SctDad

We were supposed to have an AOL and cross over ceremony for one of my Webelos this weekend. We even chose the campsite based on not only the availability of the site, but the chapter ceremony team would not have to travel too far to do the ceremony. I also scheduled the ceremony back in February. They brought it up at the last meeting two weeks ago and it was all supposed to still be on.

So I tell everyone about the OA ceremonies team coming out. I tell them that these boys are great and put a lot of time and energy into their regalia and ceremonies.

Low and behold I think that I should have treated them like I do my new Cub Scouts. I should have called them Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Because when I called to inquire about who was coming out, one of the advisors told me that he had the regalia and no one had or made plans to come out.

So right now I am glad that our chapter meeting is not tomorrow night. It seems like all our chapter wants to do sit in meetings, do the ordeals, and go to our fall fellowship. If you really pry them you might get a service project out of them, but that is only because you tell that it is part of our lodges QUALITY CHAPTER, which is all some of the advisors are concerned about.

THinking about going into the next meeting and asking what it is the youth really wants to do because there were a LOT of disappointed people at the crossover last-night.

Guess I am just severly P.Oed.

Sorry I misunderstood about who turned it into the SM.

Do I think expulsion is the best way to go. No. I think that if you expell the boys, they will learn nothing. Make them give apologies. Give them specific service hours that they have to do, and make them give a class on hazing. Maybe have them point out the differences between hazing and practical jokes.

"No GPS? Gore Tex? Kevlar? Nylon? . . ."

Am I missing what we use that is made out of Kevlar

Everybody knows what we mean by no technology. Why would a scout need a GPS at a council campground where activities do not include geocaching.

But if you want specifics on what we mean in the No Technology Policy here are some examples of things that should not be brought.

iPod (Or any variation of)

PSP

Nintendo DS

Personal game systems

Portable TV's

MP3 Players

Portable CD Players

Laptops (or any variation thereof)

Does that help.

Our troop and Pack have a NO TECHNOLOGY policy. That includes but is not limited to: iPod, PSP Nintendo DS, Gameboy, MP3 players, Video Players, game systems, video systems, or anything like that. IF they are brought the scout takes the chance of the SM taking it. If they are not caught the scout also understands that we accept no responsibilities.

Exibar

When you travel across camp to shower, do you go just wearing a towel. I know that I don't. And that is the way that I teach my boys to do things. Of course now things are different at my camp because we have private shower rooms with a changing area. I take my clothes and my wash kit. What would my kid or wife do. THey would get dressed after drying off as best they can. I have seen my son do it before. He can be pretty resourcful. Do

As for the urine, i think that the younger boy had no intention of making anyone drink it or he would have not gone to the SM. He knew that what he was doing was wrong, and he knew that if he went to the SM it would be unpopular, but he did what was right in his mind and stopped the prank before it got serious.

I think if you punish the boy who took the prank to the SM, then next time he may not. He was being HONEST, KIND AND TRUSTWORTHY. That is the way that I am understanding the original post.

OK so you are going to punish the younger scout when he came to you with the report. He did not follow through with the prank and he took measures to prevent a major embarrassment. So why is he being punished.

As for the older scouts. An apology is in an order. And some kind of reprimand is in order. Is kicking them out really gonna work. The intent was there, but there was no damages. So you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the older boys were going to let someone drink it.

So what would I do for this. Formal apology to all of those that were involved. THis does not need to be a press conference.

Also, how about letting the boys understand what a prank or practical joke really is. I know that we have had several discussions as to what they are. I was talking to someone the other day and we were discussing this.

Here is the an example of some of the things that were done to a young scout during his first summercamp. I agree that these pranks went to far as a whole. They took his towel while he was in the shower, and there were a couple other things that I cannot remember at this time. Basically they pulled multiple pranks on this young lad and he had enough and ended up going home. Now if this had been just one prank, like taking the towel, that had been done a couple of times in the week, maybe the SM could have helped the young lad by saying 'take two towels or bring it IN the shower with you in a ziplock to beat them at their own game' But the key is to have the scouts that are playing the practical joke let the young lad know that it is in fun and include him on the next one. There must always be some kind of control measure in plase to avoid total embarassment.

