Karen_216

DAycampcord, Here is a good place for crafts- better than Oriental Trading compay . s&S Worldwide (sswwide.com) Gives you everythign you need to amke an item(and plenty of it) and if it doe s not will tell you upfront. Also give approx time to make itmes and age ranges. Also I did permanent sand castles at daughters camporee. It is super simple- if a little messy. (go to ehow.com) Just search for Permanent sand castels and this is the easiest recipe: sand, cornstarch, water, Exact amounts are given. I reduced the proportions and found out it was like a 1:2:3 ratio or similar and then just used scoops- 1 of cornstarch, 2 sand, 2 (or 3 water- forget exactly- but didn't really need actaul measure cups, just the correct proprtion of each). You need to mix in a small pot( got 25 from dollar store). And heat and stir and stir and stir until it starts to get tacky. You take from heat (adult does the heating - kids just put a scoop or two of ingredients in pan). Plop on paper plate and wait a minute until cools- then they design away. Use "molds" - yogurt cups or any small cylindrcal container (hey recycling!!) or theirhands to make the castle . Add beads, shells, wahtever- or small toothpick "flag"?. After a few hours (obvoiously they leave until end of day or overnight), You have a sandcastle for life. I still have a couple from 7 yrs ago. You need a couple of burners and adutls to help heat and scoop and then to scrape out pots otherwise after a while they become solid w/ sand!! Of course some kids do a blop and taek 2 mins others aren't done after 1/2 hour. Those done early help clean up and set up for next group. had about 50 mins for my center. I did this w/ girls ages 5 to 10. They all loved it. I've done w/ my son who loves it just as well!! Get sand from home depot or similar store in bulk (do a rough estimate of how many kids x the recipe). Large corn starch from whole sale club. Bgas of beads and shells to decorate!! i had approx 90-100 girls all day? (other areas did not plan their events as well so I got overflow from centers that had run out of supplies) BTY- where are from in pa?? I'm in CCC council. They have 4 distrcits and run 4 camps and 1 webelos. all differnet weeks in each distrcit. My son went to 2 diff last year. Had the same them but diff experinces completely. Assign a volunteer to be in charge of a station and planning their week - and then bring to you for apporval.

Is it a pack rule or a council rule that you can only join the pack affiliated with your school?? A child who switched to another school must switch packs? Maybe we're lucky in my area to have so many packs and while most children are encouraged to join the pack at their own school I would never turn someone away that was not from the school. What about home schoolers? Most of our kids are from the same school but I have sevaral families that transefferd from another pack to us because they did not feel that pack was offering a real cub scout experience (CM didn't want to be CM adn wqs lackluster- did not participate in council evetns- No Pinewood).These families are among the most activie too. I told the DC to maybe inverstigate the pack on the side to see if there were problems. I hate to see any pack go downhill. I'd still look around- maybe this is your own CC rule. BTY- my den has 14. I considered breaking it up but only about 9 are active anyway. The parents are good at helping out and while there may be a few "wild" moments we always get lots done and the boys all say the love it.

It depends on how long you are camping. for pack Family overnighters. waht we do- a hike, campfire lighting, marshmallow roast and making s'mores, campfire stories- this year will be ghost stories- songs. Next morning they are making fishing rods and going fishing an that's it really.Each den is given a task. If you are doign two nights there is time for doing some organized rope tying or other stuff. They play frosbees and throw around footballs and other free time stuff. (well away fromt he fire).

The council involved in this controversy is Cradle of Liberty Council. you can view their council site at www.COLBSA.ORG Here is the statment from thier website: Marks Scouting Resource Center - Building Statement 05/28/08 On Friday, May 23, 2008, the Cradle of Liberty Council, Boy Scouts of America filed a complaint in Federal Court against the City of Philadelphia to protect the organizations constitutional rights. This action comes after many months of discussion and every effort on the Councils part to reach an amicable resolution with city officials regarding the Councils headquarters at 22nd and Winter Streets. Because its policies do not align with the views of officials in the city, the Cradle of Liberty Council was asked to vacate its historic headquarters or pay fair market rent for use of a facility the Scouts built, maintained and improved for the last 80 years at no cost to the City of Philadelphia. The First Amendment protects an organizations right to determine its own policies. To suppress those opinions or policies, as the city seeks to do here, is unconstitutional. It is truly unfortunate that this debate must continue and be played out through the legal system. However, the Cradle of Liberty Council must take the necessary actions to protect its rights and ensure continued service to the 53,000-plus young men and women in Philadelphia who are its true focus. Thank you for your continued support.

