featherbear

A neighboring Lodge to us holds a Brotherhood ceremony every week at Camp. On that day they also have an "OA Day" and encourage OA members in the camping Troops to wear their sashes. They hold a call-out that evening, and also hold a retirement ceremony for old Lodge button blankets. That really made a big impression on the campers... our Troop came home talking up a storm about it.

I know, I must be living under a rock because I just heard about this one through Animal Planet: National Wildlife Federation's Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program http://www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/ As I read through this, I'm seeing tons of possibilities, from Cubs on up and even a Camp that I know of that's wanting to put in a nature trail, bird and bat houses and habitat. Have any of you utilized this program? If so, how were your experiences with it? YIS

ROFL!! I like that response, orennoah. He rattled my cage with the way he got right up in my face and all. But he did back off considerably when I made a comparison to some Drill Sgts. I met in Basic Training. No real foul done, I just took it for what it was.

Thanks all of you, that was helpful indeed. That patch has no buttonloop, but it's not something I ever want to take off. I'm active with the Iraqi Scouting Movement, and at least from my perspective, that patch says as much. It gives me a chance to tell folks about the program when they see it and ask. As for the National fellow, he's a paid Scouter, and he's been active *forever*... so who knows, maybe the rules have changed since last time he checked? Anyhow, thanks so much for the clarification. YIS

Welcome, shortad, you're in for a whole lot of fun! I concur with the plastic badge holder, as long as that's acceptible in your Pack they make life a lot easier. The adhesive is ok, but it sure makes a mess of the uniform. I don't know how it is where you're at, but here we like to pass on outgrown uniforms at Roundtable to families who need them but whose finances are an issue. Which leads to another point: chances are, your son's going to outgrow that shirt well before you get a chance to complete that diamond. My son went through two blues and a khaki before he went on to Troop. Good luck, and have a great time with your Pack!

I'm hoping you folks can steer me in the right direction on this one. I sure don't want to wear accoutrements on the uniform incorrectly, especially in front of youth! On my Cub leader uniform (khaki) I wear a temporary patch above the pocket. The patch is an Iraqi Scouts patch, one I wear proudly as I am very involved with that. According to the female inspection sheet, "Cub Scout Leaders may wear one temporary insignia centered between the right shoulder seam and the BSA strip, above the pocket. Boy Scout and Venturing Leaders may wear one temporary insignia centered on the pocket." Being that this uniform holds blue epaulets, I thought I was good to go with the patch above the pocket. I was told otherwise... well, harangued pretty heavily by a National fellow who was quite insistant that only a National Jamboree patch could be worn there. I know that's true if the epaulets are any other color, but I thought the sheet was pretty clear about female Cub leader uniforms. um, help please? Do I need to move that patch? Oh, also... I've heard from a few that one can only wear a temp patch for 90 days. Is that indeed a fact, or not? Thanks!!!

I'm not even sure if this is the right category for this... but, I was wondering what ways your units have found in this regard? I know of a unit in our district that "adopted" a Stryker unit in Iraq, for one example. My CS unit has been involved with these: ~Packing care packages for a nonprofit organization that does this on a large scale for soldiers overseas ~collecting hand-made cards from local grade schools to send to many deployed servicemembers for Christmas ~care packages to Landstuhl Army Regional Medical Center through the Wounded Warrior Hospital Fund, http://www.woundedwarriorhospitalfund.org We've worked with one or another of these every year for over three years now. The Cubs love sending gifts to soldiers so far from home, and they really light up when they get a reply from a unit commander, letting them know what effect their kindness brought. I know there must a lot of opportunities like this out there for Scouts to participate in. I'm wondering what similar projects you have found for your units to participate in? How did it it go? YIS

That's definitely a good thought, Semper, especially since our Council is having a lot of difficulty in getting such things going. Cheerful Eagle, you hit it on the head. That's what I was kinda getting at, in my own scattered way... while they are nationally trying to increase the visability at Cub Scout level, Leaders are still in the dark. The only Cub or Webelos leaders I've encountered that had any idea of what the OA is or does are just a couple of them at Roundtable who either have a spouse or son who is a member. While conversing with such leaders, I'll ask whether their units ever bring in an OA team for Arrow of Light at B&G or do a Crossing, the usual reaction is that they had no idea that was even available to them and they knew nothing about it. Now I can keep on talking to leaders and possibly putting a bug in their ear unit by unit in this fashion, but that's a slow way to go and frequently gets forgotten. A conversation doesn't have the impact that a visual does. So there's certainly nothing wrong with looking around for ideas! Multi-unit/District Cub and Webelos events could certainly go a long way. thank you for the suggestions.

