scouter659

I should mention that we do indeed invite the parents and one of them usually go to the first one but after they get to know us they're more comfortable in letting the boy go. I should also reiterate that the encampment we do in April includes a component to have Cub parents there by design. So, yes, we do build a relationship with the parents. I was just wondering on how Troops felt about the Webelos 2 going to Boy Scout weekenders on their own.

I'm looking for a few quick opinions. For about 5 or 6 years now, we have been routinely inviting Webelos 2 Scouts to our Troop campouts. I have been under the impression that a Webelos 2 can attend without a parent. We also do an annual recruitment campout in April where we invite the Weblos 1 Scouts but a parent or guardian must accompany them. We have a relatively new (mostly by the book leader) who insists Webelos 2 cannot go without a parent, even though we average about a dozen adults on our campouts. Also, doing it this way has allowed us to get each and every Webelos 2 Scout from our

We'll be on a Troop campout to Allegany State Park in the Southern Tier of New York this weekend. I was happy to see all 13 of our Junior Leader Candidates signed up for the weekender. On Saturday morning, we will hold a training class in an executive board room on the second floor of the parks' administration building. The building itself, a large English Tudor style mansion, had its construction completed in 1927. On Friday night of the campout I plan on walking our candidates, in silence, to a pre-selected spot to do the following exercise: I'll have 13 short pieces of rope, about

"Character...is what happens when no one is looking".

I just need to butt-in again and say that I very much appreciate the comments from folks who understood what I was trying to say. Thank you.

I'm with a pretty active Troop that camps every month. We are fortunate to have a few adult leaders who write and produce a great Scout's Own service for each and every encampment. They also incorporate the help of boys who volunteer to aid in the process. The service itself runs about 20 minutes and is mainly comprised of inspirational readings (Scoutmaster's Minutes type of material etc.) and, having the benefit of a few guitar players in the Troop, an opening and closing song is usually performed. We try to use music that 'fits' and is somewhat contemporary. We've used things like "The Riv

I couldn't agree with you more that we, as leaders, shouldn't interfere directly with parents' disciplinary decisions. Part of my feelings are just based on wishful thinking. I have actually seen it happen where the Scout doesn't come back and generally spirals into more negative than positive situations before either straightening out or not. I am only suggesting that, perhaps, parents who aren't too directly involved in Scout Leadership THINK about what the child could miss if they decide to deliver a sweeping-grounding-blow. Perhaps what we do isn't an exact science. I was just speaking fro

Parents who Ground a Child from Scouting Activities Having reached the approximate twelve-year level as an adult leader and Scout volunteer I have seen this many times. Whatever the kid has done at home or in school causes one or both parents to say the words which sends chills down the spine of any normal active boy. "You're Grounded"! I am also a parent and, like others, have used this disciplinary tool as wisely as possible over the years. But in my experience as a Scout Leader, this is also what I have seen happen. What of the boy who has been in Scouts for a year or two and

Parents who Ground a Child from Scouting Activities Having reached the approximate twelve-year level as an adult leader and Scout volunteer I have seen this many times. Whatever the kid has done at home or in school causes one or both parents to say the words which sends chills down the spine of any normal active boy. "You're Grounded"! I am also a parent and, like others, have used this disciplinary tool as wisely as possible over the years. But in my experience as a Scout Leader, this is also what I have seen happen. What of the boy who has been in Scouts for a year or two and

Here's kind of a new Troop tradition we started 4 years ago at our first JLT graduation campout. If you're just looking for ideas, you can use this for any ocassion but doing it in camp is really neat.---Upon arrival into our JLT Camp the boys enter one at a time & recite the Scout Law. They stand in the middle of a 3-flame configuration (buddy burner stoves provide the flames) and are given a JLT totem which is worn around their necks. It is a small 1/2" diameter & 2" long piece of wood on a twine-type string which they are told to wear throughout the weekend. At the graduation ceremo

Hello All: I just wanted to take an opportunity to promote a web site I've been working on for the past 3 or 4 weeks. The site is all about our Troop's Junior Leader Training program and we are very proud that Scouter.com added it as a link via their site/Training category. Our Troop conducts a very elaborate JLT Course which lasts throughout the year and it has been very effective for us. I invite you to take a look. Thank you & Good Scouting! www.scouter659.htmlplanet.com Your comments are appreciated!

I posted a message a few months ago when this topic came up which talked about how excited I was to FINALLY take Wood Badge. Look, I've been in Scouting now for over 10 years and for the folks who reject the idea of the "New" Wood Badge let me tell you something; I am finding Wood Badge for the 21st. Century to be completely inspiring in an atmosphere which is friendly and conducive to learning. If you're going to be involved in Boy Scouting, you must make it your business to learn outdoor skills & techniques. If you want to be the best leader you can be and hope to ignite others, especial

I work with 2 other leaders in our Troop & established a Junior Leader Training course that we're very proud of. I'm always looking for new and innovative "Team Building" excersises that we can do in our classes. I have all of the Wood's Wisdom and stuff from USSCOUTS.ORG but if anyone happens to know of a site with more of this stuff, kindly let me know. There are many companies out there who specialize in "Team Building" but the websites are more of a commercial nature. Always looking for a site with descriptions of actual games etc. THANKS 7 GOOD SCOUTING, ALL!

