AKdenldr

Lenae, go to the scout shop and buy a tiger book, read it to see what fun you all will have. (I wouldn't do the achievements in advance with your son as he and you should have many of these experiences with the den he joins.)

With regards to your son's friends, I have yet to meet a first grade boy who doesn't want to join a special club and do things like play games, race pinewood derby cars, go for hikes, make snacks together, go interesting places, and go camping. Your son's friends really probably do not know what cub scouts is. Once you know what pack you want to go, recruit some other friends of your son. I find talking to the parents is the best way.

-- AK

FSUscout, I think the Webelos leader is right. Boys should be awarded their rank when they have earned it. Some first graders would really know that they had not done all of the "go see it's" yet. Make a big deal of the tigers at the March pack meeting. Better yet, make a big deal of them at both meetings. "Celebrate their accomplishments"

I've found that the traditions in Packs ARE easily changed. The boys are in the program only a short time, their memories are short, and parents are also. Being "true blue" and delivering the program as the BSA intended is a terrific reason to change tradition.

In our pack we saved the bridge for bridging to boy scouts which usually happens in Feb. We would award rank awards when earned, some dens were done in Feb, some in May, some dens were mostly done in Feb with a few scouts catching up by May. In a May picnic or campout we would promote the boys with a meaningful scarf ceremony so they went to camp in June with the new scarves. Any awards could have been tidy-ed up at that point.

If you want a wizbang scarf ceremony to make an impression, google "flaming scarf". It will be the new tradition and 3 years from now it will be "the way we have always done it".

-- AK

A good list. In our large troop we have 2 instructors and 2 ASPLs and 2 webmasters.

 

In another troop I am familiar with it was common for scouts who wanted a POR and didn't get one to LOCATE HIS OWN Den Chief position, or special project, then get it approved by SPL and SM.

In the DC example, (Having a 15.5 yo at home) I would tell you that "puts some thought and research into it" for a high school freshman or sophmore would perhaps involve sitting down with the den leader over a coke and the Den Leader handbook, talk about the den schedule and what the Boy Scout could add to the den (see the requirements for the award for Den Chief for some ideas). He could call the Cubmaster of local packs to see when they meet. The Membership person on your troop committee might have contact information because of Webelos crossovers. Otherwise the District Executive can help.

In a special project example, the scout identified that firewood was needed for the winter camping season, identified a lot being cleared (free wood), and researched the troop calendar to present an open date for a wood cutting special project day. Then went to the SM for approval of special project and SPL for calendar.

Best of luck for your scout.

I also agree that you can enrich the Webelos den schedule in the meantime (better yet, you and your son).

With regards to the troop, ask SM if Webelos son can attend meetings and events as guest until troop's bridging time. After a few events, your son, on his own, might decide to wait for his den buddies to join him. While what he does as a troop visitor will not count for advancement, what he LEARNS will be useful after he bridges.

Most families can only handle one troop at a time, so I encourage you to try to work it out with older son's troop.

One troop I was associated with paid a portion of summer camp for each scout that met the fundraising individual fundraising goal set by the committee at budget time. This was for the troop scheduled camp only in that year. All was said upfront at popcorn time. Anything over that goal earned council prizes and prizes from the popcorn kernal and pats on the back.

My sons have participated in a limited number of Merit Badge academies. Here they are two Saturdays from about 9 to 1 with about 3 sessions available each day. The one I like best is a drive but over the Christmas break, so busy scouts have time to compete the homework. I think older scouts who wish to knock out a number of academic merit badges appreciate the MBA. With younger son I've signed him up for hands on type badges (welding) or field trip type badges that cover multiple sessions.

When I was getting started as a MBC I sat in some sessions. I quickly determined that, although it would be a good way to get my name out there, the whole thing seemed too much like more school. I would rather work with smaller groups of boys than the 10-15 that were typically in the group. I also had trouble understanding how to make things interesting in that setting. I'd rather pull together a small group of interested scouts and do a longer session with some hands on activities and breaks for football toss etc...

