zippyboro

In our town, scouts distribute the bags one Saturday to every house in town and the following week, the cubs pick everything up and take it directly to the local food pantry. We always do it the first 2 weeks of November so the timing is great for Thanksgiving. It is easily the biggest donation it gets all year. We have used post it notes on doors in the past, but this year are going back to bags as they seem to generate the best results. Kinda harder for people to toss an empty bag.(This message has been edited by zippyboro)

Our webelos den earned the money themselves to purchase a centennial tree and planted it in front of their school. We did this as part of earning the community service ribbon for the centennial patch, as well as earning the forestry pin. Being that it was just 9 boys, they all took part in the steps to planting the tree. Perhaps with a whole pack, you could divide the tasks and assign them to each den. Maybe one den gets to edge the circle, another gets to remove the sod, next gets to dig, next puts dirt back in and finally water and add mulch on top. Make sure to take pics and get them in the

Our pack provides the colors as well and there is no obligation for any family to purchase the hat.

Seems like an inappropriate name since you could always have a boy join in 5th who may not rever achieve AOL.

well, this is just about the most disturbing thread I've ever read around here. : | Way too much judgement about a scout that, like him or not, has earned his eagle... IMO, end of subject. I don't see how it is any business whatsoever, for adults in leadership positions to be looking at or hearing about what any minor child, (and yes, a 16 year old is a minor) has on his facebook. I don't care if he has made all his posts public, private, or otherwise... this does not fall under the domain of scouting leadership. Kids are naive and post way too much information for anyone and everyone to re

"Um, Zippy, your prejudice is showing, or maybe it's just snobbery. Where exactly is "around here"? Is it a particular part of the country or is it just the sand pile you have your head buried in? " ^^ummm... gee thanks, Twocubdad :| I fail to see how stating that fact that where I live, in New England, not allowing females to serve in troop leadership positions would not be accepted (and therefore being glad of that fact) makes me a snob. If it does, then I am proud to be one! Our troop has a few female ASMs in addition to the advancement chair. The boys have no problem with

"Perhaps this thread can be moved to debate, as it appears to me to be just people complaining about others' beliefs now, and has nothing to do with BSA policy? " ^^It has everything to do with BSA policy and the fact that by all appearances, it is a welcoming, non-discriminatory public organization, but the reality, it is beholden to it's CO's beliefs and restrictions. All I can say is I'm glad I don't live in the south... this would never fly around here.

This thread has gone beyond obnoxious. It began as a one parent's vent over his son's recent behavior, and has turned into a way to question the OP's parenting skills, dedication to scouting, qualification to be a leader in said organization, not to mention accusations of trolling and general questioning and speculation about the relationship the father has with his son... it goes on and on. If someone wants to vent, then let them... there is way too much self-righteous judgement being passed along here and it does not speak well of scouting. If I were a mod, I'd lock this.

"Engineer, I don't think you're seeing past the "School is priority one" bit. Would it be acceptible for your son to get an A by cheating? Of course not. Not the same thing, you say. Okay, different question: If his classmate was struggling with the class and your son had agreed to help, then the Friday assignment landed, would you want your son to still take the time to help, or say "sorry, you're on your own bub. I gotta focus on my own grade first"? " ^^Just when I thought this thread couldn't get any more absurd... what does cheating and or choosing whether or not to help a friend hav

Clearly, there is never going to be a consensus here on this situation. Most of us feel that there should be a balance between academics and extra-curricular, but there are a surprising number of people that see scouting as a priority, and should take precedence over school. That's certainly not the way our troop is run and if it were, it would be a very small group. The need to dissect the assignment and the timeframe, whether or not it was reasonable is not the point. He got an assignment that was going to require him to work over the weekend... big deal. You really think that merits complai

Beavah... there is honor in a students commitment to do their best in school as well. You can't just take the moral high ground here and say it's only a component of scouting. Your implication that by putting schoolwork ahead of scouting is in some way encouraging him to go down a path of greed and ambition is a bit far fetched. You feel that he was right to keep his commitment, but was he also right to hide the reality of his work situation to his dad? Dishonesty is not a part of the scout oath.

