SctDad

A little update on the status of the falg and falgpole. The boys were at an event and set the flag down. They went to the next area where they realized they had left it behind. The SM went back to the other area to retrieve it. When he got there he a boy walking away with their flagpole, then sit down and pull out a knife to start whittling on the flagpole. He went up and got the flagpole from the boy. But the flag was no where to be found. It was gone. Someone had gone through and taken off the flag from the flag pole. I know that the chances of this being an accident are slim, as there were three ties holding the flag on the pole. I guess I would have to say so much several points of the scout law in this incident. Namely HELPFUL, COURTEOUS, TRUSTWORTHY. I am going to provide the boys with some fabric and supplies to make a new one. This time I am going to reccommend to them to that they put their troop number on the flag and flag pole.

OGE The Troop that had the flag stolen is the one that my son will be crossing into in a few years. I have been helping them with some things. The boys did not have a patrol flag. I had some heavy duty material and me and my wife cut the material and sewed it together, along with the ties to attach it to the flagpole. There were only the two required adults there and 5 Boys. When I stopped by the meeting last night, the first thing that the SM said is there is Mr Chris. They boys kinda had that look of 'You tell him. No You Tell him.' I thnk they were more concerned with upsetting me than anything. I just told them that they would have to make the next one. They painted the first so it should not be a major deal. Just one of them is going to have to learn to sew. I was thinking that it may be appropriate to ask the boys and leadership what they want to do. Eagle, I did not go with them. I just heard about this last night.(This message has been edited by SctDad)

The boy scout troop went to the Council Camporee this past weekend. My wife and myself worked together for them and made a patrol flag for them. THey painted it and put their patrol name on it. All we did was make the flag itself. I also gave them a patrol flagpole (that came apart in the middle for easier packing) that I had accidentally ordered thinking it was different. (I ordered the wrong flagpole from national.) Well while at Camporee this weekend, They had left the campsite and someone came in and took, not only the flag, but the pole too. Now I remember doing things like this wehn I was a scout, but we always returned things at the end of the Camporee. We never took them home with us. I understand that there is a good old game of I got your flag, but keeping the flag and pole, I dunno. Should I do anything about this. Or should the boys just have to make another. I told them I would bring in the fabric this time and they could make the new flag themselves. Yes that means sewing. (The Lost Art). As for the pole, I think that may be gone for good. How does this play into the scout law. Any Advice?

How about making it a handbook and not an answer key. Lets make it so that the boys actually have to DO something to earn their rank other than thumbing through a well organized handbook with ALL the answers. Set it up as a guide book. I like the idea of the smaller requirements book, but how many times has a boy lost his handbook. I think that if they are going to make a small version of the requirements book they should also sell them seperatly so that they can be replaced. I like the idea of keeping history alive. Lets remember our roots and what scouting is about.

I don't know about the camps where you are at, but I know that locally, we have a lot of our work done on the OA Ordeal Weekends and Lodge Work Days. I think that this helps to offset these costs to the council.

I was talking with one of our directors of camp this past fall. He was telling me that you would be really surprised at how much foor costs are. He said that it cost about $10,000 every 2 weeks when the food truck pulled in. At least I think he said every two weeks. He may have said every week.

There has been a lot of good advice about what you should do. I would say that when it comes to what you should do about these leaders permenant leadership status, take your guidance from you SE. THey will have the best advice for you in this aspect. I would also say that if the SE says that they can still be leaders, talk with them and let them understand that with their history that they will not be able to drive any Cub Scouts to any events. If the wife drives then that should be OK. But not the Father. The SE will be your best resource on how to deal with this. The other thing that I would say is that if the guy still wants to be a leader you may want to consider having him fill out a new application and have the council rerun their background.

I do not know if this is what you looking for, but there is a portiion list in the Boy Scout Book. My other suggestion would be to try and buy as much Non-Perishable food that way if you buy too much, it does not spoil.

