Tampa Turtle

We have a large unit and use Quickbooks. I think it is because there are usually a few mom's who do it for their husbands business and it is a know standard. I am sure it is a bit of overkill.

Thanks. I already signed up for MB counselor for Disability Awareness. I will look through the book.

I have a Boy Scout (my some) 1st Class who has Tourettes, Asbergers and a few other disabilities. He is excellent at Scoutcraft and loves scouts but has gotten a certain amount of bullying from the other boys who do not understand what Tourettes is about. While the SM and ASM's are cracking down on the bullying behavior my son and I would like to do an "in service" presentation on Tourette's to the boys at a Troop meeting. My son is pretty open about it. I am a member of the Tourette Society of America (TSA) and have some material. I was wondering if anyone has some good ideas on how to handle

We used to have 150 bodies on a campout as well. We also did a SWAG estimate for the paperwork based on past experience. If we went over we would pay the difference. We also pushed the paperwork, money collection to the den level. That said we had a well financed pack and subsidized most of the campouts. We usually had the dens provide there own food.

At free comics day at his school my kid got "Lincoln hates Werewolves" with "Jesus Hates Zombies". I was not exactly happy with some of the content....gotta look at all the stuff that comes in....

We had the same issue a few years ago. We had a majority of Bear families that wanted to continue meeting during summer break (usually I got zero interest). The CM decided that our Bear career ended at the end of the school year so we did work on some activities once a month. I think we did Physical Fitness activities like swimming which was easier to do during a less hectic summer. I had a "scratch" group from several different imploded dens and 3 schools. It worked great for bonding and helped them advance enough that we could take our time and do the AOL work slow and steady. I am no

I got a very nice stubby 9 LED metal flashlight at Office Depot for $4 on sale.

I agree with Mr Hawkins on the Robotics badge, it is just an updated high-tech version version of an earlier analog --say a Soap Box derby car...actually much more demanding. My boys love to build and tinker at home...it can be bamboo and lashings at home or work on a robotics kit. Of course BSA seems to be moving away from emphasizing Scoutcraft. I think Scoutcraft still appeals to a lot of boys. I am seeing more boys struggle with 7b - "the useful camp gadget". They seem to have no imagination or have fun with it. They just want the solution --if I see one more weather rock on a tripod

Boys Life really bugs me. The stuff in it is always way too expensive. The recent issue had bikes. Started with a $100 walmart one, then $500, $1300, $6000. What ever happened to a scout is thrifty? I am all for getting good quality gear but the way National and Boys Life presents it you better be a rich kid (I am middle class and with myself and 2 boys I cannot really afford it)

I survived 6 PWD and am glad my boys are past them; I will pron help our feeded pack this year. Improvements I would make: (1) Make the rules very, very clear to parents. The position of weights is part of the strategy. (2) Have a "good sport" award to the boy who cheers others the most. They get a trophy too. Parents are the worst at PWD. We have had to have a large male hang around the weigh in table because some dads will try to intimidate the lady leaders. Even with software it is hard not to mix up the cars with so many races. We usually do not allow repairs and do not le

Big difference: Mom's! Boys act differently with their mom'd around. In our Pack restroom quality issues dictated where we would have our cubscout campouts. We did food as dens--usually some dad likes to grill. We had a very big pack so when the boys and siblings came it was 150+ kids. Have to be very careful with the cubs with things like fire, knives, and running between tents. Lots and lots of fun activities needed. Need to tire them out. Another issue is that the proportion of parents with little camping experience is higher than in Boy Scouts so they will look to you as le

I didn't get trained up until my 2nd year as Tiger leader. I sure wish I had --the Tiger boot camp I put my first boys through! I had a very hard time finding time for the training until they provided it in my neck of town. So my advice is make it as easy as possible on your leaders. Take it to them if possible, feed em, and provide some child care. We have had some training over a pack campout--everybody was there anyway. The YPT online training has helped as well. We were lucky as our Cubmaster was the district trainer as well.