"I am more bothered by a good manners belt loop than a video game belt loop. We are awarding the boys for something that should be a natural thing." ^^ agree 100%

Scoutnut, regardless of the source, this seems inappropriate to bring up on your own in this thread... better stated in a DM.

I can't believe some of the comments here. His schoolwork is priority one... he is a student first, a scout second. Scouting is extra curricular. If he had committed to providing the food for his patrol, then he still needs to fulfill that commitment, but nothing more. As Lisabob said, what would bother me the most is that he was dishonest about the situation and subsequently neglected his work. Trying to discern whether he really needed the whole weekend to work on the assignment is immaterial. He should have been upfront about his situation and gone from there. Beavah, it's great that you

I guess my question is did he get the assignment done to your satisfaction? If so, I have no problem with it as it was his own form of time management. However, if he didn't have enough time, then I'm with you... he should not have gone on the camp out and yes, I would be saying the same thing if it were a family trip as well. Taking along homework on a camping trip is one thing, but a fairly major writing assignment is another. You are right in expecting him to be able to prioritize and scouting does not come before school work.

yes, I'm sure it's the beginning of the end of scouting as we know as well as a contributing factor to the corruption of today's youth : D seriously, it's. a. belt. loop. I really don't see it as a big deal and I can tell you that the boys are sure excited about it, which is all good. For all intents and purposes, this is really not all that different than the chess belt loop.... not like that is part of the outdoor scouting program. Believe it or not, there is a level of strategizing in gaming and if the boys are having a good time playing together, where is the harm? Was it necess

At least in my area, I would say that scouting is more the victim of overscheduling than the cause. Many families are hesitant to sign up for scouts with the various sporting commitments they already have. Being involved in either cubs or boy scouts, involves making a family commitment to the program. Unfortunately, that is not something that everyone is looking for these days.

take a field trip to a local courthouse. The judge and probation officer spoke to them and they got to watch a few short cases. ALso got a tour of facilities includiing the "lockup." Always good to get them out.

I do not understand the total hesitancy and resistance to call this an act of hazing. I am not trying to define it as such in a legal sense, nor am I in any way implying that the incident should be reported to authorities outside of scouting. But this is beyond a simple prank and became so the second the older scouts abused their power/level of influence over a younger scout to get them to do what they wanted to do. It would be a prank if they did it themselves, but they made the conscious decision to involve a subordinate, so to speak. They knew that the younger boy would probably go along wi

Beavah, I used the web site's definition, because it it described hazing in the broad general sense that it really is. I am not part of that advocacy group as you describe it, nor am I lobbying to stop hazing in any political sense. It seems to me, without ever having looked up a legal definition, hazing is a process of initiating or testing someone, usually younger or less experienced by someone older and more experienced through the exertion of power and influence over the younger, less experienced participant. Whether the process used is dangerous, harmful, reckless or just plain stupid,

Barry, I don't agree with the expulsion either. I would rather stick them with 40 plus service hours to complete before being allowed to join any troop activities and certainly, no BOR's in the meantime. If that is too much for them, then they were never really invested in the program and just don't get it. Give them a chance to learn a lesson... they can leave on their own accord.

from stophazing.org webbsite" "Hazing refers to any activity expected of someone joining a group (or to maintain full status in a group) that humiliates, degrades or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person's willingness to participate. In years past, hazing practices were typically considered harmless pranks or comical antics associated with young men in college fraternities. Today we know that hazing extends far beyond college fraternities and is experienced by boys/men and girls/women in school groups, university organizations, athletic teams, the military,

This is hazing which should never be tolerated to any degree... it is a surefire way to lose the faith of the new scout parents. The older boys should know better by reason of both age and particularly if they are in any position of leadership. They should bear the brunt of the punishment. I would think many additional service hours are the way to go.

"I also see Den Chiefs mention in here alot. Seems that they are used quite frequently. Yeah, I know that it isn't always a success story, but that was something I was willing to do just for their benefit. It doesn't matter to me if it happens or not. " ^^Having den chiefs is to YOUR benefit more so than to theirs

I'd say you should have a better handle on how it would be received by the parents...