Ok so we all sometimes do it.Make sure th bag is packed correct, remind them to take a shower. It's when it's to extrmes that thye have to step back. The "helicopter" parents (another term) that "hover" over every little thing is not new. They can take the form of the Bullying Dad or the Mom who can't let go and needs to be there for everything. Heck- I sent my daughter to camps hoping she'll get some independance and maturity. She's so obliviuos- so differnet than her brother 5 years younger who must do it himslef. No waitng for Mom or Dad to fix a sandwich for this 7 yr old. He'll make it himself. Guess what- they both are capable. Let's face it, most kids will let parents do it if the parents are there and willing to. I think people laugh at me sometimes when I jsut shrug- oh well, a bug got in the drink. He'll survive!! There are more important things than wearing a pair of socks all week or forgetting to shower 1 day (or 2- poor leaders who have to "smell" it). The Values and skills they need to learn for themselves and the decisions they may face one day when they are on their own are hopefully what they are being prepared for. Mom or Dad can't always be there to tell them to look both ways or to leave a situation that is not appropriate. Or to make sure they get to work on time and don't goof off (oops still havent; learned that yet!) You can only hope that these helicopters will back off (probably having a stroke thinking of Johnny eating a marshamllow off that dirty stick). Some will bck off eventually some won't. Hopefully learn by example of the rest of the pack.

IMO Anynomous and the boys are more upset that the boys are not able to run a program than that Mom's are involved. If they were allowed to do all the things that the BSA is designed to do - is not a goal to make responsible adults and good citizens??- they would all come around to the adjustment of having a female SM. What this new SM is doing is failing to cut the apron strings. It's called "hovering" and won't end here. When johnny goes to college mom will set up his room and make sure he's Ok prob even call the teachers to check up on him. Maybe even go to some of his classes. Never realzing she's creating a dependant that will move back in with her and sit on her couch for years. It's not just a scout problem. Unfortunately these "hoverers" are now in control of a previos well running troop. Reminds me of the discussion once I had w/ a bunch of other Mom's who wouldn't allow their kids to go potty at kindergarten because thye were afraid they wouldn't wipe their bottoms right.... Advance 10years....johnny is still not allowed to wipe himself. If the kids go hungry- that is their choice-- i'm sure they can stand 1 missed meal If they dont' wash and come home dirty-- who does it hurt?? Sounds like this new troop is being very welcoming. I'd say bye to the old and embrace the new. Get the SCOUT RUN prgram the boys want. Soon those Mom's will be out there cooking for themselves and their own son's will probably soon revolt too. (or get tired of being teased by the other boys- don't think it won't happen!!)

It says to practice at 3 outings, it doesn't spcecify Pack or den outings.

Graet info and thanks for the correction . She will be happy to hear how well rounded the program is (as well as myself) and what it offers. I can't wait to look around with her!!

She's going to assist in CPR because her certification is not current so she can't be the actual instructor. This does not mean she is not qualified, you are held to a higher strandard to instruct( I think you have to recert every yr?). Her training is also more intensive than a regular CPR class.(at least the original course) Her taking it the same as you may still not qualify her to teach but may just recertify her in CPR itself. As a health worker you have to requalify more often as well. She could still assist (like a pahrmacy tech so to speak), but the certified instructor signs you off and overseas it is being done correctly. Does not mean she is not fine w/ all the other stuff.

She'll be in 8th grade NEXT year. Her birthday is in April. They finish up in June. I've been seeing so many advertisings around and I see Venturers at some council evetns and round table. I was going to talk to a fellow I see around at he last Rt but the scouters split up before I could. My nephew who's in Boy Scouts is training for Philmont w/ a venture crew right now.

