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Sqyire21

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Everything posted by Sqyire21

  1. JeffH: My son is 9 and is a Bear this year. I see the point you were trying to make, however not all school systems are the same. There are rules for ageing out of a Cub Scout year. So, while he could be a Webelos based on your comment, he's still very happy as a Bear.
  2. Good luck with this....and I'd love to find out the solution. (because I have a similar issue here) I came from one pack which operated like this. Scout earned money, and that money was loaded into their ISA. Camp outs, annual dues, recharter/re-up fees, etc....all came from the ISA. This gave parents a reason to participate in the fund raising. New pack does things differently. Scout shows up to fund-raise. If the reaches the magic mark in sales... $333 in this pack....his dues are covered. If not, he pays the difference. "Oh, little Johnny sold $800 today...great for you...all s
  3. Interesting read, and I would like to know how this will play out. I had a similar issue with a friend who was the SM. He didn't understand the OA, and after a lot of poking from me (and others) he finally allowed an election. Several boys were elected, however most of them didn't attend the induction. The SM honestly was interested, however wasn't able to make it. (medical reasons) So... after all of the work, really only 1 boy was able to join OA. SM changed...and new SM said "Not worth our time...look how many didn't show interest last time." Wasn't really a fair statement, but I
  4. I'm sorry you're going through this. So far, some excellent advice has been given. My initial thought: Is this the Hill you wish to die on? While I certainly think the right thing to do is discuss this issue with the parents, and if you find no solution, bring it up to the Committee Chair...but as you explained, I don't expect a lot of resolution. You may need to decide if you can really effect a change at this point. With less than 6 months before cross-over...the young boy will learn more about what a parent can and can't sign off in 6 months after cross over. It's for this ve
  5. Lions was actually a program in the 50's. (where WEBELOS actually came from... Wolves, Bears, Lions) Betting the program will need some refinement, but I agree, we should start in 2nd grade, and allow Scouts to earn a rank and move up..instead of forcing them to wait months on a program they are already done with. But I also don't like the book work and yearly repetition.
  6. Okay, this is attempt 2 at this reply, so I hope it makes sense and I’m sure I’ll think of something important I missed with this version. Jblake: Please understand my original issue/comment. I don’t disagree that training is valuable, and advanced training (like your PhD example) is certainly beneficial. However, forcing me to attend training, which I have already received by another name, and then forcing me to pay with my time and my money to attend each training class.…is an issue which needs to be addressed at National. This is the same as asking a High
  7. So this topic really just hit me over the weekend, and I wanted to share my thoughts, and see what others feel. Years ago, when I was just a young scout, my father attended a single course (I think it was called Scoutmaster Basic)...a course which ran over 2-3 weekends and I think one-two weeknights, and was for new adult leaders. He's an Eagle Scout (like me) and so while it was a good refresher...he's admitted he didn't really learn much. Looking back, I honestly get the feeling this class was similar to the modern Woodbadge.. although there was a formal Woodbadge course at the time
  8. I'm sure the sooner you let them know, the better your chance to get them booked. Some ceremonies are better than others, and a little research will help you come up with a few which aren't so lame. I don't believe they would charge...except maybe for a meal. Every council is a little different, but most OA Ceremony teams don't charge...it's part of what they enjoy doing. I hope your ceremony is enjoyable!
  9. Scout needs to attend at least 1 event per month. My previous pack offered 2 events per month (like yours) and all anyone needed was to attend 1 of the 2 events each month. (as a side note, we did authorized a Scout the award for attending 3 events over only 2 months....but it was because he attended all 4 in Jun/Jul, and moved before Aug. While probably not legal, we felt it was right)
  10. So, my wife and I just got new i-Phones, and I'm looking for the best APPs for Cub Scouting. I used to have several app's on my Android, but I wanted to see if anyone else has any good suggestions.
  11. The belt loops 'can' show up on internet advancement...but it depends on who you have input your awards. I know I input dozens of belt loops as advancement chair, but when I spoke to the district register, she didn't care at all, and even admitted she didn't input them. Overall, I still find it interesting how many parents want to ensure Little Johnny has all the Belt Loops and Arrow Points, when really...only the Arrow of Light goes on any final reports...kinda like Eagle...
  12. Okay folks....the family and I have arrived safely and we've found a home in Northern Columbia. I managed to run into a local Cub Master at dinner tonight, (he was returning from an OA event) and he recommended a couple of local Packs to me. So, we're here....and looking. Hope we find our new Pack this week.
