Jump to content

AlabamaDan

Members
  • Content Count

    99
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by AlabamaDan

  1. I'm looking to start a new unit I. Our area and I've been thinking that a Venturing Crew would be the way to go, but now I'm wondering about a Sea Scout Ship instead. What's the benefits of one over the other?

  2. If this has been discussed before, I apologize, but I couldn't find it anywhere. As we are in the 21st century and we have boys bring ipads to Troop meetings with cookbooks, meritbadge worksheets, BSA handbook, etc. I'm being asked by the boys how they can get the merit badge books in PDF. I remember a year or so ago I found some nice PDF of the merit badge books online, but they've since been taken down. Does anyone know of a source for merit badge PDFs?

  3. Hi everyone!

     

    As we plan our next summer, we have already identified our regular in council summer camp and everyone will be going to that. For the older boys we have some going to Philmont on the high adventure trip. We are also looking to start a tradition of a third summer activity, this one is mainly for younger scouts that cannot go to Philmont, Seabase or Northern Tier.

     

    One easy idea is to choose an out of council camp. But I was also thinking that perhaps we could just arrange our own trip and wondered if other Troops have done something like that. We have a small bus and van that would allow us to go on a road trip. I'd love to hear your ideas on what you've done before.

     

    YiS,

    AD

  4. I'm not sure if I'm a helicoper parent or not. I had a small Webelos Den for the last two years and the 4 of us did alot of stuff together. Most of the time it was me, another dad and the boys. We honestly enjoy spending time with the boys and they us. I don't worry about him doing things without me. He's been on Troop trips without me and comes back talking about it. I remember one time they went rafting and I "wanted" to go, but the other dad and I decided it was time to start getting them ready for us not being around. So I didn't go on that one and he didn't go on others. I realize it's time for us to seperate a little more, for him to gain independence and such. We both just need to find a balance where we're both happy. We're in the unusual situation that we both enjoy each other's company - as opposed to other preteens and parents.

     

    Good stuff here and I'm taking it all to heart.

  5. WOW!

     

    I never expected so many comments. All had good advice, however some posts were a little harsh.

     

    I did have a conversation with my son last night about how the Troop will be different from the Pack. I told him that in the past I initiated when he and his fellow Webs would start working on an activity pin. I told him going forward that he will have to take the initiative to approach the SM or SPL and ask about working on advancements. I told him that I'd be happy to talk with him about something if he comes and asks me, but things are more in his court in driving his Scout career now.

     

    I'm going to have a talk with the SM about needs that the troop may have for an adult, he has said previously he'd like me to be involved and already gave me an app. I do already know that he'll be working with a different ASM in his patrol, which I think is good. Maybe I can do something in the background or on the committee. I think I would enjoy being a MBC, but need to learn more about it first.

     

    Or...maybe I'll just stay involved with the pack to keep myself out of trouble.

     

    Thanks guys.

  6. Hi!

     

    After 5 short years my son crossed over to a BSA Troop last night. :D As he starts his Boy Scout career, I need to relearn how to do things. I was his den leader for all these years and when it came time for the boys to work on a Webelos Activity Pin (or anything) I could plan it out, spend the time teaching the boys or just my son and sign off on it. How does it work in Boy Scout Troops?

     

    I heard that I can't just work directly with my son and sign off on things. I was told my son has to have them signed off by the ScoutMaster. That's all fine and I was expecting that to tbe the case. I imagined a scenario where a boy can work with his dad on a Merit badge then go visit with the SM, show him any tangible things he'd done and be quized about the merit badge.

     

    One of the existing dad's said, no you can't teach your own son. Someone else will have to teach your son his merit badge. That just doesn't seem right to me. What if a boy just wants to work on a merit badge by himself and go to the SM after the fact?

     

    Don't get me wrong...I'm ok with someone else teaching my son. The Troop has a Dr as an ASM who is the best to teach First Aid. They have a guy who is a photographer and videographer who is the best for Cinematography. No question on that and I'm happy to do it. I'm also happy to teach a class on things I'm good at to everyone. BUT, my son is a driver and self motivator and I see him wanting to work on a badge that no one else is interested in and it could possibly be something I'm qualified for. I couldn't council my son on that badge?

     

    Thanks,

    AD

  7. Hello!

     

    We've had a good popcorn sale and wanted to reward the pack with a compass and custom lanyard. I was wondering if anyone had a source for 50-100 baseplate compasses at a discount or a place to get a custom lanyard. I've got a quote for lanyards at $1.73 each, but I'd like to do better on all of it. We want to reward them all with something, but on the other hand we don't want to go broke doing it!

     

    Thanks in advance.

  8. Thanks guys. I'm not trying to rush Showman, just clarify. We are planning to do the whole puppet show thing as I think the boys will enjoy it and the pack gets a puppetshow stage out of it. But we need to expose the boys to other things too.

  9. This is a great and productive thread so far. I like the idea of a checklist and a meeting designed to review and pack.

     

    Maybe meeting #1 we have the DC do a presentation. Hand out checklists. Another part of this meeting could be a demonstration of teaching the boys to pitch their own tents for practice.

     

    Meeting #2 boys bring their stuff and we go through it and have them re-pack. Go for a hike around the block or somehting.

     

    Meeting #3 show up on a Friday afternoon to go camping for the weekend! 1 mile hike in, camp, 1 mile hike out.

  10. I agree it depends upon a lot of stuff: weather, activities, location etc.

     

    For this weekend 70s/50s and sunny is the weather and we're car camping.

    I know what we'll need to have and dress like for this weekend. I didn't know if I was supposed to go over ALL the scenarios and such. Sounds like something I'll do over several times over the next year as situations change.

     

    Maybe I'll get a BSA book.

  11. I could use some help. In teaching Outdoorsman there is a requirement "1. Present yourself to your Webelos den leader, properly dressed, as you would be for an overnight campout. Show the camping gear you will use. Show the right way to pack and carry it."

     

    What is properly dressed for an overnight campout?

    What is the right way to pack?

    What is the right way to carry it?

    Is this up to the Webelos Den Leader's judgement?

     

    Thanks,

    Danny

  12. A while back I posted about ideas for Summertime Activity Awards and the response was great. I thought now I'd try ideas for winter overnighters. There are some of the easy ones:

     

    1. Spend the night on a Battleship or something, we do the USS Alabama in Mobile

    2. Spend the night in an Aquarium, you know like the Tennessee Aquarium

    3. Spend the night in some Science Musueam like McWane Center in Birmingham

    4. Spend the night in a cave, like the Lost Sea

     

    But since we've done all that the last few years then I was hoping to come up with something different. Any ideas?

     

    Thanks,

    Danny

  13. Hi everyone. I'm doing some work on our pack newsletter and was hoping you could help. I've seen some websites that have clip art or something that makes the red and white numeral patches letters, which they use to spell things out. Trail's end for example has the word scouts on a page. Does anyone know where I could get a set of alaphabet patches?

     

    OR, does anyone know what font the scout patches use?

     

    YiS,

    Danny

×
×
  • Create New...