Sakitama

As a mom to 2 kids with autism, I say talk to the parents. Find out what strategies work at home. Create a Den Code of Conduct with the boys input and guide them to some of the specific concerns you have. Have each of the boys sign it and hang it prominently in your meeting space each week. Provide structure (boys choose a card telling them what charade out). Provide a visual schedule of den meeting events (I do a Gathering time, opening ceremony, den activity 1, 2, 3 (2 is usually an active game or craft while the others may be more discussion/academic time), closing. Avoid sometimes hav

I agree with Basementdweller, have the kids demonstrate what they learned. Perhaps have boys work together to present during Pack Meeting some of the things they learned during Summer Camp (you can even help guide them to do this). Whittling Chip is a big deal to cubs so include some Knife Safety tips (which can be helpful to remind a Tiger who may be watching an older scout use their knife to keep a safe distance). This may also help promote summer camp participation next year as well and kinda cement in the safety aspects of working with knives.

Wow, sounds like fun. Wish I could take the Bears and Weblos. Bunks could mean they provide a cot to prevent folks sleeping gear from getting too damp which leads to cold cranky campers. Even if its not camping, it could be a fun, educational, uniques experience type trip.

Wow, sounds like fun. Wish I could take the Bears and Weblos. Bunks could mean they provide a cot to prevent folks sleeping gear from getting too damp which leads to cold cranky campers. Even if its not camping, it could be a fun, educational, uniques experience type trip.

Super Sewing Grandma, been a Scoutmom for 2 generations and still happily whips out her trusty sewing machine and thread to hem trousers and sew patches on everyone's stuff.

Let the boys carry their den number through their Cub Scout life. Let the boys make a Den Flag to carry to events for the next several years too. I have the boys decorate a sheet of navy blue fabric with a felt cut out of their hand, the sheet cut to size to sew to a Den flag and when we get new people in the den we 'add' them to the flag when their earn their Bobcat. I plan to use the handprints in plaques for the boys when they crossover.

If we jump through all the hoops, cross all the 'T's and dot all the 'i's, we can get up to 40% in my council. Base is 32% I think

Personally, having camped in caves, I would count it as it provides a somewhat different set of challenges and considerations. How do you stay dry and warm in a cave overnight? What concerns do we have about cooking in the cave and the potential for disturbing other wildlife in the cave (i.e. bats) or the environment (smoke clinging to the roof of the cave)? The point/spirit of camping is to NOT 'camp' in a hotel room and to get outside and enjoy nature

We had a similar issue (drinking at Scout Night Baseball) and it seems to me, the DE waved it off as a grey area cause the facility allows drinking and it was their event. I'm like this though, if you're going to go to an event with scouts and interact with scouts, don't drink. Scout leaders, don't 'hang out' with folks who are drinking. Saw multiple times that night, a man carrying a beer in one hand running back and forth to the stands to hand popcorn, hotdogs, etc to a Cub. I'm assuming the man was his father or granddad, but as I said, it should be a Zero Tolerance policy. No drinking

I have signed up for a NFAA Basic Archery Instructor class. I am wondering what amount of experience one needs for this class. Basically, my experience amounts to "I did a little archery at summer camps as a kid and find it cool." The few materials I find doesn't imply what will be covered will be very advanced. All I'm looking for is training to allow me to assist at the range for Cub Scout activities (especially since I learned the guy who had been running the archery has let his certification slip) and perhaps a little knowledge as I contemplate doing some archery at home just for fun.

Actually, if the prize was a gift certificate to the Scout Shop or Scoutstuff.com; I think that would be excellent as there is a wide variety of things for almost every scouter. What Boy Scout couldn't use at least Merit Badge book and I know Cub Scouts need new things every year for uniform, handbook, etc.

I'll be leading the Wolf Den this year. Parents always have a 100 reasons why they can't lead a Den. This year, we'll be starting a Denner program in my den and I plan to tell parents that the Denner is rotational and when their son is the Denner, they are expected to attend and assist at that meeting. Hopefully, that will mean no more than perhaps 2 meetings a year they are required to assist. I think that is a small commitment to ensure quality guidance to the kids.

Many youth (and leaders) wear Jeans with their shirts, I have no problem with that. I am curious to hear other Scouter's opinion on this though. A Scout from a low income family can only afford a neckerchief and slide (or perhaps their unit gives them out at the end of a year of Scouting as the Cubs earn their rank). Any thoughts on this kid wearing his neckerchief and slide with a polo, dress, or even a Pack Class B uniform? I like uniforms, I think they add to unit camaraderie and helps in putting a public view on scouts. I'm all for the parents doing their best to uniform their

Kinda like the fact that there are some Special Needs troops out there, though I am one more geared for inclusion. My 11 year old daughter is currently in an institutional setting because of severe Autism and behavioral challenges associated with the inability to effectively communicate with others. She's made a lot of progress and while we may keep her in a Group Home setting when she finishes the program she's currently in; I'm trying to figure out a way to incorporate a scouting program in the group home she goes to. Wish scouting here in the US was more Co-Ed as that would make it easie

My biggest gripe is the Old Cubmaster (now ACM). His kid crossed over and he didn't. His wife doesn't want him doing anything with Cubs. He rarely shows up to any meetings. Griped cause I went to another council's University of Scouting to get training cause our council had theirs scheduled like a week after round up. I am glad he is not officially CM now, but he wants to handle all the paperwork (which I'm sure is helpful), but I worry if similar problems will happen like last year (lost applications among other things). I didn't want to move up to Wolf, but he used the excuse my son ha

Well, I've been lurking here a few days now. Just thought I'd introduce myself. I grew up active in Scouting. I was a Girl Scout and earned my Silver Award. I was also active in both, a Law Enforcement and High Adventure Explorer Post in my Youth. My older brother was an Eagle Scout. I am now the mom of a precocious young Wolf Cub (and Wolf Den Leader - rising up from Tiger Cubs albeit against my will). Though to be honest, I'm a little divided on whether I want to switch packs as I'm not a big fan of current management but I do think they are trying to improve and I love my boys who will

At our Scout Camp, we don't have a pool. All we have is the lake we fish in. Like many lakes, you can't see the bottom. If you do go into it, all you feel on your feet is slimy algae (which can be heaven or hell for a child with sensory dysfunction that is common to Autism/Aspergers). In my pack, we had a child say he didn't want to get in the water because 'Fish Pee and Poo in it" You know, he's right. We don't want to swim in our potty water do we? Our waterfront coordinator talked to him about how they test the water for bacteria and how the nitrogen cycle works (like in home aquariums) but