P_Swigs

I'm sorry, DFlah, but bribing the Boy Scouts of my troop will never happen. It all boils down to expectations and respect. The uniform represents the BSA, your troop and one's self as a Scout. There are lots of ways to have fun with Scouting. However, I don't think having Scouts thinking about a tootsie roll (or any other reward) every time they put on their uniform is in the best interest of learning respect and being properly uniformed. Expectations should be that the boys wear their uniforms and wear them properly at all troop meetings, enroute to camping events and other Scouting

rlb, Your type of camporee is similiar to the ones I experienced as a Scout - patrol competition at each event with awards at the end of the day for each event, as well as a camporee champion. Winners got nice homemade awards and it was a source of pride for the winners, as well as a great learning experience for everyone. I've heard that BSA discourages that kind of patrol competition now. Can anyone share any information regarding this?

I agree, the magnesium blocks work very well. They can be purchased at sporting goods stores, many times with a flint imbedded right in them. They cost about $6.00 or less. Even the Boy Scout flint and steel sets will work as sparkers. Another source of fire starters would be dryer lint with a bit of petroleum jelly on it. Keep it in a baggie or film canister. The lint will burn a long time with the petroleum jelly on it, giving the person starting the fire plenty of time to get the kindling lit, perhaps as long as twenty minutes. We utilize this method as an emergency fire star

Fellow Scouters, We just completed our Spring Camporee with a First Aid theme. It was very well done and the Scouts really responded to it. My question... We're looking for a theme for our Fall Camporee. Anyone have any great ideas that have been used in your council or district? What events did you have? How did you run it? I'd love to hear about them. Thanks.

I'm glad that many of the regular posters in this site agree that the coffee break project at a rest area isn't a service project. But handing out leaflets encouraging safe driving makes it ok? I think that is setting the bar pretty low for community service. All of us are travelers in one way, shape or form. Imagine pulling into a rest area to take a break and you encounter a bunch of Scouts, many under legal driving age, handing out leaflets encouraging you to drive safely. In my case, the leaflet would go in the first trash receptacle on my way to the bathroom. (Being a Scouter, I

My initial thought is that your project, while a nice gesture, does not fall into the category of community service. It sounds like something that would be appreciated by the travelers, but it could also be perceived as a fundraiser with the donations. My idea of community service would include helping at the local food pantry, cleaning a cemetery, etc... doing something positive in the community.

Thank you, Mike. The pride in being a Scout is best represented by how we wear the uniform. If we give in to the small minority and become embarrassed, we've lost everything, including our integrity. Scouters, be proud of Scouting and don't let this issue taint the great things it has offered to boys for all these years and will continue to offer into the future.

There must be a source of pride in the uniform for the boys and it starts with the Troop or Pack leadership. Do the leaders wear the complete uniform? Are they crisply ironed and are they tucked in? If there is a Scout with his shirt out, ask him to tuck it in. A Scout is obedient, and if he respects adults and his leaders, he will do it. SST3rd makes a good point... athletic teams must be in uniform. That makes them UNIFORM. If a football team wears green and one member shows up in purple, who looks out of place? In basketball, you must have your shirt tucked in to play. If a Sco

We give trophies to the top four finishers at our Pinewood derby. The trophies are the same except for the size. First is tallest, fourth is shortest (and first place is about 10"). We also give a trophy for "Coolest Car" as voted on by the Scouts. It's based solely on what each boy determines to be "cool". Second and third place in the cool car voting get ribbons. Everyone else gets a blue Pinewood derby ribbon.

By Wolf Crossing, I assume you mean Wolf badge ceremony. Typically, a "crossover" isn't used at this point, but I suppose it could be done. As a Cubmaster, I have always tried to make the award ceremonies special for the boys, but especially when it comes to awarding them their rank badges. With few exceptions, we perform the rank badge ceremonies at our Blue & Gold banquet because of the formal nature of the setting. It makes it more special, I believe. I searched all the Scout leader publications, went to POW-WOW, etc. and found some rank ceremonies that could work. Then, I cus

Mr. Buckner, I need to address your posting in order... First of all, your chartering organization sponsors your Pack the entire year including summer. It doesn't matter where you meet. It's just important THAT you meet. Keep in mind that Packs can earn the National Summertime Pack Award for having an activity in June, July and August. Dens can earn an award too. Regarding when to have a Tiger graduation - I suggest you have it during a Pack meeting near the end of the school year, either in April or May. Make it a special ceremony, similiar to a Webelos-to-Boy Scout crossover be

Wow, Uncle Bob... are you sure you didn't walk right into a BSA promotional video filming session? How cool was that? It's nice to hear about things like that happening and people identifying themselves as Scouts. It's as if the ghost of the Scout who helped William D. Boyce in the fog in London in 1909, is being rejuvinated. Scouting spirit is best identified by people who live by the Scout Oath and Law. I think it's our duty as Scouts and Scouters to do a helpful thing everyday and lead by example. Not everyone understands. Scouts need all the positive publicity they can get

Eisely, you're right of course. You come back with a level headed commentary that I wish I had said. I suppose there will always be people who try to circumvent the rules, who pencil-whip their son all the way to Eagle, and who allow their sons to be less-than-respectful of adults, etc., but remembering that "A Scout is Friendly" and "A Scout is Courteous" should guide us as adult leaders as we deal with them. It is our responsibility as leaders, however, to run our units properly, lay the groundwork for positive Scouting spirit, and lead by example. It all starts at the top.

