CubsRgr8

BP, I think FOG's comment was about charter organizations which are known as "Friends of Scouting" or some such name. There's no reason they can't incorporate as a non-profit and enjoy both the legal protections of incorporation and the ability to accept donations. My son's pack has such a charter org and it is a state registered non-profit corporation.

My son and I were invited to go to a PWD with his friend and dad. My son joined as a Wolf, and two years later I became the Cubmaster. Now I'm a double dipper (Troop Committee and WDL) and loving it all. Looking forward to next year when my younger son crosses into the troop and I can wear just a single hat again.

For some reason, I thought SPLs were specifically invited to BSRT. Am I wrong?

These 26 scouts have set aside time from their summer, committed their financial resources, and (hopefully) prepared themselves for JLTC. In addition, their troops are expecting them to come back in the fall with the improved understanding of scouting and leadership that JLTC is supposed to provide.

Therefore, if you have grave doubts about the wisdom of holding your council's JLTC when scheduled, please consider this. I suggest checking out if any neighboring councils are offering JLT that week and if your 26 scouts could attend any of those sessions.(This message has been edited by CubsRgr8)

SAK since 1977

Older scouts in my son's troop don't go to summer camp because, after three summers, it's the same old stuff - same merit badges, same canoe trip, same routine. Older scouts in my son's troop who do go to summer camp go because they enjoy the same old stuff. Some kids love routine and others love new experiences. It's difficult for a summer camp to please everybody.

Ed, please provide the name of your camp and/or a couple of examples of the programming it offers that is attractive to older scouts. Thanks.

Check out the March-April 2003 issue of Scouting Magazine for some good ideas: http://www.scoutingmagazine.org/. Also, bring in your unit commissioner to review your program and identify strengths and weaknesses. Although you probably know these, it's very helpful to hear it from an outside source.

I don't see how this would work in southeast Wisconsin. The youth soccer leagues run a 6-8 week program in both the fall and spring. We're talking two practices and one or two games per week. Many teams will start practice early, attend summer clinics AND participate in a winter 6-8 week indoor season. I don't see how this would integrate with a traditional Cub Scout program of weekly den meetings, montly pack meetings and activities, and summer camp.

It is a school and closed for the summer so I can't even talk to them.

I have a similar situation with my son's pack. Everyone identifies the pack as being the school's, but the fact of the matter is that it belongs to School Friends Of Scouting, a non-profit corporation that exists in response to the school district's non-discrimination policy. So, in your case, I'll bet the charter papers show your pack being chartered to some entity other than the school.

Now, to answer your question, I recommend the entire committee meet with the DE. It's important for the pack leadership to hear the same thing at the same time AND for the DE to get a read on the pack leadership as a whole. I would take it even a little further and invite all the den leaders AND whoever is on your charter as the COR and organization executive. Both those names, with their addresses and phone numbers, are on the charter.

But! The most important thing I have to say is this. Do not wait for someone to volunteer to be den leader, cubmaster, whatever. You will probably end up with people in these positions who just are not right for that job. Instead, follow the recommended BSA procedure: develop a list of prospects (the pool includes family members, school staff, community members), evaluate them, choose who you feel is the best qualified, meet with them (no phone calls!), tell them that they are the best candidate for the job, and ask them to serve the youth in your community. This system really works!

For more information about the 2007 World Jamboree, check out:

http://www.world.scouting2007.org/english/index.php

I strongly recommend the Wolf and Bear dens meet once a week, with a possible exception the week of the pack meeting. Ideally, you would meet the same day of the week as the pack meeting. Weekly meetings are easier to schedule, both for you the leader and the scouts' families. Also, if a scout misses 1 meeting, they don't have to wait a month before the next meeting.

If you have excess funds, it's not too late for boys to sign up for summer camp and have the pack pay part of the way. For those boys who already signed up, refund part of their fees. Also, remember, you can go to any council's summer camp, not just your own.

