dg98adams

If you have a pack website then the issue of overwhelming emails SHOULD be addressed.

A "Notes for Parent blog" can be added that she can post updated info to instead of sending out emails. (depending on your Webmaster skills - low-med technical skills)

I'm toying with a "private/closed Facebook group right now for "Boyscout/Venturing Crew". This one is easier to give to a Scout to manage while keeping admin privileges. Most of the Scouts don't "read" emails.

If a Newsletter that could be attached/posted to the website then that would be better than multiple emails (protect email addresses).

It's terrible that parents get several emails with information about Scouting information/opportunities. I agree that's it's totally outrageous to have Scouting email with all my other SPAM!

What, 2-3 more emails I have to use my finger and .001 carbs to hit "delete"...what is the world coming to?

Ok, sounds ridiculous right? The hardest part in Scouting is getting info out to those who want it. don't want it...delete it. The worst experiences I ever had as CM is trying to call 30 parents. 90% never return the call, 5% changed their # or block all calls and 5% pick up the phone. so 1-2 hours only net a small success.

I got much better response with email and a shorter list of phone calls (people without PC/internet).

Email is an ideal way to get that info out to those with computers/internet. Is does not guarantee delivery/reading, so no "last minute program changes" or the only means of final notifications. It also needs to be made available to those without computers/internet via the pack newsletter (available at Pack Meetings).

To the parents that complain about the email..a filter can weed out emails if they want without much effort..ask them if they would be willing to make "phone calls" to let everyone in the pack know what's going on.. I bet the email complaint goes away pretty quick.

Now if the CC appointed coordinator needs to clearly identify what is "Pack Official Information" that should be CC'd to UC, CM, DL, WL, TL and what is "Suggested Activities" that goes out to the whole pack.

Wait till the parents get their cubs into Scouts and it's the Scouts responsibility to inform the parents....then talk about the other side of the coin,.(This message has been edited by dg98adams)(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

Here is a suggestion you might look into.

Find out who your Troop OA rep is and see if you can approach your OA lodge about having an older Scout buddy up the entire week of camp (or maybe a shortened week). This Scout would probably need to come and be with him before the camp so he can get to know him.

He would also have to learn the ways you use to "diffuse a meltdown" or keep him on track.

You could pick up the cost of the OA Scout for meals at camp....OA is about service and Honor Camping and for the right kid this could be a great way to give back. You might find an OA parent that has been there, ...done that.

Your Scout Master sounds like he is not comfortable with the greater needs of your son for a whole week of camp....and I can understand that.

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I see where you are going, as our Troop does not have firm criteria either.....

It's my experience that the Scouts that need the assistance don't seem to be there when we do Troop fund-raising. Maybe they don't feel a little $ won't make a difference. But it's not the small amount of $ they could help us earn for the Troop, but the goodwill from the Troop.

What leader/committee member would not want to help a "willing Scout who throws himself into the Troop efforts of both leadership/fundraisers" go to camp or help get a shirt?

We are coming up on the same issue with an "Annual Eagle Scout fund raiser opportunity". It's fine when we only have 1 Scout working on Eagle, but soon we could have 3-4 working on Ragle Projects...what's the split then?

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OA ordeal, pack light, PACK LITE, PACK LITE, and ONLY what you are told.

Bring a smile and elbow grease.

Leave your frowns at home.

Learn at least 10 names....

Never saw that official policy when I was CM. Wasn't in the training course I taught for CM or BALOO....hmmmmm

What happens if the parent does not volunteer?

Is there a pack policy for kicking the Cub out if no parental volunteer?

I bet there is NOTHING written, becasue that NOT B.S.A. policy except for Tigers.

I would be curious if what you heard is really part of a written, compulsary policy or the result of vigorous COR/CC.

They can have an EXPECTATION that they can get some volunteers, but REQUIRED is another matter.

I advocated to all parents when I was CM, or taught the CM course, to recognize that the B.S.A. does not mean Baby Sitters of America.

Parents are EXPECTED to volunteer as much as possible. Even small bits helped.

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New TL (Tiger Leader) should be comfortable as possible. In my Pack I recruited a TL for the whole year instead of monthly taking turns. I did let the TL primarily set the day they want to meet (assuming the meeting place was available).

I strongly suggested the TL setup a monthly rotation of ATL (other parents) so it was not too much on the new TL. The TL is the person handling communication to the CM/ACM.

I would try to make sure you don't split up ALL the buddies....

