blw2

Lots of good points and ideas here. thanks to all.... Got my wheels turning for next year, and perhaps even summer. Cito,Agreed with what I think you are trying to say, except to clarify.... you said "...if you did the year, you are awarded the rank and the specific sign off of each item isn't important" In my mind, if a boy didn't make most of the meetings, and I can tell that the parent by way of questions haven't even cracked the book open to do makeups, then they didn't "do the year". I don't really care if it's signed off formally or not, if the parent says they did it the

I'm a new Assistant Den Leader. Where would I find the "official" requirements for the various awards, I'll call "Extra Curricular"..... such as Emergency Preparedness, etc...? Some are in the handbook, but I can't find a "complete reference", except for http://meritbadge.org & I don't get the idea that this is the official source. I asked the scout store when i was kitting out my uniform, and she sold me the Insignia Guide, but that turns out to be only a catalogue of part numbers. No requirements are listed, only the occasional blurb about how to wear some of them. Is th

I'm searching for some additional awards to keep my son and the other boys in my tiger den active. According to http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Emergency_Preparedness_Award There's a form to be filled out and submitted to council for approval. Where would I end such a form? I don't get the idea that our pack has been active in these, what I'll call extra curricular awards, so I'm starting here first.

Wow, great program you've got going SeattlePioneer! Yes, they all have their Bobcat, although my opinion is that it was pretty much a gloss over for most of them at a Den meeting. My son might be the only one that worked on it at home and has it all memorized.... and it wasn't like i forced him into it. He wanted to do it and more. All I did was guide him to the idea after the roundup. We'll be moving up to Wolf with our sons next year. I figure I'll have a discussion with the new Tiger Leader soon after they sign up, so i can help get them started at least with what i have learn

thanks DG98 and future responses..... That's exactly what i'm asking for.... suggestions to aide. I really didn't mean this post as a critique. Really menat as a little background and understanding of what i need help with. You said, "Asking the parents what has been done, might be a problem if they are not "with the program" and the Tiger DL is winging it. I'd track what they have now since once recognition is awarded its awarded." The problem with tracking now, is that the year is almost done.... I stepped up too late. Asking the parents at meetings and through email is the o

I'd like to throw something out for feedback. My son is a Tiger this year. DL is a mom of one of the Tigers &volunteered at the roundup because the rest of us looked like scared animals when the CM asked for volunteers for Tiger DL. None of us really knew what would be required. Our DL has done a great job with activities, keeping it fun, etc... but has had little guidance from the more experienced re the "program". (No fault to the committee, I don't think she has asked & her schedule hasn't allowed her to attend committee meetings). Still, I know she has done a lot of w

Coming to the end of my son's tiger year, and we know nothing of a card....

Yes, hot and humid..... Washington DC as mentioned before, but not likely 'slow paced'. Not too far from DC is Williamsburg, VA. Good for a day or even seven days or more. It offers the history of Jamestown, Willimasburg, and Yorktown. An amusement park for a rollercoaset ride, water park for water slides, shopping.... I also recommend Charleston, SC for some fine southern food, history, tours... Mountains - Asheville, NC with excursions to Chimney Rock and other nearby locales. Or Gatlinburg TN is nice, and you can day trip over to Pigeon Forge for some amusemnet parks and

I checked. My new thermarest is 2inch thick Trailpro. I've had no complaints. And made in USA! OK, so I understand that sleeping diagonally in the hammock is flater and better for old spines.... But doesn't it still sort of wrap around you folding shoulders together, preventing rolling over in the night, etc? I'm a side sleeper so i wonder how well they would work for me? Also wondering if anyone has tried one of these hennesee hamocks (or similar) with some sort of portable stand similar to one of these http://compare.ebay.com/like/200735787862?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPr

I had an old thermarest (1"?) from my younger days, but at the prospect of tent camping again now that my son is in scouts, I bought a thicker thermarest. Don't recall the thickness now, but guessing in the ball park of 1-1/2" or 2". No complaints, but I wish I'd known about that neo air . I always figured that a hammock would be murder on my back..... Sort of like falling asleep in a chair.....

