Karen_216

Here are some suggestions: - Make sure you are speaking load enough or get a microphone. Onc I started using one you could hear a pin drop!! -- Don't just put up your sign- claps four times - da-da,da-da then put your sign up. this gives a signal for them to look up front. Soon they will be repeating with out you saying anoything. -- let them know you're timing them. Look at your watch a nd announce the amount of time it takes and then challenge them each time to make it quicker- Even give incentive- if you make it less than 30 secs They get to do something special. -- dont' sit them on the floor- arrange chairs in a semi circle with break in the middle so they are in 2 rows at the most- and leaders on the ends. - Have another room for sibings-or use a divider for the room. -- At start of meeting close doors or block off any entrances that have them enter in front- we put up divider and they have to take a detour that leades to the back of the room otherwise they enter up front and everyn looks at them and gets distracted. -- get them involved in the meetings with songs or skits- any speaker should have a 10 min limit. and then move on. Be silly and have fun too!!! Dress up and tell jokes. Use songs and audience participations. I save my participations until the end because they get rowdy after that.

We purchase arrows online and also get the names embossed on leather thongs. That is something that could be done by the boys them selves- stamp their own piece of leather with their name. We have a Dad that makes plaques and that we attach the arrows to and then add the name. Makes a nice keepsake. We do use a cheaper arrow to break and do a broken arrow ceremony. Boys used to be given an arrow and then Cubmaster would break each one and give back, We dont' do that any more. We give them their arrow on the plaque. Another thing I've heard done is to use paint of different colors and then to put on a lave and mark each rank and elective earned individually with a stripe. Lots of work when you have lots of boys. Another thing we started for each boy that moved on is to burn their names on the crossover bridge . Our woodworking Dad rebuilt this last year for us as well. The leader puts the den number and all the names of the boys on it.I'd like to put a symbol for those earning AOL next to the name. there are a number of websites out there we researched and found arrows at. Also try a Sportsman shop/ gunshop, they have arrows of various kinds.

I have volunteered in the past and my daughter is middle scool and they let her be a junior counselor. Dont' think jsut adult volunteers. ask boys scouts and venturers to volunteer. Out director has them sign an agreement and has a brief training to let them know what is expected- it's work time not social time. The scouts love to do scout skills where they do relays and show knots and all that- of course there is an adult there as well. My daughter helped with Nature cetner one year and crafts last year and in another hleped with tot lot. Waht my son likes most about the local day camp is they have a trading post. director buys things form dollare store and sells for a minumal amount- takes bags of snakes (most popular items) and breaks them up to be a quarter or 50 each. At most they are a dollar. kiods can only spend 1.00 a day. but they love it. this year theme was knights and there were foam swords and helmets and chest plates. Kids just dig the themes. Good luck and much success. enthusiasm and good attitude goes a long way with adults. you dont' have to have ti all together- just act like ou do. If something goes wrong dont' panic- work around it. Here is a great site for crafts and other things- better than Oriental- ssworldwide: ssww.com .Kits come with everything you need adn tells you how long it takes , etc. We jsut have one crafts station and others are: Scout skills,som type of belt loop, archery (went well with theme) kids got a certificate of knighthood, nature, scout gsames.

Soubnds like you are felling liek you are being taken advantage of. You are right. It's one thing if someone comes as asks you to help them out but another to dump it all on you. Next time go to the leaders and say- hey, you need to come back here and get your boys I have my own activites planned. (Sounds like what happens at work lots of times - you say look at this problem and then it becomes yours!!) you need to do what is best for you. Our pack started having a few kids each year join from anohtewr local pack. We told DE and he said that the other pack was a good pack.No probelmes that he needed to lokk into. This year we had a whole den- leaders and all come over. I found out they had the only den doing everything. The CM's own son did not even like scouts and the committe was basically non existent- they were amazed at committee meetings we have an actual agenda and that every den has a leader show up. That pack's loss is our gain as these parents are terific. Meetings at same time/place can be beneficial but it sounds liek some other leaders are looking for their own play time.

