OneHour

There are untold stories of heroism during this crisis. I'd like to relate one to you. Our ex-cm wife told me that she was on her way to Lafayette to pick up her brother. She recounted that he was finally got some rest after several days of helping out with the rescue. He was one of the stranded. He made his way to the roof of his building on Tuesday. There he stood with his coast guard 2-way directing the coast guard choppers from roof to roof. The coast guards, many are from out of states, do not know the NO territory well. He, finally, was lifted out; however, after got a few rest and relaxing hours, he went back in with the coast guards and assist in the airlift. There are bright sides to every dark cloud. They need lots of help. Here in Houston, the needs to take care of the tens of thousands displaced folks are growing. For our troop, our charter org has opened its doors to house many families. We redirected our efforts and called on the packs, troops, and girl scout troops in our local area to bring the needed supplies and help. It was inspiring. I have never been more proud to be associated with scouting. 1Hour 1Hour

... being a helpful parent then any and all positions!

As with Johndaigler's pack, our dens are pretty much following along the line of: 1 pack meeting 2 den meetings 1 den outing per month ... which works out to be once a week. Although, the best laid out plan sometimes works against you. Some of parents who went through from Tiger to Webelos told me that meeting once a week for cub scout for five years got them and their sons burnt out to continue with boy scouts. It seems that the once a week commitment is one that some of them are not willing to make. One told me that the thought of once a week for a whole year is tiresome whereas in sport ... it's once a week for three months until next season which is 3 to 6 months away. I have a den leader who finally convinced her third son not to join tiger because she is tired from serving and taking her two older sons to den meetings. It's a pitty that the third boy cannot experience cub scouting as his two older brothers did. On another example, when my oldest was a wolf, the parents in his den got tired of meeting every week (eventhough their sons like it well). They started to stop driving the boys to the den meeting. I had to make an offer that they could simply drop their sons off and my assistant den leader and I will work with them with one caviat that they help with at least one den meeting in the year. The boys started to show up again. It's about convenience of the parents. It's all great how we can just say that this is a program for the boys, but we all have to be sympathetic to the parents as well, especially the working ones. Tonight was our recruiting night. We took in 30 boys. There were two or three who left and didn't join because of the committment required. One final thought ... a den meeting is worth it if it is fun and keeps the boys interested. If the den meeting is there to just work on requirement or do monotonous arts and crafts then it is one too many meeting! If the den leaders are spirited, are great with kids, and are very energetic where the den meetings are fun then whether you have one or four ... they will come back over and over again ... and they will remember. The annual planner will help but it's in the den leader and the parents that keep the boys interested. I asked a few of my current Life scouts whom I know since Tigers of what they remember about cub scouts ... they agreed on the fun, ie. pinewood derby, campouts, skits, den games, and my corny jokes! 1Hour (it's just my opinion)

Oops, 2GreatBoys, this is for the retiring Cubmaster. So let's change the theme slightly: Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, A tale of an awesome pack. It started from this little school, Inside this tiny gym. Our Cubmaster is a funny man, And he is brave and sure. 45 cubbies registered that day, For cub scouting fun, some cub scouting fun. The tigers Search, Discover and Share, The wolves were doing their best. If not for the courage of the fearless Bears, The Webelos would be lost, the Webelos would be lost. Our pack struck ground on the shores of this Fantastic scouting fun, With Mr ... , our Cubmaster. Hes been with us last eight years. His Den Leaders, their assistants and their cubbies, Here in Pack 35. So this is the tale of our Cubmaster, Hes been here for a long, long time. We will miss him and all his jokes, And even when he sings. Our Cubmaster and his staff, too, They did their very best, They made us cubbies comfortable And taught us lots of things. No Kids! No Parents! No noisy campouts! Not a single pack meeting chore. Like Robinson Crusoe What on earth will he do? So join us here each week, Mr. ... , You're sure to get a smile! From Tigers to our Webelos, Thank you ... have great fun!

