SemperParatus

Long shorts and ankle socks = "The choice of a new generation" Menu planning = "Eat more chickin'" Grubmaster = "It takes a tough man to make a tender chicken" Scoutstuff.org = "Where America shops" JLT = "Raising the bar" Old Goat Patrol = "Ram tough" Zip line = "Fly the friendly skies" Beef Jerky = "Melts in your mouth, not in your hands" Character Counts = "There's more inside" Peak bagging = "The thrill of victory, the agony of de feet" I'm out...I hope.

COPE = "Whaaaaasssssuuuuuupppppp!" Lone Scout = "An army of one" Dump Cobbler = "Magically delicious" Morning Coffee = "Just follow your nose, wherever it goes..." Large Scouters = "Built like a Mack truck" Lady Scouters = "She can bring the bacon, fry it up in a pan, and never let you forget your a man..." "Scout Shirt...$35.95, Dues...$50.00, Summer Camp...$225.00, Watching your son become a man of character...priceless" (This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

Trail Mix = "Tastes great, less filling" Rest stop on the Appalachian Trail = "The pause that refreshes" Venturers to cubbies = "Ho, ho, ho, Green Giant" The Homesick Camper = "No more tears" Training = "Quality is Job 1" Spam = "The other white meat" Tired Cub Scouts = "We will serve no whine before its time"

Scouts' thoughts = "99.94% pure" The Associated Facilities Liaison to the Assistant Commissioner = "AFLAC" Friday Night Camp Dinner = "Two all beef patties special sauce lettuce cheese pickles onions on a sesame seed bun" Ground Pads = "Have a good night's sleep on us..." Annual Program Plan = "Its everywhere you want to be" What to say to your wife when she complains, "what are typing on that darn Scouter Forum again..." = "Nut' n' honey"(This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

Board of Review = "You've got questions, we've got answers" Woodbadge = "the first network for men" Knot tying = "Let your fingers do the walking" Follow Me Boys = "Must see TV" Reciting the Scout law = "Is it live or is it memorex?" Cub Scout Badges = "A diamond is forever" My Shorts = "Lifts and separates" To Anxious New Moms = "You're in good hands" Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders = "We're number 2, we try harder" Frustrated Leader = "Give me a break, give me a break..." Wet Tents = "Do the dew" Leave No Trace = "Give a hoot, don't pollute" BSA's policy on religions = "57 Varieties" Blue & Golds = "Celebrate the moments of your life"

Why can't I stop... Scoutmaster Dream = "You deserve a break today..." Dutch Oven Cookin = "Nothin' says lovin' like somethin' from the oven" Charter Revocation = "The one beer to have when your having more than one." And I know I'm going to get in trouble for this one, but... Athiests and Homosexuals = "I'd rather fight than switch"

More... Unprepared Patrol Leader = "Got milk?" Famous Last Words at Camp = "We'll leave the light on for you" Troop Dismissed = "Zoom! Zoom!" The Cursed Charter Org = "Double A-Bleep-Bleep-M CO" Pulling the troop trailer up the mountains in your Hemi-powered Dodge Ram = "Only $3.99 a minute..." Cubmaster Motto = "Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't"

Just in case you haven't seen the BSA suggested guidelines... http://www.scouting.org/pubs/ypt/pdf/46-013.pdf

Some more... Eagle Scout = "You've come a long way baby" Shepherd's Pie = "I can't believe I ate the whole thing" Donuts = "Breakfast of champions" Venturing = "Does she or doesn't she?" Scholarship MB = "A mind is a terrible thing to waste" Latrines = "Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is" Sunday Morning Scoutmasters = "Snap, Crackle, Pop" Chaplain = "Ring around the collar" Home from summer camp = "How do you spell relief?" Recruting = "Reach out and touch someone" Announcements = "It keeps going and going and going" Outdoor Essentials = "Don't leave home without it" Buddy System = "Double your pleasure, double your fun" (This message has been edited by SemperParatus)(This message has been edited by SemperParatus)(This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

Like this? The Boy Scout Uniform = "The Quicker Pick Her Upper" Scouting = "Have it your way" Summer Camp Food = "Where's the beef?" Cooking Merit badge = "Mmmm Mmmm Good Mmmm Mmmm Good" Bug Juice = "the Uncola"(This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

First...I would not call volunteering a burden. It should be viewed as a joy. If it is communicated as a burden, then I expect very few will find that appealing. You have a pool of at least 80 parents between the current and crossover members. Have a mandatory parent meeting before and after next year's recruitment campaign to fill needed positions. Put out the expectation that every parent should contribute time and talents in some way in order to make the pack successful and enjoyable for all the boys. There are many recent threads on this site where recruiting issues have been addressed at great length. Read them. Involve your CO in the recruitment of CM and CC leadership positions. If the right person is in those positions, then they can drive successful recruitment of den leaders, assistants, special event coordinators, etc. as well as make long-range plans to ensure that future transitions of pack leadership are smooth. Recruitment is pretty much about asking (face to face) and making a person feel comfortable that they will be given the expert training and pack leadership support to be successful. Welcome to the forum and good luck!(This message has been edited by SemperParatus)(This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

I agree more can be done to 'market' scouting. I can only assume that BSA National has done some cost/benefit analysis and must have concluded that the projected benefits are not worth the costs. They seem content to rely on the tried and true (albeit archaic) recruiting methods of word of mouth, school assemblies, etc. I would say that the personal, one-on-one approach is the most effective method of signing up new recruits, although a little national advertising could do wonders at 'softening' them up for the close. Our council does rent billboard space during the late summer/fall to coincide with cub scout recruitment. They used to show Garfield - I guess now they will have SBSP.

