EagleInKY

Planning on participating in the Fall. Dates are still TBD.

I agree OGE. My son likes to wear his UK Wildcat gear. Is he recruiting for UK? No. Is he a student of UK? No. Does he even know why he's a fan of UK? No, he's just been brainwashed by his momma and me. But, if that's what he wants to wear, that's fine. Is it offensive? No (except to the Louisville fans). So, can a boy wear camo if that's what he thinks looks cool? I say yes, as long as it's not taking the place of the uniform. On that note, I do know of some troops that have made camo pants their "official troop uniform". I don't agree with this. I believe we should follow the uniform standards set out by the BSA. When it is appropriate to wear the uniform, we should wear it properly.

It must have been a while since you sold popcorn. I don't think we've sold "unpopped" popcorn in a can for a few years. I remember having it at one time, but it was never a big seller. We do sell Microwave popcorn, which of course, is unpopped. It's a big seller. The majority of items are popped and flavored (caramel, cheese, Chocolate, etc.). I'm sure BSA is no where near the Girl Scout's numbers, but you have to realize how long they've been at it. I do have people that count on their Boy Scout Popcorn every winter, just like they look for their Girl Scout cookies at the beginning of the Spring. Most will even say that the popcorn is more for their money than a $3 box of Thin Mints. I have to admit, I love them both (eating a Samoa as I type).

We shepherd our first year campers around. We try to keep them in manageable "herds", usually 3-4 each. Usually, these kids are taking a lot of handicraft and scout skills classes, so the instructor often needs the extra set of hands. We try to fade into the background as the week goes on. For 2nd & 3rd year campers, we'll follow them the first day and observe from afar. If all seems well, we'll give them their freedom. If there are problems with discipline (our boys or others), we'll keep a close eye on it. If there's a problem with the counselor, we'll escalate as appropriate (program area head, then program director). We also use the buddy system. We may make an exception for an older scout who wants to take a particular MB and can't get anyone else to take it with him.

I'm with you on this FOG. I've read/heard several times that instant recognition is best. As SM, I don't present the badge unless the BOR comes back to me with the signed paperwork. I will then go ahead and give it to him that night. Our council has a trick to help encourage turning in paperwork. Cloth badges are free when the advancement report is turned in. Therefore, I always make sure to take it into the Scout Shop on my next visit (which is always within the next month).

Don't forget Eamonn, he was a law enforcement officer and licensed to carry. ;-)

A few years ago we challenged our pack to double popcorn sales. If so, the top salesman got to throw a pie in my face. My neighbor's boy sold like gangbusters to get the honor. He did. (Of course, I showed up in my golf rainsuit with the hood cinched up tight.) I haven't tried anything like this with the troop, but it's a fun idea.

Don't have our guidelines in front of me, so I'm going from memory. PL - Tenderfoot rank. Must attend Troop JLT next time. SPL - Star Rank, served as PL, has attended TJLT, must attend/lead TJLT, Scoutmaster approval. I think that's it.

I usually initiate the SCs. I have had a boy come up and request it for BOR purposes on a few occasions. I've also had boys come up and ask to talk to me about advancement (usually around why they're not signed off for something). The conferences usually take place on the same night as the BOR. But, it isn't always the case. If I were better organized, I would get more of them done ahead of time. If there is any doubt in my mind whether I'm ready to send the scout to the BOR, I make sure to do it ahead of time.

Here's a link to the article: http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=76867 I'm sure some members of the uniform police will have some comments about his patch placement and MB Sash.

Stapler guy says: The keeping of a stockpile of rank advancement patches is wrong. Where do you get that? I see nothing wrong with having a supply of rank patches. If a Scout gets a new uniform, I'm happy to give him a new one. Just like I keep a supply of troop numerals, council strips and other necessary items. As for your recognition process, that's fine for you. In our troop, we recognize the boy after he completes his BOR and present him his patch. He is recognized a second time at the COH with his card and parent's pin. There's no right or wrong on this one, it's a presentation style choice. Obviously, if your council doesn't sell rank patches without a advancement sheet, it limits your options.

I've seen good and bad. The unit has an impact on it as well. If the leader gives a positive endorsement to it before the presentation and follows up with more encouragement, it helps sell the concept. The best I've seen was when they recruited the County Sheriff to be the FOS representative. There's just something about a big guy packing heat that generates donations!!! It was a biggest year ever.

I've never been asked to present an advancement report for buying cloth patches. Now, I usually have one, but I do occasionally buy them so I'll have extras in stock.

SM Conference is definitely in order here. You may want to have an ASM with you to back you up. Explain to the boy the G2SS policy - that bullying is strictly prohibited. Also, explain to him the Scouting is more than one hour a week, but is something you live. He is a scout when he's at school, home, church AND Troop Meetings. Additionally, tie it to his advancement. I have a challenging boy that I've written about here. He is still a Tenderfoot, even though he has completed all of his 2nd Class & 1st Class requirements. I've explained to him about the Scout Oath & Law requirements, and that I am not ready to sign him off on them. He's showing great improvement, and I hope to approve him for 2nd Class in the next month. (Gee, I hope I didn't jinx it). I don't know if advancement is important to this boy, but if it is, that is a card you have to play. Talk to the parents. Explain to them what steps you are taking. Ask for advice on how to handle their son. Make sure to take someone with you (ASM, CC, or COR). Get their support in what you are trying to do. "Boys will be boys" is not acceptible. Finally, do you have a discipline policy in your troop? I believe it is every SM's best interest to have a escalation method for dealing with discipline problems. It seems that the three step method (aka "three strikes, you're out"), seems to be most popular. If you don't, I would take that up with the Troop Committee.

