SMT376Richmond KY

I can relate to this well especially after popcorn sales this year. They were awful, several boys including mine were told by people "No it's too expensive." We earned more money doing our approved car wash than we did with popcorn this year. At the PLC last week the SPL mentioned this and said "So why are we selling poopcorn if we only get a small return." I enlightenend them that the money made helps the council deliver the program. But he asked "then why do we have to pay a deposit at the scout reservation and an fee for each person when we use it if the money we raise goes to support the camp and council and why do we have to pay for $10.00 per person for fall camporee?" I told him the deposit was due to some scouts not living the oath and law and being destructive to tents and the reservation. Could answer the fees though. Especially fall camporee since at roundtable we the volunteer leaders have done everything. We even have one leader in the army reserve that had his CO provide maps for the orienteering courses. We coordinated everything with the camp etc so I can't see why the extra $5.00 was tacked on by district after we the scout leaders computed $5.00 woudl be enough.

Also I recently was told that another troop in town was told by concil that they had to give a % of money they earned on other projects besides popcorn to council. However, this was not on my money earning project form for the car wash when it was returned with approval from council.

Hey Disney is holding votes for the next 100 years of great movies. Go here to cast your vote for "Follow Me, Boys" http://disney.go.com/disneyvideos/moviefinder/html/100years/voting_results/60s.html

Currenlty it's listed as number one.

Actually went to amazon.com trail day. You enter your email address and they will send note to Disney as to how many they have on waiting list. There was nothing there about release in Feb 2004. Plus they only had DVD format. perhaps the best thing to do is for all of us to submit for a copy at amazon cause they want the $$ too if national has not clout.

Hey Bob whay did scouting change the cub story line? The boys I had in the pack (prior to my troop days) love native american lore. I think this line would have maed it simpler to keep them paying attention during pack meetings. also much more exciting to tell at a cmapfire.

To FOG is reponse to "For my part, I was surprised to learn that Eagle Boards only care about blue cards and that the "pocket certificate" is meaningless to them. Why then, does a Scoutmaster certify that someone earned the merit badge on the pocket cert? Why even give those out?"

Because they make $$$ when the boys lose them and think they have to have them with 1,005,592 Boy Scouts/Varsity Scouts (per national web page)they make $703,914.40 at 7 cents a card.

To follow on the last post. If she does ask "are you going to kick me out of the meeting?" You simply respond all scout fucntions are open to parents as casual observers. Parents are only asked to leave if they step out of this role.

I feel for you I too have had a parent like this while Cubmaster. Thank god she has decided that her son will go to another troop. However, she is attempting to take the other webelos with her and telling them not to join our troop as "it's too new and you won't do anything fun cause they don't have any money." Well we've been on 5 campouts, 1 hike, on swimming trip to the local state park pool since we started this last March. This weekend we are going to a civil war reenactament and will participate in the National Historic Trail Award. We have plans for camping again in November and caving in December then camping again in Jan. So for a new troop we are pretty busy.

Good luck.

Don't get me wrong, I worked with my son on his assiting him with cutting filing sanding painting etc. I just never did the entire job like many I saw in our former Packs races. The cars shape was always his idea and the paint scheme or lack there of was his etc etc. I agree the dads that did it all missed out on one important aspect of scouts working with you son. The comments "do I go up and down or back and forth with this file das" can never be gotten back. Also, when he looks at those cars with the errant gouge with the file he often says "dad I really messed that up didn't I glad you help me fix it right." 100% dad made cars don't have that and never will.

$$$ it's all about money for the national and the ever popular best of show. All the boys think(and should think)that there car is the best of show. Plus trophies for such as an award. In my Pack days it seemd that these went to 1 or two boys who it was obvious the dad's built the car not the boys. No way can a Tiger have smoothly sanded convex and concave shaped racer with a gleaming lacqured finish. If so he's wasting his time in tigers and should get into MIT fast. The one year they had the boys vote and my son won for his shark design with the fin and tail that were rough proved this point.

I think the best PW we had was when we didn't present trophies but ribbons and raced each level (tiger vs tiger etc). Oh and participation ribbons. I didn't see as many long faces as when the next year the trophies came out (donated of course by the family who's two sons had wone best of show 3 of 4 years).

$$ and the fact that ever popular best of show. All the boys think (and should think)that there car is the best. Plus trophies for such as an award. In my Pack days it seemd that these went to 1 or two boys whos dad's built the car. No way can a Tiger have smoothly sanded and convex concave shaped racer with a gleaming lacqured finish. The one year they had the boys vote and my son won for his shark design with the fin and tail that were rough proved this point.

I think the best PW we had was when we didn't present trophies but ribbons and raced each level (tiger vs tiger etc). Oh and participation ribbons. I didn't see as many long faces as when the next year the trophies came out (donated of course by the family who's two sons had wone best of show 3 of 4 years).

