Laurie

Page 132 of the Scoutmaster Handbook addresses this again. It's too much for me to type it all now, but it reiterates some of what is in the Boy Scout Handbook and expands on it some. Some highlights: "Throughout its history, the Boy Scouts of America has endeavored to embrace policies that address matters of sexuality in ways that are good for its members and are in keeping with the organization's core values.... When it comes to sexual issues, a Scoutmaster's responsibility is the same as for all other circumstances facing boys--to ensure that the troop is a supportive environment for them both physically and emotionally. Scoutmasters who have established a relationship of trust with troop members and who are willing to listen carefully and compassionately to what boys are saying have the best chance of understanding the Scouts' concerns--sexuality included--and the greatest success in providing them with guidance that will have real meaning.... The Scout Oath instructs boys to be morally straight. Abstaining from sex until marriage can bring with it a lifetime of rich, rewarding experiences gained from within a committed relationship and built upon religious values. In addition, refrainining from sexual activity is healthy behavior for young people.... Scoutmasters must keep in mind that boys should learn about sex from their parents, guardians, or others empowered by their families to guide them. No Scoutmaster should undertake to teach Scouts, in any formalized manner, about sexual behavior. If a Scout comes to you with questions of a sexual nature, answer them as honestly as you can and, whenever it appropriate, encourage him to share his concerns with his parents or guardian, spiritual leader, or a medical expert...." Hope this helps, and I hope I haven't left out anything truly significant. I highly recommend reading this and the Scout's handbook though, for it really helps to understand what the BSA has to say and what it requires of us. We are also encouraged to go to the professional staff is we aren't sure of how to answer a question.

The Boy Scout Handbook, Eleventh Edition, Page 376 & 377: Sexual Responsibility As you grow into manhood, you are maturing in many remarkable ways. You are becoming stronger, wiser, and better able to make good decisions. Young women you know are also maturing both physically and emotionally. Your relationships with them will become closer and more meaningful, both to you and to them. You are maturing sexually, too. The ability to father a child is a responsibility with powerful consequences in your life and in the lives of others. The choices you make require your very best judgement. It's important to remember that sex is never the most grown-up part of a relationship. It is never a test of manliness. True maturity comes from acting responsibly in the following ways: Your responsibility to Young Women ...more info under this sub-title... Your responsibility as a Future Parent ...more info under this sub-title... Your responsibility to Your Beliefs ...more info under this sub-title... Your responsibility to Yourself ...more info under this sub-title... Final sentences read: If you have questions about growing up, about relationships, or about sex, ask. Talk with your parents, religious leaders, teachers, or Scoutmaster. They want what is best for you. Let them know your concerns.

If a boy were to want to talk to me about sex, I'd listen. I'd advise him to go to his family and/or religious leader, and I'd direct him to that brief portion of the handbook that does address sex. It has been my experience that when a youth is talking about sex--about whether to engage in it or what to do now that he/she has--there are often other issues. Self-esteem, security, peer pressure, and so on. Depending upon what the boy were to want to talk about, the conversation could open the door to encouraging him through praising good choices and through encouraging him to think more about and talk more about making choices. In our Webelos II den, we had a great talk recently. It started as forestry, went into causes of wild fires, then turned to arson. That presented an opportunity to talk about what to do if a boy witnesses, is tempted to engage in, or is in some way related to this type of activity. As a leader, I asked questions, open-ended, to get them to think through their responses. They had varied responses, but they weren't simple responses, and it turned out there weren't easy answers. I thought there would be, but that is because we taught our children a specific response. That night, as I listened, I heard what the boys were hearing in *their* homes. I trust that we all went home having learned more, having learned to better understand how to think through decisions. Sex could be addressed the same way, at least IMO.