Maybe play a game at a den meeting, where the un-obvious (to the cubs) goal is to see what the split "could" be.

For example (and I 'm sure you could make up a better game with more time).

Ask the cubs to pick 1-2 buddies to form a "mini"-soccer team.

Set up goals for as many groups of you have. Play 3-4 way game where to score they must get the ball thru "their goal".

Play long enough to "write down who is in each group".

Now ask the teams to combine with another team (reduce the teams to 2).

Play again with 2 goals.

This will let you have a natural selection....now if you have siblings not on the same team or co-car pools then you may have to trade "players". You could even introduce that into the game.

But even that may not work if the mix isn't right.

I did see Webelos cross into our Troop (10) get split in half for the NSP that did not go well because it was obvious the tightest friends got to stay together and the other boys felt "slighted".

They did not want to be broke up as Webelos as they were permitted to be in the same den since Tigers.

It could have been the CM who crossed over was a mentor for that 1 Patrol. We lost almost all of that other NSP in 6 months.

I think a "draw of straws" would have been more fair to the boys for the NSP and making the Mentor for both new Patrols the new ASM (old CM) with the an existing ASM as assistant Mentor.

Pack. - Safety Afloat - Accuracy

2. Physical Fitness

All persons must present evidence of fitness by a complete health history from a physician, parent, or legal guardian.

----this has got to be some kind of medical/release form signed

3. Swimming Ability

---Without a swim test (or swimming MB/Lifesaving MB)...everyone is considered a non-swimmer - (need to have some kind of demonstration)

Hand book is SM (or those he wants to sign off for him).

We try to keep as much within the Troop as possible.

This one is easy in our Troop. I am an ASM and a YMCA/BSA cert. lifeguard. I also usually handle the aquatic stuff, if not done at camp.

When I work with new Scouts, and cover the 2nd/1st class aquatic rank req.'s I also record the Scouts swim status on the "Summer Camp Form" along with my YMCA cert. #/signature. That way, all the SM needs is to hand in my signed copy. The SM has confidence in that I will not "hand-wave" a weak swimmer and taint the entire list.

I also offer up free aquatic skills req.'s/Safe Swim/Safety Afloat/swim skill lessons (if they can't float or "dog paddle" they need real swim lessons) at the YMCA for other Troops in the area with the same procedure.

I am pretty good working with weak swimmers, as I have taught all levels of swim lessons...but that's not what you asked.

Like I said at the beginning, Scout Handbook = SM (or those the SM allows).

Wow, this is very simple......I don't understand all the hoop-la.

When I was CM, I would not FORCE a DL to take new Scouts into a full den (which by your description yours probably is).

I may ASK, though..... as that is the easiest option.

Once I know (or should have known) your stance....it's now time to just FORM a new 4-youth Den. There could be 4 parents/guardians (at least) to recruit from, assuming no cub is a twin.

This new DL might need to be propped up by an ADL or ACM for a short period.

Very soon though, your "core" den will cross over to a Scout Troop, where a "Patrol" lives or dies at the the will of those in the Patrol, and the PLC (Patrol Leaders Council) ...not the adults anyway.

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We have not done it as a troop, but I have taken my family a couple times. Well worth it.

http://www.tecumsehdrama.com/

Last time we stayed at hocking Hills as a Troop, the Scouts left the group camping area on a 6 mile hike to the falls. awesome.

As a current ASM in my son's Troop, this is a good question, but easy to answer.

In all cases, if I felt it was unsafe (weather, water conditions, etc) to continue....I would respectfully withdraw my support (transportation included) for the outing (no matter where we are on the trip - waters edge) as well as pulling my son from the trip.

I've only been in OA as an adult almost a year...but I have seen some issues.

I don't consider OA as an "honor", but as a commitment to serve.

The OA rep conducting our last election said it, but I don't think he had all their attention.

To vote for a Scout to be inducted into OA is like saying

"this Scout represents the ideal camper of our Troop, he is the one I would want representing me, he is not seeking recognition when he volunteers to do something, he just volunteers"

I know some Scouts like my son took this so seriously, he only voted for 1 scout even though several in his Patrol was eligible, and he did not vote for himself. Others in the Troop must have the same thought. He did get elected during that election, and 4 others from his Patrol (only 2 others not his his Patrol also got elected).

This year got a little muddy because we had several new Scouts that probably did not know all the Scouts. Of the 4 eligible, only 3 got elected. IMHO 1 should have and 1 should not have...but the Scouts were the ones voting.

