike, and it could be quite a while before that happens. My middle son broke his leg a few years ago in a similar location, we didn't know if the growth plate was involved or would be an issue because it was just on the edge. Even so, he was in a cast or a brace for 6 months and PT for another two months. The original estimate was 6 weeks in a cast, so quite different.

One. I just looked on beascout.org and we have 16 packs in a five mile radius. That feels like a lot. Every pack gets assigned one school for recruiting, but we can accept boys from any school. About two-thirds of our pack is there by word of mouth from other schools or home schools.

I'm sorry, I must disagree. I prefer my marshmallows lightly and evenly TOASTED. Roasted marshmallows are overdone. Also, Nutella is far superior to Hershey's chocolate, though I never turn down the classic s'more. I am not a fan of the flaming blobs of sugar so popular with the scouts. Such a waste of a perfectly good marshmallow.

Our council ran 8 sessions of resident Cub camp last year, from what I understand each session was fully booked. We had around 50% participation from our pack The cost is really reasonable, I think. The charge for cubs is $115 and the first two adult leaders are free, additional adults are only $50. It does help us recruit leaders for camp. momof2cubs, that is an interesting rule. Our camp is much more laid back and cites YPT as a basis for their leader requirements. Each pack needs a minimum of two leaders; each den needs one leader. There is no way all of our parents could do a w

Basically, in our troop, if scouts don't pay the fees or fund raise we will give them additional TIME to pay the fees, but after that the scouts are no longer allowed to participate. There have been special circumstances when fees/fundraising obligations have been forgiven, but it is rare and generally only when the family has had a catastrophic experience. In the pack, we do not have specific rules around fundraising participation, 2/3s of the yearly cost is covered by dues and we have extended deadlines or forgiven late dues. If a parent is flaky, well, there is only so much a Tiger o

Our local fire department has a program for kids who love fire a little too much. It's a combination of education and mentoring. We've referred boys from the troop before with positive results.

Bobcat has always bothered me too, because it doesn't match up with the other ranks. I don't mind doing it first, but I agree with Scoutfish, it would work better as an achievement than a rank.

Those survival bracelets made of paracord would be awesome, too. http://www.instructables.com/id/Survival-Bracelet/

If you know someone who sews it is easy to make pillowcases, drawstring bags, camping pillows or brag vests. Good skills to know as well.

We totally switched it around last year. We had each den design and decorate a cake, then we had judges pick the top cake. Then we cut them up and ate them. Tons of compliments from parents on the revamped format as compared to the auctions and sales of previous years. 83Eagle, you said, 'As the other Pack does it, people can buy tickets and put tickets in buckets in front of cakes they want to win. Then tickets are drawn. Money is a fundraiser, or something.' The other pack is promoting a form of gambling, which is against BSA rules. From the Leader's Guide: 'The plan must be fr

And if you try to beat the system and bookmark a useful link, they change the address and don't forward.

We plan for our Webelos to earn their AOL by February and crossover in March. I like that they have time to wear their AOL as Webelos. If they earn it earlier, it is awarded earlier. They spend a lot of time with the troop, camping in the fall and in February, going to meetings, and by having Boy Scouts attend Webelos meetings to teach skills. Otherwise, the Webelos work on any required pins that are left and on pins that they chose and lead in meetings.

We've had 100% crossover from Webelos to Boy Scouts for the last 4 years. I give credit to an enthusiastic Webelos program and close ties to our brother troop. We share families as well as leadership to some extent, which is reassuring to parents I think. This year might be a little different. All of the boys and parents have indicated interest in Boy Scouts except for one family of a boy with special needs. I know the dad has concerns. We are looking for a special needs troop to refer him to if the family doesn't feel comfortable with the troop that shares our CO.

Anyone use Cub Scout Tracker? I did a search but it didn't come up. Thanks! cubscouttracker.com

Basementdweller, I have been in a similar situation, multiple times. I have three boys in scouts and all of them have been 'the leader's boy' more than not. And things have been said by boys and adults, and not in a complimentary way. I am sorry that your son was treated the way you describe. I don't think I would have responded the same way, because I haven't responded the same way, but I don't know the details of your situation. Still, if at all possible, I would NOT hold an honestly earned award so that other boys can catch up or feel better about the work they didn't do. That isn

Basementdweller, there is another thread here about how it stinks to be a leader's son. Scouter sons not getting an award they earn would make it stink more. As long as the events and the award were promoted and advertised to the whole pack, there isn't any reason why the leader's son shouldn't get his award, even if there are grumbles. Someone always grumbles IMO. That would be a good spin-off thread, actually. What to do with the Negative Neds and Nellys in the unit who grumble, complain and criticize everything and everyone. I'd start it but I don't have time to babysit it.(This m

Thanks acco40, I've got it sorted out. What I needed was what training to tell my leaders so they meet all the various requirements. They don't really care about the differences between trained to be on charter versus trained to wear the trained strip versus national requirements versus council requirements versus tour plan requirements...They just want to know what to do so they can move on and work with the boys. I didn't realize that there were so many different standards, myself. Now I do. It doesn't make sense to me, I think the whole 'Trained' issue could be vastly simplified, but t

Oh my goodness, YES! I hear tales of packs that do camp, but order in pizza or McDonalds for all the meals. Other packs don't camp at all! I think the more information you can offer on basic, inexpensive equipment, good camping locations (and I agree, flushing bathrooms will matter to some parents), simple (yet authentic) food options and simple activities will help. I only have a minute to post, but this forum is full of information on all these topics!

I think like most things in life being the leader's son has advantages and disadvantages. We've had boys who didn't want to continue in cub scouts with their parent as a den leader, so two den leaders swapped dens. All of our dens meet on the same night so this is easy for us. And I don't force my sons to attend everything, though it is encouraged. Like a lot of Webelos, my son lost interest for a while last year. We talked with his den leaders and everyone agreed that it was time for a break. After a few months off, he came back and caught up with his friends very quickly. I'm sure my