MMEZest1997

They said no because they have never had Den Chiefs?!?!?! Are they out their minds?

 

I have had a young man serving as Den Chief for the Webelos Den I am over for 6 months now, and I will say this straight up - he is one of the greatest assets I have in training these young boys. He is a helpful, cheerful, sober-minded young man who helps me out with virtually all our activities; he sets a solid example of good behavior and uniforming; he is a friend to the younger boys, and a model to the older ones. If they are unsure about letting him assume this responsibility, have them read this post!

 

The BSA has a booklet specifically designed for the Den Chief (called The Den Chief Handbook obviously enough). If the Cub leaders and your son read through it, they will get an idea of how fulfilling a job it can be. Any den leader worth his salt would be crazy to turn down the chance to have a good Den Chief working by his side! And for his leaders to say no just because it hasn't been done - well, you just tell them that kind of attitude goes against the very spirit of Scouting!

 

Here are some links that you may want to pass off to his leaders which highlight how effective a Den Chief can be. I might be slightly biased, but I think to deny a group of Cub Scouts the benefits of having an enthusiastic Scout like your son in their den is nothing less than shameful. Here are the links:

 

http://scoutingmagazine.org/2016/12/meet-den-leaders-best-friends-denners-den-chiefs/

 

http://scoutingmagazine.org/2010/09/hail-to-the-chief/

 

http://scoutingmagazine.org/2006/11/scouters-speak-making-better-use-of-den-chiefs/

They said that if he is really interested, he could look at maybe getting with another Troop and seeing if they are interested. The leaders even offered to contact a few of them to see if they wanted his assistance/services. 

FYI; my uniform did not have a button on the left pocket so I had to sew on a button to hang it

His first uniform did not have a button under the left pocket either, but there was one on the right side...strange. We solved this problem because he has grown out of that uniform and he took one of our uniforms that fit him and we just made necessary adjustments with his patches.

No button? Which uniform was it? Even the new centennials have a button under the flap specifically for pocket dangler awards. Is it an older uniform? Am I too curious? Lol.

 

Oh and @@MMEZest1997 I should correct myself; the pin version of the Powder Horn medal would be worn centered, at the BOTTOM of the flap, so that it lies on about the same spot as it would have if it were a dangler (I spend a lot of time looking this stuff up, lol). But your son should consider himself lucky to have the older version; I think it's superior myself. ;-)

My son's uniform was bought on November 20, 2013, so it's not too old of a uniform. The shirt he is now wearing (my old shirt) was purchased in/around 1999/2000. 

He does have the older version - not the pin - so it sounds like we should maybe purchase another dangler just in case of damage to this one before they phase them out?

Thank you both! He did received the "old version" that hangs from his pocket and covers his rank. None of his leaders said anything other than congratulatory remarks and praise for a job well done. His troop here is really less than active and most of the times, when he wants to do something (Merit Badge University, Scout Camp, etc) he is the only one in his Troop that wants to do it, so he usually has to go provisional. Not a single other member of his Troop went to camp last summer and so far, only 2 others have registered to go this year. He loves being a Boy Scout, but wishes the rest of his peers were as interested in it as he is. Unfortunately, most are there because their parents want them to be there so you have several 17-almost-18 year olds struggling to finish the requirements for Eagle in the 11th hour. He wants to assist as a Den Chief for the Cubs, but his leaders say no because the Cubs program has never had Den Chiefs. It's very frustrating...

My son (Life Scout) recently graduated a Powder Horn course. He was awarded the PH device. He was told that this hangs from his left pocket, but given no other guidance. He is now wondering if it is okay that it hangs down in front of his Life Scout patch? His leaders don't know as no one in his Troop has ever attended and we cannot seem to find any information governing youth graduates. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Welcome!   And Powder Horn is the best training around.  Where else do you get to fire a cannon :-)   My guess you are in Texas as well

We used to be in Texas, but after a stint in Europe for several years, we now find ourselves in Florida. It's quite different, but it slowly growing on us.

Hello! I have been a Cub Scout Leader off and on for the better part of about 18 years. My husband has been associated with the Boy Scouts in some form or fashion for about the same time. I have a 14 year old son that will be doing his Eagle project in a few weeks. He also has NYLT this summer and just completed Powder Horn.

We love Scouting and the things it teaches. We look forward to meeting and discussing all things Scouting with other like-minded folks.