blw2

Violation, well may be by the book.... but if my boy was under his watch or even at that camp he'd be getting a great big thank you for sure, and all the support I could give him. Sounds like a stupid rule. Just based on the sketchy details presented here, the guy should be getting a medal not an investigation.

Kudu, just took a look at your BDU comparison page. When I read your comment about wanting BDU's, I have to say the image is of some para-militant nut-job that wants to play army with the boys. Looking at your site, it seems that you are really just suggesting using the military bdu pants though, and you bring up some great points. I might agree with the idea of substituting the pants. They are certainly designed and built for many of the needs of scouting, and for the purpose really do look functional and maybe even "macho" or "cool" for many. I'm not so sure I would buy into the whole BDU uniform though..... The military blouse has a certain look that I don't think would be appropriate for the "image" of scouting. I actually think the current issue stuff even looks rather stupid...... they can't even sew the patches..... er Velcro.... on straight! The flag on the sleeve flies backwards and all the patches droop. I personally think that the BSA and military both should be able to design the practical features that you highlight into a garment that also has a classy look and gives an image of strength an good order.... not the sloppiness of the bdu. Regardless, I think a better tact might be to push for borrowing design features and quality of the military BDU......

I enjoyed that. I even remember the Less Nessman reference when it originally broadcasted back in the day. Too funny!

interesting. I've emailed their USA people to see if they are available here.

I voted eliminate Tigers and Lions ...... I agree with the premise that it stretches out a bit too long, but Tigers was a good program. Tiger is thoroughly part of the program now, so I don't think it's a simple elimination and I don't think that Tigers should be removed entirely. My son and I enjoyed it. I like 00Eagle's suggestion, on the surface at least..... I do like the idea of a younger group and older group... somewhat split, but still perhaps part of the same pack. maybe Lions + Tigers+ Wolf in the younger group Bear + WEBELOS in the older group, and make it more like a longer WEBELOS or make it more of the high adventure group

ah, another category to log..... service hours.

So back to my log book idea..... keep in mind that I'm a cub leader, and as a youth wasn't very active as a scout..... and that was a long time ago anyway so I have little memory of requirements.... It seems that there are a lot of requirements for time and distance for the various merit badges and awards. I can imagine boys that get started in scouting would have absolutely no idea about any of this...... but they might end up doing quite a lot of something that could apply to a merit badge or award during their first year or so, but have no idea to keep track of it.... So it seems to me again that encouraging a log book from the start might be a good idea... logging everything that a boy does that might be "scouting" related canoeing outings, miles paddled, Kayaking outings, miles paddled, bike trips, miles biked, number of camping trips, nights camped, numbers of hikes, miles hiked, etc..... .... and it seems that under each of these categories to be tracked, he would need to record "auspices" or let's call it "free time" For a very active boy in a very active family, or a very active troop, it could be hard or impossible to go back and remember all of these things once he decides to go for a certain badge or award....... Do any boys do this? Do any of you leaders encourage such tracking?

I agree, if your other leader can't make it on time there's a reason. Either you need to start the meeting later or you need a new ADL. I'm the ADL for my son's den. I have a hard time making 6:30PM & I have made it clear to our DL's that I will be late when they plan for that time. Our meetings have gone anywhere from around 30 minutes to maybe two hours. The 30 minute one was an end of the year wrap up party and we didn't have much of an activity planned. Seemed too short for sure. For us an hour is a great target for a regular meeting, unless there's a super exciting activity. Otherwise the boys get burned out and the parents are ready to get home......

this has taken a turn to parallel something I run into with the cubs. Sometimes there will be a requirement to say, visit a library.... either as part of an elective or part of an achievement. Well I'm pretty sure that every boy in the pack has at least a few times been in their school library. Most if not all have visited their local public library too, more times than they can count. So does that mean that every boy then, will automatically get signed off for that requirement? .... or must it be an organized thing that is preplanned by the den leader? The answer isn't really clear. For me and my son, I have marched under the assumption that it a) must have happened during this current scout year b) if it wasn't something that was formally done as a meeting, then I will be sure to look at the book with my son together, talk about the requirement and what he did, how it meets the requirement (or not), etc.... then I'll sign him off. I'm quite sure many parents have signed off even if he had visited it last year...... without so much as a review or discussion with the boy.... I can only imagine that a similar approach would be appropriate here. Common sense must be engaged......

I received the knife in the mail Friday. I'm very pleased with it. The knife fits my son's hands perfectly. I think the rounded tip will be good for a first knife. Quality is better than I would expect for $13 for sure. The locking mechanism seems secure in both the opened and closed positions. Only drawback is the blade is very tight and my son can't open and close it. Since it's not a metal frame and the blade hinge point is in the wood, I'm fairly certain it will loosen with use. My only concern is for the possibility that it might loosen too much to the point of being dangerous...... and if it loosens too much, will the locking mechanism also loosen. I guess time will tell. I had his name engraved in the handle. It's very nicely done. Anyway, for now, I recommend it. I think I'll order the larger carbon steel version for me. Thanks Eagle92!

