AlamanceScouter

This just blows my mind. Just crazy how horrible they treated you and your son. This also scares me as my son has a severe allergy to nuts.

If they are not wanted in Philadelphia then why do they want to stay? I say just leave the place and focus their energy and resources on places that want them. They can't have anything close to a vibrant and valuable program in Philly with all of this going on.

Thanks for sharing this.....I just posted it on my Facebook page.

I don't have the numbers off the top of my head but my area has seen an increase in Cubs over the last few years. One of the main reasons, as I understand it, is that Scouting had been blocked from recruiting in schools but was allowed to do it again. Honestly, I am not sure that my son (and I)would be in the program if he didn't come with a flier.....about to wet his pants because he was so excited.....as a 1st grader because of the recruiter doing his thing at the school. I know this is controversial here but I also have to attribute Scouting's growth in my area to the fact that we have a very sharp DE and great district leadership. Of course, our DE is so sharp that he will not be here long but hopefully he "will leave it better than he found it".

I am a novice to Scouting so my answer does not come from experience... I think that I would encourage as much participation from parents as possible as it relates to the overseeing of the program from a committee level....especially if I had a strong CC who could set the agenda/goals and keep the focus on them. I would not want anybody other than the SM and the ASM's on the camp outs. It just seems to me that the boys would not in as advantageous position to build their leadership and Scouting skills if mom and/or dad were around. When my son crosses over to a Scout troop I want it to be one that is truly boy lead and I just don't see that happening if you have too many adults handing around.

Here is another idea....contact the FOS chair and ask him/her to account for where the funds go. I was our district's FOS chair a couple of years ago.....when I had questions from folks I found the answers. The last thing I needed was people grumbling about me not be honest regarding a civic organization I was raising money for. I was also pretty up front that a huge portion of the money raised goes to salaries and benefits of the professionals. I guess we are lucky in that most of our Scouters seem to think our pro's earn their living.

You need to start contacting the executive board of the council and the region (assuming there is one for the region). In my novice opinion the kids are not getting the program they deserve if the Council is not doing its part.

Just saw this article: http://www.livescience.com/culture/sack-tapping-dangerous-100607.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Livesciencecom+%28LiveScience.com+Science+Headline+Feed%29

Thanks all....I appreciate the kind words. I am not perfect so I am sure I get some more of this kind of stuff in the future. Watching the boys grow and have fun at the same time makes it all worthwhile.

Just received my first nasty e-mail from the parent of a boy in the Cub Scout den I lead. She had not been receiving e-mail updates and was pretty irritated about it. Somehow I had left her all my distribution list. Until recently she was getting Pack updates from our Pack Secretary and I guess didn't realize that I send out my own updates. I can understand being irritated....especially since she made a trip to a meeting last week that had been canceled...but couldn't she just respectfully inquire about why she wasn't getting information recently? I think that is what I would have done.

I am very excited about the new delivery method. This will help me as a leader to be more prepared and I think the boys will be more excited that they are consistently working towards advancing in rank.

Honestly, I wish my parents had pushed Scouting on me.....well, at least encouraged it after spending the time to learn what the program was about. As a lad I was into sports and was a pretty decent athlete.....looking back on my life from the perspective of a 44 year old though I really think being an Eagle Scout would serve me so much more now than the various accolades I received playing sports. At the end of the day my son will make the decision about his level of Scouting he aspires to but I am going to encourage/support him to do his best in it.

Not to make lite of the situation but... I REALLY hope the server does not go down tonight. Seriously, I hope everything works out the best for everybody concerned. Thanks for bringing this topic here....I have learned a lot by following it.

I responded earlier but having slept on this I wanted to respond again.... Your family has been in the movement for years.....everybody, but especially your family, deserves better than this. In all the years your boys have been in the program is this the first big issue? I have learned in my short time in scouting that people show their true colors early on.....if this is your first big issue then it leads even more credence to your situation. It is crucial that the COR be involved in the situation from here on out. Also, I would contract the DE and the District Chairman. G

Also, I wanted to tell you horrible this event sounds. I really hope things can work out so that your family, and more importantly your sons, can continue your positive relationship with the Scout movement.

I am new to Scouting but this seems like an issue that has to go to the COR. If you are being honest, and I don't know why you would not be, then the ASM, the CC, and the "advisor" are way out of bounds and need to be disciplined themselves.

LOL.... I am a little worried that the rechartering process has screwed something up for me.

My greatest memory of my short Cub Scout career was Cub Scout Field Day in Wilmington, NC......probably around 1974. We had all kinds of athletic events and races and I won my share. It was a moment that I will never forget....things were fairly tough at my home because my dad was sometimes there and sometimes not. When he was there many times he was drunk. I needed something to feel good about myself and the pride that I felt that day and the confidence I gained was incredible for a little 8 year old boy.

I have not received an issue since the 100th Anniversary issue. Has anybody received a new one yet?

Didn't he post this before??

I have not had an experience with an Atheist parent so I really don't have an answer for you....I did want to say though that this must be pretty tough on you and your wife. The dichotomy in what you are faced with is pretty broad reaching.....do you keep encouraging your son to grow in the program but tell him that he needs to disavow the belief in God requirement or do you just say cya to the program altogether? It is a tough decision that I hope gets worked out for your family.

I am a former DE from the early 90's....I jokingly (well....almost seriously) refer to myself as a failed DE. It is not an easy job....I liken it to being a minister. My district is extremely fortunate to have an outstanding DE. He is so good that he will be gone one day soon but our district will be better for his being here.

jhankins....just sent you a PM.

I had never done anything like that before but I really enjoyed pulling it together. I chose to tell the story of Joseph (Old Testament) and show how he lived the Scout Law.....it was well received.

You know.....Scouting really is part of the solution. It is just great to be part of this organization.