pack330

Hey everyone!

I didn't think that my post would still being read. A lot has happened since May. I did turn down the "council" but the good news is that I know that I will be back someday. We found out that the baby I am caring is a little girl. Her sister is very happy. But when it comes to BSA we still have one more to go thru with. My husband went to summer camp this year for the first time. My husband is not a big fan of Scouts(bad experiences as a Cub Scout) but went because he wanted to spend time with our two older boys. He got that Scouting bug and thinks he wants to start helping out. Maybe a Assistant Scoutmaster, etc. We are finishing up building our new house, President of Rotary Club(term doesn't end until 6/30/07) and having a new baby next month. I told him baby steps so that he doesn't get "burn out" too. I will start back in Cub Scouts 9/2010 if not before. What is finally happening with my husband is what I wanted in the first place. He does a better job of saying "NO" when he needs to and that is a problem for me but I'm a work in progress. I know that I want find a way to keep doing Scouts in some way but haven't found what that place is yet. I am taking a year of as of July 2006 to see where life takes me and my family. Wish us all luck and remember that our Councils aren't the BAD guy but they are the driving force behind all of us. I have to agree with Eamonn:)

I have decided to step down from my current position as Treas. of our local troop. I was the Cubmaster, a trainer for district, and membership chair for our district as well. I also have done things for council as well (daycamp, etc.).

I have step down little by little from each job because of all that I am doing with my family. We have four children and one on the way. We home school and are active in our local church. I sent a email to our small council to notify them that I would be leaving Scouts all together. They asked me to stay on at the district level to maintain my "years in Scouting". This council level person has already asked me to help train a new unit in the same email from him that I recievced with a reply from my resignation letter.

My job would be to help behind the scenes with membership as a committee member. The district chair told me that he understood how much my time was limited but the council folks are trying to get me to do more than I can. I told everyone that I have been working with that I'm burnt out and just want to be a parent for a while. We currently have two boys in Boy Scouts and two more younger boys coming along. We are going to be in Scouting for a very long time:)

I'm afraid to say yes to our council and district because of how it would look to everyone else. I know that they seem to believe that I am a push over when it comes to Scouts. I really need a break but am willing to do things very behind the scenes but I got the feeling that it won't happen the way I would want it to. What should I do?

Beavah, that is what I and the other parents/committee members have been doing. The boys don't feel that they can talk with the SM or the CC. We had one boy who kept getting hit by his patrol leader the(Scoutmaster's son) and he didn't feel comfortable talking with the SM. He talked with the SPL and the boy is still getting hit. We as committee members see a special relationship between the CC and SM. It's like they had a committee meeting before the real committee meeting. I am not sure it I should say something to the CC or not. I'm tired of everyone tiptoeing around our SM because we don't want to lose him. He is a great SM but I'm afraid the boys are going to start leaving the troop.

All of you have posted many interesting questions. I was there for most of the camporee. I ran a activity for the Cub Scouts and did all the check-in and take the money. I have a daughter the same age as the Scoutmaster's as well as having a 20 month old toddler. I stayed until dinnertime and then took off for home. I would have loved to stay at the camporee but didn't because my younger children shouldn't be there. That is my opinion! The Scoutmaster and his wife were too busy to pay attention to their daughter and she spent her time being in the boys way. This isn't the first time this has happened. There were alot of younger siblings running around but with the supervision of their parents. They also stayed in the "family" camping area. I very much believed that the Scoutmaster and his wife's plans for their daughter fell thru and that wasn't their fault. The Scoutmaster's wife could have taken their daughter home at night or slept over in the "family" camping area in my thought. Most of the boys have expressed feelings privately that they are sick of her coming to activities. This month of no one but the boys and the Scoutmasters has just started a week ago. It will be interesting to see how it goes. The CC is going to talk about it at the next committee meeting. The feeling among the boys is that the Scoutmaster's children get special treatment. The reason some of the boys talked with me is because they don't think they can talk with the Scoutmaster or the CC. I don't want to lead them in the wrong direction and I understand how the chain of command works in Boy Scouts. I don't want the job as Scoutmaster because I believe that job needs to be done by a man. Sorry if I upset anyone out there. My opinion, again.

