dg98adams

I have been working the Troop Leader Training for the past 3 years in my son's Troop. I am one of 3 ASM's. I have moved away from lengthy Power Points to a minimal discussion of "What's it take to Be a leader" hand out I found. It is a summarized PDF file that looks like it is aligned with this: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=7&ved=0CBkQFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usscouts.org%2Fscoutmaster%2Ftraining_final.pdf&rct=j&q=boy+scout+%22junior+leader%22&ei=bMn6Ss2vDZSnlAfJjMm6Aw&usg=AFQjCNGjthEM7HpG8sjhex83S_CzguC2Yg So, I run a Q&A on leadership styles, when they work and situations where they can best be used, and how to deal with conflict (make up scenarios using those who came to JLT - and see how they react/resolve it). I also include a section on games (since that's what Scouting is). I ask each Scout to stand, state a game name, explain how to play it and how teams are chosen. Then I ask questions like: What happens if someone breaks the rules? What's the penalty? How do you keep from choosing lop-sided teams? How can you make team selection without singling out the smallest or youngest? Can you modify the game for visiting Webelos or inside/outside? By the time 1 or 2 have described the game, I quit asking questions, and let the scouts ask each other. The main thing is whatever you cover, the SM and the other ASM's have to be on the same page. (This message has been edited by dg98adams)

When I was DL & CM the main thing to keep Cubs from running amok was something funner (?sp) to do. Before the meeting - have a physical game. Not a"riot" swamp ball, but a game that requires taking turns, co-operation, but simple. Pitching washers into cans, bouncing a hand ball off the wall, corn-hole, etc..... Get the game stated with a Cub before others start showing up (usually my son or a boy scout DC). Most will want to play when they show up. For those that do not wan tto play, have something on a table, like word search, or some kind of "guess the animal (from tracks, clues, etc"... If these kinds of activities are part of every meeting they can lead into the meeting/program theme. I always said "Cub Scouting" is in "here" or at this "game" or at this "table" not out in the hall. Wanna be a Cub Scout then come on, otherwise you need to go home.

Hmmm, our Troop has not had this issue (or I haven't anyways). This "list" you are talking about. You say "we" and "our" in your description. So picking out if it was a "Troop sales list" or a "Scout personal list" is unclear. Were you the "Greens Sales Organizer" for the previous Troop? I guess the scale is unclear. I would not expect to keep a Scouts extended family and friends sales contacts as a Troop asset if that Scout moves on. Sounds like they have a copy of the list already, and no one "owns" customers anyway. Although out of courtesy, I would not "poach" geographically sales that are closer to the old Troop, unless they call you since they are selling a similar product. Personally, I would ignore it and move on. (This message has been edited by dg98adams)

Why would they WANT to attend..they are (or could be) Boy Scouts now? The Blue and Gold is a ceremony recognizing Webelos II's (primarily), if they have not signed up with a Troop, they are still Cubs, after the Blue and Gold. Once Webelos II's cross-over (meaning they joined a troop) they are not Cubs. IMO if you let Webelos cross-over to "nothing" just to cross at the Blue and Gold, then it's a dis-service to the Webelos that joined a Scout Troop at the Blue and Gold.

This is sorta like 1 Scout in our Troop that has plenty of spending money for sugary snacks at the tradin' post, but won't eat anything the Patrol makes (no food allergies). Goes thru the same "I don't feel good" routing in the evening and wants to home. 15 miles from home is the camp. Only so much leeway with camp food. This year he has picked up weight and is eating his mom out of house and home, but I suspect it's sweets and pop-tarts. IMO (I'm just an ASM & not the SM) if you can't eat a Patrol meal or stomach camp food, you should not go. You don't want to go down the "special food" route for an unskilled Scout. That being said, I opt out of the Leader meals to cook primitively (reflector oven, fire spit, coals, etc...) or just differently as the Troop appears dependent on 40 lb. propane tanks/stoves & refrigerated food. But that food is not paid for, carried, or stored by Scouts. I also am diabetic, but to look at the items you would not know (low oil, simple ingredients) - more back-pack related example. I also use an off-road manual wheelchair to get around as I am an amputee. In the past lip service has been given to allow Scouts who are 1st class+ the option of "opting out" of ALL (no choosies) Patrol meals in the past. They would be responsible for ALL parts of their meals to include prep, storage, cooking & washing of their dishes (no Troop consumables (coals, foil, seasoning, etc except water & wash tubs). They do NOT get out of Patrol duties. The PL is encouraged to assign any "normal task" to the Scout.