I didn't think the thread had gone sour, at least not for the most part. Thanks DS, I try. Eamonn, you are always kind, and I follow far more of your threads than I ever respond to because I learn so much from you. By the way, just in case you or anyone though I was disagreeing with you, I was not--just stating how I am trying to find out where the heck I fit into things as a volunteer at the unit level. So, now that most of us seem to agree that the DE (whichever DE it may be) may often be doing too much, how does a volunteer like me--recently trained, very involved, with a desire to work on district and council committees where help is needed (yes, I've said so--but only to that poor DE) actually help out the DE? Can you give some practical ways? Eamonn started with his first post, but I'd like to hear more ways please. For instance, our DE has cited me as a resource to other cubmasters looking for local places of interest in meeting achievements. Would I be out of line to ask him if I could help lighten his burden by giving him some help for roundtables? He seems so tired at times. Having helped with the day camp staff as a staff member, I learned how very hard the work is that is involved, and I'd rather be part of the solution that the problem.

"Sad to say some of the volunteers in the district think that the DE is at their beck and call and is there to deal with anything and everything that could ever and does happen. This is so wrong. We are trying very hard to get everyone to follow the correct course of action. Mostly to understand that in most cases a volunteer goes to another volunteer. If there is a problem in your unit your first port of call ought to be your unit commissioner. Not a call to the DE." Eamonn, some of us don't know any better, and noone is telling us differently. I would love to be less of a burden on my DE, but I had no clue who to go to, other than the UC who simply was never available. What next? I asked, but the DE told me to call him for all things. Do I agree with that? No, I don't, particularly as our unit was in pretty bad shape and we needed a lot of help. However, what else was there to do? What I did was to attend every roundtable and every district function and every training offered. In doing that, I met may volunteers--truly awesome people too who were kind of hidden away somewhere!--who held roles in between that of DE and UC. It was there that I got a bit of an idea who to go to, and I'm still learning. But as a volunteer, I do wish it weren't so hard to know who to go to for what. My desire is to be a team player, not to be an "us and them" person. You said you are working on this; that's super! As a volunteer, I thank you for addressing this important area and wish that I was there or you were here

A question came up during a meeting with one of our den leaders tonight, and I'd like to be very certain we have the correct understanding of the Bear books. Most boys have the newer version; one or two have the older one. All are excited about earning Bear next month and then on working on arrow points. So here's the concern: On page 10 of the older Bear book, I read this: "Also, any achievement requirements that a boy did not use to earn the Bear badge can be used as electives toward arrow points." Compared to page 6 of the new version, where I read this: "Achievements that were not used to earn the Bear badge may be used as electives. However, note that unused parts of achievements that were used for the Bear badge may not be counted toward arrow points." Now, in the past, we have used those "extra" achievement requirements toward arrow points. That was the goal set by the den leader for this year, but that was prior to the release of the new books. Since the families buy the books and we were unaware of this particular change, it caught us offguard. Are we correct in understanding that once a boy begins his Arrow Point Trail, he may use requirements from totally undone achievements only? And must he complete the entire achievement to earn one elective on his arrow point trail? Thanks! I know this may sound like a "duh" question, but we really want to be clear on this. Sometimes another person confirming things helps

It was asked: "But this isn't smoking or drinking. Does anyone really believe that another boy would think that getting a girl pregnant out of wedlock is "cool" and want to imitate it?" Having been a crisis pregnancy counselor for 8 years, I can tell you that (1) yes, this does get imitated, and (2) the consequences are far-reaching and very difficult. To judge or not to judge. Isn't it possible to express disappoint in decisions made without judging the boy? He made a mistake; to gloss over it would be wrong, but to condemn him would be too. To help or not to help. I wonder if it would be appropriate to relieve him of a troop POR (assuming he has one) for a period of time. It would address the concern for setting an example, but it would not be a forever thing either. Now, if boys in the troop do not recieve consequences for any other actions (drinking on campouts, for instance), then this would not be the time--IMO--to begin that. As for help, let him know you are there for him, but I think I agree with the personal help--not necessarily the troop as a whole type of help. Giving help as a troop without acknowledging this in same way could glorify this boy. Please note that I said "could". Just my thoughts. I do agree that this is a very difficult situation.

