cubbobwhite

Not knowing the size of your council, nor the number of people you expect to attend, my ideas may not work - but here they are -

*Divide the day up into 12 months and then each short session does something for the theme for that month, plus the recommended Webelos activity badges. Everyone then goes to each session, traveling from month to month, in a round-robin fashion.

*Set up specific offerings and everyone attends them all (only works for a small group) I only expect 40 at my Pow Wow (we are now calling them CS Leader workshops - On Beyond Basic) No set time limits (each class does not have to be 50 minutes) Our first one (Nov) is songs, skits, neckerchief slides, and the outdoor program. The next one (Jan) is ceremonies, 75th anniversary activities, den games, something else I can't remember

*When you have a crafts session, make it specific, not too broad. Maybe for specific rank skill levels. Leaders looking for craft ideas for Tiger Cubs don't want things too difficult, yet a leader who has Bears needs something a bit more challenging.

*Have as many of your sessions be hands-on.

*MY BIGGEST COMPLAINT AT A POW WOW - the classroom interruptions by those who have nothing to do but walk around all day, opening doors and yelling "Pow Wow", disturbing the ongoing session, and usually a very good discussion.

CBW

Most definately! Combined Wolf and Bear dens are more common than some realize. He is just working out of a different book than the rest of them

Your complaints about the current CS Basic training are valid. I feel the same way and I'm the Training Chairman of my Council.

I've introduced an all-day Saturday workshop to my council and am calling it On Beyond Basic. The first one is in a couple of weeks. We are doing hands-on - songs, skits, neckerchief slides, plus the serious subject of the outdoor program. I plan to continue these workshops, changing the subject matter each time, through-out the winter.

There is no way to register an Assistant Tiger Den Leader. In what position do you register this person?

I just put several different files up on my website about the Cub Scouts'75th Anniversary - http://www.cubbobwhite.net/tips/anniversary.htm

Welcome to the forum! I sure am glad not to be the "newbie" anymore.

I'm the committee chairman for a troop that is only six months old - started with the same type of group, a Webelos den - and for the same reasons, the other troops in the area are miles away. Good luck!

CBW

Welcome to the forum. I'm glad not to be the "newbie" anymore

"On the other hand, maybe if there was some discomfort associated with the training, they would get the idea to present the training in a efficient manner and let the participants go home sooner than later. Much of the overnight training/seminars that I've done with BSA could have been completed in less time. Sure I enjoy sitting around with other leaders trading war stories, but I'd rather be home with my wife and son."

You are assuming allot in how PDL is run. There isn't much trading of war stories going on at PDL 1. These men and women are new to the profession. They are there to learn the ins and outs of their job - everything from FOS tomembership to District structure to United Way to everything else that is required of a District Executive. They had a project to complete before they arrived and one to present once they are there. And they are each evaluated and that evaluation is sent back to their SE. A poor evaluation could actually mean unemployment when they returned to their home council.

PDL 1 is held in Irving because that is where the National office is. In other words, that is where the professional base is. It is much cheaper to have the trainees there than to provide transportation to the various professionals that are required toteach their portion of the training.

Whose discomfort would make the training any shorter? The only ones who would be uncomfortable would be the trainees, since the trainers come in and out as needed.

District Executives seem to be always put down for wanting to advance. I don't understand that. Advancing in your career in part of every profession.

I realize that the entry level positions are usually at the smaller councils - I am a volunteer in one of those. And, if we are lucky, we have a DE stay with us for three years before he promotes out. I say, if we are lucky, because it is at the entry level where most DEs decide whether they are going to continue in the profession (or have it decided for them). Many quit after only one year.

At the moment, in my council, we have one DE who has been here for 2.75 years, one who has been here for 1 year and an SE who has been here for 1.5 years. That is our entire professional staff.

CBW

Hi there Double Eagle - We probably have run into each other at STSR at some time or another. I've been hanging out there for the past 19 years or so.

