swilliams

Can't seem to post a picture, either.  Looks like I need a bunch of help.

Thanks.  It's not clear from the BSA illustration that the trained patch is on the cuff.  I can move the council patch up by 3/16", but even doing that, it's going to be a really tight squeeze, and the bugler patch is going to sit on the cuff as well.  Also, no space between council patch and troop numbers.  I think I need a bigger kid!!

I sat down today with my son's 'Bugler' and 'Trained' patches, only to realize that there's not enough room on the short sleeve uniform shirt for all the patches to fit.  His Court of Honor is tonight, and I have no idea what to do about the patches.  Can anyone help?!  I'll try and get a photo posted.

No private in the Army joins to become a general.  I always get concerned when a boy joins Scouts just to get his Eagle.  If he joins a sports team just to win a title?  Is that good enough reason to play a sport?  

 

I think your "Little One" is just fine where's he's at.  If his friends all want to hang with Scouting, even better. 

Don't get me wrong, he joined scouts because it was something fun to do, and he's been a scout since Tiger.  He's equally excited about trips and loves the camping aspect of scouting.  He was excited about getting his whittling chip and pocket knife.  I don't see a problem with having a kid who looks at his possibilities and says, "Wouldn't it be great to achieve ____."  With the crossing-over on Sunday, he was talking to some of the Boy Scouts who were there to welcome the cubs into the Troop, and afterward said he hopes he can get his Eagle.  All I hoped for was some input into managing what I know will be a time constraint, assuming he still wants to be involved in music and sports. 

To be honest, one has to ask themselves why they are in the various activities. I never joined a sports team asking the coach how we were going to win the title that year. I played because I loved the game. I played in band because (at the time) I wanted to be with my friends.

 

Scouting should be no different. Be involved because you love it. Go on adventures because you want to be with your friends. Don't worry about making Eagle. If you do the first two things, making Eagle will eventually come. In my opinion, if you are just on the first step of your journey and you are already asking what the destination looks like, you may be missing the point of it all.

 

IMHO the question you should be asking is, "How can I best help my son learn, grow and mature in the Scouting program?".

Thank you for the words of advice.  I try not to push my kids into anything, but let them determine what they want to do.  It's because he loves scouting that he's expressed the desire to earn his Eagle rank.  (If that's the right phrase.)  I'm just here to try and help him as best I can, like you said at the end of your post. My younger son, now...  I wish I could transfer some of the drive from the older one, lol.  Little one just wants to hang with friends.

My oldest son just crossed over to Boy Scouts and, as of now, is planning on achieving his Eagle.  He's also in honors band, swims and plays football.  He may end up choosing on his own to forego one or two things, but for now he wants to continue music and sports in addition to scouting.  I'm not too concerned about it for the immediate future, as he's just starting middle school in the fall, but I see where time may become an issue. 

I'd love some input as to what he can focus on now, so that if he decides to stay on the same path he doesn't become overwhelmed with a year or two to go.  I know nothing about the Eagle requirements right now, but will be getting our handbook and having our first Boy Scout meeting on Tuesday.  I thought it might be helpful, in the meantime, to get input from those of you who may be (or have been) in a similar situation.  Apologies ahead of time if there's already a good thread on this.  I'm not the best with the search function!

We call those "underage" women who we sneak on some outings "venturers in training".

She's wanted to join Boy Scouts ever since we built our first Pinewood Derby car.  I bought a kit for her, and she made a 1950's era pick-up truck in cobalt blue.  When we first moved, we tried girl scouts, but our particular group isn't very outdoor/building oriented, so we were very happy when we found out Venturers existed!

We're relatively new here.  Moved from Greater NY Council, Pack 520, after I got tired of living in the city for the last 30 years.  Loving it here in Union County.

My oldest boy just crossed over, and I found some helpful information on this forum through a web search about Boy Scout badges and patches.  Figured I'd probably have a few more questions as the years go by, so here I am.  I'm hoping I might be able to contribute information at some point, but for now I'll soak up whatever I can.  My younger son just earned his Webelos rank, and my 12 year-old daughter is looking forward to Venturers.