madkins007

I like FScouter's last comment. When we speak of child development, we often say a child should do such and such by age x. They should walk by 'a' months, talk by 'b' months, cut a straight line with scissors by 'c' years, etc. The reality is that each of these things pretty much happen when they happen- usually within a range of so many months or years. Doctors and teachers are often beset upon by parents either bemoaning that their child has not accomplished some milestone on time, or bragging that they were early. Some parents even try to artifically accelerate the program to beat

re: patch-covered shirt-jacs... If I inherited a nice historic jacket, I'd wear it proudly as is but buy a second jacket for ceremonial wear. As a rule of thumb, I try a lot harder to be perfectly uniformed for ceremonies and more formal occassions. The rest of the time I'd wear my braggin' jacket. re: Woolrich as a source... I think I'd go with the 'if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, its a duck' theory here. As a bigger guy, I am frustrated by the lack of uniform parts that fit comfortably (and I can afford!) I found some good olive web belts in a uniform catalog and us

The new training program was rolled out after I was a CS training chair and completed my SM training so I am not as familiar with its content, but, were I offering input on a new training program, I'd... 1.) Make youth and adult position patches restricted items, not available until SOME level of training has been accomplished. 2.) Streamline Youth Protection. With a good handout, it really should be able to be covered in about 45 minutes. 3.) Provide training materials in multiple formats. I REALLY like the idea of making 'Scouting Pocket Guides' with 'mini' versions of a lot o

I'm looking forward to the info! When I taught knots at Pow-Wow, I came up with an outline I have used that works well for me. First- nomenclature. Without an idea of the parts of a knot or a rope, it just looks like a big piece of tangled string, so we start with the standing and working ends, bights, loops, etc. Next, we do a simple overhand knot. Then, we modify the knot by slipping it and doubling it, discussing what that does for us. Then, we change it from a stopper knot to a hitch, a loop, and a joining knot- (two different joining versions) The Figure 8 comes n

Scoutndad- I am a bitter old man when it comes to district relations. You really don't want to hear it all*! On the Cub Scout level, it really does not make a ton of difference what district you belong to. As has been pointed out, you can participate in many of the activities regardless of district. As for finding troops- while district help is nice, it is not terribly critical. You ought to be able to find nearest troops with little trouble. A couple visits to Roundtable will do it if you don't already know them. (Besides, I personally sorta think that the burden SHOULD be on t

As long as the boys have the opportunity to do other good stuff, like learn new skills- I say ATTABOY MR SM! From what I have seen, summer camp is a HORRIBLE place for a lot of the merit badges. The counsellors are usually teen-age boys who may or may not have a love for the subject. The available resources for teaching some of the badges are sorely lacking. Often, Scouts get checkoffs for attendence more than actual participation. There really isn't enough time to do the traditional 'learn, do, review' approach required for most badges. Most boys come home with a long list of 'part

Its also a documented fact that the children of leaders stay in longer, earn higher rank, participate more, and have better attendence. Perhaps this should also become the foundation of a program? OK, lets switch gears a bit... Is First Class today the same award it was before the big 1972 transition? First Class used to be a big deal. Scouts who earned it were a bit older and it was often required for at least some leadership positions. Is a First Class Scout today REALLY a 'first-class' Scout? My old handbooks are packed away right now, but if anyone is interested, I'll gladl

My first step would just be a 'word to the wise' talk... but I'd have someone deliver it that he will really listen to. Not implying that you may not be that person, but in most groups, people naturally tend to trust and respect different people. I have also noticed that our old Committee Chair, a very nice but very petite woman, was usually WONDERFULLY successful in dealing with 'potty mouth' issues! It just may be a more powerful message from someone like a female Scouter. (At least it eliminates the 'hey, we're all just guys here' excuse!)

If you intereveiwed all the youth involved and came up with nothing more solid, I would thank the boys that reported it for coming forth with that sort of thing and work to make sure every Scout feels safe and right in reporting such activities. Next, I'd pull the other boy aside (within G2SS) and let him know that if he was just bragging, it is a REALLY stupid thing to brag about, and if he did it, he needs to make things right- admit it and face the music (which, obviously, should be appropriate 'music' for a candy bar theft, or else he will deem it in his best interest to just shut up.

I think that 'First Class First Year' (FCFY) is a slightly misguided program. It is based on studies that show that youth who hit First Class early tend to stay in longer, just as studies show that youth that summer camp their fist year stay in longer. I believe that the REAL connection is that units with strong activity programs retain youth better, regardless of rank. I've seen abuses of the FCFY program, similar to those for the big Eagle push- campouts entirely geared towards advancement and 'filling boxes', entire meetings dedicated to merit badge classes (and all to often,

Sigh.

Evidence of non-human mammals (scat in a baggie, plaster cast of a track, hair, nibbled acorns, etc.) Evidence of insect life IF every patrol had access to a camera (instant or digital) you could have a photo safari and require things like all patrol members crammed inside a tent from another unit, patrol members posing with members of another patrol with the same patrol name, and other activities designed to help them meet other Scouts, as well as most of the aforementioned ideas!

