scoutmom

None.

It sounds like you're on the right track. Don't miss that training! You will feel a lot better after that. Don't worry too much about the boys being rowdy! That's what boys do, after all. They should settle down once they realize you are there to help them learn AND have fun. Keep them busy, try not to "baby" them and the idea of trips ia terrific. They love to go places! Good Luck and let us know how you're doing.

KoreaScouter, thanks for your kind words. You warmed my heart and brought tears to my eyes. It's not easy, but we somehow manage to get by and have a good time while we're at it. (most of the time!) And a question for homeschoolers out there. This is just curiosity, not a judgement call on anyone. Of those of you who homeschool, how often does the primary responsibility fall to the woman in the home to school the children? How often does the male in the home take on the "teacher" role? As I said, just curious. I'm sure homeschooling works great for those of you with the resources (financial and personality wise) to do it. I admire people who can homeschool and keep their sanity. I would go insane. I love my son, I love the boys in my pack (I'm Assistant Cubmaster) but to be with them all day long every day would make me nuts. We have a hard enough time just getting through homework, I can't see me trying to get through Algebra! Please don't try to continue to convince me that I can do it. I don't want to do it. I respect your choice, it just isn't my choice.

Regardless of some of the opinions out there, public school is the only option I have. Private school is too expensive and they do not offer the services that a public school does for a child with special needs. (my son has ADHD and I can not imagine him trying to attend our local Catholic School) I am luck in that the Public School he goes to has a wonderful staff that really cares about the kids and he is doing well. As a single parent, there is no way that I can have a job and homeschool my child. I guess I could always quit and go on welfare to homeschool him. Maybe that's the solution. Seriously, even if I had the financial resources to stay home, I would not home school. I do not have the personality or the patience that I think it would take. If home schooling is working for you, then that's great. Good for you and your child. Public School is working just fine for us, thanks.

This response will bring some heated responses, I'm sure, But here goes anyway: Like OGE I am a practicing Roman Catholic. I went to 12 years of Catholic school and here's what I learned (not necessarily what I was taught): I believe in God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. I believe Jesus Christ is my personal Savior. I do not believe that God is as concerned with which House of Worship you walk into, as he is concerned with what kind of person you are. Our country was founded on basic Judeo-Christian values, and accepts other faiths as well. That's what I believe and I'm not afraid to tell anyone what I believe. If you are all the good Scouters you claim to be, you'll respect that.

Terry, I don't think you need to apologize. You were very nice the first time around, and I guess folks sometimes need a little more than a gentle tap on the shoulder to pay attention. You provide us with a great site and a wonderful tool. Keep it up.

OGE, I enjoyed chatting with you. SOrry for my abrupt departure, but I got booted -- again. I'll try to make it again soon. What a terrific idea this was, OGE. This forum is great, but chatting is much more personal. It seems like you can get to know each other a little more.

Thanks, Paul! You're a Wiz!!! That worked. I'm not sure I'll make it tonight -- I have to make calls for Scouts! Can you imagine that? Hope to chat soon. OGE, you'll have to work on your abbreviations for when you're in chat. LOL! I used to have a list-- I'll have to see what I can come up with for you

I went to Yahoo and registered, but I can't find Scouter_chat. Can someone post a link? Looking forward to chatting!

Boy! When you guys go off on a tangent, you really go! You made me feel like I was at one of our committee meetings!

The theme for February 2002 is "Our Native Peoples"

Last year at our Family Camping Weekend, the very kind Campmaster at our Council Camp passed along this wonderful tip to some of us Cub Scout Moms who didn't knoe any better: All the BSA patches with the shiny backing are IRON ONS!!! Who Knew? I poked so many holes in my fingers sewing on my son's patches and then my own. The last patch my son got I decided to try this out. It worked. You need a really hot iron and a cloth (I used a towel) to put over the shirt so you don't burn it. It takes a while so don't get discouraged. When you start to see the patch outline coming through the wrong side of the shirt, you turn the shirt over and use your cloth again and iron from that side for a while. It really works. A couple of other Moms from our Pack did the same thing and they swear by it. The Campmaster suggested a couple os stitches on the corners of the Arrow Points, because of their small size, they tend to come off easier.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think if your "active committee" members are registered (which they're supposed to be), the they can (read should) wear the uniform and the patch that says committee member. Our Pack subsidizes the cost of the uniform shirt for all adult leaders. Maybe if you buy it, they'll wear it. I like FScouters suggestion too. Make it a reward! Everyone will want one.

The first thing I would do is make sure you have someone trained in Safety Afloat. I assume you have done this, as you took a canoeing trip last year. Make sure you comply with the safety afloat guidelines and stress that to all the parents. If they realize you have someone trained for this type of situation, they may be more comfortable with letting their son's participate. Sounds like a great trip! Can I come?

Ed, Since there's only one school for you both to draw from, how about seperate recruiting nights? I like the idea of taklking to the other Pack's leadership and I agree that it is perhaps an issue for your Unit Commissioner. Good Luck.

Congratulations, Mike.

