Scouting Mom

I think that each REGION sets a Day Camp Theme, but it is ultimately up to the Council. NE region is doing Knights this year, but we did that 3 years ago, so our council decided to do something different.

Medieval Times will come out and do a presentation for the boys. I don't know how much they charge or if that is in your budget, but the boys would love it. I was told by our local one that they don't usually bring the horses, but they will come in costume and do a show.

Per Cub Scout Leader Book, 2006 Printing, pg 20-6, Under the heading "Arrow Points" Second paragraph reads:

"Boys can do several Wolf and Bear electives more than once. In this way, boys can explore in more detail an area in which they may be especially interested. For example, a Wolf Cub Scout may make as many kites or model boats as he wishes (Wolf Elective 5); however this practice can be abused when families don't understand how the program works. The purpose of Cub Scout electives is to broaden a boy's horizons, not encourage him to earn a shirt full of Arrow Points. When a boy repeats an elective project, he should be given credit only when he has done a better job on the new project than on the previous project."

When my oldest joined Cub Scouts, there were a lot of little sisters running around and tagging along. Then someone told me that the Girl Scout program in our area was unorganized and had problems finding leaders. I looked at my 2 year old daughter and thought, "If I want her to have someplace to go, maybe I should volunteer now and try to fix it up for her sake."

I found out that someone had beat me to it. Rumors of chaos and disorganzation proved to be untrue, or at least, no longer true. I've since been told by GS parents that their girls love scouts because they have some dedicated leaders and do lots of fun things. Much of that is due to this one Mom from our Cub Scout pack stepping up and taking over at a regional level.

My girl is still not old enough for Girl Scouts (next year). So, I don't have close knowledge of the workings of GSUSA, but I know the organization is very different from BSA. I imagine that there is still a certain amount of "shopping around" you can do to find a troop that is better organized and more suited to your families needs. If not, there's always the philosophy of "if you want something done right, do it yourself."

Science center? The reason most magic works is science that is not understood by the audience.

"Short on planning and follow-thru"

You just answered your own question. If the SM can't plan or delegate the planning of a meeting more than a couple of hours in advance, than he doesn't have the organization skills to plan a Summer Camp.

As said, there is some wiggle room in the rules. The computers at national use the date of June 1st for everyone working on a school year based system. (LDS packs are based on the boy''s age, regardless of grade level). Since the computer says June 1st, our pack and in fact, our district go with that. School is out within a week or so of then anyway.

Because of the daycamp requirement for OAA, and the fact that most boys join in September, they often miss getting the OAA their first year. My Tiger son officially joined the pack on June 1, and went to daycamp in July. With a Pack camping trip the second week in June and a pack fishing trip in August, he earned it in September. In fact, most of the boys in our pack who earn it, earn it by Sept or Oct, given that they could start working on it June 1st, and we have outdoor events.

BUT not one of the other Tigers in my boy''s den went to daycamp (even though several were signed up before then) so, they cannot earn the OAA at their Tiger rank.

Venvidi, you have a valid point. When my son got his Bobcat at the September pack meeting, he was one of 8 boys, mostly new wolves to do so. He seemsed uncomfortable being there with the group, but when, a few minutes later, they called him up by himself to receive another award, he was much more excited.

In the case of Tigers, it''s the parents who are going to mostly decide when things will get done. I mean, how many Tigers are flipping through the book saying, "Ooo, ooo, I wanna do this." Some maybe, but it still requires the parents to set up the go-see-its and other things. And you are right that many will wait until crunch time. But on the other hand, 5 areas of achievements in 5 months is a good pace, especially since the holidays interfere with some of our den meetings.

But like I said, if there are any finishing early, they have the right to be awarded that badge and I will leave it up to them to make the decision to follow the rules or follow the tradition. I don''t think our CM or CC or anyone else is so steeped in tradition as to try and stop them from getting the award early, but I''m not above telling them to stuff it and give my boys their awards.

This is my 4th year involved in Cub Scouts. We established at the beginning of the each year that our "goal" is to achieve rank by B&G. This is a realistic goal and most boys make it just about that time. Late comers may be later, but few make it earlier. I''ve seen some boys make it just before the January pack meeting, who didn''t get it until 2 weeks later at B&G. This doesn''t seem unreasonable to me. It makes it a little more special to wait that 2 weeks and have all the boys in the den get it at once.