External-Jansport "Ranier"...roughly $99. Perfect size/perfect wieght for me and I see a few boys in the Troop with them too!

We're planning on a trip with out Troop to Gettysburg in early July. We're estimating about 40 boys and about 12 adults. We're going to be tening at a campground in nearby Maryland and spending one-full-day in the park. We don't want to "HAMMER" them with history but to have fun as well. Have any of you done this trip and do you have any specific suggestions of how we should spend our day? We're taking along a friend who is a Civil War Re-enactor & history teacher as a guide. We just don't want to bore the boys to death. They range in age from 11 through 15. Any ideas?

I'd just like to say that I am planning and very much looking forward to the experience. I have been a very active leader in this great movement my son got me into 11 years ago. Guess it's about time I do this too! I've been very inspired by it all and am experiencing the benefit of some great leaders in our Troop. It's a great moment in time for us all and has also inspired me to run a very elaborate Junior Leader Training course in our Troop which has become a very important part of our program. Can't wait for Woodbadge in Aug/Sept 2001...for me, the icing on the cake.

In an out-of-print paperback called BP's Outlook (which is incredible by the way) there are many references by him in direct quotes and writings where he refers to the movement as a 'Game'. This IS well documented.

Your question reads, "...as a Scouter". In that regard I'd have to say I'm grateful for the privilege of having the opportunity to do my part in teaching boys to make good decisions, to survive in the outdoors and use good common sense, to teach leadership skills and to, one day, be remembered by some of them as someone who helped form them into decent and productive men. This is what it is.

We're planning on re-configuring our Patrols, again, next month. I do like what the Old Grey Eagle says about the young ones having older ones to follow & learn from. We try very hard to establish a balance and, in a Troop of approaching 50, it's a tricky task. The one thing we also strive for is that we have 1 or 2 Junior Leader Training Candidates in each Patrol. The PL's & Youth Staff are already JLT Trained. We subscribe to a very elaborate process of Training and now that it's in its 3rd year we're beginning to see excellent results. No matter what you decide to do, keep in mind t

Wow! I read your statement and I feel bad for you. Look, I'm an active Assistant Scoutmaster. I'm not a politician or a lawyer or anything like that. But the Council underwhich our Troop operates is just great! A few years ago when we needed recruitment advice and had about 7 boys left, they gave us some pretty good tips whic helped our Troop grow to almost 50 now. Last year, our Troop agreed to host the Klondike Camp-o-Ree and it turned out to be one of the best experiences we ever had. One of the best Scouting experiences I ever had as well. We do favors for each other and, although I'm sure

All of the above are good suggestions...here's another. Remember, the next step for Webelos is Boy Scouting. Try to hook-up w/a Troop which welcomes Webelos-2 Scouts to campouts. The Troop should encourage some of the parents to come along (some of them will anyway to keep an eye on the young ones). Once they take a look at the 'near future' of where the boys will be going, this can sometimes spur enthusiasm and, before you know it, you'll have parents who are a little more excited and willing to participate a bit more.

It's probably still out of print, right? I was able to get one on, let's say, a VERY popular auction site. I was fortunate to pay about $30 for it but it was well worth it. I wish you the best in your quest!

Please don't misunderstand this response. This is just a general feeling I have at this point. This whole issue has become way too distracting. One guy in New Jersey takes the Scouts to the Supreme Court of the land and loses. That's it already. Individual Units will do what they want to do. That's it. Time to get back to the business of 'playing the game'. Instill citizenship, physical fitness and "good moral" values into as many youth as possible by way of a time proven & tested outdoor program. There's no loss of focus here. Tell your Senior Scouts to get up in the morning and while loo

Hello & congratulations on the Cubmastership! Hey, public apeaking isn't everyone's bag. A long time ago, I was a radio announcer for 10 years & that certainly helped me communicate, not only one-on-one but to groups as well. Really, I think as time goes on and you become more comfortable in the position, speaking to the group will get easier and easier. As you get to know all of the boys and leaders and in the process of working with them, I'm sure you'll do just fine. Just like volunteering, this whole thing is a process and, in time, you'll be speaking to them all at Pack nights con

Another suggestion for you would be to contact your Unit Commissioner and explain the problem to him/her. They are an objective 'tool' for you who may be able to mediate some kind of solution. If you don't know who your Unit Commissioner is (sometimes they don't visit units the way they should) contact your local Council Service Center and they'll help you out.