sctmom

I do know my son can look words up in the dictionary. They do that a lot at his school. Today a lot of kids also don't know how to leave a message. My son didn't understand the difference between voice mail and an answering machine. So he was on voice mail saying "pick up if you are there". LOL

There seems to a few threads today about can / should boys do things without adults around all the time. I just have to share this story about non-Scout. My son's friend calls the house this weekend. I explain that son is at his dad's. I have given the friend and his mom the phone number many, many times. Once again I'm asked for the phone number. I asked the boy if he had a phone book, that way he can look it up every time. He said he didn't know if they had one and anyway, he didn't know how to look up a phone number!!!!! My response was "it is time you learned". This boy is 11. He is left at home by himself for hours at a time while mom works. He doesn't know how to use a phone book????? When my niece was that age, her father was in the intensive care unit of a large hospital, 100 miles from home. My niece was at home alone one day and needed to talk to her mom. She called the one number she had for the hospital and kept asking until someone got her to the right phone. And she is NOT known for having common sense. Hmmm...maybe this will be a good excercise to teach the Cub Scouts -- how to use the phone book.

Is there a BSA book about Pack Committees and what they should do? Or are supposed to just use what is in the Den Leader's Handbook?

How have you used "trash" for Cub Scout type crafts? Here are a few I have tried with some success: Cardboard box oven TP rolls birdfeeder - cover with peanut butter and birdseed, hand on a string in the tree. Bottle caps, buttons, thread spools, pipe cleaners, etc. --- let the boys make "art projects" with these. Soap bars - carving

Ed, If you require a certain percentage of attendance at all meetings and events, how come your boys aren't making First Class in a year? Seems like a boy that active, would make First Class quickly, unless the swimming requirement held him up.

Attended Pow Wow on Saturday. Cost was $10.00 That included fried chicken & side dishes for lunch. Also was handed a computer CD full of information, what was covered in the classes and MORE. Plus getting to wear that cool looking uniform all day!

My ex-husband was my son's Cub Scout leader for 2 years. I was his Cub Scout leader for 1 1/2 years. Cub Scouting is different in that families are supposed to be involved. But with being the leader, I had other responsibilities. My son often thought that since one of his parents was a leader, that made him a leader. It was also difficult because when I practiced a craft or something at home, he was there and knew what was going on before the meeting. Then during the meeting he felt he should be in charge. At the few Boy Scout outings we have gone on, he wants me there but doesn't really need me. Same with a 3 day class field trip. He wants to know I'm there, but I may never really see him all weekend. The scoutmaster has commented on how my son doesn't really need me. Now, he does want me to help him pack to leave camp, but I walk away from that. Sagerscout mentions the teasing about Mommy. Our troop doesn't have that. Very few moms go camping, but some have. The boys don't say anything. I went to summer camp on the last night they were there. I found it interesting that on that trip and others, some of the boys would come over to talk to me about being homesick, missing their girlfriend, what craft they had made, etc. I don't think they were talking to the men about these things! I think they all liked having a Mom in camp!

It is a requirement for the Arrow of Light.

That belt issue is a big one! My son does the same thing -- "but I don't need it". When he does need a belt, he prefers the web scout belt over a belt with holes because he can adjust it to just the right size. About those pants that are falling down -- you can always offer to staple them up.

See my messages about my son saying troop meetings are boring -- they are teaching merit badges. The kids are in class all day at school. Let merit badges be individual endeavors, unless it is directly related to the monthly theme and outdoor activity.

My advice is to not worry about it. Let him get what he can from the time he is there. We had a few new 5th graders last year. I don't think they even earned their Webelos badge, but they had a good time. If he will be 11 at time of crossover, he can still crossover. Just be tactful about the ceremony.

My son's friend has a mom who swears she can't sew on a patch. So she sends the shirt to Grandma's house 200 miles away. The Cub Scout shirt looked great except the Tiger Cub strip was on the sleeve, not under the pocket. If you don't know where it goes, leave it off until you can find out. The information is in the book. If I remember correctly, the hang tag on the shirt showed it. The Scout shop will GIVE you a uniform inspection sheet when you buy the uniform. You can also print the uniform inspection sheet for free from www.scouting.org

This past summer the troop had a horrible accident occur during the annual yard sale. Luckily no boys were injured. Also, luckily every boy could remember the phone number to where their parents were (home and work). We knew this was hitting the news immediately and wanted the families to know we were okay. We didn't even know how many boys were there at the time it happened! For a short time we were afraid we were missing someone. What if one had been seriously injured? We had no contact information, no medical history, nothing. Most of the parents were there, but some were not. It has made me more aware of the need to have that information. Even if the parents are there, I think it is helpful to have it handy. Doesn't take long to fill out the form. I like SagerScout's idea and ScouterPaul's idea. As I was reading the G2SS the other night and came across the part about contacting the council if a boy was seriously injured or dead, I realized I have NEVER been told who to contact. I am finding that out and adding it to my safety book.

