Laurie

I thought Pack Trainer was someone who could train at the unit level, for we too have had difficulty getting timely training for new leaders. However, from our council I learned that if I were to be Pack Trainer, I'd have to take part in the Trainer Development Conference, each of the Cub Scout Leader Specific positions, New Leader Essentials and Youth Protection Training. Then, I'd be expected to communicate the training dates to those in the unit--and that is it. No training may be done by me as a Pack Trainer. This is why it is best to check with your own council. From others on-line,

Eamonn gives good advice. In this council, a leader may not be trained within the unit. All training is done at the district and council level by teams of trainers. An opinion of my own about this: having trainers outside the unit train unit members takes pressure off of those within the unit. It also gives a fresh perspective and helps the entire unit because each time a leader takes training, that leader brings some new idea to the unit. I've seen this happen every time one of our leaders takes parts in a training of some sort. But this is just my opinion

scoutldr, I agree with you completely. We have a problem getting committee members though, and to complicate that, den leaders want to do committee work as well as den leadership. I am very much against that. What I would like to see happen, and I do believe it's possible, is for the den leaders to communicate what they want (I get a "wish list" from them regularly to pass on to the committee) and need, but to focus on the dens. I'd like to see the committee members carry out the business that needs to be covered so it lightens the load of the den leaders. You know what I think happens?

The CM role should be fun and compared to others, fairly easy. Having helped two dens so far, and helping another to find its feet right now as it begins a new year, I have tremendous respect and even admiration for our den leaders. I often call them mine, but I mean no harm in it. What I do is to serve them in any way I can. A call to see how things are going, thank yous and praise as often as possible (and they give many reasons for both), asking how they are and meaning it. Not a "how are you" as I walk away and they'd answer my back--we've all received that one. I think that encourag

One of the things I remember my brother doing as a Scout was making and using his own snowshoes. We live in an area that has snow some winters, not all, but as we got snow he used those snowshoes to go everywhere. BSA offers what is called Okpik training for cold weather camping. I did a quick search to see if any of it made it on-line, and some info is here: http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/winter/ . Have fun!

That is hard news. Prayers lifted, and I'm so sorry to hear this.

Maybe I'm too simple minded, but doesn't every judge have opinions and ideas that could possibly color his view of what he hears? Will imposing rules remove what the judge feels inside? Will it truly make him/her less capable of learning, understanding, and accurately applying law?

This is something that I try to impress on our sons. Scouting isn't just living by the oath and law during the meeting time or at camp. It is something that should be part of school, home, church, neighborhood, work--in short, a way to guide how one lives. I do not understand how any youth can progress to Life or Star without demonstrating Scout-like attitudes, but I got a little insight into that not too long ago. When the adult leadership doesn't expect the youth to act right, doesn't set the tone by setting a positive and strong example, when all beneath Eagle is considered "easy stuff"

Eamonn, the problem you have with these boys may be yours, but it is with very good cause. Are you the one responsible for them when you head out to the Jamboree?

In my short time in the BSA compared to others, I have met many who went to training, decided that what was taught wasn't practical, and then did their own thing. Additionally, these same people tended to discourage others from training. As for term limits, my understanding is that each year the roster is reviewed and adjusted. As I've recruited leaders personally, I tell them it's one year at a time, with recharter time being the time to make changes. This seems consistent with what others post here.

Korea Scouter--you got cut off, or are just toying with us?

The requirements book may help. I have found a mix of old and new books in the stores, so I always check the revision date. However, the first requirements book we bought as a family in 2002 has since been updated for 2004. That is the single easiest way I know of in book form, but meritbadge.com has updates noted. Maybe that would help?

Hi Mrs. Smith. I don't think you sound like a nitwit at all. It's a good question. The thing is, as you've now learned in this thread, there is no option unless you are staying in town (and that all depends upon how your council defines town). Do you receive a copy of the program launch materials, or some sort of information from council? We get a booklet each year with the district and council calendar and the local tour permit guidelines and the guide to safe scouting. A call to your council office would give you the specifics on exactly how your council defines the requirements for fi

I see two issues here. One is singing for extras. There was no expectation of receiving second helpings, but it might be a fair expectation to receive the first helping. When anyone in our family attends camp, we know what is and isn't included in the cost and we are asked to clearly label all items with full name and troop number. We regularly pay for 3 meals per day per trip; we label all items. Therefore it seems a fair and reasonable expectation to receive those meals without singing for them or to be able to retreive misplaced items without a big production. As for singing for extra