By the way ... welcome to the forum. While nursing a sick network back to health at our office this morning, I jotted a spin on the Gilligan's theme song. Sorry if it didn't flow very well. It was hard to keep awake and type at the same time at 3:00 am. Have fun! 1Hour Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, A tale of an awesome pack. It started from this little school, Inside this tiny gym. Our Cubmaster is a funny man, Committee Chairs brave and sure. 45 cubbies registered that day, For cub scouting fun, some cub scouting fun. The tigers Search, Discover and Share, The wolves were doing their best. If not for the courage of the fearless Bears, The Webelos would be lost, the Webelos would be lost. Our pack struck ground on the shores of this Fantastic scouting fun, With Mr .. , our Cubmaster. Mr. ., our Committee Chair. Our Den Leaders, their assistants and their cubbies, Here in Pack 35. So this is the tale of our Cub Scout Pack, They're here for a long, long time. They'll be making the best of things, Having fun all the time. Our Cubmaster and his staff, too, Will do their very best, To make the cubbies comfortable While they do their best. No work! No lesson! No GameCube, too! Not a single hard work chore. Like Robinson Crusoe As fun as it can be. So join us here each week my friends, You're sure to get a smile, From Tigers to our Webelos, Here in Pack 35! (This message has been edited by OneHour)

Here is a different spin to an oldie but still a goodie: I Gotta Go Wee The Professor, the Skipper, the Millionaire and Gilligan are sleeping in the hut, all in a row. The Skipper on one end and Gilligan on the other. Gilligan climbs over all the other sleeping castaways, who try to remain asleep, and shakes the Skipper. " Skipper! Skipper! I gotta go wee!" "Huh? Wha? Go back to sleep." Gilligan crawls back over everyone and goes back to sleep for 5 seconds. Gilligan again climbs over all the other sleeping castaways, who try to remain asleep, and shakes the Skipper. "Skipper! Skipper! I gotta go wee!" "Huh? Wha? Go back to sleep." Gilligan crawls back over everyone and goes back to sleep for 5 seconds. Gilligan again climbs over all the other sleeping castaways, who try to remain asleep, and shakes the Skipper. "Skipper! Skipper! I gotta go wee!" "OK! OK!", says the Skipper, "If you've gotta go, then go." Gilligan stands up and waves his hands wildly in the air and goes: "Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!" ***** How about adding a cheer for him? OCEAN APPLAUSE - Best done with a large group; have first row sway from side to side; second row swaying in opposite direction; third row same as first, etc. The have them add sound effect: SWOOSH, SWOOSH, SWOOSH!!(This message has been edited by OneHour)

In our troop, at the annual planning conference, the boys got the calendars together (school and our District calendar). In addition, they have the planning guides (I don't remember the exact title), camps listings, and if they're lucky a laptop to do some searches. The SPL set out a skeleton calendar together, populated with holidays, school days and district activities, and fundraiser dates (we plant US flags on holidays for the neighborhood). They would sit and determine the activities that they want to do for each month (including listing out troop meetings and PLC). There are two adults in the conference, not participating, unless a question is asked. We make sure that the activities are within the G2SS guidelines. If one isn't, we simply ask them to come up with a plan (outside of the conference) to satisfy the G2SS requirement that is in question. Usually, we ask them to have an alternative plan just in case that first plan can not meet G2SS. As for the activities, they usually reserve 3rd weekend to be a campout unless it is superceded by a District event or it happens to fall on an extended vacation weekend (ie. Spring Break, Thanksgiving, etc.). They finalize the calendar and present it to the Scoutmasters. We look it over to make sure that the activities are still workable. The SPL then present it to the Committee to work out the logistics and finance. The only input that the adults have is summer camp. We (adults) got together to decide when is the best time that most adults can be free to take a vacation with the boys. We provide them with that week. We usually have our drivership issue square away a week before If comes time to leave and we do not have enough drivers, we simply take it on a first come first served basis (i.e., if you turn your permission slip in early, you get a seat belt). We don't like to turn boys away and we haven't had to (knock on wood) ... nevertheless, if it does occur, we will immediately appeal to the committee at its next meeting. Again, we have a great group of supporting parents. Some just drive 4 hours to the camp to drop the boys off and come back to pick 'em up on Sunday. The boys own the process and the product! Good luck, 1Hour(This message has been edited by OneHour)

