SctDad

Now that you know that there are issues in the home and with the older brother, maybe you can try something different. See if there is something that the Cub has interest in. maybe there is a project that he can lead up, or a camping trip that he can help plan. If he has these strengths, then use them, if he has learned to cook at home, let him help at camp, or have him assist with the meal planning. There are a lot of things that you can do. If you talk to him there may be somethin that he may want to ehlp with. If his parents split, who brings him to his meetings. If it is his mother, ask if there is something that he likes to do that you can work with. We are all leaders here. It is in our training to spot problems that are happening at home and help the scouts with them.

GoldWinger I would have to agree with you on that. If you spread out the wear, then the impact is less. Wilderness Student Think of it this way. The paths that are already formed are usually from where people naturally walk, therefore wearing a nice solid surface and creating an opening where brush cannot grow. So in conjunction with what GW said, if you spread out the wear, (Remembering to be careful not to damage things) then you will have a better effect of the Leave No Trace Program

Try your local State parks. They might have some ideas in things that you can do. You can find the most local by doing a search of the State parks. Or try with any local City or County Parks. We had an Eagle project done here improving a small city park (Really small city) Hope this helps

I can see what they mean by Leave No Trace. There is a part that states "Stick to the Trails." But if you are going in an area that is not overpopulated with trails, like it sounds like you are describing, then you need to make sure that you do you best to leave no marks that you were there. Avoid tearing up the ground cover, breaking trees that you move past, things like that. The LNT promise in my thoughts is a statement of a state of mind. It means leaving the least impact possible on the areas that you visit. If you have a fire ring, replace the ground cover, if you did a hole, fill it in. If you take your pets, don't let them dig or chase the wildlife. Pack out your trash and be kind to nature. I think some people are taking the LNT to the extremes. If you are in a State park then stick to the trails. If you are in an area with no marked camp areas, or trails, then be verycareful and and most of all, enjoy. I know I am gonna be argued by a lot of people here, so lets see what I get for a response. I am not saying that we should just go on a free for all, but there are some places that you can find your own. Not every camping trip is meant to be on an improved site.

HOLY MOLY BATMAN. Hitting a child. Something that should only be reserved for the parents in the privacy of the home. And that is for constructive spanking only. On to other subjects. I saved a pack this fall. The CM was going to take his Webelo 2 to another pack for the last year. But he agreed to keep going if I would take over as CM next year. A lot of things to learn I have found out. But I am getting there. Sometimes you have to look at the boys that you are responsible for. Look for the ways to get your Tigers what they need, and ask the other den leaders if there is anything that you can help with. Maybe you shoudl look into takeing the CM if he leaves. If the parents are going to leave because they do not want to help thier Cubs, then do they really have an interest in the program. Or are they using it as a baby sitter service. I know that sounds harsh but there are some parents out there. Keep trying to get your Tigers through and help those that want help. As for the camping trip. I put in the list of things to bring, a list of things not to bring. Video Games, DVD players. Stuff like that. If they want to bring a MP3 pplayer (Not Video) that is fine. I even asked the parents to try to avoid constant cell phone use. I put in there, we are going camping and lets try to get away for ust one day. We will also be parking the vehicles away from the camp site. So that will prevent some problems, I hope. As for the Pack meetings. Most of the parents in our pack wanted to go to everyother week for the meetings. I agreed. We have den meetings every other week and our pack meetings are about every other month or so. This also gives the boys a chance to earn some awards. That is how we do it. That is what the parents wanted and truthfully, All they had to do was show up. As den leader I was doing the planning, so their decision has made my planning eassier. I told them that we would just have to work harder on some of the achievements. Hope this helped

This is the idea that I was leading to when I asked about Cub Scout Music. I have a bunch of pictures from a day camp and I can also see a lot more coming from the campout next weekend. So what I wanted to do was to make a video of pictures showing the things that we have done. So if you could, does anyone have any other ideas for music for this video. Carla I like some of your ideas. Maybe for the crafts you could do a beaded necklace making station. Beads are cheap and you have a small craft they can take home as a reminder. Maybe have some colors for the rank they would be going into. Don't forget plenty of handouts in reference to the camp activities and trips that you and your district are doing.

So what i might be gathering is that we should set a deadline for the dues and registration for campouts and trips. Say 2 weeks in advance. I think this would work and I might start doing this. sounds like it would make some people commit to a little more than just maybe's and may make planning better.

