Wickerness

I don't know if this means anything or not, but I saw in the youth protection video that Cub leaders had red and Boy Scout leaders had the green. Of course I don't know if that's considered official or not, but it was an observation.

I wouldn't want those uniforms, but I wouldn't want to see a Boy Scout uniform reduced to a vest either.

The good thing about the SPL sticking to his guns is that it sends a message to any other future TT's that they can't threaten to quit just to get their way.

My one question is... Did TT stick with the troop or did he quit in the long run? Because I would like to think that TT would come around and end up being a good scout. So that in the long run this was the right thing for him and not just the rest of the troop. I think the SPL did a great job.

Most I have brought was something to charge my cell phone. I only used it to call home and see how my 3 year old was doing with my mom. Other than that I didn't have any technology. Other scouters had their blow up mattresses w/ electric pumps and battery powered fans, but nothing more high tech than that (not counting digital cameras). The year before that we did have someone with a laptop, but the kids didn't mess with it and it was just to download the pictures from the camera to. Most of the time you didn't even see it out.

I personally don't like to see too much technology. Sure I think the staff should have walkie-talkies, but that's a safety thing not a leisure thing (for the most part).

We did have a staffer using a cell phone app at Cub Scout camp. It was a space theme and it was his "scanner". It was used more as a prop than anything else. To me that wasn't too bad. It was useful because right after that they had the kids looking for rocks the old fashioned way. I wouldn't want to see stuff like that at Boy Scout camp. They should be able to get away from that stuff there. Unless they're doing something for a GPS course I guess.

I was thinking that they would be in the position for a few months before the trip. Basically whenever they know who is going to go.

I was hoping that someone wouldn't say a year. 4 months sounds good. I don't know if we could get it for a whole year and other events or not. I know they do some other big stuff, but I don't know if it's always the same boys or not. It is an idea though. I'm still new to the troop and don't know which boys do what, but hopefully I can be of help to them down the road.

Even if they couldn't use it towards their rank requirements though... The experience would be good for them. It might want them to form a permanent Venture patrol or just a different patrol in general. Anything to promote the patrol method would be good.

I was just wondering about Venture Patrols... especially ones that are for a one time event.

Here's the situation. Our troop has very loose patrol system in general (yes I know it shouldn't be that way, but my son just started) and they have been going to boundary waters up by Canada for at least the past few decades (maybe 4... can't remsember how long right now). Usually they get some groups of boys of age 13 and up to go. They break up in groups of 9 (2 or 3 adults and 6 or 7 boys with some being the older boys to balance it out). They're not really using a patrol system while they're up there, but everyone pitches in.

When I was a boy in this troop back in the 80's we didn't have Venture patrols.

My big question is... to help promote the patrol system more and help the boys with opportunities like POR for their rank requirements... is that if they formed temporary Venture Patrols for this since it could be considered high adventure. They do canoe camping and earn their 50 miler while up there.

My big thing is that I want to help the boys with opportunities for advancement and promote the patrol system more in the process. Since I think they are really missing out.

My real question is that if they formed temporary Venture Patrols for this once a year outing, is there a time limit on how long you have to be a patrol leader to count for the requirement of the POR? They're up there for over a week, but they could form the patrols earlier for the setup to go. They usually have it setup on who's going and raising money to go. So it could be at least a few months of being together as a patrol.

I'm not trying to help them pad things on their requirements, but I hate to see them miss a legitimate opportunity if it is one. I also think it would help them if they were together as a patrol before they got up there.

Is it the end of the world that they can not recite it? No.

It's a shame though. Just means they're going to have to take more time getting that requirement.

I know when we started Webelos a couple of years ago, we did the pledge, the oath, the promise, the slogan, and the motto. All but the pledge was on posters in the meeting room that first year (other den leader took them the following year). Funny thing is that during the first year I forgot the keys and we met outside. The boys really surprised me proud because they were able to recite it without the posters. I thought I would have to carry them through it, but they really made me proud.

We didn't start the Outdoor Code until later in the second year. I wish we had started it with the others. They know the Outdoor Code, but I don't know if they have it memorized like the others.

