King Ding Dong

I will not leave the scouts if the resolution passes or fails. I will not leave because I will not deny my son the scouting experience. It is a worthwhile and valuable experience, even if the organization includes this horrible flaw. It is not a fatal flaw. If the child abuse scandals did not destroy the BSA, I can't see how the mistreatment of such a small minority is going to destroy it. If I refused to associate with organizations or people who failed to live up to their own ideals, I would find myself very, very isolated.

 

I will continue to lobby for change if the resolution passes or fails. I will start wearing a rainbow neckerchief slide to roundtable just to be provocative. I've decided to become provocative because I've been watching the 1982 Gandhi film. I came to appreciate his method very much. A few quotes: "The function of a civil resistance is to provoke response and we will continue to provoke until they respond or change the law." / "And when you do that [turn the other cheek], it calls on something in human nature... something that makes his hatred for you decrease and his respect increase." / "I want to change their minds. I don't want to kill them for weaknesses we all posses."

 

I honestly believe that the whole problem is a rather simple matter of us v. them. My attitudes towards homosexuals changed a great deal when I actually had dealings with real live homosexuals in the work place, day after day. We are the same. Homosexuals make up a small minority of Americans. They make up an even smaller minority of scouts. If more scouters had more contact with homosexual scouts and parents, there would be less fear and more acceptance. I don't know how to make that happen.

thanks everyone! just realized I forgot to post alittle about myself so here it goes. Iam currently in the Army stationed at FT Benning GA. I have two boys one is a Weblos and one is a Tiger, they both joined Scouts back in March and I became a Scouter at the same time so I'm very new to this.( I was a Boy Scout as a child but only for about a year.) Being that the Pack my boys belong to is a Military pack as you can imagine it is hard to retain not only Scouts but leaders as well so it only made since for me to do my part. So far it has truely been the best decision I have ever made my boys love seeing me in my Scout uniform and get excited to put on theirs.

Make sure the del leaders use the den meeting plan form and make notes the keep them in a binder to pass along.

I have two boys three years apart also. Complete Chaos.

Also, realize if you want to follow the rules, scouts is decidedly NOT paramilitary, so things like pointing guns at simulated living targets, hunting, paintball, and camo are a no, no. (Even laser tag, which everyone roll their eyes at).

Have fun and ask questions.

As long as you have 2 deep leadership at base camp is it ok to drive to the next town and get some real food and a few adult beverages ? (Out of uniform, of course)

Like any activity, the more one does it the better they get at it. I've been sewing patches on for almost 50 years now and can get a patch on a pocket/sleeve without sewing it together before someone can get out their sewing machine, change thread to the proper color and sew a pocket shut. Never could figure out why anyone would want to sew the pocket shut. They put a pocket on the shirt to be used as a pocket.

 

I have had to do field repairs on my uniform, sew on buttons, patches, etc. and do all sorts of things with a needle and thread over the years.

 

There's going to be the day when the scout is 20 miles into the back country and rips out a seam on his backpack. Without badge magic, a sewing machine or someone in the neighborhood that can sew, he's going to be out of luck for the rest of the trip. It's called "Be Prepared". Kinda of a catchy phrase if I say so myself. There is deep wisdom in the selection of that motto. A boy should be able to cook, clean, do laundry, mend clothing and a variety of other skills before he heads out into the back country. Poor cooking practices can lead to illness as would cleanliness. Clean clothes are just plain nice to have, and when the seam of your pants split out or a seam lets loose on your pack or tent, a little sewing skill goes a long way.

The big difference between this and the issue of gay kids in scouting is that gay kids don't have another option, while girls do. Exclude a gay kid and that's the end of the road for him in Scouting. Exclude girls and there's still the GSUSA. At a certain age there's also Venturing for girls.

 

we have one event in june and one in july. Usually bowling or laser tag or something else easy that the kids can show up to and we can have a good time no matter how many are able to make it.

 

Laser tag?? Might want to check out the thread below. Laser tag and paint ball are no-nos officially.

 

http://www.scouter.com/forum/cub-scouts/16020-laser-tag

 

Now, if you guys want to meet at Main Event or wherever as a group of people who just happen to be in Scouts together, that's up to you.