"I wonder what kind of confidence it would invoke in a patient if the surgeon showed up in the ER in Micky D shirt and blaze orange pants?" Trust me I have seen worse. Sometimes funnier. We are not trying to imitate other branches. As I said I wear my BDU pants for functionality and durability. Big Pockets and Durable fabric. That and I have plenty of them, from several (11) years in the service. They were all FREE. The scout pants that are required are about $40 for my size.

I would take a look at what it is that you earned. One is centenial Unit award and one is quality unit. I would have to look for the difference, but talk to your council and they can probably tell you the difference.

thanks Vicki. It is nice to know where things came from. Just for information, here is what I have. I have a perculator that cam ein a camp cookset. Ozark Trail. It is an 8 cup perc. What I was asking was, how much of the course ground should I use and how long to cook. I am not adding cheese.

The money is to pay for the food for the trip. I think that it is just easier then trying to have everyone prepare their own meals and stuff. Maybe next time we will have evryone prepare their own meals.

OK I can see what everyone is trying to say. Here is one question that I have though. What do I say if the parent does not pay what is needed or give me an accurate count of how many they are bringing. EX: They don't contribute any money, then show up with her and all three of the kids. That is going to throw a big wrench into the works. What do I do then?????

Can anyone give me an idea of what might be a good song to use for a video that I would like to make highlighting our years past activities. I just can't think of anything right now.

OK. I see what everyone is saying. If he does come I will try to get him back into all of the activities. That is what I had been thinking, but I was just wondering if anyone else had this problem. Another issue that I have is one of being able to contact the parent. I tried for two weeks to call her and no calls were returned. I was passing her neighborhood the other day and stopped in and finally got to talk to her. If this is what it is going to be like again this week, I fear that I may not be able to get the money for the campout. We are doing $10 a person, being that we have no stored funds, and we still have to buy food for the weekend. If I cannot get up with her I do not know how many to plan on. She didn't know if her husband was working that weekend. If he is then they are going to bring 4 people, whereas if he has it off then they will only be bringing 2. That is if they are even coming. All of that can be crucial to the meal planning. I am not trying to drive them away, I just wish I could get a call back so I know how to make the plans. I think that if she is planning on attending, then she should let us know. If she lets us know, then we can plan to accomidate everyone. Does anyone else see my dillema???

Ohio Scouter Thanks for the list. I was thinking that they were talking about something administrativly. But Now I understand that they mean the 10 essential items to have. Gold_winger I like your list a lot also. I think that is great.(This message has been edited by SctDad)

Don't worry I will be OK

BOB I understand where you would be coming from with your point of view. But my point is the functionality of the pants. I just find it easier to have access into the larger pockets. WIth all the other things going on in my life and financial obligations, I cannot see getting another pair of pants right now especially with the rising cost of the uniforms. Yes I do plan on getting there in the near future, but this is my first year back in scouting. I think there should be some leeway for some parents. THere are some of us who just can't afford it right away.

"You will see as scoutldr posted, the survival skills requirement is no longer a 1st class requirement." What has happened to the BSA when the Basic Survival Skills that were once common place have now been eliminated from advancement requirements. What will be next, and Eagle Project plan, and no actual work, tell us how you would survive in the wilderness if you were lost instead of actually practicing, and maybe talk about your 20 night camping, but only go on 3. Scouts was once about the basics. WHat happened????

Gunny Refresh my memory, 12 essentials. I have been going through brain fry here the past week. As for special use permits, it is a local city run park. The contact stated that as long as there was no burn ban, then we should be ok for a camp fire. That is about it. The rest of the Nature center is open for the exploring. We will have scheduled activities and free time in the afternoon.

