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.

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

you could get him some beers in the bar at the Eagles, If your feeling spendy you could get him something from the top shelf......

 

When I retired as cubmaster they got me a book of scoutmaster minutes, a nice backpack/book bag from the scout shop.

 

Does he/she have any hobbys your aware of????

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.

I'm sorry I started this topic.

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.

Astronomy belt loop or just stargazing is a good one for calming things down at night. Especially if they are from the city and you camp far enough away. $10 10X binoculars are better than "my turn! " with a telescope.

Great advice everyone. Thank you!

For me the Heading next door to the Eagles for a beer after the Pack Meeting is this........

 

It shows bad judgement. After a Pack meeting I will have both of my children with me and two additional youth I transport as well. First I will be drinking in front of children who are not my own in a bar....Then getting into a car and driving them home......Even if I was drinking soda what will the scout parents think of my judgement, I doubt they will ask whats in my glass, is that just a coke or a rum and coke or something else.

 

There is something to be said for the Cubmaster Scoutmaster ideology.....you should present with a higher moral and ethical standard........ Sure my sons patrol has seen me on my deck drinking and smoking cigars with the neighbors, we have a very tight knit community, The son's patrols are very close friends beyond scouting......But they have never seen me in a bar or getting behind the wheel after..... I

 

If you absolutely positively have to go to the Eagles right after the Pack meeting for a beer.....IMO, You should be able to wait till ya get home.......I suggest you go get some help......

 

Ya the high level council events have drinks served as well.......But there is NO youth present typically and the folks they are samozzing for donations expect wine and such with dinner..... I don't have a problem with it because there is no youth present.

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 work for a den meeting?

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 would contact the families that dropped out and request they donate the uniform to the pack closet. Probably a better use of your time. Best to just let them know the program is still there if they ever want to come back. Scouting isn't everyone. There are good parts of the cub program, but every day I grow closer to the "never ending nightmare of indoor crafts called cub scouts" view of the program. I know we are not supposed to "change" the program, but I have a hard time some days walking into a den meeting knowing it will not be "fun", at least for the more kinetic learners.

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 donations. Eliminate the fundraising restrictions! Desperate times call for desperate measures.

And nobody is complaining about cost of summer camp. Our week-long Cub Scout Day Camp is only $105 for early bird registration and $135 otherwise. The Day Camp leaders requested to add on a surcharge this year to help with the camp deficit. That request was rejected by Council.

However, I have to admit I was grumbling a little when my Pack had to pay $300 for our one night stay at the camp for our end-of-year campout.

BD, you have mentioned many times about your troop's low income status. Is raising the cost to attend always an option for you and your boys? Probably not. We can't continue to squeeze blood out of the same turnip over and over again when there is nothing left to give. And that's where the fundraisers come in, which was what my original post was about. BSA needs to allow more creative fundraising to help save the programs that are beneficial to the Scouts.

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 donations. Eliminate the fundraising restrictions! Desperate times call for desperate measures.

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 you can do to get those boys to come back. However, every once in awhile you might get some feedback that a den is dysfunctional. Maybe the den leader isn't doing what they need to do, the meetings are boring, or there are troublemakers in the den that make it not fun for the other boys. That's the kind of honest feedback you want to hear if there is any chance of fixing a problem. If I was a parent on the fence about coming back, I don't think an email would do it for me. I think a personal phone call is best to make someone feel welcome and wanted. However, if they have no intention of coming back and you want honest feedback, they might feel more comfortable giving you that info in an email. It just really depends on the person, I guess. Personally, I don't do well being put on the spot verbally, but others might be fine with it. I think a combination of phone call and email would be best. An email would be a great way to get them thinking about it before you make the call. And if they still say "no" after the call, then another follow-up email might be a good way to get the feedback you are looking for as to why they don't want to come back.

As a Unit Commish, when I visit my Pack, I always make mention of the boys that are well uniformed. If a Den is in good uniform, I will publicly congratulate them for their "Scout Spirit". I never downplay or castigate a Cub for his lack of uniform. I will, however, comment to the parent if his patches are out of place or such. Now , if the shirt needs tucking in, I will sometimes lean down as I pass the Cub in the hall before the meeting and whisper "tuck your shirt in, Scout" and watch the Cub look up at me in surprise and quickly tuck it in!

I too shake my head at the new necker and hat each year, and last year my Pack decided the yellow necker and "Bear" hat was all they needed for all four years.

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!

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 swap out to a new den #, but eventually the new (and correct) tradition will be all that remains and each den will have its own den # and that same den # will remain on the boy's uniform throughout his Cub Scout career.

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.

Hey got a signal....family camping means mom and dad will bring booze.....beer or wine coolers...... generally cub scout rules don't apply. You cannot camp as a family at a boy scout camp unless it is with your pack or troop. Our unit has struggled with drinking and drug use by parents at the pack camp outs......then unwed parents and mommas boyfriend and the drama that follows...... I hate cub family camping

In our Council, family camps are district level events for all Packs in the district (usually only once per year in our district). Pack overnighter is any overnight (camping or otherwise) with just your pack.