We recieve out popcorn order forms in August at program kick off. Nothing was mentioned (nor in my previous 3 years as CM)that there was a start date. Last year the boys were sent order forms in the mail. If there is a start date then the forms shouldn't be available until that time. Not two months earlier. I wonder how the eBay guy is going to make anything off his sale. The S&H is based on package wt. and the fee for eBay is based on the $ amount of the sale isn't it. Even in the Pack we didn't do much on the popcorn. Being in a rural area in a large county the boys really can't go door to door and the nearest town (our county seat) with a Wally World is overrun with the 6 troops from the troops and 6 packs. The cubmaster that took over from me did the show and sell of course I left the pack with over $1200.00 so he isn't hurtin.

Our troop did better with the car wash at our CO seems the country folks liked having thier cars cleaned up better than eating popcorn. One farmer gave us $20.00 for cleaning his farm truck. I was thinking of running a rent a scout next spring as a fund raiser for the Troop. As we are new and don't have much in the treasury.

The toop is looking at recruiting ideas to get some more boys involved. The troop serves a rural area as was reactivated this spring. Started with 12 and now down to 8 (1 moved and has joind a troop in his new town, 1 quit "didn't like camping", 1 guit dad said "he didn't like it" (dad didn't want to bring him to meetings etc.) 1 didn't come back after three meetings and didn't answer mail or phone calls as to why). Being in a rural area in a large county I doubt we will ever be a very large troop, but I think 10 to 15 would be attainable. Any ideas from other rural troops would be appreciated. Planned open house and challenged the boys to invite 1 boy each to a campout. School night is scheduled in March by DE target 5th graders going to 6th.

I'll lay in here from my own Scouting experience. I wish my parents or SM would have been a little more concerned with my making Eagle in 1975. Alas I did not. I attained life and the necessary merit badges for Eagle and Troop leadership at 17. All I lacked was my project. I became involved more with HS football and a part time job. Did not go on as many outings as previously was the Scout that left the Troop sort of say. By the time I realized that Eagle was what I wanted at (17 1/2) it was too late to get it all together. i had been away from the troop for about a year and no follow up contact.

Looking back at age 43 (close to 45) and having learned a thing or two that only comes with maturing. I heartly regret not developing a project or that either my parents or others prodded me a bit. If that had occurred I might have completed Eagle.

Now as SM and having a son that bridged at 10 1/2 with his AOL (he asked as he said he didn't want to build anymore bird houses)and a young troop of 11 year olds. I think the program will produce young Eagles as they are to obtian first class in the first year. Just by going to summer camp fro 3 years in a row they can easily make life by age 12 (they can't progress 1 rank in a year but they can progress 3 in a year?).

The Troop I serve isn't cranking out ranks but the boys are achieving requirements without knowing it (as the program is supposed to). I'll not push the boys nor my son nor will I do my son's work or if obvious during SM conferneces the boys have no idea of the requirements they say they have done I will not pass them from BOR.

Bottom line Eagle means something and I hope to instill int he boys to achieve this goal. If they don't want to that's fine. They progress or not at thier own pace. However, if at our SM conference for Scout rank and others when I ask them their goal in the Troop. if they tell me they want to make Eagle then I am certainly going to provide them all the prodding I can to help them attain the goal until they tell me they do not wish to make the goal.

Pesky lit tle be veers (must be read with a French Canadian accent). We bears love bever meat nice and tasty. Much more filling than those bobwhites. BOWB SR461 Bears

Glad to hear your Wood Badge was satisfying. I completed my ticket this past Winter and received my beads in March. However, Im far from finished bearing. Never thought of names corresponding to WB course and patrol though. Great idea!

My daughter is working on her gold but is upset that her Troop doesn't camp as much anymore. I've been asked to sit on crew committee and have asked her to join. She thinks she'll have to quit GS if she does though.

Very interesting reading all these posts. I'm particularly interested in how a few go about soliciting areas businesses for donations. Our DE forbids us from doing so as he says this limits his ability to ask as the business tell him "we just gave X$ to the boys scouts." We would love to have a trailer and these ideas will be helpful. I forget who mentioned it but Uhaul no longer sells the "retired" trailers due to liability issues. One of our ASM use to be a district manager for Uhaul and they quite that years ago when he worked for them.

Sure im glad I went to the outer banks in July for vacation. Our(Oops thr troop i serve)is ahs a camp out in the fare southe east par tof the state and we'll probably get wet from this the weather guys says. Good test for the new tents huh?

I saw some new construction of beach houses while on vacation and they didn't look like thesd stand up the hurricanes to me. But then again I'm a nurse not a carpenter. Good luck

Our District is completing roundups (school nights) for cubs. Having done many of these as a Cubmaster I know from experience that we never seem to recruit many 4th or 5th graders into Webelos.

Our new DE mentioned at roundtable (when I asked when he planned the roundups for Troops) that Troops would have roundups in the spring and only at the Elementary schools to recruit 5th graders prior to their going into 6th "Cause once they are at Middle and High School you lose them."

