msnowman

If I remember correctly (and someone here will have the insignia handy and will confirm or deny this) for the religious knot - if it is earned as a Cub Scout the Cub Scout device is worn on the knot. After that, if it is earned at the succeeding higher levels the corresponding device is added to the knot. Thus a boy who completed the religious knot requirements as a 1-3 grader, 4-5 grader, 6-8 grader and 9-12 grader would have 4 miniature devices on his single purple knot. This means your Webelos son should have 2 pins on his knot, one Cub Scout and one Webelos.

Also - as a note - the 4th pin is the Venture pin. It doesn't mean the boy was a Venturer when he earned it, merely that he earned the 4th level.

Again - I do not have the insignia guide at hand (my office frowns on that while on company time), so I may be off. But this group is a great place for "gentle re-education" of such faux pas.

YiS

Michelle

Last night, for reasons that escape me at the moment, I spent the night dreaming about my upcoming month of den meetings. Except I was totally unprepared. You know, kinda like the dream where you go to school/work with no pants. I know its not a subconscious hint to work on my month's plans because I've been doing that for the last 3 weeks.

So who else gets haunted by meeting prep in their dreams? I'm begging you not to make me feel crazier than I already do.

YiS

Michelle

We got Nephew a zero degree mummy bag and nagleen bottle in prep for February's Chill-Out. His father got him some new long underwear, plus he got a polar fleece layer to wear under his winter coat. Still needs mittens and wool socks, but he's getting there.

YiS

Michelle

When Nephew received his AoL and bridged over, we gave him and his den mate a hiking staff. Yea, it was the generic one from the catalog. I stained both of them, added a rope grip (turks head from parachute cord on the bottom with the cord then wrapped up 6 or 8 inches and tied into a turks head on the top, all one piece of cord). Then I added the AoL staff medallion and the red Universal Emblem. Nephew has recently requested I add Tenderfoot and 2nd Class to his staff (just completed 2nd Class BoR).

YiS

Michelle

Nephew has both and based on the amount of time he spends playing them, PS2 wins hands down. Unless your kids insist on cutting edge PS3 when it comes out, I'd get the PS2 now. By the time they are really chomping for a PS3 their prices will be down, the kinks will be worked out (like with PS2 the network card is now included instead of having to be a seperate purchase) and more games will be available for less money (IE - the PS2 classics collection).

Good luck and good gaming

Michelle

Thanks all. I will continue to ask him to wear his sash once a month for the Pack meetings. Now if I could just get it to stay on...the small is too small and the large is too large....I didn't see any mediums at our Scout shop and he refuses to let me alter it in any fashion so it fits better.

YiS

Michelle

As much as Nephew loves Scouts, he does love his video games. Why? For just about all of the reasons Beavah mentioned above, especially the beating adults part.

His Troop on at least one occassion has planned a "Halo night" as an overnight, lock-in, Troop activity. (Halo being a multi-player video game). I'm not sure I consider this a great Scouting activity, but it was boy planned, led, coordinated, etc so that makes it a great Scouting activity regardless of what I (or any other adult) thinks.

Video games do not require 2 deep leadership, tour permits or an adult to drive. Boys can get together on the fly to hang out and play. Oh yea, and they don't just play the video game...they chat, compare notes, (and not just about the game either) etc (Nephew had an overnighter, video game birthday party....I learned more about 12 year old boys than I had hoped to know, my bedroom being right off the living room and young male voices carry well).

Oh yea and Beavah - You do get judged on the clothes your character wears if its a game wear you can acquire new gear...Nephew tells me everyday what new "stuff" his character has.

YiS

Michelle

As a long time gamer myself I will say that anything, in the extreme can be bad. I have pulled marathon 12 hour stints in front of my computer playing a popular MMPORPG (though I still took occassional bio breaks for me and to tend to my beagle Hank). There are gamers who let their addiction rule their lives and have paid the ultimate price (death)...but then that isn't much different from the smokers who sneak smokes on camping trips or huddle together in that smoked filled hut that our local Scout Camp has designated for such addicted people. Many will smoke until it ends their lives (Nephew's paternal grandmother died of lung cancer last March, my own died 9 years ago tomorrow).

I've been gaming since Pong (remember that?) first came out. I bought a PS2 during my summer vacation because my better half had a broken foot and couldn't go very far. Nephew and I frequently game together. We also frequently talk, shop, scout, movie and hang up together.

That said, lets not forget that video games are not the source of all evil and the cause of all of our children's problems. Everything in moderation...Alcohol, food, tobacco, sex, video games....too much of any of them can cause physically, psychological or personal loss.

IMHO

YiS

Michelle

It has been posted that the merit badge is only worn to for formal events such as CoHs. Fair enough and easy to agree with. However, my question is - for den chiefs should/may they wear their MB Sash to formal Pack events such as Pack Meetings, B&G, Bridging Over? These aren't troop activities but they are formal events for the Pack.