This is how we put things when asked about wearing medals. 1 - Medals are best worn for formal ceremonies; Pack Meetings, Blue and Gold, Scout Sunday. Just make sure that you give them plenty of opportunity to wear them and show them off. 2 - We don't wear them to everyday den meetings and Go-See-Its. THhis way when there is the chance to wear them it is more important. 3 - We don't wear them on outings because: + They may fall off and get lost + If camping and setting up tents, the medals may catch and either fall off, tear the uniform, or tear the material on the tent or tarp. That is some of the reasoning that we use with our parents and Cub Scouts.

Try contacting your local Community College or EMS training site. THey might have a set of traige equipment that you may be able to use. They can probably help you with how things can be done. There may be more information than you know about

I think that this SM is wrong for saying that he wanted the troop to pull out of the OA because not all eligible got in. Lets remember folks, the OA election is voted on by non-members in the troop. The voting boys probably thought the those that did not get elected were not ready. Maybe the boys that did not get elected were too busy with sports right now and were unable to commit the timme that is needed. THere is always next year. Missing one election is not the end of the world. I too cam in during a time when there were restriction on how many people could get in. I was elected with one other person. I never thought that I would get elected. I was not all that popular, I took scouting very seriously, studying and knowing what I needed to. I participated in all events. While some of my fellow scouts were at camp playing cards, I was building campgadgets like it was required. I would sit outside cutting firewood and getting things done for camp that needed to be done. Did I deserve it. Apparently. Did I think I would get it. NO. Sometimes it is a popularity contest. That is the bad part, but tell these young scouts, that there is always another election. IF you want to see if these boys get elected, talk with the OA advisors. Check at round table, one is probably there. Ask them hoe often they hold elections and what can be done. If these boys are truly ready and eligible, then they should help you.

Herms I have to agree with you. THat show is not for kids. I do not let my kids watch it either. That does not mean that it was not funny. I think that there are some shows that, although cartoons, were primarily meant for adults. That is why it has that time slot and has the rating that is does I thought it was a funny. Showed some of the things that really happen with the pinewood derby.

I am going to guess that this medal is not authorized for wear on the BSA uniform. Sounds like a good program and something that I might look into. Thanks for the information.

OK. Now I know where to look for it. I will check the book when I get home.

Were your Cubs moving so slowly in the parade, and so close to the sidewalks, that the viewers could see that it was held on with staples? I doubt it. Yes you could tell. My CC noticed it from about 30 feet away. It was only attached with one staple, and not all that well either. And as for the one that attached it, it was his mother. She said that she had no idea on how use a thread and needle.

The dance team for the Cub Scouts is good, but what I am looking for is something like what kind of things do you do as a chapter/lodge. Outdoor activities beyond camping. I was thinking about seeing if they wanted to do a 50 Miler Trip. There is a creek that runs through our part of the state and it is well suited.

What kind of activities does you chapter/lodge do? One of the other adult adviser's had mentioned that they were looking for somethign to do in order to get some youth interested in the OA again. Something that the youth can do other than just cheerful service working at camp and ordeals. And somethign that they can do to remember about the outings. One more thing that could go a long way would be some cheap suggestions. I know that there will be a lot of chapter campout suggestions, but how about something other than camping. Maybe something that will attract the boys back into the OA.

DG When I mentioned the use of regalia in Cub Scouts, I say that so that I can have something that the boys can really enjoy. I know that a lot of people say that the boys will enjoy just about anything, but I think that they would like to see something that is really nice looking. I also like doing things like this and I would like to start making these things for myself. As for the OA coming to our AOL ceremonies, we have very few boys that are active in our chapter and it is nearly impossible to get a good turn out. Example, we only had 4 boys show up at our conclave this weekend from our chapter. So getting a good turnout for a ceremony is not always a gaurentee. I don't know, but I remember a lot more being done when I was a youth.

