dedkad

If I don't think we'll have enough time to complete a project from scratch, I will do some prep work ahead of time to minimize the things the boys have to do at the meeting. That goes for woodcrafts and regular crafts. My goal is to have them take home a finished project. They may have to paint or stain at home if they really want it to look nice, but it goes home fully constructed. I usually have them do only one or two sawcuts each, so I pre-cut some of the boards for them. Sometimes I have them do a group wood-working project, if our pack is in need of some item. My Webelos built a large Advancement Ladder for the pack where each boy constructed a portion of the ladder, painted their portion, then took turns putting the pieces together to make the finished project. I would have your son try to do a potholder before you bring that one to a meeting. With the kids that age, those potholders really take a lot longer to make then you think they would, and (for me) finishing the edges takes forever.

Our meetings run about 1.5 hours, sometimes 1 hour 45 minutes. For a wood project, we've had a few meetings run 2 hours. I always try to have an outdoor activity afterward to reward the boys for sitting and listening. That outdoor activity is included in those meeting times. If the boys are unruly and it takes longer to get through our scheduled activities because of it, I have had to cut out the outdoor activity.

I have a shower curtain falling off its hooks that I might try to use as a ground cloth. Better than throwing it in the trash.

Is he going to earn his Arrow of Light by January? That's the key to crossing over early, not 20 activity badges. If he's met the requirements to bridge and would prefer to be with the older boys rather than his friends from Cub Scouts, then I don't see a problem with him bridging before the rest of his den. When will the rest of the boys in his den earn their Arrow of Light? Since Webelos is designed to be an 18 month program, they should all be earning their Arrow of Light and be ready to bridge in January or February. Why would he be going earlier than the rest?

I think he might mean program year, which is June to May or thereabouts. So January of "this year" would be January 2014.

I get the feeling that someone like that doesn't carry a lot of guilt. More like everyone else is in the wrong.

I rarely think a single attempt at doing something can be classified as Do Your Best if you don't complete the requirement during that attempt. When there is potential for the boy to complete the requirement exactly as stated if he practices over a few weeks, then I think that's what the boy should do. Giving them a pass on a single attempt is just encouraging this whole mentality of instant gratification that the kids have nowadays. Sometimes you have to work for things. That's what it means to Do Your Best.

So what did you decide to do?

Looks like GeorgiaMom is done discussing this. She deleted her original post and her follow-up comments.

Is there even a single group campsite at Yosemite that will handle your size group? From their website: Group Camps Group campsites are available all year at Wawona Campground, and during summer at Hodgdon Meadow, Bridalveil Creek, and Tuolumne Meadows Campgrounds. Sites are designated for groups of 13 to 30 people. Group camps have tent sites only. Up to five vehicles can be parked near a group camp. Reservations are required. So not only would you have to be lucky enough to score one group site, you'd also have to score at least 1 or 2 more to accommodate your group. It doesn't hurt to try, but I would definitely start thinking of other options.

Some of these I can understand, but some of these are just silly. Scouts can't even play laser tag (#11). Guess our council hasn't gotten wind of the unit in our area selling fireworks yet (#7). I bet it is a great money-maker for them.

Unauthorized and Restricted Activities The following activities have been declared unauthorized and restricted by the Boy Scouts of America: All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are banned from program use. The exception is council-approved ATV programs. They are not approved for unit use. ATVs are defined as motorized recreational cycles with three or four large, soft tires, designed for off-road use on a variety of terrains. Boxing, karate, and related martial artsâ€â€except judo, aikido, and Tai Chiâ€â€are not authorized activities. Chainsaws and mechanical log splitters may be authorized for use only by trained individuals over the age of 18, using proper protective gear in accordance with local laws. Exploration of abandoned mines is an unauthorized activity. Varsity football teams and interscholastic or club football competition and activities are unauthorized activities. Fireworks secured, used, or displayed in conjunction with program and activities is unauthorized except where the fireworks display is conducted under the auspices of a certified or licensed fireworks control expert. The selling of fireworks as a fund-raising or moneyearning activity by any group acting for or on behalf of members, units, or districts may not be authorized by councils. Flying in hang gliders, ultralights, experimental aircraft, or hot-air balloons (nontethered); parachuting; and flying in aircraft as part of a search and rescue mission are unauthorized activities. Tethered hot-air balloon flights are authorized, and a flying plan must be submitted. Motorized go-carts and motorbike activities are unauthorized for Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs. Go-carting conducted at a commercial facility that provides equipment and supervision of cart operation is authorized upon submittal of a completed tour and activity plan. Participating in motorized speed events, including motorcycles, boats, drag racing, demolition derbies, and related events are not authorized activities for any program level. Participation in amateur or professional rodeo events and council or district sponsorship of rodeos are not authorized. Pointing any type of firearm or simulated firearm at any individual is unauthorized. Scout units may plan or participate in paintball, laser tag or similar events where participants shoot at targets that are neither living nor human representations. Units with council approval may participate in formally organized historical reenactment events, where firearms are used and intentionally aimed over the heads of the reenactment participants. The use of paintball guns, laser guns or similar devices may be utilized in target shooting events with council approval and following the Sweet 16 of BSA Safety. Council approval means the approval of the Scout Executive or his designee on a tour permit specifically outlining details of the event. (However, law enforcement departments and agencies using firearms in standard officer/agent training may use their training agenda when accompanied with appropriate safety equipment in the Law Enforcement Exploring program.) Hunting is not an authorized Cub Scout or Boy Scout activity, although hunting safety is part of the program curriculum. (The purpose of this policy is to restrict chartered packs, troops, and teams from conducting hunting trips. However, this policy does not restrict Venturing crews from conducting hunting trips or special adult hunting expeditions provided that adequate safety procedures are followed and that all participants have obtained necessary permits and/or licenses from either state or federal agencies. While hunter safety education might not be required prior to obtaining a hunting license, successful completion of the respective state voluntary program is required before participating in the activity.) Motorized personal watercraft (PWC), such as Jet-Skis®, are not authorized for use in Scouting aquatics, and their use should not be permitted in or near BSA program areas. The exception is council-approved PWC programs. They are not approved for unit use. Except for (1) law enforcement officers required to carry firearms within their jurisdiction, and (2) circumstances within the scope of the BSA hunting policy statement, firearms should not be in the possession of any person engaged in camping, hiking, backpacking, or any other Scouting activity other than those specifically planned for target shooting under the supervision of a certified firearms instructor. (Among the purposes of this policy is to prohibit adult leaders from bringing firearms on BSA camping and hiking activities or to unit meetings.) Parasailing, or any activity in which a person is carried aloft by a parachute, parasail, kite, or other device towed by a motorboat, including a tube, or by any other means, is unauthorized. All activities related to bungee cord jumping (sometimes called shock cord jumping) are unauthorized. Technical tree-climbing with ropes or harnesses is not authorized as an activity. Water chugging and related activities are not authorized for any program level.

