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I follow the same line as Red. I start off whistling and move to singing in the morning. That usually is enough to wake the dead. The last campout we had a bunch of new scouts waiting to cook breakfast because their PL was still asleep. I just reminded them that they don't need to wait till everyone is awake to get started. They did rouse the late sleep in time for eating and he did clean up. Usually our timetables aren't so rigid. But if too many decide to move slower in the morning, it just cuts into their free time later.

We made the cut for the May issue. http://boyslife.org/outdoors/outdoorarticles/12765/great-reflector-oven-recipes/ It was below freezing that day. Ever tried cutting shortening into flour when its that cold? Kids had a blast and ate well. My favorite was the Cardiapple Arrest. It's an original concoction made up at a previous campout when the SPL was digging through the food boxes. Note the marshmallows in the photo.

We have 3 troop within 2 miles of each other and 5-6 more within a 10-mile radius. Recruitment can be hard. But the first thing I tell prospective parents and Scouts. Go with a friend and the odds are much better that you will stick with it. Also, I have gotten to know all the other local leaders. We all agree that each of our programs are of quality. And that a Scout can't go wrong with any choice they make. A few years ago our numbers of new scouts started dipping and we kind of lost contact with one of two basic feeder packs for our troop. At first I was worried about our reduced numbe

The only reference I could find: "Appropriate attire. Proper clothing for activities is required. For example, skinny-dipping is not appropriate as part of Scouting." I don't recall ever being told that being shirtless is inappropriate in a camping setting. I know health codes dictate shirts being required in dining areas. Practically speaking, shirts are recommended as a form of protection whether its from the Sun or insects. Personally I feel cooler wearing a shirt rather than not. I hate the feeling of sticky skin on sticky skin. But I don't know if it needs to be a dictated rule tha

SR540 We don't force it, but generally most scout buddy up and share tents. Not all scouts have their own yet. Also they like to buddy up to save on the work load. Easier for 2 to set up one tent. Also Buddy system is a good policy, so I hear.

At one time our troop got the opportunity to purchase tents for $12 a piece and bought 25 of 'em. These tents are available to new scouts to use until the time they have decided what tent they want to buy personally. Having everyone bring their own, it is a great opportunity to see a wide variety of tents (and other equipment). The scouts get to see and experience what works best and when. We usually have a couple spare troop tents for use in emergencies. At one time I thought it would be cool to have all the boys in matching tents and set up parade ground style. But over the years I hav

Maybe OA ordeals are different in different areas. But from my current experience, the ordeal I went through was NOT hazing by any sense of the word. First. before one even got there, they were told to expect that it would not be a traditional easy campout. Bring tools to aid in the service project. Upon arrival, and after setting up everyone is introduced to there Scout leader and the small group they will be participating with and to get their bedroll. The preordeal goes over everything that will be going on that weekend. Silence/sleeping under the stars/mock fasting/service/

BSA Troop 1570 Activity Permission Slip Scout _________________________________ has my permission to participate as a member of Troop 1570 in the activity covering the dates identified below. In the event of illness or accidental injury to my son/ward during his participation in these activities, I request that measures be instituted without delay as judgment of medical personnel dictates. In case of emergency, I understand every effort will be made to contact me. In the event I cannot be reached, I hereby, give my permission to the physician selected by the adult leader in charge to s

We follow the same philosophy as the two previous posters. Our permission slip includes a place medication so that the leaders are informed. I will try and put out a general reminder to all in the morning and evening that those who need to take their meds should. But in the end it is the scout's responsibility. We do suggest that parents only send enough medication to cover the time we are out and not extra. This can help prevent the chances for abuse. This has irked some parents that want us to administer their kids medication. But I don't need that extra burden. Odds are I will forget w

Rereading the OP. The intended victim brought the bottle to the scout leader. Then the perpetrators were gathered. Only then did the younger scout who passed on the bottle to the victim confess up and take the blame. So yes he should be held accountable. The older scouts should also be held to the same degree of reprimand, possibly more. Expulsion from the troop could be justified for the younger and older scouts, but in my opinion especially the older ones who should know better. This whole issue is more than a prank that went too far. Taking of one's towel, just

Work with the youth leaders to help them "Stay on Task" which is probably the hardest thing for them to do on their own being as they are ADD and ADHD. I know at camp its hard but if you can, set them up in a way to have the least amount of distractions when they need to be focused on something. Don't isolate though, keep them part of the group.

Speaking as a Scoutmaster and a parent with a son who in Scouts who also happens to be ADHD and on meds. Also my wife is a Special Education teacher. Don't do anything different for them. As they are growing they are learning how to make adaptations to compensate for their disability. If you do it for them, they will never learn themselves. Let the child take the consequence for his actions and he will learn how to compensate. Sometimes watch from afar is easier than trying to be hands on. Yes, It was hard as heck as a Den Leader and involved removing him from several meetings. But now a

Scout, At first glance your plan may seem over kill but there is a lot in there that is good. Since the Pack planning is set, use the Saturday before for your weekend activity time. Then meet every other Monday except the week of the Pack meeting. That way you are meeting basically once a week as the program calls for. I like your weekend idea, sometimes a casual meeting helps keep the boys coming and the parents, it helps to keep them happy as well. Do not worry if some have conflicts with other sports and such. You can't avoid that. Also the weekend activity could also include the

I have smae policy as Brent, I accept FB friend requests but do not solicit them. I realize some parents may not be comfortable with it. I have found FB to be the quickest way to reach my SPL. Having multiuser messages also is quite useful to discuss issues. I set up a troop FB page to establish a virtual campfire with current members, past members and friends of the ttroop. Our Troop website allows Scouts to either register on their own or thru their parents email. It set up though that parents receive a copy of all messages sent to the scout. Advantage here is that two people hear the messag

I would suggest taking the first 12 months concentrating on providing the boys the opportunity to earn their Webelos Badge and start towards the arrow points. After they come back in the Fall, gear your activities toward finishing Arrow of Light. Talk to the local Troops that your boys generally crossover to and work out some joint activities. Set a goal to get AoL done in time without rushing it in the end. This allows the boys to make up any missed work with out panic. But above all else, make it fun and not a chore to reach these goals. My oldest hated Webelos because the leader made i

The tour permit has certain requirement for training listed, ie severe weather awareness, youth protection. I don't usually fill that out so I don't know the specifics. If it requires a "trained" leader then I think, Yes, outdoor leadership training is needed. I recall that is where I received my "trained" patch.

Crew, ditto. There is no blanket rule on this and it is up to the SM, Eagle Board to determine the qualifications of the individual Scout. The consequence of detention may stem from long time issue or just a single last in judgment or even an inadvertent mistake. Personally I have just seen my own son deal with disciplinary actions for, as the school even called it, bad judgment. How he deals with this after wards will be a better indication of his true character.

That ceremony sounds terrific. I like the inclusion of the rest of the Pack as well as the boys from the Troop. I take it there is a close relationship between the Pack and the Troop. Which in many cases can be a good thing.

As far as families doing their own thing before and after a scheduled event, I am fine with that. I have done that myself. Our den went camping and after each family went home , drove over to go tubing down the river since were in the neighborhood. What set off my alarm was Oak Tree saying that their Pack will set aside time in the middle of an event or make an event ALL family. I guess what bothers me most about this a situation that happened here. We had an event that was labeled "Family" so the parents decided that with that being the case they were allowed to have drinks in the

Crossover, Graduation, Bridging. Its all semantics. Each Pack has their own tradition. In the end it is a celebration of the end of one year in Cub Scouts and the start of a new one. The more hype you put into it the more it encourages the boy to come back in the Fall. Also an active Summer program helps a ton. And no, having a Crossover ceremony for each rank does NOT take away from the significance of Crossing over to Boy Scouts. One Pack I was in used a bridge during the final Akelas Council meeting in June. The other one just recognizes the boys at the June meeting. Either way i

I have seen the Bugler play trumpet, trombone and even French horn. I know of very few boys able to actually play a bugle. Even though I bought an official BSA bugle on ebay just in case. I don't expect him to be perfect but be able to play whatever instrument he uses. Just as I don't appoint an Instructor unless I feel they have the the skills they will be teaching. Learning how to teach can be done "on-the-job" same as learning the actual bugle calls can do while in position. Side note: A year ago on the new scouts first camp. Some of the new guys had gone to bed early when the b

I stand corrected. After years in Boys Scouts where we always are carpooling I kind of got that into my mindset for cub Scouts as well. I guess what got to me was the poster who said they would set aside time in the middle of the event to be "family" time. That just isn't right.

Time to be a stick in the mud. You can't have an event and say part of the time is "family" time to allow families to do whatever they want. Family camping in Cub Scouts still needs to adhere to the many guidelines set forth by BSA. If you advertise the event thru the Pack/Troop then the whole event is a Pack/Troop event. Don't forget even the travel time to and from an event is considered. Just like your kids's school is responsible for your son's safety from the time the walk out the door to go to school to the time they get home. That is why tour permits check drivers. I know as a

Our troop uses the same art as the patch we have on our neckerchef. (http://www.troop1570.org/images/1570patchlogo2.gif) This is also the art work used on our Troop T-shirt. The art work was chosen by the scouts from a collection of design created by the scouts. This allows the boys to take more pride in it. By having the matching pieces helps it fit into the uniforming concept of Scouting. As a designer myself, I always say "Image is everything" As by chance this design was created by my son from many other designs submitted.

As Codger pointed out in the original post. The PLC decided that they wanted to do the Wilderness survival campout. Only then did he step in and volunteer to get the location and even arrange for some other volunteer instructors. I have run into this in my Troop as well. The PLC proposes the calendar for the year and the adults take over the logistics. This is where I am seeing the problem (at least in our case). After the boys decide what to do they, they lose ownership of the activity. Slowly I am trying to get the boys more invested in the planning and preparations. This month is the