King Ding Dong

This forum is at a great deficite without the diplomatic expertise BD would have offered this new poster. This forum just isn't the same without him. RIP BD.

I asked you questions to better understand the situation with your den, you respond with insults. What core value is that?

I bet National Supply is not among any more. Go to your scoutshop and buy all the belt loops and arrow points so you can corner the market. You should be able to fund your whole Pack for a couple of years with some smart price gouging.

What does the DL say that money is earmarked for? Having done Bear last year $40 seems very thrifty to me. Have you offered to help source supplies for the Den activities to help lower the costs or do you expect the DL to do it all by himself? Are you building birdhouses a meeting this year? Well a kit at the scouts shop is $6.99. Certainly the parents don't exp ct him to take an entire Saturday afternoon with his table saw and scrap lumber preparing DIY kits? Are your doing knots this year? Well he needs to buy 100' of decent synthetic rope and fuse the ends so each Scout has a tow 6' sections to work with. My point is Cubs can be done cheaply but it requires A LOT of preparation time to do that. If you expect him to to spend all his free time gathering and peeping recyclables he is going to burn out fast. ( I know I am almost there). Just wait for Webelos. You are in for a big surprise. Or you could just have your some play soccer. Around here a cheap recreational 8 week season runs about $130. Your choice.

Rules? Q is not going to like that!

My son wore little else that the uniform shorts all summer (with the mesh liner). The attached waterproof pouch is very handy at the water park. He received lots of friendly chats from the Scout guards at Six Flags. When not at camp we went 2-3 times a week. They were my standard trunks as well but with my significantly larger mid section were not the most comfortable for general wear. My Webelos wears his cub swtichbwacks to school frequently, usually without the legs. MY scout shop has been clearancingn out the nylon switchbacks for $14 and I have picked up a few pair as they make decent cargo shorts.

Stosh, don't be so quick to judge. I believe some of the greatest artists in history were never judged to have "worth/value" until after they died.

I am glad I am not the only one scratching my head.

No trouble. Just like a vintage uniform, the original works just as well for some.

My current pack has been going the route Fred suggests and just handing out rank advancement as registration prizes. I don't like it one bit and I feel had led to a decline in the Pack. I get letting a requiremnt or two slip but it has just gotten out of hand. I think it is a disservice to the boys in the long run.

Very common in my experience to see an attrition rate of 50-70% between Tigers and Webelos. One boy left my den for martial arts this year. I fully support the families decision, this boy needs the focus and discipline skills that I can't offer. My youngest son would probably be better off as well, I just can't affort the outrageous prices that are charged in my area.

For many people faith is a very personal and private matter. Why does the BSA seek to require public pronouncements and demonstrations of faith?

"Ya know, you are wrong. The new program is not what it is currently. For example, the 2015 onward program for Webelos effectively requires PRACTICING a faith. Not just having it. You either earn the faith emblem or you are required to do 3 of 4 other reqs. Two of which are planning a faith service or practicing the faith for a month. That is very different than current requirements." FRED, I repeatedly raised a stink about the Webelos Requirement to participate in an interfaith worship service over on Bryan. That requirement was changed. I practice my faith by being Reverent and never questioning other people's faith. I think that is something everyone can do and fulfills the requirement. No?

I don't know the answer to that. BSA does not provide boundaries on what is permissible to ask a scout or what the required answers are. Personally I believe questioning anyone about their faith and passing judgement upon their response or lack thereof is a severe violation of Reverence.

Scouts should be welcoming and friendly to religion and beliefs. You know, Reverent. Unfortunately that level of diversity and inclusiveness makes Scouting inhospitable to many. I have always felt if what someone says or does is a threat to your faith, you have some bigger problems to deal with.

Why use technology when everyone can just take a week of work and travel halfway across the country to spend a glorious week in a classroom at Philmont? That is the BEST way to get trained after all.

I think they want you to go to Philmont to get ALL the information, $$$

That would be far to helpful.

Wear a GoPro camera whenever you are around him. You might look like a dork, but he will be intimidated.

My oldest son and younest used regular Wally World navy blue pants most of the their time in Cubs. I bought some uniform pants last year and love them because the belt loops are larger and it is not such a struggle to get belt and bling on. They are good pants and he can wear them for school or play as well. Check with your cub master to see what is customary in your pack. If the CM is inflexible to your situation find another pack.

I am in similar boots. CM and Webleos DL. Only my son and one other Webelos showed up for the last Pack meeting. We have not had a Webelos 1 meeting yet because everyone places a higher priority on sports. So Johnny do you want to go swimming or play soccer or go inside and learn about what it takes to be a good Citizen? How about lets play the Presidents Game? Or learn who your good for nothin congressman is? Let's write him a letter! I am not having much luck with this.

I have been developing a stock answer a scout should repeat to any God question. "I believe my Duty to God is to respect the religious beliefs others and to NEVER question their private religious beliefs. That's all I have to say on the matter. Thank you. Next? " Any suggested tweaks?

This all sounds so great and I love the idea. However in tornado alley rain rarely falls vertically it is more a qhorizontal trajectory and in all sorts of directions. Around here if there is any chance of rain there is a very good chance it will nugget very nasty.