SeattlePioneer

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_{SP, I proposed that our Klondike program consist of events each "sponsored" by a troop,  I called a meeting and invited each interested troop to send its SPL and a Scouter.   The units that came with the most complete proposals were our better troops, and we had, and have had since, no problem presenting a day of events that are operated very well.  That process has gone on for twenty-five years. (How time flies !!), complete with an elected event "SPL."}

_{Are they clear that you only want them to operate one event?>>}

_{Sounds like this is an idea that has promise, but that like a lot of things packs or troops are slow to adopt a new program/activity.  Once they do it a couple of times,  it will be an old habit they are used to doing and doing well.} 

_{I'm finding it tough to get this started,  though.}

_{I've started this by asking a couple of packs to help where I've been a volunteer in the past.  Response so far is weak.}

_{So--- what about asking troops for this kind of support?  They should be Xperts on putting together fun activities for Cub Scouts,  and it would be an opportunity to show off their troop to future Boy Scouts and future Boy Scout parents!}

_{Any suggestions on how to solicit help from packs or troops would be welcome.}

_{I'm glad to see that no one (so far)  has suggested that it's unreasonable for the district to ask units to help with Day Camp,  a district activity!}

Right now I'm trying to track down a 2015 pack membership a parent said they made in early March to the Cubmaster.  He doesn't remember receiving such a payment.

The payment was apparently a check.

I've asked the parent to send me a copy of the check if it was cashed,  and a replacement check if it wasn't.

This has generated eight or ten e-mails so far.

My experience is that the first day of Cub Scout Day Camp is pretty chaotic.

Part of that is due to the lack of suitable gathering activities boys can join in while adults sort out paperwork issues.

These would need to be used before dens are formed and boys are usually running around and creating problems.

Any ideas?

Our district is coming off an extended period of weak leadership. 

As Day Camp Program Director, I'm looking for ways of organizing and staffing a quality program. What I'd like to do is to encourage strong units in the district to take charge of a day camp activity each year.  Rather than trying to recruit and train individuals to staff day camp,  we would rely on Cub Packs and Troops who would take charge of an activity each year.

Doing this would enable the unit to become expert at providing a great program.

Good theory I think,  but I'm having trouble getting units to bite.  

Eleven years ago I assisted a failed Cub Pack to get back on it's feet and helped it organize a pack overnight,  which included a popular monkey bridge.  I continued to associate with that pack for years a Unit Commissioner.  Now I'm trying to seel them on organizing an obastacle Course at day camp which would include a monkey bridge,  an activity they have continued over the years.

No confirmation from the Cubmaster that they will do that though.

Sigh.

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I wish that when the decision was made a few years ago, that local option would have been the choice.  We already allow the local option for almost everything else in terms of BSA leaders, why not this?>>

Because the Supreme Court decision said that the BSA's policy could be sustained because it was consistantly enforced nationwide.

Since BSA is allowing local councils to get away with homosexual adult leaders,  that protection very likely is already gone.  I suspect that's why Gates said that the courts would likely force BSA to admit homosexuals before long.

Personally, I'm not espcially antagonistic to homosexuals.  My bias is that BSA should be free to decide for itself it's membership standards.  Unfortunately,  that right seems to be evaporating pretty rapidly.

That's a fact of life I don't much like,  but which we all are likely going to have to deal with.

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I have found that the easiest and most credible process for handling money is to turn in receipts and get reimbursed.  Records of money which belongs to the CO are fully documented, and if the family wants their money, they'll keep their receipts and turn them in.  If that's too much of a hassle, they can simply toss the receipts and suck up the expense on their own.

>>

I agree that's aule to follow.    However,  there may be families that can't afford or be willing to front such expenses.  I've encountered people who wanted a petty cash fund to buy food for an overnight camp,  and provided a couple of hundred  dollars to do so.  Receipts were later provided so that I could charge off that cash.

And I've had people lose receipts.  I've reimbursed people for expenses they clearly incurred,  even without receipts.

<<When I was treasurer of a group, I kept impeccable records and when they did a surprise audit, I could account for every penny.  After a while they quit with the stupid audits until after I left.  Of course when I left the records were complete and precise.  That's the job, do it right and most importantly of all, CYA!  It's a bit like YPT.  Precise records protects the treasurer. >>

Audits are certainly not "stupid."  They are reasonable, prudent and not done as often among Scout groups as they should be.

