SctDad

I have seen that story some where before. I think at the beginning of the thread. Anyway. Practical jokes are all a matter how far leadership lets it go. Also some one needs to make sure that everyone is safe and accounted for.

I think that it would be cool to have the golden Dutch oven. Take an old Dutch oven, or maybe a small one like the sauce pan, and paint it gold. the winning patrol keeps it and must pass it on everyyear.

You ask what what you would pass onto your new DE. I was talking with my DE one day and we had a discusion about the things that I saw (Even as new as I was) in the program that may have become issues. I told her that I had heard about a DE needing new units. I also told her that in our small rural county (yes VERY RURAL) that there was not room for more units. I said that I would much rather see quality units rather than quantity of units. To better explain that. I would rather see two packs in our county with 50+ boys in it, we will say with 8 Dens throughout the ages, then 5 Packs with 4 boys in each. I would rahter see a quality program with the boys activities and enjoyment in mind, rather than a rag tag program in which no one "participates in Council/District events." and yes I have heard this from one of the other pack leaders in my county. We currently have 4 packs in our county that I know of. 2 are medium size, I have 22 in our pack and I think that the other has about 15-20. The third I tyhink has maybe 10 - 15, but I hardly ever hear from them. and the 4th, they don't participate in council events, because there is just too much restrictions, they will just do thier own thing. There is just too much for the council/district to offer. I have seen where there are camps that are being closed and sold left and right. We have a local camp that would be perfect for Cub Camoing, it is on a still water lake and could be great for all boating activities. I think that it would make a great summertime camp for the Cub SScouts. Anyway Like I said, quality over quantity.

I looked at a pair of the nylon pants. Did not like the way they fit or the way that they felt. And I just knew that they would not hold up that well. I also had an issue with the built in belt. Did not liek it. Anyway, I still have not gotten a shirt yet, but that will be my next big purchase.

I may have some suggestion that may help you. Wood Projects - Tool Box out of 2X8 and closet rods. Make sure tehy sand and paint it for the required "Several Steps." Ask lowes of Home Depot for extra/scrap lumber. Build and grow kits that require some assembly. Display stand Take a piece of 1X6. Find some sapling that you are allowd to cut down and use. Nail the cut sapling (a piece about 6") to the boart from the bottom. Paint or stain. Glue the PWD car to the top when you are done with them. Looks like a small trophy. THey can hang their ribbon on it too. Other projects. Homemade clay slides, many recipes in the How-To Book Luminaries - Tin Soup cans, hammer, nail, pliers to hld the nail. Punch holes to make a design. Wallet kits are available Talk to any local leather worker for scrap leather.

I love the idea of the Iron Chef. I have started helping with the local Boy Scout troop as I now have some leadership that actually helps in my pack. I think that I may suggest this to the troop and see what they think. The only problem right now is that they only have one patrol and a SPL and ASPL. Low numbers this year, but things are going to pick up in the next few years. What kind of foods would you do for an iron chef. Maybe a new topic.

Pete That is just so wrong, where is the fun in that. anyway I have been wanting a good apple or peach cobble recipe too.

Lisa You have thicker skin than I do. If any parent called me yelling and screaming, I would ask them to stop calling until they can act like adults. Cut and dry. I am a volunteer, and I don't deserve to be treated like that.

If someone finds another resource I would love to get a copy of it

Gunny Interesting variety of suggestions. But you forgot the iron cross as someone pointedd out before

I tried to spin this off of another thread, but it did not work. What I am looking for is what tips can we provide to other leaders as a general survival tip. Ones that help to prevent burnout.

My opinion Cubmasters Minute about respecting others, and about living the Cub Scout Promise and Law of the Pack at all times. Make a mental note and watch for possible future problems. If the parents both agree that they would like you to have a more personal talk with both of the boys (following YP of course) then you can say that you will do it from a Cubmasters point of view. Other than that there is not much you can do.

Lets post here pointers and hints that can help other leaders. What have you found that works. What doesn't.

I read that list that you posted. I can see that there are many things that I am dealing with or can have problems with in the future. I have come up with one method of controlling the factor of parents calling me through the day right before the campout. Our pack will be camping on saturday night. but myself and a few other leaders are going up on Friday night. This make is easy to keep the cell phone calls down because, hehe, there is very little cell reception at camp, so I think that I will just shut my phone off. I plan on having a Q&A session on the meeting before we go camping. But that is it. I have also come to the fact that I am only going to put out information a limited number of times. If you cannot use the methods that we have put ouot there for you to gather information, then that is your fault. I will post more as I think of them.

I posted this in the copy thread so I think that I will move it here. I think that they quit because they get no support from most of the non-leader parents. And a lot of those non-leader parents expect the program to be free and/or the DL and other leadership to pay for everything. Then they get mad when everything is not done for them I also think that the non-leader adults have no plans to do anything outside the meetings. There for the Cubs do not advance and earn rank. Then they get mad when some do earn their badges. But when they are told that their boy did not get rank because, he did not do all the requirements, the first response is usually, well he came to all the meetings. I have a group of parents that think that I (the DL/CM) have to do everything in the Den Meetings. Well I have worked with my son in our spare time, which isn't much, and he has earned rank.

I think that the Billion Jobs that BadenP is refering to is all the jobs that we have sent overseas. If securing the future of america meant another $5 in the cost of a uniform, then bring the factory back. Heck even our telemarketers have gone overseas. THe last three surveys that they called me had some one from india on the othher line. Save the American Worker

I was looking over the programs at the Pamlico Sea Base and there seems to be a lot of good programs. I will have to see what the general age range is.