Kudu ... cool! I'm sure that everyone has used google maps, right? http://maps.google.com One thing that I love about this is the fact that you can use your mouse and scroll through the entire trip seeing all the details. The other cool thing that I like about this map is that you can superimpose the satellite pictures on your route! 1Hour(This message has been edited by OneHour)

Semper hits the nail on the head. I find it surprising that the boys want to move up. My second son's den complete most of the AoL actvities pin requirements and are poised to graduate in December; however, the boys made the request to have a last go at our pinewood derby which occurs at the end of January! This was not the first time. Each year the same responses. For 9 and 10 years old, 6 months of maturity is very pronounced. I am witnessing my 10 years old maturing quickly over the three months summer vacation. 1Hour

Graduating Webelos in December is early already, but September? Huh? It's not possible. Here is the reason why. The first requirement for the Arrow of Light requires the Webelos to: "Be active in your Webelos den for at least 6 months since completing the fourth grade (or for at least six months since becoming 10 years old), and earn the Webelos badge." Not unless these boys graduated from 4th grade in March, then the earliest that they can complete this requirement is November, assuming a May graduation. There is a very slim chance that they could have satisfy this requirement by September. What is the hurry? Here is another question, will the local troop accept them? Here is the scouting requirements: "Meet age requirements: Be a boy who has completed the fifth grade and be at least 10 years old, or be 11 years old, or have earned the Arrow of Light Award and be at least 10 years old, and be under 18 years old." Either way, the answer is no ... not possible! Good luck, 1Hour

Jerry ... looking at different troop is the way to do it. As indicated above, every troop has its differences. It really depends on the boy and what he is interested! Every year, I advocate the needs to our Webelos Dens to shop around for the 6+ troops in the 7 miles radius. I give them (the boys and the parents) the spill on what to look for, what to ask, and who to ask. The "feeder pack" theory doesn't work in our area since there are so many troops in the general area. My oldest son's case is a great example. We shopped four troops when he was a Webelos. Just as in Wingnut's case: - One troop had 30 active boys, local to our pack, from our first impression, they were chaotic and uncontrolled! (typical observation of a Cub and his parent). No apparent junior leadership (other than a boy who stands up in fron of the room and constantly raise the scout sign). They camp once a month and participate in only car wash as a fundraiser. We both didn't like them. They are the troop that our Pack tends to feed into. - One troop had 80+ active boys, within 7 miles from our home. They are the premier troop. From all appearance, they are boy-lead. The boys did everything with SMs scoping their activities. They had a great fundraiser that earn them $15k a year. They go places, exotic places, Scotland, California, Alaska, etc. and their fundraiser subsidize 75% of the cost! I fell in love with them, but my son did not! Only later did I find out that the boy who was their troop guide for the evening threat them and swore at them! After a year, two boys from our Pack who went with them came back to our current troop. Their mother told me that the boys were prejudiced against because of their nationality! The adult leaders did not do anything about it. - One troop had 24 active boys, local to our pack (has the same number as our pack). They were more under control; however, it happens only when the SM is there. From all appearance, a true adult lead. They camp once a month, had everything that a typical troop would do; however, there were a lot safety issues that I had a problem with. I observed one boy was hog-tying another boy and carried him as such. I didn't like it, but my son did, because of an older boy who took time to sit down with him and talk to him and work with him that day. This troop was a fledging troop running by one man. We got in, along with 22 other Webelos. The new adults contributed to rebuild the troop. The SM retire a year after we got on board. The "new adults" started to implement the BSA troop philosophy. We are now 53 boys strong with a crop of 21 Webelos this past spring. As you indicated, "How can you help make it better?" Working to improve a Troop is better than abandoning it" Sometimes, the troop needs help and new sources of ideas and strengths is the help that they need. From there, a quality program can be built, BUT FIRST AND FOREMOST, it's the boy's decision that's what count! So let the boys decide for themselves, individually or collectively as a whole. 1Hour

