eaglewings2002

I guess it was a silly question and it had me all riled up when I read it, that is why I asked. Sorry to stir up the pot. I did read their policy and their reason, and I still say it makes no sense to me. I think it is one of the stupidest rules I have ever heard. Now what happens if you do it anyway? My son's troop did a laser tag overnighter this year (after the rule change). I am going to assume they had not heard of the rule change. I only heard of it this week at a training. How are they getting the word out, and what happens if you do it anyway (innocently or on purpose)?

I just found out that Laser tag is a forbidden activity. Can anyone please explain to me WHY? This makes absolutely NO sense to me. Thanks.

That sounds like a great idea! How did you do the rocks? I might want to try that. Thanks!

Hmmmmm, interesting replies. I guess I really NEED to find out our financial situation. We did used to pay for Boy's Life and Pinewood Derby cars, but no more (and the dues have gone UP since then!!) Also we pay for no advancement items other than neckercheifs for graduating Tigers. From what I have been told (they are not too forthcoming with the info) we basically pay for awards. There are some supplies, decorations for the B&G, stuff like that. I know we were burned on popcorn money a few years ago (from what I hear the popcorn kernel made off with some money but charges were never pressed) and ever since then I have heard that we are broke. I am totally confused abuot where the money goes, now that I have seen your relies. (oh - den dues are separate as well, our den charges a dollar a week) Lots to think about, I guess I had better get on it. Thanks!

My oldest made it through with only one blue shirt. Of course he was swimming in it in Wolves and it was getting a little tight by the time he was done. I bought a child's large. Now I have had donations from friends as their boys graduated and I will be able to put my new Tiger in a small blue shirt and move him on up (I HATE sewing patches on al the time!!) I agree that uniform is supposed to be uniform. I like the Tigers being in blue but I think the Webelos should be too. We have boys in our Webelos den in both colors and I do not think it looks good. I also do not like that the boys have to quit wearing their past achievements (arrow points, etc). Webelos are not litle Boy Scouts, they are Cub Scouts. BSA seems to be making them into little Boy Scouts even going so far in our council as telling us we have to pick a troop and start meeting with them next year. (that's a whole 'nother topic I guess ) Personally I think BSA is always looking for ways to get more money out of us. I would like to keep the Tigers in their t-shirts for that reason. There is no reason in the world a blue (or khaki) shirt needs to cost that much, it is a huge pet peeve of mine.

Hello, Our pack has had a problem collecting pack dues for the past few years. I think most of the problem was the treasurer and pack leaders were unwilling to remind people and the parents just forgot. The pack leaders said they should not have to remind. Anyway I have already recruited a new treasurer and someone to be the "collections agent" to call people. I was wondering what other packs do about this. Do people actually pay their pack dues? What rules/guidelines do you have in place to ensure this? As a side question, it seems to me our pack dues are rather high ($40 including recharter in Feb - they pay dues in Sept). What are your pack dues, what are your other sources of financing and what does the money go for? We have had no acountability in our pack and I am not sure what I am doing yet! One more -- What do you do about someone who wants to join but can not afford it? TIA!!

Thanks, Twocubdad. Turns out there is more to the story. I talked to CM tonight. He told me he did NOT speak to the ODL but told the den parents to do so. Apparently they did not. ODL showed up at a den meeting and found the NDL fully uniformed and ready to go (he had not had a meeting in 3 weeks!). SHE thought CM had taken care of it - she was not there when CM told them to do it. A big misunderstanding. But the fact is he WAS running them into the ground and needed to be replaced, sounds like just could have been done better. If anyone can think of any ideas now with this new info, I am all ears. I don't know if there is anything more to do. parents have told CM (who is happy to be out of this!!) that they will quit if ODL comes back. I don't know if the adults can work together! CM has talked to the ODL and he says he inderstands and it is OK then he calls up NDL's husband and complains to him. I hope this is not a sign of things I will have to deal with often!! Do the adults always act like bigger brats than the boys???