Thanks for the advise so far. I am going to start putting things together.

My DE seems to have the theory that we are to just take the boys and leaders will appear out of the woodwork. I have got a couple by sheer luck and some begging, but they have not really come from standard round ups.

I plan on making up some parent flyers to hand out for each grade level. And it will have parent expectations. If anyone has any examples they woud like to share it would be appreciated.

Thanks again for the advise so far. Keep it coming.

Where does it say that the Boy Scouts have to shoot the Archery MB at a BSA event. I know that Cub Scouts have to, but I coulld not find where it says they are restricted to Council Summer Camps. I looked in the Archery MB page on Scouting.org and the Age Appropriate Guidelines.

Just a little confused about the post.

They are right nothing goes on the left pocket, but the square knot awards go above it.

I am thinking about running a volunteer run Cub Scout Round up in the fall right after school starts. The reason why is that our DE plans ours so late in the school year that it has effected our program for the past two years. This year the round up was conducted 10 days before our pack went to the Council Family Camp.

What kind of things would you suggest if I start pursuing conducting the round up ourselves? Want to make it successful. That way we can also hand out literature so that the parents have a little more information about the program. My DE has told me that I am not allowed to hand anything out other than contact information and calendars because she wants them to sign up and not get scared away by parent expectations.

Any help.

WOW, I never thought I would have one response

Actually I was looking for something that would fit at the end of the cot, But underneath would work also.

I was just wondering if some of the vast knowledge here already had the plans.

I am looking at a project for the Webelos den next year when we get to the Craftsman Activity Badge. I am trying to find plans for the camp foot lockers. The ones that are about the size of the cots that are used at camp. Does anyone have these or have a link to them?

I have to agree with you. But I must aso say that you need to include the Cubmaster, and occasionally the Den Leaders. I had an issue with something that one parent said he woud help us with. He fell through. (Actually he could not be reached for two weeks before the event) Naturaly everyone looks at the CM when something goes wrong, even if they gave someone else the responsibiity.

But like you said that is the nature of the job. Something that you must be ready for.

I Love this Job

OK want to get technical.

Are ALL camp rangers in the BSA forbidden from having alcohoic beverages in their residence. I cannot say this to a fact, but I would hazard a guess that if you looked in the fridge there is probably some alcoholic beverages.

I would think that if it was obvious that it was for cooking then it should not be a problem as it is not intended as a beverage. But yes you do take the chance of running into the overprotective adult.

In other words - You are waking a very thin line(This message has been edited by SctDad)

That is the site that I was looking for. We are having a joint camping trip with the Pack and Troop. Some of the Boy Scouts expressed interest in heping some of the boys go fishing. (That was actually their idea) So when I remembered this program I thought it would be a good idea to recognize them for their efforts.

Thanks again.

There was a recent article in either Boys' Life or Scouting about a fishing program that youth could earn patches and stuff for. Can someone hep me locate this article or post a link to the program.

Thanks

Here is a suggestion that may help you out.

Now you have 2 Patrols and you are looking at adding a 3rd. You are also wondering how to integrate a SPL into the mix.

Here is my suggestion:

Take the two PL's - Have one become the SPL and one become the Troop Guide for the New Scouts coming up. Then you can allow the remaining patrol members to elect new PL's.

After the new Scouts are in for a while you can either integrat them into the other two patrols or you can reorganize the troop into 3 patrols and have the Troop Guide ready for another group of New Scouts.

Yeah sounds like you need to get a good start. I bought some cast iron ones from a place near where I live. Had to heat and clean off all the packing grease. Of course this was after I smokes up the entire EMS station. OOOPPPS.

I have started doing my Dutch ovens outside on the grill. That is best thing I have found.

As per the Cub Scout Den Leaders award card

"Complete one year as a registered Cub Scout den leader. (Dates of service used to earn this award cannot be used to earn another key or award.)"

So, you cannot use the time to earn the Den Leader Award AND Scouter KEY.

Sorry.

OUr TIgers are fuly integrated in our pack too. The only difference is that they are required to have a responsible adult with them.