My nickname at day camp from age 10 through 15 was Dingbat. Sounds offensive, but it came about because I was always leading the others in song (others being 200 younger girls at a time) and in skits. Nothing bugged me more than a couple hundred gloomy-looking kids, so I could -- along with a couple friends -- get the group going but still maintain enough control to avoid the pushing and shoving. Because most of the songs were loud and action songs, because they tended to be silly, even out and out zany, I was dubbed Dingbat at some point. I wore the name proudly because it was meant in on

BP: This subject has been discussed in depth over in the Issues and Politics forum. Just a friendly note to let you and anyone else who may wonder that topic may be found there. Edit: I'm sorry--I thought I was reading open discussion when I read this.(This message has been edited by Laurie)

Fuzzy, that sounds rather familiar. In my case, my mom would tell us something, and it was my dad who would say "because she's your mother and you listen to her". I don't recall questioning my parents until I was in my late teens, and then of course I knew everything Interestingly enough my parents and my husband don't understand why I tell the kids the reason for what I tell them is right/wrong and the like. Our first son responded to explanations though, and I figure it helps him to form his own understanding of how to apply that judgement. The second child could care less about reason

I remember being rather puzzled when our first son entered pre-k and the teacher made a comment that I just didn't get: "lessons are caught not taught". So, I listened carefully to what our son would tell us about each morning of pre-k, and I watched his teacher in action, and I began to see what she meant. At this age, it wasn't the academics that were being focused on nearly so much as helping a child learn to adjust to a classroom setting. The children adored her and were so well-behaved in class, but I knew some of them, and they weren't so well-behaved outside of class! Why then the

INTJ

I like the changes, but it sure was a shock to log on yesterday and see bright orange! I thought for sure I was on the wrong site. The look is different and appealing, the menu is more user-friendly, and the search function works better. Thought the content is the same, all in all, the changes were nicely done in my opinion.

It all began about 30-some years ago. My mom was my Brownie leader and my dad was a helper (he did any lifting and driving needed). My brother joined Cubs shortly after I joined Brownies, and my mom helped out (not sure of her role) and my dad became a committee member. Over the years, I went camping a lot, and I LOVED it. That was with Girl Scouts. During that time frame, our entire family went to pack meetings (which I recall fondly--such fun!) and then to COHs (also memorable--particularly Eagle for my brother). In looking back, what immediately comes to mind is: (1) BSA was all about

I thought the tiger (yes, it is a tiger, and they are hard to read) was for the Philadelphia zoo. So I just looked it up: "The Pennsylvania Zoological Council license plate was first issued in April 1996. Proceeds from this plate benefit the Pennsylvania Zoological Council's five member zoos: the Philadelphia Zoo, the Pittsburgh Zoo, the Erie Zoo, the Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown, and the National Aviary in Pittsburgh."

Fuzzy Bear, I don't recall who said what, but it sure is policy for fundraising that something of appropriate value is provided for the cost charged. We as a unit keep that in mind when planning, and the one thing none of us understands is how this popcorn can be priced so high. When we sold it last year, many people asked why the price was so high. I don't have an answer other than this is what fundraising is: selling a product to make a profit. I do it because it benefits Scouts locally; that seems to be why most do. As for popcorn DE's, I don't know that we have them, but we do have tw

SA: I think I got that he's not having fun from the "more yelling and less understanding". Scoutmom, is he having fun? Excellent question. In my son's case, he was not having fun. MrsSmith: Not all disgruntled families are willing to speak up to the SM or adult leadership, at least not in my experience. They may talk to one another, but that's just gossip and not productive. Maybe I should clarify what I mean by leave quietly: don't talk up the move, don't put down the troop, but clearly communicate to those who need to know the reasons why a boy is leaving.

What EagleInKY said Good advice, particularly about leaving quietly. We left quietly, but our son did leave with a friend who was also looking. This was actually the hard part for my husband and I--we didn't want to create problems by leaving and seeming to want to hurt the troop. Our reasons were made known to the SM and CR, and that was it. In spite of our leaving quietly, in spite of not speaking poorly about the troop but simply moving on, some nasty rumors were begun. We were stunned, but it simply confirmed that this was the right time to move on.