MaScout

Ahh! The pleasures of swilling! I thought my niece was going to gag the first time we showed her how to clean up in the backcountry!

Has anyone used a questionaire for the boys in regards to what a Webelos Scout should be looking for when selecting a troop to attend?

Crikey! Can you imagine the backlog of work the SM would have if he/she got into the power thing, and didn't allow ANYONE else to sign off?!?! We allow any adult leader, and select youth leaders to sign off, too. It was hard for some of the adults to accept at first, and unbelievable for the Scouts when we started this. (Old school said only the SM.) The boys kept coming to the SM and asking for verification at first. SM asked if they had demonstrated skill & been approved. Well, then sign it! It was great for the boys to realize they really did have input in the troop. But as mentioned above...they need to demonstrate their ability in the area, be impartial, be fair, and actually require the Scout to get it right. It isn't always easy to get this combination, but when you do...cash in on it!

Quite. Welcome! This is a great place to come for ideas and perspective.

Ok, here's my take on it, for what that's worth. My youngest son bridged to Boy Scouts 2 nights ago. I had a son in Cub Scouts continually for 15 years. I served in most positions during my tenure. Looking ahead, I started taking more of a back seat in many things. I had been diligent about writing down everything...guidelines for Blue & Gold, how to run a PWD, etc. Last year, when the Committee was working on B&G, I sat there and didn't say much. Several times, I was asked if I wanted to do something, since I knew how it was "supposed" to be done. I smiled and said I was there to give advice or suggestions, but they needed to learn how to do this without me. I did lend the voice of experience, but with the caveat that it didn't have to be the same way forever. I usually put together an awesome Powerpoint presentation for FOS. Two years ago, someone else wanted to try. Last year, they asked me to do it again. This year, they asked the DE to do the FOS presentation. He didn't want to "step on my toes". I smiled and said that they need to find their own way now.

I traditionally spent WAY more than "one hour a week" to make the program run smoothly. But I gradually weaned them away from that reliance on me by finding others to do things. AND by LETTING GO! I cannot control all things, nor should I. They are doing fine. Maybe not exactly like I would, but they are doing fine.

>Do I know how it has been done in the past? Yes

>Do I know what worked & what didn't IN THE PAST? Yes

>Do I think things need to stay static? No

>Just because it didn't work in the past, does that mean it won't work now? No

>Do I think I should assume a major role if there are parents willing and able? No

>Would I be willing to help if needed? YES

I am staying on the roster in a supporting role. It may be as Training dude (forgot the title), Tiger Cub Coach, even as a Den Coach. BUT... always making sure the leader knows that I am A resource, not neccesarily the final, all-knowing answer.

You need to look at the individual leader. Are they going to try to "take over" and make it "their" Pack? Then, NO, you don't have a need for their skills right now, but thank you for offering, and you'll keep them in mind.

I wouldn't turn away a good leader out of hand. I would utilize them in a supporting role if possible, and in a major role if needed, as a mentor and a teacher if they have the personality.

Good luck!

So...Do any of you men ever like to have a night out with the guys? Do you want "the girls" along? Why not? Any correlation...?

Totally depends on the WHY. From another thread, we just had an OA team bail on us...but they had 30" of snow. Most any other reason is an excuse, and is not honorable.

Follow up: The ceremony went great! The boys enjoyed it, (especially since I went through the time-machine first!) and their evening was "saved". The OA boys will conduct a ceremony for them at a District event next weekend, so they will still get their OA Bridging... always done very nicely.

And the weather...no more snow and a balmy -9degress F when we came out. Looking at -30 F tonight!!

And...WOOO-HOOO!! My last son is out of Cub Scouts! I've been active as a leader for 15 years...had a son in CS's all that time. (Although not the same one! )

Which leads me to wonder...what is the longest consecutive time that any of you had sons in Cub Scouts? It doesn't count if you had a year off between boys...or maybe that counts in a different question...

Anyway...thanks again to t158 for his help and Kaji for his concern. (Side note -- I just learned tonight that our DISTRICT covers 35,000 square miles...so we can easily have that much difference in snow depths.)

Ma Scout

We held a special Court of Honor for one of our youth who received this award. There was a big write-up in the local paper and invitations were sent to all appropriate people. The DE was there to make the presenation. Flag ceremony, refreshments, and a grand "to-do". I'd say at the very least you should have the presentation at the AoL ceremony. Congrats!

t156sm...I found just what we needed on one of the websites. Thank you! Now I'm off to tweak it a little bit & get it emailed on to the Cubmaster. (I realize it was his job to take care of this, but if it was left up to him, he would have handed them the badge, shook their hand, and been done with it. They deserve better.)

Thanks again for your help!

There's 30" of snow where most of the OA team is from. Only about 8" locally. Truthfully, it might be a better idea to reschedule, but it isn't a call I get to make, and it isn't one the CS Committee is willing to make. I have talked to the OA team, and they will conduct an awesome bridging in about a week at a campout.

Thanks for the help. Glad to find out there are others who stay up late to help out...or is that early? I will definitely look up some of the sites mentioned. I was batting out with my searches...guess I have a lot more to learn about googling.

What I forgot to say in my "panic" is:

Hi! I've been reading the posts here for quite a while, but just never got around to signing up. Well, now I find myself in need of your help.

If any of you have ideas you'd be willing to share, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

We have a Bridging Ceremony scheduled for tomorrow night. Due to inclement weather (like 30" of snow), the OA team will not be able to make it. Our Pack did not have a "Plan B". Our theme is "Cubs in the Future". Do any of you have an AoL/Bridging ceremony that would go with this? We have a cool time machine that could be used in place of the "bridge"...