My name is on the district list as being open to work with all scouts, but I prefer to work with scouts from my own troop. Typically if I'm not comfortable with his completion of a requirement, I can work with him easily in the future at a troop event. For a scout I don't see often, refusing a signoff means another appointment, and perhaps ride from an adult, so that causes a bit of tension.

I don't think there is any set number on how big or small a den should be. Factors that would govern it are the ability of the den leader to manage a large group' date=' the amount of parent helpers, and the behavior of the boys. Even if your DL is capable of taking on the new boys, I'm not sure that is such a good idea. Depending on the boys, it could totally change the dynamics of your den, and not always for the positive. Is it worth 3 new boys when it could result in a possible meltdown of your DL and the existing den? [/quote']

 

Size of the space where you meet also is one of the limits on the possible size of a den.

 

When dens are as large as classrooms (17-20 boys) one of the things that the young scouts miss out on in the small group experience where they can work on their social skills and long term friendships. For some boys this is the main thing they need out of scouts (others need other things like getting dirty, going camping...).

 

Interesting what can be done in a pinch, but I have learned from trial and error that the old fashioned way the BSA has done things typically has some wisdom.

Congrats on a successful program. No room for further growth as you are now. Heading into the end of school year is a great time to solve this problem. But this is something to be educating the parents and scouts on now. I support the idea of 3 ADLs. In fact, perhaps they all could be stepping up and planning some events and meetings as training ground for spring / summer / fall. That way your DL could be mentoring them and scouts could see them in action.

We used to cap our dens at 8 or 9. I particularly like 6, big enough for relays, and small enough that every scout knows he is important to the den.

A good list. In our large troop we have 2 instructors and 2 ASPLs and 2 webmasters.

In another troop I am familiar with it was common for scouts who wanted a POR and didn't get one to LOCATE HIS OWN Den Chief position, or special project, then get it approved by SPL and SM.

I remember I had a Wolf tell me the other day - "I've not received an award in a few months now" to which I said "you can earn an award any time you want, you need to pick one out and work on it."

I'm thinking this 2nd grader is still learning how scouting works. This is a good opportunity to teach. Just like the PLs who complain that the "meetings are boring", we try to coach them into planning a meeting that is not "boring".

I've often wondered why boys start out in cubs' date=' having to do a relatively large amount of work just for one badge (we didn't do beads), and then the year before boy scouts, get awarded for every little thing he does. It just seems backwards. I would think the younger the boy, the more immediate rewards would be needed. [/quote']

 

That's why the call them "immediate recognition beads".

SSScout, I didn't say I liked the bead system. We used an den doodle and that seemed to work better with my scouts. I do think the pace of life is faster today and parents have a hard time zero-ing in on what is important. If some beads or stickers help today's parent focus on participating with scout or getting him to those activities, I'll all for it. In my experience it took about 5 months for a boy to earn rank in our pack. That is a long time for a 6, 7, or 8 year old boy. Arrowheads, as you know, are awarded after rank, even if previously earned.

 

(Are you active in a pack now? If so, there are many things that the CM can do to "tone down" excessive awards if this is a pack problem.)

Around here only a few BSA troops have been asked to find a new sponsor and they have been able to. Very quickly and usually right down the street.

I've not heard about any trail life units forming locally.

I've often wondered why boys start out in cubs' date=' having to do a relatively large amount of work just for one badge (we didn't do beads), and then the year before boy scouts, get awarded for every little thing he does. It just seems backwards. I would think the younger the boy, the more immediate rewards would be needed. [/quote']

 

That's why the call them "immediate recognition beads".

My scout is thicker in the middle. With the zip off leg style I opened the seam inside the waist band and cut the elastic. Will hold him till the next growth spurt.

Perhaps an alterations person could replace the elastic in yours with some that have a bit more give (since you have probably quit growing.)