However, this is the first year that we had most of our Tigers join in June. Five out of eight of our Tigers signed up at Tiger recruiting events last Spring. Three of those boys had Bobcat awarded by the end of September. The other 5 should have it awarded at the end of October. Two or three boys are more than halfway to earning Tiger. I can see some of them earning Tiger well before B&G. They are entitled to get it when they earn it. However, I can see the value of awarding them all together, as a sign of unity and so forth. I''m the Tiger DL and I''m thinking that I will talk it over with the parents and let them decide. My son is likely to be one of those earning rank early. If it comes to that, I will ask him what he wants. He''s mature enough to give an opinion and if he decides he wants it as soon as he''s earned it, then that''s what is going to happen.

AHHHHH, Don''t throw them away. How are you gonna make the company replace them??

AND Tiger Totems are safe, per Kahoot''s latest announcement...

"A Cub Scout totem badge imported by Kahoot Products has been found

to contain lead. We are issuing a Voluntary Recall of the badge.

There is some confusion about which product is at issue. The badge in

question is the white badge with blue and yellow paint. The Tiger

Badge, which is white with black paint, does not have lead in the

paint.

There have been no reports of injuries. However, testing has

indicated that there is lead in the surface paint on the badge which

exceeds the Federal lead paint standard.

The badge is worn on the outside of clothing and not in contact with

the skin. The paint on the badge, the location of the lead, is very

robust in its ability to adhere to the badge and does not flake off.

The Scouts have halted distribution and pulled the badges from retail

outlets. We are currently working on a recall plan with the CPSC.

If you or your child has a badge, remove it from the child''s clothing

and put it in a safe place so it can be returned to exchange for a

new badge. Replacement badges and instructions for replacement will

be available beginning in November."

AND it''s now an official recall...

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08018.html

"Is this part of the todays recall of chinese made toys due to lead based paint?"

No. There were 8 seperate toys recalled on 10/4, this badge was not included. In fact, the badge has not officially been recalled through the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Although it might show up on their recall list today. They usually publish that list via internet and press release between 4 & 5 pm each day.

The recall is not finalized. When it is, it will list dates and replacement procedures.

"I did notice my Philmont patch had a made in china sticker on the back of it."

I don''t know if you are being serious or not, but just in case... The recalls lately are all for paint. Generally paint that adheres to plastic. Usually the paints most affected are the brighter ones, Red, Yellow, Orange and the brighter shades of blue.

When I was young, we had no cable. It didn''t get to my parents'' house until 1992. We got 8 channels on a regular basis, and on a clear night, another 4 or 5. When I moved away from home for good, I didn''t bother with cable. I lived in the city and got the networks, pbs, and an independant channel or two. Plenty of viewing options. I moved out of the city and was reduced to 4 channels, but I had an active social life and a library card, so it was all good.

Then the politicians in DC started playing games with the budget. They couldn''t agree and refused to pay for anything. There were massive federal government layoffs. Thousands of government workers were told not to go to work because there was no money for their paycheck...it lasted a WHOLE WEEK. My husband sat at home for one day with our 4 TV channels and put in an emergancy call to the cable company.

IT''S A GOVERNMENT CONSPIRACY, I TELL YOU!!! THEY ARE BEING PAID OFF BY THE CABLE INDUSTRY!!

(lol)

"it''''s more like has the boy earned his summertime award or music beltloop...... "

Two totally different issues. For beltloops, take the parents or scout''s word for it.

Summertime award first requires that the PACK earn the summertime award. If the pack didn''t earn it, the boys can''t earn it. The pack had to have an event per month all summer. If the pack didn''t organize it or get sufficient attendance, the boys can''t earn the award. Whoever is keeping track of whether the pack has earned the award will also be taking attendance at the events. The attendance list will show which individual boys earned the award.

If you are trying to determine if a recent transfer earned this over this past Summer, you''ll have to check with the old pack. The boy may have done everything in his power to earn the award before moving away, but if the pack didn''t earn it he''s out of luck.

I''m confused... When you are saying keep track of achievements, do you mean for example, Boy A has done achievement 12B,14C and 3A? That kinda thing? Because, with the exception of Webelos, the parents should be signing off in the boy''s handbook and there''s your record.

If it''s Webelos and the boy transferred somewhere in his 4th or 5th grade year, then anything he did up until his transfer should be signed in his book by his DL from his old pack. Anything the boy claims to have done and is not signed off on, then the DL needs to work with the boy to determine what is fair to sign off on.

