Daddy_O

At the risk of angering some of my fellow posters - I know some of you are not going to like this... Sorry

The answer may be obvious, but not to me...

Can a scout multitask?

What I'm asking is can a scout (T-2-1) knock out requirements for these three simultaneously? Or, must he complete T before he pencils in the first requirement for 2 and 2 before 1 etc.?

I am aware this is like asking a teacher how many pages an assigned paper must be, but please humour me.

Thanks to all--

--D_O

OGE,

Thanks for remembering me! He doesn't play any of the expensive sports. No swimming, LaCrosse, Football or Hockey. Travel Fall baseball is expensive. Basketball is cheap. Maybe, 2 sports for 5 teams / seasons, tournaments and leagues ~$1000-1200 for everything. Uniform cost is burried in there somewhere.

But OGE, I'm not commenting / complaining about the cash, just the principle. And I suppose I'm a little bit of a reactionary, missing the old days.

D_O

Some of you guys agree with me. I really liked the old system. The profit explanation makes sense. So does the 'color-coded' sorting explanation. Lost in this decision was what the kids/parents would like and what everyone could afford.

Your "uniform closet" idea is a good one. Our pack, as far as I know, has no such thing. Where do you store the stuff? I would think it might make a boy receiving a used garment to feel a little ashamed (for being singled out as a poor kid)?

Correct - this is not big money, all in all maybe $100. But it's the principle of the thing. We are sitting on 4 lightly worn caps that will never be worn again. Also slides and "neckers"!

No one has commented on my 2nd pet peeve: The cap has a badge not yet earned. (For example) When my kid was still 7 months from earning his Tiger badge he already wore it on the cap. That diminishes the mystique of the badge for sure. The same thing is repeated all the way to Webelos 1. For W2 they all habe the correct badge on shirt and cap.

This is like a star scout wearing a life badge on his cap - Or worse, a lowly life scout wearing an eagle badge on his cap!

I'm enjoying this subject. I never mentioned it while I was a cub parent so as to not be a complainer! Thanks for listening.

In days of yore, when I was a cub scout, we wore 1 uniform from Bobcats until Webelos. One cap, one belt, one "necker", one slide, one shirt, we really wore the pants (I NEVER see them now) and only got new ones when they were so silly looking (high waters) that even frugal depression-era mothers were embarrased!

I sort of did not like the fact that the boys ALWAYS wear a cap bearing a badge they have not yet earned. Also the bobcat patch takes a space needed years later for the webelos patch - this is poor planning / design, IMO. The bobcat pin was cool.

Why, and who, and when, was it resolved to make the cub scout uniform so complicated and expensive. Every yer you need some new items. We bought all this stuff, after cub scouts what are you supposed to do with it all. It wasn't super costly, but quite a waste.

It was not broken why did they FIX it?

More curious than complaining.

Thanks--

Daddy_O

Eagle92 - no doubt. Scouting has been very good for him already.

He's back, and last night I asked him why he wanted to be an Eagle Scout. He said, "because it feels so good"... I tried repeatedly to follow up on that: "Accomplishment feels good?" Finishing things feels good?" "Being the best feels good?" and he got irritated with me asking too many questions and shut me down. No adult-type meaningful or profound answers were not forthcoming.

Mafaking:

"whose only real intent is to see the post count go up. I suspect you are a troll"

You got me! This is my 9th post (I believe) and after one more I get a $100 bonus!

No, really Goofy, to what end?

Be thankful for cartoon parents like me; my boy is the one yours hides behind when some tough kid wants his lunch money! Be thankful. You're welcome.

--Daddy_O

I'm new, and not well-qualified... Please don't beat me up too muc on my 2nd point:

1) My late younger brother was "Life 4 life" It was his life's biggest regret. He was not a self-starter and he just did not have the momentum to get over the top.

2) I've been attending a few patrol / troop meetings trying to find the right group for my son (yes, I'm that Daddy_O!!)

You can observe a lot by just watching!

IMO the "leadership requirements" of which you write are missplaced, and not a good idea. Not every kid is a leader. Many never will be. It's like saying your kid is a scholar. It sounds good, we all want it for our boys, but there is a talent component that you either got it or you don't. To place a non-leader in a leadership position so as to earn them an advancement really weakens the group. This is true in all occupations. Boys follow a natural leader, not a kid who is appointed a leader.

