scoutmom

Is Wood Badge worth it? That is a question that each individual who participates in the course has to answer. For me, although I met with a number of obstacles , I found the course to be well worth the time and effort. It was a difficult process, being a single patent. My son was not happy with me being away for 2 three day weekends. (It's OK for him to go away with the Troop without me, but not for me to go without him - talk about a double standard!) My parents were happy to watch him for me, but it was a strain on them too. working on my goals continues to take up time and there is pr

I agree that the ticket gets in the way. My Wood Badge experience was that after the first presentation, the pressure was on to complete our tickets. I would have benefitted from a little bit od advance info on just how to write a ticket. I knew I was going to need 5 goals, but where I was stumped was the Values, Vision and Mission statement. I had never done anything like that before and it was intimidating. With the pressure to get my ticket approved before we went home that weekend (!!!!) and having to attend and participate in the presentations, I felt overwhelmed. I told my son, who

I want to commend the posters to this thread, who, with very few exceptions, stated their opinions and did not resort to personal insults. I asked for your opinions and I have received them. I am happy to see that the majority of the responses have a positive attitide regarding female Scouters. I also agree with Bob White that gender isn't what makes a good leader. Not every woman will make a good Scout Leader, I acknowledge that, but please remember, being a male doesn't automatically qualify you for the job, either. Each individual should be judged on their own merits. Thank you all for your

Pardon me for being unclear. I do not currently go camping with my son becuase I respect his need for independence and have confidence in both him and the leadership in the Troop. In the future, if a situation arises that I feel the need to look into, I will be camping. I do not go camping now because things have gone well. No he is not always happy with what is for dinner or who his tent mate is and please give me a little credit for being smart enough to recognize that these are the things he needs to work through. As this young man's parent, it is my responsibility to look into a

Sturgen, When you Said: "If you want your son to grow and mature into a self-sustaining man then you will let him learn to deal with uncomfortable situations on his own," you make a good point, and I agree with you. This is why I do not go camping with him. However, when you continued with: "with out you there to help him with a blanket and pacifier.", you simply became inflamatory. I am a protective parent, however, I am not a mother who hovers over her child never allowing him to make mistakes or to learn from them. And if you knew my son, you would know that he has never used either

I find it hard to believe that no one commented on this statement by Fat Old Guy in one of the uniforming threads: "I don't think that girls or women belong in any BSA program above Cub Scouts but that's not the way the program exists today so I just have to suffer during estrogen laden campouts." So, my question is, what's the general consensun here on the forum? Are you for or against women as active, contributing leaders in the BSA (above the Cub Scouting Program)? Obviously, being a Mom, and being a Scouter, I feel women are an asset to the program. I understand and respec

I always did love those Marines! Bravo.

OOOOOOO, OOOOOOO, I got one! Never try to teach a pig to sing, it wastes your time and annoys the pig.

Eamonn, Thank you for a well thought out answer. I don't have any personal experience with this particular event and I would welcome the opportunity to make a decision for myself. Especially since my son is interested in going. I will encourage him to ask his SM for the blue cards for the MB's he wants to take and hope for the best. I don't understand the reluctance to allow scouts to attend. As I understand it, it will be staffed by MB counselors registered in our council. He would be contacting some of these same people for the badges outside of this event, anyway. We'll

Way to go ManyIrons! Just like a Buffalo, stampeding to the top. I'm following close behind you, watching out for those chips of course! I used to be a Buffalo......

Thanks FB. It's not a matter of him not wanting to read. This is the only kid I know who reads the entire instruction book before he plays a video game. He has a very analytical mind, so I'm sure MB work won't be too difficult - if it's one he is interested in. He just hasn't shown any interest at all until now. If I am unable to gain the cooperation or approval of his Leaders, I will not let it rest there. I am on our District Committee, so I have no problem taking the issue to our Unit Commissioner or District Director or anywhere else it needs to go.

What should I do if the Troop my son is in "doesn't support" our District's Merit Badge COllege? My son really wants to go and work on a couple of badges (first interest he's shown in badges), but I'm hearing things like, "It's just a merit badge mill" and "we don't support that". What do I do? We have to register as a unit and send leaders for support. I would really like him to go because he is interested in it - it just might motivate him to get off his butt and start advancing.