Hello, I have a question for all you wise people. We had a Wolf leader who has not really done much this year. Then he missed about 5 weeks in a row, either without notice or by calling 5 minutes before meeting time. The parents would find a message on the machine when they got home after trying to go to the meeting. Supposedly the CM spoke with the leader (the assistant dropped out early in the year because of personal problems with this guy; we did not know that till this happened). The DL said he was too busy travelling for his work. CM told him there was a parent ready to step in and be leader. I understood that he agreed to this. The mom did step in, getting her uniform, planning awesome meetings that are attracting the boys back, even changing the meeting time to a more convenient time for all. CM and I (I am CC) thought it was going well. New DL called me today and said old DL called her husband ranting (his words) about new DL "trying to take over". Well, I thought she WAS taking over! Her husband said didn't CM talk to you? ODL denied the CM even talked to him about it at all!!! (keep in mind ODL has gone to over a month of meetings NDL planned, even the new time, without comment) I do plan to speak to CM (he retired last month) to hear his story. I am new as CC and have not even been trained yet, and we are without a CM. I know I can go to my DE about it. I just wanted to hear your thoughts about this. NDL is very upset, she was just trying to help the den (everyone was dropping out). I hope they can work together (she does not mind) but frankly this guy is striking me as a bit of a loon. Any ideas for how to handle this? I have read such great advice from all you experienced Cubbers. Thanks for spending your time here to teach the rest of us!

When my older boys were Wolves, we started in September and they mostly earned the rank by December. I don't think there is anything wrong with rushing it as long as you are not burning them out. On the other hand I don't think it sounds like you are rushing it. hang in there!!

Hello, I would like to hear about the Monthly themes in the Program helps. Do any of your packs use these? If not, why? I would really love to hear pros and cons. I am newly in charge of our pack (until we get a new CM!!) and we have never used the themes in the past, other than maybe for the B&G banquet. We are having a planning meeting tomorrow and I am thinking of going with the themes. It sure sounds good in the Program helps. So how does it work? Do the dens have the choice whether to follow them or not? Thanks in advance!

"By my math We get 1hr per week non scouting." LOL You must be doing something wrong. I get 2 hours.

Just thought I would update you on the situation. After discussing it with the CM, we decided to tell his mom that he could not come to anything anymore unless she was with him. (He already was not coming to meetings but did come on the campout)If he acts up one more time, he is out. Not 100% satisfactory to me, but I'm not sure what would be. I am pretty well rid of him anyway as he will be officially gone at the end of the school year. Thanks for all your advice, I will remember it if it ever comes up again!!

***OneHour wrote: My second is a Bear. My youngest is a 4-year old who is eager "to go cub scout." *** My DS is going to be a Tiger next year. He has been wearing an orange shirt to all Pack functions since he was 2 (his idea) and has been an unofficial mascot of my den (now Webelos I) since Wolf. He has taken part in all activities and is the first one to put his sign up when the CM does. He is so thrilled to finally be a REAL Cub Scout. When the Tigers cross next month, CM is going to present Daniel with his Tiger book and hat, because he has been (in CM's words) a REAL Cub Scout for so long in spirit. I fully expect Daniel to be one of those really young Eagles, if his enthusiasm doesn't die! Does your son have a Cub shirt he wears? Mine also collects camp shirts, and if he can't find the orange one he wears a camp shirt. Never have to remind him to get into his "uniform"!! Just wanted to share.

I have been in for 7 years so far (at the end of this year). I was not a leader for the first couple of years but have always been very active. DS #2 is finishing up Webelos I. DS #3 will be a Tiger next year. Behind that I have 2 year old triplets, 2 of whom are boys. If I am counting right and have no more kids (!) I will have been in for 15 years! (that is just Cub Scouts, not even counting Boy Scouts, that would be I guess up to 7 MORE years!!!!!! I'm tired all of a sudden....my head hurts.......) (This message has been edited by eaglewings2002)

Generally our pack has one activity per month. I try to have my den meet once a month for something like bowling, swimming, etc (not a regular den meeting). I did just want to add that if it is something that requires advance payment I advise you to collect in advance from the parents! We have been seriously burned by advance ordering of tickets and then the families bow out. Once we were left with 15 baseball tickets at $10 a pop. It is so easy just to say sign up AND pay by xxxx date, and let them know there can be no refund unles they find someone to buy their tickets. It avoids a lot of trouble and misunderstandings!