I am torn on the issue. I usually already copy the parent when I email a boy or if a boy emails me on a MB question. I would want the same with my boy. So this does not impose a new burden on me. We also have had some cases of cyber-bulling so I know it exists. On the other hand the guidelines scream BSA-CYA and I live in dread of another mandated online training course.

I am an ASM now but did 3 dens of Tigers. When I got the Tiger Leader know I felt I EARNED it. The boys were enthusiastic but very wild; a meeting could go south in a minute. Man I sweated out the planning for those meetings... I think the recognition helps a little bit.

I think gentlemen should refrain from partaking when on duty and "on duty" would mean the entire trip. I am not saying that dealing with the lads has not made me want a good stiff drink. On the occasions I have been around fellows who have enjoyed a nip on a campout there usually was a few moments when they said something about a boy or a boy's family a bit too loud, or swore a bit more.

Gentleman, I agree with the middle course. Kind seems salvageable. We have some "official fire tenders" in our troop. I like the idea of making a lad do Fire Safety MB. Also the medical visit.

I would break the class into 3 parts. Part 1-8am Basic training for the clueless. Before the herd. Part 2-930 to 4 Basic Baloo -G2SS, boys and fire, camp games,common safety problems. Part 3 -helpful tips, tour permits, cocktails.

I would watch the lefties a little more closely. It seems most knives place the cutting blade near the top if placed in the right hand. In the left hand it is lower and apparently harder to control. Also a two blade knife is easier than a thick Swiss army knife. At least that was my Bear experience twice -- the lefties were disproportionately struggling. Also I had them practice holding Popsicle sticks first.

Thank you for the feedback. I an not so much worried about the investment issue but which were "keepers". I since have looked at a bunch at the scout store. I though Sailing, Archery, and Rowing were pretty good, lots of terms and facts. I thought Camping was pretty so-so and Reading not really worth it. Architecture/Landscape Architecture were pretty good though it slights Architecture. (I am trained as an Architect). Model Making was very good. Wilderness Survival seemed pretty dated. I agree the color helps --the books look a lot like the "DK" books the kids have. Very graphic. I

I am new to do some MB counseling on the side. I am intending to purchase some MB books since our Troop library is depleted. Flipping through some of the books I see some are pretty good, some pretty minimal, and some outdated. I was wondering what the older wiser SM's think of the MB book quality? Which are great and which are duds?

While I backpack slowly well...like a turtle...I think it is too be included in a program if it all possible. Yes some boys will hate it but then some boys will not like aquatics and some boys will hate camping. It is still character building and an important skill. The first time a young scout does 10 miles he knows he could in an emergency walk a distance if he needs to. I always think of the New Yorkers on 9/11 who had to walk 10 or 15 miles home because the buses and trains were shut down. Carrying all your stuff on your back quickly teaches you that you do not as much stuff as you think.

Every parent has something they are really good at. Some are really into a hobby, others are good cooks, some great organizers. Ask everyone to do something. The lazy ones will grab the easiest duties first; I have had some parents with extra$ and no time subsidize snacks, etc. Sometimes mom will volunteer Dad to help out for one meeting if he is not a regular ("Joe is a marine biologist for the state, he can do a presentation for naturalist" or "Fred is a coach he can help with physical fitness next week"). Make sure you praise the parents. If you can get a "core" group of parents to he

Number one woe? I hammock camp now....worrying about having 2 trees in the right place, doing my knots correctly in the dark Friday, and staying warm if the temperature dips. Number two? Did I pack the Gold Bond.

I would recruit an Assistant and offer to sit in and "coach" a couple meetings. Give them any program helps and background material (How to Box, extra games and supplies). Reduce their anxiety.

At Camp Woodruff there were some outstanding teenage girls as instructors; the young lady doing Bird Study was wonderful in her enthusiasm. One was a lifeguard who was greated by shouts of "Hey, Good looking Girl!" everytime our Troop marched past. I needed a whip.