-OR-

You could plan for a really big pack adventure in the fall, like a sleepover on a museum naval vessel or an overnight trip to a historical site. Think big! Think fun! Think BIG FUN!

Hi! This link should help you out.

http://www.scoutstuff.org/cgi/catalog

According to my local scout shop staff, the scarves aren't available yet. You could have the boys start with getting the handbook and pants/shorts, shirt & hat this summer, and then add the scarf & slide as part of an induction ceremony in September.(This message has been edited by CubsRgr8)

I second your suggestion that troop committee members be recruited from outside the parents of the Scouts. That's not the case in my son's troop, but I've heard of a couple troops where you're not recruited for the committee until your son has aged out. How about the rest of you out there?

OGE - wow! What a great process! How about answering a few questions?

1) What month does this happen?

2) Is the plan presented to the members of the troop for feedback before it's finalized?

3) When does that occur, relative to the SPL election (and resultant shifts in other troop PORs)? In other words, does the planning PLC carry out the plan they developed?

4) Is the troop committee and/or ASMs present?

Thanks.

I'm with eaglewing2002 - post NLE and Leader Specific training on line, just like Fast Start and YP! Leaders would take the training as it fits into their schedule, National would know that the contents of the syllabus are being properly presented, and training records would update automatically. Talk about a win-win!

Frankly, I found the face-to-face benefit of these courses to be minimal, as most participants didn't know much about their positions, so they weren't in a position to share ideas. That resulted in the courses only being as good as the trainers and their willingness to follow the syllabus. A much better place for face-to-face is available through round-table and Pow-wow. Hey! Idea alert! Include attendance at a roundtable as a requirement to complete each Leader Specific course!

Now, who do I contact at National to get this going?

I agree 100% with FOG's answers, there's no reason to hold back an enthusiastic scout.

Our council is encouraging spring K Tiger roundups AND hosting several Tiger only events this summer.

Even though we only see one side of the story in this thread, it's clear to me that the relationship between the current SM and these older boys and their families is damaged. Go start a new troop. The current SM will probably be glad to see the "dissidents" leave. The older boys will get a new SM and troop philosophy. The community will have two troops, and more youth will be served because you will recruit, recruit, recruit, not just from the small pack, right? Go for it!

Maybe I'm missing something, but didn't the SPL choose the ASPL? Therefore, can't the SPL dismiss the ASPL if things aren't working out? for whatever reason?

Thanks for the update - good luck!

It makes perfect sense when you look at the changes already made for the Webelos uniform. This year's 4th grade Webelos are the last to have the choice of the Tiger stripe instead of the Tiger badge. I imagine that the square, blue Webelos badge will soon become extinct.

With a little foresight, parents will only have to buy one blue uniform, which should last for three years. Then, they buy a tan uniform when their son enters Webelos, hopefully lasting another three years. This in turn will generate a supply of veteran blue uniforms available for Tigers. It's really not a bad idea.

OneHour, are you saying the older scouts from these "non-spirited" patrols were all off on a high adventure activity?

The CO agrees to provide the meeting space at no charge. The CO for my younger son's pack is a School Friends of Scouting corporation. Since its leadership is identical to the pack's leadership, the pack committee chair takes care of room reservations. The school district provides after hours use of school buildings at no charge to civic and non-profit groups, so rent is not part of the equation.(This message has been edited by CubsRgr8)

A troop is owned by the charter organization (CO). The institutional head (IH) of the CO appoints a charter organization representative (COR) to act as liason between the troop and the CO. Often the IH will delegate to the COR approval authority for adult membership applications, including committee chair, members, scoutmaster and assistant scoutmasters.

To answer your latest most recent question, revitalizing a committee starts with the CO and IH. Are they sponsering a troop because they see the BSA program as an excellent way to serve youth while instilling shared values? Or are doing someone a favor because the troop needs a home? Are you a member of the CO, and therefore more likely to have your voice heard?

Sorry to answer questions with questions, but I think you've already realized the CO/BSA relationship is complex AND directly affects the quality of the troop experience your son is having.