 

You guys should but as much effort into your local program as you do virtual scouting and debating here.......

 

Your program would be stellar.

I have a boy in my Webelos I den who has missed too many meetings' date=' has zero motivation to make up the requirements at home, and gets no help from parent. It's not just Scouting he is struggling with. He misses days and days of school and never finishes his school projects or homework. Although he is a distraction at the meetings due to his inability to stay focused, he is one of those boys who definitely benefits from Scouting and seeing positive role models around him. The problem is that I'm not sure he will finish his requirements to earn his Webelos badge by the end of this summer when he moves up to 5th grade. The rest of the den will all have earned their Webelos badges and will be working on completing their Arrow of Light requirements as Webelos II starting in the fall. There is no way this boy will earn his Arrow of Light. I'm just wondering if he can continue with us as a Webelos II if he hasn't even earned his Webelos badge.[/quote']

 

 

In a Webelos den, I had a boy start from scratch, and get his Bobcat, Webelos, and AOL from the end of September to the end of February. There is technically no Webelos II. A

Wow, He will be a twelve year old Eagle with that ambition. Probably get a 100+ MBs

There's really no such thing as a Webelos II, though. They are all just Webelos, and yes any eligible boy can be one whether he is advancing or not! I promised my son I wouldn't badger him about his reqs, and he received his Webelos badge about a month before his AoL, over a year after some of his friends. Thank you for being a positive influence in this Scout's young life!

Cool I have a cyber stalker........

 

Glad you guys enjoy laughing at those doing with less. We sure did camp under plastic sheeting......because that is all we had.

Just realize most of the troops that have a bunch of stuff have acquired it over many, many years. My troop has been at this school for at least 30 years. The Dutch ovens are probably older than that. I can't imagine what it would be like to start with nothing.

Our troop did a cabin thing in February. I was not a proponent. But I like our leaky tents.

"We award rank badges at our June campout instead of at B&G." - We considered doing that same thing and was told we'd be the only den not ready at B&G. I was torn as to what to do (and we ended up rushing to get it done since they were only working on them from September '12 to February '13.) I didn't want them to see all the other scouts get a rank up and they be 'left behind', so to speak. Now that we have a new Cubmaster I will see what his thoughts are on all this.

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Leaders/DenLeaderResources/DenandPackMeetingResourceGuide.aspx

"We award rank badges at our June campout instead of at B&G." - We considered doing that same thing and was told we'd be the only den not ready at B&G. I was torn as to what to do (and we ended up rushing to get it done since they were only working on them from September '12 to February '13.) I didn't want them to see all the other scouts get a rank up and they be 'left behind', so to speak. Now that we have a new Cubmaster I will see what his thoughts are on all this.

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Leaders/DenLeaderResources/DenandPackMeetingResourceGuide.aspx

I wouldn't trust that van to pull a trailer and haul boys...........

 

If I had another way I wouldn't use it at all.

But MB is partly right, you should look into trying to pool resources with another troop. Just don't try it with us rich white guys and our 18 year old troop trailer that is worth about $1200.

On Sunday mornings we are on the road by 9:00 am. Have to get the boys back for their fencing, equestrian, crew and polo tournaments.

It is spring here in the northern Hemisphere......

 

So why in the world would anyone want to sleep in a cabin in anything other than zero degree weather???????

 

 

If the adults need beds to sleep on fine..... Pitch yourself about 5 tents outside and let the webelos sleep in those....... Probably save yourself a bunch of money in the process.

 

 

In those little tiny sheds putting up blankets and such is ridiculous. Just send the boys outside when you guys need to change and you step outside when they want to change. bunk boys with their dads.....problem solved.

Aren't they supposed to sleep under plastic ? If I recall Irwin Mainway used to hawk plastic tents for scouts on SNL. Lol

You need to check into the issue of scouts raising funds for other organizations. I am not clear on all the ins and outs, but I recall this is a no, no. It kind of confuses me because a scout can raise funds for an eagle project that benefits another organization.