  13. I read all of this today with interest. Some of my thoughts: - Belt Loops/Pins: Yes, they are very very easy to earn, but the purpose is to expose the scouts to something new. I'm not personally sure who would sign off a Belt Loop after only 45 min, as I know in my very recent former pack, it took over an hour to get most of the requirements. The Pin's normally took an additional 1-1.5 hours...after the Belt Loop. (and that was for the easy ones...several took longer) - Arrow Points: My son's Wolf Den last year averaged 7-8 arrow points. They are relatively easy to earn....but
  14. It counts as a team sport in the Bear Book... so to me, it's clear cut.
  15. TwoCub: I like the letter, and I think you clearly let them know the ball is in their court. Hopefully they work with you. I'm honestly surprised at the low level of completion, as I know several of our new Bear Scouts are on par to be 50% complete before the end of the summer. (and they can certainly be further than 50% with a little more work) There are some of the Bear requirements which are extremely easy and can be done over a single weekend. A couple of points I'd like to make: Cubs advance on 1 June, or once they are complete with each grade. (i.e. completing 2nd grade, the
  16. Lion's was actually around back in the 50's. (my dad was one) Tigers didn't start until the 80's, after the Lion's program was discontinued. They seem to just be recyling the name and putting it into a younger age group. That being said, if it's designed well... it should be nice to have a younger program around.
  17. Okay, I can think of a few different thoughts, so I'll try and put them all down. - Did the Scouts "Do Their Best" to complete the requirements? While I don't normally consider this theory acceptable, I have heard of leaders who do. - Cub Scouts are supposed to advance programs on 1 June. That being said, my pack will allow a scout to continue to work on rank advancement for a couple of weeks into June if they really need it. But, you also need to consider: By allowing them to delay advancement....you may be preventing them from completing their requirements for the next rank next y
  18. All great thoughts, and I like the various idea's. I can certainly see the pro's/con's to each. : Just another idea Here, variations on earlier: Just figure out who the two strongest boys are... make them den 1 and den 2, then they pick their favorite Den Leader (Dad (or mom) A and Dad B).. and then have the boys choice one at a time to join each den. You have your first Denner (boy den leader) and the boys were able to pick based on their choices. Will they all be happy? doubt it. Will they all be able to get along? Probably Can you offer a re-adjustment in 3-4 months?
  19. Faith: Just my two cents, but I don't personally like the idea of mixing anything with Archery and BB Gun. The kids should be totally concentrated on the activity in-front of them. While I understand there isn't a LOT of risk during a Cub Scout outing (because we take so many precautions) I also believe stressing the importance of what they are doing and paying full attention to what is going on with the range is much more valuable than any science (or other) lesson they may get. I admit I look at this through a little different lens, as I'm in the military and grew up around fir
  20. Interesting conversation. As a current Cub Master, I haven't heard this complaint. (ever actually) We try to teach our Scouts the importance of wearing their uniforms, and they work very hard to earn all of their beads and badges. Most are all VERY proud of the things they have earned, and can't wait to put on the next patch or bead once they complete them. For campouts and hiking, etc.. we do wear a Class B Tee-Shirt option. However, if we're going to be out in public, where we represent our Pack...we're in Class A Field Uniforms. I will ask some of my parents about this....but
  21. Here's my two cents.... I have been given one check from my Pack...and it was only after I approached them because of the amount I asked for. Could I claim more...of course. I'm sure most of our leaders rack up $50-100 every couple of months with little expenses. (I know I do) But, most of these expenses are small and easily written off by the individual as just part of leading the Pack/Den. So.. how do you get them to keep an account book and offer up receipts? I don't have a good answer, because when we donate $5 here and $10 there... it doesn't seem like much. When we have
  22. I love the idea of a pack photo with boys signatures. We gave our last Cubmaster a coffee cup which we had engraved with his name.
  23. Okay folks... I like all of your inputs, and I agree with all of you. I didn't need to sew any uniforms tonight, and I let the Boy Scouts know they needed to sew their own ranks on their uniforms. (however I have agreed to help with putting on district patchs and troop numbers if asked) Thanks for the thoughts everyone.
  24. Sqyire21

    Velcro Rank?

    Okay, first...my son is still in Cubs. However, I brought my sewing machine to a meeting last week, and now I'm helping our Boy Scout troop get their uniforms up to par. So, for all of the Scout Troops out there--Have any of you seen velcro used to attach rank patches? Next: What is the best way to sew the rank or velcro strip onto the pocket? Looking for some advice. Thanks,
  25. Do you really think the Outdoor Activity will change? LNT and Outdoor Ethics are at least the same programs...but I'm not sure I see a reason to change the Outdoor Activity Awd.
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