ForTheBoys

We didn't start using Denners until they were a Wolf Den. I don't think it would be a good idea for a Tiger Den. When they were Tigers we really used the parent rotation technique so each boy had his time to "help". When they started the Wolf year they each were an Asst. Denner and a Denner for a month. I assigned the positions then. When they became Webelos they were able to vote for the Asst. Denner who then became the Denner the following month. They could not vote for themselves and you had to be present at the Den meeting to be elected. The elections still rotated through the boys since only those who had not been elected earlier in the year were eligible. Now that we have gone through a full rotation the elections are open to anyone regardless of when they were last elected. It will be interesting to see how this works out - one more year to Boy Scouts! I like having the Denner/Asst. Denner available to actually lead some activities. I'll tell the Denner something like "please set up the room for the meeting - you are in charge so get the other boys to help you". Then I can take care of something else. FTB

I just took my Webelos on an overnighter this past weekend where they did the foil dinner themselves and every meal turned out great. We have a Den Chief who actually used EDGE to teach them. Some ideas that I think helped was to slice the potatoes to about a quarter of an inch and we encourage the boys to put everything in even if they didn't want to eat it (ground beef, potato, carrots & onion). That way the pouch had the moisture and the meal had the taste even if the boys didn't realize it. I think the most important part was to double wrap the foil with a damp/wet paper towel between the layers. That way the meal actually gets steamed and is better protected from burning. Could the younger Cubs have done as well? Probably. We set it up as an assembly line and could have easily had a parent assisting 1 on 1. Of course the parents wouldn't be allowed to make the silly faces with the beef, carrot eyes & onion smiles! Now we'll have to try something different at the next campout!

Thank you for your responses (yes, even to Kudu - comic relief is always welcomed.) I ended up handling it by greeting the dad and saying that I wish I had my Guide to Safe Scouting book with me so I could show him that Cub Scouts don't throw knives. His response was "But these are throwing knives." (Exact quote.) I was a bit stunned. All I could do was reiterate that Cub Scouts don't throw knives but Boys Scouts are allowed to. Then I asked him to please check the G2SS book when he got home and I finished up by saying that ultimately it was up to him. For a little more situational information the tree stump was close to the middle of the camp site where all of the kids had been playing. Our Pack had pulled our boys back in to get ready for dinner so no one was running around at the moment. Fortunately the throwing stopped and no harm was done.

I just returned from a Parent Son Overnighter at our local Council camp. My pack shared one of the camp sites with a few other families we didn't know. While we were relaxing after the programs were over we noticed a parent and his children throwing knives into a tree stump. The boy was wearing a Tiger Cub hat and the girl looked to be his younger sister. They were using 8 inch long throwing knives. What would you do? (I'll post my own answer tomorrow.)

I can relate to your situation. Our CO has 2 Cub Scout Packs and both recruit boys from the same elementary school. There used to be 3 Packs. The Packs have discussed combining but we come to the conclusion that the resulting Pack would be too big. There are some differences between the Packs, but the main difference is the meeting nights. We have adopted the concept that as long as a boy joins one of the Packs, Scouting in general is better off. RunsWithScissors, it sounds like you have the established Pack and most likely you have the more complete program to offer potential new Cub Scouts. If your 1 school or neighborhood can successfully support 2 Packs, then the Scout program is working! If you really think that the other Pack is somehow going to deplete your Pack into extinction, then talk to your DE as soon as possible.

Yes! Thank you infoscouter, that's exactly what I was looking for. I just ordered the CCS version. That saves me from buying or borrowing a sewing machine!

Hello, my Webelos Den is transitioning from family camping to den camping which means they are starting to cook as a den as well. I'm looking for a better way to store the cooking utensils when they are not being used. Currently they are kept loose in a small duffel bag with other dry supplies (paper products, spices, etc.) When I was a Scout I recall that each patrol had a cooking utensil kit that included the spatula, ladle, large knife, small knife, can opener, etc. in a roll up carrying case. I haven't been able to locate something similar so I'm thinking of making my own. What do you use?

I second the motion for velcro. I have 2 shirts and both have velcro for the CSP, unit numbers, position and OA flap. That way I can transfer patches between shirts and keep the patches out of the laundry. It also allows me to not have unit numbers on when I'm doing Roundtable work.

We awarded our first Video Game Beltloop and Pin last night. You could hear the excitement from the Pack as it was announced. The CM then had the Cub name what he had to do to earn it. It was nice to hear him state "I had to schedule time for homework (boring), chores (boring)and then I had time for games".