Way to go, Eamonn. Sounds like everyone had fun, including you. You need to take off that DIstrict Chair hat more often and just enjouy yourself.

Congratulations! I would utilize the out-going SM' experience mostly as a sounding board. Bend his ear when you're having problems and ask advice for implementing new ideas. I would also be upfront with everyone and explain that although you have great respect for the old SM, you are a different person, and your approach will be different from his. You may end up doing many things the same way he did, but some things may change. And change happens (hey didn't I hear that at Wood Badge?)not everyone can deal with it though, so be prepared for some dissention. Just remember that it's a

Sorry Bob White, but our Disreict does charge a fee because we include 1) the Cub Scout Leader Book and 2) refreshments. We're not looking to make a profit, we just want to cover our expenses. If someone is coming back to take just the position specific portion, the fee is drastically reduced. We present training in two ways. The first is a full day session starting in the morning with New Leader Essentials, break for lunch and then go into position specific training. We have enough trainers to present each breakout session separately. SOmetimes we combine Cubmaster and Pack Committee if

Don't wait for anyone to get yourself trained. Call your Council office and find out when the next training sessions is. If there isn't one coming up anytime soon in your District, ask about other nearby districts. Pick a date and sign up for it. And then ask when your District's Roundtable meeting is, and go. Roundtable is a terrific resource for new as well as experienced Scouters. Make a list of the questions you have and ask them at Roundtable. I would bet that if they didn't have the answers for you right away, they would find out the answer and get back to you or tell you who migh

I celebrated my 42nd birthday in October.

I think Ed has the right idea, although his methods are a little rough around the edges. I would give her an Adult Leader application form, encourage her to fill it our and bring her ideas to the committee so that they can be heard and possibly acted on. Whenever I encounter someone with complaints or problems, I ask them how they would solve the problem. WHen they tell me what I should do, I then turn it back on them and ask them to help out by doing what they just told me to do. It doesn't always work, but it often does. It also gets more parents involved and we end up with additi

Hey KoreaScouter --- we're a small herd, but a darn mighty one! I used to be a Buffalo!

OGE, I completely agree. Women serve in the armed forces right along side men, so why should they not be required to register for selective service? In many other countries around the world, military service is required for every young adult, regardless of their gender.

How about the "Good Egg Award"? You can use a plastic egg and mount it on a wooden plaque or string it on a lanyard. DOn't forget to write Good Egg on the egg.

LauraT7, If your ADD son is anything like my ADHD son (yes, I realize they are not ALL the same, LOL) he might benefit from a position like Troop Guide. My Jon loves to help other people learn. His teachers have used that as a tool in the classroom since first grade. He generally gets bored easily (sound familiar?) but if he is oaired up with someone who needs a little help, he is able to focus on helping them out. He also has a very different way of looking at things, so sometimes, if kids aren't "getting" what the teacher is saying, Jon puts his interpretation on it and it clicks fo

Oh, I am having soooo many reactions to this post I hardly know where to start. I suppose I'll start with the original question. Wear the uniform if you can afford to have the complete uniform. We expect the boys to wear it, so why shouldn't the registered leaders, no matter what function. If you can't afford it, can't get one in the right size (you can order custom made, but they are expensive) well, that's another story. The uniform is one of the methods of Scouting. It's not a fashion statement. I prefer my stretchy jeans and a t-shirt myself, but for Scouting functions, I wear t

Eagle90, Spounds like a great event! OGE, You go antiqueing and I'll go canoeing!

Pardon me if I can not give an unbiased opinion on this one. While I respect the concept of "boy run", I would see this as an opportunity for the Scoutmaster to provide a little guidance regarding the concept of "gratitude". Every boy in Scouting is there because of the support they receive from their families. Mom's are a big part of those families. If an SPL can't agree to welcome famiies on ONE trip, it sounds to me like someone needs to learn a little gratitude. One trip, or day hike dedicated to the families that support the troop and make their monthly camping trips, week long summe