Nephew is my den chief and I ask him to wear his sash for Pack meetings but would cease if it is considered an inappropriate time/place to wear his sash.

Thanks as always

YiS

Michelle

All of my Cubs call me Michelle. When Nephew was still a Cub most of them called me Tia because that was how they heard me referred to most of the time (everybody in the family calls me Tia, not just Nephew). I think its a matter of personal preference. In our particular Pack all of the adults prefer to be addressed by their first names instead of Mr/Ms/Mrs.

YMMV

YiS

Michelle

Though my days of being CM are coming to an end after 3 years (someone has finally stepped forward, yeee-haaa), we have always let any den or portion of a den who wanted to "perform" do so. Granted, we are really small, so running over time is an issue. Actually running too short is a bigger problem. Last month we had a combined Tiger/Wolf/Bear skit because of the number of boys we had available. This month the skit will probably be a Wolf/Den Chief thing. Sometimes the boys just want to come up and tell about their new pet or a visitor at their house. Any sharing is welcome as long as it doesn't wander off into "I shot/stabbed/burnt it a lot" kind of thing (only a problem for one boy). I figure the more they are up front, the more comfortable they will be.

YiS

Michelle

DL - Wolf/Bears P-102

Traditionally we have help Pinewood in January, B&G in February and AoL/Bridging Over in March. The boys have all be comfortable with this schedule. The Web II's generally like being the main focus of the March meeting, as they invite extra people who are special to them. It also helps make our long Maine winters a bit more bright with something special going on during the coldest/darkest parts of our winter. Also, by having the AoL/Bridging at our March Pack meeting, the oooh factor doesn't get lost in the bright lights and fun/games of the B&G. Last year the Tigers all made rank by March, so they received their ranks and had their faces painted with their Tiger stripes as their first step on the Path that "Nephew and Friend" are now completing. It made a nice bookend to the Bridging over actually.

YiS

Michelle

How about looking at the uniforms as "Vintage" or "Retro" instead of "Old"? I recently bid on two "vintage" overseas caps for Nephew. One came with 2 "vintage" red scarves and a "vintage" Den Chief Braid (with the pin on blue shoulder tab since it was meant for a shirt with no epaulette). He has been thrilled to show them to everybody and has added the word "vintage" to his daily vocabulary.

We have one boy in our Pack who has a complete "vintage" uniform, it was a yard sale find, the shirt is colorless and says Cub Scouts USA, the hat is the blue beanie style w/ the yellow piping and he has the blue pants with the yellow piping. His only pieces of modern uniforming are neckerchief and slide. He knows his is different but still "real" and that was the part that was important to him.

YiS

Michelle

Lisabob - according to the newest Leaders Book, the Tiger program will be facing some changes as of June 1, 2006. These changes include earning Bobcat before earning Tiger and using the Cub Scout Motto instead of "Search, Discover and Share.

On a different email list I belong too I had shared page/chapter/verse but am at work this morning and don't have my book handy. No, it doesn't say anything about a K program, but there are changes coming to Tigers...prolly as part of the full intergration thing.

YiS

Michelle

outgoing CM - P102

Nephew bridged over in March and went to summer camp in June with the Troop, with only one Camporee under his belt (his Troop doesn't do much camping, except district Camporees). He also did a second week with the Provo Troop and had a blast booth weeks. He has already asked if he can do 6 weeks next summer and was miffed when I advised him he can only do 4 (Boy Scout camp only runs for 4 weeks, 1 week for Pal & Me and 3 Cub Camp weeks). Maybe it makes a difference if its the boy's first resident camp experience? Nephew had 3 years of Cub Resident Camp so he was already familiar with the basic routine at camp. Yea, he found BS camp to be more free and enjoyed it a ton....is already making his plans to go as CIT and then Staff when he's old enough.

YiS

Michelle

I don't know if your troop does winter camping or not, nor how cold that is for you, but how about something like Non-metal cup/flatwear/mess kit like suddenly has appeared on Nephew's list? His troop will be doing a Chillout in February with a practice run in January. It gets a bit chilly in Maine in Febrrrrruary, so we are learning what things he needs and just realized about the metal eating gear he has.

YiS

Michelle

What do I want for Christmas is one of the big questions for this time of year. Like Eamonn, I'm not particularly patient and will go buy that "thing" I want when I have the money, not wait for a holiday to ask someone else to get it for me. This year the only two things I'd like for Christmas are a job for my better half and a Cubmaster for our Pack. The person who said they would do it backed out and I simply will not reup in that position again (the infamous burnout syndrome).

Okay, if I'm being materialistic I'd really like the Gilmore Girls season 4 boxed set and Family Guy seasons 1 & 2. Oh yea, and the new Prince of Persia PS2 game (yes, I am in touch with my inner 13 year old).

