CCbytrickery

While we haven't been down for summer camp yet (DH's boys get to start going this year as Webelos), we have been to Shands for our Cuboree and other council events. It is a really nice place. There isn't much around, though--it's not a quick trip to the corner store kind of place. Our scouts, in the pack,that went the last two for Webelos said they had fun, and stayed busy, but it wasn't the "hurry up, we have to go now now now" that they get at Cuboree. They don't have their Cub/Webelos information posted up yet, but you can get the BS guide on here. http://www.campshand

We carry a first aid kit with us, in addition to the one the Pack has. The Pack one is small, red with white cross on it, and I keep it stocked with our personal supplies. It hangs in the trailer by the door, so it is accessable. Ours is in a plastic tackle box (bought new). (The husband does home hemodialysis and we get sent a massive amount of tape, gauze, alcohol pads, iodine pads, gloves, masks, etc---more than we could use in a month. The company won't send us less than the full order unless I get the clinic nurse to sign off on it, and the position has spent more

Dean Airsoft should NOT be allowed to anyone under 16 and in protective gear. Some of those guns can leave a pretty nasty mark. Airsoft guns at Walmart are the bottom of the barrel, but can still leave a good welt. Paint the orange tips on them, and they look real. My husband was in an Airsoft league for a few years---grown men out in the desert and swamps (NV and FL), playing war. He had the top of his head split open by a single BB. One guy in DH's league had his...sac...ruptured by a hit. They wear a lot of protective gear---goggles are the minimum, face masks are better;

We require a medical form for each person attending any portion of a campout or event. Adult, sibling, scout....all need a form.

Our pack holds a Pinewood Derby workshop on a Saturday. We have 3 or 4 parents with woodworking tools--they bring them up to our meeting place. They run the electric saws/drills/etc. The boys decide on their designs, the adults cut them out. The boys can then sand them and paint them at home. It's not required, it's just something we like to do for those who have non-handy parents (like my son, haha).

(Don't take this as an attack. Just my angry opinion) I wonder..do those adults that are coming up to you thanking God for Boy Scouts because of the gay leader issue....are they at all upset or angry or worried about the PEDOPHILE issue? Ya know, the guys who were molesting boys.....not the gay men, who are in commited relationships with other adults, but the guys who like to diddle kids? Or are they all just "OH MY GOD< TEH GAYS ARE HERE!!!" I wonder if any of them stepped up to voice their support for the boy in school coerced into a relationship with his teacher or the girl

It bothers us also. "We don't have the time" when asked to help with knot-tying, but they can sit at the meeting and spend that same amount of time playing on their cell phones. Our den dues are $1 a week. Last year, it went to snack and we just used the supplies that we had bought when DS was a Tiger the year before that. (I spent probably $100 on supplies for the group the first year.) Out of 24 boys, 14 brought dues this week. My husband is on the kidney transplant list, and we drive a falling apart 2000 minivan. We do have cable but that is our only vice--no drinking/sm

At the beginning of this scout year (Bear), DH's den lost a boy due to his dad's change of station; one boy to sports; and one boy who didn't really want to be there or follow instructions, so he and his mom bailed. (from last years Wolves) He started with 17-18 Tigers. Lost 5 or 6 by Wolf start, added a few more, and is now sitting on 28 Bears. We'll lose at least 4 of those this week (signed up and paid but never showed). We've lost them because of parents (being involved/not being involved/bringing in boyfriends that despise scouting). There has been only one boy that my h

All our thoughts and prayers to his family and troop.

I believe our pack is striving to do so, and our dens mostly do. There is a bit too much bookwork, IMO. DH is having to decide if he wants to teach them fiances or how to write a letter--not really what we envisioned we said "let's send son to Scouts". But, at our pack meeting on Tuesday, we had the reptile guy come, with turtles, monitors, skinks, a small gator, and lots of snakes. Made me /shudder but the kids ate it up! We have a one night campout coming up, to teach parents/scouts who have never camped before (or never scout camped) how we do things. Then we have Cuboree

SP: We charge $65 for the Webelos, as they are earning both belt loops/pins and badges (or whatever they are called at the Web level). Also pays for their AoL stuff. They attend Day, aquatics and Webs camps, so they can earn a lot of things. We charge $45 for the Tigers, because their parents are coming in needing to buy uniforms for the first time--and every little bit helps. Most will not attend day camp (as the hours are not conducive for working parents) so their belt loops/pins will be lower. We charge $55 for the Wolves/Bears because we figure they will be earning more be

We charge the full amount for Web 2s. $55. They do not pay the advancement fee, however--they don't need another new book, necker/slide or set of colors. In addition to their getting the belt loops and pins for a 2nd time, they also get their badges (or whatever they are called at this level). Plus their Arrow of Light stuff.