As Pack Treasurer,  my records aren't "impeccable at all.  Indeed,  just today I had to call the Pack Committee Chair to ask how he had paid for Cub Scout Day Camp.  He had told me to use his family's Scout Account,  but I hadn't made out a receipt for that transaction and forgotten it in the mean time.  The Cubmaster may have accepted a check to pay for a pack membership a couple of months ago,  and if so hasn't turned it over to me.  I'm tracking that down now. 

<<No troop works "properly" for very long.  It's good to know the ideal and the proper method sets expectations.  But then we adjust to support the continually changing volunteer base filled with people of vastly different skills and experiences.  To avoid being that old-boys-club, we welcome volunteers and help them succeed and help them get reimbursed.  Sometimes that means helping them get, recreate or explain a reimbursement. >>

Yep.  My aim is to collect the money we are owed and pay it to people who should be paid,  and to provide financial reports that will reassure pack leaders and families that pack funds are being handled responsibly.  But not "impeccably"  ---- I'm a goodly distance from that!

As the pack treasurer,  I prefer and usually get receipts which I use to reimburse pack leaders for expenses.

However,  if a leader has lost receipts,  they can give me their best recollection of expenses they have incurred.  So far,  I've found such estimates reasonable and paid them.  No guarantees on that though.

Where families don't want to front expenses,  I've occasionally funded a petty cash fund up front,  which I then charge off when I receive receipts for expenses.

"Told by the leadership" is a vague statement.  And you say that the purpose is to defer costs  --- what does that mean?

How much money is involved and is this something the Troop can easily afford?

Since it's an issue,  I'd be inclined to take the initiative and ask the troop committee to adopt a policy on this issue.

<<The local option will remain local for about 6 months to a year, tops. Due to the risk of lawsuits for discrimination against any remaining resisting COs, a uniform policy requiring that homosexual men can become leaders will then become the status quo throughout the BSA. Traditionally-minded troops will close down, if they cannot accept the moral compromise the new policy and the court decisions will require.>>

Yes,  I think that's true.

If you read the USSC decision that gave BSA the right to be free of state no discrimination laws,  one of the chief arguments supporting that decision was that BSA had a consistent policy of refusing admission to homosexuals.

That is compromised since several local councils ignore BSA rules excluding homosexuals from membership.  It would be further compromised by any local option kind of rule. 

If you read Gate's comments,  the council's ignoring BSA rules appear to already have undermined BSA's exemption.

I don't happen to favor this change,  but unfortunately it appears to be inevitable.  Another indication of how thin the "multicultural" and "diversity" themes of liberalism are in practice. 

Sad. 

Unfortunately,  I'm starting to develop a real appreciation for child molesters.

They are the only people who appear to respect the right of the Boy Scouts to exclude them from membership or leadership positions.

<<But let's not pretend that districts must exist at all costs. They are the welfare office of councils. Units that need them use them. Those that don't, won't. But don't tell me I need them or have to support them if they do nothing for me.     >>

There are usually several Troops and Packs that have excellent leadership at a given time in a district and can manage quite well without the district  --- perhaps for an extended time.

But it's quite common for even strong units to fall in a rough patch and to need help to rebuild effective leadership and program.  The district is the bridge to help in that situation.

And in my district a majority of Packs and Troops need help of various kinds to survive and thrive.  The district is the key to that help as well.

So I'd agree with you that long term there are units that would do fine with district support.  But that also means that there would be about 90% fewer units than there are WITH district support and assistance.

That seems like ample justification for having effective district programs.      

<<The problem still exists though, that if your unit is healthy most of your volunteers are already too stretched to do more, thus most focus on their unit and not district volunteering.>>

I don't agree with that.

Most units do a poor job of soliciting adults to help with stuff.  If they asked more people to help,  they'd have more people to help.

I'm currently involved with helping our district Cub Scout Day Camp to work this summer.  Towards that end, and the Cubmaster has agreed to be the Tiger Twilight Camp Director,  a Den Leader is sharing the Program Director job with me.  So that's three top day camp volunteers from one small pack.

I've been calling other Cubmasters to ask them to help with the Day Camp program,  but mostly they aren't doing much.

Why is my pack providing more leadership than another dozen packs COMBINED?  Because I'm asking people and selling them on the idea that it is fun and/or important to do.

That's the only reason I can think of.

Yep, you and/or the committee need to decide who is the best person for the job and ask them to do it.

If they refuse,  go on to candidate two.

And the best way to get adults used to helping is to ask NEWLY RECRUITED FAMILIES to help with an activity soon after they join.  Then ask them again.  If they have good experiences,  they will become pack leaders.

