JohnTwist

The chairman of our little Cub Scout Pack in Cascade, Michigan, came up with a tremendous idea. He was dissatisfied with the condition of the uniforms, the placement of the patches, etc. So, we have a uniform inspection at the beginning of each Pack meeting. If the Cub's uniform is correct, he receives a fleur-de-lis which we pin to his shirt lapel (I know, that's not regulation...). We began softly, but are now exacting in our requirements. We've handed out so many of those dollar fleur-de-lis that we had to substitute gold ones for ten black ones. Some of the boys collars are filled with these things -- but the rest of their uniforms are GREAT! Where I would have used the "stick" and tried to enforce uniform neatness by emphasis, Scott did it with a "carrot" and, within two years, has made excellent progress. We're both now transferring over to a Troop with our boys and we're beginning the same thing there! The boys LOVE a reward. This has worked in our situation, it may work in yours.