It depends on how big your pack is. For smaller packs, lots of games (steal the bacon ...), contests (relays ...), and even great arts and crafts (paper airplane contests ...). These are more of den's activities for us since our pack is about 90 - 120 boys strong. For a large size pack, we could not afford to have organized games or arts and crafts and still get awards in every month. So we elected to have awards and a pack events. These are some of our past events: - Dens talent show (about 20-30 minutes long ... each den gets 2-3 minutes to sing, dance, perform ... - Mad Scientist. We invite parents who are chemists or the local chemical plant chemists to come in and show the boys some chemistry magics. Usually, there are groups of chemists who have these show readily available! - Do's and Don'ts with Electricity. We invite the local power company to coming and talk to the boys about electricity. Great hit, since the last gentleman brought his electric board! - Do's and Don'ts with Weather. We happen to have one of the local weather personalities live in our neighborhood. We invite him to give the spill about the weather and what to do during emergency! Believe it or not ... the boys loved it! - Sheriff's K-9 Units. We invite the local sheriff with his K-9 in every year. These bloodhounds are great with the boys! The sheriff talked to them about what to do if they do get lost and other emergency information. - Magic Show. Each den put on a magic trick. It's a blast! - Pool party (with appropriat Safe Swim Defense in place) with the Pack's picking up the tab for pizza. - Water blast. We have an all out watergun fight where every boy, man, woman, and child defend him/herself with a watergun! The Pack picks up the tab for pizza. Usually right after recruiting ... to welcome in our new cubs and parents. - Pinewood Derby. Always our favorite show! - Cake auction/competition. It's both a fundraiser and a competition for best of show. - Blue and Gold Banquet. - Snakes, spiders and more. We invite the local State Park ranger to bring in his collection of pets! - Stupid pet tricks! Yes ... to mimic the tv idea! By den only. - Firetruck and the smokehouse. We invite the local firehouse to come down to talk to the boys about fire safety. They usually bring their smokehouse to let the boys go through the simulation of a smoke-filled room, this is probably the longest running pack meeting. - Heroes among us. We ask parents or grandparents who are service men/women or firemen or policemen to come up to be recognized and talk about their heroes. Should see some of the boys' faces when their parents were up there. - Olympics. One of our dads happened to carry the Olympic torch. We asked him to bring it and showed it to the boys and talked about his experience. Along this line, we are trying to see if we can get the Tae-kwon-do gold medalist, Steven Lopez, to come to talk to the boys. This will be difficult since he is out and about constantly. There are other events that we have done. We try to do different things so that they won't get bored. The awards are always spiced up with a "run-on" or two or even three. Cheers are incorporated as part of our gratitude to our presenters. Every one of events is kept under 30 minutes, with awards taking up 20 minutes, we have about 5-10 minutes worth of songs, cheers,skit, and news! One hour every month! We assigned each den the following tasks: - setup - colors - teardown/cleanup - skit - song - run-on It very busy during our pack meeting that it was over before they know it. Bottom line, keep the fun, cheers, and laughters going for 1 hour! One tip, to keep the pack hopping, get an agenda together and share it with all leaders. It serves two purposes, to keep the action going on a timely manner and to let someone step up in case you are not available, namely the Assistant Cubmaster! Second tip, work out the time slot with the performers/leaders and stand in the back of the room to signal to the performers (leaders) how many minutes they have left! Leave to their own devices, their show will go on for a while! Oh yeah ... forgot ... we also keep to the monthly theme as much as possible. Our Holidays pack meeting are geared towards the Holiday theme. - Holidays around the World. One year, each den pick out a country and sing a holiday song from that country. - Silly Holiday Songs (with parental permission ... those boys who do not want to participate are free to sit out). Each den picks out a wacky crazy scouting song that is theme with a holiday song ... plenty out there, but if nothing else Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer or Yellow Snow is always a hit. We also collect toys for the local Women's Shelter. We have visit from Santa (to date ... no objections yet) who brings them cheap trinkets from "Oriental Trading" company! Cheap toys but cheap! Good luck, 1Hour ps: just put yourself in their shoes, what do they want to do or see for fun? Better yet, get a list together and ask them ... or just ask them!(This message has been edited by OneHour)

