PACK15NISSAN

I think it is just something in the air this year that parents don't want to send their boys to camp or boys just don't want to go. For our Day Camp we only had 3 Webelos 1's out of 10-12, and 2 Webelos 2's out of 10-12. We haven't had our Resident Camp (coming at the end of July) but we only have 3 maybe 4 Webelos 1's same boys plus one other, and we have no Webelos 2's. Whatever is causing this I sure hope it stops next year.

I found that most of the classes or activities where focused on having fun not necessarily earning anything, which I like. During games and sports I talked to the guy running it and we played Ultimate Frisby and Wiffle Ball instead of Kickball so that we could earn some BL's toward the Sportsman pin. He told me he didn't care so much what we did, he just had ideas and was happy for us to play anything (he learned to play Ultimate too). The only class that was directed specifically at achievements was First Aid and geared toward whatever rank was being taught. By the end of the week the bo

Let me rephrase: When one of the boys abused, misused, or took advantage of their leader, that they be returned the favor. One day when these boys grow up will be able to 'almost exactly' apply their 'servant leadership' skills to work doing 'military intelligence', that is a my 'unbiased opinion'.

During our Summer Camp I worked on achievements (Webelos Badges) that the camp didn't list on our papers. They did some as groups in activites but during den time I worked on getting some of the badges done rather than I few here and there that the camp suggested (that just means those boys have to do it twice, once at camp and once during den back at their own Pack). I was completely open to ideas on what to do, I would have welcomed any ideas or suggestions (I just wanted to help the boys toward their badges it didn't matter so much as how or which ones). A good leader won't be offended by y

We will be instuting the denner/patrol leader method in our den next year (Webelos 1). The previous leader never used it, since we had 3 leaders the extra help wasn't needed (his words not mine). Have a denner or PL gets them ready for Boy Scouts and teaches them both to lead and follow. We used the PL method during Summer Camp and some of the boys learned that if they did not listen when some one else was in charge most often others didn't listen when it was their turn. I told the boys to study over the summer and that when we started back we would have a test on all the Activity B

Pack432Centerville: (try not to take offense) The program that I have written is not some customization of Trax, it is its own program completely written by me, so please do not offend by comparing adding to a program to writing one. However, I am glad that you have been able to adapt Trax to your needs, that is not what I have done, if I have made it seem so than I apologize. I simply used Trax as a basis for my design, similar setup. There is a great number of Packs that do not use computer records for achievements or advancement (at least in my area). Of those who do most use Pack

I guess no matter how much I dislike it I must face the music and realize that my software is probably not going to sell. Trax has beat me to the punch. Although I don't agree, I guess it is better to have something for free than something slightly better for money. The only thing I can really hope for is to pitch it to the other Packs in my council and hope people aren't using or don't like Trax. As far as software goes, I have put a lot of time into writing this program and will not switch over to something different. This really started out as something to help me and some of the

The program basis is Excel (Access is too expensive and not enough people have it). There are some things that I like better than Trax and ultimately it will leave room for user added local awards and a compiling program for the entire packs awards and advancements. I will always provide support for anything I do, problems, questions, advice, whatever. Since the discs would be relatively cheap like $10 each den and $50-$60 for the entire pack including leaders and compiling, and considering that Cub Scout requirements don't change too drastically too often I was not planning on offering u

Okay, from what I can see, it is going to be pretty hard to sell my program because there is one similar (perhaps not as good but comperable) to mine available for free. I can understand that, don't spend money on something you don't need. What we software need to do compared to Trax to be worth buying? (keep in mind we are talking $10-20) Is there something that you guys and gals would want the software to do better, different, new?

I have tried several types of free software and what I have developed is more in depth and user friendly then any of them. The programs can be compiled to store data into a large database much like PackMaster and it is customizable to include local awards. This is not some simple spreasheet you put your info into, it is an intelligent system to track achievements and advancement. (This message has been edited by a staff member.)

As far as selling it is concerned, I am planning on taking it to one the roundtables and showing it to all of the Packs in our Council and maybe that will help get it started. There is always the chance that some one will make copies but I am not worried about that, it isn't Windows and if people are going to steal then I am not going to great lenghts to stop them. From what I have seen of PackMaster it may be a good program but the recording of achievements and tracking of advancements is lacking as you said. Basically the program is designed partially off of the Trax programs, jus

Since I am a new leader and want to do the best I possibly can for my boys I decided to find some software that would help keep up with their advancement and achievements. I found a couple for free on the internet and tried them, one being Trax and just thought they did not get as deep as I would like and they lacked some things I wanted so I developed my own. I have almost finished the Webelos program and have completed Tigers and Bears, I will be working on a Wolf and one for tracking leader training. When I showed them to our CM and other leaders they thought they where great to move away w

It is good to see a new Leader who actually wants to be 'Trained'. It is not required for any leader positions (just Youth Protection), although it probably ought to be. The things you learn in Leader Specific can make the difference between a den that suceeds or a den that just gets by (got plenty of those in my Pack). If you are a Bear or a Webelos Leader consider Outdoor Webelos Leader Training (OWL), it is the same concept as BALOO just geared up for older boys. I have always tried to get as much training as possible, I feel that is important to the sucess of the boys. When dealing wi

