Pack212Scouter

Seeing as it is part of the ANNUAL physical form which BSA requires for all Scouts and leaders, I have seen it as naming who is authorised to take to and pick up the Scout in general. In other words, these people may pick up and drop off for scouting meetings and events. What happens after the pickup and dropoff is the Units perogotive at that point.

That is because GSUSA is also Federally chartered.

I'm hoping that they probably do like our CO. Our CO requires a seperate background check form. Not too worried about the legal side with them as they probably process as many annually as the local Council

What your describing is camping. It doesn't matter if it is a single evening into morning or a week in the woods. They are still staying in a tent, cooking outside, etc. BSA is pretty plain on this. Tigers, Wolves and Bears can only camp on a Pack level. If you want to skirt this, it's up to you and your council, but what are you teaching the boys by breaking rules. That said, there is nothing that you, the CO, or the council can do if they wish to go camping as families somewhere. It just isn't a Cub Scout event.(This message has been edited by pack212scouter)

"I believe that the exposer that a boy gets in the Sports and Academic program to different activities is more valuable to a boy than a field trip to the zoo, or pumpkin patch, or farm, or pack sponsored family campout." I have to disagree with you on this one. Many of the belt loops, especially the sports ones are normal exposure for many boys now days. The Camping and family experiences sadly are not.

Our Pack has run the belt loop & pin program for as long as I can remember. The kids love it. The costs are built into dues as part of awards. We do have two restrictions on it. First, a belt loop/pin will only be awarded once. If they earn it twice, cool, but they already have it (most of our Scouts run out of waste lonf before they stop earning new belt loops anyway!). Also this encourages them to work on a new one. Second, we have a limit to six belt loops/pins per month. First of all, in most cases, that is all that a Cub can reasonably do and do it in the spirit of the

I've seen it done a few ways. a) allowing the Scouts to come up with one that each likes, b) presenting them with a list of options. a) allowing them to pursuade others, b) going straight to a vote a) show of hands, b) secret ballot. What I have seen done successfully is similar to the Olympic venue vote. First they are given a list of names to pick from. This should be long but not too extensive. Once each Scout has selected their favorite, you write them on the board. You then conduct a secret vote and come up with the top three. Cross out all the others and revote o

I can empithize with you. With our Pack of 170+ Scouts burnout is an ever present danger. Large or small, a good active pack can be a lot of work for one person. It sounds like you've done a great job, but don't keep carrying the load alone. There should be a Pack Committee helping with every roundup/registration event. These 40 parents should be stepping up and helping. Even if it is only setup and teardown at an event, this takes an enormous load off of you. Be sure to space your major events out. Unless there is an unusual reason, there should never be more that one major event in a

This is the first time that I've heard this terminology. Nationals and our local Council don't use it. I can't say that I like the use of it eaither. They are a Webelos Scout before and after they earn AOL until they bridge over. AOL is a goal, and achievement, but not a rank and it is highly inappropriate.

We don't usually ask for financial details from people. Usually an expressed need is enough. We do require a few things if they are scholarshiped. First, they have to participate in a fundraiser. This doesn't mean that they have to raise enough to pay for everything, only that they make a good faith effort. Second, they have to volunteer in some way for the Pack we don't want forced leaders, but as simple as helping with a concession stand at an event or helping set up for an event. Third, if we pay for an event for them, especially a Council event, then they have to show up or have a ve

Not every Scout is a good Den Chief. Also sometimes it is harder to get them from smaller Troops, as there are plenty of leadership positions to go around. Sometimes you get better results from the larger troops where the boys are looking for leadership opportunities.

Sounds like the current leadership of the Pack took over a few years ago and decided that they didn't want to bother with the "extra stuff", but just get their boys through. Kind of sad, as it is self serving. If this is the case, these people should have never stepped up to the positions, however it may have been the case at the time that no one else would. It also sounds like your DE may not be doing his job either if he is not responding. Our DE attends/speaks at ALL the school nights/boy rallys unless the unit specifically does not want him to do it because they do it themselves. I wou

Sounds like the Dens are getting really full...almost too full. We have found that your target for Den size should be Tiger, 6-8, Wolf/Bear, 6-10 with going over 10 being only with good leaders and Scouts, Webelos, 8-10. I have seen very few Dens over 10 that are well functional.

Our Council is in the phase of really encouraging Packs to let people "try out" Cub Scouting. In other words, only charge them BSA dues for the first couple of months. I'm not necessarily a big fan of this, but with the encouraged "try and drop" approach, I now count percentage from the January recharter for Den Leader Award (we used to count the entire year) As for summertime activity, it would be a percentage of how many went into summer as part of the Pack with the intent of returning.

Our Pack saves the actual rank awarding for the graduation baquet. HOWEVER, as soon as they complete the requirements, they have received all of their beads and can begin working on electives for arrow points. We don't stop the immediate recognition.

In our Pack you wear the uniform to all activities (Den Meetings, Pack Meetings, and activities). Exceptions are made for "class B" t-shirts at camps and "dirty" or "wet" outdoor activities which we announce.

I think that our Pack uses everything except texting, facebook, and carrier pigeons. We use OneCallNow for urgent announcements and reminders. In addition, we have a calendar, monthly newsletter (in print and e-version), website, email, e-blasts, and pack meeting announcements (for activities). I've come to the realization that with some parents (and even some leaders) you could staple it to their forehead and they would say that you didn't tell anyone!

Our troop currently limits age on some merit badges, ie. for Citizenship you must be at least 14. Do any other troops do this? And is this considered adding to a requirement?

We usually run about 60% event attendance durring out Scouting year and over the summer events usually draw about 40%-50%. BTW...We went to Patriots Point last year. You get a heck of a deal for $60. Their program is outstanding. It includes 2 nights on the ship, 4 meals, an excursion program, and the Medal of Honor Museum is outstanding. Not to mention that there is an impressive collection of aircraft, a submarine that you can go through, and the Vietnam Firebase.

Our Pack is one of the larger Packs. We had 172 boys last year. I anticipate around 180 after roundup this year. There are many advantages and disadvantages for Packs of this size. Large Packs can leverage the numbers, making quality events cheaper per Scout. Large Packs can usually afford better event locations because of the numbers. Large Packs also often have more infrastructure and equipment. Large Packs have a wide variety of volunteer skills to draw upon. Large Packs may also have more ability to scholarship a youth's costs. There are definitely disadvantges also though. Anyth

Are you sure about that Beavah? I thought that a unit, co, or leader could not add to or take away from advancment requirements?

I am so sorry for your loss, it is something that noone should have to go through. As has been said here earlier, it is not allowed by the uniform policy for the Green Venturing uniform. From a strictly uniforming perspective it is because people can choose to honor anyone with anything in that case, so it is easier to draw the line at nothing. That said, I understand your desire to honor them. Wearing them will bring some comments about them from time to time, and sometimes rude ones. The question is, is it something that you want to get into if someone does challenge it, or somethin

Mike, you have a good point. It's funny how quickly you get used to "yelling" at other peoples kids. What amazes me is how many parents will be present, sit back and check out, ignoring their child running wild.

Our members will be spending the day with their families, the next weekend we'll be going to one of the local rock wall facilities and climbing for the day, probably followed up with Dairy Queen.(This message has been edited by pack212scouter)

Sounds like a reasonable approach. Just make sure that you have your CO's backing to prevent any further issues. Also, keep in mind the personal approach for higher positions. Quite often you'll get a "someone else in the group will do it" thinking in these meetings. A one-on-one over coffee with one or two people who you think have the ability and burried desire will often yield great results.