Ed, Do you have only one elementary school in your town? Our town has 3 Cub Scout Packs and we each have a designated school to recruit from. One Pack is charted by the local Catholic Church and they recruit from their Parochial School. Or maybe you could do roundup on different nights. How about a Spring roundup? Is this other Pack getting more Scouts because of parental politics or because of their program? Play up your Pack's activities. Bring in your Pinewood Derby Track and let the new recruits have a race. Have your current Scouts bring all their cool stuff from summer camp. A couple of kids saw my son's BB Gun Sharpshooter Award from day camp and they were hooked!And get your current scouts to recruit their friends. Just a couple of ideas. Good Luck.

As a Leader and the parent of a first year Webelos Scout, I am looking for a troop that is first of all, Boy run. I want my son to learn the leadership and responsibility that a Boy run Troop will teach. The next thing I will look at is the leadership of the Troop. The personalities of the leaders will mean a lot to my son who, having ADHD, requires a lot of patience and understanding. To sound like a Mom for a moment, he's really a good kid deep down inside (sometimes deeper than others) and he needs someone to be patient and recognize that in spite of his shortcomings, he really has a lot to offer. It is also important to me as a single parent that the Troop Leadership welcome me as an active participant in the next level of my son's Scouting experience. No, I don't want to be on every camp out and every activity, but I do want to be involved. I hope for troop leadership that doesn't resent female leaders. My son will be looking for a Troop that does "cool" stuff. He can't wait for high adventure trips. Our Pack has traditionally sent all of their Webelos to one Troop without really presenting any other options. I am hoping to at least offer this group of boys a choice when they are ready to move to Boy Scouts. WIth three Scout Troops in town, I don't think that will be a problem.

OGE, Sorry I took a while to respond, my computer has had a virus and it took me a while to get it "feeling better. You're right, we do usually agreee on things, bit I'm afraid we don't here. I do agree that sometimes things are carried way too far, and young boys feelings and self esteem can potentially be hurt. This is where the Scout Leaders come in. I do not let any joke, skit, song, run-on, etc occur at any Pack function that isn't screened by me personally. I do it myself because other leaders have let things go that I do not feel are appropriate for Cub Scouts. And things that aren't necessarily appropriate can be re-arranged to make them OK. Practical jokes are, in my opinion, fun. Our Pack has not really gotten into that kind of thing, but I anticipate them as my son moves into Boy Scouts. I feel a sense of humor is very important, and if my son can't take a joke, then I'm not doing my job. I do agree that jokes can be taken too far and that's where the trouble come in. It is the Leaders job to make sure everyone is treated equally and no one becomes the "automatic" vicitm. Sorry OGE, I'm looking forward to watching my son go look for 50 feet of shoreline and seeing his reaction when he realizes it was a joke.

OGE, I have to admit you made me laugh, but don't sink to that level. I respect you too much.

A question for you first. What ages are they boys you are working with? In the US our Cub Scouts range in age from 7 (Tiger Cubs) 8 & 9 (Wolves and Bears) to 10 & 11 (Webelos Scouts). Some games span all the ages groups whil others do not. Let us know what age group you're working with and I'm sure we can give you some great suggestions.

Sounds like it might be a beltloop. I don't have my book in front of me, but I'll check it and post later.

Positive reinforcement is ver important! I agree with Fscouter. Remind him of the good job he did and also remind him of how well he did in the Troop meeting. Andrews is right also, don't get discouraged if he baclslides a little. Be firm with him when things go wrong, but back it up with a reminder of his successes. Putting your suggestions in writing was a great idea. I'm sure it will help your Scout and his parents. Good Job! Keep up the good work!

Eisley, you are right! This group is nothing if not passionate! Sctmom, thanks for clearing up our identities. The point I was trying to make, and forgive me if I'm not as eloquent as some of you, is that every religious and ethnic group has their own "moral code". Christians differ among themselves - Protestant, Baptist, Mormon, Catholic, etc. as well as from non-Christian religions, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Buddist, etc.... The basics are the same -- murder and rape are not acceptable--I think that was a bad analogy. I know some Athiests who I believe are "morally straight", but are not candidates for the BSA. It is not up to me to determine someone else's moral code. It is not my job to judge. That belongs to a higher power. I don't want to start to preach (because that's not my job, either) so I'll leave it at that.

I think OGE posed a very good question and some of the responses went a little overboard. "Morally Straight" is going to have a different definition to every individual based on how they were raised. "Morally straight" is NOT one definite thing. It will vary depending upon your religion, your ethnic background, your nationality. Cathloics accept some practices while rejecting others, just as Baptists, Methodists and Jews accept some things and reject others. Sometimes it is the same thing, sometimes not. Sometimes it's a big thing like abortion or the acceptance of Jesus as your Savior (sp?) and sometimes is't a smaller issue like eating meat on Friday or not eating Pork or shellfish (I know, those are't trivial to the religions that subscribe to those rules, not trying to belittle them, just trying to make a point). I can't define morally straight for YOU any more than you can define it for ME. Just my $0.02 worth.