Our troop just got back from our District Spring Camporee. Our troop was hosting the camporee. Our boys did a great job and the weather was great! My problem is that Scoutmaster and his wife had to bring their 11 year-old daughter to the camporee. Their plans for her fell thru. The camporee was held in our small town and they live about 5 minutes away. The Scoutmaster's wife was in charge of the camporee and had to be there for most of the day and evening. The boys were having a hard time with having her in camp. She has spent alot of time with the boys until a few weeks ago including other camping trips. Our committee chairman asked that all parents and the other children not attend meetings for one month. We have had some problems with parents interfering during meetings and siblings running around and being a distraction to the troop. Myself and a few other parents didn't feel it was right that she spend the night. She isn't a little girl anymore. She flirts with many of the boys. Her parents don't seem to see that there is a problem and don't watch her. One parent tried to say something and got her head handed to her. The boys are afraid to say anything because its the Scoutmaster's daughter. I also need to add that we had Cub Scouts and the families sleep 300 feet away in their own area and two parents from the Cub Scout side asked if the Scoutmaster's wife and daughter would be joining them at night to sleep there. Is there someone out there that may know if there is a policy for who can stay in camp and who can't? My sons don't want me to say anything at the next committee meeting because of how it may affect them. HELP!

I found a answer to my own question and wanted to share it with everyone. In the Cub Scout Leader book in section 20-3 under Den tools & Equipment there is a nice list of sugguested items you might carry in your den box.

Our dens all meet in different locations and times. We were hoping to stop some of the stress of being a new den leader by giving them a head start. That way they can work on coming up with their meeting activity. We currently have our "old" den leader pass down a folder with information about how they ran their year as a Tiger, Bear, etc. leader.

Our pack committee just got done watching a BSA video that showed the committee trainer giving the new den leader a den leader box. It looked like it had paper, cups, glue, etc. in it. Does anyone out there uses these and what do you put in it? I liked the idea that you give a new den leader a plastic tub with supplies to get the started. Any ideas?

I hadn't thought of using the "progress toward rank" beads. We do use the Tiger beads but should we not give out the white bead for family activity if they didn't bring their books? Isn't the book to be apart of their uniform requirements? We aren't saying that we would withhold rank without working with the parent. We all know that there are some parents/Cub Scouts who sign up and don't attend meetings/etc. We also use the charts in our den meetings so the parents and Cub Scouts can keep track of how they are doing. Does anyone bring them to the pack meetings to show them off? Does anyone look at them? We have found that the Webelos are bringing their books more and are starting to focus on what bagdes they want to earn as well as the ones that the den leader is currently working on. She even is using our new website to have them look up stuff in their books and report back to her what they find. I agree with ScoutNut that the book isn't to be used as a school lesson but it is there to help with ideas, lessons, etc. I have found that my girl scout parents hate not having a book to help them help their daughters. Is it all about "training" the parent?

Eamonn, what do you mean by using post it notes?

mn_scout, we are trying to start treating the webelos like a boy scout. if they don't bring their book to their den leader then as far as the den leader sees it, they haven't done the work. That is how our Scotmaster works the troop. Can we do the same with Bears, Wolf, etc.? If the den leader doesn't see the book, then at the end of the year, that boy doesn't get his rank. Keeping in mind that we would announce this at the next den meeting. Any more ideas?

I have had two den leaders who have asked me to research how to get the boys to bring their rank books with them to den meetings. The first problem is that the boys forget their Tiger/Wolf/Bear/Webelos books for their den meetings. The den leaders are also having a hard time getting the parents to go through their son's book and sign anything off.(example: electives) The den leaders can't sign books and teach from the books if the boys don't bring their books with them. Some of the excuses are "my mom or dad forget the book" and we have told the den leaders to say that the book isn't the parents job to bring it is their's. With the Webelos, they don't bring their book then they don't get new merit badge pins at the pack meetings. They are now bring their books each meeting. But what do we do with the rest of the dens? We believe that your book is apart of the uniform and so it should be with you at each meeting. We also don't think that the boys should get rewards(ex. pencils, candy, etc.) for bringing the book with them. Any ideas that we can pass along to our den leaders?