*sigh*.... whatever, nldscout. I sure am glad I don't work with you. I don't give a darn what you think...the fact of the matter is you don't know me at all, how I work, what I do, or what compelled them to think of me as a possibility for nomination in the first place. I don't know their reasons either, but the fact remains that they DID choose me. I feel very honored that they thought enough of me to select me, and I fully intend to do my very best by them and by the youth. End of story. Like it or not, I really don't care... it's not you who had any say in this. Thank goodness for that. I come here for ideas, tips, advice, etc. NOT to fight. So please... just get off my back. Again, darned glad I don't work with you! Just to add, I know darned good and well that selection is not a reward but a CALLING. It's not meant for what you've done, but what they hope you WILL do. That's a no-brainer.(This message has been edited by featherbear)(This message has been edited by featherbear)

You're definitely right, TCD, our particular program was most assuredly not a "one size fits all", and I felt my way through it, seeing how my guys responded. I would not take them farther than they were ready for, and in this case of my little Den, it did what I'd hoped. There wasn't any culture shock when they hit Troop, instead they're all working along on their rank and enjoying all the outings that their Troops offer. Now this is seven Webelos disbursed to four different Troops. Each one of them gained enough confidence while in webelos that he felt he could go his own way and choose the Troop that best fit his needs. They didn't all cross to one Troop so that they could stick together, but chose very different units that met what each was hoping to get out of this next phase in Scouting. I don't think I robbed them of the Webelos program. Their whole first year was spent in cub Scout Blues. It wasn't until the end of that first year that they began doing the Scout sign in place of the Cub Sign, and the steps toward Boy Scout functionality was done very gradually over a good long period of time, not tossed on them all at once. They didn't even realize it at first. While I did strive to teach them how to function as Patrols as they would in a Troop, I don't think that took away from the "mystique" of boy scouts, but rather made it easier for them to get down to business once in a Troop. They didn't have to go through an adjustment phase of "how do I behave, who do I turn to", and were quite comfortable with the concept of boy-run. They're turning to their PL's with questions, as they should. Being that the Webelos program is an 18-month program, I thought the latter half of it could better be utilized in preparing them mentally for what it would be like in their next step. It wasn't meant to be a rush, just easing the adjustment. As you pointed out, it wouldn't work with all boys. Each has a different level of maturity. I was blessed with a mob of gung-ho boys who were eager to learn. And in my instance, it worked. So far.

Thank you for posting that, Lisabob! As one reads text on a screen, it is easy to forget that there are people behind those words. All too often folks start treating one another in a forum in ways that the *never* would if they were face to face. It's one of the reasons I seldom post in forums. If it were possible for us to respect one another as though we knew one another in real life, or were having a conversation face-to-face, perhaps we wouldnt devolve to such antics that are hurtful to one another. Again, thank you for the reminder.

OUCH, nld, that was rather harsh. Perhaps they chose me because I've been active helping out in district and Council-level events, as well as out-of Council matters. Or maybe it's because of redistricting, and the fact our Chapters are struggling to get back on their feet, as well as the districts trying to get back into pace after border-shifts. I'm sorry you feel I am so completely unacceptible, even without knowing much about me or what I do. Thank YOU, John in KC, that's a really good idea. And thank YOU, sst3rd, for your well wishes and giving me the benefit of the doubt. All I want to do is support the Chapter, support the Lodge, and support the youth in any way that I can. It's good to know that not everyone here wants to give me a kick to the teeth for wanting to be active and to to help out.