I know our Scoutmaster was big on the law and the oath, so that was what I focused on. He was my Scoutmaster when I went through (he's been doing it for 50 years).

I know it's better to know the law than just have it memorized, but how can you think about it when you can not remember it. Otherwise you're just figuring out when you read it and then forget it again when you put the book away. Sometimes the best way to learn it is through repetition.

I think it is good when the Webelos leader does go over it as soon as possible, instead of waiting until they're working on the Arrow of Light. Hopefully they will know when they get to Boy Scouts because it will give them one up when they get there.

Of course it also depends on how long they wait between crossover at a pack meeting and actually attending troop meetings. My son crossed over on a Thursday and was at the troop meeting the following Tuesday (which was this week). While some from the groups before him didn't go until after the summer. Which meant they missed a lot of stuff during the summer and they were having to deal with transition into Middle School along with starting Boy Scouts.

My only problem with the uniform hats is that the BSA doesn't sell a hat that will fit my head. So I either have to go with a substitute or no hat at all. Which at camp isn't a good idea since I'm so fair skinned.

I do wear Scout related hats though. One hat a Cub Scout logo patch sewn to it and the other one has the 1910-2010 patch on it. This is not counting the hats that I wear to just keep the sun off my face and back of the neck. They don't have anything on them, but I have been meaning to add a pin or something.

I am not a big fan of seeing someone wear a MLB hat (not counting when they are at a ballgame on Scout Day) or some non-Scounting related hat though. Just bad form in my opinion.

Personally I never did the BSA beret or any other BSA hat because of having a size 8 head. So it's hard to get behind any type of hat when you can't wear them.

I always wondered if it was acceptable to come up with your own scout hat when the BSA doesn't cover your size.

I was lucky at Wood Badge... Their velcro adjustable hats actually fit (not official BSA hats), but just barely.

As far as the red berets go. If the boys are happy with them. Then more power to them.

But at camp I wouldn't recommend them... at least not for my sons. Their fair skin really needs more protection than the berets can give.

I have the same problem, but my hat size is an 8. Needless to say I've had a bit of problems finding hats. When I was a boy I just couldn't wear one, due to not being able to find one. That was before you could look on the internet for one.

I've found some campaign hats, but I didn't think Cub Scout leaders could wear them.

I did make one of my own, but I know it's not an official hat. It's just a blue Flexfit ball cap with a cub scout patch that I found on the internet. It's what they used to use on the old wolf and bear hats before they had the rank badge on the hats. It may be copy. I'm not sure.

If I go ahead become a Boy Scout leader when my son goes into Boy Scouts. I'm not sure which route I will go. I wish the BSA would supply big enough hats. Shame the new hats on the Centennial hats aren't flexible fit hats.

I'm sorry, but if I saw a young scout earn his first merit badge and he was wanting to wear a sash with just one mb on it. I wouldn't stop him for even a second. Let the kids be proud with their accomplishments. It's better than dealing with the ones that you have to fight to put on their sash or even their uniform for that matter.

Granted I didn't wear my sash all the time when I was a scout, but I did have it on when I was wearing full uniform for ceremonies and when I was receiving another badge that I had earned.

Of course I think wearing a sash when you haven't earned any badges yet would be silly, but I don't know if I would even say anything then.

This is my first year as a Den Leader and I'm the leader of the Wolf Den in our Pack. My oldest son is a Wolf and my middle son is a Tiger (our youngest is only 10 months old). Since the Tigers from last year didn't earn their Bobcat badges before hand. They are earning them this year as Wolves. So I have two sons earning them and boy is that a bit different.

Not to mention I don't want my oldest to get bent out of shape if his brother is further along they he is or at least that it is perceived that he is further along. The younger brother was exposed to it last year when he sat in on some of his brother's Tiger meetings. They said the Promise and went over the stuff in Tigers last year. They just weren't working on their Bobcat badge yet.

I earned my Bobcat badge back in 1980 and I had forgotten all about it being upside down until I read this. I think my dad held me upside down if I remember right. Hazing? I thought it was fun at the time. It's not like I was upside down for the whole meeting. lol