Does anyone out there have any information (links, files etc) on making indian regalia. I went to our Conclave this weekend and it was very interesting. I am trying to get some things to gether so that I can start making my own regalia. Maybe something to have available to use in my own ceremonies for my Cub Scouts. Any help out there

I have looked through the new Insignia Guide that my CC picked up the other day. I knwo that some have mentioned that all rank and insignia have to be sewn on/attached directly to the uniform. I could not find it. Can some guide me to the page as I have the book in my possession. I have some parents that think attaching the patches is an option. I have some that use tape or STAPLES to attach the uniforms. Talk about being taken aback when I saw that. I made the boy take it off as we were in a christmas parade and I thought it just looked horrible. And yes, there is mention of the video games belt loop and pin. It is a sad day when the BSA promotes sitting on your duff conducting activities that do not promote active movement or learning. I am waiting to see what the requirements are. Altough they did put some new and interesting ones. My son like taking pictures, and they have added the photography. Here is a list of the new Belt Loops and Pins Abilities Awareness Family Travel (Goes good with the traveler AB) Good Manners (I though we were already teaching this) Hiking Hockey Horseback riding (Not available for Tigers due to Age Limitations) Pet Care Photography (I thinkthat I have several boys in my pack will go for this one.) Reading and Writing Skateboarding Video Games (This one makes my skin crawl) Any thoughts.

The question is... "How do you help kids get out from under helicopter parents?" Answer (ready for the Joke) A good anti-aircraft missle. I have been helping out our local Boy Scout troop. The one that my son will have the oppurtunity to cross into. They were getting ready for the upcoming camporee. They had to make meal plans. Last week they started with the large butcher block type paper. This week I handed the PL a few printouts that had Patrol duties, menu planning, and shopping lists. I showed him how they were set up, but i did not do it for him. he had some of the other patrol members work on it too. If they had questions I guided them. But they did the majority of the work. THings like, what do we need for this meal? They figured out all of the ingrediants. They also remembered that they had some left over supplies from the last campout. One of them was thinking and probably saved the group about $15. Then they made their shopping list. They decided who would be doing the shopping and gave the shopping list to him. Just happened that the volunteer was the PL. Why was I doing this, becuase they were looking for guidance and only asked when they needed help or could not figure it out. THe parents and other adult leaders were going over some things for the upcoming summer camp. So that freed their time.Not to mention I enjoyed it. If a parent hovers, try seeing if there is something else they may be interested in doing.

Come on Nike, you ruined it Just kidding I guess if you look at it from a different perspective than just a crude show you can see that there are some underlying lessons in this show. Guilt, Greed, and sportsmanship. Not to mention, it showed how there are many parents that will go to ANY lengths to win the PWD. And of Course what happens when they don't. Or maybe not that drastic.

Saw the episode. Kinda funny, and very wrong. More like morbidly funny. Kinda gross at some parts too. Anyway, before we get all in a tizzy, lets remember why it comes on at 10:00 PM EST, and has a rating of TV MA L Not really intended for cub scouts

I just have one question, is he in scouts just to earn his eagle, or is he in it for the program. We often hear about Eagle Mills and Merit Badge Mills. Is this what you are looking for. I would also have to say that splitting up the Webelos. It gives them a chance to meet new scouts. THat may be good for them. It is not saying that they cannot socialize with the other scouts, just when they are doing patrol activities, then they are with different people.

I think that the whole concept of practical jokes has a long history. I had some tried on me while I was in the military. They sent me to find some chemlight batteries. So I went to supply and met with a supply clerk and filled him in. We sat outside cutting apart chemlights and pulling out the little glass pellets and putting them in a little box. We made a label and packaged it all nice. I got a 4 hours break from motorpool duty and the joke was on them. Practical jokes, including snipe hunting, are a method or showing acceptance. My family and I have always gone with the theory, if I did not like you I would not pick on you. Things are getting out of hand these days when we over protect our kids from EVERYTHING. I remember a day when there were tryouts for sports teams. The best players were chosen. If you were cut, then you practiced and tries again next year. Practical jokes can be fun. Even if you are looking for a tent stretcher. (Yeah, I was going around the camporee area in maine looking for one of these)