Don't do it all yourself. After each meeting have a huddle with den parents. Use them as resources. you never know who they know or waht they know. Maybe one is a volunteer Fire fighter and will give a demo or things like that. On go sees its if there is an admission charge always ask if they give scout groups a discount. We've found considerable discounts and some evetns to be free. Look at council sctivites to meet some of your requirements. Scout evetns and nights and participate as a den - if pack is offering it encourage your den to go. Encourage your parents to step up in the pack. Your families are the future of the pack. Go to committee meetings and roundtables and pow wows. All great resources. Encourgae youir kids to do summer cmaps- they are not too young to do the resident camps in the summer. They'll earn lots of loops and pins and advancements- my son only has one more requirement for Ber badge due to 75% being done in camps. Finally the old KISMIF- Keep it simple, make it fun. Rememeber these are kids- think and act like a 6 year old- the sillier or grosser it seems the more they love it!! Take breaks to run off steam. If they arent' paying attention go to something else. Ask other leaders what they did as Tiger leaders and are doing now.

Here is the requirement for bears: a. Complete the Character Connection for Faith.  Know. Name some people in history who have shown great faith. Discuss with an adult how faith has been important at a particular point in his or her life.  Commit. Discuss with an adult how having faith and hope will help you in your life, and also discuss some ways that you can strengthen your faith.  Practice. Practice your faith as you are taught in your home, church, synagogue, mosque, or religious fellowship. b. Make a list of things you can do this week to practice your religion as you are taught in your home, church, synagogue, mosque, or other religious community. Check them off your list as you complete them. you can choose to get the religious knot of your faith as well. this is not a very strict requirement. You dont' have to go to a church- look at the "as taught in your home". Maybe you are taught to go to church or maybe not. your faith can mean anything- it can be specific or a very broad- do good. As long as he encourages others to practice in thier own way I dont' see a problem. He could go too far the other way. condeming others who do not believe the saem as you. I've seen people do that too (not in scouts- but some may have).

KAthy- Just because you do not belong to a church does not mean your son can not get a religious emblem. Many have workbook s or you can even chosse to attend classes some offer to cubs , you need not be a member. I'v heard of boys getting emblems just to be informed. I don't belive in forcing my beliefs on anyone. In this day of many finding out about misconducts on the behave of clergy many people are skeptacal about certain churces or faiths.That does not believe they have no belief in God or a higher being. i havent' gone back and look at the specific wording of the requirmetns But I believ some of them metnoin examinign what you can do to help your religious organziation but you can just as well be helpful to you community the same way you would your church- helping the homeless, being a plain old good person and following the doctorine of just doing good- or a good turn daily I would think would fulfill some of that.you could even go into a church you are not a memebr of and contribute food or clothing. Again, I did not look at specfics but the ranks are very broad in their requirements.

If she informed the CM she no longer could be a leader then he shuold have told you. I'd discuss wiht CM and CC that in evetn she does it again you need ot know. If they did not mention anything then I'd be happy to have her as an assistant. i had a Committee member ocme to me right before the year and tell me he couldn't do the popcorn and awards. he took under confidence of his reasons and I agrred not to let anyone know why. I just told them he could not do them anymore. If some one asked I told them it was due to conflicts. People have many reasons- whether medical or that she was overwhelemd it should not have fallen on you without your consent. Are these members now in your den? If so then give her some meetings to do and let her help. you'll soon see if she is back or not. BTY I had a co-leader do similar. we both signed up as leaders and I could never get in touch with him and I had to bring my own meeting plans in case he did not show. All I asked form him was if he was goingt o be ata meeting and confirm he had plans. He eventually dropped out and his son as well.(and left whole pack in the lurch too as he had taken on CC role)

how does Downingtown, Pa sound?? Althougth pack is not locaed there some of the boys are. This may help us with one of the Bear achievements so they can write about den activities.