Hi, I'm a CM for cub scouts and do all the fun stuff with my son-actually most outings my whole family goes which includes my 13 year old daughter. She has also helped in the past at den meetings- taught the tigers about the weather and then some sort of game. We did the brownie thing in 2nd and 3rd grade and then her troop dissolved and I did not persue another troop for her or form one as i was kind of disapointed in the GS program-- that's another story. To cut to the chase since she likes hiking and Kayaking (not w/ the cubs!!), is interested in paleontolgy and geology and has been on some family camping and even did a week at girl scout camp, I wanted to persue Venturing. I spoke with her about it and she seemed to be interested (or as interested as she at 13 shows anything . We are lucky to have a number of crews in our area.The council has been having V weeks and other venturing specific events, I know they need to be 14 and finished 8th grade to start-- how soon is it to start looking around and what do we look for in a crew?? Also- do they have ranks or just the few awards they can earn??

THat's ok. At least you're trying!! Who has time on their hands after all this scouting?? I don't belong to a garden club and enjoy planting flowers and seeing them come up (as long as my Dad trying to be helpful in his retirement does not put down weed killer in my yard which leaches into the flower beds) IMHO garden clubs are for SERIOUS gardeners- I mean the ones who don't jsut plant daffodils and tulips but actually breed them themselves and can look at one and tell you the actual variety of the daffodil.They develop actual written plans for their gardens and take pics at all seasons so they know what is palnted where and dig up bulbs and seaparete plants and enter competitions on design. etc. Hope I didn't offend anyone. Best to stick to the smaller farm type stores if you want advice and not the huge buy everthing stores. If I see something that comes up that I like - even if it is a weed I leave it but then my "garden pro sis" sees it and pulls it out . In my gardening enthusiasm I rsponsed to the call at my sons elementary school and adopted a plot there as they needed someone to tend it. I thought- what a great opportunity for the pack!! I didn;t realize how large it was until my den went out. It was full of ants and I personally spent money on the plants which died soon from drought. Of course even though I sent messages to the pack my den was the only one to come out (I noticed the boys from last year did not show up this year.) I even told them they could get GTA crdit hours for this. THe first meeting had 4 boys (which inculded my son who sat in the car half the time and then smashed his leg w/ a garden tool).The 2nd time was 2 boys- again which included my son and the cub I took myself as I was babysitting him !! They weeded a little and planted a few bulbs and then tired out and decided they were done. So the garden I adopted for the pack is really my own person garden project. I really needed thatas I only have close to an acre myslef and am a new CM!! Good luck in your garden endevours-- get a book and find out what does good locally and go with Native species. YOu'll make the birds and environment happy!! Wildflowers do well in sun and reseeed themsleves. BTY- I tried the black weed guard and had to pull up the next year- Hubby put grass clipping on top-- HELLO-- givng a place for the weeds to grow- defeating the purpse of the weed gard!! Besides which I couldn't till the garden with that in place. shouldnt' you be planting and not on the internet??

There are no "secret" clubs in scouting. He's making a singular one. Everyone has the right to see the bank info. What does he have to hide? The den leaders decide how their dens are to be run, if there is some kind of problem w/ leadership then the COr or CC can then decide about the leadership. The CC needsd to have a strong backbone and set the committee meetings and aganda and recruit various positions.Print out from BSA site the member roles and if he's not with it replace him. A proper pack is not a dictatorship- it's a democracy. Really the CM is just an MC. The pack committe is in charge. I'm a CM and may come up w/ lots of ideas but run it through the committee- also would not be able to get through w/o thier input and ideas. If they don't want some thing it does not fly. We all vote on it. All parents also have a right to go to committee meetings too.

Such good points. When someone is burned out they lose all enthusiasm and sometimes get so overwhelmed they can do nothing. If the peopel who complain aren't willing to help they are part of the problem. All packs run better when the work is spread out. The CM does not have to give up these other duties the CC finds someone to do them and gives them the job. Find out waht' going on and why he's responsible for all these other jobs. You have to have a budget meeting and pack planning meeting. YOu need to have monthly pack planning sessions where everyone shares what is goign on and responsiblities are doled out. Now is the time to get a popcorn chair for the fall. Now is the time to do your planning for next year. If you need money have a car wash or yard sale for the pack for right now. Involve the parents and recruit to enliven the pack. Maybe you'll see a revivla of the "old" CM when all the other burdens are lifted. Appraoch it as "you are doing too much and we all are going to help you out". Rather than "You're so terrible so you're fired". If then he does not fuflfill the responsiblilite he is supposed to do then you can get a replacement.