As for the Lion idea. How is making the program bigger and wider on the age group going to fix the problem. As it is now, most parents leave when they realize that they have to stay with the Tigers. Most think that it is just something that happens every so often. Who else has heard the "He is no longer interested" The thing that I hate the most is when our DE says that we have to take all the sign ups (because the other 3 packs in our county are folding) and then ask me why it is that the numbers are dropping. More on that in another topic. But I do not think that adding Lion Cubs is the answer.

I have several. Most of them are OA. Things can be adapted a little.

If you want send me a PM or your e-mail and I will try to send them to you.

1.Discuss with your leader or parent/guardian the importance of the Leave No Trace frontcountry guidelines.

2.On three separate outings, practice the frontcountry guidelines of Leave No Trace.

3.Boys in a Tiger Cub den complete the activities for Achievement 5, Let's Go Outdoors;

boys in a Wolf den complete Requirement 7, Your Living World;

boys in a Bear den complete Requirement 12, Family Outdoor Adventures;

boys in a Webelos den earn the Outdoorsman activity badge.

4.Participate in a Leave No Trace-related service project.

5.Promise to practice the Leave No Trace frontcountry guidelines by signing the Cub Scout Leave No Trace Pledge.

6.Draw a poster to illustrate the Leave No Trace frontcountry guidelines and display it at a pack meeting.

Sounds to me like a re-earn is the requirements. But if you have an active outdoor program then this should not be a problem.

You mean like the Den Meeting resources that are still not finished. They were supposed to help with the 100th Birthday celebration. Go figure.

Seriously Check it out. There are still no plans

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/220-001.pdf

Found this one the other day and I will be using this at our Blue and Gold on Friday. Hope ths helps.

What a Good Deed Can Do

For this audience participation story, divide the audience into six groups. Assign each group a name. When each group hears its name in the story, the group members stand and say their designated phrase:

SCOUT: Do a Good Turn daily.

ROBERT BADEN-POWELL: Scouting is a game with a purpose.

ERNEST THOMPSON SETON: I have an idea.

DANIEL CARTER BEARD: Uncle Dan!

WILLIAM D. BOYCE: Im lost.

JAMES E. WEST: Thank you!

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA (everyone participates): Hip, hip, hooray!

The story: In 1909, a Chicago publisher, WILLIAM D. BOYCE, lost his way in a dense London fog. A young SCOUT came to his aid, guiding him through the fog. WILLIAM D. BOYCE tried to give him a tip, but the SCOUT explained that he could not take a tip for doing a Good Turn. WILLIAM D. BOYCE was inspired by the actions of the SCOUT and met with ROBERT BADEN-POWELL. But the story doesnt end there. Many others helped make Scouting what it is today. ERNEST THOMPSON SETON was fascinated with the wilderness and established a youth organization he called the Woodcraft Indians. Because of his background of outdoor skills and interest in youth, ERNEST THOMPSON SETON became an important part of Scouting. His enthusiasm and intelligence turned his idea into reality. ERNEST THOMPSON SETON was the first Chief SCOUT of the BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA in 1910. Then there was DANIEL CARTER BEARD. He, too, loved the outdoors, and he merged his own boys organization, the Sons of Daniel Boone, with the BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA when it was formed. DANIEL CARTER BEARD helped design the original SCOUT uniform and introduced the elements of the First Class SCOUT badge. DANIEL CARTER BEARD is remembered as a colorful figure dressed in buckskin who helped form Scouting in the United States. JAMES E. WEST was a very special person to the Scouting movement. He was an orphan and physically handicapped, and full of determination. That determination helped build Scouting to be what it is today. JAMES E. WEST was appointed the first Chief SCOUT Executive of the BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA and held that position for 34 years. JAMES E. WEST is known as the true architect of the BSA. There you have itfive courageous men: ROBERT BADEN-POWELL, WILLIAM D. BOYCE, ERNEST THOMPSON SETON, DANIEL CARTER BEARD, and JAMES E. WEST. It began with a SCOUT helping another person find his way. It began with five men of intelligence and a love of the outdoors and youth. They had an idea, determination, and enthusiasm. They used all of those things to turn their idea into the reality we call the BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA.