Laurie

The pack I serve has 46 years in tenure, but the oldest streamers are dated 1983. In trying to pull unit history together, can you tell me if there was a particular time that units began to receive the streamers? I'm curious as to whether we just have some missing, have years where they weren't earned, or whether they just weren't issued/awarded. Thanks!

VentureScoutNY: I was just thinking the same as you... Eamonn posts the question-"How can we make Scouting more attractive?" lets try to tackle this one... Maybe it's time we can each ask the units we serve what appeals to them in Scouts? And what do they think would appeal to the boys they have not yet invited. What is it that we can help them with in this respect? To do this, we must first understand what Scouting looks like to the youth it serves. We must also find out what it looks like to their friends that they hide their uniforms from. I'm going to do a poll like Acco's

Monthly themes can be a real asset to planning a pack meeting. That is when I see it come together. We only recently began using them, but in reality, I was the only one truly sold on them. When two DLs took training recently, they came back excited them because however the instructor pitched themes, it clicked with them. The draw back to program helps is that there is far too much planned for each meeting, but that's ok; just choose what is needed for den and pack meetings. Add too if you like. This is an idea book. The pros are that the den crafts or projects or field trips or whateve

Ed, I realize my post may sound argumentative; that was not my intent at all though. My son was terrified of the water. This is where peer pressure becomes a good thing, and in Scouting, being able to handle one's self in the water is very important. Therefore, the boys all came out for swim night. The leaders are outstanding in this particular area; 3 are lifeguards, and all can swim. When the leaders began to ham it up, then some games in the more shallow water were underway, there was too much going on for any one boy to be singled out. Therefore, keeping all safety practices in place

(sorry--deleted message)(This message has been edited by Laurie)

Eamonn, do you have ideas on how the image can be made attractive to those not currently seeing it so? I was invited to take part in a council-wide Cub Scout Focus Group. This is one of the areas we all agreed on: the image is foggy (what are we exactly?) and the purpose is just not clear (why should anyone want to join--what's this all about?). There were some great ideas on turning this perspective around, and a big part of it includes updating and modernizing the recruiting tools. For Cubs, the recruiting fliers all are addressed to the boys rather than to the families. However, w

I'm not sure the BSA needs to be cool, but it's a thought-provoking question. It leads to: what do we want to show the youth about the BSA? As for independence. The boy leaning on a Porsche might have a better chance of getting from point A to point B, but how well will he do if he gets lost? The Scout leaning on a Porsche...or an old clunker ... he may have a far more exciting time once on the road with fewer problems because he has learned to grow into independence. But this is just my opinion

FOG, maybe they don't want to take the swim test. BUT, have they been taught what they need to know? Have they been given opportunities to take the test? Have they been been praised for their efforts even when they haven't made it...yet? This hits close to home. Our former non-swimmer son dreaded that test. He said everyone else could swim. Guess what? The troop had a swim night. It turns out most don't know how to swim. So the leaders taught them how, got them started. Now they are passing. That was only this past winter. Obstacles like this can be overcome. This may not always

Mike, if you have access to a Cub Scout Leader Handbook or PackMaster, each has a permission slip that you may use.

Bob, I stand corrected. I thought the neckerchief and hat were troop decisions that varied from troop to troop. This troop has a neckerchief designed for it, and it requires the baseball style cap. This is what we were told and have in print in the new family guide. Of course, I did omit that part, but if the troop makes a decision like this, isn't it confusing to the boys when only one or two wear a neckerchief or hat? The thing that bothers me about the sash is that it is only worn during Eagle COHs and Eagle BORs by the Eagle Scout/candidate. I did not say this was wrong, but that

(This was posted the same time as Bob's post and was following fboisseau's post.) That may be true, but the boys I know who like Scouts but not the uniform have said what they don't like. They hate the pants, but interestingly enough, they'll wear any other olive green pant with their uniforms. And yeah, I know, that's not the way the uniform is to be worn, but the color--and therefore the image--is not the problem. The hat--it's just not cool they say, but all these same boys wear baseball caps. The thing they have in common is that most are dark colors with no logo or something subt

Interesting question. There are boys in the troop my son is in that enjoy Scouting, but they just do not like the uniform. They wear it, but not because they are proud of it, rather because they are told to. These are the boys that coming running into a meeting with their shirts in their hands, throwing them on once they arrive, and taking them off as soon as the meeting is over. What I would like to know is this: what would these boys want in a uniform that would make them more inclined to wear it with pride rather than hide it? And I'd add those Bob mentioned. What an interesting

Ozemu--thanks!

Hops, neat idea for an introduction / "get-to-know-you" type thread. I love taking photos, but I am a simple point-and-shoot just-for-fun amateur photographer. Most of the Cub digital photos I take that have releases signed by parents are on the website that I developed and maintain for the pack I serve. These are fun things for me, nothing fancy or professional, but certainly something I'd help others with if able to. (This message has been edited by Laurie)

ozemu--what great ideas, many of them never heard by me before. Please tell me a little more about this: Video party outdoors We have very large open space outside our meeting place, and we try to stay outdoors as much as possible. What does it take to make something like this work? With our boys, I can see this being a big hit. TIA!

As far as leaders go, it isn't just a religious belief that qualifies one. It is part of a bigger picture. "The applicant must possess the moral, educational, and emotional qualities that the Boy Scouts of America deems necessary to afford positive leadership to youth. The applicant must also be the correct age, and subscribe to the Declaration of Religious Principle, and abide by the Scout Oath or Promise, and the Scout Law." This is printed on the adult leader application. If the religion were removed, what next? Living by the Scout Law would indicate that one be trustworthy, loyal

Sorry about that! I haven't a clue how that happened.(This message has been edited by Laurie)

(This message has been edited by Laurie)

Wishing you a safe and enjoyable trip!

Wishing you a safe and enjoyable trip!

What an incredible man! I just read his story, and I am both saddened and awed by it. Thank you for sharing this link. I am particularly touched by the following quotes, and I am not sure that I ever have made a decision so selfless as he did. His coach at the Cardinals, Dave McGinnis, told Sports Illustrated at the time that "this is very serious with Pat. It's very personal, and I honor that. I honor the integrity of that. It was not a snap decision he woke up and made yesterday. This has been an ongoing process, and he feels very strongly about it." "Pat knew his purpose in lif

SR540Beaver: thanks for clarifying

Eeyore--do you mean me? I hope not, and if I've sounded whiney or Eeyorish, my apologies as that was not my intent. Anyway...Bob and Eamonn, thanks. Our council is wonderful with training as most is free. $175 for six full days and all that is provided is certainly not expensive, but not everyone can easily pay that either. What surprised me is asking a unit to make that sort of financial commitment. I like how the troop you mention, Bob, has a set amount that it contributes. That should help prevent what Eamonn ran into--ouch, that added up! JLT--that would be a neat thing for a t

Eamonn, thanks on all counts! Only 4 days of no sports remains, and it was glue instead of stitches--easy fix for him, kind of cool too. WB is now a cost issue, but we find ways to make things work. Question for all about WB: does your unit usually pay for it? The letter of invitation states that units should pay the way as this training will benefit the unit. We know that won't happen as funds tend to be tight for the unit. It did lead me to wonder though if this is a common practice.

Giggling over Eamonn's post -- sorry, could not resist