I emailed the council 3 or 4 times to get my stepdaughter in (and me in as a volunteer) NOTHING

As I understand it (from reading this forum) GSA units are not "chartered" they are started by adults who have located a meeting space. If your wife wants to meet the requirements of the GSA for adult leaders, and can find a meeting space (even at the same location) she can start her "own" troop. She should call the service unit and start the process of training. If nothing else it can be background knowledge.

Service first to the boy and his parents, second to the movement of scouting, third to anything else. Provide factual information and what you don't say will most likely ring clear.

In addition, I suggest something like this, "All volunteer organizations change over time, especially those serving youth. What is a good program now can change in just a few years. Be ready to support the organizations of your children. All troops are different. Ask carefully about the current program and current plans. Adults should like the adults and youth should like the youth. Visit multiple times."

If they ask you directly why your son chose troop B, say something like "in addition to liking the Adults and Youth, the camping calendar was well planned and campouts were nicely organized and not cancelled. He has continued to do well in his first year and has done this and that and the other thing....."

Your son has six or so years left in scouting. Invest in another shirt to support the program and him.

Cool, you get to do the fun stuff. you might be the hero for your interesting addition to the meeting.

Get a good book on games (Cub scout leader how to book is good). Anything can be made "valentine" by adding some cheap valentines, red and pink, or how you introduce the game.

For example, My Webelos loved relays.

Create a relay were they take and remove valentines from a basket at the far end of the room. Boys get to run and the mothers have to skip or walk backwards or some other easier task.

There is "beach relay" where participants have a bag of goofy beach clothes in a beach bag and beach chair. Team runs down to the far end put on all the gear, sit in chair open magazine, hold beverage cup in hand. Then take it all off and put it back in the bag and run back for the next guy. How this is "Valentine" is how you introduce it. "Sweethearts go on trips together".

If your games are good you might not even need an obvious connection to Valentines day.

Best of luck, put on your running shoes and have fun.

A bully supported by an adult bully with other adults enabling the behavior.

Your son's remaining youth years in your care are short. Cut bait and move on. If son or you want to write letters after the move to folks who might change things, that would be honorable, but not required. Letting your son remain an object of this behavior any longer is not protective parenting.

I'm waffling between being silent and going along with the way things are, or rocking the boat.

MT, when our pack was new we held our B&G latter in the school year. We weren't really withholding ranks we just didn't have schedules that got the advancements done earlier. Part of this was we didn't have a big camping tradition yet, where a lot of advancements were completed. (Because basically you have the scout for more time.)

As our pack calendar got more detailed and leaders became more experienced, we moved the B&G back to Feb and most dens were ready with rank. But, if they were not -- their den was recognized latter, typically at the May picnic. In the main, most boys in a den are done at the same time.

In our council bridging is a pack event. Troops are invited. Seems mostly to happen in Feb although we saw one pack a few years ago wait until May. I don't recommend bridging that late.

One of our Tiger den leaders introduced denner at that level. They were the boy whose parent did the program, and brought the snack. I think the denner passed out napkins and made sure the trash was all picked up. As the ranks go on responsibilities can increase accordingly.

I found bad feelings with elections until about Webelos. I'd pull names out of a hat, or some other fashion if I were to do it again. (Heck it is still a "thing" with a 12 year old patrol sometimes.) Sometimes being the leader's son, and getting to do the cool thing first out of the group is not healthy for group dynamics.

Just saying, your mileage may vary.

Figure out how to add running to it. Like a first aid relay. Fake blood. Be ready to actually use some supplies. Stretcher relays. Local responders, especially if they are about 25 and fit. The Webelos Leader Guide had a great bunch of ideas. Add a first aid segment to something else you are doing, like a hike, or cooking etc... I think there was a first aid baseball trivia game on the web somewhere that I used.

This really is one that you can stretch and have a lot of hands on fun.

What others said. Except, I would have been happy to have a revolving series of 4 and 6 month den chiefs, as long as they were able to fulfill the POR to my satisfaction as a DL. The DCs I have mentored from the troop side have initially committed to a short stint, and about half wanted to continue much longer.