Tiger Foot

Thanks, I'll start stretching out and warming up my writing hand...

Meyerc13, That sounds great. I had suggested that we actually hold an informational meeting with graduating kindergarten boys and their parents last spring, before school shut down for summer. Ideally, I had hoped we could have identified willing parents then, before fall recruitment, and used the summer to train new den leaders and have them ready to go. I thought it was a good idea, but I never got the okay from our CM to go ahead and do it. I'm starting to feel like I need to work around him...still no response from him on my plan for the Tigers this week, though all the other de

Stosh, are you in my head? I brought up very similar concerns when our CM told us his grand plan for this huge recruitment. Namely, who is going to lead them, and what is step 2 if he has great success. Its very frustrating. Anyway, another den leader and myself have asked parents to run our meetings next week. So we'll meet with the big tiger den. I'm hoping we can get our other leaders to help as well, but so far she's the only one who responded. We'll split parents and scouts, and I'll talk to the parents using the ideas you all have given. And see what they want to do I g

And just to be clear... I'm not the cubmaster, just the assistant. I'm not even sure that's official, in myscouting.org it looks like I'm still just a den leader.

Thanks everyone so much for the ideas and advice. I've got two wolf parents who will take over my next den meeting. I plan to spend that meeting with the Tigers, talking with the parents, incorporating the ideas you've shared. I feel a bit like I'm jumping the chain of command here, but I will contact the old scoutmaster and ask for his help, because the current cubmaster doesn't seem inclined to do much to rectify this,despite my efforts to address this with him. Hopefully I can turn this into something positive. I really appreciate all the supportive comments and ideas!

Thanks!

Hello, all thoughts appreciated, I'll try and keep the backstory brief. We have very few leaders... 5 including the cubmaster. We don't really have a committee to speak of, we all wear multiple hats. We had a very (overwhelmingly IMO) successful recruitment, and we are piloting Lion. We now have a lion den with about 15 scouts, and a tiger den with 23 scouts, plus a few additions in the older dens. Our pack has more than doubled in size, but we have not yet been able to add any new leaders. We do not have a leader for the Tigers, but do have a few parents who have agreed to run

I started it about halfway through the year as I got more comfortable in my role as a den leader, and began to get a better understanding of the program in general. I just rotated it once a month or so among all my tigers, but to be honest, they weren't really into it. The first scout I picked, and mostly because he was usually very well behaved, had already memorized all the bobcat requirements, and had taken the initiative to do some optional adventures on his own at home. After him, I didn't really see much in the way of leadership skills exhibited by any of the scouts, but figured ma

I've never heard of seasoning cast iron with bees wax!

I was just speaking hypothetically, sorry. I am waaaaaaay to new at this to be arguing changes I've read a lot of comments saying that the uniform is optional, don't be the uniform police, don't punish scouts who can't afford a uniform, and that sort of thing. In this thread lots of folks have made very good critiques of the official (but optional) uniform, so I wondered why not just pick your own uniform that meets the criteria agreed upon by your troop. I understand the benefits of being uniform, your answer explains (at least some of the reasons) why the official uniform is import

That's really cool. Looks like he's over the halfway mark on his fundraising.

Well, if it was up to me, I'd pick a BDU style pattern sewn up in a modern wicking type/microfiber cloth. My BDUs were about the most comfortable and practice uniform I ever wore. Or maybe I would eschew bifurcated pants all together. My kilt is pretty comfortable too...