So if there are any issues with a problem that the den leaders are having they are to take it to the Committee Chair? My main job is to only run the activities at the pack meeting that the committee chair and committee decides to do each year? Sometimes I feel like the cubmaster and the committee chair seem to be the same. How do we keep the lines clear for each person's job? If this is the case, why does the Cubmaster go to the committee meetings?

Our committee is trying to have den leader meeting each month but as the Cubmaster, I'm not sure of what I'm to be doing with these meetings. Is there information from BSA or others that will guild me on ways to run these meetings? I don't remember learning how to conduct these types of meetings when I was trained. Any ideas?

Hey everybody! The two den leaders(includes leader who couldn't make trainings) who I had that needed to be trained quit being leaders on Sunday. They both said that they didn't have time to give only 50% or less to the pack and didn't think that was fair to the boys. They are keeping their boys in the pack. They both offered to help out on a as needed bases. I was lucky with the fact the both of these leaders where apart of a two person team so I still have my Wolf and Bear main leaders. Just need assistant den leaders now:)

The problem is that we can't get anyone to attend our district roundtables or activities. We live in a small town where no one will leave. Not even to shop. Our stores sell out of everything. It's crazy. We have children/adults who have never left their own state. It's very strange? I think you have a very good point but a lot of people in this area don't like the way roundtables are run in our district. Any excuse not to attend. Sad but true. ScoutNut, I hear you. I'm trying to be good:)

The videos we have are den leader specific(new leader essentials) and fast start(youth protection training). We are suppost to get leaders trained within 30 days and our district doesn't do trainings for at least 60 days or more.

Is "pack trainer" a replacement for trainer development conference? According to the information I have its conducted at council level; intended for those leaders who want more training and leadership skills and want to be a part of their area's training team. Or is that train the trainer? O also looked up pack trainer and it seems that is okay to do at the local pack level. I can't seem to get a straight answer out of council or out DE and training chair. I'm thought is that they would preferr that all leaders get trained by the district training chairman and assistants. The problem is that I have one leader who can't make it to trainings. Isn't the attitude to be that we bring the scouting program to the boys why not the leaders too? I always participate in out district trainings as a trainer but once in a while we have situations that do happen like this one.

Does anyone know if it is okay for a pack to train a den leader in your own unit? I have been training Cub leaders for years. We have the videos and I have train the trainer cert. and woodbadge. Is that enough? I have one den leader who has never gotten trained. Too busy of a schedule.

I understand how the CC/CM/etc. is suppost to work but hasn't so far. Twocubdad you are right about me doing it all. It sounds like everyone is saying to get people(Committee) to commit to one job like blue & gold and then get parents to sign up under them. I'm ready to turn the show over to my CR to handle. He has offered to sit down with parents,DL,and the CC to talk about who is to do what. I know that this is one meeting I need to sitting home and putting my feet up for:) My CR gets back from vacation on Monday and I will let the forum know what the next plan is. Thanks

You all have given me a lot to think about. My husband agrees that I allow people to take advance of me. I have allowed my committee and den leaders to walk all over me. In the past I have asked people to help out and when they didn't I did the job for them. My current plan is to put up posters with positions that need to be filled. If the activities positions/committee positions don't get filled in we don't do that activity. My committee chairperson doesn't want to do the job but won't step down. I get very little support from her and I land up running the committee meetings for her. I don't know how to ask her to step down. She has been trained but still doesn't have a clue on how to do her job. I have seen how a real committee runs and we aren't doing it. Is it best that I step down, I'm not sure. We have a sign up night coming up for all the current Cub Scout families and I'm thinking that having a parent's meeting with our charter rep. maybe the best way to get some help. If I'm not there, the CR and committee can talk to the group of parents/leaders/committee to say step up or we are going to lose our CM. Also let them know that I will be stepping down after my son completes Webelos. I have found that if other people ask a parent to do something like being on the committee then I'm not the one to avoid. Keep the ideas coming.

