Laurie

Eamonn, too bad I didn't read your post before posting again. This guy (?) manages to bring out the worst in me. By the way, I have to ask, didn't you learn something new from Wheeler? He said you did in this thread: http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=53424&p=2 I thought it rather odd, but when it was not disputed by you, I figured maybe you had told him that he'd taught you something new. By the way, though I've tried and Wheeler shows up on my Ignore User list (a list of one, by the way), I can't make him go away. He manages to squeeze through in spite of being squelched

"WHEELER, you are right about one thing, I don't know what it means to be a man. And you know what? I am proud to recite the Boy Scout Oath and Law every opportunity I get. I understand the Oath and the Law and I do my best to live my life by them. You don't have to be a man to do that." -- Scoutmom I second this. Yes, I'm a woman, and I can never know what it is to be a man. However, that does not mean that I don't know how to carry out the mission and vision of the BSA. Nor does it mean that the boys and young men that I have had and continue to have the pleasure of serving will be any less masculine due to my influence. Wheeler, what you aren't getting--and I do believe you just don't get it because though you talk big, the more you talk, the less intelligent you appear--is that the PROGRAM will HELP the process of boys growing into men. It is the parent's job first and foremost, and that includes moms, though you mention women with contempt on more than one occassion. It also includes teachers; for one who claims to be so fond of knowledge, surely you can't miss the fact that a vast number of teachers are women. The list of what women can do to positively influence the growth of strong men in the future is long, though that isn't really what this is about. With each post you make, you show more contempt for the BSA, women in general, and the program and leadership of the BSA. With each post you make, you make it clearer that you actually know very little. You say that your points have all been proven, and you list one thing I've said to help make the case. Problem with this: I can't quite connect the 3 comments you made, and I sure don't see how they lead further on to the comment about the BSA being communist. Or could you just be upset that I don't believe your post on Being a Man had value? I still don't believe that; you added the BSA into a mix of stuff that was sheer nonsense, and that will get my attention because I resent the BSA being talked down. It isn't perfect, but those who DO care about it are willing to DO something about it. Not you; no, you have a list of excuses. Hey, ever think that maybe if you actually were willing to take part in the program that one less woman wouldn't have to? There are troops that have no male leadership because the men--for whatever reason--simply aren't available to lead. That is not a slam against men; that's just the way it is. You've apparently no intention of learning. You like attention; you've got it. However, if you don't care for being among those who think you speak as a fool more than as a knowledgeable person, you are in the wrong place. As for being a "manly man", you've said absolutely nothing that would lead me to think you are actually a male at all. The reality is that you could be anyone, male or female, and we've nothing but your word to go by. And how on earth do we get to this from a starting point of a topic about the United Nations? OGE typed out the merit badge requirements; NJ sure posed a good question about how you could be an Eagle and not know about this merit badge; the dictionary backs the definitions you find fault with.(This message has been edited by Laurie)

Achilleez--lol! You play this game waaay too well--had me checking to see if I had actually typed that I wanted Scouting to stop!

Achilleez, though you and I are very different when it comes to faith, I want you to know that I appreciate your willingness to check out what others believe and to engage in a conversation without taking offense or becoming offensive is to be commended.

