SemperParatus

GREAT! Congratulations on all the great work in putting your pack on the right track and your soon-to-be Cubmaster role. Welcome.

If you can't find an 'experienced' uniform, there is absolutely nothing wrong with buying the uniform in stages. The shirt first and then fill in as time and money allows. This is what most people do. As for the uniform inspection, you might want to explain to your son the financial concern beforehand. But more importantly, you should consider talking to the Inspector (Cubmaster, Den Leader, etc.) to make sure they know about the financial constraints you have so that they can take the appropriate steps to make your son feel comfortable and accepted, rather than left out. The uniform (or lack thereof) should not be an obstacle to his enjoyment of all that scouting has to offer.

Trevorum, It sounds like you have one of the most religiously diverse units around. Just out of curiosity, when reciting the Scout Oath does your unit say 'God'? Or do the Wiccans say 'All', the Muslim's say 'Allah', the Unitarian Universalists say 'Spirit of love and truth'?

Sounds like a stretch to me. Not sure that Pinewood Derby is a 'sporting' event. But then, I suppose someone could argue the point. Sad that the Tigers can't participate. They would have really enjoyed it.

CC = Committee Chairperson

Welcome. Scouting is really fun for the boys and the adults that get involved. Glad you are jumping in. What Trevorum said. I was a CM and DL for 4 years. It does take a toll, but it can be done. As CM (and DL), your primary concern is the scouts - make it exciting and worthwhile for them. The parents are secondary. Those that are thinking about getting involved will hopefully see how much fun you are having and join you. Those that don't care, may never care no matter what. As CM, part of your job will be identifying those parents that are 'in fun' or appear willing to help and then reeling them in. Best of luck to you.

Welcome. A pack outing everything months, outside of the monthly pack meeting (including B&G, PWD, etc.) does sound aggressive. For the summertime, its fine. Year-round is a different story. While it can be done, I would agree that the a good combination of den and pack outings is the best way to go.(This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

There is so much involved in being a cubmaster, although it was probably the 'funnest' four years of my scouting past. However, it can consume your time and so, I would be very careful of accepting this position with a 6 month old baby at home. Figure a minimum of 5 hours a week to get ready for pack meetings, coordinate with leaders, handle issues over the phone, meet with den leaders, planning etc. And that's a minimum, you could easily spend twice that which may be the case if the adults in your pack are not very helpful or cause issues that need to be addressed. You would want to have a strong support at home. If you can swing it, it is well worth the time though.

Absolutely not. Your son should be presented with his Wolf Badge at the next Pack event.

This was just discussed - someone said their server has crashed and they are looking for money to replace it. Spend sometime hanging around on this site - it is far more informative.

One of those colleges in California (can't remember which one, maybe Long Beach) has a baseball team officially named the Dirtbags. I always that was very clever for inane college students.

Who let the dogs out? I thought that was jd singing Warren Zevon's Werewolves of London?

They'll always be the OrangeMEN to me! Any other teams named after a fruit?

That is correct, you won't find the admonition in the OA handbook. To get into the protected areas of the OA website (and even there I don't think they have the admonition), you do need to know a certain word contained on a certain page in the handbook.

No again...just need to have passed the First Class swim test (or going in a canoe with a BSA-certified lifeguard or other agency-certified lifesaver). Note that the Swim Test should have been perfromed in the past year. Although, this trip can be a great opportunity to work on both canoing and swimming merit badge requirements. Here is the rule from the Guide to Safe Scouting: "Swimming Ability A person who has not been classified as a "swimmer" may ride as a passenger in a rowboat or motorboat with an adult "swimmer" or in a canoe, raft, or sailboat with an adult certified as a lifeguard or a lifesaver by a recognized agency. In all other circumstances, the person must be a swimmer to participate in an activity afloat. "Swimmers" must pass this test: Jump feetfirst into water over the head in depth, level off, and begin swimming. Swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yards must be swum continuously and include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating. This qualification test should be renewed annually." (This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

No. But all participants do need to be classified as a Swimmer (non-swimmers can go but must be in a canoe with a BSA-certified lifeguard). Also, the adults leading the trip should be trained in Safety Afloat and Safe Swim Defense. Hope you have a great time.(This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

red feather, Please feel free to spread the message. Thanks for the compliment.

I think it is one of the laws of nature that when young boys are gathered together with nothing specific to do, they will go wild. It sounds like you have a first year den and the den leader has neither been trained nor committed himself/herself to the planning that is needed to have a successful den program. It was good that you shared information with the den leader, that may start the ball rolling. I would suspect that some of the other parents share your concern (even though at least one dad does not appear to). Maybe consider tactfully approaching them, and together you can address the issues of concern with the den leader. It may be that the den leader is just as frustrated about the boys' behavior as you are and has been waiting for the parents' to 'say something'. Open communication is usually a good thing. Consider serving as an assistant den leader, that will get you in an 'official' position to help out to your heart's content, plan activities, and control behavior. If you go this route, take all the training that the BSA offers (local training courses are offered by your BSA district) and invite the den leader to join you. If advancement work is not being done at den meetings, then please do it with your son at home. But, don't stay away from the den meetings. It may be that he is having the time of his life, that's good. Best of luck to you.

Welcome...new brother, pm me what it means and I may whisper it in your ear. Why can't you find your handbook if it was only two days ago?

Please feel free to pm me your e-mail and I will send you an attached file of our New Scout Weekend schedule.

Welcome...come in from the cold and snow and gather round the fire.

Hmmm...a singular mascot - Well I know there is the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tulane Green Wave. That must be singular in light of the Pepperdine Waves. EagleInKy - is that what you were thinking? Guess not, couldn't be that easy. Then again - there is the Fighting Irish, not the Irishes.

They've been down for almost two weeks now. I imagine its going to be even better than ever...although still no match for the Scouter network!

Sounds like he could be a good Eagle Advisor, merit badge counselor, leader mentor, ASM, etc. As OGE says, see where his interests lie.

Welcome. I hope that reference to 'zeroland' is not related to your view of the pack. First, does anyone else share your concerns? In particular, the CC, other DLs and COR. If so, then consider acting in concert to address this problem. Certainly, the CM needs to be made aware of how his actions (or inactions) may be adversely impacting the pack program. If he doesn't seem to care or isn't willing to change, then it is time to find a new CM. This forum has many threads dealing with recruitment of new leaders that will provide all kinds of good advice. If, on the otherhand, you are the only one that seems to care then there is only so much that you can do, absent volunteering to take over the CM job. If that's not going to happen, then focus your energies on at least making your den an exciting place to be. With only a year or so to go until crossover, I don't see where a transfer would be the best course. Good luck.