sctmom

You might want to try the Yahoo Group "All Girl Scouts". It is a very active discussion group of leaders and girls. I know that many are now talking about Thinking Day and have links to resources.

We are glad to have you back Bob White. Hope your mother continues to recover.

Our cubmaster has one foot in the pack and one in the troop I'm speaking of. I don't want to make waves right now about that. Hopefully the person I got that quote from is misinformed, but I feel confident they have more control of the troop than appears on the surface. The scoutmaster just took over the troop less than a year ago. Maybe things will continue to change over the next year. I guess I'll cross that bridge later. Right now I'm trying to focus on breathing some life into the pack. Maybe if our pack gets stronger, that will carry over to the troop level one day.

Talked to an adult involved in another troop nearby. I have known this person for a few years. Here is what they said about the troop and troop meetings:

"The ultimate goal of course are for the

scouts to work on obtaining as many merit badges as they can and work on their rank advancements."

Also, I happen to have met and talked with Eagle Foot. He is one of the few scouters around here who is interested in following safety rules, letting boys learn to lead, and having adults take training. He's not interested in running Eagle mills and merit badge factories.

I don't think I can be an effective Webelos Leader next year for the Bear den I have now. I can't be excited about the troops in the area. Also, the district and council are so disappointing.

So frustrating!!!!!

I received the following from a friend of my sister:

These recipes came out of the book Cherokee Cooklore. It was published in 1951. You know, back when food was good. I didn't put any fresh killed meat recipes in cause I doubt the boys will run across any good roadkill. But I think it's soooo cool that this troop leader has the [guts] (word edited by sctmom) to take a bunch of younguns on an outing in FEBRUARY. I love it!!

This recipe is from Aggie Ross Losiah, grand-daughter of John Ross.

Barbecued fish:

Cut fish into big chunks. String onto pieces of sharpened sticks and hang over or in front of a fire. Turn often and keep near the fire until the fish does not drip anymore.

These are from Katie Taylor Brady.

Baked apples:

Take ripe apples. Cover the apples with hot ashes and live coals, cook until as soft as you want them.

Dried corn:

Strip the shucks back on some roasting ears and tie them. Hang these in the sun for several days (if the boys are going to have days) untl the grains are dry. Soak the corn and then shell it from the cob. Cook the grains by boiling.

Mrs. Wayne Tahquette gave this one.

Potato soup:

Peel white potatoes and cut them into small pieces. Boil in water with an onion or two until potatoes and onion mash easily. After mashing add some milk and reheat. Add salt and pepper. (I put cheese in my tater soup, but that's just me.)

Mrs. Clifford Hornbuckle gave these two.

Chicken and corn:

Stew chicken until well done. Add cooked, skinned corn. Cook together enough to get a good flavor, Beans may be added if you like.

Pumpkin:

Cut ripe pumpkin in rings, remove the peeling, hang on a stick in front of a fire enough to dry slowly. Wash and cook anyway you like. The old Indians often ate it dried without being cooked. (Blech, oh wait that reminds me of a recipe that I know for pumpkin seeds that IS good.)

This un's mine.

Pumpkin seeds:

Dry pumpkin seeds over a fire.

Thanks for all of your support.

I'm in the process of getting in touch with a couple of parents that have sons in a nearby troop (not the one we went to). That troop had some adult leadership changes last year. I've emailed these parents asking how things are and if they are doing things that my son would be interested in. Maybe with a little prodding from the parents, their sons will invite my son to a troop meeting. They aren't all best friends but they get along together and see each other at school.

What tribes are from that area?

Do you have a history museum nearby? They might be able to provide you with some recipes and problem some people to talk to the Scouts as well.

My sister may know some people with Native American background/knowledge in that area. I'll see what I can find out.

Its Trail Day,

Congratulations to you and your son. I know a child with Aspergers. He does have a lot or problems with social skills.

ASM1,

You are right about the schools work for us. Also, the schools must provide an education that is best for EACH child. As parents we are the ones to decide what is best (except in extreme cases where people aren't sane). Many parents don't know they have rights to override anything the school says. We've worked with some great people from the elementary school. I am now in contact with the right people at the middle school. They are learning I want my son to learn how to live in this world and he is not an extreme case of hyperactivity.