That's interesting Laurie. That's totally opposite from what we've experienced. But that just shows how people are different. It really highlights the underlying issue we have - differences in capabilities, interests and styles. The differences are numerous: city/suburban/rural, white collar/blue callar, northern/southern/midwestern, Bible Belt/Irish Catholic, etc. Beyond that, you can even have tremendous differences between two units in the same small town. It really goes to show what a challenge it is to make a national policy that is acceptable (anyone say "uniforms"). I'm glad I don't have that job.

You've really got a good news/bad news story here. Not knowing all the dynamics of your troop, but I'll weigh in anyway. I would favor having your SPL appoint another ASPL now, and have this lad be the SPL for Summer Camp. It could be seen as a permanent or temporary appointment - your choice. Call it a "battlefield promotion" of sorts. Note - there could be ripple effects if, for example, he choses an existing PL. But I still favor putting it in your Junior Leader's hands.

I do think adults or thick-necked boys should be able to wear a slightly bigger one. Before I lost weight last year, I felt like mine looked more like a bow-tie than a neckerchief. ;-)

If your pack doesn't have a summertime program, work on selling the Pack Committee on the concept. It's the best retention tool you can come up with. Face it, the boys are confronted with lots of fun opportunities at the beginning of the school year. When mommy asks Johnny if he wants to continue Cub Scouts, you want him to answer "YES!". To do that, Johnny needs to remember the fun things he did all summer - the pool party, the rocket derby, Day Camp, Resident camp, the baseball game, whatever it is you can do. The goal for the summertime pack award is not overly strenuous. Three activities, with 50% participation. Put together some fun, family-oriented activities, and they'll show up. We tried doing a couple of Den activities through the summer, but it was hard. The commitment just wasn't there. But, those same boys were very involved with the Pack events that were held.

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt (it's orange, in fact). Yes, they are energetic. Making it a competition makes it more fun. Here's a variation of a fill in the blanks method. Take your boys and break them into two teams. The run up, pull a piece of paper from a bag. It has a word on it. They look at the "board" with a "fill in the blanks" version of (you pick - Cub Scout Oath, Law of the pack, etc.), and place it on the space where it belongs. If they get it wrong, they put the piece back in the bag. Then run back, and tag the next guy. Keep going until they get the puzzle filled in. Afterward, recite it as a group. We used to do this with a lot of our memorization techniques when they were younger.

We did a variety of memorization games, such as fill in the blank, matching words, crossword puzzles, word searches. Some were done individually and some in group competition. I also remember setting up a bunch of stations where the boys went around and passed off on the different requirements.

I've had those same talks. The boys don't invite their friends. I usually get the "they don't think it's cool to be in scouting" comment. (That's another thread). This problem resulted from older brothers wanting to bring their friends. Not to be a Scout, but to take advantage of the fun event we had planned for our scouts.

Lots of good stuff in this thread. 2CD - You made some great points. I agree that the Den is the heart of Cub Scouting. I have had the concern that if the dens started doing camping on their own, they might neglect pack activities. I've seen this happen in some other situations. I think there would need to be some good guidelines on pack and den activities so that they don't conflict with one another. The upside is that a good den program should fuel a stronger pack program. I've seen a lot of promising young scouts drop out of Cub Scouting due to the lack of a good outdoor program. I think we could keep some of them in the program longer if they had more outdoor experiences. I also agree with the thought that we're not talking about Boy Scout camping with shorter boys. I think that we need to be careful that the types of adventures they do are scaled and limited in such a way to foster a better transition into Boy Scout camping and high adventure. Maybe, by providing more camping adventure, the focus of Boy Scout camping could be more along the line of teaching the boys how to take leadership/responsibility of the event, and not about how to role up a sleeping bag. Just a thought... I wonder what impact it may have on Cub Leader recruiting if National changes the focus and puts more emphasis on the outdoor program. Will it be harder to get moms to be den leaders? (Ladies, don't be offended by that). Will it be easier to get dads to be leaders? Something to think about...

MB Counselors, Former Scoutmaster, Former ASMs, Former Advancement Chair.... he'll need to find someone who can substantiate his claim. OGE's thought about granting him 1 or 2 if he had 40 is very valid. But granting him 30++, I don't think so.

Mary Anne.

Wow! I didn't even realize the exception about Camporees. Is this new to the 2003 G2SS? I don't understand it either, it's a great recruiting opportunity. I wonder, do Klondike Derbies fit this rule as well? Our district doesn't do a Camporee every year, but almost always does a Klondike.