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I agree with you, it would be nice if the BSA never got in the middle of the culture wars in the first place. Then we could focus on what matters, helping scouts grow into men of character. It's should be about service to others, personal character, and the golden rule. Not about vilifying others or telling then their religious faith is wrong or doesn't cut it to be "one of us".

As for the loss of innocence, I also agree with you. While I'm not sure as children we were ever that innocent, nor do I think it's healthy to keep kids ignorant, but kids today are pushed to "grow up" so fast now days. My friend has a young daughter, and trying to buy her a Halloween costume that didn't make her look like a pole dancer was a challenge. In what world is "sexy nurse" an appropriate choice for a six year old??? And it's not just Halloween costumes. When I was a kid, young girls were encourage to be cute maybe, but not sexy. Now you see six year old girls wearing tight shorts with "tasty" written across their crotch (I was completely floored when I saw that. It made me feel really sad). What parent thinks that is a good idea??? What company makes and markets shorts like that for six year olds??? I too wish kids has a chance to be kids.>>

I find it amusing that you bemoan the culture war in paragraph one and then complain that you don't like the results of the culture war in paragraph two.

Our pack meets at a Catholic Church.  Our CO is a Kiwanis Club that has no association with the church.

Personally,  I'd like to have the pack contribute $100 "to help with the good work of the parish."  They've never asked us for anything.  The pack doesn't do much for the CO.

No one has even hinted that the church would like a contribution,  but I think it would be a nice thing to do.  It would be a tangible way of saying "Thank You"  for the many generous things the church does for the pack,  including giving us yet another evening use of the parish hall for a recruiting event June 22.

I hope you guys sign up to be Tiger Den Leaders June 1st.

The new program is going to be much harder to track completion of requirements.  I think the new Tiger Den Handbook has about twice as many pages as the Tiger Cub Den Handbook,  although that's just a casual comparison at the moment.

I don't doubt that some boys and some parents will like stuff such as the "Backyard Jungle,"  but I'll bet there are a LOT more parents who ignore it and a lot more boys who find it boring.  I suspect the program will be a lot harder for a Tiger Den Leader to conduct,  too.

Personally I view Scouting as taking advantage of the natural interests of boys as the basis of activities. You can go a ways from that,  but go too far and you lose a lot of boys. In my opinion,  the new program goes too far.  My guess is a continued decline in Cub Scouts nationally,  continuing or perhaps accelerating recent trends. 

But --- time will tell.  Perhaps I'll be proved wrong.

<<There were several scout huts in some small towns in my area, the land was donated to the local troops 75 years ago. The huts were used by the BSA/GSA jointly and worked out quite well for many years. Several years ago the Council SE found a legal loophole in the donation stating that land could not be donated to a local troop or troops since the units were part of the council and the land legally belonged to the council. After a six month trial the court agreed with the SE and title was turned over to the council. The sad result was the council was in a financial mess so the council sold the properties, the boy and girl scouts were tossed out after 3/4 of a century, the troops in all three towns disbanded, and the land where those scout huts once proudly stood are now strip malls.>> 

Doesn't surprise me AT ALL.

Here's the "Backyard Jungle" requirements.

http://scoutermom.com/achievement/tiger-adventure-requirements-backyard-jungle/

This is for Tigers (1st graders)

FAR too detailed,  in my view.  Making a determined effort to pitch boys on environmentalist values ---- such politics should not be controlling the Scout program,  in my view.

And I'll bet plenty of boys (and parents) would find this BORING. 

I certainly do.

In Scouting I aim to do things I  WANT TO DO or am INTERESTED IN DOING.   The new Tiger program doesn't qualify for me on either count.

I have more objections,  too. 

<<Nope. Districts and councils serve the units, not the other way around.          >>

That's my understanding of how things should work.

When I was rebuilding a Cub Pack pretty much from scratch, it was a huge benefit to have an excellent district bowling tournament and district marble tournament for our small, weak pack to participate in,  as well as an excellent day camp.

Thjey provided yartdsticks the mpack could use in setting standards for our own pack activities.

When you abandon natural law as the basis for moral sexual behavior,  the ramifications are endless.

Well,  I got the new Tiger Handbook a few days ago and have looked through it.

In my view,  the existing Tiger Cub program is the best part of the Cub Scout program.  It has an emphasis on adventure and simple styraighforward requirements to win the Bobcat and Tiger Cub Badge (by and large). I've been the Tiger Cub Den Leader for eight years.

The new Tigwer program IS WORSE IN EVERY WAY in my opinion,  I regret to say.   I will no longer be a Cub Scout Den Leader or Cubmaster.  

Requirements are much too detailed.  The environmentalists have taken over the program and kicked out the emphasis on hiking, camping and having fun for boys.