I have a boy in my Webelos (1) den that is proving to be quite a problem. He has been in the den since Wolf and has always been a discipline challenge, but lately he has been unacceptable. He has been cursing, he hits and tells the other boys he is going to kick their (expletive deleted). He has not been coming to meetings much lately, and when he is not there the meetings go much smoother. But when he is there, and on this campout, he refuses to do the activities as well. In the past I have not made him do the activities but had him sit on the bench and watch. He very xlearly does NOT want to be there and I don't know what to do with him. The other parents, including myself, do not want their bioys associtaing with him because of his behavior. His mom and stepdad don;t seem to care about this. When told they will yell at him but that is it. One problem is that the Cunmaster, whose son is in the den as well, is good friends with the parents. he has asked me to inform him of problems with this boy, but when I do, he doesn't do anything. On the campout he punched another boy and the Cm said the other boys should not tattle! Because of the CM's interest I can not ban this boy. Also the CM is determined that this boy will get his AOL this year (he is a year older than the others). He wants me to sign off on things that were not done or not done as written, and told me if I won't HE will. How would you suggest I handle this (I guess it really TWO problems!)? Thanks.

I made a pledge using the safety rules and had them sign it. Don't know if it did any good but anyway.... Also I see someone mentioned not taking it to school but I would STRESS that highly. These days there is NO TOLERANCE whatsoever. We did a little game of naming places and shouting yes/no whether they could carry their knife there.

IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ Never argue with a dragon. He is big and you are tasty.

Thanks for all the very helpful replies. While we do like all the ideas, upon further discussion with the Pack Committee, we have decided to go with Beaver's idea. We will let you all know how it goes, once the new Cubmaster comes to. Seriously, thanks so much. We have identified a couple of prospects and hopefully one of them will work out!

Hi all! I am committee chairman for our pack. Our cubmaster wants to retire at the end of this school year. He announced this last year and said "Anyone who wants to volunteer, please see me". Well, you guessed it, no one has stepped up. I suggested we scope out leaders, etc. and target one or two we think would be a good choice, then speak with them privately. I don't think anyone will just step up but I believe they may do it if asked. Now, what do you suggest? CM might be willing to do it another year but I don't want him to - he has done it since his son was a Tiger, and next year is the boy's last year. CM wants to just enjoy the year as a parent. My DH or I can not do it; we are not at a point where we can. We have several sons (many very young!!)and will be with the pack for many more years and plan to take our turn later! One thing I think is, CM has done it for so long that others may think they have to commit for that long as well. The committee wants to make it so soneone would serve one year as ACM, then one year as CM, then out. But I think most people don't believe this will actually happen. Do you think this is a good idea? Thank you for your input. I am really starting to be concerned that we have no one in place. I think CM is not really worried about it, and as CC I think it is more my job to find someone new anyway, do you think? Thanks again!

Thanks everyone. You have given me some good ideas! I was not really dead set on doing leather; I just thought it would be something nice to do. I had already pretty much given up on it because of the expense. The fabric/leather combo sounds like a possibility, but I think I have enough ideas now to just move ahead. Thanks so much!

I use the old book myself, as do most of my boys. I did not know there were really any differences, other than the page numbers are different - I did know that they would be allowed to use the old ones till they were done. Am I going to have to pay for a new book so everything is EXACTLY "fair"? When I plan a badge activity from the old book, I assume it is also in the new book. We do not have the funds to run around buying new books - uniforms - or whatever, whenever they decide to "upgrade". This really sort of ticks me off.

Thanks for all the ideas!! Where do you get the leather kits? The only ones I have seen are hideously expensive. I would love to do leather book covers but can not find a cheap enough source. Thanks again!

Hello, I have a Webelos 1 den and we are about to start working on Craftsman. I want them to make interesting projects that are not likely to be regarded as "clutter" (if such a thing exists!) I am running out of ideas. Anyone want to share? We have very limited funds!! One thing we would like to do is some leather work but the kits are too expensive. Does anyone know of a source for inexpensive leather We would love to do a book cover if possible. Thanks! K