kbandit

What we used to do for the cubs (Boy Scouts now) is we would start early and collect old bowling trophies and buy new tops for them and every cub got one for participating in the derby. We had a large 4 ft trophy the pack champ got to take home for a year. (moms were ready to pass it on after a year LOL) The cubs loved it. To put new tops on is just a screw and we bought (or had donated) little car ones. Face plates usually come off real easy and new ones aren't much are here for 1st, 2nd third. You'd be suprised how many you get. Boxes and boxes of them.

Just got done watching the new DVD of A Time to Tell. Last segment is about bullying. Our troop is planning on watching it on Monday. This is a new version. Very worth while. One of our new leaders (crossover) is going to lead this. He is a policeman in town, he will preview the video and do his on-line training beforehand. Hopefully the scouts will find this informative. Looks like new version of DVD covers all new requirements maybe a 2 meeting DVD depending on how much discussion goes on.

Thanks Lisabob. We have lost some over the one already. We are trying to give all a good program. Just trying at times.

Have a question for MTM25653. If this special needs scout cannot read or write how did he go about the Eagle req. merit badges? We presently have a special needs scout and mom is very, how should I say this, secretive about the disability that is obvious. Has told us he is ADHD but that is not all that is going on. He has an aid at school with him through out the day. Working with him for the last year has at times been a real challange. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Currently he is second class. He dosn't like to do alot of what is in the program. Mom is one of the helicopter people. Drops off in parking lot and poof. Asked her to help with him on outings on numerous occasions (he will walk off) and she says I can't. There are 2 older brothers who have earned Eagle.

Our scout troop performs the ceremoney(from what was posted) Burnside is referring to and what is found worthy is the scout not the arrow. We have never had a complaint that it was in any way disrespectful to the Indian culture. While the arrow may have been inspected to see the accomplishments of the scout to be deemed worthy of the AOL. Burnside have you looked at an arrow? Each band (color) represents a path(accomplishment) taken in Cub Scouts. Last AOL season our troop did 7 ceremonies some out of our district. This year due to scheduling conficts we will do 3. Did 1 Sat. nite. Were you there?

So very sorry. If I remember right you might find a ceremony in the Chaplin/chaplin aid guide book.

I manage a gas station/drive thru and work in the office.

Get some help from your Unit Commissioner. Contact your District and they can get you in touch with your UC.

Our troop went to Camp McKee two years ago. We would like to return because of high adventure off camp for older scouts in Red River Gourge (had 4 scouts and 2 leaders attend) and they had a blast. They were off camp from Monday until Friday. Younger scouts had a great variety of classes to choose from. Camp staff and local troops were very friendly. We have attended Camp Crooked Creek. Last time we were there a tornado kinda went through. Yes it does sound like a train. Camp and program director both off camp at time so a CIT decided he was in charge of camp. Trees across road into camp so a little disorganized from that stand point(I'm sure that has since been addressed). Camp staff did a very good job of gathering most to dining hall furthest camp sites hunkered down in showers. Soldiers from Ft. Knox came into camp in all their gear. Some scouts thought we were at war. Very memorable. Our troop spent the next morning helping to get all the mud out of dining hall. No injuries. I'm sure that at some point we will return. That was a summer camp our scouts will always remember. We are going to Camp Buffalo in Indiana this year.

Well as Boys Scouts we are supposed to be prepared. At this time we are expecting 7 at crossover with the potentional of 12 total. The extra comes from a den who visited for AOL and then went to a neighboring town to visit a troop and liked what they saw at our troop. The ones who have shown a strong interest (as in we are thinking of coming to the troop) have been given a "Welcome packet". This consists of Boy Scout App., calander, patrol roster,troop policies, phone numbers, email addys, sample packing lists for summer and campouts, helpful tips for new campers and welcome letter. I keep all on computer and ready to print out at a moments notice. I get folders at office supply place for a nickel when they have a sale. I get these out close after the winter school vacation. If anyone has a question hubby(SM) tries to answer same day. We believe we will have enough equipment for the influx if not we have a reserve in the equipment fund to cover any additional equipment. We currently have 17 scouts so this will add quite a few to the mix. We have a strong committee and strong volunteer support team so we are confident we can have a good program for these new scouts. Kbandit

Our troop always keeps original medical form. Scout camp gets a copy.