I crossed my Webelos not too long ago (sniff, sniff!) so I can only offer up what I did with my Den that seemed to help them a lot in their new Troops. According to their new SM's they are doing very well and slid right in, so I guess that is the best gauge for effectiveness. SO... please excuse my wordiness, but this is what we did and it seems that it worked very well: In their first year, we hammered out all the badges that were required for Arrow of Light. Most of the requirements for these Badges was handled through outings. As the year progressed, particularly by early Spring, I had been stepping back further and further into the background, and had the parents do the same. I put my Den Chief into the role of SPL, and encouraged the Scouts to ask him questions instead of asking me. Their confidence grew quickly. By the 2nd year, the DC was acting very much like an SPL (which helped him a lot in his own leadership skills in Troop), and we no longer had Denners. Instead, we had Patrol Leaders, and an election was held monthly to ensure all had a turn at leadership. Each got a Patrol leader patch pinned to his sleeve (learned that in Wood Badge!), and they went through the PL Ceremony each month. I also handed each new PL a Patrol Leader's Handbook (I had two that I circulated monthly), which they took home and gobbled up cover to cover.The Patrols developed identities, had Patrol competitions, yells, totems, the whole thing. Most of this was guided by the Den Chief, with me quietly poking an idea his way here and there where needed. We had classes. they learned what it took to plan a meal at campout. How to plan a hike (they did a 7-mile round-trip with 1400-ft. el. gain), and then they got the opportunities to use these skills by using the Patrol method and planning outings. they all did the Scout Oath and Law at each meeting, looked like Patrols, acted like Patrols, and at Pack meetings they had to think hard to remember the Cub Sign and Cub Promise (my ball-drop there for letting that be forgotten!) We did some beltloops as though they were Merit Badges. I pulled a few from the book and made copies of them, and distributed them to the Patrols for them to choose one. Both Patrols selected astronomy. I then turned to the parents and said, "The Scouts want to learn astronomy. We are in need of a Merit Badge Counselor." One parent had a keen interest in astronomy and a cousin with a high-powered telescope, so she arranged for an instructional activity for the Scouts for this badge and later checked off their progressions as they worked through it individually and by patrol. That one worked out particularly well because it got parents thinking about their potential roles as MB counselors when their boys move on to Troops. I check up on them fairly often, through their parents and through their SM's, as they have gone to 4 different Troops. So far, they have all slid into their new Patrols very easily. No stumbles, no uncertainty, no real lack of confidence, and definitely no "Cub" behavior. They're all camping, hiking, and participating 100%. So. That's just the way I persued it. I hope some of this will help you.

ScoutNut, Sorry, you don't know the whole picture. I was chosen by District. I have an older son who has been in Troop for a couple of years, though I have conducted/had more opportunities at overnight outings at Pack/Webelos level, including international events like the Rover-run Nite Hike up in British Columbia. I ran a pretty high-octane Webelos program. I am currently standing at 22 nights' camping in a 2-year timeframe, which includes Troop summer camp last year. I recently began working at ASM level with 2 Troops (I was not ASM when chosen), so yes, I am very active. I'm well aware of the higher status of Youth-Run within the OA. I've been working with some OA youth for over a year now, so no worries! Folks shouldn't assume that when a Leader wears blue epaulets, that they automatically want to run the show. My thoughts were along the lines of possibilites of more opportunities of interaction betwen OA and Packs. From what I've seen, at least in my neck of the woods, so many leaders at Cub level have absolutely no idea what the OA is or does and so don't even try to utilize them, even for things like A of L. Visability definitely helps. So if anyone has *done* sucha thing that particularly worked well in this regard, I would certainly love to hear about it! Thank you for your link and input, ScoutNut, the link certainly provides food for thought.(This message has been edited by featherbear)(This message has been edited by featherbear)

I'm a Cubmaster/Webelos Leader who has recently been called out, and am awaiting Ordeal. I'm really looking forward to helping out at Chapter in any way that I can. When I crossed my Webelos recently, I did so on a grand scale... Firebowl setting, rented a camp lodge for the weekend, Firelighting Ceremony, Ashes, Arrow of Light for all 7, and asked the OA in to do the Crossing ceremony. We also worked in a call-out for two boys in two of the attending troops, those who missed the big one at Scout Fest. All of this gave the attending Cubs in the audience as well as the crossing Webelos a really impressive introduction to the OA, one that I could see made a really big impression on them. Now this is something that I have seen so very little of... interaction between the OA and Packs. It almost never happens, at least around here. So as I move forward to a whole new set of responsibilities, I'm hoping some of you folks could give me some ideas: what, besides A of L and Bridging, are some ways that one might be able to bring Packs and the OA together? I feel that, along with the promise of bigger adventures and more opportunities in Troop, it would definitely help provide inspiration in boys to continue on with their Scouting careers. Any input you guys might have would be wholeheartedly appreciated!

I received an email from the founder of a charitable organization I belong to. This fellow's an Eagle Scout. Last I heard from him, he was driving from TX to MS with his big BBQ rig (which can feed over 2,000) to help feed those who haven't had a meal in days. He put out a call to his geographically-closer volunteers to help him with this.

I used to be a bear.... and I'm working that ticket! WE1-609-05

I think I might have to agree with the majority that Scouting may not be a matter of genetics. My father was a Scout, but the rest of my family has nothing to do with it, although myself and my household are neck-deep in it. I'm going to examine the matter from a slightly different angle: Does the sight and scent of a campfire cause one to burst into song? Does one also harbor the tendency toward Packrat Syndrome (i.e. "I'm not throwing that away! That would make for good __fill in the blank__)? Have you finally found that 8th day in the week? Can you no longer eat eggs unless they are cooked in a ziplock bag? Could it possibly be that it is not so much a gene, but rather a contagion?