If you are talking about which beltloops or whatever, the boy should have the physical proof of what he earned. If not, ask him or his parents.

If the problem is something like not knowing if he earned Bobcat, again, ask and go with the answer. If you check the "transfer" box when the boy fills out his application, and indicate where he transferred from, then it''s your Council''s problem to cross reference any awards your AC files paperwork on with any prerequisites, like Bobcat.

Around here, whenever they want to start a new pack, these days the first group they approach is the local PTA. Officially a public school can''t do it themselves, but the PTA/PTO can.

The mission statement of the National PTA is very consistent with the mission of Scouting. Despite a falling out about 20 years ago between National PTA and BSA, PTAs are making a resurgence as Chartering Organizations.

There are no lines to get into the White House... you can only get in with a special pass. You gotta "know" someone, although I imagine your congressman can help you. I got connections, but even then it takes weeks to get a pass.

The American Indian Museum isn't all it's cracked up to be. The really good historical stuff is kept preserved by the various tribes. The vast majority of things in the museum are reproductions, or modern creations using ancient techniques and modern materials. Like a pair of Chuck Taylor tennis shoes with beading...What the heck is that about? I was greatly disappointed and the Cub Scouts we took were bored.

The Zoo is always a winner.

Air and Space is good, there's some hands-on stuff for the boys to see up-close.

My favorite has always been the Museum of Natural History. The kids really love it, too. We went to see an 3-D Imax movie there that was really cool. The movie has a fee, but everything else about the museums (including the zoo, which is part of the Smithsonian system) is free. Pack a bag lunch because food is an arm and a leg in the museums and the hot dog vendors on the street have questionable sanitary standards.

Depending on how old the scouts are, the National Gallery of Art is very nice, but the younger ones won't appreciate it. I was about 15 the first time I went there and was studying art interpretation at the time, so it's not for run of the mill 11-17 year olds, but if you've got some with an interest in art you might consider it.

Almost all of the museums front on The National Mall. Basically a huge park with the Capitol at one end and the Lincoln Memorial at the other. In between are many of the memorials, including the Washington Memorial. The Vietnam Memorial always moves me because admist all the hustle and bustle and tourist-y chit chat, as you approach the wall it becomes very quiet, no one speaks above a whisper and the acoustics of the location keeps out much of the traffic noise.

As far as getting around... METRO. NEVER, EVER drive in DC unless you know EXACTLY where you are going and how to get back out again (which is not going to be the same way you got in)

Depending on when you are going, there may be any number of events, special displays or presentations going on in the area.

And when you are all museumed out, you can go the the Marriott Scout Service center and pick up some council strips representing all the places you went...

Look: http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org/category/5_ncac_items_for_sale.cfm

1. The boy can bridge or not, based on his needs and what the family, pack and troop think is best. Find out if your council has an Office of Scouting with Special Needs and see what professional advice they can offer. If by then there is a unit especially for such children, that may be your answer.

2. It is very appropriate to ask that a parent or respite worker to attend meetings, but it depends on the child. You will have to play it by ear. Usually it's a good thing, but some kids will act out more if their parents are around.

We have a child with Asperger's in my son's den. He is very high functioning, but one of his parents is almost always present because he tends to wander around and the DL can't always keep track of him while directing the whole group. Now that he's been in scouts for over 2 years, he is getting better about staying with the group. He actually went to day camp this summer without his parent being a den walker. Mom was on staff at camp, so she was available in a pinch, but it turned out not to be necessary.

You wanted it in writing...

From the "Cub Scout Leader Book":

Den Leader...

http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/dl.html

"Maintain a friendly relationship with Cub Scouts; encourage them to earn advancement awards. Keep accurate advancement records and see that boys receive recognition for their achievements."

Advancement Chair... http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/pc.html#Pack%20Advancement

"Have a working knowledge of the Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, and Webelos Scout advancement plans.

Help plan and conduct induction and advancement recognition ceremonies."

"Collect den advancement reports at pack leaders' meetings for use when ordering badges and insignia from the local council service center."

Although it doesn't specifically say that the Advancement chair needs to keep a running record of anything, it is common sense that if they are going to promote advancement opportunities and plan recognition ceremonies it is only wise to keep track of what has happened. And why would the Adv Ch. need to have a working knowledge of advancement plans if not to help keep other leaders informed.

Speaking as my pack's advancement chair...

What everyone has said so far is dead on.

Some issues that might come up, though...

