dedkad

You could Google some of the project ideas listed in the Webelos handbook and get step-by-step instructions to build those things.

My Webelos are spending this fall shopping around for a Scout troop to join. The two top-contenders both offer active programs and look like they would be fun for the boys. Building relationships with the boys starting when they are 1st year Webelos, if not sooner, and having several joint activities over a period of time would have a bigger impact on the boys than a single "wow" event. Ultimately the boys are going to go where they feel comfortable, and they feel comfortable with people they know and like.

StOut, you are right. There does appear to be several broad definitions of the term. Unfortunately, the one that gets the most press is the one where someone breaks into a computer security system just to mess things up, costing businesses and taxpayers millions. Kind of like people who do graffiti. Leave their mark and damn those who are left to clean up the mess. But then, graffiti advocates are trying to soften that definition too, but calling them "artists" now.

Great idea about the beer! Maybe a backpack filled with beer to make it more scouting-oriented.

I would like to get the outgoing Cubmaster a gift thanking him for his two years of service to our pack. As always seems to be the case, he stepped up to be a leader when no one else would do it, and he has done a great job of supporting the den leaders and the scouts. However, he is not a die-hard Scouter, so a gift that is solely scout-related would probably just go in the closet. A gift card is too impersonal. What have your packs or troops given as gifts to outgoing leaders?

I'm more concerned that they are marketing a program to youth using the term "hacker" in it.

As much as a lot of us would like to be able to do, you can't turn back the clock. We have evolved into a high-tech industrial urban society and boys nowadays are more likely to need technical skills to "survive" in today's world than outdoor survival skills. I like giving them an opportunity to learn both.

Yes, apparently light-hearted discussions aren't allowed in this Forum.

I have had other packs approach me to attend a campout with them because I am BALOO-trained and their person wasn't available to come. Maybe someone from another pack would be willing to help you out.

The astronomy belt loop was one of the ones we did during our spring campout because the local astronomy club happened to be having a stargazing event that evening at the campground. I thought I was pretty clever and had them go find things like rocks and pinecones to make their solar system model, but having them learn the various astronomical terms was when things went south.

Great advice everyone. Thank you!

Not sure why I even care what impressions you may have gathered, but let me set you straight. You have a misconception of our Elks Lodge. It's not some seedy bar where people go to drink and get drunk. It is a family-friendly place with a great pool and outdoor play area that is packed with kids throughout the day. Many of the Cub Scout families are members and hang out there regularly. I agree that in your situation, you should not be taking other people's kids to a bar. That is your situation, not mine.

I did a campout with my Webelos last spring, and they had a wonderful time. Unfortunately, they had too much of a wonderful time playing and enjoying the camping and I was unable to really get them focused to just sit down for a little bit to go over some requirements. I'd really like to knock out a few requirements with the boys during our next campout, but I don't want a repeat of our last campout where it was like pulling teeth to get them to even pay attention. Is it too much to expect them to sit still while camping? Should I just focus on a few fun outdoor requirements and save the book

It helps that our CO is the Elks Lodge and we sometimes hold our Pack meetings there. Meeting over, take off uniform, go drink in bar.

I'd take a craft over recording a week's worth of meals any day.

BD, if the camp isn't paying for itself then it should close? Guess maybe we shouldn't allow any boys to participate in Scouting either since their measly $35 national dues doesn't come close to covering the costs to provide the Scouting program for that boy. Guess maybe we should shut down all the local Scout stores too because they don't mark-up the items enough to cover the cost to run the store. The Council needs to look at their budget as a whole when deciding what amenities are worth subsidizing because some of these amenities provide a huge benefit to the Scouting community and are wor

BSA really handcuffs us on the fundraisers. There are so many great fundraising opportunities out there that violate the BSA rules. A local little league raised $7000 selling cash calendars (kind of like a raffle where you buy in for the whole month and a prize is given away every day). Unfortunately, raffles and games of chance (like maybe a cow patty contest) are not allowed by BSA. With all the changing of attitudes going on in the BSA, why can't they loosen up their fundraising rules? Our Council is talking about closing down our local Boy Scout camp because expenses are exceeding donation

We've had boys drop out of our pack for various reasons. The most common reason is that it just isn't a priority for them. It's not that they don't enjoy their time as scouts, it's just that they are too busy and often have to make choices on where to spend their time. We've lost scouts to 4H and those pesky year-round club sports teams (why can't they just have soccer in the fall like they used to!). Others drop out because they don't like the homework, or their friends are no longer in scouts. Those types of reasons aren't going to be very helpful to you because there is probably nothing yo

I believe I read on here recently that a tucked-in shirt is not a requirement.

KDD, you should have learned what your Council requires for overnight camping when you went to the BALOO training.

When my son first joined our pack, everyone, regardless of whether they were in the Tiger Den or Webelos Den, were wearing Den 1 patches. I asked about it, and was told that they were Tiger Den 1, Wolf Den 1, etc. After I became Committee Chair, I learned from the District officers that is not the way things are supposed to be done. Each den is supposed to have a different den number. So now every new Tiger den gets its own unique den #. We plan on recycling den #'s once the boys age out. We still have boys in different dens all wearing Den 1 patches because we didn't ask existing boys to swa

So I guess the bigger question might be: Why do you care about the terminology, Woodward? Just get those boys out camping, whether it be with family or with den!

Glad it worked out for you and the boys in your pack.

Our Council allows anyone to camp at their Boy Scout camps for a fee, even the general public, as long as there isn't some big Scout event going on, like Day Camp.

That is how the terminology is used in our Council too.