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Laurie

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Everything posted by Laurie

  1. Am I mis-reading the inspection sheet? I read that the badge placement is the same on the khaki shirt as on the blue, and this is what I passed on to the pack this past year. If I am incorrect, I'd like to fix that. Thanks!
  2. My son was the only boy remaining in blue when he bridged, but he did not want to give up his insignia until he changed uniforms. I checked the leader book and uniform inspection sheet, and a Webelos had the option to wear all diamonds, including the Webelos diamond, if he has not earned the Tiger rank. There is an on-line inspection sheet here: http://www.scoutstuff.org/misc/isheets/index.html
  3. The Eagle discussion brings up an important point to me. I know 13- and 14- year-old boys who are very mature, and then there are those who are immature even into adulthood. One of the very appealing things to me in Scouting is that each boy has the opportunity to set his own goals, work at his own pace, and so long as he meets the requirements, his age should not matter.(This message has been edited by Laurie)
  4. Any one element might be a little sloppy, might not work the first time, or might work right away -- but we Scouters have to take the program, believe in it, learn it and practice it, and then we will see the results. As we do so, we need to live by the Scout Law too because it helps to treat one another better even while handling difficult times and because we are always setting an example. Just today I was asked to help find a prayer for an Arrow of Light ceremony (scripting ceremonies was my biggest strength as well as joy, and how I'll miss that!), and this is what I found that I think he
  5. Hey, that's great! I was just logging on today to post and ask if anyone took part this year. I am waiting on the guys in my family to return from the Encampment to hear all about it. It was cold enough yesterday that I didn't drop by with my 3-yr-old, but how I wish I could have gone. Though I hadn't a thing to do with the event, I sure am glad you enjoyed time on "my turf"
  6. What John and fotoscout describe, the way many leaders wear multiple hats, is so true in my experience anyway and in many threads here. It sounds like you and the other parents who may attend the next meeting may be just what the pack needs. A shortage of leaders is tough, so good luck, and I wish you well as you move forward in what seems a positive way. When I first asked, just prior to becoming a leader, who the committee was -- well, I was offered four different positions! I've just wrapped up my tenure as CM, but my heart is still with Cubs and this thread got my attention because it i
  7. Your user name, Peaceful1, suggests a way to handle this. Come alongside the CM, find ways to help him, be positive and supportive, and don't place blame on one person. Putting the blame on one person is easy to do, but it really doesn't benefit anyone, and in the process it can hurt so many. Being supportive of someone that others want to see go, well that can be tough, but put yourself in his shoes: if people were unhappy with you, would you want them to help you or find ways to remove you? Some leaders think a one-man (or one-woman) can work, but it can't. It takes a team and helping o
  8. Ask for the names of the committee chairman and committee members. A charter requires the following people, and the only who may hold two positions within the unit is the Charter Representative. Committee Chairman plus two Committee Members Cubmaster (Assistant Cubmaster required for Quality Unit, but not to have a legimate roster) Webelos Den Leader Cub Scout Den Leader Tiger Den Leader So, if you'd like to meet the committee, just ask for their names; there must be someone registered in each of the above positions.
  9. Correction (couldn't go back to edit): choose "Cubmaster or Adult Leader", then "Awards", in order to get to the page I described.
  10. Many of them are on National's site. Go to: http://www.scouting.org/ Then choose "Cub Scouts" in the menu to the left. Then choose "Awards" in the next menu, also to the left. You will see 75th Anniversary, Cub Scout Outdoor Award, Emergency Preparedness, and a few more. Hope this helps.
  11. I just wanted to drop by to say thank you to the many of you who have given advice to me when I first became a Cub Scouter, who have shared your experiences and how you have applied what you have learned in training, and who have shared your Scouting spirit here on the boards. I have learned so much, and I enjoy the usually friendly, often lively, discussions here. Such dedication by so many -- it's pretty cool to be able to just soak in other's enthusiasm when I felt challenged at times. My term as CM has ended, and I'm moving on to Scouts only, but in a very behind-the-scenes role that I
  12. Welcome. There are several threads about this very topic here--a search may be helpful to you. When I first became a leader in Cubs, some of the boys and only one leader wore a uniform. I bought one, believing it to be the best way to set an example and having been encouraged by the person who trained me to do so. Interestingly enough, two things happened. Other leaders began showing up in new uniforms, and the boys all ended up in uniform. One was from a family that struggled, but help was provided in some way to provide a uniform because he wanted it. My experience was a positive
  13. Are you saying that the rule is that only the SM and SAs may wear the uniform? In the troop my sons are in, I am registered as a committee member, fully expected to be expected to wear my uniform, but quickly learned that there are "uniformed leaders" and "non-uniformed leaders" (committee members are not part of the uniformed leadership). That confused me terribly, for I didn't think there was such a thing, but in this unit, this is what has worked.