Happy Holidays to you and yours

YiS

Michelle

Wolf/Bear DL - P102

Good luck with getting your meeting needs met. Have you talked to your COR? Perhaps he/she could be helpful bridging the gap between Pack and Church. Our Pack is very lucky in that our COR is a very active Scouter, involved with both Troop and Pack, as well as holding a District position.

gwd wondered why den leaders are reluctant to hold meetings in their homes. I wanted to point out that not all den leaders have homes that are conducive to have a group of young, active boys in them. I would hold a meeting in my home only as an absolute last resort. I have rugs throughout the house and it is far easier to wash the industrial tile floors in the Parish Hall if paint/food/glue/etc gets spilled on the floors than it would be to clean the same out of my rugs. And yes, that makes a difference. Add to that the small, breakable, collectible antiques in our living room and it is not a space that is Cub scout friendly.

YMMV

Michelle

After a wonderful Pack meeting with an advancement ceremony for Bobcat that really hit the oooh factor, we had a parents meeting. Our two Den Chiefs took the Cubs and visiting siblings into a seperate room (door open and with in view/earshot of all the adults) to do crafts and watch a movie. Our COR and CC laid it dead out on the line for all the parents. "You need to step up or the pack will fold". We had 1 step up for CM and 1 parent who was going to drop out agree to stay for a while longer. We have a new TL since there were numerous complaints against the former leader. Note that these complaints just came to light in the last week when a parent called me. I went right directly to the CC and the COR and we got right on the problem as soon as we knew there was one.

There will be a learning curve for the new people coming in, but the old people are staying on, just in new positions. So - P102 is still going on and looking forward to the future.

Just wanted to share

YiS

Michelle

DL - P102

Retiring CM

Having only (so far) been a registered Cub adult I have to say that boy interest/aging out seems to play a pretty big role in losing registered Cub Adults. The burnout factor sets in too on those people who have been holding 2 or more positions for a length of time (that's me). Another factor on the Cub side (IMHO) is the "I was there when it was my boy, its your turn now". Though it is true that the adults don't always leave when their boy ages out of Cubs. Our Pack CC's grandson bridged to BS 2 years ago and my own Scout did the same last year. Yet she and I are both active. I am stepping down as CM due to the burnout & "its your turn" factor, but I am still doing a combo Wolf/Bear den. We have a new Tiger leader who has no boy in the program but wants to see the program succeed so she agreed to come back also.

However, with time constraints I'm worried that by not being ableto take a more active role in the Troop, our family will be perceived as being uninvolved. Den leader takes a lot of time. But, I am taking on a Troop committee role since several members of the Troop are leaving because their boys have aged out or are going to Sea Scouts.

YiS

Michelle

Happy Holidays to all - this year we are having an extended family Thanksgiving - family, in-laws, honorary nephews, the whole shbang.

Our family sends its best wishes for a safe and joyous holiday season to your family too.

Michelle & the gang from Maine

Several years ago our Pack did something similar, except our jars were dry, meaning we measured and packed the dry ingrediants in the jars and attached the recipe card to the top. The purchaser (or receipient if it was given as a gift) then had to add the "wet" ingrediants from their own larder (meaning eggs, oil, shortening, etc). Packed that way the cookie "dough" keeps as long as it stays dry (in theory). My mother still has hers sitting on her cupboard. After 5 years there is no way you could get me to try them now, but it at least hasn't turned into a science experience gone bad.

Perhaps this Troop did something similar. Otherwise I would be worried like others have been about sanitation.

YiS

Michelle

I think this is a great idea, but since our Troop is still very much holding on to the "2 adults for any outing" I can't picture them letting a Patrol go off on an overnight without some amount of adult presence. AAMOF, the SPL suggested that very thing at the Troop committee meeting Wednesday and was resoundingly met with "sure, if you can get 2 adults per patrol to go".

Michelle

Since there is a rather long thread going on about what a BOR can/can't and should/shouldn't do it made me wonder what sort of questions a Scout could expect from a BOR.

Will a Scout going for 2nd Class be expected to pull out his compass and show how to take a reading? Or maybe, instead, be prepared to talk about where his hike was, the best/worst/muddiest part of it?

Should a 1st Class BOR expect him to demonstrate his lashing or simply be able to explain what he made and what it was used for?

With recharter I will be a member of the Troop Committee, so when/if I am asked to sit on a BOR I want to be prepared. I figure if we expect the boys to be, the least I can do is be prepared myself. And no, I can't just wait to cross that bridge when I get to it, I'm not good a "winging it" and like to know what is expected of me beforehand.

Thanks

YiS

Michelle

Kudo, I do appreciate your words about how he presents his beliefs to his leaders. One of the things he is taught at home in regards to religion is it isn't always a comfortable topic for general conversation. He saves most of his questioning and debating for private conversations at home. He also knows that BSA as a whole require a belief in A God, though be it not specifically the Christian God of the Christmas and Easter, but a God nonetheless. I think he is just in the questioning part of his decision making process, much like when he was 6 and on his first plane trip he asked me "Tia, where's heaven?" Trying to put things in place in his head so he can make his own best decision.

YiS

Michelle