No doubt some boys will enjoy studying a one square foot of ground extensively (Backyard Jungle),  but not many.  And not me.

And in the current program,  I can copy off the badge achievements in a page for parents in this low income area who don't want to spend money for a handbook.  In the new program, spending $13 (including sales tax) would seem to be pretty necessary if you are going to follow the program.

My first bias would be to NOT adopt the new program,  but for the pack or den leader to continue with the old Tiger Cub program with a modification or two.    And to give parents who WANT to do that program to do it if they wish.

But frankly,  my first impression is that I'M OUTA HERE as far as being a program leader.

<<

Okay is that bragging rights for the adults or the boys?

$300k would go a long way to outfit 100 boys and pay for summer camp for the next 10 years.

To me this ranks right up there with the massive plop camp trailers.>>

Personally,  I think one of the smartest thing BSA does is encourage unitsa to have chartered partners that provide meeting space.

This does a huige amount to keep costs down,  and prevents adult leadership from being involved in building maintenance and fundraising rather than the program.

Yes,  it would be neat to have your own cabin,  but not neat to have to build and maintain it.

Give me a nice church basement any time!

Well, good luck.

You are doing a lot more than I would be wqilling to do,  and I do a lot.

I have to wonder if Scouting is actually a distraction from other things these boys need to be doing.  I would expect boys insuch families to be spending their time studying or working to bring in what income they could for their families.

After eight years of rebuiolding a pack that was down to one boy,  I have the opportunity to get out with the hope that parents in the pack will keep the unit alive. It's unlikely you will have that option. 

I wish you the best,  but I wonder if what you are doing is really good Scouting.  It seems to me that part of Scouting is having boys and parents who take responsibility for the program, and you don't have that or any prospect for getting it.   But perhaps I'm wrong.

I'm all in favor of people conducting experiments in Scouting to see what can be done.  I hope your experiment proves to be rewarding and fruitful for the boys, parents and yourself.

<<We've had similar experiences in recruiting at community events. Lots of good feelings and interest, no actual scouts signed up. Last year we ran a raingutter regatta-style activity at a local festival. It was the most popular activity for kids. No cub scouts. We've been asked back but I don't know if it is worth the time investment.>>

Yes.  The theory I want to try to avoid that is to strongly link building a boat with racing the boat,  which would take place at a Cub Scout Den meeting or recruiting event that follows shortly after the public event.

Boys would build a boat as you suggest at the public event,  and then boys and parents would be invited to come for the races a day or two later.  Boys and parents both love friendly competition,  so my theory is they would be drawn to the bopat racing.

<<Seattle, if you are interested, we had the kids build boats on the spot from sections of pool noodles, sails from foam sheets and masts with bamboo skewers. The pieces were pre-cut and easy enough for 4yos to assemble a simple boat, while older kids could make more complex boats. Cheap, too.>>

I cut boat from .75 inch wood in a boat shape on a table saw. 

I recycle street signs using corrugated plastic for the sign hung on a wire frame.

I cut the wire frame into pieces that are used for masts,  and sharpen one end of the wire "nail" on a grinder.  The boys can pound his mast in wherever he like on the wood hull. 

The sail is from pieces of the corrugated plastic sign,  spray painted in different colors to cover up the advertizing.  Boys choose the size of sail they like and push the mast through the corrugated plastic sail.

Boys are invited to decorate their boat and sail,  and each time boys win a raingutter regatta race they get a sticker to put on their boat or sail.

Our district has a recognition dinner each year,  and this was held last night.  It attracted ninety people,  about three times the number last year.

This is an opportunity to applaud those earning district leadership awards,  Silver Beavers, knots and "Extra Mile Awards"  recongizing unit leaders who have made special contributions.

Thios was the best attendance we've had in years.  I think the improvement is due to the new district leadership which has been reinvigorating the district and making a solid effort to increase engagement by unit leaders.

Nice to see!

I've tried recruiting at public events a number of times.  I'm talking about things like setting up a table at a school or community event and attracting the attention of those walking by to Cub Scouts.

I've never recruited a person by that means.  People are just walking by,  not seriously interested in a new activity like Cub Scouts.

Our Cubmaster is planning to try again.  We are discussing a combination event that would allow boys to make a model boat,  which only takes a few minutes. The boy and family would tehen be invited to a follow on recruiting event a couple days later in which boys would bring their boats and do Raingutter Regatta style boat racing,  and be offered the chance to join the pack.

We might hold the race as a summer pack event, too.

Any ideas to make this kind of thing work would be welcome.