I try to keep den leaders, especially new ones informed about available awards that they may not be aware of... that reminds me, must send out reminder to DLs to check if their boys qualified for Summertime Award...

I also try to be aware of awards with prerequisites and point out discrepancies... ie. If a DL tells me a boy got his Tiger/wolf/etc. rank and I know that that boy never got his Bobcat ('cause I would've submitted the paperwork) then I point that out. Then maybe the DL comes back and says he happened to be at the Scout Shop and picked up a Bobcat badge (our shop will let you purchase badges w/o paperwork) for that boy and gave it to him at a den meeting because he couldn't make it to the pack meeting... then I have to start smacking DLs around... oops, um, no, um, sorry, never happened... actually it almost happened that way, but I found out about it before the DL awarded anything and we got it all straightened out first.

Actually the harder thing is keeping track of prerequisites for Webelos activity badges. You know those beltloops they are supposed to earn before they get the badges...the WDLs are so focused on the activity badges, they forget that a belt loop was earned along the way too, so I try to keep track of that.

The other problem that crops up is when the parents know that you are the advancement chair and they want to tell you directly. Trust me, you've gotta follow the chain of command. I learned that the hard way. Anything else is chaos.

I also keep track of all the things ever earned because the pack only awards things like belt loops once, no matter how many times it is earned. So, I have to know that. And if DLs change, someone should know that those boys already earned certain awards.

NOW, I will grant you that full and efficient use of PackMaster or similar software may prevent some of these issues because the software will give the error message, but gaps can still occur that need human oversight.

We had the OA dancers come out one year too. Had them help present the AOL. I think the Webelos liked them being part of the ceremony. The parents really appreciated the specialness of the performance. The Tigers and some of the wolves started getting restless.

The local clowns told us that 7-yo's are about the upper limit of their receptive audience.

We have had a magician, and a reptile show. I spoke to an entertainment booking agency that suggested a mime. A lot depends on what you mean by "reasonably priced."

Being near a big city, you have lots of cultural arts performers available and other performers from children's theaters that will come out to events.

Check with places that offer school assembly programs. Some of those can be found online and your local schools are bombarded with ads for such people.

I've lived in Maryland my entire life and have never heard of Berger Cookies... they don't look terribly appealing, either.

Now crabs, that's a whole different story. I learned how to pick crabs as a small child. My husband is jealous because he can't keep up.

We used to live within smelling distance of the McCormick spice factory, where they make Old Bay, among other things. Some nights when the breeze was blowing just right...ahhhh, like smelling heaven.

"Although I am wondering why the UC is discussing their charter with you if you are not connected to their Pack."

'cause I married him.

Maybe the COR is also the CC and maybe they have some other committee member on paper, who is in name only. The DE is not the type to go off on his own against the rules, although he might seek an exception from the powers that be.

It wouldn't be the first time that someone swore something was one way, when in fact, things were different.

I know they had 3 or 4 "we're starting a new pack" meetings before they got enough boys and volunteers to even assign them a unit number.

ScoutNut said:

First the bare minimum you need to start up a new Pack are -

5 Scouts (not 3)

1 Cubmaster

1 Charter Org Rep who is also registered as the Committee Chair

2 Committee Members

1 Den Leader

*****

Are you sure about this list? A new unit that started up down the street from ours doesn't have all this, even on paper. I had asked the UC about it and he said they didn't have a Committee Chair...

They have 5 scouts, COR, CM, 1 committee member, who happens to be the treasurer, a Tiger DL (4 of the 5 scouts are Tigers), and a DL.

Now, I know that when you recharter, there has to be a registered CC, but maybe they have a grace period until then? I doubt they'll last that long. (not you Irish Mom, this new pack near me)

ScoutNut, wouldn't being DL be your "required volunteering?"

"If after a year they have not been bitten by the bug maybe the pack is better off without them."

This is SO true. When my oldest was a Tiger, there were some who just weren't going to participate in "shared leadership." We didn't miss them. But, there are a lot of folks joining as wolves or bears who miss that, so there needs to be a way to get them involved.

We had some boys join our pack in Spring of their Bear year. They joined because they received an invite to join scouts, and when they arrived at the meeting discovered it was a new pack and they were told the pack wouldn't exist without them volunteering. They felt tricked because they weren't told it was a new pack. They asked around and found us and were happy to know the pack wouldn't die for their lack of volunteering... the result was the parents felt more comfortable volunteering because they could contribute in areas where they were comfortable, instead of just because it had to be done.