Here's my thought if they do not join in the Fall what makes em consider joining in the Spring? If it's because the DE is selling a different program then why not let them (5th graders)join the Troops in the fall. If they aren't joining in the Fall because they (boys)are thinking Cub Scouts are too lame (previous 5th graders told me this when I was Cubmaster last year). Aren't they being lost to Scouting prior to the Spring? Interesting what the man of steele as a professional has to say on this one.

Hmm All the talk about the gals wearing the mens uniform shirt got me to thinking about a troop I herd about at OLT that was kicked out of jamboree for doing the Cheerleader skit. They were told that wearing cheerleader outfits and wigs was crossdressing and wasn't morally straight. Hmm so would you gals that were the mens shirts be labeled in such a way? TEE HEE

Also my son is left handed, and he noticed the ladies shirts at the scout shop one day and wanted me to get him a "left handed" shirt.

Hi again, I cant find any reference to this in the archieves so I thought I'd ask here. In preparing for our next camp out next Friday, Sept 19. The mom of one of the boys at Mondays Troop meeting commented "I might come along this time." Of course I told her that was no problem she was welcome to join us anytime.

Now the problem, after the boys finished the compass course I had sent up at our meeting hall. This one boys younger brother 5 or 6 yrs old follwed his older brother into the Scout building. Of course the sibling rivarly between a obeese 11 year old and his not so smaller 5 or 6 year old brother started as the Scout tried to prevent the litle guy access to our building.

Of course the Scoutmasters seperated the two and we asked the younger to go back downstaris to join his mother or have her come in the meeting to observe it. You could hear mom outside calling for the lil lad to come back. We also took the opportunity to instruct the Scout on how better to handle this type of situation in a helpful, friendly, couteous, and kind manner with his younger brother.

Here is my delema, if mom comes on the camp out and brings junior (which I believe may indeed happen). Myself and the ASM's think it would be disruptive to not only to the brother of this energetic young boy but to the others in the troop. Since given this witnessed scene between the two brothers and the abusive behavior this younger boy has shown our other Scouts (he constantly is hiting on them and kicking etc. The Scouts do the right thing and ask his mom to call for him and do not retaliate)this occurs after meetings have ended and the boys are playing in the yard awaiting pick ups.

Also, we have invited the Webelos Den from the Pack and several other non Scouts as a recruiting goal. We do not want a bad situation to occur at the camp out and perhaps drive potential recruits away.

I was considering informing mom at next Mondays meeting that she or her husband is more than welcome to attend the camp out with her son as an observer. However, the activities of a boy scout campout are inappropriate fot the age of the young lad and the leaders think it best he does not tag along.

Anybody else had to do similar?

Busy day on the board. Need some help coming up with a good theme for our next campout in two weeks. We need timber for some lashing projects for the boys to work on for first class. The local farmer that granted us unconditional use of the "back 40" of his farm has just coincidentlly asked us if we would clear a road (about 10 feet long) on the other side of the troop campsite so he can get to the field behide it. Lots of good size lashing poles in there for towers etc.

I think it would be great opportunity for the boys to use their woods tools skills but also want to impart respect for the trees which we would be harvesting for our joint purpose(farmers and troops). Does anyone have any good SM minutes related to this type of project or web sites?

Thanks

Thanks for the clarificaiton. Even in my Cubmaster days the Council never explained it that clear. By the way our Nazi isn't the registrar. It's the gal behikde the desk that runs the Scout shop.

Ron's comment about how the game is set up brings an interesting point. If either the SM or Eagle wins (which I doubt they will due to the nature of the show) will they be kicked out of scouting for not living by the oath and law?????

I mean everyone has to know that show's not morally straight, trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, couteous, kind, cheerful (perhaps with a hidden agenda),thrifty (yeah spends millions to give away a million), Clean (nuff said), reverant (ditto to clean). Hmmm 10/12.

You mean she didn't get in trouble for wearing her uniform at an unsanctioned Scouting event?

Interesting thread. When I turned in new Troops charter in March this year and completed the section for Quality Unit plans this coming charter year. The council "nazi" would not accept it and returned the form to me, her rationale "you can't get that you're a new unit." Of course I told her I knew that but that was so the paperwork would be submitted as the Troop plan for the year so that in March 2004 the Troop could qualify for the 2003 year in which is why the form was submitted.

Which brings up another question. Which year do you earn the award for if the application has a section for what you plan to do and what you did. I would think that you would be awarded for the previous years activity if you met or exceeded your goal. Not the year you planned as you do not know if your plans we met or exceeded. Our council has you buy the current years patches. Thus why the Council "Nazi" said the new Troop could not earn the quality unit. I'm cornfuses.

Right Cub I was incorrect that a service project was required for 1st class (thought four hour project was for first class). Actually if the boys are doing there work they probably will have First class as the Troop was formed March 03. First class in a year you know.

Most will have Second class by Fall Camporee in November. Anyway I think it would be fun and a good way to meld the two programs together. I think the GS were wanting to plan the menu as they expect about 100 girls. They just wanted us to cook it so they would be free to trian. The girls in the GS Troop are Seniors and Cadets 14-18.