As the DL you don't HAVE to do anything. Any flag ceremony that is respectful is fine.

Although, when we get to the point in their handbook where folding flags, raising/lowering etc...is involved the cubs love the pomp of a ceremony. Heck, they can even do it for the Pack!(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

If anything it would be a watered down requirement rather than a full-blown WFA course, that would be easily handled within the Troop setting with a council-approved trainer. No way would BSA put a $100 fee on passing STAR.

Why would the BSA squeeze out or freeze Scouts that couldn't afford the course to advance rank?

Now, as a prep. for high-adventure back country trek...ok, sorta reasonable...but for rank advancement, no. I'll believe it when I see it on paper.

I have necker-slides made from a short piece of paracord to carved wood from summer camps, bolos, and when I can find it, my Woodbadge woggels. I have a couple woggles made from paracord and 1 with a buffalo on it!

So, yeah, necker-slide it up!

I discourage the Scouts from knotting up the necker with a "reef knot", by giving up my paracord slides in the process. I think it may have been on purpose now that I think about it.(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

Aha!

I actually have a copy of the new Aquatics Director course book. i am assisting the Camp Ranger reviewing the aquatics program....I'll look to see if it in there.

I have tried to find out what it entails, but no luck so far.

What changes are coming and how would we prepare for it....

I am a YMCA lifeguard (CPR. Oxygen/AED/1st Aid certs.) , BSA Lifeguard & a counselor for Lifesaving/Swimming MB), been on the Aquatics staff at our local camp for a couple years...but doubt I will attend camp school for Aquatics director anytime soon, too much $$ for personal training.

Even if I did, I would not be able to work 2-3 weeks of Camp as I work full time.

Maybe when I retire....

I teach Swim Defense and Safety Afloat for our local council...

I have a Safety Afloat pdf I use when I teach the class (approved by council) that references "Water Skiing safety code and Boat Drivers Safety Code in the Merit Badge Book. I have not covered that MB before, so I don't have the book handy.

I have covered the Kayak Award class and the Canoe/White Water MB (using ACA/Whitewater instructors) and there are techniques practiced for rescues for capsized boats as part of the program....I doubt you will have to actually practice capsizing a ski boat, but any local water craft class (usually from from State Parks) should have some hand outs..

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The only non-voting members of a Pack are the CubMaster and Den leaders.

If you have a group of dissatisfied parents, then the committee needs to address them......Committee meeting are supposed to be open to all parents holding a committee position or not.

Are any of the parents trained? I would have some of the Committee membership position descriptions and applications on hand in case any that are interested want to "sign on".

One thing to remember the "committee" does not "own" the pack as they only "serve it", the chartering org. does. Is the Org. Rep. involved at all?

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Our Troop has used the BS Skills cards several times. Good purchase.

Glad to hear others have dragged the "old BSA Yucca" pack on outings.

I brought one I picked up for less than $5 (turned out to be from the eraly 50's) with the aluminum pack frame all last year. Another ASM found one from the 70's in good shape he uses for his "fire stuff bag".

Other than some hasty stichin' in Leather-crafts last year, those things hold up to rain and camp wear and tear pretty good.!

talk about the idea of her not accompanying her son to any Pack or Den events

This is not an action I would advocate. Once she is removed from the charter, she is parent without any responsibility as pack leadership.

I think you will find if she is removed from the charter, she will take her son and husband with her.

If she looses it at the district even, she will be asked to leave by the Program director or SE.

Wondering aloud...if councils put a fraction of the effort into basic scout leader training that they put into WB, we'd really have something....

Our Council holds several Cub/Scout training opportunities during the year and hold Outdoor Skills/BALOO 2x every year.

WB is every 2 years, 1 course (6 days).

AFAIK council puts little effort into WB, other than advertisement. The staff pays their own camping/food, the staff QM get donations for food/program, the participants pay for camping/food/program....

In our council (and probably the same elsewhere) it's the volunteers that run ALL the training from Cub to Scout fundamental training to the Merit Badge Trail Drives, Outdoor Skills/BALOO anyway. That mix of volunteers includes WB'ers, Eagle Scouts, CM, SM, and more than a large dose of Spouses.

The only thing I ever see from council that DE staff is a push for "challenge camp" or some other program aimed at creating a program for kids that aren't Scouts who never show up at any Scout meetings.