The council number only a few months ago was approaching 90,000. It is now 64,000. I believe Learning for Life (which is a large number) was part of the previous number. Council has over 1,000 units. The DE says he has 25 units, but I believe that is 25 Cub Packs, for that is how many packs he has called for roundtable. The number of districts is going down as several have merged. The mergers must be for either financial reasons or due to lack of personnel (and they go together, I know), for an all-suburbs district recently merged with an all city district. The comparisons are few in the two areas. Three districts elsewhere in the council merged to create one district about the time our district did, and I hear other mergers are coming. We are large, and we have 2 offices that execs work from. I honestly don't what to expect, but both office buildings seem virtually empty considering the number of youth served in this area. The DE is overworked: he serves as DE, roundtable commissioner, day camp staff, popcorn coordinator with a volunteer, trainer, and the list goes on. Quite frankly, he is so busy that I don't how he can do anything well. As I follow the boards here, I am learning that this is more than a DE should do, but the people aren't avaible for help...or it is the same few over and over again. Pros and cons? I don't know for certain, but it seems that big makes the work a greater task, and having a big council does not seem (in this volunteer's eyes) to make for a bigger staff.

I'd love to know how to get this list, but more importantly, how to get back issues themselves. I've great confidence in Boys Life; no matter which issue it is, it's always a good one!

Using it for the adults' pleasure rather than with the good of the boys in mind. For any program, if the motive is not for those served, the problems just add up from there. I have heard grumbling in the troop among the adults that certain adults want the program to revolve around them while the others want the program to revolve around what the boys want. Adult don't always play nice

The troop my son is in camps year round with the exception of December. In December, they have an indoor swim night. Our weather varies, so it's not uncommon to camp on ice in the winter and to toast in the summer. January is cabin camping with the Webelos; February and usually one other month are cabin camping for skiing and white water rafting trips; June or July is summer camp lasting six to nine nights; other months are usually two nights in tents but can be extended if held on holiday weekends. Since February & bridging, my son has had the opportunity to camp 11 nights in tents and 6 nights in cabins. He missed two trips, and one was cancelled; so for the troop in general, this number would be 7 nights more by tent for a total of 18 nights by tent and 6 nights by cabin. The nice thing about these trips is that the activities vary: skiing, fishing, hiking, biking, white water rafting, rapelling, canoeing to an island for one, summer camp sometimes in Canada.

Transportation--good point wingnut. The troop my son is in has a permission slip for each trip, and it requires the following info: I am tenting with________. I have arranged transportation with _________. Parent's signature ___________. We have had boys calling here to see if they can go with my husband, since he often goes camping with the troop. Likewise, when he could not go, our son called around to see who he could a ride with. Several older boys recently left the troop, and their parents were regular drivers. Now there is a shortage of drivers. So there is discussion of renting a van for those who do not have transportation, but they will pay for it. As for men only, that is not BSA policy.

40 -- and depending upon which Scouter I'm spending time with, I'm either called a baby (can't believe at 40 there are those who think me that young--lol) or an old lady. Our second-year Webelos for some reason were wondering how old I was and their reactions were hysterical. They just couldn't believe I was so old. The kids don't see the adults as quite so old when they wash cars with them, side by side, when they hike together, when they play games together, and when doing the stuff of Scouting. (Now you know why I'm registered )

Thank you for clarifying this! I thought this was the case, but I wanted to be sure.

I have a list of boys who have earned the correct number of badges to earn the compass point emblem. However, it appears that they must earn the 3 needed for Webelos before they may be awarded the compass point emblem. Is this correct? Or if they have earned 7 activity badges but have not yet earned Webelos, may they receive the compass point emblem? I am placing an order today, and as I reviewed our advancements list, I wasn't sure about this one. TIA!

td, Welcome to Cubs and to these forums

I'm not sure there is an official way to wear this, but if so, I would also like to hear it. My son entered Cubs as a Bear last year. He received one cord, but the way it was put through the immediate recognition totem (is that what it's called?), it left two laces hanging down. Only one ever received beads, and the boys didn't mind in the least. The trick is in the knots tied in the lacing; they come lose rather easily.