This thread was spun from another thread.I'm not quite sure how my words could be used this way, but they were used to lead up to a comment that the BSA is a communist organization. That comment alone made me angry, for I resent the recent trashing of the BSA that is taking place here. To have my name and my words used in a post leading to such an erroneous, inflammatory, and degrading comment leads me to this make this post. If I wanted to, I could play this game of pulling a line or two here and there from a particular poster and make pretty much any point I wanted. I am tired of seeing my words and the words of others that I respect here (whether I agree with them or not) twisted and manipulated to give a perverse message of what the BSA really is. You who want to mess with the words of others (those long passed on and those alive and posting here today), we're on to you. We get what you're doing, and it isn't working. I said this: ..., life is not always fun. However, fun is the best part of being a kid and usually what is sought after the most. The beauty of Cubs is that it is "fun with a purpose". As for Boy Scouts, the fun is a bit different, coming more in the way of adventure, particularly on outings. Always there is a purpose: character, citizenship, fitness. Noone here is denying that. What we know is that it is the fun that attracts the boys. This world is hard, and as the boys grow they will have more and more challenges and decisions to make, but they don't need to be serious now. They need to be allowed to be children. So I'm not sure what your view of Scouting is, but I'm glad that Scouting provides a safe haven for our youth, one built on fun activities. I trust that in those activities the boys will learn to better deal with the world around them (but that's the leader's job--to accomplish the purpose while the boys have the fun). and ...it is clear that you must not have a working knowledge of the Scouting program. Maintaining childishness...that is not what is being suggested by previous posts. Understanding that children are...well, children...that's why the fun is important. All sorts of crimes are committed against children, abuse is reported daily, drugs and alcohol and weapons are making their way into younger and younger hands. Life is HARD. I am one of many who cares enough about my own children and other children to be involved in creating a safe and fun environment for youth as they learn to deal with the tough issues around them. Sadly, for many, that one hour a week of Scouting may be the only fun they do have. We don't know all the challenges a child faces in his daily life, whether it be on the street, in school, or in his home. What we do know is that caring compassionate adults who are willing to carry out the BSA program can help a child to grow into a young man capable of overcoming the obstacles he faces; it does not teach one to maintain childishness or remain a kid. A poster replied various times to various people in a thread titled Am I Missing Something, claiming to hear the following message (in summary, not quoted): Life is fun. All fun. The BSA embraces that, and it is all fun. After all kids are kids, and that of course, means no responsibility, no need for discipline or challenge or growth, no need to grow up at any time. It encourages childish behavior. It sets boys up for failure by leading them to think that the world is nothing but fun. I suppose a poster could, if he/she wanted, also have received this message from the same thread and set of posts: Life is hard. So very hard. Fun? No time for that because the challenges and difficulties in life, the increasing responsibilities faced by the boys are just too tough. One must be serious or risk wasting a life on the pursuit of fun and adventure. The BSA has a purpose, but it's missing the mark, because it ignores that life is hard. What was TRULY said? Each of the above reflect--in part--what was said. However, when the posts are read in their entirety, the ACCURATE message is this: Life is fun. Life is hard. The BSA provides a safe place for young boys to have fun while learning to deal with the world around them. The BSA understands that fun is appealing and even healthy, and it combines that with a well though out program that promotes character, citizenship, and fitness. When the program is carried out as intended, it promotes these things in a fun way so that young boys enjoy the journey to becoming grown up enough to continue contributing to society on their own at some point. I am fully aware that when one pulls out one sentence or one phrase and focuses on it, a totally different story can be told. It was tempting to go through the posts of another and do this same thing, but I haven't the time nor the desire to wade through all that garbage again. I don't know about everyone else, but I'm tired of this, and I sincerely hope that this stops soon. It sickens me to see so many here post and then have their words twisted, but I can only speak for myself. I am also fully aware that my words really aren't all that important, but I do think we need to be willing to correct what is being done here. This little game being played is damaging, and for all those who do post, there are many more just reading. I care about the message others hear about the BSA, so I hope you'll understand and accept that I felt I had to address this. (This message has been edited by Laurie)

Overtrained: I just attended Powwow, and here is the greatest value I found in a theme. Everything used that day (the opening and closing ceremonies, the song book, the decorations, the games) are things that I can now use in the pack. It provided me not only with classes and great fellowship time, but also with a pack meeting or special event. We are planning either this year's Graduation Picnic or next year's Blue and Gold on Wild, Wild West! (the Powwow theme). If I understand University of Scouting correctly, this is for Boy Scouts? I had a chance to visit a Camporee for our district. The Scouts had Knights as a theme. The roasted a pig in the ground, had a huge bonfire, decorations strung from the tree that looked like shields, and games that the boys of all ages were clearly enjoying. One game that appealed to me was a rope supported at each by a pole (not sure exactly how it was secured). A bike without tires was used to go across the rope, and the boy could hold a pole across his handlebars to help provide balance. This looked like fun, but as a leader, I'd love an opportunity to (1) try it out myself first, (2) see exactly how to most securely and safely set it up. Lashings were a big part of the day too as they were used in many ways--to make a tower and to make huge catapults. I got a sneak preview of these at a Boy Scout Roundtable, where the how tos of lashings were reviewed with leaders first. If I were planning a UoS, I'd look ahead to what might be coming up, then use that theme. What it would do is equip the leaders with a practical and useful theme that could be used right away. Our day camp was Adventures on the Open Sea last year, all nautical and pirate crafts, games, etc. We had pirate hats, hooks to make and wear on hands, eye patches, a "treasure hunt" that was really a trash pickup, parrots crafted by the boys that could be worn on their shoulders, and boats made by the boys that they sailed on the creek in a race. This year's theme is Wild, Wild West!, but it happens to be a coincidence--a very fortunate one Covered wagons are one craft, orienteering is one "sport" (we are replacing sports with other activities as sports didn't go well last year), bandanas, hats, and all the stuff from Powwow will be put to use. This theme seems to flow naturally to Native American, and I took a class on Native American folklore and crafting that we are doing our Blue and Gold around this year. We learned the proper history (in our area, wigwams as opposed to teepees), how to make instruments, what the folklore attached to the instruments is, and so much more. There are ceremonies that are arranged around the Native American theme as well, and this seems to be ideal for Boy Scouts, particularly with the Order of Arrow. The woman who instructed the class is also active in some way in helping with the proper beading and costuming of the OA. I've had little experience with themes, but those I've experiences so far are great fun and help to pull a wide variety of things together. Good luck!(This message has been edited by Laurie)

