CubsRgr8

Well, the title says it all. I'm looking for some packs to share the strategies they use that result in Tiger den success stories. I've noticed over the past five years the chaotic life cycle of Tiger dens in my pack. They start off in the fall with a big bang and large numbers, consistently shrink over 50% by Thanksgiving, and die with a whimper come spring. Something isn't working in my pack/district/council. So, let's hear from you!

I recommend you brief him on the facts of the matter and then let him decide if he wants to earn the award. Be clear that he will not receive a religious emblem square knot and that the award is not permitted on a BSA uniform. It's like earning a presidential fitness award (do they still have them?) - encourage it, but it's not permitted on the uniform.

PS BSA does not approve or disapprove of any religion. It does approve or disapprove of a religion's emblem program.(This message has been edited by CubsRgr8)

I strongly support Bob's position - have distinct ceremonies for AOL and crossover. The way we handle it in my pack is they occur at different times. The AOL ceremony will be at the B&G in February. The crossover ceremony (featuring OA dance team if I'm really lucky) at the regular March pack meeting. For those scouts in my W2 den who don't earn the AOL and aren't 11 by March, I'll continue working with them through the spring, holding den meetings concurrent with troop meetings.

This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. I see too many scouts slip between the cracks because the troop does not hold these "encouragement" BORs. I'm planning to suggest that we hold BORs once a month, with every scout scheduled for a BOR twice a year. If a scout needs a BOR for advancement, they go first that month and drop back six months in the rotation. Comments?

I have to hope that the CC's days as District Advancement Chair are short in number, what with a scout from his own troop having to file an appeal with the Council Advancement Committee and prevailing!

I loved being Cubmaster! I did it for two years and had a great time. Here's my thoughts for your consideration.

1) Working with the committee chair, recruit the best leaders you can for committee and den leader positions. If those positions are filled with competent people, your job as Cubmaster will be easier, more fun, and benefit every scout in your pack.

2) It's very, very, very difficult to be both the Cubmaster and a den leader. I did it for the W2 year and it almost burned me out. Try very hard to find someone else to be the den leader. You could continue attending the den meetings as a parent assistant, but let someone else take on that responsibility.

3) Try and provide the best ceremonies possible. Candles, drums, face paint, campfires, Cub-o-matic machines, simple props, etc. are easy tools to use. I find that the scouts remember the ceremonies from the pack meetings long after they forget the songs or skits.

4) The Cubmaster does not plan the Pinewood Derby, coordinate Scouting for Food, make the Friends of Scouting presentation, organize the Blue & Gold dinner, etc. The Cubmaster is the Master of Ceremonies at all these events, the public face of the pack, but he doesn't make them happen. That's the role of the committee and parents (notice, I didn't list the den leaders).

5) Have fun! If you're having fun up front, the scouts will have fun, too. Do you like to sing? Then sing! Tell bad jokes? Go for it! Do what you like to do and the scouts will pick up on your fun.

Have a great time as Cubmaster!

mk9750 (and all other leaders of RC sponsered units) - check out:

http://www.nccs-bsa.org/index.php

This is the national website for the Catholic Committee on Scouting, chock full of useful stuff.(This message has been edited by CubsRgr8)

live and die

I was engaging in a little exageration to make my point. I know several DEs and realize they are evaluated on many factors.

ineffective COR

If the COR sees the problem and is willing to act, that's all that's necessary to start revitalizing the pack. I don't see how the Men's Club lack of enthusiasm is a problem, unless some of the current pack leadership is reluctant to go and has friends in high places.

Cubmaster

I was cubmaster for two years at a RC parish, and while I did attend Notre Dame (Go Irish!), I'm not Catholic. I don't see how the specific denomination would be a problem. Especially since it is the COR (not the committee or the Men's Club) who approves the selection.

Men's Club

I seem to recall that in my RC archdiocese, scouting units are supposed to be chartered directly to the parish, with the parish priest as the organization executive. It might (or might not) help if this change were to be made.

recruiting

Okay, your troop is considered part of a specific RC parish. I'm willing to bet there are neighboring parishes that don't charter a troop. Find out and recruit from them - bulletin announcements, newsletter blurbs, fundraising after masses, etc. In general, the more the uniform is seen, the better for recruitment, especially when your plan includes some really fun stuff. And do the same stuff at your chartering parish, too!

long reponse

Nothing wrong with that, especially (my favorite word!) when it helps us better understand the situation so we can help you. Good luck!

If I read the post correctly, the troop and pack are chartered to the same organization. If that is the case, a dying pack will probably result in a dying troop sooner rather than later. It's time for action NOW!

As I see it, the first step is to replace the "ill equipped to be of service" COR. Have the troop committee chair and District Executive* meet with the organization executive, review how scouting helps promotes the organization's objectives, lay out the current dysfunctional situation in the pack, and have someone ready to step in as COR.

Your second step is for the new COR to put in place a real pack committee. Maybe it keeps its current membership, maybe troop leaders step up to the plate and serve for a year. Third, the pack committee needs to find a cubmaster who is wants the job and who is suited for it, too. Nothing drags down a pack meeting like a cubmaster watching the clock instead of leading the fun.

It's not too late to turn the pack around, but you've got to start now! TODAY!

*Since DEs live and die by the number of units in their district, I would think you should have no problem getting him to attend this meeting.

My pack has used ScoutTrack for 2 years now. We recommend it because: parents can enter progress themselves (especially useful for Tiger, Wolves & Bears); issues of compatable computers don't exist; ease of use; and low annual cost.

I know I would jump at the chance to attend a course that taught me how to present the character connections. You know, with some concrete examples that are age specific and fun to do. Sort of like the old Ethics in Action literature.