I asked at Target and they gave me a 15% discount on purchases for our pack.9didn't even ask wha tI was buying). That may be just an indivdual store decision. I was told as a company they also pick each month organizations to contribute to but you have to submit in writing w/ tax id etc. Don't know if that violates the general "self supporting and not asking for monetayr donations" rule by National by individual packs/troops but if its merchandise not money????

Basementdweller, in response to you leaving the pack you have to ask yourself: Other than this are you happy with the pack are your concerns being addressed? If the answer is no then leave the pack and go elsewhere. If this is something you can see blowing over or a situation can be resolved then stay with the pack. If it is just too much to take then take yourself and your son to a place you would be appreciated. visit around to make sure you're not going into something just as bad or worse. Also- are the leaders trained??

Remember: The tenure from one award can not be used for the tenure for another.

I know councils like to recruit in the spring and apparantly there have been some success stories. Our recruiting over the summer and fall seems not to have been successful as the fall. the boys we get in the spring are those we've had in the works or have relatives in the pack and just moved. There are so many spring events to compete with that recruiting evetns and even our own pack evetns have little or no turn out. Den Zero- don't give up. In the fall families may have seen your signs and turn out to join. i talk w/ many families who seem surprised when I tell them they can join any time not just the fall (those that are of age). Keep up appearances at school and local after school programs and day cares. Get the boys to go on the morning announcements in uniform with awards and word will get out. Many of these "experienced" recruiters have given some good advice and just stick with it. don't be afraid to look out of the box. Keep upi your presence int eh newspaper for events and accomplishments- get a website- that has been our biggest recruiting tool. Just make sure you keep it exciting and current!!

Ok. I'll admit it. I stopped adding them up too.We go and do lots of scout activites. So it was easy to get the points. Summer camps really help too. ALso when I would tell him he would get credits for doing something and get out the book and read it he would say "AWESOME". Now that the arrows are on his uniform he asks what he did for each one. I go back and read the list and he loves to remember all the fun stuff he did.

Ok so they are obnoxious undesciplined brats that are smart enough to know how to behave.(to make it short and sweet). I was trying to be understanding. So they are smart enough to understand you saying "listen , if you can't listen and behave then you won't be able to participate. i am responsible for a large group and don't have time to spend to make sure you don't end up in the hospital because you won't listen." tell the parents the same. you won't take the boys without a guardian going. does the den leader have the same problem or are you that (unfortunate) person?

Basementdweller mentioned that they have issues beyond behavior so maybe it's not special needs in the devolpmental sense but perhaps family or abuse or emotional or something else. Any or these are a special need and may require more attention to be fair to all involved.

How many can they earn? Youi can't designate a number.They earn what they earn. My son has 9. As a tiger he had just as many elective beads. Maybe I'm jsut good at adding up what he's done. Just like there may be boys who earn all actvity pins and sports and academics beltloops and pins. Someboys may earn 0 and others all.

These sound like some special needs boys. Tell their parents as they require so much one on one attention you need to have a responsible adult accompany them on outings or events. You are responsble for a large group and can not properly supervise when individuals require so much attention. It is also doing them a disservice for the parents to just dump them on you. Not fair to anyone involved. You have to think of everyone's safety. Call a meeting with the boys and den leader and discuss your issues and requirements.(make sure Cm is in on it)

Soften w/ water and then add "prizes" to make treasure bars then press together and let harden.

You may want to inquire if there are shower facilites somewhere in the park. This being a two nighter. The kids may not care but the adults may want a shower. Need not be at the site but maybe in the park somewhere?? An option is set up some type of "shower" hut to at least get a chance to sponge off. I'm sure many out there have experience w/this. Just a thought.