I found that link re the history of the necker posted above by SSScout very interesting. I had no idea that there was supposed to be a "Good Turn Knot". I wonder what happened to that custom? I also enjoyed the statement by the then scout Chief Scout Exec....... Wearing It Right James E. West, Chief Scout Executive, says: "We are anxious to have the co-operation of every Scout and Scout Official in making effective the regulations covering the Official Uniform, Insignia and Badges. To tolerate a conscious disregard for requirements, even in simple matters, breeds disrespect

Ok i guess i'm getting old and i'll admit i care about fashion only a little bit.... ButI don't get the 'out of style' concern. It's a blue collared shirt. Blue cargo pants, which by my estimation are very fashionable and in with youth.... Apart from the regalia of patches and necker, what's so out of style about it?

I'd guess doubtfull that they couldn't find a us supplier if they tried, but if they couldn't, I'd rather buy from the Canadian outfit for sure, before the Chicoms!

I think I'll pick up a leader necker the next time I'm at the store..... Even though none of the other leaders wear them in our pack.

Pardon me for be rude, but this thread is, well....irritating and I have to chime in. Scouting is in UNIFORMED Organization. The reasons are explained in the handbooks and elsewhere. If you don't like uniforms, why did you join, or encourage your sons to join? It's like buying a house next to an airport, then complaining about the airport!

Agreed. If I had the right person's ear, I'd ask them to push for made in U.S.A. a good link someone posted on an rv forum I visit.... http://www.americansworking.com/

Some of the choices look useful, but mostly it makes me think that an official 'hoodie' uniform is not far behind. A bit too 'gangsta' for my conservative taste..... just my opinion, your mileage may vary.

I don't know if this question belongs here or not, but it seemed like the best fit given the topic choices.... Is there a way "mark all threads read", and then when checking in a choice to view "unread" conversation threads? The closest thing I have found is the option to view posts from the last 24 hours, but this doesn't really help me to catch everything that is being discussed....

Not a fan of sleveless here. Perhaps some T's made form that 'high tech' sportsware (coolmax, or whatever...) But from what i am learning these are all unofficial anyway so I suppose the pack could go get what they want.... I do like the idea of having an official "activity uniform" as opposed to leaving each pack to do what they want....with a defined shirt, pants, etc... Maybe something with a colar to look a bit more respectable than just a T.... maybe a nice coolmax 'golf' shirt. Official uniform light jacket is good idea, maybe also a sweatshirt choice... (not just pick one of the

The train of the conversation has bounced around quite a bit. Not sure who Scoutnut's questions are directed to. If to me (the original poster)... There's realy no problem, exactly, but more of a concern about not following the program. And it certainly isn't about spit and polish. It's simply just a desire to follow the program. As I mentioned in my original post, "Without the uniform, the whole bead thing flys out the window (which is ok by me since I don't like the plastic holders) and I think the benefits of the uniform are lost (such as unity, self respect, and even individual acc

I was wondering how others use this uniform. I did some searching but didn't see any threads I would call current. I do see that the class B terminology is contentious, but that is what our pack leadership calls them. Anyway, our boys hardly ever wear the official uniform it seems. Our T-Shirt is worn at den meetings, at camping trips (but sporadically -one shirt for multiple days doesn't work), etc... The only times that the real uniform has been worn is at regular pack meetings, pinewood derby, & blue and gold. I personally think that it should be worn at den meetings too.

When sewing mine on, I found in the uniform guide mention that the crest patch is supposed to be centered between the top of the pocket and the shoulder seam. That's pretty high up, and plenty high for a lot of square knots. I didn't have this book when we were assembling my son's uniform so it is placed quite a bit lower, more like most of the "official" scout pictures and drawings show it.... My point really, is that this uniform thing is not really uniform without clear standards.

Sort of a side track gripe I guess, but if this patch is required for all, why don't they come pre-sewn onall new shirts, just like the U.S. flag and BSA strip?

Is that 'kosher' to make your own? Seems that it's not official uniform..... but I like the idea. Would make a great project for the 1st den meeting, if simple enough so that the boys could make something that looks presentable. Wolfs and Bears also have some sort of plastic bead hanger too, don't they. Could we get away with making something for that?

Well I don't think we did nearly as much back in those days (early/mid 70's) as we do now. Acording to my memory, and my mom (she was my den leader), we did a bunch of go-see-it kind of stuff (tours of a bank, burger king, etc...), but i don't ever remember going camping or any big pack level trips..... well maybe one to the zoo or something.... My son is a tiger, and we've already been on several pack level camp outs. One was the cuboree, and he got his first & so far only temporary patch for that. I have put him in for the outdoor activity award, and we have worked on severa