Twocubdad

The short answer to your question is to go the the "NetCompass" section of this site and click on Advancement then Cub Scout Awards and Rank. There are links to numerous sites that have information on the requirements for each rank (including Wolf) and information on the uniform and what insignia your boy will need. But the better answer is to get you son his copy of the Wolf handbook. It includes all the information you need. But check with your son's den leader or cubmaster first. There is a new version of the book just out, and for the coming year local units have the option to stick with the old book or move to the new one. Ask to make sure which book your son's den will be using.

Here's mine, from Webelos resident camp. Actually, I posted this before on the end of a dying thread and never received much feedback from anyone. I'd love to hear what y'all think: We had 18 boys, four registered leaders and six parents attending camp. One of the Scouts, a 10-year-old Webelos II, was the most disrespectful, ill-mannered, undisciplined child I have ever worked with. Unfortunately, he was the son of one of the other leaders. The boy is basically out of control and the father does nothing to discipline him, except when another leader steps in and embarrases him into action. On the positive side, the kid is very bright and never gets into any real trouble (i.e. fighting, stealing) -- he's just a spoiled brat. Sunday morning, while packing up, his father called the boy and asked him to come over. The boy screamed "WHAT?!?!" in a very hateful tone. The dad asked him to pick up a duffle and carry it to the car. The boy started stomping the ground and arguing about how he wasn't going to do it. At that point I stepped between the two of them (the boy was still half-way across camp from the dad) and told the boy that I didn't care what he did at home, but he is in Scout camp and that he would not speak in that manner to any Scout leader. Feeling a bit self-conscious about breaking in between the father and son, I left it at that (I had much longer and more detailed conversations with the boy about his behavior earlier in the week, when the father wasn't right there). As I walked away and the dad took over, the last I saw, the kid was dumping the duffel out and kicking the contents. Had the kid's dad not been there (and had it not been two hours before check out) I would have sent the boy home. But how far should a leader go when the parent is right there? Do you send both the boy and the father home? The guy had a younger son with him (who is usually the worst behaved of the two, but the little one had a pretty good week this time.) An interesting dynamic: We are trying to introduce the boys to the patrol method by picking one Scout to lead the others in simple tasks (policing the campsite, sweeping the bathrooms, collecting firewood, etc.) This kid won't follow instruction from any of the boys, either and usually ends up being a detriment to the completion of the task. By the end of camp, all the other boys in the patrol were sick of him and his attitude and didn't mind telling him so. It will be interesting to see how that peer pressure works on him.

Thirty years at my YMCA if you were caught skinny-dipping you would have been thrown out of the Y and likely arrested.

I believe the assertion was that he liked to watch naked boys play. Thus far, all the capture the flag games I've watched have involved fully clothed Scouts. The other point was that he had a rather unusual and long-term relationship with a young soldier whom he called "The Boy." I'm not trying to besmirch the Old Man's reputation and really don't have an opinion one way or the other. I'm just reporting what was in the book. If we're going to debate the book, let's at least do on the basis of what was written in it.

I think the impact on the Scout troops should be positive. It makes the Scouts just that much more prepared for and comfortable with Scout camping. I don't have the new book yet so I can't really compare the two, but what jumped out at me from the other post was the requirement to present yourself packed and ready to go camping. That's a big improvement. The current Webelos program shoves kids (and their parents) out into the woods with few prerequisite skills. Now, at least, they will have to have some preparation. The one thing I would have added (and funny, they didn't ask me before updating the books) would be some exposure to firebuilding. The current Webelos program only asks them to know fire safety. Maybe they could build a fire lay but not light it . But with that addition they would know what basic gear to bring, how to pitch a tent, build a fire and cook a simple meal (an earlier Wolf achievement, I believe). Not ready for two weeks at Philmont, but the basic skills they need to make it over a Saturday night.

If all you cook in you oven is desserts, you're not going to get the really nice heavy black finish you're looking for. That comes from the carbonization of fats on the surface over time. With cobblers and cakes you're more likely to remove the finish than add to it. Occasionally you need to cook something really greasy (or use the oven as a deep-fryer) to add to the finish. Go to www.lodgemfg.com for a good web site on Dutch oven use. Lodge is probably the best-known manufacturer of Dutch ovens on this side of the pond. Actually, I've found the best way to maintain the finish on my ovens is to loan them to our Cubmaster a couple times a year. When I get them back the finish looks like the top of a Steinway piano!

The right to a free education is guaranteed by our state constitution as well: "The General Assembly shall provide by taxation and otherwise for a general and uniform system of free public schools, which shall be maintained at least nine months in every year, and wherein equal opportunities shall be provided for all students."

Back from the beach last week and finished the book. I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed. I kept waiting for him to "get it" and understand the program, but it never seemed to happen. I think it's good to understand that the book is written from the perspective of a parent going through the program with his son, not from that of a Scouter.

I think your solution is a classic example of proper discipline -- discipline defined at training which makes punishment unnecessary. That it was suggested by a Scout and approved by the PLC makes it a great example of a boy-led solution as well. You should print this thread and give copies of it to everyone on the committee.

