Faith

That is a wonderful suggestion mozartbrau, thank you! No, we do nothing like that. I'm still so new to all this, I'm learning new things everyday (better ways to do this or that.) I imagine with scouting I will always be learning something new, lol, but I greatly appreciate all the input this early on in my path with all this.

We met tonight and he actually brought up the dues issue (and I hadn't said a word directly to him yet.) They said they viewed it as a failure overall (for multiple dens) and were going to cease with asking for it. I did not realize it was in a 'test' phase so that was good to hear. They said a more direct approach would be needed (if not from den level, pack level.) He also pointed out that many den leaders had to cover for members (glad to know it isn't just me, some of the other den leaders aren't as chatty so I wasn't sure on the full situations of course) and he did not what that to continue to be the case (if nothing else, a pay by case basis depending on how much is needed, how many show up, etc.) Glad to know we'll have options at least, I enjoyed his entire approach to the matters at hand tonight - straight forward and to the point.

Thanks BD. I agree on the dues. Our previous cubmaster put those into place but all the den leaders I've spoke to also think they're a waste of time and effort (too hard to get.) If each parent could pay a one time fee over around $25, I think we'd be more than good to go (and that's if we stay at a low number.) But getting them to pay that is a whole 'nother story. We have a roundtable meeting tonight (with the new leader), he asked us last time to think of some topics we need to discuss and I think this will be one of them.

Yes, our CM gave them their patches at the blue and gold ceremony. No, I did not agree with it. The next nearest pack is over an hour's drive away from us and sadly we cannot afford to travel there I did look into it awhile back. We have an amazing group otherwise (and the cubmaster who told me to do that is the one who recently stepped down.) I'm hoping the new cubmaster will not go that route. I already go rounds with my boss asking for the few hours off I need to attend here in town, throw in an extra 2 hours each day to get there and back and I just know it won't happen.

For the four in question, I have at least 2 phone numbers for each and have only had them answer maybe twice each (some, not even that.) I've been sent to voice mail quite a few times (one reason I resulted to email, so I had proof I did send a correspondence.) Paperwork was handed out at the beginning of the year detailing how monthly dues worked, what they went for and any other extra costs that may pop up (trips, etc. + yearly dues.) That was with our first den leader (she drew up that paperwork) - everyone agreed. Once she dropped out (barely 3 months in), they pretty much did the same. The dens in our pack are night and day depending on which ones you speak to, so it would be hard to get them all to agree on something like that but this upcoming year I will have lots more written down and recorded early on so this doesn't happen again (and I will not be leaving early on to have someone pick up the pieces if I can help it.)

I actually had another den leader tell me to avoid confrontation and just purchase the items for them (I'm pretty sure her financial situation is much better than my own.) I appreciate the info (and again, sorry for hijacking!) and will definitely put my foot down when the new year starts. We live in one of those towns were everyone knows everyone and I can guarantee you these aren't families that have money issues (we do have a couple scouts that are in that kind of situation but even their parents refused financial help and came up with what was needed.) So I know there isn't much of an excuse for the others (financially anyways.) I think my biggest concern is when they show up, if I confront them about the no money issue they will either stomp off (which I'd prefer), go complain (which I'm not worried about as far as my position goes as I shouldn't have to pay) or make a scene and disrupt the rest of the scouts. Considering how they react when I mention cost, I highly doubt they'll pay up then and there. I hate turning a child away but yes, I will go broke if I have to do this again (and I don't think my husband is too thrilled with the whole situation either.) Again, thank you!

I am so glad someone posted about this, we have a somewhat similar situation in our den but as many have suggested, I'm trying to not let it bother me and going forward as best I can. (I apologize if this is considered hijacking but I didn't want to start a new thread on the almost same topic.) We have a few boys in our den that started out strong last year but come December, quit attending all den meets. They are still included on all emails that go out and know about all the goings on in the group. They only attend the field trips, parties, etc. but none of them pay the monthly dues that we use to pay for these outings/supplies. These are the same scouts that did not finish all the requirements for Tiger but I was told to promote them anyways as their parents did pay the yearly dues for the cub scouts to the cubmaster directly. They haven't helped out financially OR participated with any of the prep work for the cubmobile race, multiple trips or the party we've had but they attend them. I had two of these parents ask me to make sure to get their sons a gift as well as they'd be at the end of the year party. We have 5 scouts that work their behinds off on all that we do and I wanted to reward them but it seems unfair to them to see the scouts who didn't attend get the same treatment. I would say money may be an issue but 3 of the 4 scouts I'm referring to go to a private school here in town (my own son couldn't attend due to financial reasons.) I end up covering all the extra out of my own pocket so they can participate in each of these activities (I don't hold it against them, I know its the parents making these choices) but I don't know if I can fork out another $50-$60 next year per child if they don't show up to any den meets but only comes to the 'rewarding' ones (as one mom put it.) I even went as far as emailing them separately about the financial cost of one of the trips awhile back and got no reply but they made sure to show up and attend. Since this is my first year in this, I'm not sure if I'm going about this right or if I'm being too hard/too nice or what. I tried to discuss this with our cubmaster but she just recently stepped down and our new cubmaster is trying to get everything situated so I don't want to overwhelm him with this as well.