I'll admit I love crocs. Most comfortable things I've ever worn. I get a lot of good natured grief, but I don't care. I started out life in special shoes and a Dennis brown bar. I'm not sure my feet have ever been right. My latest foot related expense was very fancy orthotics custom made for my feet. They seem to be helping, but they are so bulky and big none of my footwear fits correctly anymore. Just bought new hiking boots yesterday as a result. Comparatively, the crocs I have are decidedly less expensive, very comfortable, and relieve much of the pain I experience. Luckily,

So, this may be a silly question stemming from my lack of experience... I've read this thread completely and a variety of other threads concerning uniform rules and standards. What's stopping a troop from adopting/purchasing its own uniform? If there are no real 'uniform police', if troops can vote on certain parts already (like neckerchiefs), if wearing and meeting current uniform guidelines is encouraged, but not actually enforced, etc. Could a troop decide... Hey, we want American made, and we found this company that can provide similar pants, shirts, socks, whatever at a p

tnmule20, Nice purchase, I'm sure you'll enjoy,it. Despite being 'old school' and maybe not as glamorous as internal frames, externals still have a lot going for them. I was a salesman in a high end mountaineering and climbing shop for quite a few years, but despite being 'high end', I moved quite a few Kelly tiogas and trekkers, and jansports. Scouts, their troops, college outing clubs, and beginner backpackers. Lots of people still find externals more comfortable, and the price difference is easy on the checkbook. A few tips that might be of use... -Play around with the weigh

I got the principal at our local elementary school to let me gather up the scouts from our pack at that school and do a few skits for an assembly recently. We drew some laughs, applause, and lots of compliments. Going forward, we'll be doing a flag ceremony at least once a month in the morning at school. I'm hoping that having scouts in uniform in school will help generate interest. The 'invite a friend' cards are a good idea as well, thanks!

And I love the 'Back To The Pack' idea. I'm totally going to use that. Maybe I can figure out what happened to the 4 boys I lost!

Great advice, thanks. So, I'm filled with chagrin... Add me to your list of people who didn't know that Beascout existed. I checked our pin and it does appear to be out of date so I fired off a few emails to see if I can get that corrected. There are a few other packs around us, but are really church specific. We seem to be the catch all pack. Our school district is geographically huge... Made up of seven towns. But we're rural, do the populations are actually pretty small. Other than the few church specific packs, there isn't anyone else around. In fact, my towns old pack folded

I don't understand why it's so difficult. I also coach a little tykes lacrosse team. US Lacrosse is doing it much better IMO. The online training is easy to access. Signing up for clinics is simple. Maintaining my certifications, checks, membership, etc. is all done on the same site. My league has visibility as does USLax. Parents can sign up their kids online through our league website, check my credentials while doing so, and I can make sure everyone on the field is registered and insured at the USLax site or our team site. And if I ever get an assistant coach, I an even share my pra

Our scouting year roughly follows the school year, and that means I'm beginning to wrap up. My first scouting experience has been a fun one. Despite my late start as den leader, I think I've done an okay job. We lost 4 boys, but gained 2 new ones, and I'm just waiting on good weather to complete our last two outings. We also changed Cubmasters during the year and I was 'voluntold' I'm now the assistant Cubmaster, LOL. So, absent other feedback, I think I'm delivering the program the way it should be. Now that the year is winding down (We'll do some pack activities over the summer, but

I find it very confusing. I'm not a computer guy, and am still pretty new to cub scouts, so that's probably some of the issue. But completing the online training was pretty frustrating.

So, here's a newbie question... What is an ISA and why does it seem to generate some controversy?

I'll keep pestering the cubmaster and other leaders to be sure... They are all experienced and have been very helpful. But the old cubmaster is moving on now that his son had transitioned to Boy Scouts. The new cubmaster is settling in, but has his hands full with our winter challenge, Blue &Gold, and all the rest of his new duties. After this weekend I should be able to get together with him. In the meantime, both are aware of the drop outs and have my plan/agenda for completing all the remaining adventures. I think I'm in good shape, I just want to make sure none of the scouts

Great advice! Thanks.

Hi Ranman, I'm a new Den Leader, new to scouting, and my sons are as well. I can't speak for the whole pack, just my own experience with the Tigers. We are a little behind, but I think that's because my boys and I joined late, and because I really didn't understand the requirements. So, we wasted some time before I was onboard and up to speed. That said, I think we are doing well now, and unless the cubmaster springs some other events on me that use up a den meeting, we should meet all the requirements and advance everyone by the end of our pack's year. We are making progress and t