ScouterPaul

Tim The sloppy olympics sounds interesting. Can you give me details? Thanks Paul

Thanks for you concern Bob. The canoe trip is strictly a family acitvity with at least one parent in the canoe with their child. We've done this event for 3 years and it is one of the summers best events. Council has given their "blessing" on the activity as long as it is a family activity. Paul

Here are the summertime activities that our Pack is planning this year. I would love to hear what other Packs are doing. Massing of the Colors Joint activity with the Troop. This is a local custom where the military is honored by vetern groups and scouts. Bowling The pack rents out a local bowling alley (real small only 10 lanes) for several hours. Putt Putt tournament. Canoe Trip and Campout Trip to the local Planaterium Arena Football Game Triple A Baseball game with Cub Scouts camping out in the infield after the game. Pack Picnic Day Camp Webelos Resident Camp We try to have two activites per month.

LauraMO Congratulations on a successfull Pack Campout. Sounds like a future Scout (Girl Scout or Boy Scout - it doesn't matter)was "born". I've found that our family campouts are wonderfull they are especially good at getting people to know each other. Hopefully you will continue having a good time in Scouts. Paul

I know that I can count on all of my fellow Scouters to give me good advice on the following questions. Merit Badges: How soon do you recommend for new Scouts to start working on merit badges? How many can they work on at the same time?

There are good points for keeping the Scouts as Webelos until they graduate from 5th grade and there are also good points for crossing over earlier in the year. From a Cubmasters viewpoint I like having the older Scouts to act as mentors (spelling?) for the younger Cub Scouts. The extra month or two after Blue and Gold and the Pinewood Derby is one where we like to have the Webelos team up with Tigers, Wolves and Bears to help with their rank requirements and to have team competitions in events like scavenger hunts. From an ASM point of view the same time helps get the boys ready for Summercamp and keeps them highly motivated. We've experiented with having some joint Boy Scout/Cub Scout Meetings so that the young Scouts see the "neat" stuff the Boy Scouts do. In the end isn't the decision when to Crossover dependent on each Scout?

We crossed over our first 8 Webelos into our new Troop two weeks ago. We are having our first campout this weekend. I've been following this thread because I want to start the boys off right. I've been serving as Troop Guide since we don't have any older scouts. Hopefully I've been doing the right thing by working with the PL and telling him to tell the boys about having their bags checked on Friday. I gave an instruction session on what to pack (right from the Scout Book) and how to pack (Bag of Bags). My plans are to remind the PL (Boys) less and less each time so that hopefully within 6 months or so they will start to get the idea. Is 6 months reasonable or is it to long?

Success stories are wonderfull. Congratulations Matt!!

Thanks!! I was wondering since I'm getting to the 100 level. Congratulations!

Much like Quixote I use his option number two whenever possible. My younger son will be moving on in 18 months and I have my replacement picked out already. She just doesn't know it yet!!! Tim I also only have about an hour a week left after Cub Scouts and Boys Scouts but it is worth every second that I spend.

As cool as it gets!! I learned in Wood Bage about leaving a legacy...I could not dream up a legacy as good as this young man. Officer Trevino is the kind of leader that I aspire to become.

le Voyageur What would your total pack weight be including food for a 5 day trip assuming it's a warm weather trip.

Our local State University (25,000 students - with top notch Medical, Dental, Law and Engineering Schools) has a Eagle scholarship program which includes tuition and books. Hows that for taking Scouting seriously.

Our policy is to complete a tour permit anytime we are meeting or going someplace other than our normal meeting place. This might be overkill but I would rather be covered than not. We keep a master list of all vehicles, insurance and drivers license information and attach a copy to the permit.

A Scout is BRAVE A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at him or threaten him. Bob White with all due respect. You wrote: In fact, you are violating a BSA policy that says if you disagree with the values of scouting you can try to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobeying them by sharing your opinion with the National Committee. But if you speak as a scout leader publicly against the values of the program the BSA has the legal and constitional right to remove your membership from the BSA. How can this policy not be in opposition of at least one of the 12 Scout Laws? YIS Paul

Roy How many boys go on these trips? What type of itinerary do you all make? Different place every night? these trips sound interesting.

Camp Crooked Creek - Lincoln Heritage Council, Kentucky. The SM, myself (ASM)and 6 brand spanking new 11 year old scouts. I feel like a kid myself.

Looks like the subjective risks are the ones that get us in trouble. Good post.

I can live with the Declaration of Independence.

I thought that once I finsihed the second weekend of my Wood Badge experience I would be able to provide the answer to your question. However, I can't. How can I choose over the following: communication, coaching and mentoring, problem solving, managing conflict all within the Scouting framework. I do know that I've developed a bond that goes deeper than any I've acquired since college with my five fellow Owls. I truly believe that the new Wood Badge has provided me with a life changing experience. I can not compare with the old course but I can't say enough about the new one. I know that I will work as hard as I can to leave a legacy!

I had a conversation this morning with a young boy who recently dropped out of scouts. Since then I've been thinking about the following question. How do we keep the "cool" in Scouts?

Mike As usual your post was right on the money!!

My method is to stuff. I think that it is better for the tent in the long run. I also think that for the younger boys it is easier to stuff than to fold or roll. As to zip or not to zip the doors I read in Backpacker Magazine, and it makes perfect sense, to zip the doors. If it is raining when you're setting up the tent you will get less water inside if the doors are zipped.

bigbeard Everyone has given you good advice. We recently changed CO February of this year. The church that we were with was limited on space and wasn't willing to sponsor the Troop that we started up. Our DE was quite active in our search. We were fortunate to join a church that welcomed us with open arms. Sounds like you are aware of the ownership issue. We had to change unit numbers which in the long run was a small price to pay. Our DE was able to obtain all of the funds that were in the Pack's checking account. In our situation it was the right move for us to make. Hopefully everything will work for you all.

I've just come back from the second weekend of my Wood Badge training. Each Wood Badge Patrol was assigned a Venture Scout as a resource person during our Outdoor Experience. My patrol was fortunate to have as our Resource person an outstanding Venture Scout. We were lucky to come in contact with a young lady who had earned the Ranger Award. She and the other Venture Scouts were outstanding individuals. I believe that these young adults made quite an impression on all of the Scouters in attendance.