momandscout

I didn't mean yell as in anger or ugly! All I meant was really loud. Yelling doesn't have to be about anger.

I had to learn to do that on a football field in marching band with a crowd talking in the stands/sidelines. I had to learn to 'yell' but it was not anger and I didn't make an ugly face.

Sorry if this came across as an anger topic. It wasn't supposed to be.

I prefer the signs up. Saying "SIGNS UP" loudly and be sure it is heard across a large loud room of boys and parents talking (we meet in a fellowship hall of a church) is difficult with out a good 'yell'. It is said once or twice, then boys are more directly made to take notice like a tap on the shoulder.

momandscout

I was not sure where to post this with so many topics. This one seemed more miscellaneous, so here it goes.

We are homeschoolers. We have been in the local regular cub pack since Wolf, and are now Webelos 1. I am a very involved parent, but have a toddler to care for at most meetings so I cannot be an official leader (hubby works evenings), but I am on the committee. Our den leader is good butother leaders are ..... We are not always comfotable with how things are run or the lack of iniciative/enthusiasim (sp) for doing the extras. Unfortunatly for our area, there is not another 'local' cub scout group (they are what I consider to be to far for regular involvement). We also have a problem that we cannot always make meetings, we miss at least one a month unplanned - it is different when you plan to miss it.

Also as homeschoolers, we use the scouting programs as a basis for most of our unit studies, suplamenting the '3Rs'.

Technically, my son could earn his AOL by next summer or early fall after attending summer camp and all of this years work. However, the den will not be ready until Dec-Feb. I don't mind this because we work on stuff slow to be sure he knows it and expand it to learn other aspects as well. We have also been putting a focus on the Sports and Academics program to slow down our Webelos activities even more. But I fear he will still achieve his AOL sooner because of the Webelos program being two years and we are kinda geared to the one year thing. I also don't want to slow my sons enthusiasm to make eagle and join a 'crew' (he wants to be a sea scout too).

I have been researching scouting to see what options are available and what I can offer or provide information about to our pack. Many of the leaders are not interested the extra award activities like donor awareness or crime prevention that I have suggested when talking to them. There are so many out there I would think they would want to do some. I was also looking into the Boy Scout program so I can be more prepared for what he will need to learn.

In my research I came across information about Lone Scouting. With limited information available, I found this forum and would like your opinions and responses to several questions. I am considering planning a visit with the district executive, and want to go prepared. The websites say that many have little if any knowledge of the Lone Scout program. Here are my current questions:

1) Can a Lone boy or Cub Scout regularly participate in a local pack troop? This would be an average of 2 meetings a month, some months none, some months all, depending on our schedule and need as well as optional 'event' participation like Derbys and camping. There is a homeschool troop/pack we could arrange to meet with occassionally but they are to far away for regular or even once a month meetings. (We would pay for my sons awards and make any requested donations for any supplies used from the pack.)

2) As a parent/ counselor, what type of training would I need?

3) As a Lone Boy Scout, would he need to meet with a Merit Badge Counselor, or would I be it? Would I need training for each one?

4) Would this be a good way to try to start a new pack/troop in our area for homeschoolers? (Get others to LoneScout as a group until/if we have enough to form a proper pack/troop).

5) Would we be able to get a scout shop account to put like popcorn money into?

6) Is there information available (on-line?) about how to start a new pack/troop?

This is just an option we are considering. There are many other personal weights to this decission besides the above statements and questions. We really enjoy scouting and would like to stay with the program through both boys (another 10 plus years).

I would like to thank you in advance for your responses. They will help us descide what to do.

Thank you

momandscout

I agree with the previous posts. When my son was a Wolf we had a CM and ACM that were volunteers from the Troop. They would yell above the boys to get there attention. I have even heard of some using a whistle (ie Kindergarten Cop). Our current CM for the last 2 years is a quiet guy, he even has a soft voice, and has a lot of trouble getting the boys' attention at pack meetings. I have made it a point to go around and tap boys on the shoulders and say signs up (Cub sign held up means quiet).

You definitely have to put your foot down and get the parents that are there to help.

Sctmom,

I like that: 'BSA doen't stand for Baby Sitters of America'. That was a good one I will have to remember.

momandscout

I was wondering if the BSA was considering a program below Tiger Cubs? I've been looking (for personal knowledge of programs) at other scouting organizations in other countries and how they are run. Many have a rank refered to as Beaver instead of Tiger. It is a 2 year program covering 6 to 8 yos or kindergarten AND 1st grade. Canada's even covers 5yos as does the Daisy Girl Scouts (they say K or ages 5&6).

There is a fear that adding younger boys inturn dumbs down the program. It doesn't need to be dumbed down, just start teaching them younger. The Cub Scouts are divided into dens/rank for a reason, to seperate the age groups. For the pack meetings, it is a time to show what you have done and 'show off' something you learned like a song or skit. Everybody can do this the best they can. For other things like a large group program like safety, the leaders can decide if an age participates or has a seperate program based on the same things. This can also be an insentive to stay in scouts, to get to do things at an older age.

I know when my older son (now 10 in Webelos 1) was Kindergarten age, he wanted to join scouts with his cousin (Wolf then) and was so upset when he couldn't. I know this happens a lot in other families as well. About 5yo is when they want AND CAN do things, so start then.

Anyway, just a question if they are thinking about it.

Interested parent

momandscout

I like the belt because it is adjustable. However you do need to watch how much is trimmed off the tail. My hubby (formaer navy) trimmed our sons as a Wolf and he is now on the verge of outgrowing it. He is a Webelos now with just the buckle and we don't want to buy a whole new belt. Can't they just sell the belting seperate too?

momandscout

What do you do with a pack for a Toys for Tots Drive? Do they offer patches or is there one that can be ordered (what co. please) or appropriatly used (BSA)?

Thank you

momandscout

We try not to allow the plastic holders except for temporary patches because of how bad they tend to look. I have told (especially new) parents that any patch that has a designated place on the uniform should be sewn on. I will be offering to sew patches on for a small fee to our pack and to local the troop. Does anyone have suggestions for fees? My sons and my uniforms are as correct as I can make them, I want to be a good example.

momandscout

Can a boy earn a protestant (christian based) religous award when they do not have a formal church home and therefor not a pastor? The family is christian and they are looking for a church home but have yet to find one they like.

Also, can the parents or leaders earn an award for going through the program with the boys?

Thanks

momandscout

In working on the uniforming of the pack, we have run into a small problem within the leaders about inspctions and proper insignia placement. Some leaders feel that the placemet of patches is a close enough thing or at least they got it on the uniform. The placement of the temporary patch is the biggest thing. Some of our leaders have temp. patches above and on the right pocket and on their sons, when approached, they get really uptight about it. I understand the rule for the female leaders in Cubs wearing either uniform shirt can place a temp patch above the right pocket but can still wear only one (not one there and on the pocket).

The inspections are another issue but involve the temp patches. Most the leaders support doing inspections. However, some feel requireing proper patchplacement and everyone striving to look their best in their uniform will take away from the boys fun. I think we can make it fun especially if we let the parents know where the patches andother awards belong before they are put onto the uniforms.

These are issues we are discussing as a committee. Any suggestions on how to get these points to follow BSA standard rather than how some leaders feel would be appreciated.

thank you

momandscout