I would add ready and willing to learn new things and/or how to improve what one already knows. Challenging myself to this very thing helps to keep my mind active, and that requires being awake and alert.

This might be a great activity in a den or pack meeting--not sure if the troop would enjoy it so much. But we have so many, we could take buckets of them to a meeting, turn the families loose with them, and see what they could build as a team in a matter of minutes. I'm thinking of a gathering activity So, if your son gets tired of his legos (at 10 & 11 mine aren't yet), they can still be used. Wallace, I like the under the bed storage; we've used the closet.

Dave, you made me laugh! I will begin to pick up the blocks, but then I'm suddenly making something with them

Clear plastic containers with lids that snap on tightly are good for this. I get them large enough to hold a lot of legos or knex or whatever building item they have, then since they can see through the container, they can identify what it is in without dumping out several. Check the dollar store if you have one near you, for often you can find containers like this. Good luck

Bob, thanks for your response. Having just taken New Leader Essentials, I can see where that covers what we need to know. When I asked the CM about that clause when signing my app, he had no idea what it meant. I trusted in the reputation and history of the BSA then, and I've not changed my mind. It's just that rules are emphasized in some ways, so knowing how they are to be used is important to me. By the way, until you pointed out that NLE covers what we need to know, I had not made that connection (cringe!). Dave, thanks for sharing that info. I did read those bylaws and rules and regulations a few months back. My husband looked at it and said "boring" . I found it interesting, but then my background is that I wrote bylaws, mission statements, vision statements, policies and procedures, budgets, and the like for a local non-profit. To me, it was fascinating to be involved in all that behind-the-scenes dull-as-dirt stuff that helped the organization to function more efficiently. I'm learning a lot about the rules of the BSA in this thread, and I'd like to thank you all. It is making me think more about how I approach certain situations, how I might improve in my positions in Scouting. It is, most importantly for me, putting everything into focus and connecting the dots.

Dave, I wish I were as nice as you while feeling cranky Thank you so much! Had this info been given to me--or to anyone in the pack--we'd have eliminated a lot of unnecessary calls to our DE and been better up to date on what's what. The names of district volunteers are not readily available, but either the CC or I have been meeting many lately at various events, and we keep names and numbers. Now we will know who to call.

Dave, I didn't find that comment disrespectful in the least. I am curious though. Am I taking the concerns our pack has to the wrong person? If I am, that would explain the lack of assistance. Our pack has some terrific people in it, but we have so much to learn. Training did not address who to go to other than the DE. It seems as though more and more is sent his way, and yet, with some district-level volunteers, we have found important answers. Some guidance in this area -- the who to go to with what concern -- would be super. It would also help volunteers like me to go to the right people, and in doing so, not overburden others. TIA! By the way, we've a new CC, and she is taking over the contacting the council part of things. We did not have one before, and I'm delighted that we have one. She'd like to hear the answer to this too

"To think that the BSA By-Laws have anything to do with unit operation is just plain wrong." Bob, I have read the National By-laws but not the local by-laws. Why? Because I asked for them on-line when I couldn't see them locally. My reason is that I signed my adult application under a clause that reads: "I understand that: b. ...I agree to comply with the Charter and Bylaws, and the Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America and the local council...." If I am going to agree to this, then I would like to know what it is that I am agreeing with. That's all. In reading the attached information, I see that the charter and by-laws are referred to yet again, so it's not as though they aren't brought to the attention of adults signing an app. Am I misunderstanding this? And just for the record, though I find rules easy to follow, I value relationships above all else and know that some and/or too many rules can be restrictive to the point of hurting the program and/or people. So, I am still looking for the balance in BSA. Had I not been required to sign my agreement of these items, I'd be nothing other than curious. I feel responsible to know them though. Sorry FOG, looks like I'm highjacking this thread.(This message has been edited by Laurie)