Hi, Beth! I'm so sorry about the loss of your Den Leader. I fully concur with what everyone says about training. Don't limit yourself to the position-specific... keep an eye out for all that is available through your Council. Attend the Powwow. Go to your Council's website and keep an eye on their calendar. Also, the matter of outings...keep an eye on your community's events. You're likely to stumble upon something that would make for a wonderful outing! Local historic sites often have programs or discounts for Scouts, museums often have a free day or free night once a month, or you'll come upon seasonal events that the kids just love... like here, Fort Nisqually, a local historic site, does a Halloween event called "Bonfires, Beaver Pelts, and Bogeymen" where actors are in period attire and spin (not too) scary stories 'round a bonfire. Look at the resources you have available to you in your Den's parents. What are their occupations or areas of expertise? You might find that they will jump at the chance to teach the youth all about something that really interests them. They may be stronger in areas that you don't feel comfortable with. I have a parent in my den who loves to teach the boys songs, which is just fine by me! Den Chiefs. A good Den Chief is worth his weight in gold. Crafts: just my own preference, I believe in crafts with a purpose. Science experiments for kids is another good one. The internet is loaded with both of these. For my Den, I've found more than I can possibly use by googling with "science experiments for kids" and the like. With that much available, it's easy to select the ones that coincide with the themes or the book. I'm still a newbie too, but I hope this helps.

Perfect! Thank you!! I'm sure not having any luck around here!

I became acquainted with this child-survival program when my unit was in Canada this Spring. All of our youth on that particular trip took the course and got their certification. Upon returning, I tried to get the training materials through National Search and Rescue, and have had absolutely no luck... not even a reply. The program is very strong in Canada, and endorsed by the RCMP. You can find more information about it here: http://www.rcmp.ca/ccaps/hug_e.htm If you're not familiar, it teaches kids exactly what to do if they become lost in the wilderness, to survive, and to increase their chances of being found. It made a really big impression on my guys... many of them pack their orange garbage bags and whistles in their daypacks without any prompting from anyone. I want to make this presentation to my unit at Pack Meeting, and I would love to see it go Council-wide. Does anyone know where I can get the materials? Particularly the video? As I've said, I'm getting absolutely no response from Search and Rescue, and I think that's just a shame. This *should* be taught! Thanks in advance!

Thanks Seattle Pioneer, and everyone! Good sound advice all around. Hopefully these will ease the difficulty of the situation some.

Most of us on our committee are trained, and three of us are WB trained. We have two new leaders and one committee member yet to get training. Training can be difficult to obtain in our Council. The sessions are sparse and erratically-scheduled, but for the position-specific at Pack level, we've got it done. It gets more difficult at Troop level. I've been encouraging others to attend those trainings and other sorts, like ALOST and LTC, through the neighboring Council. That seems to be working. The more training everybody in our group is getting, the more diverse and interesting the program becomes for the youth, is what I've been seeing.

I know... I'm resurrecting another dormant thread. I hope nobody minds, but I witnessed something that IMO certainly lends credence to keeping the uniform. Every year my unit is invited North of the Border to participate in a Canadian Cuboree. We're the only Yanks at this one, so it's indeed a big honor and priveledge to do so. We have good friends up there as a result. It's no secret that the Canadian Scouts are struggling to survive in some regions. This region that we go to is certainly no exception. Their numbers have been in decline. Last year, much to the dismay of our host unit (and us too), they decided that for reasons of retention and keeping the interest of the youth, to make the uniform an *option*. The idea was that if kids weren't forced to wear something that might be embarassing to some, they might see more members. The numbers at that Cuboree were the lowest yet. Only a sparse few were in uniform, while most wore street clothes. The overall mood was definitely different, that exuberance and pride in unit wasn't there. Numbers weren't looking any better. This year, we saw a marked change. More kids were at this Cuboree. The kids in my own unit had a lot of fun trading neckers with the Canadians, and each enthusiastically told the story behind his/her unit's unique necker and its history. The Canadians were back in uniform! That energy I saw in previous years was back. Does the uniform make a difference? Hard to say. I just know what I saw, and the marked difference in attitude. For the record, NONE of my Webelos match right now. Yes, I insist on full uniform in my Den meetings, with one exception... each of those boys can wear their traded Canadian necker, and each one does... with a lot of pride. Lasting memories! /end $.02 ;-)

Just to add... we were advised by others of high position (not of our Council) to seriously consider pulling out of the unit altogether and find a new home, and leave this CC to her own devices. We were not willing to do that, but were instead ready to put forth the work and effort to improve the Pack's situation. Now we're at that crossroads again. None of us want to give up on this unit, we'd much rather see things improve and we're willing to work hard in order to achieve that.