Uncle Bob, A Boy Scout round of applause for you! What you have addressed is the integrity of the Scouting program. What is the REAL purpose of the BSA program, to make it to Eagle, or to help boys with Citizenship training, character development and personal fitness? ...to help boys learn skills and how to work together as a patrol, or to find the easiest way to do something? ...to help boys learn respect for others, especially adults, or to let them think only of themselves? Scout Spirit is having the grasp of all of the above, plus some. I saw a great example of what Uncle Bob

I, too, find the camo ban a bit strange. What is the track record? Were Troops showing up looking like guerrillas or some other type of military personnel? There MIGHT be something to that, but who knows? I see no problem with camo pants because they're sturdy and build for the outdoors. Full camo might be another story. Could the council be thinking that a lost boy wearing camo would be harder to find? Just a thought.

As I read through the responses to this topic, I really wonder if any of these "leaders" have the Scouts' best interests in mind as they do these juvenile, immature, childish things to other Scout units. What is wrong with these people? Have they gone through basic training? Do they participate in council and district events? Have they attended POW-WOW or other "higher level" training? Are any of these so call "adults" former Scouts? Have any of them read the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, the Boy Scout Oath, or the Twelve Points of the Scout Law? They obviously don't understan

I'm enjoying the conversation regarding the wearing of wool trousers winter. While it's kind of "traditional" to wear wool, I feel there are better options in insulated pants and jackets that utilize Gortex, Thinsulate, etc. I think, while wool may have it's place in the wardrobe, the newer clothes, especially the ones that utilize Gortex, can keep you at least as warm as wool, and definitely drier.

Isn't it a great problem to have... a Cub Scout Pack growing fast? As far as handling the size of your Pack, it sounds like you have plenty of adult leaders. That's fantastic! Make sure every one of them goes through Cub Scout leader basic training. This will help get across the importance of running their respective dens the right way. It will also help them with den and Pack activity planning. If you get some adults that balk at taking the time to become trained, insist that they go. They'll be better leaders for it. Make sure the Pack parents know that these leaders went throug

There are as many ways to make a B & G banquet special as there are Scouters, so don't feel that what you want to do is substandard. Get a committee together and let the creative juices flow. We have a large Pack, (80+ Scouts), and our B & G banquet acts as our honor's banquet where the Scouts receive their next rank badge, even if they earned it earlier. We felt it would be more of an honor if received here. I have utilized a number of different sources to create ceremonies for each rank advancement that fits our Pack and my thought process, and we always get lots of complimen

Fellow Scouters, I'm looking for fresh ideas for our annual Klondike Derby and am asking you to share with me your best experiences with Klondike Derbies in your respective councils/districts. Our council is in the Midwest (with snow) and we utilize sleds, etc. throughout the day, but I certainly don't want to limit any ideas from my friends in other areas of the country. Please let me know which activities were the best and most fun for your Scouts. Are there any traditions that your Klondike does that might be of interest? We're looking for an upgraded Klondike derby and your help

Thanks, Ridgewalker! Any idea why the change with the bull patch? Does everyone take the trek over the Tooth of Time, Mt. Phillips or Mt. Baldy when they attend Philmont or does one have to plan that trek as part of their trip to Philmont?

Right on the money! For many Scouts, saying a prayer prior to a meal at a Scout event or going to chapel services at camp is the only religeous experience they get. While a few may not acknowledge the presence of a God, most, if not all, appreciate being there. Leaders must lead by example, remembering "A Scout is reverent". It carries through for sure.

As one who has not been to Philmont, I am interested to know about the "Bull" patch that I have seen on red Scout jackets. It's my understanding that if one climbs the Tooth of Time, the patch can be positioned with the tail going over the shoulder seam. When my son and I go to Philmont, we want to be able to earn this "Badge of Honor" if it's what I think it is. Can someone share their knowledge of this and tell me what kind of trip we have to plan in order to earn it? Thanks!

Just like Scouter79 said, wear it at all those events plus a few more. As a leader, lead by example by wearing the complete uniform, including pants, shorts or skirt, belt, socks, etc. Ask your fellow leaders in your unit to wear the complete uniform too. Believe me, the boys (and parents) will notice. Our pride of being involved in Scouting is reflected in our dress and the correct wearing of our uniforms. Your Scouts will more likely have their shirts tucked in (or will tuck them in right away if asked) and will learn a greater respect for Scouting and each other.

Thanks for the input. It sounds like you do things similiar to us in the fact you have some announcements, present awards, have some songs/skits and perhaps some entertainment. That's a lot for 1 1/2 hours. We feel strongly that the boys need a proper award presentation time at Pack meetings, not necessarily fancy ceremonies for each award, but proper recognition in front of the group. With a big group, it just takes a while. It's fun if you break it up with songs or skits. We choose to let the dens take the field trips which makes the group a little more manageable and hands-on. I