It is not my goal or desire to take anything away from the boys just so they can earn all 20 badges. My son will have earned 6 by the time scouts start back and there are other boys who will earn 4 or 5. It is not really as hard as I initally thought if the boys work hard toward it. I am not going to take away from them working with the Boy Scouts nor their other activities just to get something done. The whole thing is a team building exercise and something to show them they can achieve big when they work hard. I have 3 other leaders helping me and a good supply of parents, that are all

I am going to take the advice of the group and wait until after my Webelos move up to become a MBC. I would rather make sure they are ready to become Boy Scouts and then continue to help them as a MBC. ScoutNut: What is your problem man? Does it really matter how long I have been involved with scouts or how long my son has either? I don't go through life wondering what I can get, rather I go through thinking how can I give or help. I already know more than a good portion of those out there, that is why the previous den leader handed me the reigns because I had more knowledge of what

I am going to take the advice of the group and wait until after my Webelos move up to become a MBC. I would rather make sure they are ready to become Boy Scouts and then continue to help them as a MBC. ScoutNut: What is your problem man? Does it really matter how long I have been involved with scouts or how long my son has either? I don't go through life wondering what I can get, rather I go through thinking how can I give or help. I already know more than a good portion of those out there, that is why the previous den leader handed me the reigns because I had more knowledge of what

My Webelos have high goals this year and the next (before they become Boy Scouts) and I told them if they would work hard I would make sure I would work just as hard for them to achieve their goals. I don't want to take any time away from them and I know that Webelos can be more time consuming than the other ranks of Cub Scouting. However, I do want to give back to the scouts in every way I can. The Merit Badges I am looking into our Drafting, Architecture, and Engineering. Are these popular Badges? I don't want to do something just to say I am doing that (of CM does enough of that for t

Can I be both a Webelos Leader and a MBC for the Boy Scouts at the same time? Has anyone had any experience with this? From what I read there is no conflict but is it possible there would be, how much time is involved with being a MBC? I have 2 young kids, one in scouts, is this going to be too much for me to handle?

tyris620: The Rangemaster for both BB's and Archery do have to sign off on any BL's or pins, and they did so. This was a Council Cub Day Camp and after we worked through the week the Rangemaster for each discipline told the leaders to record that they had earned the BL. They have a listing of every boy that attended the camp and which days and activities he participated in case this ever comes into question the Rangemaster can check his sheets and verify. Pack212Scouter: After discussing things with you, I am going to let everything stand. The boys have earned the Sportsman Badg

Basementdweller: This was in no way intended to be a race for my boys nor I try hard and I will give the patch anyway type of thing. These boys choose to work toward this goal, knowing it would be hard and I told them I do what I needed for them to suceed. I fully agree with you and gscan that each badge should be earned individually. I don't think it directly states that except in some places but I want the boys to know what they are working on and earning and truly earn each one. I have thought through and planned on lesson plans that utilize working on multiple requirements at the same

We just finished up our Day Camp last week, my son and I both had a blast. Our fee was $60 for 5 days (8-5) and there was a $15 discount if a parent was willing to volunteer for 3 days or more. Both his and my shirt where included, all supplies and crafts (birdhouse, boat, bug house), 2 good snacks, awards and patches all for $45. I can't find a day camp anywhere else that I could send my son for less than $125 for the week. We had a tot lot, but only for the kids of volunteers and they participated in opening and closing but only male siblings or friends could come with the scout unless

I don't have any problems with the adults in my den wearing the full uniform. When I took over the den, I made sure that both Assistants knew that I planned on holding uniform inspections and that a full uniform for them would be expected as well. They both went out and got the pants. Don't get me wrong, I want the kids to have a fun and rewarding experience in scouts but I also want them to be prepared for Boy Scouts. I make sure that I set the example by always wearing my uniform, no matter if its a den meeting, pack meeting, pinewood derby, etc. I want all the boys to know that the le

I intend to bring the entire 'Uniform' issue up at our first leaders meeting of the scouting year. Our Pack lacks leadership and organization, they just kind of do whatever, whenever, and the boys follow suit. That is why I believe that I am fast going to become one of those 'like me or hate me' guys, because I am very organized, I stick to a schedule and expect parents and other volunteers to do the same. I am going to sit down with the parents and the kids and let everyone know what is expected, especially uniform wise and that if there are any problems, questions, or concerns to come

I know that not all the kids have the pants and I don't think they required them in the past, however we have a district competition in February in which Uniforms is one thing they are graded on so I am going to have to make the pants required. I know this is problably not going to go over well and I will have some complaints but the competition is a team thing so they have to learn to sacrifice for the team.

I understand that beginning to implement Uniform Inspections during Webelos is a good idea to get them ready for Boy Scouts. We have never had a Uniform Inspection before, nor have any of the other dens to my knowledge. I am just now taking over our den, in the past they where just the shirt, sometimes a pack t-shirt, sometimes street clothes, some kids where the whole uniform but not many. How do I go about implementing this? Should I be easy at first, then get harder or stick to the guidelines all the way through? I was thinking of implementing a calendar with an A, B, C uniform co