Zahnada makes a good point, one that I've noticed as well. When there were "issues" posts going into Open Discussion: Program, if the post was controversail *and* about the BSA, then I'd vote them down. My reasoning? To me a post that mixes all sorts of opinion up with BSA programs would have no merit. However, if that same post were to begin in Issues & Politics, leaving the BSA out of if, then I personally am more likely to simply ignore it or even to think it is worth reading again, passing on, and therefore with merit. Some post that get judged puzzle me completely: questions asked right here, "I agree" statements, things like that that would appear to be comment or question only, not something one would judge. If I understand correctly, a thumbs down indicates that the post has nothing of value to offer, and a thumbs up indicates that the post has something of value to offer. To each of us that value will be defined differently though. Scouter Terry, I'll second Zahnada's question. TIA! p.s. One thing that truly bewilders me is that a certain poster has received numerous negative responses and thumbs down, yet this poster has more stars than those who post helpful responses. The stars have me thinking "Star Search" (out to post for all the stars you can get!) or "Star Wars" (out to do a thumbs down and remove other's stars!) (This message has been edited by Laurie)

Achilleez, the problem here is that those of us who see the bible as authority are going to use it in all of our decisions, in all of our understanding of life and the world around us. Those who do not are certainly welcome to disagree, particularly here in a forum titled Issues and Politics. For many people, asking that the bible not be used is like asking that the BSA stop using BSA literature. It is what defines a person and is so much more than just a book or resource. Likewise, those using other books related to the faith they practice might feel the same way. Sorry, but this is probably a request that won't be honored--not because of you, but because of how dear the constitution, the bible, and any other religious or patriotic texts are to those who define their very lives using these texts. I would hope that we could agree to disagree on this issue. Wheeler, you ask Achilleez: "why should we follow your opinion. Are you greater than God? Why should I do as you say? Because you "feel" so" Well, now, I just have to wonder how you think you can come here and spout off all about how the BSA needs to change, about how it is failing, about how wonderful you are to forward your research freely to all here, and then go after Achilleez like this. All Achilleez did was to make a request, and you somehow twist that about to make it sound as though he thinks he is greater than God, and in so doing, your wording makes it clear that you feel superior to at least Achilleez if not to God. The God I know teaches that we are to treat one another with respect, even when we do disagree. Achilleez, I hope you don't feel I took a liberty in speaking on your defense just now, but it just really bugs me that this person talks at fellow posters and puts fellow posters down; you did not do that, so I think it unfair that you were put down that way.(This message has been edited by Laurie)

It sounds as though this abrupt young man with his long rambling dissertations is preventing the professor from simply pursuing his vocation in peace and security...sigh...sounds rather like the forums these days.