Thanks for the welcome and the warning

"In most cases, the Webelos Scout will be under the supervision of his parent. If a parent cannot attend, the boy's family must arrange for another youth's parent (but not the Webelos leader) or other adult to be his parent substitute on the campout. It is essentials the each Webelos Scout be supervised by an adult. Parent substitutes may supervise on one Webelos Scout in addition to their own son

Webelos Leader Guide, pg. 21"

The G2S2 is a more recent publication and cites the current rules.

CBW

"How about just presenting the Webelos Scouts the AOL at the B&G and then doing the Bridging Ceremony at the March pack meeting? I do think it is nice for the other little fellows to see the ceremony."

I think this is a great idea. Way too many times, the AOL and crossover are combined together and they should be kept as two separate ceremonies.

CBW

No such thing as a Cub Scout activity uniform?

There are several t-shirts offered through National supply, as well as other t's, available through packs and Cub events to wear along with the shorts. That, at least in my mind, is a Cub Scout activity uniform.

How did someone make the point that there was none?

CBW

That is not correct. The Leader may not supervise anyone other than his own children, the other adult can only supervise one scout besides their own. A Webelos Den of three could camp with two adults.

Show me where that is written please. I have not been able to find that reference in the current G2S2. That was what was written in the previous edition though.

CBW

I never went on a business trip for my employer and stayed in a tent. I doubt that many have.

"It would seem that something isn't working. I have spoken to a lot of people who should know why we are having such a tremendous turn over and as yet no one can put a finger on it."

I can tell you why we have losta fewgood DEs over the past 15 years here in my council - lack of family time. Their wives got tired of being the only parent home, the intrusion of the job on their marriage, things of this nature. In all cases, the men took jobs that paid the same, but had hours that were more regular (and a whole lot less of them per week).

Another reason for the "one year wonders" - many think they are going to get paid to do Scouting. And then they have a big awakening when they find out what the job really is all about.

CBW

I know that, but it makes a good answer when someone asks me if they should wear their uniform to an event.

Dress uniform - blue blazer, grey slacks or skirt

Field uniform - khaki or yellow blouse, olive or navy slacks or skirt

Activity uniform - Scouting t-shirt, olive or navy shorts

CBW

"Class A's are always in style!" Is that the old red beret?

Not for Cubs

CBW

"I find myself getting overly emotionally invested in this topic. I believe having a troop policy/tradition/whatever of making someone sing or otherwise perform for the troop for a lost article is hazing. I dont beleive the OA Ordeal, Brotherhood or Vigil Ceremonies are.

I'm in complete agreement with you.

CBW

"So whats with these people? Ive seen this before on CS overnighters. I just dont get it. The boys have uniforms to wear, not to hang in the closet"

These are the same people who will also tell you that the uniform is too expensive. If they would only pull it out of the closet and wear it at every opportunity, the cost would even out!

Class A's are always in style!

CBW

The only paperwork I would even consider keeping for any length of time after a Cub had left the Packwould be any advancement reports that indicate Arrow of Light. And those only because there could be a need of verification by an perspective Eagle Scout that he was eligible to join the Boy Scouts when he did. And even those need only to be kept for no more than 8 years.

CBW

rec.scouting.usa could be a useful newsgroup but after a while you get tired of all the belligerent posts and wonder if the posters are really Scouters.

"So what I gather out of this is that the Webelos no longer follow the monthly theme, with the rest of the pack. Or is the monthly theme also gone from Cub Scouts also, What a shame, sounds like the BSA is trying to separate the Webelos from the pack"

Actually the Webelos Den never did follow the monthly theme - they had their own program to follow - it was just in the back of the Program Helps. A few years ago they took all the Webelos information out of Program Helps and the Webelos Leader Guide was published.

In a way, I think they are trying to separate the Webelos from the Pack - or at least make the distinction between them and the Cubs.

You've gotten some great advice. I only want to add one more thing. Don't do it all by yourself. Make the other parents participate in the program.