OGE writes: "Just a point of clarification, are you talking of chronological or intellectual age? " :::: putting my hand over my mouth about males and maturity :::: hehehehe (just a joke, guys)

I never really bothered to keep up with it before. Since I am going to be volunteering with the pack and my son is no longer a Cub, it is obviously not for him, so should be no gray areas there.

As a volunteer what expenses should I track for tax deductions?

Congrats! and Good luck!

My remark was a bit cynical, huh? Yes, I need to focus on what the boys get out of Cub Scouting. I can't save the world and make Boy Scouts what it SHOULD be. Bob White, I sure wish you were in my council and district! You are good at keeping the goals and methods in focus. Thanks for your input. I think Cub Scouting is a great program because it is for Families. I know my son and I both gained a lot from the years he was in it and we both had fun. That's why I'm continuing to volunteer with Cubs even though I have no other chidren.

So I could be the best Cub Scout leader in the world at the very best Cub Scout pack in the world, following the program to a "t" and if the troops in the area don't have their act together the boys are lost and I get blame from the troop for not having prepared the boys? Geez, sorta discouraging where I live.

According to the late edition of the Cub Scout Leader handbook: The Webelos den leader plans and carries out a year-round program of activities for the Webelos den. The Webelos denner responsibilities may include leading ceremonies, preparing equipment, setting up the meeting room, or helping with games or other activities. A long range plan.... The Webelos den leader may plan this calendar with help from the assistant Webelos den leader, Webelos den chief, the assistant Scoutmaster of the troop, and others. The Webelos Leader Guide provides den meeting outlines for each activity badge. Many Webelos den leaders use these outlines as a guide and incorporate ideas or plans they develop themselves or read about in Boys' Life. The Webelos den leader is responsible for ensuring that the weekly Webelos den meetings are planned and conducted. ---- I could go on and on. I see nothing that says the boys should take part in planning or leading. Under the elements of a good Webelos den meeting the only things that the Webelos need to do is show respect and have fun. I've read the information about the Webelos to Boy Scouting Transition and still find nothing about giving the boys choices and leadership responsibilities. I'm not saying that you CAN'T do it, but it is not in the program that is documented for us to use.

NJ, yes "soon" = "seen". You just didn't understand the Southern drawl.

Great thread and some wonderful suggestions. Thanks!

It's nice when people post messages about things they have soon work correctly in scouts. The positive things.

One day recently I was wandering around the house trying to figure out what I was going to wear to work. My son looked at me and said "why don't you wear your Scout uniform?" I told him I thought I would get some really weird looks if I wore that to the office. With a straight face, he said "Yes, but think of all the new people you would meet." Of course he had some really good excuse why he couldn't wear his complete Scout uniform to school that day.

When I recommended that we get some of his friends to visit/join the troop, I got a very sharp "NO!". He does have a couple of friends in the troop. I know he has at least one friend in particular, they are about 1 year apart in age but the same size (small!!). I'm going to find out what the other troop nearby is doing now they have new adults. Right now he doesn't even want to visit them. We know some of the adults in that troop and he may listen to them about what they are doing. Another troop in our area has about 12 scouts (mostly late teens), camps 4 times a year, and is struggling. I checked out the web page of another nearby troop and will not even consider visiting them. Their webpage makes it very clear that as a female I'm not welcome. It says "fathers and male role models are encouraged to camp with the troop". There are other remarks about fathers are encouraged to work with their sons. They also make up extra rules about attendance. They also only have about 12 to 15 scouts. I have tried everything I can to convince my son to give me a couple of months to make suggestions to the troop and help the patrol do things on their own. But he is just so frustrated about it, he will not try. On one hand I think he is trying. He has gotten dressed and into the car, but then when he gets to the meeting place he just can't make himself go in. So I'm not pushing right now. I'm helping the Cub Scouts and he will be around some of the older boys at the meetings. All of our dens meet on the same night at the same place. Older and younger siblings tag along. The older boys (ex cub scouts, now Boy Scouts) wander around looking to see who has the most exciting den meeting going on that they can "help" with. I've mentioned den chief a few times to him to give him an incentive. He is registered until next spring so we aren't saying he "dropped out" just "taking a break". Weird thing is that now that he doesn't want to be there he WANTS to wear his uniform pants all the time!!! They are actually a bit baggy on him and he likes that! Along with those neat pocket snaps!