Greetings,

Many of you have asked the very candid question, "why does he want Eagle". I'll ask him; I really don't know (he's not here now, and we're far from home). He says that he always had that as a goal from his Tiger Cub year.

FYI, HE wants to be an Eagle Scout, I want him to be happy. I want him to graduate from College. I want him to play basketball for UConn! HE wants to be a Scout! My ego is honestly not at play in this arena. I love my kid. That's all... I'll drive him to meetings, (even campouts, when necessary) no matter how my day at work went. I'll be cooperative, cheerful and supportive the CM/SM. But if he quits today it's on him, not me.

"Can't we all just get along... "

So, is there a website, or a spreadsheet which shows data, such as:

*troops that graduate the most Eagle Scouts

*Highest percent of Scouts earning the Eagle rank

Or something like that, by region, which I can study and figure where my son has the best shot?

All this political stuff is interesting, but I'm seriously "seeking guidance" on my original post. I don't want o anger anyone or open old wounds. I just want my kid to be a boy scout in a sustainable trajectory, with all the other items on the agenda, towards HIS goal.

Again, thanks for all the replies; they are highly interesting, educational (to me) and entertaining!

LisaBob,Thanks for the disclaimer. I really (really) did not comprehend Kudu's post. I've been on the sidelines for 5 years. I don't know what most of that means... Honestly.

I appreciate these replies, even the scathing ones, because this IS a big decision for our fam. The troop wants my kid to join because he is quiet and well-behaved, and never caused his WDL (see, I'm learning!) ANY problems. That's why I hold a high card. In the chaos that's a cub meeting he was always a role model of calm.

Of course he's seeing a physician. He takes several pills, and he could get shots, but neither his mother nor I wish to ramp-up his medications - so he can camp! The less exogeneous substances in one's body the beter IMO.

Sincerely thanks for you opioions, please keep 'em commin'!

Sorry to reply to my own post, but one more detail, for your consideration, please. When I say he gets sick from sleeping out I don't mean he gets a sniffle. I mean his mother and I are arguing at 2AM whether or not he should go to the hospital. Sometimes after a lengthy exposure he can't stop coughing. Then he can't talk.

It's unfortunate and ironic; I don't like the outdoors other than Bar-B-Q, and I can sleep with a cat, in a bed of ragweed, and never suffer any ill effect! I understand you guys' cynicism, but this is a good boy and a good scout. He needs a path forward - not a loophole!

Thank you all again--

-- DaddyO

Thank you ALL so much for the thoughtful replies, and the warm greetings this is a lucid Blog! One detail I omitted in my outdoor type comment ( seized upon by many of you!) is the fact that my kid gets sick sleeping outside. Hes allergic to mold, and in this area there is a lot of rotting vegetation full of mold. After our 2-night Webelos campout he missed a week of school! He's not a sissy, and he does not complain and he likes being outside, hes just not designed for it.

SctDad Yes, I suppose an Eagle Mill IS what were looking for! But I wouldnt have put it that way. It was called an advancement-oriented troop on another thread.

John-in-KC beautiful essay, your kid sounds awesome! Does he need ALL 7? Are these and / or?

Beavah I hope youre wrong about the drugs and weapons. So far he does not keep a lot of secrets from me; he knows that the ol man doesnt judge him. My pop was a tyrant, and very disengaged with his kids. I learned how NOT to do it from him! Ive really worked to build something here Well see I suppose, as whiskers start etc.!!

Twocubdad Very candid, well-written and humorous! Very perceptive about habit. Maybe thats it. Hes been in this so long (half of his life!) he identifies himself as a cub scout. Its been a source of continuity in his life as weve relocated. I made him play sports. His mom made him play an instrument. HE chose to join Tiger cubs. He likes it. The boys like him; hes quiet and strong a genuine gentle giant. Also his uncle (my bro-in-law - much younger than his mom!) made Eagle Scout, and my son was in the ceremony. He admires this young man very much, and wants to be like him. I should and, not but as far as minimum participation on campouts; that sounds better.

Lisabob The 'we stuff' is because I too only have so much energy / time. There is another kid (lil' sis) who also demands my attention and we need to maximize the bang we get for each Joule invested.

If this doesnt work out we wasted a LOT of time and energy. Like most others in todays economy, my job is always at risk. We may move again (I hope not) and thats so disruptive of everything WE do!

I LOOK FORWARD TO OUR ONGOING DISCUSSION.

I posted this on another thread, but this may get a quicker reply - time is not on my side!