I think I would agree with that. ...... now brace for the "where's the money for it come from" comments...... I'd guess there's enough money now, just needs to be re-prioritized and used more efficiently. If not, raise our dues by a buck each.

hey, a win win!

Rat trail, but there has been at least one iphone app that would do it for several years...... not that it matters. Admittedly it was a bit buggy though. Still, this is one of the areas where android is really outshining the iphone. They are gonna have to step up their game soon for sure.

good points KDD..... a drop of gasoline can ruin a whole lot of water..... perception is projection ..... and all of that..... and I'm sure that on some level even the loud barkers you mention are just trying to be helpful in the way they themselves would like to be helped. last year our treasurer left (son aged out of the pack). When there wasn't an obvious replacement, I considered stepping up and saying I would do it to help, but thought better of getting my hands in the money. That's a potentially volatile place to be for sure!

Wow, is right. You folks are brutal! granted, she may have been in the wrong, but keep in mind that we are all trying to do our best. Seems like she was misguided and perhaps a bit overenthusiastic, but i'd guess she was only trying to do what she felt was right. maybe there's a history here that I don't know..... & maybe I missed something critical in my skimming of this thread..... but what I see is...... Came here for support. Should have gotten some guidance. Got flamed.

I just ordered a round tipped knife for my son. I wanted to have a look at it as I consider if I want to suggest that we buy one for our Bear's this year. Ordered this morning approx. 11:30AM with laser engraved handle with my son's name Just before 4PM I received an email with my tracking number. It shipped already! Wow, I'm shocked at the fast response! I'll let you know when I've had a look at it.....

interesting. As a cub leader and dad, I'm not familiar with all of this yet. When I was a scout, I wasn't familiar with it either. Sounds like good advice for the boys might be to keep a log book starting the minute they join the troop. Even if they have no sight set on such an award, they might some day. Log books can be great. Two of my old hobbies encourage and almost require it (flying and SCUBA). Many magazine articles have been written on the nostalgia of reading back through log books. It truly can be fun. The problems I see with it are a) getting the boys to see the importance b) knowing what to record. So, what do you all think of a scout log book? What would you record? I'm almost surprised that there isn't some sort of log book already incorporated into the scout handbook. Is there? Now that I'm thinking about it, I wish that I would have started one together with my son, as we started our cub scout adventure...... logging all of the camping trips and outings.

Wasn't Lion a rank for 11 year olds back in the day? When WEBELOS was created, as I understand it, it was an acronym for the cub ranks Wolf Bear Lion Scout. I know I read that someplace.... just don't remember where. For the current Lion rank idea..... Personally, I think it's an interesting idea mainly for younger siblings.... but I'm not sure I support it. I'm worried about burn out. Think it might be better to focus on a high activity and high energy program for the older boys that can handle the really "fun" stuff. Sort of thinking that a fun high speed mud run might be more fun than a slow paced marathon.

BDU? That can carry a certain "uncool" image too. Think ROTC! Those weren't exactly the "cool" kids when I was in school...... though, admittedly that was a long time ago! ...... but they were cool to themselves! Like someone said here earlier...... cool is what the kids make it. If they are having fun, it'll be cool. No doubt!

I always get a chuckle out of the term "near miss". If it's nearly a miss, what is it?.... A Hit!

I like those knives. Anyone know of a made in USA equivalent? Without the full metal frame, are they strong enough to last? Looks like they are nice enough, but still affordable for the cubbies. I like the look of their "my first knife" with a rounded tip, but they are SS not CS. Our Bear year is coming up, so I might consider giving one of these to each boy..... maybe engrave their names. I emailed Opinel yesterday. They replied in about 90 seconds! Says to me that they likely have good customer service. Anyway, the round tipped "My First Opinel" is only available in SS. I voiced disappointment, that I though CS would be better especially to teach the boys sharpening..... Maybe some day they will hear that enough to make a carbon steel line..... Regardless, I think I'm going to order one to have a look at it.

I'm with you Jblake. Your logic is just fine, IMO..... KDD, Just a method true enough..... but it's a method used by the BSA since before my time, and I suspect yours too! Sort of like buying a house that happens to be next to an airport, then complaining about the airplanes. Your prerogative I guess, but where's the sense in it?

As a youth, I was part of that early 1980's increase. What do the numbers look like since 1986? I posted this in comment above, but I'm afraid that comments way up in the thread get lost in the chaff. Sorry for the duplicity, but I'm really curious if anyone know the current trend of the numbers......

I like those knives. Anyone know of a made in USA equivalent? Without the full metal frame, are they strong enough to last? Looks like they are nice enough, but still affordable for the cubbies. I like the look of their "my first knife" with a rounded tip, but they are SS not CS. Our Bear year is coming up, so I might consider giving one of these to each boy..... maybe engrave their names.

After seeing that video, I can say that it wasn't much of a shelter...... except against rain. Anyway, I can certainly see how everyone would have grouped up under the tarp...... ....but I suppose the better approach would have been to disperse, eh?