OK I can see where the arguments are here. After spending 11 years in the military, I have learned a few things about uniforms and gear. When it comes down to the Duty uniform, It WILL BE RIGHT. If not you have to make immediate corrections. Trust em I have had something wrong with my uniform a time or two and have to suffer the punishment, what ever it may be. We live and learn. As for the duty shirt (BDU, DCU, ACU, jungles, deserts, fatigues, what ever you want to call them) The ARMY requlation (Sorry Gunny I do not know the USMC regs) states that the uniform parts may be worn with civilian clothes as long as ALL military insignia has been removed, ie rank, unit identifier, US Army tape, skills badges. So if I want to take my jacket and remove insignia and wear it down the street I can. The military is supposed to provide you with ALL the clothing and equipment that you need to complete the mission. Now the mission changes and the clothing and equipment needs change. The military is trying to keep up. They are doing the best with what they have in my opinion. Maybe they can do better, but items are getting to the frontline faster than ever before. As for the modification of the uniform. If you have seen the new Army Combat UNiform (ACU) then you will notice slanted pockets on the sleeves and pockets on the legs. These were placed based on the fact that soldiers were modifying their uniforms in combat theater to accomidate. We couldn't reach our pockets under the body armor so we put them on the sleeves and pants. Provided FUNCTIONALITY and most commanders did not complain as long as it was only in theater. So are you telling me that if I want to wear my military rucksack to a Cub Scout outting then I am wrong. It is LARGE (plenty of room) and Camoflage, OH NO. I am still going to use it. I do not have the $150 to go out and buy something that is equally large and light. Sorry. As for every scout in the right uniform. I could only wish that every scout troop, pack, crew, ship, or other had a budget to give every scout a complete uniform, including pants and activity shirts. Only then would we have ground to stand on when it comes to uniforms. I will tell you that from my personal experiance, I was so happy to just have all of my tiger cubs in uniform shirts with neckerchiefs at the blue and gold banquet. Take your little victories. As for me wearing my BDU pants when we are on outings. I find it helpful as a leader to have large pockets on my legs to keep notebooks and other stuff where I can reach it. Sorry. FUNCTIONALITY. That is all I have for now. I will respond later to those who dispute my posting. PS Hot_foot_Eagle The Army has changed the regs on backpacks, you can now carry one on your shoulder as long as it is black, cammo matching the uniform, and has no logos. I prefer to stick with the black.

My question is, should the Cubs have to come and attend the meeting prior to the Campout. I do not want him just showing up for the camping and not for the other stuff The reason why I am asking is that, he has not been to a meeting since DEC. It is very hard to get up with his mother, seems like she is dodging calls. I talked to her as I made it a point to stop by her house and drop off the paperwork. Not too mention this is the cub that one of the other parents bought a uniform shirt, asked me to get the stuff put on it, and let this cub useit during his time in Cub Scouts. We gave it to the mother with the understanding that if he wanted to leave scouts then we needed the shirt back. I can only try so much to keep him in. I think my numbers of starting the year with 7, and still having 6, not counting this other boy, is pretty good for the Tiger Cubs.

Does anyone here have requirements that the Cubs must do in order to go on campouts. IE Must attend 2 meetings prior to campout for the right materials and planning. I have one Cub that has not been to a meeting since december and I told his mother about the Campout today. I kinda wish I hadn't, because he has missed 4 meetings and the B&G. She said that she had this problem or that problem for the last two meetings, but I am not too sure. Any Advise

Well our campout is getting close and closer. Things are getting down to the wire. Yes I have my tour permit filed and in hand. We went to the Federal Surplus ware house today. THey have a bunch of cool stuff that we can get for the pack. We got two sleeping bags, (Military mummy bags)(OH NO!!! MILITARY STUFF) a parachute, waterproof bag, and a large box for $38. This place is pretty cool. I think we will be returning soon. Any last minute pointers that I need to know

If you can send me your e-mail address I will scan and send you the two pages. I have to get my book out but I can have the pages in the computer by this weekend. Then you can take the file (It will be in pdf) to a office store (Like Staples) and they can print you a large copy of it if you want. May cost you a few bucks, but if you are looking for something to dosplay for all to see it might be worth it. Let me know if I can help YiS Doc

I noticed a lot of questions. I have a young tiger den and most of the parents look to me for a lot of things. When it comes to uniforms, I have helped all but two get their patches right. That is because they have all asked me and stated that they did not have the means or skills to do the job. I had no problem with that. All our boys look the same and we only had one issue which was easily fixed. That is the type of person that I am. My mother told me when I was younger that if I was going to keep earning merit badges and temporary patches, then I was going to learn to sew. Now when my wife tries to take off those patches she cusses me for sewing them on TOO well. The issue might be the the scouts are trying to do the sewing. Or it might be that the parent sewing does not know where the stuff goes. Try to help out and be a part of the solution. Uniform inspections and guidelines are something that can be passed on.