Laurie

Tee shirts: must address this. We were in a public park for camp, and that meant others would be there at times. It was 150 acres, so we didn't use all of it, and we had no idea who else was about. As staff, I wore yellow; den chiefs wore green; the nurse wore red; the cubs were all in blue. All had the same design. If someone came to camp in something other than this, they stood out right away. There was a man with cameras photographing our cubs, and I immediately sent a Den Chief out (couldn't leave myself) to one of the leaders to find out who he was. It turns out he was invited, but had he not been, we needed to know who didn't belong. Our camp, with tee shirts and patches, costs $85 unless registration is done early, in which case the cost is $60. Sports camps for one week of half days is $80-$120, so our day camp is a very good cost.

Twocubdad said "If I were going to make any big improvement in promotions it would be to mail the registration packet directly to the Cub families. Our council does a big, glossy, full-color camp promotion mailing to everyone in the council in late winter. It is heavily weighted toward Boy Scout summer camp and, in my opinion, not very effective as a marketing tool for the day camps. Each district day camp gets one paragraph on the back."

That's interesting. We also do the full color brochure--though council sends one out for Cubs and one for Boy Scouts. This year there was some discussion about getting the packs to do more of the promotion for next year's camp rather than rely on the individual mailings to families. We had close to 140 Cubs, but we did not get many leaders. If the pack were more involved, the thinking is that the leaders would be easier to get. Also, in our pack, not one boy came as a result of the mailing. Each came because I e-mailed the den leaders and asked them to notify the families. They were actually rather surprised they had not recieved any other notice--but they *had* via mail.

We just completed our district day camp that was a pirate theme. The promotional info was basically a full-color brochure detailing time, dates, place, and costs of camp. Some activities were highlighted. Our boys (we had 5 from our Pack plus 2 leaders) went more for bb guns and archery than any theme. When I asked each one what he liked best, they just grinned big and said all of it. When asking what one activity they liked, it was either of the shooting sports. As to pirate themes: every boy had a hat, a nametag shaped like a sword (not something that will be repeated as the boys did duel with these tiny things!), eye patches, a hook like Captain Hook's (candy cane through a cup), a parot made of foam. Some leaders came along in full costume and walked the plank--the kids loved it.

http://www.scouting.org/legal/privacy.html

The above is the link to the privacy policy of National's website.

When I designed our website, I took what I believe to be some common sense measures to protect our children:

No names listed under photos *and* no photos put on-line without first obtaining written permission from the parents. If the parent doesn't want their child on-line, they don't go on-line.

No last names supplied for leaders or children.

No addresses other than the meeting place address.

No links to sites that might be questionable. If I would not allow my Cub to view the site, the link to it does not go on-line. ie We had a counter just to track how many views there were of particular pages, and I looked into the counter a bit more: had a boy clicked on the counter, he'd have a list of the top sites viewed, many of them porn. The counter was replaced immediately.

Additionally, the only e-mail link provided is one that I had made up for the pack. There are no forms to gather personal info, and we made a decision not to go that route. I currently am the only one with that e-mail, and I simply forward it to the appropriate person.

Hope this helps some.(This message has been edited by Laurie)

Hi! My name is Laurie, and this past year is my first experience with Cubs. I am the Assistant Cubmaster with our pack as well as a committee member with our troop.

I went to a pre-day camp meeting: a time to pick up tee-shirts, review or complete health forms, and verify the roster. I ended up pitching in and helping out, and by the end of the night was the Tot Lot Manager. I took my 2-yr-old daughter to camp along with my Boy Scout son; she stayed with me while my older son was very involved as a runner, tot lot helper, and wherever an extra hand was needed. My Cub son had a blast--felt this was THE BEST week of his life

We then had a carwash fundraiser Saturday morning, and the very same boys and leaders who were at camp all week were the only one whos attended and worked the carwash. We raised FUNDS and had FUN--a great morning! I'm so proud of these boys, though I'm disappointed that we see the same faces regularly. We've been invited to come back (we were in a senior residential development) monthly to do the carwash. These boys worked hard and made a good impression.

Then, 3 of them headed to one of the boys' homes for a camping birthday party in the backyard. Today, we actually have some quiet time in our family, but that won't last long. It's time to get my older son ready for his first summer camp trip with Boy Scouts.

I loved Scouting before, but I've been webmaster, paper pusher, and mostly not involved with the boys. This week my love for Cubs grew in ways I couldn't have anticipated!

Just wanted to introduce my wordy self to you all

For the boys,

Laurie

hops--I'm so glad you posted how your week went. I was hoping you would do so It sounds like a great week of camp. Congrats to you on all that you accomplished, and keep up the good work...um, I mean fun

Things are beginning to happen that may work this out. The Comm Chair & I have been in touch over these 2 issues. The age might actually be 13 for this boy; when we pulled the app, his age is listed as 11 but his year of birth makes him 13 1/2. Considering our roster is full of errors, I'm not too surprised that this went through. We simply need to be more vigilant at a pack level and check ages/dates better.

As for discipline, the Comm Chair and DE worked out a plan, and it is very much what you described Twocubdad, only after the verbal warnings come written notices. He's talking us through this now. I've no intention of doing nothing, but it is WHAT to do that has been my question.