Onehour, My son does take medicine but medicine isn't the cureall. I still have to work with him every night and remind him a lot. He doesn't take the medicine when not in school. I have a picture someone took at summer camp that shows him doing writing work by lantern-light one night. He hates to write and was not on medicine. He is motivated and interested! Later I found out he lost the paper and ended up not getting the merit badge because of that. He knew why and didn't get upset about it, didn't try to blame anyone or lie his way out.

Maybe getting settled into middle school he will start thinking about going back to Boy Scouts.

He likes working with the Cub Scout boys and is good at it. I've told him that if he went back to Scouts he could be a Den Chief (since those are few and far between). I think he would make a good one. It would be really good for him to work with another Cub Scout leader and with the Cubs. I think you learn a lot by trying to teach others.

I'm involved in Cub Scouting even with no children of my own there. I think it is a wonderful program.

Yes, I would like him to return to Scouting, just not the troop he was at. There are 2 other troops in the area that he has the option of going to.

I know he got a lot out of summer camp.

Being a single mom of one child it is tough to be involved without being too involved. His dad does very little with him.

One thing that is so frustrating is he loves to explore new things, do things with his hands, and be outside, but he wasn't getting that out of Scouts. Over the Christmas break he spent time at grandparents playing with 2 kids in their neighborhood. They all have video games and TV's and such. What did they have the most fun with? An old electrical cord they tied to a tree and made a swing out of. Also, they are always building clubhouses around that neighborhood. THAT is what he wants to do at Scouts!

Oh, I was beaming with pride as the teacher told me that my son looks up to me and talks about all the fun things we do together. Too bad his father can't see how much fun he is missing.

One other thing, take a look at those 2nd year Webelos at Pack meetings. That look and attitude of "I'm too cool for this. This is SOOOO childish."

They mumble out a den yell. They have to be drug into games. They have fun sometimes, but won't admit it. They are ready to move on.

But I still think he gained a lot from summer camp!

My son, that is. Back in August I had to put my foot down with the school "experts" and insist they NOT put him in special ed classes all day based on his behavior in 5th grade. They thought he would not be able to change classes in 6th grade. I told them he walked a 1/2 mile or more between summer camp classes. I kept telling them he grew up a lot from a week of Boy Scout camp and a week of 4-H camp.

Today I had my first meeting since August with the school. Guess what? I was right! They were wrong! He is doing great. They've cut back his special ed hours even more. He's making A's and B's. His behavior is wonderful. He is doing is working, working independently, etc.

Just had to share since many of you listened to me moan about the school not listening and how they treat the students. I'm so happy right now and so proud.

He still has not gone back to Boy Scouts. He's just not ready for it. I cannot and will not push him to go there if he really isn't interested. Not fair to him or to the scouts and scouters who want to be there.

All of the above is good, especially about summer camp.

The letter says:

Why would I want my child to make this change before the end of his last year in Cub Scouts?

February/March IS the end of the last year of Cub Scouts.

First, you will need to wait in line for the parade to start. Be ready to sing songs and play games like Simon Says to keep the boys busy.

Have lots of adults to herd them along if you walk.

I agree with Twocubdad about looking into getting a trailer. The Guide To Safe Scouting has the guidelines to follow about using trailers and trucks in a parade. Let the boys decorate the trailer or truck. I would even hestitate to give them little flags to wave because then you get into the "eye poking" problems. Even some of the Webelos may not be strong enough to carry a full size flag and pole for very long.

The boys love being in the parade.

Thoughts and prayers from Flint River Council, Georgia.

These are not silly questions. There are no ridiculous questions, especially your first year in Scouting!

Many people aim toward having the Tigers earn their rank by Blue & Gold. It is a good doable goal and keeps people on track. The Tigers can continue to work on Tiger electives after getting their Tiger Badge. Also, things get hectic in the spring for some people when the kids play baseball and soccer, so scouting tends to take a backseat.

About the Bobcat. Some boys can earn it quickly, some will take awhile. Even if they earn the Bobcat now, they can continue to work on their Tiger electives. They can should have it by September/October of the second grade. As Laura pointed out, the best thing to do is to start every den meeting and every activity by saying the promise and law together. That is the best way to learn it.

One thing to do is to print out the promise and law on a card stock. Cut it into lines or words so it is like a puzzle. Carry it in a ziploc bag with you. Maybe have more than one like this. Before meetings or during "down time" the boys can practice putting it in the right order. Do remember that some boys in first grade may still be struggling to read, so have them work together in putting it together.