Just so I know...where do the words 'activity uniform' appear? The Boy Scout Handbook talks about the Boy Scout Uniform (singular - not plural) and goes on to talk about what makes up the complete 'uniform'. I believe the last paragraph/sentence talks about activity dress but does not use the term 'uniform' there. The term 'activity uniform' must exist somewhere since everyone uses that terminology - where is it? in the Insignia Guide? Thanks.

"By the way I am incapable of telling a short story." Boy, have you found the right place. Welcome.

Over the past couple of years, my son and I (SM) have fallen into a nice decoupling arrangement. There are some trips that he goes on where I choose to stay home (there are plenty of ASMs) and then there are other trips that he decides not to participate in that I just can't pass up (much to the dismay of my wife). Then there are trips that we enjoy together. We make it a point to give each other plenty of space, although sometimes we do take the opportunity to spend some time together. Our troop does the normal stuff, adult patrol advisors not working with their own son's patrol, no sign-offs for advancement, limit merit badge counseling where alternatives exist. From the discipline side, we had a few adults that would come on trips (rather haphazardly) and who felt it was necessary to bark orders to all boys and discipline them for the smallest of issues. It got to the point that we basically said no adult is to discipline a scout (as opposed to taking immediate action to prevent injury to person or property). Any issues must be quietly brought to the attention of the SPL who will handle the situation. This applies to all adults and sons. An adult that feels the need to discipline their own son can do so, but they must leave the camp vicinity to do it.

If you live in the Pittsburgh area, I would venture to say there are a lot of packs within a reasonable driving distance of your home. Make contact with your District Executive and get a listing of all the packs in your area. Then start calling the Cubmasters and arrange for visits to pack meetings. It seems that you have seen enough to be able to distinguish between a well-run and a poorly-run pack. Who knows, the pack in the next town could be worse?

I am sure in a few weeks your son will look with great pride at that car he built with his own two hands sitting next to his bed. Much more so then the poor scout who still can't touch the winning car that has now been encased in glass and tucked neatly away in his father's den. Your son is learning very valuable lessons for living...life is not fair and winning is not always the goal. While it may be difficult to see that now, it will become clear as a bell ten years from now as he begins to make adult decisions. Remind him of how proud you are of his accomplishment and teach him that the real reason for the PWD is in the imagining and building (which takes hours) and not in the racing (which takes only seconds). Please be careful about showing your anger over the race results in front of your son. Don't talk the others down to build him up. Teach and model good sportsmanship (in spite of the seemingly unfair results). By focusing negative attention on the results, you may inadvertently be sending signals that it really is all about the competition and winning.

"This is wrong for our other boys who have attended all the meetings." The PWD should not be a privilege for only those who actively attend pack meetings. It is a pack event that is open to all registered members. This boy should be allowed to participate like all others. I do agree that a scout should be present for his car to race. But since the precedent has been set and the CM seems to allow it, I don't think there is too much you can do until you take over as CM. Make it a rule next year, with the common sense to allow for exceptions in extreme circumstances (e.g., death in family).

"Is this what makes up our "pack??" (the 3 tigers and 5 bears) When "Pack" meetings happen, will this be us in the same room again like every week or will there be other schools coming? (obviously we havent been to a pack meeting yet)" Like FB, I am confused. Is there a Pack? Who handed you the "How to" book? Why haven't you been to any Pack meetings? Are you in contact with 'Pack people' like the Cubmaster and Committee Chair? It sounds like you have gotten off to a good start with your den. Keep it up! Focus on fun and advancement and you can't go wrong. Attend your district's training (your cubmaster can direct you) and your Council's Pow Wow training event. The themes and program helps can be very helpful, but don't feel constrained by them - use your own imaginiation and the ideas of the scouts and other parents as well. From an advancement point of view, the goal should be to complete the requirements for the Bear Rank prior to their crossover to Webelos. A couple of arrow points are always nice too. But the main thing is to make it fun and rewarding so that they continue in scouting.

Sounds like charges could be brought for reckless endangerment, assault and battery...but hey they are just kids, right? I assume this was a first time offense. Speak with the mother (with the offending scout present), explain what happened, tell her your concerns (both as the mother and den leader), let them know in the clearest of terms that this behavior will not be tolerated in your den and that subsequent acts of violence will result in severe consequences (e.g., removal from future den activities, etc). Don't suggest that your son fight back, you want to teach him how to be a gentleman in a civilized society. Document in writing the altercation and your follow-up conversation with the parent/scout and provide a copy to the CM/CC in the event that violent behavior occurs again and more drastic action is needed.(This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

Tigers are in cub scout blue now. They wear the vests. They put patches on them. Welcome home!

The U.S. Flag Code makes reference to the 'uniform' only salute. It does not appear to define uniform, although I suspect our government has done so somewhere. I will keep checking. http://www.usflag.org/us.code36.html#171 "172. Pledge of allegiance to the flag; manner of delivery The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, 'I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.', should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute. ' (This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

I've never considered a t-shirt a 'uniform'. Since the pledge is said before the colors are posted, I don't see how someone holding a flag can salute. I believe they are to stand at attention and hold the flag. Non flag bearers in the color guard should salute. Here is a good description. http://www.tidewaterbsa.com/forms/flagceremony.pdf

Tenderfoot section of the BS Handbook says to salute only when in uniform. When not in uniform, place your right hand over your heart. (Eleventh Edition - page 43).

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