SemperParatus

Let me guess...this is posted in the patch trading section because you are hawking a nicotine patch!

May your celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior be joyous!!

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Jim Mora (NFL coach)

Albert Belle

Hank Aaron

Bill Bradley

Anarchist, at least you made the attempt and can move on without any regrets. I hope your unappreciative CO is not the norm.

We winter camp - usually the motivation is needed for the first time winter camper - those that have gone before know how much fun it is and are more than ready. The motivation for the new campers comes from the older ones who share the chilling tales of yesteryear (last year it was -6 degrees). Obviously, preparation is the key - if a scout (and his parent) thinks he is well prepared and so will not freeze to death then that is the primary de-motivator that is eliminated. Think SNOW!!!

I guess the larger question is why would your unit leadership (the CC) abide by a DE pronouncement that is not supportable.

The whole flag vs. touch thing is bogus (but I am sure you know that). In flag football there is a greater chance of touching an inappropriate area while reaching for a flag.

If you mean a day proclaimed by the national government as scout day - the answer is not in the United States. Although, other countries do have such days (e.g., Thailand). Closest thing would be the annual 'anniversary' week in February including Scout Sunday recognized by many churches that sponsor units, but that is a 'scouting' thing. I, for one, think it is time for a National Scouting Holiday - a day off work/school for all those who are or have been scouts or scouters (guys and gals). Can you imagine millions of people (young and old) fanning out in their communities to do good turns! How could anyone argue with that?

As far as cermonies - it looks like there was a thread on that from May 2002, although it seemed pretty short.

Here is a ceremony idea -

Have 16 candles - one for each year of his troop career. Have 16 scouts come up one at a time to light a candle and say a few prepared words on how the scouter has modeled the scout law, impacted their life, fond memory, etc. Preferably, invite scouts from the past to come and participate in the candle lighting ceremony. Have the scouts remain standing behind each candle to emphasize his long history and out of respect. When all the candles are lit, the retiree is invited forward for his final words to the troop (past and present). New scoutmaster comes forward thanks him profusely for all his time and leadership. Salutes him - maybe presents a specially made 'Scoutmaster Emiritus' patch or neckerchief (obviously, unit recognition) or if he is continuing in some role with the troop present his new POR patch.

The words should be heartfelt of those who are participating, so I would not want to provide a 'canned' ceremony speech.

I am sure you will get a lot of ideas.

My favorite "gift" is to create a perpetual unit-award in his name. For example "The Joe Scouter Leadership Award" could be presented each year to the scout selected by his fellow scouts (or the scoutmaster staff) as best exemplifying the leadership qualities of Joe Scouter. Maybe endow a fund so that future award recipients can attend council JLT training at no cost.

To put it bluntly - you are the Cubmaster and so, should have a very big say (if not the final say) in what gets awarded and when. The boy earned the award - it should be presented. Maybe it is not quite as elaborate as at the B&G, but it should still be made a special moment for this scout. If it was anyone other than the CM's son, it would probably not be an issue for other folks.

Update (hope the formatting works)

Church (11 responses) - Avg. 4.90

School (3 responses) - Avg. 2.00

VFW/Am Legion (2 responses) - Avg. 7.50

Fire Dept (1 response) - Avg. 10.00

Township (1 response) - Avg. 1.00

Military Unit (1 response) - Avg. 1.00

Chamber of Commerce (1 resp) - Avg. 2.00

Affliated Religious Org (1 resp) - Avg. 10.00

No 'tweaking' intended...more like new year's resolution to improve your program. Things you know you can do better, things you should be doing but haven't executed on, areas that need greater focus. I suppose I could have toned the title down a little...not looking to resurrect the recent program tweaking arguments here.

Every scouting unit needs a little nip and tuck here and there, now and then.

What 'makeover' would you like to see for your unit for the coming year?

For our troop, I think our Courts of Honor have become too adult driven (I am as guilty as anyone). I would like to see our COHs be completely scout planned and led (with guidance of course). I can't remember the last time we had a COH where at least a half dozen scouters didn't make a speech. I know our scouts can do it...we just haven't given them the opportunity.

We hiked to the Metro Station from Greenbelt Park. It is said to be 2 miles, but it seemed much longer - especially after walking around DC all day. Next time, we will definitely drive to the station as meamemg suggested.

Once you get involved with the troop, you will soon forget about cubs (it will remain as a fond memory, I hope). Move on without regrets or a sense of guilt. It is time for someone else to carry the cub torch. You can certainly be available to help the pack, if you choose, but be selective and do it with joy rather than out of a sense of obligation. Best of luck.

The only way to get folks to come is to make it worth their while.

I am sure most of the unit leaders know about your district's roundtable, where it is and when it is. In some cases, their are legitimate timing conflicts (e.g., troop meetings the same night) that make it impossible for some to attend. For the rest, the only way to get them to attend is to make it interesting and beneficial. You say, you have 'topics that the troops wanted' - I am not sure how you developed this list of topics. If it was based on a query of those already in attendance, then you are really not addressing folks that are not currently attending.

If you want to increase attendance you need to reach those that currently are not coming because they believe they have something better to do that night. To reach them, you need to create a sense that your roundtable is the 'place to be' on that night. You do this by effective communication well before each meeting (do you have a district e-mail list of leaders/units), an engaging program that will truly help unit leaders to improve their program (review your topics again and again - are they really meeting the unit needs), a fun (not corny) non-threatening atmosphere that will not turn-off the first timer, a hook to have them come back next month.

Thanks for the Trip Tip!

Sherpa...the scenery is great.

Speaking of scouts on TV shows -

Wally Cleaver was in a uniform once.

and

I remember a patrol/troop meeting with Greg Brady. Mike Brady was like the Scoutmaster - now I wonder what the BSA would have said about that given Robert Reed's sexual pursuasion.

Well fire was not entirely involved...but recently we had a scout eat a firestarter - thought it was a chocolate bar.

Now I know the ACLU doesn't have a file on me...but I'm sure the BSA does (insert smiley thingy)!

Welcome...nice website!

fotoscout,

Excuse my ignorance, what do you mean when you say, "its the concept of the CO that has lead Scouting to its biggest problem ever."??

I see the Greenbelt website says camping is $14 per night - you can put 6 on a site (3 tents) and with the scout discount, it works out to about a $1.25 per person per night.