We have one pack overnighter a year and it is close to our home. Many families just come out for the day and don't stay overnight because the parents don't like camping. I often ask myself why they signed their boy up for scouting if they don't like camping themselves.

Good to know. If I'm staking, I have to tuck the ground cloth under, but if I don't need to stake I've always just left the tarp hanging out to give me a place to put other things that I don't necessarily want sitting directly on the ground. I'm a fair-weather camper, though, so it hasn't been a problem yet.

@jblake47, I suppose that could work for MichScouter, since he lives in Michigan, but here in California along the coast, August can mean fog and dew. I prefer to stay dry inside my tent. Just curious, though, if you had 5 pounds to spare, what is the "more useful" item you would bring instead of a tent?

Here's a 7'x7' tent weighing less than 5 pounds for $30 at Walmart. It has a tub floor design to keep ground moisture out, but the rainfly is not very substantial. It would make a good starter tent if you are going when the weather is nice and no chance of rain. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-7-x-7-Dome-Tent-Sleeps-2/22281731.

With so many Achievement options available at Bear level, I find it hard to believe that any boy can't complete the requirements with minimal effort. The fact that he missed meetings certainly complicates it, but not everyting has to be done with the den. Since my son is in my den, I follow his school work closely. Are there some things they did at school, like projects and field trips and assemblies, that may qualify for some of the Bear requirements? I've also found that if I just ask the boys if they did a particular requirement, they will tell me no. But don't just take their word for it. Try expanding the reach of your questions. You'd be surprised how much a boy has done throughout the year if you start digging and thinking creatively. A boy has a life outside Scouting. Try applying some of those life activities to his Scout requirements and see if that gets you a little closer. Then make a specific list of the remaining things that need to be done to finish his Bear rank and give that to the grandparents.

I had a similar situation and asked our Unit Commissioner about how to handle it. He told me that the boy can use the entire summer to complete his requirements. Maybe that isn't exactly the way the rules are written, but since we don't meet in the summer, why not give that boy the extra time to succeed? Your boy is obviously dealing with some family issues if he's being raised by his grandparents, so a little extra assistance is probably warranted. But by assistance I mean helping them to complete the requirements, not waiving any requirements.

Great letter suggestion. The only think I would change is add after "I have no doubt that Dear Sweet One can complete it along with his friends in the den" is "if he makes an effort to complete the requirements" or something like that. Don't want to make any false promises. They still need to do the work.

When I car camp, we always bring a ground cloth to put under our tent even though our tent has a built-in ground tarp (bathtub style). I've gone backpacking a few times, and don't take a ground cloth with me because I don't want to carry the extra weight. I've been on weeds, dirt, and rock and the tent floor has worked fine without being on a tarp, but now I'm wondering if I'm doing it all wrong. What do the rest of you do?

Well, if anything, this discussion has motivated me to take my Webelos on an off-road bike ride rather than on a field trip to the newspaper office.

We barely get a "thanks" from any of the parents for being good Scout leaders. Expecting an apology is even more outlandish. Move on.

I think it is great that you are reaching out to the Webelos dens. That is more than what I am seeing with our local troops. Please keep up your effort. As a Webelos leader, may I make a suggestion? I love camping, but strangely enough, not all parents in scouting are campers and accompanying their Cub Scout on a campout may not be do-able for some families. A ski trip is cool, but is really expensive. Again, might not be do-able for all families. What about an evening campfire, a hike, an outdoor ceremony, or an outdoor service project like trail work or litter pick-up instead? The requirement is to do a "Boy Scout-oriented outdoor activity". Not really sure what they mean when they throw the word "oriented" in there. Are the suggestions I made the type of things that your troop does?

I've just changed our uniform handout that we give to new scouts to VERY CLEARLY state that the neckerchiefs are presented to the scouts as loaners, and they can keep them at the end of the year if they pay $7. We'll see if that helps. Seems like every year there is some kind of new problem that causes us to rethink how we do certain things. Different boys, different parents, different problems. Can't make everybody happy, but we do our best.

You must be new. There's nothing you can say at the beginning of the MEETING that won't be ignored or forgotten by half the group. Tell me about it. That goes for emails too.