Well, Wheeler, what I have learned is most likely NOT what you set out to teach. "Is obscurantism wide spread? Sure is." Hmmm...like when you are asked direct questions in response to a rambling post that is unclear, and you respond with more quotes that still don't make your point clear? If you were to come into my home, proceed to tell me how to run it and tell me how valuable you are in doing so for free, I would kick you out promptly and without apology. However, these forums are not mine; I too am a guest. You might think the difference between us is that you are a learned man with valuable information to pass on while I am slime (since I don't agree with you, and it's your way or be slime like the rest). From where I sit, the difference is that I am willing to learn while actually working in the program, but you are not willing to learn about or take part in the program you proclaim to know how to improve. Your own words actually make you out to sound like the very things you abhor: lazy, uneducated, and weak. It takes hard work and determination to raise children and to be part of the BSA, education and ongoing training to learn about the growth of boys and the best ways to serve them, and strength and courage to meet the challenges along the way as we get involved in the lives of boys and young men faced with incredible challenges (and there are many). Oh, one thought: perhaps you weren't qualified and that is why you were not allowed in despite having your transcripts. The beauty of the forum is that there are no requirements; that doesn't mean your "teachings" are a welcome or valuable addition. Just as my being able to post these thoughts does not mean my own post has value.(This message has been edited by Laurie)

Our units receive detailed information on how to promote the units. It is specific to our area as it contains local media contacts. Our DE is willing to provide us, free of charge, personalized BSA brochures to distribute. We need 600, and at no cost to us, that's a very helpful thing for the DE to provide. The unit is responsible for promoting itself, but we are given plenty of how-tos on how to accomplish this. One thing I tried this year was a cable TV ad on the school district channel; it was free and ran every half hour, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for one month. We learned that not many people watch this though. We have a website which is a useful tool for keeping current families informed as well as promoting the pack. The key is getting word out that the site is available. I visit our council offices on a regular basis and have found a variety of brochures that, in my opinion, are excellent for recruiting purposes. All I had to do was ask for some more, and council was willing to get me all I needed. The resources are available, but Bob is right: check with your own council to see what they have to offer and how they handle promotions. I agree with Balding Eagle: the best promotions come by word of mouth. That is how my family was recruited, and that is how we have recruited several others.

NJCubScouter: Am I reading a new skit for leader training? "Say, Spartacus, I never see little Johnnie at troop meetings any more." "Um, no, Agamemnon, little Johnnie was too small and weak to survive the Trials last month. It's a shame, he could tie a mean bowline. But the troop will be stronger for it when we go up against Troop 12 next week." This one just cracked me up

"Well, I looked all over the official BSA website and didn't find any links to websites. Do you know the message board of the high mucky mucks? Maybe I should be speaking to them. Maybe, I'm on the wrong board. So, if you know where that is, point me in that direction" -- Wheeler Maybe you don't know the purpose of this board? It is not an official BSA site. "This is a private community provided by SCOUTER Network and reserved for Scouting related discussions." You'll see this at the bottom of every page of the forums. "Or....Have the webmaster open a new section called philosophy and move my posts there and I'll move into and won't bother you any. Deal." -- Wheeler That is incredibly arrogant. Coming here, making numerous posts, and then having the nerve to suggest the webmaster of "this private community provided" which is "reserved for Scouting related discussions" make a special new section just for you. Wheeler, this board is open to all, but it is made available free but does ask that we all abide by the rules of decorum, found here: http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=5358 You are posting things in "Open Discussion-Program" that are being read by many, and I will respond, if only to hopefully bring to the attention of the many youth who come here that the views you express of the BSA are inconsistent with what the BSA itself teaches. A challenge to you would be to take time to actually learn about the BSA rather than insulting those who provide forums for those currently carrying out the program. Then, once you know the program, if you still feel it necessary to correct those currently carrying out the program, maybe they'll actually listen. You've not earned the right to speak on behalf of the BSA, so please stop abusing the bits and pieces you've read and passing them on as fact.

Thank you Bob and ozemu It's good to hear confirmation that we're on the right path. Ozemu, thank you for the ideas. I like these, and they are doable.

Fotoscout, I sure do know where you can get the info This year's form in on-line right now, so you can get an even better idea of what it is about. It is an annual event, and it is the longest running annual council event throughout the United States; this year was the 93rd. For information, check out http://www.colbsa.org/ and then Events and then Pilgrimage. This year Florida, New Jersey, and Utah were represented. There may have been other states outside of PA there, but those were the ones I recall hearing announced.

FOG, I think several of us are saying the same thing, but I wonder if our timing varies? I do expect my children to take responsibility for what they do, beginning at a very early age--like when they begin to walk. Simple stuff, starting with good manners, picking up after themselves, helping out as needed (and there's always a need). As they head to school, remember coats/work/fill in the blank, or go without it until you find it yourself. Now, for a child in pre-k, I'd walk him back to the teacher and tell him he must ask to go back for his coat. For a child in 3rd grade, he can go without outdoor play and the following morning get his coat back--on his own--so he'll have it to stay warm (only happened once ) For a child in 6th who dumped his coat "somewhere in the wood outback", well time to earn a new one if this isn't found immediately--by the child. As the child grows, the responsibility grows. So, just curious, but why wouldn't a child have time to train? Sending him to school isn't the end of the training, but rather just another step in growth. Just my opinion though.