  14. Glad to hear that you had some good Scouting time! Hang in there during the meetings, and know that they do have a place in some way or another in the programs you got to enjoy
  15. This is a tough spot to be in, and it is this very type of issue that got me involved awhile back. Often, there are too few leaders, and speaking as a CM, I know that much can fall to a CM that shouldn't, and that can be overwhelming. However, the boys are the most important thing about Cubs. Would you be willing to ask for, collect, and then follow through on advancement reports? Do you know of a parent who might be organized enough and willing to take on this one area? It is very doable, I do it and have for two years, but I'd recommend it be done by a person who has just that one respo
  16. Just knowing that you care means so much, and to those of you have posted here or sent PMs, thank you. You've no idea how much your support helped me face my children today and deliver sad news, even the littlest who was confused at her teary family. Your messages of support upheld me. I've often been told that I'm the strong one in the family; I didn't feel strong, but I felt the prayers lifted today on our behalf and knew I wasn't alone. Ryan's viewing, funeral, and luncheon are on Monday. He has touched many many lives, and time is needed to allow for those traveling to be there. His
  17. Awhile back, I'd asked you all to help me cheer my nephew Ryan, who was battling cancer for the third time. Ryan passed away at 1 am this morning, the day of his 11th birthday. A couple weeks ago, my sister passed on the news that it was time to begin preparing the children for this, that Ryan's cancer was growing fast and had spread. If you'd keep his family in your prayers, I'd greatly appreciate it; he has an older and younger brother. This afternoon, I have to tell our boys the news, and I'm dreading it. This is perhaps the saddest event of my lifetime, to have to say goodbye to a chi
  18. Eamonn, you're only guilty of having too big a heart and of caring deeply about units, even when they are no longer your responsibility. You've no reason to hang your head low, nor does this mean your head was in the sand. From what you describe, things looked good on the surface, and there was no reason for you to question that. I'm going to give to you the advice you gave to me: don't second guess yourself. You did right by the pack, new leadership was in place, leadership that had training and enthusiasm and made choices. I'm sorry things got all in a muddle, but I agree with Pack: the
  19. Dan, that has worked well for this pack too. The boys go to the end of the track, though behind the safety tape, and they are handed their cars to take back to the starting point. They love it, and there have been no complaints. No accidents either, but they are cautioned that they need to be careful because if the car breaks they might not be able to fix it. The pack has allowed fixes. The focus is on fun, and the more involvement by the boys, the happier everyone is.
  20. Apparently, a few years back, it was discovered that many boys wouldn't have cars completed because they had no help at home. The practice of distributing a car to each boy in December, then holding a "Make-It Night" in January, then the race in February was begun. There is a lot of notice given of when the make-it night will be held. There are several adults present who are handy with tools, and every boy is given the opportunity to have his car cut on the table saw (must be an adult doing this), use other tools (some that are safer for the boys with adult supervision), and then spray pain
  21. I also am in PA, but to my knowledge, we do not have a state badge to earn. As for extra awards, a word of caution. It can become overwhelming. It can also be fun. The key, at least in my opinion, is to begin with a goal. For instance, what do the boys seem to really enjoy doing? Now, what award might expand thier opportunities to do more of that and learn more along the way? I worked with one den that wanted more opportunities to work on flag ceremonies, another that would play any sport at all so long as it was a sport (they had to keep moving--all of them all the time!), and anot
  22. We moms sure take a bad rap at times, but I agree that it's often deserved. It's kind of funny how the thinking that moms will do it all for their sons tends to hinder communication. You could have heard a pin drop when I was a troop committee meeting and asked how, as a parent and committee member, I could best help my son or any other boy to advance. I was prepared to hear "nothing", but silence. I rephrased and repeated it, offering the info that maybe it's best I do nothing, but is there a way in which I can help. Ah, now that was better. Seems the mom who is a taxi driver may go rig
  23. You know, I kind of wish we were having this chat around a campfire. Putting these thoughts into writing doesn't allow for the give and take type of dialogue that would do it more justice.
  24. Barry, thanks--glad I didn't twist your words. Merlyn, I'll just have to admit to what must already be obvious: I don't understand atheism. It is, in my understanding, a lack of religion or denial of God. To be honest, I haven't spent much time on that either because God is so real to me and the ideas that he doesn't exist or shouldn't be held in reverence are something I simply can't grasp. I'm sorry if the way I've worded my questions is confusing. I won't single out any one person, so I'm not ignoring your question about Rooster, but I'm not getting into a discussion about him
  25. sst3rd--it sure did seem like a setup, but the question is often asked, and for those who sincerely want to discuss how religion and scouting go together, it seems that this thread can give several reasons. Merlyn, my question was just that--a question. I find it hard to understand how one without a religion can even begin to understand and encourage a youth to grow in his own religion. For me, to have to deny what I believe would be a problem for me; for an atheist to have to support what he does not believe--it would seem that would be a problem for him too. I don't limit to this to
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