Also, here's a website for a course being offered next summer at Philmont: http://www.scouting.org/philmont/ptc/courses/courses.cgi?c=Connecting+Character+with+Cub+Scouting. Perhaps you can track down the instructor and get some info.

Believe it or not, cub scouts can go to camp, too, and Camp Rokilio (near Sheboygan, WI) is fantastic! Run by Bay Lakes Council, they offer 14 4day/3night resident camp sessions every summer, so you know the staff is cub-experienced. Housing is in theme cabins (viking ship, space station, wild west fort, etc.) with theme activities in addition to the all-time favorites of bbguns and archery. Good food in the dining hall, with fun staff skits and songs. Can't say enough good things about it!

ALWAYS tell a scout what he CAN do.

NEVER tell a scout what he CAN'T do.

The same information will be communicated, but the first appoach is much better. It challenges a scout to set his own goal and encourages him to achieve it. This boy may only be in your den for a few months, and he may never join a troop, but you will determine for him whether or not scouting exerts a positive influence on his life. You can do it - go for it!

Just another thought - take the training in another council. I recenty did WOLT that way because the dates offered by my council just didn't work. I was warmly welcomed by everyone and enjoyed it thoroughly.

Although there are usually a dozen plus adults at my son's troop committee meetings, there are only three recognizable positions: chairman, treasurer, and advancement. The SM really runs the committee. Despite being so far off the BSA concept, the committee gets the job done, including staffing and running its own week long summer camp every year.(This message has been edited by CubsRgr8)

Foto, yes, I saw the same problem. Last summer at cub scout resident camp, my den's counselor group (serving 32 boys and 12 adults) consisted of 3 older counselors and 1 14 yr old CIT. That seemed pretty typical of the other groups in camp. This year there wasn't a CIT and the counselors I spoke with all had 3+ years of experience.

Eamonn, I'm with you. Camp counselors need to be paid better. Of course, it's kind of a chicken/egg argument: better pay = better counselors = better program = better attendance = better finances, but which came first?

Can anyone explain to me why Boardsailing, Kayaking and Snorkeling are Individual Boy Scout Awards, and not Merit Badges? Seems to me there's more than enough scout interest to merit their elevation in status, the award requirements are as rigourous as many merit badges, and they certainly lend themselves to being taught at summer scout camps.

Check these out:

http://www.sftcbsa.org/calendar/klondike.html

http://www.troop75bsa.org/ev0202a.html

http://www.nashuavalleybsa.org/massasoit/klondike04.pdf (a very cool LOTR theme!)

I just typed "klondike camporee" in Google and came up with dozens of hits.

Thanks for all the info on Philmont Kanik. I checked out a couple of websites and learned that these treks require scouts to be 14+, so I'm filing away the information for future reference.

Back to the original intent of this post. I'm looking for comments from scouters who've participated in Texas winter camps - the good and the bad. MB mills don't sound like much fun. Ideally, there's one out there which provides a balanced program between MBs and outdoor physical activities, all set in a camp that is a testimony to God's handiwork.

Philmont?!?!?! Where can I find out more specifics? The website has nothing.

I say step down now, concentrate on your family, and let events take their course. You're just about to become a brand new mom again and saving the pack cannot be your responsibility. It's time to summon the committee chair, charter organization representative, unit commissioner, and district executive to a "the pack is going to fold if you don't show up NOW" meeting. Announce your immediate resignation and let them earn their keep, so to speak. Just my opinion. Good Luck!

OK, here's one for all you Texans out there. As a Wisconsinite suffering through the coldest summer in recent history (58 is the HIGH today!), I'm looking for somewhere fun and warm to take the boys this year during Christmas break, and what better place than a scout camp? A quick check of the internet turns up several Texas councils that offer Winter Camp. Which one(s) do you recommend? Any councils offer Winter Camp for Webelos, too?

Wearing my parent hat, I'm beginning to wonder if my council is properly organizing its Jamboree troops. I was cruising the internet the other day and ran across info that led me to believe some councils have already started regular Jambo troop meetings. My council's meetings so far: 1 kick-off/recruitment rally last April - that's it.

Shouldn't we already know to which jambo troop my son is assigned? Shouldn't they already be meeting? Shouldn't we already have the schedule of meetings, activities, etc? When does he get the opportunity to apply for minor troop positions? When does his patrol elect its PL? All we have is the date of the spring shake-down campout.

I mean, it's already August and the calendar fills up fast. It sure would be helpful to parents if the council got this information out to parents NOW! When I call the council, I get "you have to talk to so&so, he's the only one who knows anything, and he's out at camp this week." I absolutely hate that answer! What is so difficult about having backup staff people available?

BSA has only one requirements for a boy's parent/guardian to fullfill if he wants to be a scout in a troop. It's not money, a good singing voice, volunteer hours, nor even moral support. All that's required is their permission - a mere signature - one time only, on his membership application. There's certainly nothing wrong with asking each family to provide some sort of support each year. But I would never make it a requirement which could end up excluding a scout from any activity.

Now, here's an idea that might help. Have the PLC review, revise and finalize its next six month plan immediately before the next Court of Honor. Have the PLC make a presentation of the plan, stressing that it's their plan. Next, the committee chair speaks to the assembled parents - oh, so briefly - about the adult support needed to make their sons' plan a reality, with a couple of committee members in the back, ready to sign people up for the various supporting roles when the CoH is done.

No pressure (Mark, you were kidding, right?), but hopefully a heightened awareness of their sons' dreams and the many easy ways they can make those dreams real.

And here I thought it was just my Webelos who couldn't fathom the buddy system! Very disappointing to hear it's still a problem with Boy Scouts. Besides "roping" them to an adult (you are kidding, right?), how do other units get their scouts to understand, accept and use the buddy system?