I attended this event yesterday with 2 fellow Cub Scouters, 1 Boy Scout, and four Cub Scouts. It was truly amazing to stand on a field with thousands of Cub Scouts, Scouts, and Scouters! Each station was manned by reenactors and speakers who brought history to life for us. The Valley Forge National Historic Park itself has much to offer, so once the Pilgrimage came to a close, we took our own tour. We visited the Welcome Center, The Washington Memorial Chapel, Artillery Park, followed some deer tracks and then practiced getting closer quietly, found tracks and evidence of other animals (the boys loved doing this!), and then visited the World of Scouting Museum. When I presented the boys their patches, it was a little speech on the significance of all that was learned this day and the unique qualities not only to the patch but more importantly to each year's events. They held them as though they were as hallowed as the ground they had just walked on. They are talking about next year already, and the boys who will be in Scouts next year were disappointed to hear that their troop does not take part in this event. However, they are going to try to talk the SM into taking them, and they'd really like to camp out and take part in the Encampment. The funny thing about this is the boys at first said this would be boring, but I talked it up, and they gave it a try. I know these boys fairly well, and they all struggle with history; they loved it yesterday. Scouting is just too cool to allow for boredom, and the lessons learned are priceless

You don't care for the rating you have and find it shocking? It began as a post in "Open Discussion--Program", and then it was moved. The rating system states: "Help others rate the quality of posts on SCOUTER and filter through the noise. If someone posts something that you believe is of good value, then give them a "Thumbs Up". Likewise, if someone posts something that has little overall value as a resource or perspective, then give them a "Thumbs Down". If the post is neither particularly valuable or worthless, then don't vote either way." As a program post, I found no value in it. Had it originated as an issues post, it might have received fewer thumbs down. I would hope that you'd be more upfront and at least tackle issues as just that: your own opinion rather than as a Scouter who knows it all and is here to correct all of us who just can't seem to get it right.

Wheeler, with all due respect, you don't seem to understand children at all. As for the post I voted down, Red Feather's post in that thread sums up my reason well. As for this thread, those of us who do know the BSA program understand this: we work with children using age-appropriate activities. Men aren't born as "little men" who just need to focus on the day they are "taller men". They start as babies, totally reliant on their parents, and when the parents (and those the parents partner with: BSA, school, churches, etc) do their jobs well, bit by bit those little babes become self-sufficient men. However, if you were trained through the BSA, you'd know this already. Many of us are parents and already working within the home to train up our young boys into mature young men of strong character, citizenship, and fitness. We then take a role as a leader in local units because we believe the BSA is a good helper in this task, and is a good way for us to give back to an organization that is giving to us--as well as to be involved with our sons. Wheeler, if you truly care about the BSA or young boys growing into men, you won't be effective by proclaiming poverty as your reason for not being involved. You'll rise above the obstacles you face, and in doing that, you will demonstrate to the boys and young men about you how to do so. What you don't seem to realize is that many leaders in the BSA aren't just filling time, wealthy, or have little else important in their lives. They are people who deeply care about today's youth and want to help them grow into mature men in a world that is full of challenges and really quite difficult. Eamonn, my apologies I've taken this thread off course.

Marty, your pack sounds like a lot of fun! Eamonn, I won't give away your secret Twocubdad, I like the idea of moving the camping date to spring or fall, but we actually have a reason for summer: it's the only family camping program offered by council. We aren't quite organized enough yet to do our own, though I think we can next year. I'm going to pose your idea of camping close to home to the den leaders--at least one trip can be moved. We are allowed to use our CO, which has a huge big open area bordered by a small wood--and a train track (the only drawback is the train noise). You've made an excellent point about families who can't stay, and we have a small pack but several families who just can't be part of camping. Thanks for the idea!