At council resident camp this last summer the scouts were shown not only how to cook over fires but the different types of structures used to build a fire and what purpose each served - cooking fire vs a camp fire for singing, etc. Also all the safety rules of having to have a bucket to put it out and a strict talk on saftey and what to look for when building a fire- no overhanging trees- clear area- rocks around, etc. They didn't light them though. I see teaching about fire as no more dangerous than learning whittling- all these things deserve respect. My son is a Bear but this discussion was for wolves too. however- I'd be concerned that no achievements at all are being done and if they are just by accident. Nothing wrong in not doing crafts but some the kids love and aren't "sissy"- afraid of your manhood anyone?? - making slides- for example also we made cooking ornaments to give at a nursing home. Even boy scouts have a badge for basket weaving. Maybe this guy shoudl be sent to BALOO if he's the outdoorsy type. They even taught us games there. Still have to let kids be kids.

I have offered to pick up boys because of parental conflicts-to any and all- as long as I have the room and my son is along- or in one case the sister was also coming. I'd rather bring them along so they get the benefit of scouting than have them drop out becasue of transportation issues. Tigers does need to have an adult partner- this should not be den leader(other thatn your own)- we had a parent assign another adult in the den with this and she was willing to do so. Just remember- BSA is not Baby sitting Anonymous (or whatever the phrase). I believe there is nothing wrong with bringing one child or siblings that have a CONFLICT- not just being lazy- true conflict.(having really young sibs and being a single parent prob qualifies- we're a family program but meetings may conficlt with other family stuff). However in that respect your wife is correct- anyone who has a conflict should be so accomodated- or at least matched with another family. My daughter was able to participate in girl scouts due to a parent willing to bring her to her afterschool program after meetings. I was very grateful and voiced my appreciation. But you need to work this out among yourselves!!!

We had our best popcorn year ever.I noticed more people were asking about the charity we do- almost every month we do something for the community. However, more families are having both parents working now more than ever before- even those that used to have one at home. So we feel it in the volunteer area. We keep dues low(luckily due to popcron success). We notice that evetns that cost more dont' have attendence(such as major league sporting events). however ,our charity efforts are better than ever. familes are still very sympathetic and thankful for what they have no matter how bad off. Food bank was so grateful for the station wagon full of goods and hugely surprised when we asked- what more can we do?? the thing is with scouts- you can have fun w/o spending anything!! More than ever it's important to show we can make a difernece in youths life and show compassion and charity to those less fortunate. (even within our own packs) our membership is up to. Of course we are working harder than ever to make a great program.

We give medals to the the 1-4th palce in each den. the top 2 go to the all around round. We use a "lose 3 times" elimination system. Every car in the den races every other until elimination begins. we only mark the last place with a slash and whennit loses 3x it's out. We also have a "pit-stop cafe". We take donated drinks and make hotdogs and sell for a little and sncaks and used to use money to offset costs. this year somemone suggsested we donate the money. Also we have an awesome awards site with huge tropies we get all medals and trophies for 1-4th place for about 90.00 or about that. Medals have year rank on them as well.

Roasting marshmallows and making smores and singing songs either inside over a log fire or outside if campfires are permitted- even more fun to cozy up on a cold night. Some fun games- divide into teams and have sleeping bag relay- Give each team of 5 boys a rolled up sleeping bag, they have to one at a time unroll, then unzip bag , then take off shoes of a boy, then zip him in and get him a pillow. After this is done, they have to unzip him, help him out, put on his sneakers and tie them, zip up bag, roll and tie and place back on table- they do it tag team. Another idea- put all sneakers from team tied together in a pile, each boy takes turns getting a sneaker untied- not his own, then puts on correct boy another boy ties it until all boys have snekers on and are seated. Each boy has to remain seated until it's his turn or they have to wait a minute to go keeps it less wild.

Ask him to send you den meeting info and the requirements each meets. My Webs 1 leader does this. This is just so I know what's going on in a den that is so large. ASk about troop visits- ask to go along- ask and what troop they visted and chekc with scoutmaster. The reason is to perhaps change some minds of scouts who may be on the fence about joining a troop. You can sit down with DL and CC and advancement chair so that all your ducks are in a row under the guise that you are checking on prgress. Have him bring all his program materials and what requirments they will earn and plan. Does he have the Webelos leaders book?? I'd make sure he does. Also let him knwo the requirements are not to be watered down. Definate mistake on both the DL part and advancemetns chair about not earning the Bobcat before. We have to record in council system so there is no way rank would be awarded w/o Bobcat, likewise you cant; award Bobcat until registration is in to council. We need to show the paperwork to buy the badges.