I'm having problem with my committee and den leaders. I can't get them to do anything. They leave it all for me to do. I just had to cancel my position in our town's annual parade because I couldn't get anyone to walk the parade with the boys. I am 9 months pregnant and can't walk and was unable to attend Cub Scout overnight camp this year. I got one person (CC) to attend with the boys and had to find other packs to share the site with us for leadership. Everyone acts like attending pack activities is a big waste of their time. We plan out these things so the boys can enjoy themselves/earn some electives/etc. but the parents and den leaders don't want to be bothered. I as the CM get treated as if I am overly too excited about Scouting but isn't the CM suppost to be a cheerleader? What will happen to our pack when I step down. I already have one son in Boy Scouts and one other who is a Webelos I. I am also having a third boy in September(baby # 4). My plan was to step down into the CC position after my son leaves the pack. I am also involved with my sons Boy Scout Troop and one of the membership chairs for my council. I have no problem getting my parents to come to pack meetings/activites but no one wants to come on the committee to help out. If I can a parent to ask them to make something/etc. they always say yes and give 100%. My CC and myself let these parents know what time commitment we are looking for. I don't believe in lying to my parents just to get them on board. What can I do? I'm just about ready to help my son get his Webelos 1 & 2 done so he can cross over at 10 1/2. We have worked so hard to build a good program but everyone wants someone else to do the work. Any ideas? HELP!

I am the current Membership Chairperson for our area and I am having a hard time getting the Boy Scout Troops in our area to put on a recruitment night. Any ideas for having a successful night? What works for your council or area? HELP?

Our local Boy Scout Troop is in need of a few new tents for camping at Camporees/etc. but we don't have alot of money but want to get a good quality tent but not spend a arm and a leg for it. Is this possible? Any Web sites or catalogs or stores with good ideas?

I wasn't going to say anything about how the subject got changed but twocubdad is right. I'm glad I'm not the only one dealing with this problem. Why is it that Scouting is the first thing to go? I have tried to get across to these parents that Scouting is a small part of the big picture, that their child can do sports, etc. and still do Scouts. I have sat down with these families and talked about the belt loops, etc. also but they don't see Scouts as a very important part of their child's life. How do we change how we get across to these parents? I'm more interested in having a smaller Pack/Troop then having these parents who bring down all my leaders and myself. What is really sad is I'm the distruit chairperson for memebership. If I'm not doing well then who is? Does the whole country have the same problem? Just a thought or two.

OldGreyEagle, I totally agree with what you are saying but these parents they put their sons in Scouting,sports, music, and religion classes and then act like Scouting is taking up most of their time. This community that we live in isn't into leaving their child at a activity, they stay. I can't seem to get across to them what Scouting is all about. I come across like I'm the only one who likes the program and its my whole life. I also do sports, PTO, full-time job, three children, husband, and we are building a new house, and we are going to add to our family soon. I am very busy outside of Scouting and it is go frustrating to be the only one cheering for the Cub Scouts. I am very good about understanding when a parent can't commit to a job like den leader and try to make them feel better about their discision. I can't stop asking parents for help or I will be running the program myself. How do you get around these parents who act like Scouting is too much for their child even when the boys tell their parents that they love Scouting and don't want to stop?

How much time should we ask from our parents and Cub Scouts for Scouting? I was at a soccer practice last night and a parent of one of my Cub Scouts told me that she wasn't too sure how much she wanted her two boys to participate in Scouting because of all they do in other areas. I pointed out to her that she was having them spend about 9 - 10 hours each week on soccer this season alone. Her one son is in a den that meets once a month and is sent home with a assignment and then he attends the pack meeting for a hour each month. I figured that he spends a total of 5 hours a month doing Scouting. If you figure that out for a whole school year is averages out to the same as one small season of socceer. That doesn't include baseball, Larosse seasons, etc. Why is it that something that builds some many different characters in our sons isn't that important? I'm needing a boost in my Scout spirit right now and this is the time that I need to be the most inspired during recuitment season. HELP!!!