We have a core group of parents that just always help out. However, this year, they are gone (moved to BS last March) and the support is lacking. We've relied on the den leaders to lead things. This year, we can't--the Web2 DL has a daughter whose a senior in high school this year--lots of college trips and other events. My husband (Bear DL) was just placed on the transplant list for a kidney, so we cannot commit to leading anything for the next few years...when the call comes in, we have to drop everything for 6-8 weeks. We have made it clear to the parents that if they DO NOT st

Our pack dues: Tiger 45 Wolf/Bear 55 Web 65 This is IN ADDITION to the fees from BSA. All get a book and pack tshirt. Webelos also get their colors. Rank, belt loops/awards, pack meeting activities, PWD car and Christmas gifts. Also, we are able to take care of part of every campout (except our big May Event---that is full cost)...so a campout that can cost $25 a person is only costing them $10. Also, we purchase supplies that we need, such as a new coffee maker for campouts or a dining fly. There are extra den shirts available to purchase at $10 each. We make a

We've always had a parent or two step up for Tigers. Until they are on their feet and running, a council member (CC, AC, or secretary usually) helps get things rolling. We usually just add the new boys in with the old boys. Only if it grows too big, will we split them...and then it's lottery to see who goes in what den. Usually a parent or two steps up for this as well.

Our council puts on: Frog Jog twice a year (camping) Cuboree University of Scouting First aid training (various levels including wilderness) Multiple camps, including Winter and Summer camps for Webelos, aquatics camp and day/twilight camps.PWD (district and council) Various Shooting days (so boys get more time with archery/bbs)on Saturdays during the year District dinner Fall shooting day (for all, including siblings/adults--that's a mess!) Various BS events (not involved there yet, so don't know what all they do) Roundups at the schools More that I'm forgetting, I'm sur

Who picks them up at the store and puts them on the pack credit card? the AC or CM. Who pays for them? Our dues, popcorn sales, and camp card sales help to cover. We don't restrict awarding them--if a boy earns 5 belt loops in one month, then he earns 5 belt loops. We have dues and an advancement fee. The dues are dependent on the den level ($45 for Tigers, $55 for W/B, $65 for Webs). Advancement fee is optional--they get a necker, slide and book for $10 for T/W/B and add colors to Webs ($15).

Too many to name, so here is our calendar for this year: Aug: welcome back meeting--dens bring assigned sides/desserts/etc, pack does main course. all summer awards (loops/etc) are awarded. We do a slideshow of photos. Sept: Reptile man at p.m. (pack meeting); also doing popcorn kickoff. (Not too many acitivites here, dont' want to panic the new parents!) Oct: One night campout, to introduce the new parents to our scout camping ways. Hold a Bobcat den to get the new boys their Bobcats (Webelos run it). PM: ambulance is coming to visit--the EMTs will talk about their job

http://www.nfsmi.org/documentlibraryfiles/PDF/20120713093708.pdf Step 1 is scrape. Step 2 is wash in hot soapy water. Step 3 is rinse in clean hot water (we use warm, because we usually don't have enough hot to do wash and rinse all at once). Step 4 is bleach in cool water, 1TBLS unscented bleach per gallon of water. Step 5 is air dry. Bleach should be between 100-200 PPM. Get a test strip kit.

Yes--three tubs. One with hot soapy water, one to rinse with warm water, and one to sanitize (cool with bleach). Of course, we have the parents doing the wash up, as cub scouts aren't allowed in the kitchen area. And it's usually just cooking utensils and pots and pans; we haven't gotten the pack to go "green" yet--still using paper plates/plastic utensils and styrofoam cups for those who forget their plastic ones and for hot chocolate.

Our ACM is also our Webelos 2 den leader this year (moved up in ranks with his son) and he is also the troop CC. He is a total scouter, having stayed involved his whole life--even the time between his Eagle and his own son joining a pack. He is planning on staying as our ACM, but not as a DL after his son transitions. If it's not him, they will give us someone else--it helps us out as well as them.

We combine most of of our pack meetings/activities. We always do flag ceremonies/skits/awards/announcments/etc and have some sort of activity there as well. We've had the zoo come with animals, the reptile farm, a firetruck, police helicopter, coast guard boats, Mad Science, 501st Squadron, a magician, Santa, etc.

We do family campouts. The parents are told the siblings are under their direction and that the DLs will not be watching them--they can participate in some activties, but only if there is space/materials. The Tiger parents must also have one parent with their Tiger during these times. During Open time--that is the parent's time to watch their scouts. The DLs have the boys during loops, den time and when the parents are cooking. We just signed 51 new boys last night--that puts us over 100 in the pack! Time to find bigger campsites! We have a base rotation for our campouts: Friday

We did a lot of crafty stuff with my husband's den when they were Tigers. At Christmas, we had a round of crafts at one meeting. They painted inside ball ornaments, made little cub scout figures out of wooden Ts...2 or 3 more things like that. We made rock buddies--they drew face and glued google eyes on rocks. They made a tree with leaves with family member names on them. Things like that. For his Wolf year, we did foam Christmas items (found kits at Walmart)--made snowmen, ornaments, etc. we also made catapults (no kits). this year, less "crafts" more "practic

Each year, my husband (our son's DL) does something special for his boys. Last year, he handed out slides he made from paracord at Christmas, and for their welcome back in August, he made leather water bottle holders and personalized them. This year, he made them bear claw necklaces for their welcome back. Not sure what he's doing for Christmas yet.