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 precious little of extra time in my life.

That being said, the things I gaind from Wood Badge are priceless. I use the skills I learned there everyday -- In my professional life, as a parent, as the District Training Chair and as a Leader in our Troop. My patrol mates and I forged an incredible friendship. We have a bond that will last indefinately. I became closer friends with people I knew before the course who were either on staff or in other patrols.

If I ever complete my ticket, or not, Wood Badge was definately worth it.

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 has ADHD, that I had a new appreciation for how he must feel every day. My brain was going in about 20 different directions all at once. This may sound corney to some of you, but the only way I got through that weekend was to pray. I went to bed Friday night praying for guidance and patience and when I woke up on Saturday, I had my ticket complete in my head. I very quickly wrote everything down, before I forgot anything! Some different advance information might have been useful, or less pressure to get the tickets completed before the second weekend might have made it a less stressful experience. Don't misunderstand, I loved my Wood Badge experience, and a few changes would have made it better, for me.

The other problem I experienced with tickets getting in the way, is multiple leaders from our Troop attended the same Wood Badge course. It has put an additional stress on the youth of our Troop to try to implement all of the goals of these adults. Our guys are Wood Badged out.

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 participation and (for the most part) keeping this a civil discussion.

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 anything that threatens his safety. Not anyone else's. I am a single parent, not by choice, but by circumstance. If my son had a father figure in his life, I would be more than happy to allow him to step in. I have no way of knowing if you are a parent or not. (being a parent might change your opinion about some things) The only thing I know about you is that you are a 19 year old Scouter who had some bad experiences with women participating in your Scouting career. Do not paint us all with the same brush.

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 a pacifier or a blanket. He knows his own mind, so he doesn't need an overprotective mother. He also knows when things are not right, or to his liking and that he has every right to speak up about what he doesn't like. He also knows he can depend on me checking on all the facts before I react to anything. WHich means that if he is having problems on camping trips, I will be going on the next trip and observing events. That is my job as a parent, not just a Mom.

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 respect the "male bonding" arguement. That's the reason I wanted my son involved in Scouts to begin with. I never intended to become a leader. However, I found this to be a program that I truly admired and believed in. I wanted to do what I could to support the program. I still do. I don't see why, just because he is now a Boy Scout, I should change my mind about that. I do not want to go on every camping trip or shadow him at every troop meeting. I feel it is important that my son enjoy some time away from his mother, and camping trips give him that opportunity. They allow him to become more independent. I do want to be able to go camping, if I choose to do so. If my son asks me to go on a trip with him, there is a reason for that and I will be there to find out what that reason might be. I don't care who likes it or who doesn't like it. That is my child and I will not put him in a situation that is uncomfortable for him. I think most parents, father or mother would agree. I am currently registered with a Troop that believes that a woman's only role in the BSA is baking and fund raising. I happen to have more Scouting experience and Training (currently working my ticket) than more than a few of the ASM's in the Troop. The prevailing attitude in this Troop does not make me happy, but, this is the Troop my son chose, so I deal with it. I'm not happy about it, but I can deal.

So you know my opinion, how about yours?

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 see what happens, I guess.

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 all about the boys and as long as you keep their best interests at heart, you'll do fine.

Good Luck.

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 there are only afew people registered for each of those. We also try to squeeze in Youth Protection in the afternoon. It's a full day. but everything is done at once. The second way we train is in two evening sessions. We do New Leader Essentials the first night and then one week later - same night of the week, same location, we present the position specific break offs. Again, we are very fortunate to have a training team large enough to provide at least one trainer, often two, for each break off.

Thank you scoutldr, for this thread. As the new Cub Scout Training chair for my district I have been concerned that we have lost a few of our training team members, but it looks like I'm doing OK from some of the responses here. I am grateful for every one of my training staff.

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 might know the information you are seeking.

Don't give up, don't be discouraged and don't keep changing Packs. Find a place where your son is happy and comfortable, and make a commitment to making it a better Pack. I think a very important thing to remember is that there are very few "professional" scouters out there. I mean people who actually get paid to do Scouting. The rest of us are Volunteers and sometimes, the rest of our life creeps in and pushes Scouting to the back burner. Not a pretty thought, but it happens. And sometimes, you have people who just don't care. So, find out when you can do training, get to Roundtable, and have fun with those Tigers! Tigers are the best! They love everything you do, because it is all new and fun. Share their enthusiasm - it might become contagious to the rest of your Pack.

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 additional leaders and parents who mare fully understand the program.

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 for some people. Are any of the younger Scouts in the Troop having some difficulties? Or perhaps Jon can work with them on practicing Scout Skills - can't ever know too many knots! Have your son talk to his Scoutmaster. If the SM is worth anything, I'm sure he and Jon will come up with something that will work and keep his interest.

Let us know how he makes out.

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 the uniform. Last year I wore it to my company's Founder's Day because it occurred on the same day as one of our outings. I got a lot of positive response from people in the company who didn't know I was active in Scouting.

Now, my other issue.....

I am sorry, and I realize everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I am offended by the notion that men are the only acceptable influences for Boy Scouts. Now that's my interpretation of the statements made by CharityAK and blade1158. And maybe I'm oversensitive to the issue because my transition to Boy Scouts from Cubs has been an eye opening experience. I went from being the Cubmaster of a mid sized Pack because NO MEN WANTED TO BE INVOLVED to being asked when my son crossed over "Do yo want to join our committee?". I'm sorry, but I envisioned a little more active role with the boys. I see no reason that a good female role model does boys any harm. Believe me, I understand the need for good, strong male leaders. My son has benefited greatly from the positive male role models he has in the Troop. I just don't see anything wrong with felame leaders, no matter the position. And they should proudly wear the uniform.

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 summer camp and other activities possible sounds like a nice way to say thanks, to me.

Mom's help and presence are OK if a fundraiser is involved, but she can't come camping? I understand a need for "male bonding". I recently went on a camping trip with my son (first one) and he was happy to have me there. I was unaware of anyone being uncomfortable that I was there. And let me tell you, it was an educational weekend. They did not censor anything they said or did (boy do they smell bad!) because I was there. It was good for me to go and see how they behave and act on a trip. I was impressed with how they worked together and looked out for each other (we have a lot of younger Scouts). The buddy system is alive and well in our troop.

Back to the subject, I don't feel one weekend a year is an infringement on their personal space. How about a Mother's Day weekend campout where all the Moms get waited on hand and foot? Sounds good to me! LOL