Some of the major brands can help as well. Jansport, for example, had a very liberal return/restore policy. If it is a big brand bag, you can try contacting the maker for ideas.

We made this a part of our annual 'registration'- dues, forms, information updates, passing on of new policies and phone numbers, etc. Scout family by Scout family. We handed out a checklist of what we needed and expected. Next 2 weeks- gather info. Third week, start calling to get updated info or to remind that we need it at the next meeting. It REALLY helped when we could post a leader or two at the door with a laptop and a stack of forms and handouts. The 'business desk' was a convenient place for people to get info, check on account balances, turn in advancment info, etc.

This sprung from a crackerbarrel discussion with some older Scouts and a handful of Scouters from several programs. The discussion had gotten around to one of the lodge officals talking about the role of adult OA members in the program. There seemed to be an odd dichotomy- some adults got involved to the point that they interfered with the youth aspect of the program or its leadership, and a bunch of others got involved not at all. Something someone had said earlier, about Cub ceremonies, clicked and we had a brainstorm.... what if there was an organized adult OA member program?

Ging Gang Goo (or Ging Gang Goolie) is a GREAT song, and a lot of fun. The story beind it and the story it tells (in that version at least) is fun also. I am always a bit surprised it is not featured more often around here- I had not heared it performed until Woodbadge, and fell in love with it. I'd like to use it as background music to a Powerpoint presentation, and just have it on my iPod to sing along to... if I can find a 'full' version!

Robert- been there. You have my sympathy and deepest admiration! In my old pack, I was brought in during the Fall registration- to a pack with a 50 year history and no leadership or boys except for a single CM, whose wife was treasurer and had one kid. We grew to having a decent group of 30 Cubs and good leaders. In our case, the fall registration bit worked well, but I applaud your decision to use the summer! At some point, as early as possible, get yourself trained. If possible, take the training for as many pack positions as you can so you know their jobs as well. I would wor

You mean the Songbook CD? When I saw it in the shop, I did not notice Ging Gang Gooli on it (but I'll have to look again). When I checked the sample files, I was not especially pleased with the arrangements- nothing bad, just not what I was looking for. I found this VIDEO of Ging Gang Goo- and it almost scares me! ;-) (http://www.roostermusic.com.au/videogooli.html). They offer an MP3 vesion, but it is not what what I want either, and it omits the 'elephants walking' bit! I also found, did not bookmark, and cannot relocate a site of several tapes of campfires from Philmont- fun, but

Back in the mid-70's, the BSA was laying some groundwork for a co-ed future. They were promoting the name 'Scouts America' and making quiet noises about letting girls join. I believe as Bob White pointed out that the GSUSA was unhappy with the plan. At about the same time, our troop had a 'patrol' of girls (mostly sisters, a couple 'girlfrineds') that were allowed/encouraged to do pretty much everything the Scouts did- they even earned a form of non-BSA rank for meeting the requirements. On campouts, they could stay with their own family a bit apart from the boys, but were chopping wood,

Several years ago, I saw our district's list of registered units. It listed several dozen Explorer/Venture posts that I know did not really exist, and kept Scouts and Scouters enrolled for years after they graduated or left. It was a very open secret, known to most volunteers working at all with the district or council. We hated it, but it was coming from the top and no one seemed too interested in fighting it. About the same timem, I spoke to an excellent and respected DE pacing in the Scout office lobby where he shared that he had just been told by the Exec. to get his numbers up by any

While I cannot provide documentation, that is my understanding as well- who is responsible (or 'liable'.)

At one time in recent history, the number of units earning the QU Award helped a DE earn the Quality District Award. This award usually meant some form of bonus to the DEs. A certain number of distrcts have to earn the QD Awards for the Council to earn it's Quality Council Award, which also carries perks. With the scandals starting to show up in inflated numbers, it is very possible that this has or will soon change.

We were just talking about this earlier tonight with some teacher friends. It is quite sad that we 40 somethings may be the last major generation that had childhoods that included the ability to go over ot a friend's house that lived a few blocks away- without an escort. We played outside until the streetlights came on without leaving an itinerary with mom. As our kids were growing up, my significant other was terrified that something would happen to our kids if they left her sight. They could not go to a neighbor's house without an escort, they could not even play in the backyard wi

First- the design goals. Mine would be moderate price, field functionality but decent looking for meetings and parades, good durability, and the elimination of the need for seperate 'field' and 'activity' uniforms. I would suggest... Crew-neck jersey shirts (sort of between T-shirts and sweats), long or short sleeve. Reinforced necks, cuffs, and hems. Pre-embroided US flag and BSA logo/name. Offered in program colors. (Yeah, I know- awfully UK Cub-like, but it meets most of my design goals without invoking the dreaded polos!) Button shirts would remain an option for a dressier unifor

I've been looking for MP3 or other sound files for songs like Ging Gang Gooli and some of the other great Boy Scout songs. I can't seem to locate any for free or pay. Any ideas?