Have had more of a problem with 1 scout deciding on Thurs that he wants to camp on Friday. He has called my house more than once wanting to camp and has been told there will be no food as he did not pay on Monday so he could be included in the menu. The last time he did this was a troop meeting nite bowling/pizza party. He showed up with dad(dad said scout told him about bowling and hour before)and that no pizza had be bought for him we'll see you next meeting. Well next meeting mom comes into meeting and says I'm not getting the information about these activities. So straight faced I say he's your son ask him we have it on the calendar and permission slips go out two weeks ahead. Since then it has not be an issue. Collect money ahead and plan on that head count. If they don't show or cancel at least the troop will not go in the hole over it. Eight scouts is alot of leftover food. If this happens again would it be possible for the "adult patrol" to recycle it(freeze it)and use at next campout. We have done this with unopened lunchmeat. I have a criper drawer in my frige with leftover condiments that are recycled each campout. How much mustard and ketsup can a patrol use. My two cents

Our adult patrol does it the same way the boys do menu planning money on Monday. I usually do the adult shopping. I do buy meat items when they are on sale. Boneless chicken breast at 1.77lb boneless porkloin 1.88lb sausage buy 1 get 1 free that sort of thing and keep the reciepts for the items. I was lucky as another scouter donated a freezer to us. We usually have at least 8 adults at 7.00/head. I make sure the volunteers get a great meal on Sat nite. (no hotdogs) Our troop has a large event grill that is available which makes it nice. There is never a shortage of someone wanting to show of their grilling skills. If adults decide on something expensive ie:steak then every adult brings their own steak and grub money supplies the rest of the meal. Usually only once a year. If the patrols are doing foil pouches then the adults will also. This is my 2 cents. Kbandit

Have you tried calling/emailing the company that made the pants to see if they come in other lengths? Scouting store online? Surely you are not the only one that needs a longer length. One thing we had to do for my son 6'5" 300lbs for sash was sew 2 together. Thank goodness that grandma is an expert seamstress. No one noticed. Maybe talk to a seamstress and see if that would solve problem but would require buying another pants. Use other for shorts. Just a thought. kbandit

We all have an Attack helicoper in our ranks. You are not alone. Had 2 boys this past year go to basketball practice on Election nite. It was on their calendar. Month later Mom(she is very nice) ask since he couldn't advance without a POR wasn't there some job my husband could put him in? She took it very well that he needed to come to next Election nite and put his hat in the ring for the job he wanted to do. She understands now it is the boys who vote for SPL and he assigns the jobs according to who signed up that nite. Our Troop tries to steer the parents questions/concerns/problems to CC. Use SM to deal with the boys. Of course we will answer any questions/concerns/problems if the come to us CM/treasurer/secretary/advancements/scoutmaster wife (me)(yeah I work a fulltime on-call other job) or SM (hubby). We are always calling and emailing back and forth with CC. He is a good friend also. We do have 1 mom now with a mentally handicapped son (11) + ADD/ADHD + ? who is our Attack Helicoper. The CC does a great job with her. She does call me from time to time and I will listen to her problems and then refer her to CC. Our CC has alot more experience than I or my husband and he does a great job. (CC is at every meeting as he has a 12yr and 22 yr Eagle) Thank you for all you and husband do for the scouting program. Remember you are not the first nor the last at any problem. There are those before us that have overcome obstacles that parents thrown in their path and survived. Do not let unhappy people bring you down to their level. Some people go through life miserable or term-oil in their lifes. That's how they live. kbandit

Thanks for the responses. I will definately start looking at the offerings. Any more comments on specific camps would be appreciated. Thanks again Kbandit

Anyone got some information on summer camps in Michigan for 2008? We have never been to camp in Michigan and would like some information of experience at camps etc. Which would you recommend? Any and all comments appreciated. Thanks Kbandit

Welcome to your position. I would suggest contacting your District Executive (DE for short) and get the name and contact info for your Unit Commisioner. Make sure you have on hand and have read "Health and Safety Guide" and "Guide to Safe Scouting." Hopefully these are in the pack library if not pick up at your local scout store. Pick up a Council calendar for the up coming months it should list training dates. Roundtables are adult meetings within you district where you can network with other (possible more experienced cc's cubmasters etc) cub leaders. Maybe find a mentor there. Is it possible that your pack has a big brother troop? Maybe some help will be available there? Would your charter organization have any active/retired scouters for guidence? Always remember it's for the boys. Best Wishes to you and your pack Kbandit P.S. this is a great site for opinions. Ask away.