That's exactly what I have overheard. As a CM/DL wearing your uniform is needed for reasons mentioned and: see me, this is not go-crazy time see me, this is Cub Scout time (they often behave better in uniform) see me, I am proud to be in cub Scouts, you should be too! If you take Cubs to an event, people recognize the uniform, and they elevate them to a higher level of respect for expectation of their service. A mob of un-uniformed kids running amok, has no identity, thus no responsibility.

Do you guys have a State Park or local Scout Camp with "cabins" in your area (not too much $)? Check Girl Scout camps as well. Ask around if there is a larger local church that someone from your Pack goes to you can use. The Local Y does lock-in's but that's $$. Another place to check is the local skating rink.

Oh(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

I was the CM when my son was a Webelos II. Our Webelos II DL decided to quit, so I propped up another parent the last stretch as we had 5 Webelos II's. We did not have a direct "feeder" Troop, but there was 1 Troop that had some minor interaction (not much). One Webelos II member had moved, but still came to the den meeting. We visited the local Troop to his School (most obvious choice for him), we also visited the sorta-feeder Troop. We visited the closest Troop to where we live (and the one I would have chosen if it was my choice - lots of Eagle involvement), and another Troop (farther away - I actually did all my cub training with the Cub Leaders who started the Troop - very new). My son chose the one with the most boys his age (new Troop). I did get him to agree that after 1 year, if this new Troop was not working out, he could transfer. I ended up being welcomed in to this Troop as an ASM, and my son flourished and is now a Life Scout at 14 (2 MB + project from Eagle). The Troop has grown at least 3-4x bigger than it started out and is about 40 Scouts (30-35 active). The Webelos transition is not very well managed (or understood) in many Packs. Ideas like "we have to join Troop X", or "this is the way we do it" are obvious "flags". As others have echoed, if the CM won't let you organize a WL Den visit, go talk to a couple troops with your son on your own. In fact, ask your son to ask the SM some questions about troop camping or summer camp.

I was typing the same thing...sign her up as another Assistant leader.

I noticed the shirt version that is softer and cooler to wear is very "wrinkly prone". I have a couple of the older style, that once you put them on, the wrinkles drop out and the collar holds it's shape becuase I don't iron. I kinda got used to the AF drip-dry shirts. They probably won't wear as well as they are nick-prone. I probably won't buy another since the older style is cheaper now. For all the switch backs I have,there's 1 where the elastic band sewn in is twisted up. I am about to remove it and sew it back in place in a few spots. I pulled the belt/buckle from one pair, spliced in an elastic section in the middle of the belt and re-pulled it. Been working so far and no one knows it's there. (This message has been edited by dg98adams)

I wish I had this phrase on my Scouting t-shirt, "YOUR lack of planning or preparation is NOT an emergency to ME."

A district Camporee is not worth causing any hardship over. It's not like the council will refund their $. If you give them their patches, what are you out? What would you do with the patches if you kept them? The boys probably won't have any special feeling toward them since they did not get to add any experience to them. And will likely get thrown in a drawer. Just hand them to them next time you see them. Now if council credited the registration costs back to the Troop, and the Troop credit's the boys, I would hold onto the patches. Don't know what I'd do with them though. Give them back to council?

When I was CM, info for next month was WASTED. I already had NEXT month planned using the Program Helps. Same thing as ASM in Boy Scouts. The things I have found useful at RT are the things not published, like: Who to talk to about Winter OKPIK training/outings (happens outside of our council) Where are all the Troops/Crews (and their contact info) in our council that go to High Adventure bases (they often have slots open) Head up info about council events planned more than 1 month away. More than the date info in the council calender. Where and who are the local Park & Rec. Naturalists and local Park Rangers/Water Safety courses. get them to come to a RT and let us know what they have available.

I use another one: Why use a complete sentence to articulate excitement or dissatisfaction about an event or happenstance, when one word (anyone with a 4th grade education) can understand? Ignorance of language is often demonstrated this way.

We just checked the Scout Stuff web site last night, and are ordering several pairs of the old style switch backs and a couple more older style shirts. Price is that factor.