May I suggest that the image has a lot to do with the age of the boys? While we all encourage our Scouts to emulate the patriotism, honor and duty to country our servicemen and women have, I don't think it is unreasonable that some would find it distasteful for young boys to copy some of the lethal aspects of the military. Consequently paintball wars are out while a game of capture the flag is in. Targets picturing people or animals aren't allowed. Color guards carrying fake rifles? Hmmmmm....I don't know that I have a serious objection to it, but I suppose I would have to ask what the purpose is? How does that further the aims of the program?

Why horsemanship? Why not a medal for expert plumbers? Sorry for the sarcasm, but my point is are you not headed down the road of creating an expert level award for every merit badge subject?

It seems to me that you gentlemen are arguing over the meaning of the word "requirement." Certainly, to say to that a project must include 200 manhours -- not 198, not 199, but 200 -- and documented by time cards would be an inappropriate added requirement. But it sounds to me that Rudd's committee is simply using an estimate manhours as a guideline for evaluating the scope of a project up front. I don't necessarily see that as an added requirement -- although I will allow you that it could easily be turned into one. The key difference between an Eagle project and other service projects is that the Eagle project requires you to provide leadership to other. If a project requires only 10 or 20 hours of work by others, I don't think that provides a Scout an adequate opportunity to demonstrate his leadership abilities (although I'm theoretically open to the idea that with certain projects in special circumstance, it may.) On the other hand, if a proposed project will require 5,000 hours from a 15-boy troop, I think the committee has the responsibility to the troop to steer the Scout in another direction. Both of those judgements require that some consideration be given to the hours a project requires. But just because you're using hours as a measure, doesn't mean it is a requirement. ON THE OTHER HAND, Rudd, I hope you understand BW and OGE's points as well. The nuances of a requirement vs. a guideline vs. a "tool for evaluation" can easily get whittled down to "Eagle projects have to take 200 manhours." There is a lot of room for abuse and for manhours to become the primary criteria for evaluating projects. I do you want you to explain something for me, Rudd. Several times you mentioned that the 200 hours was based on the size of your troop. I don't understand how that's a factor. If you are saying that all 40 of the boys in the troop need to be involved in a project, then I think you've added an unnecessary constraint to the projects. I can think of several projects where the depth is more important than the width. It all reminds me of an English teacher I had who when asked how long our essays need to be always said, "It needs to be long enough to adequately answer the questions. However, in my opinion that will be difficult to do in less than 500 words." There was always the hope that we could distill the meaning of life into 100 words, but she wasn't counting on it. Rudd, if that's all your committee is doing, I don't have a big problem with it.

Wow! I missed the line about resignations the first time I skimmed throught the post. That seems rather onerous. I guess we all serve at the pleasure of the Scout Executive, but frankly I reserve the right to go kicking and screaming. I had never even heard of this position before I read this post, so I obviously don't if the job description is official. But just that language makes me wonder if it hasn't been at least amended locally. I've never heard anything like that in any other job description.

Is there a way of marking a thread to remind ourselves not to read it again?

Unless the lease and/or California law states otherwise, it is standard that any real improvements made to a piece of property by a leasee become the property of the leasor when the lease expires without compensation.

There is a line of reasoning (primarily among states' rights-types) that states should fly their flag above the national flag on state capitol buildings, courthouses and offices as a symbol of state sovereignty. I'm not sure if I like the idea or not, but if you are a strict constitutional constructionist, it may appeal to you.

Hmmmmm.....may be above my pay grade. Sounds like one of those things you just don't screw up in the first place.

A good source for tartan materials is www.escot.net Peter Wilson is the owner of the company, a BSA supporter and general good guy. I note that he has a book on his web site on kiltmaking. I would be wary of a kilt made from a dress pattern. I would either get one of these books or get a good-quality sample kilt to study. Kilts are different animals. For example, the pleats are folded "to the sett" meaning that when the pleats are folded, the tartan pattern appears the same as when it is unfolded. Consequently, a good kilt may require 5-7 yards of tartan. And kilts aren't hemmed but the bottom is made on the edge or serge of the fabric. That's generally a no-no to most seamstresses, but important to make the kilt hang properly. The waist of a kilt should be measured (and worn) at your navel. To find the correct length of a kilt, kneel down and measure from your navel to the floor. How am I doing on this sewing stuff, DS? Do I get the merit badge?

That may be technically true, but I don't think anyone is going to bust you for wearing your old flap, especially if you are currently a member in good standing. I have, from time to time, hauled out my old flap. My old lodge has merged at least twice and changed names, although they still use our old, two-digit lodge number. They sure make a great conversation starter. You will be surprised at the number of people who ask about it.

Just the opposite, to reshape the four dimples

That's cool, you even get a discount. Kilts are available at lots of places. I bought mine through www.dunedinscottish.com several years ago. A quality kilt is pushing $400 now, although in the past few years I've started to see lesser quality kilts (lighter wool, blends, etc.) for less.

What do you do to restore the "lemon squeezer" on the crown?

Standards for day camps are a little different than resident camps, Firstaider.

Hey, it's summer, what do you want? I'm still in sleep deprivation from Webelos camp. Besides, we got way off the topic some time ago.

Not from your unit, but I was there! Camp "C", I think, but I'll have to look through some of my old stuff to be sure.