One of the arguments that is commonly advanced by the LGBT advocates is "well, the boys are okay with including gays, so we should do what they want." Leaving aside the argument that "all boys" or even a majority favor that, I'd be curious to know what the boys in scouting want, as opposed to their moms and dads who want to include their daughters, or hold an ideal of female inclusion in all activities. Some (possibly older) boys might favor it, but maybe not. Even if you are at the age where all you can think about is girls, there's a lot to be said for carving out a place in your life where you can just be with your (male) buddies and be yourself. (I could see that it could create some tensions for a Scout with a girlfriend who is not in scouting, but doesn't want her BF going on a campout with other girls.) A lot of the younger scouts may also not be keen on the idea. If the boys would not favor it, why should it be pushed upon them? There are certainly plenty of other co-ed youth organizations available to them. Certainly, older scouts can join a co-ed Venturing Crew if that is what they want, instead of the adult leaders remaking Scouting to conform with their own ideas.

 

It would also probably create a lot of antagonism with the GSA, who would be (rightfully) concerned that we are poaching members from them.

 

I think if you were to conduct an informal poll of your troops, you would find this a pretty unpopular idea.

 

 

The only way this could happen is with the GSUSA blessing or a merger, and last I checked pigs don't fly.

I have not, fortunately. I would be very interested in seeing what the crazies are up to. Any chance you can post it somewhere and provide a link?

If the decision was made by National, or at least orchestrated by National, I'd think you will have a tough time with an appeal. Good luck with it.

 

I agree with Basementdweller; if gay Scouts are allowed to remain in Scouting anything vaguely sexual on a campout will likely result in expulsion. It won't matter if the boys are gay or straight or goofing, BSA will take action to "prove" gays aren't a danger to other boys.

I can't get some of my leaders to put on basic insignia' date=' but they do a great job anyway. For many folks in my pack, they resort to three options: Use Badge Magic, hire someone to do it, or don't do anything at all. The art and science of sewing is lost, at least in my neighborhood. No one seems to keep sewing kits at home anymore. Needless to say, I don't bother with uniform inspections. [/quote']

That, my friend, is what we call a feedback loop.

To bad push-ups are now considered hazing. Dollar store prizes are ok.

"We award rank badges at our June campout instead of at B&G." - We considered doing that same thing and was told we'd be the only den not ready at B&G. I was torn as to what to do (and we ended up rushing to get it done since they were only working on them from September '12 to February '13.) I didn't want them to see all the other scouts get a rank up and they be 'left behind', so to speak. Now that we have a new Cubmaster I will see what his thoughts are on all this.

If you think about the requirements in the context of the cubs entire experience you can easily rack up five or six arrow points. Just takes a little leg work on your part and thumbing through the book occasionally to keep the stuff fresh in your head.

We have never scheduled anything on a Sunday, due to the majority of the den having service in church that morning and in the afternoon as well. Sunday is normally a slow day for my scout and another, I'd love to schedule something on it. But I doubt the rest would be able to make it so we stick to Mondays (which is just as bad with sports going on, here they are almost all scheduled on Mon, Tues and Thurs.)

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.

The cubs need to attend all three activities for the pin, the den and pack need 50% attendance for the ribbons.

http://usscouts.org/bbugle/bb0406/bb-bl.html

Sundays are no longer a day of rest or the Sabbath for many Americans.

 

Local youth sports leagues see it as just another day of the week....With soccer and baseball games being scheduled Sunday morning.

 

 

Do bowling in January. Go outside.

We met last night and set up our program for the Summertime Pack Award.

June: Fishing. Dept on Conservation will provide a guide to give instruction for an hour on the BL and Pin, bring bait and some poles and then fish for an hour. We may need to supplement with some cheap Spider-Man kid poles.

July: A sub division near the school has a pool we can rent for 3 hours for $100 and cook some dogs and brats.

August: Raingutter Regatta at the school playground. Lowes is pretty good about donating to Scouts, and the kits are only about $5 and nowhere near the work of a Derby Car. Just need two capped off gutters and sawhorses.

A simple orienteering course at a local park. 1-2 mile park hike. Some traffic cones from the city in the church/school parking lot for a bike derby.

As far as panning ahead, when you nail down your B&G date, using pack letterhead invite your congressman to give the boys a talk. They usually need several months notice, but they love doing that stuff. Might try for a Senator next year. The formal letter from your CC is key. Just throw some BSA clip art in a word document.