perdidochas

I've seen it done both ways. We held my oldest son back in 2nd grade (he was one of the youngest in his class), and it was a good thing for him. He didn't particularly care for the boys in his den (well, all but one), so we held him back in Cub Scouts as well (he was a Bear for two years--his second year in 2nd grade and his third grade year). Now he's a Boy Scout. A good friend of ours did the opposite. It worked well for him, as his boy liked the Den he was in.

According to the BLS, the volunteer rate is highest for the 35-44 and 45-54 ages (32.2 and 30.3 in 2010), a little lower for 55-64 (27.2) and close to tied for 25-34 (22.3) and 65 and older (23.6), and lowest for 16-24 (21.9). The overall population 16 and over volunteers at 26.3%. http://www.bls.gov/news.release/volun.nr0.htm In general, I agree with Beavah. This is a compassionate generous nation.

Our troop has no electronics at camp as the general rule. On longer drives, scouts are allowed to use electronics on the drive to and from. That said, I've seen several phones in open backpacks/first aid kids, etc. Never have I seen them come out on a campout except on the ride home (calling parents). I guess our program is interesting enough that the temptation hasn't overcome them yet. The scouts that I saw with phones were fairly old (16 or 17), and I guess they had mastered discretion. That said, I think camping is a good time to be cell free, personally. If I weren't married, I'd le

I like Momtwocubs' suggestion. It doesn't make the one family take away from the entire thing, but allows tolerance to the family's views. It is a reverent way to do it.

Scoutfish, Re:hammocks. I found the best introduction to hammock camping to be on the following website: http://www.tothewoods.net/ It goes into all your concerns and more. It also has a good tutorial in DIY hammocks so you can try it out. I try to hammock in the warmer months.

I think the problem is that you were doing it at the same time as Little League. Also, this time of year is hectic for parents, with spring concerts/award ceremonies, etc. on top of Little League.

Smudge pots are liquid fuel--oil instead of paraffin. G2ss defines chemical fuels as: Chemical fuelsLiquid, gaseous, or gelled fuels. Paraffin is a solid (at least at room temperature).

Hobo stove is just a big food can (like a 3 lb coffee can). Use an old-fashioned triangle can opener to make vents in the top (closed end). Cut out a door on the bottom to slide buddy burner in. Buddy burner is basically a huge candle. Get a small can (tuna can). Make a wick out of a piece of cardboard that is as wide as the can is tall. Spiral the cardboard into the small can. Then melt paraffin and pour it into the can. (Cub scouts can't do this step). You can use the hobo stove with instant light charcoal as well, but the buddy burners work very well. Can also use t

You do have to remember that G2SS doesn't allow Cubs to use gas stoves. http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34416_Insert_Web.pdf

I had good luck with my Webelos with hobo stoves using buddy burners. We cooked hamburger (and steak for me) with onion, thawed tater tots, carrots, and green pepper in AL foil packets. Also did it with cocktail wieners. The good thing about using cocktail wieners is that they were pre-cooked, so only warming is necessary.

Good points.

Anytime you take Cub Scouts outdoors..they will pick up sticks. It has to be some sort of kid instinct or something close. I've never noticed--I'm too busy finding my stick :-)

First, I do think that the former WDL (if interested) should be encouraged to help out. That said, I don't think that ASM is a good role for at least a year. I am a former WDL, and I became a committee member initially. I had a specific role--advancement chair. This was good because it kept me from interfering with the New Scout patrol, aka my former Webelos (and before that Bear) den. I've done all the online committee training, and have done IOLS. I'm going to slowly work my way towards being an ASM, but not just yet--I was a WDL II leader two years in a row.

Cubs are allowed to go sailing, just not as a unit activity. They can do it as a council/district activity (just like canoeing, BB guns, Archery, Sling Shots, Kayaking, Motor Boating, Rafting). You have to remember. Scouting has to worry about insurance and liability. That's why they keep the above to Council/District activities. Also, what may be appropriate for you and yours, may not be appropriate for Cub Scouts in general. http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34416_Insert_Web.pdf

Start off by talking to your Council. Check their website, and see what training they offer.

Bears can't earn the Outdoorsman Activity Badge.

Actually, upping their game, IMHO, would lead to less burnout. The problem is that Cub leaders are working too hard. They need to be guiding the boys to work harder (in Webelos years, anyway). If Cub leaders were weaning the boys towards leading themselves, their workload is easier. I know I worked less hard with Webelos than I did with Tiger Cubs. Why? I assumed they could do for themselves, and they did. In terms of why the losses? It's the same as with any other activity with kids--they try it out--if they don't like it, they do something else. My boys tried baseball. It wasn't

BD, Exactly. I guess that's partly why my sons weren't in shock on their first Boy Scout campout. They had been helping with setting up the tent/unloading gear, and taking all of it down. If anything, my oldest thought Boy Scout Camping was easier, because Boy Scouts camp for two nights, which makes the setup and takedown separated by time.

AK wrote: This year, as I have a foot in both Pack and Troop I see extremely different programs. They almost seem unrelated. If Cub Scouting numbers are so high..... What is Boy Scouting doing wrong to loose these boys? From where I stand, the leap from cub to boy scouting is too high for all but the most resourceful/dedicated parents. I think the problem is that Cub Scouting is babying the boys too long, instead of slowly getting them ready for independence. To blame that on Boy Scouting is to seek to water down Boy Scouts. I think Cub Scout leaders (especially Webelos lea

It's hard to say if Cub Scouting is hurting Boy Scouting. I can see how it could hurt, but I can also see how it helps.

SaBlanck, The rainbow is a symbol for Gay pride (or more specifically, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride).

Molesters do use the phone, texting, and IMing. The problem is so do the rest of us. In terms of texting, you can usually copy somebody else on a text.

The Tinker is a fine Swiss Army Knife. My oldest son has one, and I chose it because it has a bottle opener/screwdriver, can opener, awl and philips screwdriver in addition to two blades. They have a Boy Scout edition as well. Another good Swiss Army knife (albeit a bit larger and more expensive) is the Adventurer. Again, it is a minimalist design like the Tinker, but it has a longer blade that locks.

I agree about serration. It's good for bread knives, and for a second blade on a knife. Serrations are good for cutting rope fast.

DRMBear, What's wrong with the scout knife that National sells? It's only $20. It looks rounded, and it does have a lanyard attachment. http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/ItemDetail.aspx?cat=01RTL&ctgy=PRODUCTS&c2=CAMPING&C3=KNIVES&C4=&LV=3&item=24080&prodid=24080^8^01RTL&