Pack212Scouter

Ok...not to really step in it here, but the boys in the Troop should already be planning their camp-outs and programming with guidance from the leaders. Since they should be the one's planning and voting on such things to begin with, I would think that this would be superfluous.

BSA has a no gambling policy. Therefore although some units do such things, raffles, etc. are not allowed. Door prizes are allowed. It's the fine line between offering something to everyone in attendance and requiring a purchase for a "chance".

Depends on the event...For campouts and similar activities, it's rain or shine, unless severe weather. If severe weather is predicted, we try to reschedule.

Our Pack has pretty definite guidelines. 25% of gross popcorn sales, and the full 45% of camp card sales goes into their accounts. They may use it to pay for any scouting functions of the Pack, District, or Council...or any item that the Pack has available...t-shirts, PWD cars, etc....also, dues and blue & gold tickets. Finally, if a Scout leaves Scouting, the money stays with the Pack. If they move to another unit, it goes with them if the family wishes. If they go to the Troop, it goes to the Troop with them. If there is another sibling in the Pack, it is their choice whether it all stays with the Pack or 50% goes with them.

The CO is free to limit the position to male members and even members of it's congregation (if a church). Our CO does this for several reasons. First, they want no hint of impropropriety. Second, they want the accountability of it being a member of their congregation (as well as it being someone who abides by their statement of faith). And third, a lot of boys now days have single parents (usually moms) and it s felt that boys need good male role models to look to and spend time with.

Our Pack has run Scout Accounts for many years now, very successfully. We have found that it increases participation in both popcorn sales and events. We allow the boys to use them for any Scouting activity that the Pack can pay for.

The Accounts used to be tracked on an Excel spreadsheet, but we now track them in QuickBooks. It doesn't really take much more effort for us, since we track all transactions for each Scout anyway.

I've never put a drivers license down for a parent transporting their own child. All that write there is "transportation by own parent" and the council has always been fine with that. I think that in their minds it covers the event...which is just silly seeing as it's already covered as a Council event.

Try checking the local councils for Scout Camps in the area. They are usually very reasonable and usually have showers, running water, sometimes full w/c facilities and sometimes even cabins. Contact the Del-Mar-Va council about this.

Also, at one time, the military bases offered accomodations to traveling BSA units. I am not sure if that is still policy or not.

You need to check with your DE. While it is true that if a parent only transports their own child, you do not need specific transport information, some Councils have decided that they want Tour Permits for District/Council events. Don't ask me why...it makes no sense to me, but our council started doing so last year.

Raingutter Regatta works well. Have 1, 2 or 3 sets of tracks with some premade boats to race. They are only 8-10' long. Something else that is fun is 2-litter water rockets. If it's in a park, that is doable, but the area for launch needs to be about 60' or so to allow for the return.

"That's a better solution than a trailer, which does require insurance and licensing ..."

Insurance - The a trailer on property, may or may not be covered by your CO's insurance. The contents also may or may not be covered under you CO's insurance. You should check into this. While being towed, it "may or may not" be covered by the tower's personal insurance, once again, check. A lot of "may"s in this category.

Licensing - Depends on the state, use, and distance. For instance, in Kentucky, a cargo trailer (I think it's under 12,000 lbs) that is for non-commercial use does not need to be licensed if it is not taken out of state.

Cleaning up trails at a local park.

Collecting foodstuffs or clothing for the needy.

Putting together school packs with school supplies for underprivileged children.

Yard maintenance for the elderly.

Helping with beutification of a Park or other area via flower planting, etc.

Reading or visiting at a Nursing home.

Depends alot on the Pack. If alot of gear gets transported multiple times per year, or if there is storage needs, then it could make sense. Remember though, you need someone with a vehicle to tow it. Also remember that there are maintenace costs (brakes, tires, weather sealing), and could be theft issues of the trailer and it's contents.

As for the U-Haul option, we used that a few years ago, thinking that it was a good idea to save money. That was until we got it loaded and, luckily for us, discovered a huge crack in the hitch underneath. We would up showing up two hours late for the campout, after unloading the gear, taking the trailer back, and getting a new one. I guess that's better than the alternate scenario of having the hitch break with all of our gear in it on the interstate. I guess the moral is to make sure that the person picking it up checks it closely.

No, we don't reside in NC, we are a Pack from Louisville, KY. Thanks for the information. After doing the Yorktown, I think we would want to overnight on a ship. The boys really did gain an appreciation of everything and grasp it better with the increased time onboard and the physical reality of sleeping onboard.

Evmori, a broad statement like that is not correct. Although for a small Pack that may be a lot, for a Pack of our size, that is almost the expense of some events. Additionally, if there are funds being collected for an expenditure such as a trailer or new PWD track, that can run several thousand dollars. Finally, if the Pack relies mostly on Popcorn sales to raise funds and especially if the Pack provides a lot of things for the boys (such as books or even uniforms), that amount of funds could easily be needed to run the Pack through the next Popcorn Sale which would end in Oct/Nov. That is four to five months away with roundup and possibly at least one major event such as a campout...so $7000 is not necessarily a lot of money to have in a Pack account. There should be a reason for it though.