Wheeler wrote: "When you expect people to behave like kids they will remain kids. The Boy Scout program is about growing up. Not maintaining childishness." You have not yet responded to any questions about your background in or knowledge of Scouting, and in that one brief quote of yours above, it is clear that you must not have a working knowledge of the Scouting program. Maintaining childishness...that is not what is being suggested by previous posts. Understanding that children are...well, children...that's why the fun is important. All sorts of crimes are committed against children, abuse is reported daily, drugs and alcohol and weapons are making their way into younger and younger hands. Life is HARD. I am one of many who cares enough about my own children and other children to be involved in creating a safe and fun environment for youth as they learn to deal with the tough issues around them. Sadly, for many, that one hour a week of Scouting may be the only fun they do have. We don't know all the challenges a child faces in his daily life, whether it be on the street, in school, or in his home. What we do know is that caring compassionate adults who are willing to carry out the BSA program can help a child to grow into a young man capable of overcoming the obstacles he faces; it does not teach one to maintain childishness or remain a kid. You may know how to quote Plato or Socrates, but you're trying to tell people who already understand the BSA how to do it the right way--or at least that is how your posts come across. That is not support of the BSA; that's a put down to the program and the people who carry it out.

Wow, that's a tough one. What happened in our unit (pack) was that I took training. I had a great time, and I shared some of what I learned--one of those things relating directly to an upcoming camping trip. That got others interested, and several signed up for the next training session. When all these leaders were then enthusiastic, came back from training and each shared something new that was learned, additional leaders went for the next training. The same thing happened in the troop when my husband and one other leader took training; more would now like to go. My husband knew from my experience that having a uniform was suggested during training; so he got his. The other guy didn't have his yet, but as soon as he received his trained patch, he went right out and got one. In both units, there are many new people. They want to know the same thing: how do you get that patch? Now, those who really aren't interested in training...well, they just aren't going. In the pack, there's a lot of peer pressure--yeah, with the adults--lol! Noone wants to be left out. We make a big deal of acknowledging trained adults too. In the troop, that's not the case, but it's the new guys who really want to understand what they are doing that want training. Hang in there!

I just posted what I consider to be good news on the following thread about adding to existing program: http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=53296 There's plenty more too. And just for the record, Cradle of Liberty (with one office in Philly) is delivering some awesome programs. The Valley Forge Pilgrimage is this coming Saturday, and a small group from our pack is going and getting very excited about it! We just began planning our district day camp, and it's shaping up to look like a lot of fun--again. The council camps are adding programs, and in meeting with the camp directors during Powwow, it looks like the already awesome camp programs are getting better still. Ed, LOL!

No, Wheeler, life is not always fun. However, fun is the best part of being a kid and usually what is sought after the most. The beauty of Cubs is that it is "fun with a purpose". As for Boy Scouts, the fun is a bit different, coming more in the way of adventure, particularly on outings. Always there is a purpose: character, citizenship, fitness. Noone here is denying that. What we know is that it is the fun that attracts the boys. This world is hard, and as the boys grow they will have more and more challenges and decisions to make, but they don't need to be serious now. They need to be allowed to be children. So I'm not sure what your view of Scouting is, but I'm glad that Scouting provides a safe haven for our youth, one built on fun activities. I trust that in those activities the boys will learn to better deal with the world around them (but that's the leader's job--to accomplish the purpose while the boys have the fun).

Thanks Barry Cubs is a blast! Though our younger son will bridge at this time next year, my husband suggested that I stay involved with the pack for 2-3 years longer to help with the transition. What a man! So, if the pack will have me, it looks like I've a good bit of time left with it. We do have a fire every October. Our previous CM started this, and it's a super idea. This year, I asked if we could add a Bobcat ceremony to the fire time, so we did. The boys loved that so much that we are having our graduation around a fire as well. Our CO has a lot of land out back with a small wood, and the troop built a fire circle that we're welcome to use any time. Our calendar is pretty full: roundup w/presentation of summertime awards in Sept; campfire pack meeting in Oct; Scouting For Food/Thanksgiving themed pack meeting in Nov; making gifts and going Christmas caroling and holding a pack meeting with the seniors at a local senior citizen community in December; Pinewood derby workshop & race in January; Blue and Gold workshop & banquet w/bridging in February. We've also gone to council camp for Halloween Adventure, sold popcorn (first time in awhile), held 2 carwashes, attended a pro basketball game, had several sports events of our own, had one Webelos overnighter and three Webelos hikes, gone swimming with the troop, and had various den field trips. It really has been fun so far. We haven't heard "I'm bored" for quite awhile