One other thing, boys will/should start in their Wolf book as soon as they finish first grade. If they go to Cub Scout day camp, they will be working on Wolf requirements then even if they have not earned their Bobcat. They can work on Wolf even without the Bobcat, they just can't get the Wolf badge until they have the Bobcat badge.

Keep asking questions, it's the best way to learn this stuff.

Cubsrgr,

All our parents don't know any different so they don't complain about 2 meetings! Ha,ha, ha.

Having the B&G and the pinewood derby on Saturday evenings seems to work best for us. Our pack and den meetings are on Monday evening. Parents must stay at den meetings unless they have a private deal worked out with another parent or the den leader.

We have a pack meeting every month that school is in session. Some months we may only have one den meeting but we WILL have a pack meeting. We also tend to have one other activity every month -- PWD, B&G, community service, family camping, etc.

The B&G is a big party for 2 hours so people like to attend. No big speeches, no big ceremonies, no skits, etc. Home early enough for the little ones to get to bed. Late enough in the day that everyone has done their Saturday errands, shopping and basketball games.

It really works for us.

Oh, yeah, guess I blocked out that part. If you invite the DE be prepared for the FOS speech.

There is free patterns at makingfriends. You don't have to purchase their kits. They also have a few scout related coloring pages you can download.

Our B&G is NOT a regular pack meeting. We still have a pack meeting that month. We do B&G on Saturday evening starting at 6:00. Pack buys the main dish, den bring their own side dishes and a dish for the guest table. Dens bring their own drinks. Dessert is what was called "fellas cake", meaning the boy and an adult male makes the cake. Obviously we don't ask questions about who helped the boy because sometimes mom has to help. Encourage the boys to do as much of the cake decorating as possible. Everyone gets a ribbon for bringing a dessert. It's fun if you give them names like "most blue, most chocolate, tallest, shortest".

For entertainment we have had a magician and someone called "The Mad Scientist". The mad scientist is a franchise and the guy does cool science tricks.

We are done by about 8:00. Usually the Cubmaster does a little something to recognize the leaders. The guest may speak for a moment. Our guests have included the head of the CO, a past Cubmaster, the DE, Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner, the minister of the church we meet at (not our CO).

Sing a few active songs. Maybe play one of those "get to know people" games where you have to find one person who has done something special. Everyone gets a list of things like "an eagle scout, been a fireman, has 5 kids" Then you find someone who meets the criteria. After awhile someone stands up and goes through the list, having those how meet the criteria raise their hand or stand up.

One pack near us does a B&G pancake breakfast on a Saturday morning. They find it works best for them.

There is also a new Leave No Trace Award for Cub Scouts. Your council should have information on this.

Here is one link to the document

http://www.horseshoetrail.com/CS~LNT~Revised.pdf

There is also the Crime Prevention award. A description of it is on www.ussp.org

I think the Bear year is about the hardest year to earn the World Conservation Award. It seems even harder than for Webelos to earn it.

All three of these award contain requirements of completing certain Bear achievements and/or electives.

We don't focus on patches for everything. BSA has come out with a patch for each upcoming monthly Cub Scout theme. They are tiny and cost $1.15 each!

Right now I'm trying to cover achievements in the Bear book that are not easy to do at home. I use the Program Helps for ideas. Our pack doesn't use the themes.

I try to cover at least one part of an achievement or one elective in each meeting.

Main thing is HAVE FUN! Don't get too focused on badges and awards. Do things that are fun and the boys learn from (without knowing they are learning).

Fast Start is the only thing I know of that is online. Does she have a copy of the Leader's book? I find reading chapters in it are very helpful. I often go back through certain chapters to see what I can pick up.

From what I have read about life in the 1800's there were some families that were as clueless as modern day people when it came to farming. As a child I read the Laura Ingalls Wilder Little House books over and over. Some of her stories are about people they would run into that had no idea what to do, how to grow vegetables, raise animals, prepare for the winter, etc. So it wasn't too far off the mark. When many of the pioneers set off west the women were in their nice white frilly dresses.

What I've read so far about the making of the show, they tried to choose people who had some skills but were not survivalist. They were looking for "average Americans". The young man on the show who gets married has been an Outward Bound instructor and has lived in the wilderness in Africa at one time. He was the one who complained the least.

There is a book about how the show was made. Supposedly it explains a lot more about how they choose the familes and the research that went into doing the show.