Our pack meets are once a month from August to May, last Monday of every month (10 yearly.) Our den meets are the first and third Monday of each month, from September to May (18 yearly.) In June we have a 5 day camp. July we have a water day at our regular pack meet area. If we schedule any special trips (such as a Go See It!, a Cubmobile race or something else,) we usually do that on another day that works for everyone that isn't one of the dates above. Our Blue & Gold is always on the pack meet date for February.

Seems posting new topics does at least

Welcome Kevin! As a fairly new member myself, I'm still adjusting here (and to Cub Scouting in general as my son just joined last year.) This forums is a wonderful resource with all the various information and posts here. Hope to see you around and I must say as well thank you for your service!

LOL, don't say that suzisk8! Since this will be my first time, I'm not sure what I can handle either (but I'll know soon enough!) I volunteered for the entire 5 days, I have heard some stories from the veteran den leaders on how day camp has went in the past (the good, bad and ugly) so I'm excited to see how it pans out.Thankfully I'm pretty patient so I'm hoping with all the other volunteers this will be a successful day camp and we won't have too much on our plates.

That's one area I've never visited. Tried to open it today, I see: [TABLE=class: forum-list-container stretch] [TR=class: forum-item main] [/TR] [TR=class: forum-item main] [TD=class: cell-forum] [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Scouts with Disabilities[/url=http://www.scouter.com/forum/open-discussion-program/scouts-with-disabilities] Going to Jamboree 2013?[/url=http://www.scouter.com/forum/open-discussion-program/going-to-jamboree-2013] Not sure if there's anything else in there or not.

Never been one to be shy, lol, thank you for the kind welcome! Awhile back when 2 weeks were wiped out I lost 10-15 posts, I was just getting into the swing of things. Ah well, I will continue!

I know this was posted today but its already expired I think it sounds great

I, along with others, were able to make new topics today. That made my day

After months of trying, lets see if I can finally make a thread of my own! Well I'll be, it worked Progress, love it <3 As for my 'newbie post' - I just wanted to say hello to everyone out there. I've been a lurker of sorts on this forum for awhile now, the information here is amazing. I took over my son's den late last year (after the leader did a few meets and realized it wasn't for her.) The boys just earned their tiger rank in February, now on to wolf. Love this place and hope to see it back to its old glory soon (re: no bugs.) Glad to be here! (I was even able to edit to put this in, which is equally awesome.)

I saw someone else do it as well, baby steps!

Agreed, we all plan to get our new stuff in June but I do not want to get all that just to have it outdated. Thankfully all of our boys have earned this (those interested in it anyways) but it was a very abrupt end to it (had no idea it was coming, neither did our pack as a whole.)

That may be one of the points behind it, Sqyire (never thought of it that way) but our boys chose to work on it so I figure it's for a good cause either way (some of these scouts have never slept outdoors overnight so its great to give them that opportunity.) They have already worked on the Leave No Trace award and Emergency Prepardness - we have a small group that enjoy different activities and we've managed to fit in quite a few this year. Definitely don't want to burn them out but love their enthusiasm.

That is great news Sentinel947, I sure hope he's able

Since this is my first year with Cub Scouts, I asked the same question. We will meet twice in May (as normal) for den meetings, once at a Pack meet. June, we will have our cub scout day camp for 5 days. In July, I am helping organized one pack meet (water themed), so that everyone will be eligible for the Summertime award (something our pack has never did.) In August, we will have a welcome back pack meet and our den meets will resume in September with the new kids who join then. I was told although our boys earned tiger rank at B&G in February, to use these months to work on other things (electives, belt loops, awards, etc.) and save the wolf requirements for September when the new boys join (which is ok with me.) So many of our kids are in other sports or are going out of town for some of the summer - this will make sure they don't miss a ton of stuff.

Welcome Joe and Heather! Another new member here that lurks as well. Glad to see new den leaders on here as well.

Looking at the link, the person who made the copies hasn't come to this forum in 5 years (According to his profile.) I have did multiple searches for both (search engines, purchase sites, etc.) and have yet to locate them. Closest I found is the text documents that go along with them. I will keep looking for you, just in case

Did you save the post and/or name that posted it by chance?