Cubmaster-Fred

Our pack just ran our PWD 3 weeks ago and our TIger Cubs participated just like all the other Cubs.

Our Tigers designed thier own cars and cut them out since it is a Parent Boy project.

CMF

I am a cubmaster and we are also from a small town with a small local paper that puts just about everything we do in the paper. Our council very rarely has anything in the paper.

I also agree that it has helped us to not only gain new boys but leaders and help from local businesses

JMHO

CMF

welcome, from the great state of Texas!!!!

CMF

Ponder this!

What if council has a Cub-o-Ree, or Spook-o-Ree, in th espring or fall. It is open to all Cubs and is held on Saturday. The activities at these events are the same as the activities at the camp during the summer.

My question is this, could this be considered a Day Camp?

I know I should have spun off but sorry!!!!

CMF

Fred

Scoutnut,

Just checked out the USPS link. That is "sweet", planning on using it in the future for reminders to main events. Always finding something new and interesting, and useful, on the forums.

Thanks

CMF

PS: I only let boys work on rank after June 1st not arrow points. I also take this on a case by case basis. For example teh boy joined late I will give him a few extra weeks to earn the rank. JMHO

Cajun,

I have to agree with Laurie about the power issue. I have always felt priviledged to teach the boys valuable lessons and am grateful to the parents for giving me and the other leaders the opportunity to do so.

The application question has already been answered.

As for the COR's boy wanting to advance, remember that as long as the parent signs off on the proper requirements the boy cannot be denied his Bear badge. This will change next year in Webelos, but that is another discussion.

As far as the COR is concerned, I hardly ever even see him. He does his job, I do mine. As one Cubmaster to another just forget about the COR. Run your program and let the boys get the program they deserve. When the boys are having fun, more boys will come. Then everyone will begin to realize that they have a job to do too, and hopefully your world will become rosie.

I started out in kind of the same boat, in that there was no one who would help. Once they saw the fun and benifits that the BSA, one of the worlds greatest youth organizations, had for the boys, I have plenty of help.

Remember, the committee is there to get you what you need to run the program. You plan and make the program happen. So get to it and give the boys what they deserve. I know you can do it cause you sound like your heart is in the right place.

A wise old owl once told me, you will get to your grave earlier if you always worry about things you have no power to change. Change what you can and let the rest happen. Good things come from good things.

CMF

I am planning our next pack overnighter and want to teach the Webelos about the different types of fires. Need help in locating the information. Been a long time since I have taught this.

Thanks in advance

CMF

just remember to call for help if it persists for longer than 4 hours:-)

jd,

I think I see where our situaitons lie. As you said we are at different stages of our units development. I am also the pack trainer and the ex-wolf leader.

I strive to keep good people in place as long as possible. With the help of the committee of course. It is hard to find good people to replace good people, but not impossible.

Yes the MC's do definitely have a role, but like I said in support of the CM who is responsible for giving the boys the program they are supposed to get. The CC is reposnsible for helping in finding the leaders, but then is supposed to let them and the CM deliver the program and give them whatever support they need.

As for the program planning, I guess i was sleeping when I typed my message. The DL's go over thier previous years plans and make notes of what worked and what didn't, so they can inject these things into the following years programs. I do disagree with you on one point, the DL's do indeed have a vote on the planning of the year. Remember this is not a dictatorship, the DL's need the freedom to run thier own program. One of the CM's jobs is to monitor and ensure the program is being delivered the way it was designed.

In closing I think we both are right for the situations we are in. Neither one of us is entirely wrong, just different circumstances.

JMHO

CMF

jd,

As I said we use themes to plan our pack functions (including the Pack meeting), but they also don't necesarily follow the program helps.

As for the planning, the CM and DL's do get a vote. All of the packs leaders are involved in the yearly planning process and therefore have a say. They base the next year on what has worked and what will fit the coming year.

Done properly each den should plan out the years ideas and then every one comes together and plans the packs year. The thems do keep the unit tied together but dens should not be limited to just working within the theme.

As I have said the CM is responsible for putting on a quality preogram, and the committee is responsible to get the CM what is needed to make this happen.

CMF

CubsRgr8,

First I would just like to say that while the COR, IH, and CC along with the rest of the MC's do recruit and sign up the leaders, it is the Cubmasters responsibility to run the program. The committee's responsibility is to get the CM what they need to make the program happen.

Now as a Cubmaster I feel that the DL's need flexibility and leeway to give thier particular boys a grat program. Whether this comes from the program helps or the DL's imagination is totally up to them. As many have said, the book is there to help not dictate.