I understand your delimna as CM. You should believe your DLs.If you believe this person is not honest then he/she shoule not be a DL. Review all the Webelos and AOL requirements and le them know you are there to help. If they haven't filed LTP and you need them to do so, then let them know that in the future it needs to be done. Our council has told us we only need for out of disctrict activities or overnights other than council operated camps. They told us if we are going individually to an event and meeting up somewhere and it's not an overnight we dont' need to fiel (such as sporting event). Go over your expectations with all the pack, you can;t do anything about the past just handle the future. Also make sure they sign off whent he boys ahve done the acitivities- they may have some other arrangements with the families about making up requirements if they missed meetings. Also if they are active in the pack and go to events- why would they have trouble making rank? Bottom line. If DL an parents put in then I'd not stress it out and micro manage.

We have that many plus. We fill whole Middle school cafeteria. We do Fos during dinner as well as outside entertainer. This year only ranks we are doing is AOL and crossover. That should bring the close to 3 hours down to 2. Also if you do outside entertainer keep at 20 mins tops!! After that the kids get lost !! We had one year that was just TOO boring and kids were running amuck and most people left before AOL and crossover which I think should be most important part!!

Depending on age teach whittlin chip and practice that. Can you build a fire in that cabin and cook a meal and make up[ stories and sing songs? Kids don't care if it's wet. we had an overnight at a fort anf they still ran everywhere.

i downloaded one i found on the web and also wrote one to the tune of "my favorite cub scouting things". Sometimes it's fun to make up your own. Include some ones from popular shows such as Spongebob. Ask your son- he'll be able to sing the Spongebob/plankton "friends" song.

In our area the scout council teams up w/ ABC and there is a whole Scouting for Food campaign and some scouts can march in Phila Thanksgiving parade. They even distribute bags to units w/ instructions to put on door and donor to put back out by 9am following Sat for collection. You can pretty much choose where to donate if you are in suburbs. We donate to local food bank and last year had a scout auction that raised money for them as well. we are doing lots of charity work this scout year- October a book drive for childrens hospital raised over 79 books.This month- scouting for food. In January we are planning another "auction" and will donate to a local Cares group.

Lisabob, Bullying is one of the major things I worry about. I wasa bullied as a child and was also a bully. For me it was away to try to prove how tough I was and to be cool. I've found many bullies are passing down what happened to them and what better way to build up their own confidence than to bully another(?). When confornted quiet a few will see the error of their ways and back downa and be ashmed of what they did. Question is does anyone see it your way?? Could you have an organization come in and do a program and has no one ever said anything to these kids about it? If you are going to leave I would not do so quietly or even sit back and not do anything currently. I'd definatly make it a point to bring in BSA literature and list incidents and occurances of violations. Whether you leave or stay make it your legacy to stop it or at least make your point known. If we dont' try we will only have regrets.

I brought back sample ballots. I wanted to go in am but kids would not move and if I had they gotten a move-on would have come along but since they did not give me enougth time I still had to taek them to g-parents for the day. My son earned the citz pin last year and he went wiht Dad then.They can earn the pin with out that though as they only need 5 out of 10 along w/ the belt loop.

It's anohter parent in the den they want to stand in their stead and has agreed to do so and already has an app in as adutl partner.

Have you ever heard of another parent being the Tiger partner for a Tiger other than their own?? We have a family that wants to do this due to work circumstances. My thought is to say- please wait unitl next year. The Tiger Leader is looking for guidence on this issue. I though the idea was it to also be family time and substituting another parent is not allowing for this. Plus I'm thinking they would not be able to do thier art in doing a meeting as well. Do you leave it up to the leader to decide?

The totem is part of the immediate recognition program and should be done right away. They are the simplist things to learn before the other items for Bobcat. I was just discussing w/ my new Tiger leader how the beads should also be awarded right at the den meeting or go see it as soon as you finish a task instead of waiting a month for the pack meeting. I told him we would be happy to award them there as well since they did some itrems and he did'nt hand out beads yet but to bring them to events and hand them right out as soon as they are done that meeting.