Our Pack for example has an accumulating account for major equipment replacement (PWD, etc); an account for Scout Accounts (fundraising money they can spend on activities); an account for scholarships ($1000); an activities account for events; and the general operating account. So as you can see, it is not uncommon for our Pack account to run in the $5000-$10000 range, and sometimes over $30,000 after Popcorn Sales. This would of course be less for smaller Packs, but $7000 would not be unreasonable if the dollars have a purpose.(This message has been edited by pack212scouter)

I believe that it would be appropriate for you to wear your uniform to any Scouting function. If you were wearing it to influence, then that would simply not be respectful.

I know that you may already know this, but that is certainly not the way that it is supposed to be. The COR does not necessarily attend Committee meetings, however, the CO, via the COR is who actually approves and "fires" all volunteers from the Committee Chair to the Asst. Den Leaders. For example, I am a Cubmaster and I do a lot of planning and organization; however everything that I do is subject to the approval of the CC and the Committee. I wouldn't want this any other way as far as I am concerned.

The CC is not doing her job per say. It is the CC that is responsible to the CO for everything the Pack does, not the CM or ACM. The Den Leaders are not supposed to be committee members. The Pack Committee should consist of a Committee Chair, a Treasurer, and any others necessary to the running of the Pack, but should be limited in size for efficiencies sake. Den Leaders, the CM, and the ACM may contribute to the Committee. In some Packs, they may even be allowed a vote, but this is not really the way it is designed and they are not even allowed by BSA to be registered as Committee Members.

The idea is that the Committee is responsible for overseeing the program and the CM, ACM, and Den Leaders are responsible for implementing the program. Your options however are limited to a) talking with the COR/CO; b) talking with the Unit Commissioner or District Executive about this; or c) ignoring it and waiting it out. If it is a power trip issue, then the CO/COR should be the one to deal with it. If it is an organizational or knowledge issue, then the UC or DE should be the one to deal with it.

That WOULD be awesome. We are looking for something like that for next year.

I don't see what the issue really is. Caps are an optional part of the uniform. If they want to buy one, great. If they don't, it's not required. I have no issue with people wearing non-bsa hats with a uniform as long as it is removed for official functions.

The Pack belongs to your charter organization and ultimately who serves in leadership is up to the Charter Organization, via the Charter Organization Representative. As a matter of policy, the Pack Committee, not the Cubmaster or ACM should ultimately be deciding how funds are used and what happens. The Cubmaster's resposibility is to come up with program ideas, present them, and implement them as approved by the Committee, as well as be the "face of the Pack" and provide the Pack with energy. Your Pack may or may not have a policy about only paying for Pack run events, however I believe that there is an argument that this event could be sponsored by the Pack. Remember however that the Committee's resposibility is first to the Pack before the Council. If it is something that benefits the boys (and I personally believe that this would) then that would be valid. Remember however that the Committee should have an annual budget and these funds may be already allocated. Are they used for startup next year? Are some of them planned for a purchase such as a trailer or a Pinewood Derby Track? Remember that just because there is $7000 there, that does not mean that it doesn't have a name on those dollars for an event or purpose.

All of that said, the Cubmaster should be responding to you and that is just bad management. If it is just this time, maybe he is busy right now. If it is always, then that is poor communication.

Glad to hear that this worked out for you!

Just thought that I'd update everyone on our trip, just completed. We took 20 Webelos on the trip.

Day 1, Dad's packed the gear to the campsite, about 2 miles in and we overnighted.

Day 2, the kids spent the morning spashing and swimming in 60 degree swimming hole, and warmed up at a fire (yes we followed all the Safe Swim rules, water was not moving). Then hiked and fished the rest of the day.

Day 3, packed out in a torrential downpour and drove down to the Yorktown, spending the night there.

Day 4, Oceanography on the Yorktown and the day exploring it, the sub, and the Medal of Honor museum.

Day 5, Left the Yorkown and drove back to Pisgah, overnighting at the Daniel Boone High Adventure Base. Hiked up to the top of Black Balsam Know (6312 feet) for sunset and then returned to camp.

Day 6, Drove home.

The kids loved it. Not only did they not complain once, but had the time of their life and learned a lot! Some great memories for them.

And before anyone starts in, not only were all rules for Cub Scouting followed, but it was approved by regional via a national tour permit.

Ghermanno,

I understand what your saying, but in my humble opinion it should be more than just frequency for them to look forward to. It should be continuing advancement in skills. In other words, they no longer are hiking in the park, they are backpacking in a National Forest...they are no longer swimming in a pool, they are canoeing on a river, etc. You get my point.

I unfortunately have seen more boys not last after the troop transition level because they are not used to the activity frequency and level, that from burnout.

Yes they do segregate junior high and high school youth outside of large programming. Girls and Boys are separated at the summer camps, spring break outings, for small groups, etc.

Thanks for all of your input.

As for AHG, they are pretty new, just about 10 years old and for the most part simply have not branched into any high adventure type stuff. BSA issued a memorandum of understanding this year, allowing them to use BSA training, facilities, etc.