We encourage our scouts to shower in swimsuits. Change in camp. Hit the showers. Change in camp after showering. Quicker with busy showers. Use buddy system for going to showers. How to tell if they actually did? At summer camp we use the duty roster where as an adult works with X number of boys, on the way back into camp they stop by that adult for a head smell check. One will usually slip through until about Tuesday or Wednesday then has to find a buddy to go to the shower. The first years get with it pretty quick and we usually don't have a problem. We like to tell them the story of my son (now Eagle) who didn't think he needed to shower because he was in the lake everyday. His scout buddies escourted him to and from the shower after a point in time at his first summer camp. Don't know exactly all the details as first year kids aren't allowed to bring parents to summer camp. After that first summer camp he had a different attitude to showering at camp. About the bathroom thing at camp we require them to drink a container of fruit juice at breakfast each morning and haven't had 1 with a belly ache lately. Seems to help. Who ever has dining hall duty sets x number of juice on the tables. Going to summer camp in a week we will see how it goes.(Always an adventure) Kbandit

Thank you for that bit of information. I will try that next time I need to print some things in Excell. Kbandit

Are you able to throw your hat in the ring for running your day camp next year? If so get ahold of your District Executive. You have saw first hand what is broken or not up to par. Day camps need alot of planning. Maybe attend your next District Roundtable you may not be alone in the feeling you have for how things were run this year. (things to improve on next year type of discussion) Please remember some volunteers are better at organizing than others but I'm sure all are doing the best they can. If you cannot take on running the day camp maybe volunteer to help in some capacity/part of the day camp planning for next year. kbandit

I use Microsoft Excell program to get a 12-month 1-month per page that I can add meetings and such to the days and print. I haven't figured out how to print all pages at once (not real computer literate) but does what we need. I just yesterday printed up the calendars for our upcoming planning meeting. Full calanders are available for 2007 and 2008. To find the calanders do a search for 2007 put in the search box "calendar 2007 12-month 12pgs" and you get a list they offer. Please look at what you want before downloading some are 12 month calendars on 1 page (of little use to me). Hope this helps someone. Kbandit

We allow the scouts while in cars to summer camp to use electronics with headphones or an outing that takes more that 1 hr to get there. Once there they are locked up. Our scouts know the rules and it isn't a problem. We do have what we call a Lock-in at our charter organization's church. We allow the boys to bring the electronics and play all nite. The scouts set up the X-boxes tie them all together and have a blast 10-12 playing same game same time.(we monitor what games are brought and played) We have access to the gym (basketball/volleyball), have pizza delivered, and set up a DVD player/projector using a sheet as a screen. Though the boys would like to do this more than once a year it is a good overnite in the winter. Proceeding the lockin we have a Court of Honor. Also we use this as bring a buddy overniter. I am sure if we allowed electronics at campouts a couple of boys would not doing anything but play thier games and it always rains at least once when we camp. Adults are not allowed electronics by the way. I take my pencil and sudoku's and a book to read at bedtime. Kbandit

I would vote for Firearm safety. More PC correct. Weapons instruction sounds like they will be firing all kinds of things.(too military)

Yes the boys who did just enough that didn't like the swimming got 1st class. The boys who couldn't float at all worked with the merit badge counslor(who is head of the local Y) several times with a good faith effort and did their best. The scoutmaster took this into consideration when recommending them for their 2nd and 1st class. One that couldn't float at all is now a beginner 2 years later. He is quite proud of this accomplishment as we are of him for his persistance. He is now a life scout.