I am well aware that we could lose leaders if I come on strong and step on their toes--and that is what I don't want to do. I also know that I've been able to set an example to date. I'm the only leader other than the Cubmaster to have a uniform. Others were surprises, and now they want to know if they should get one too. Yes! When I went to Round Table, others wanted to go. When I took training, others wanted to have it too. Only one class, but it's a start.

One person makes a difference. My hope is that I can help to make a positive difference for the benefit of the boys without being too timid or too strong and thinking of myself instead.

Thanks!

eisely said "all you are reporting is a suspicion". I agree. If handled in a confidential manner with the appropriate people you are serving Scouts, the law, and these young girls well.

I've a question though. You said this girl is a staffer. Does she have parental permission to leave camp while working there? Or at age 16, is this not necessary?

ScoutNut--thank you so much! You've pointed out yet another reason we need training: you have pointed me to info that we should already have knowledge of. I will look that up and print it out and pass it on to our pack.

The 11-yr-old, despite my questioning his eligibility, was allowed not only to come along but also to register. The Cubmaster and Committee agreed on this, though I was not sure and went by what the one trained one among us told us. So, the app and money was accepted, the boy is now considered a new Webelo, and he--though age is an issue--is not a problem otherwise. He first showed up at a Bear Den meeting (we have not and do not graduate our boys) this summer, and he then joined. His own parent(s) did not even pay his way; his friend's mother did (the problem kid). To be fair to the Cubmaster and Committee, it only just came to our attention that this boy is older than we were told.

We have a charter rep in name only, and we have a committee chair in the same boat as me--new and untrained. Would this be something we should run by the DE? It seems to be an issue that you and others are in agreement on that we must do something about. I have no hesitation bringing it up to the Committee (which is the Cubmaster, Chairman, me as Asst Cubmaster, and the den leaders at this point), and I also have a good relationship with our DE.

I am frustrated, so please forgive me if that shows in this post. It is certainly not directed toward anyone here, but rather the situations. TIA!(This message has been edited by Laurie)

Thank you for the welcome Ed

I am not the den leader, and that is why I do not do anything except:

Encourage the den leader as often as possible (that's easy--he's a good leader), let him know that my son is expected to behave and that he has my support if he doesn't (don't hesitate to correct and don't hesitate to talk to me about it). As Assistant Cubmaster, which I have been only since our Pack pretty much broke up for the summer, I'm not sure how to help him. We (all leaders but the Cubmaster) are untrained, though I was able to take the BALOO course and loved it. That enabled me to talk up training. I've been to 2 Round Tables, and I was able to talk them up so much that we had 4 leaders going--only to learn it had come to a close for the summer. I'm wondering off the topic, but not too far off: I think many of our problems, including this boy (and I do not exaggerate--he's a tough cookie), could be solved if we were properly trained to understand the program and how to implement it in the best possible way.

So, for now, since I'm not the den leader, but am in a leadership position, do you have further ideas on how I can help this den leader? He really doesn't like to deal with discipline--things he's a meanie--but as he and his family and me and my family have become friends, he doesn't hesitate now to correct my son. But others...that's a different story.

kwc57--thank you too! I appreciate the advice here. You are right; he has no boundaries. However, though I've gently talked mom-to-mom with his mother about the "trials and tribulations" of raising kids , it has become clear to me that we won't have her support. I feel sorry for her, but her son is very disruptive, and he has begun to lead the other boys. My son looked confused at the last meeting (while I was doing paperwork with one eye and watching with the other), and as things escalated, I simply walked over to him, put my arm around his shoulder, and recruited his help. The leaders had become distracted by arriving parents at the closing, and that is why they missed this particular episode.

I continue to welcome all advice. I love our leaders, all of them, and they know it. How do I support them in issues such as this? Or is this just my place?

We have a different but similar problem. First, though, in response to:

"Obviously I wouldn't let it get so far that trying to help these guys would ruin the program for the rest of the boys. But I just can't see letting these boys (who definitely need it the most) fall through the cracks."

I commend that. However, in our situation, the "good" boys don't appear to need scouting as much as the "bad" one--I'll get to that But, in knowing these so-called good boys (I hate labels), one important thing to note here is that these boys don't do well in many other areas outside of Cubs. In fact, they are like different kids. You know your kids; our kids are good in Cubs, but it's their best place to be.

Now, the so-called "bad" boy. ...sigh... I love Cubs, love Scouting, love everything about all of it until this particular boy entered the picture. The den leader thinks he is mean if he corrects him; the assistant den leader thinks it's ok and just typical boy behavior; the mother is told what to do by her son and simply does it. This boy has a foul mouth, has contempt for all women (oh the comments!), bucks authority consistently, and doesn't seem interested in being at the den. His sole purpose is to gain an audience, and he does. He then gets the other boys distracted, and the once pleasant meetings are now rough. I'm there as a mom and to assist with paperwork (the busy stuff that would keep the leaders from being involved with the boys). I also happen to be the Assistant Cubmaster.

Any advice? He is 10, is coming into Webelos I (he just completed 3rd grade), and he was allowed to bring a friend who is 11 and apparently just finished fifth grade. This is into a Webelos I den. I am of the opinion (but new to Scouts) that the 2nd boy is simply too old for Cubs, but also of the opinion that somehow something needs to be done about that first boy.

Thanks in advance, if you're still with me