Don't know about NYLT yet, but in our Troop the PL sets the duty roster for his Patrol. He is responsible to make sure all the jobs are done. So if he has to help (demonstrate) or get another Scout to help he does. Most times the PL gets to pick a job that does not get filled (short on Patrol Members at some outings), and of course the Perk of PL is the pick of the job that he likes the most or takes the least effort. The PL is encouraged to not do a job, where he can't check up on the PL as that is his main role. When it works (and we observe it) the PL picks a job he knows nobody wants to do (carry heavy water jugs from the pump) or a job that is continual (trash), when it doesn't work like when they choose cook and can't or don't keep tabs on "dish water prep" or "stoves" it's hard to keep from butting in letting them find out they have to round up Scouts in the dark or get them back from "capture the flag". It's always a surprise when it works.

In our Troop, the Outing ASM got the Troop together for a survey on activities....the older Scouts did not want to do camporees for similar reasons listed above. The PLC does not "bring activities" to the table, which IMO is a fault of the SM for not prepping the PLC in their jobs as far "as short & long term planning". I mentioned the new Scouts were not represented yet (as this took place in Jan before crossovers). This impacted OA call outs at the Spring Camporee (they almost missed it, it took a last minute reminder from me). I think the older Scouts never did get challenged because the skills they worked up in T-2-1st were allowed to get rusty.

This really should not be a question, as you should have had the training for your position before going to WB. When I went as CM to WB, I had position training for DL, WDL, CM, BALOO, Outdoor Skills, etc.... Round Tables and easy enough to attend (don't have to go to your district) if it's not on a night you are free. I never got to my district RT as CM, as it was the same night as the Pack Meeting. But I went to another district on occasion.

The only thing I would add, is that if the Troop paid for the LNT course, then I would consider asking the mother if he can attend only to to do the training, then not be permitted to stay and have fun with the group. That would let him fulfill the Troop expectation, and abide by the parental restriction. Another way to look at it, by keeping him from scouting, mom runs the chance of loosing leverage. He can just quit to spite the restriction. So, at this point, if the outing is close enough and you feel you can chat with the mom about he LNT responsibility to the Troop, you could try that.

As a previous CM, even I can see you're doing more than CC should be doing. I would have killed for a CC that was trained & involved.. Well, maybe not kill, but at least maim a little,. Either you get the Chapter Rep. to put you in as CM, and get another parent to attend training as CC or get another parent to be trained as CM, and you do the CC. Ask the CM to set aside and stay as a DL... or tell him he is done. Since recharter is coming up, this is the time to get another acting CM. Once recharter is over, and you can get someone trained, then you could shuffle as WDL, CM, etc... Since the CM won't work with you do you really think he will take any advise (and that's the main role) from the Unit Comm.? If this CM is planning on following his sons to the Troop, it may not be worth the battle. If he plans to stick around, then might as well run with it.

I have not been to OKPIK training yet (might have some boys interested this winter), but a standard 3 season bag, a wool blanket (or 2), a layer of cardboard, and a closed foam pad (and a hat for your head) is usually more than enough for Scout-level winter camping in snow. It's all about layers of insulation & not keeping moisture (evap/sweat/condensation) against the skin to a minimum. The extra stuff comes in when it's wet and snowy or really windy. You need to stay dry and out of the wind, which makes sense no matter what kind of camping you do.(This message has been edited by dg98adams)(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

Other than location....was there a big need to take Cubbies camping in "freezing weather"? I cover BALOO training for our council so I hav'ta ask. Or is it a "little frost on tent" in the morning weather? A cabin is reasonable for cold-weather camping. Only reason I ask, is Cubs don't get the cold-weather skills like Boy Scouts do (leaders too). Don't want the Cub's to have a bad experience before they really get to learn about cold-weather camping. Our council has a Cub day-event in Feb. where they do snow activities...but are not expected to tent-camp in it. If you are up North, then if that's the temp-zone when you camp, then that's probably normal.(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

Yeah, you will need to deal with; "he ordered Bear patches from the DE at the beginning of the year w/out telling me" Because you need an advancement report for rank. This should not be done without the advancement/CM, as this is a not a function of the den leader.

I don't have a problem with it either.... Although it can be an issue if there is unruly siblings and the mom/dad is the DL or ADL. Any extra cost for supplies at an activity (never left a kid out) should be passed to that parent. Make it clear to the parent if your Pack helps den resources or your Den dues cover it. It was rare we needed to dip into den dues. Usually those ended up paying for the "reward" pizza party for good behavior. In our case the DL/ADL and a couple parents always provided the supplies/snacks.(This message has been edited by dg98adams)