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I need some help, and I can see that Ive stumbled upon the right site!

I am the father of a wonderful 10-year-old. Hes popular at school, makes good grades, plays an instrument fairly well, and is a 2-sport All-Star in our town. Hes never given me, or his mom, a moment of grief in our almost 11 years together. We have a wonderful relationship, and he really is not in need of any outside influence to make him a good man; he will be a fine citizen.

Hes been a scout since Tigers, and although weve moved across the country he persevered and earned his arrow of light last month. Out of respect for his Webelos leader we let her pick his new troop. All three boys he crossed over with are now in the same troop. We visited 3 troops:

1) Ignored our boys, and their parents.

2) Never called us back

3) Took our kids camping, and treated them pretty well

Not great choices. She picked troop 3. We have not filled out the papers, and the SM is sort of pressuring me, but Im not easy to persuade, and I feel that Im holding a high card.

This is a camping troop, and my kid is really not an outdoor type. He wants to be an Eagle Scout, and earn merit badges. But his plate is full. Were not going to have weekends to camp. I understand that some camping is required, but he will certainly do the minimum. Hell do service though, and work like crazy. Hes declined to go to summer camp as it interferes with his highly-select baseball team.

I was a cub scout, but never a boy scout, and this seems like a good stopping point to me..

But he loves scouts, and wants to stay. We need an Adult led advancement-oriented troop. You guys write derisively about such outfits, but thats exactly what we need How do I find them? Were thinking about applying for lone scout status. What do you guys think?

Also, hes never really had a buddy in scouts. He has known some of the guys in his old den, in our old city, for many years but was never close to any of them. Hes on good terms with his fellow webelos/ boy scouts he crossed over with, but never sees any of them outside of scouts.

Sadly, the new SM split the 4 webelos into their 2 preexisting patrols, and the one kid my son liked the best is not with him anymore.

Lastly, hes an introvert, and he went out on a limb and recruited a boy into wolves. This boy, many states away, is now a boy scout. My kid wants to continue to wear his well-earned recruiter badge, and were getting some guff about that too. (Hes not taking that off his uniform!)

Thanks for your time. I appreciate your insight. That lone scout idea is now the one Im most considering. Or, maybe this has run its course for us.

I need some help, and I can see that Ive stumbled upon the right site!

I am the father of a wonderful 10-year-old. Hes popular at school, makes good grades, plays an instrument fairly well, and is a 2-sport All-Star in our town. Hes never given me, or his mom, a moment of grief in our almost 11 years together. We have a wonderful relationship, and he really is not in need of any outside influence to make him a good man; he will be a fine citizen.

Hes been a scout since Tigers, and although weve moved across the country he persevered and earned his arrow of light last month. Out of respect for his Webelos leader we let her pick his new troop. All three boys he crossed over with are now in the same troop. We visited 3 troops:

1) Ignored our boys, and their parents.

2) Never called us back

3) Took our kids camping, and treated them pretty well

Not great choices. She picked troop 3. We have not filled out the papers, and the SM is sort of pressuring me, but Im not easy to persuade, and I feel that Im holding a high card.

This is a camping troop, and my kid is really not an outdoor type. He wants to be an Eagle Scout, and earn merit badges. But his plate is full. Were not going to have weekends to camp. I understand that some camping is required, but he will certainly do the minimum. Hell do service though, and work like crazy. Hes declined to go to summer camp as it interferes with his highly-select baseball team.

I was a cub scout, but never a boy scout, and this seems like a good stopping point to me..

But he loves scouts, and wants to stay. We need an Adult led advancement-oriented troop. You guys write derisively about such outfits, but thats exactly what we need How do I find them? Were thinking about applying for lone scout status. What do you guys think?

Also, hes never really had a buddy in scouts. He has known some of the guys in his old den, in our old city, for many years but was never close to any of them. Hes on good terms with his fellow webelos/ boy scouts he crossed over with, but never sees any of them outside of scouts.

Sadly, the new SM split the 4 webelos into their 2 preexisting patrols, and the one kid my son liked the best is not with him anymore.

Lastly, hes an introvert, and he went out on a limb and recruited a boy into wolves. This boy, many states away, is now a boy scout. My kid wants to continue to wear his well-earned recruiter badge, and were getting some guff about that too. (Hes not taking that off his uniform!)

Thanks for your time. I appreciate your insight. That lone scout idea is now the one Im most considering. Or, maybe this has run its course for us.

Thanks for your help.