I know that I have 4 DL's who know what they are doing and put on great programs. The boys are having fun and we get at least 1 new boy signed up every month. I do not dictate to them what they should do and neither does the pack committee.

Themes are good but not essential. My pack meetings have themes, to keep cohension for decorations, skits, songs and ceremonies. But other than that the dens basically put on thier own programs.

But in closing just remember that the CM is responsible for the running of the program.

JMHO

CMF

Almost forgot, the advancement cards are a nice thing to give the boys but are not a necessity.

Like others have said, print his name on them.

CMF

Give the boys what they have earned. According to BSA (Cub Scout Leader Book) page 18-3, the "Cubmaster is to ensure that the boys who earn awards receive them at the next pack meeting".

Also the advancement checklist asks: Do boys receive prompt recognition?

I would show this to the new Cubmaster and if he doesn't agree with it take it up with the CC.

Nothing is gained by holding back a boys recognition for what he has accomplished.

CMF

Julie

Glad to hear your mind is at ease. Even more glad to hear that he likes scouting so much.

YIS

CMF

acco40,

It is my responsibility as Cubmaster and Pack Trainer to ensure that the DL's know how to utilize the Den Chiefs. The DL's for the 2 dens that have DC's have been trained and we have also sat down and talked with not only the boy, but his parents and the SM as well. If the CM and CC who request the DC knows what is going on then they will not let that happen.

Sure if I was the SM i would keep the bang up boy too. But what people don't understand is that the DC program is a fine way for boys to learn responsibility and leadership, as long as it is utilized properly. All boys have to start somewhere.

CMF

The decision to hold the boy back a year in scouting is ultimately the parents decision. The down sides are:

1. He cannot earn his rank a second time, but also cannot work on the next rank.

2. Somewhere down the road he will lose a year of scouting if you hold him back (ie - if you hold him back he will only have one year of Webelos before he is to old for Cub Scouting)

In my Pack we ran across this scenario several times and found the benifits of letting the boy move on out weigh the down sides of holding him back.

Hope this helps

CMF

I feel that in order to have a really strong program the pack has to keep the boys involved over the summer. My dens all decide what they wish to do as far as holding meetings over the summer. This year 2 out of 4 dens will be holding semi-regular meeting thru the summer.

While I agree that one of the advantages is so the boys have more time to complete requirements. I disagree that any boys advancement should be held up for any reason. Once the boy earns anything he should be presented with it at the next pack meeting. This is how BSA says to do it and I have found the boys work harder because they know they will receive recognition and not have to wait.

just MHO

CMF

While I agree somewhat let's look a little further into this.

First off the SPL and SM approve the boy to be a Den Chief, the Cubmaster and CC, of the pack, decide which den they will work with. The SM has no say in this.

As for the boy being assigned to the same den as his parent(s) I feel there is nothing wrong with this. The boy has certain responsibilities that come with the position, and if he is not performing he should be replaced as Den Chief. I feel that they should be given a chance to succeed or fail. The CM and DL together decide if he is being successful in this position. This I feel keeps the parent from treating the boy any differently than they would someone else.

just MHO

CMF

Sorry, part of my post got cut off.

The COR in conjunction with the CC decides who will fill what leadership position. In my pack the DL and ADL assignments are decided on by the CC and COR with input from the CM.

Also, like stated, all money should be handled by the treasurer.

CMF

I agree with most of the posts here. From another cubmaster, I say someone needs to rein him in.

Falcon, I agree with you except that the cubmaster, not the committee, runs the show. The cubmaster is responsible for the program, organizing it and running, pack and den. The committee's job is to ensure the cubmaster has what he needs to run a quality program.

CMF

Denmom,

Yes you can so long as something in the skit has gotten more difficult. (ie. was it more difficult to make costumes, was the idea more difficult etc..). Remember that credit is given so long as the boys are doing things to the best of thier ability.

as always keep it fun!

Fred

NCM,

Don't know if this would work for you. My pack is located in a small town and I got the CO to help by announcing the need for a few uniforms at thier meeting. Not only did they help but local businesses also split the items up and bought 2 complete uniforms, a piece at a time.

Fred

I also did both, only I was the Wolf DL, now am only Cubmaster. Sometimes I miss being a DL (help my wife when I can) but I am enjoying being a CUbmaster.

Fred

PS Welcome!!

Welcome from the Texas panhandle!!!!

Hang in there, being Cubmaster is almost as much fun as being a Den Leader (only a lot easier!) I'm glad I decided to do it, never had so much fun.

Fred

Welcome all the way froom Texas!!!!

Climb aboard and share the wealth of scouting information!!!!

Fred