I am no Business major, but I can see both sides of this story. I think there are a few things that would have to happen to make this venture possible. + THere would have to be a factory that can produce the product to meet the demand. + They would have to be able to keep the pace + National would have to come off the profit a little. (If they did this showing that they are here to support America, maybe some would be a little more interested in the program. America loves to support America.) + I understand that the professionals work for a salary and need to live, but do we have to keep doing like congress and raising the salary just because. Pay the professionals a competetive wage. There are a lot of factors that influence "Made in America" The BSA is trying to keep the program going. Maybe they also need to look at what they did in the past. I think if we look at the past we may be able to secure our future. BTW - How much does someone like Mr. Mazuka make. That is just a question. Also, if you are interested in purchasing a car, look for the factory sticker. There are a lot of Toyotas that are built in the US

I was looking online for some information on high adventure bases throughout the US. I know about Philmont, Northern Tier, Florida Sea Base. I think that the Maine one may still be there, but I think that they moved to a council level base. Moxieman any word on this. Throughout my searching there was no mention of one that I knnow of. There is a nationally accredited High adventure base in NC. Pamlico Sea Base http://www.pamlicoseabase.org/ This was not listed on search engines and they have some interesting programs. So what other high adventure bases does everyone here know about. There may be one in your backyard.

I would have to go back to the original question that we were presented with. Are push-ups coporal punishment? I think that if they are used incorrectly they can be. Use them with caution and only if they work. Find what works for you and use your methods wisely.

Eagle1977 and mafaking I apologize if I came out sounding like I wanted to teach my cubs military maneuvers and stuff like that. I have found in my experience (as little as it may be) some things that work. I had some boys that were running around our charter like they lost their mind. Something that I do not tolerate as they are kind enough to let us use the building for just about anything that we need and they are very accomidating. I had the culprets do 5 push-ups for the infraction (all culprets including my own son). I have had some parents that like my way I run the meetings in that I do not allow the boys to run around, like i said, like they have lost their mind and we were on a free for all. As for the push-up issue. Use physical corrective actions with care. Remember that they are young boys and may not have the physical strenght to do more than 10 - 20 in a given amount of time. Do not make them do sets of 50. I would have a problem with that. I am not in the physical shape that I was when I was in. I would never cause a boy to go into what i remember as "muscle failure" as I remember how much it hurt. I think that corrective actions should fit the situation. If it is not working then find what does work. Every pack/unit is different. something may work for your unit that does not work for mind. Eagledad said that they tried the letter writing method. I think that would be good for one group of older scouts, but for my tigers that would not work. They may be too young and it would possibly take too long to complette the task. They may be better suited with a 5 minute time out. The above example worked for us as the boys quit running and they went to another activity. I withdraw my anti-military statment. I was just afraid that it would cause a complete spin that would run into a thread that had been hijacked.

I never said that we were training marines. As a matter of fact I only mentioned the military in general. Get off your anti military kick and look at the issue at hand. Just think of it this way. EVERY unit has different ways of instilling discipline, your way may work for you, it may not work for me.

When you are comparing boys physical abilities, how about doing something that helps build something else that the BSA promotes. TEAMWORK. If the boys who is a wrestler can knock out 10 without breaking a sweat, then encourage him to motivate his buddy, and if his buddy is truly struggling, then allow the big guy to help out with one or two push-ups. But they both must be finished before they Both are done. A lot of people here obviously have never been around an environment like the military. If I had a cub who was being disrespectful to instructors, then he can go to the back of the group, do his 10, and return without having missed anything. But If I tell him that he is to leave and not come back, then plans have to be made if we were doing some kind of group project or advancment. I learned discipline when I was a kid and I also learned a respect for authority. The problem with much of todays youth is no respect for authority (Be it the den leader, a police officer, or just another adult in the Pack) and that makes them think that the laws do not apply to them. If we instill values and discipline into our youth, it will make them better. Since when did we become a society where everyone makes the little league team. If you got cut you tried hard and tried again. If we give our kids everything on a silver platter, then that is how they expect it. Make them work for things and they will appreciate things.If they have to do 10 push-ups because they threw something or mouthed off to a leader, just so they can stay with the group, then let them do them. If they refuse, then ask them to leave the activity. There is a good idea, give them two options. I am just getting tired of society saying that we have to GIVE EVERYTHING TO EVERYONE. Back on Topic I think that if used correctly, push-ups can be a form of constructive discipline.

I am looking at having this same issue this fall when we do our fall round up. I can see there being a possible problem with getting a den leader for the tigers. I have a den leader for the Wolf den that is currently tifers (they are basically down to 4) and I will be working as DL for the Bear Den along with being CM. But I find it fun and enjoyable. I also will probably have an ADL For the Bear Den Next Year. So that will make things a little easier. My CC is currently doing the Webelos DL position and things are going pretty decent there. I only have 4 W1 at this time, but next year I will have 4 W2 and 2 W1. That is if they all stay. Not counting any that I have join up. Good luck to you and I hope that you are successful in your venture to obtain leaders. Eagle92 If you are still looking for a Pack, I could use a DL that has a lot of Exp. Yeah, I know it is a small commute, but we would always be willing to take the help.

I think that athe joke was rather funny. as for the Marshmallows, I have found one way to make it easy and safer. Tell the boys (and sometimes the parents) te following: 1. We have plenty of marshmallows, if yours catches fire and falls in just ask for another. That simple. 2. At NO TIME should you try to extinguish your Marshmallow by flinging it back and forth on the end of you stick. It is burnt. If you need another, just ask. 3. If you want to blow out your marshmallow, do it carefully and ask for your parents help. Taking a minute to be safe will help to ensure safety. Cut and dry. People may say that the military has done me wrong because I give safety briefings before activities. But they haveproven if you remind people of basic ground rules and how to prevent injuries, then safety briefings work.