scoutldr, I don't think that $20M was spent on a one-time shot. They've been having Jambo at Fort AP Hill since 1981. Let's assume that $20M is not being spent on this Jambo alone. Just taking into consideration then current dollars, that $20M for the 7 jambos since 1981 or about $2.9M a jambo. Divide that by (let's say) an average of 35,000 scouts per jambo (non-scientific swag) (http://www.hightowertrail.com/Jambo.html) and that will leave National to contribute about $82 per scout per jambo to Fort AP Hill. That's still a hefty amount, but much less than the $20M. Imagine how much it cost to run and maintain the base on an annual basis ... $20M will be pale in comparison, I'm fairly sure. As Fort AP folks put it the best, ... (http://www.aphill.army.mil/boysscout.asp) "Why does the Army provide personnel from many military units for the National Jamboree? Why send engineers, telephone specialists, automotive mechanics, physicians and nurses, helicopter pilots and even air traffic controllers for a Boy Scouts of America event? The answer is training. The National Jamboree offers the Army an opportunity to sharpen the skills of its Regular, Reserve, and National Guard troops in a major operation containing vast logistical challenges ranging from building roads to installing water, sewer, electrical, and telephone systems for a tent city of 35,000 inhabitants. So, while the jamboree provides once in a lifetime experience for Americas youth, the men and women of the U.S. Army also hone skills to better serve their nation." Do people who oppose to this think that there is an opportunity for the army to train (logistic training in this magnitude) in this environment every day? If there is a major disaster occurs in the US or the world, where do they think that the government would come for expertise? Having worked in a chemical plant before and having gone through actual emergency recovery of the plant, heck yeah ... logistic is an item that's so often overlooked and never get training exposures! When the emergency occurs, that's when people start to regret!(This message has been edited by OneHour)

From our troop and our families, our deepest sympathies to the families of the leaders who have lost their lives.

Nlscouter, we do trust our scouts and we do let them do as they see fit. If you would re-read my posting, the use of the words truant officers was there as an ill-attempt to be light-hearted. We just want to make sure the our newest scouts adjust well to their new surrounding for the first day or two (mainly the first day) and making sure that they know where the classes are. We do show interests in what they learn but we do not force them to attend. This past summer camp our CC's son decided to skip 2 of his mb classes. We found out from his mb counselor during lunch on the third day. We had a talk and allow him to make his own decision whether or not he wants to continue with the mb that he skipped. We noticed that a few years ago that leaving the new boys to their own devices, they will be lost and miserable. As for the older boys, a "hey there Mr. ..." or a "whatsup, Mr. ...?" as I pass by them is about all that I usually got from them! (even my own son!) Going to camp ... my son didn't want to ride in the van that I was driving! He wanted to be with his patrol! It was an 8 hour drive, too! Trust me ... none of us adults were up to walking 10 miles a day under the 97 degrees heat just to check on 35 boys and making sure that they go to class. My fellow scoutmasters and I were happy just to park ourselves under the shades with a nice breeze or in the pool! One thing that I will admit, I worry about the new scouts more so than the other scoutmasters in our troop, especially the ones who are homesicked. If it weren't for the large number of new scouts this year (21) going summer camp, I would have bowed out. We had 6 other adult leaders in attendance already.(This message has been edited by OneHour)

Illegal immigrants? If my mind has not failed, I do believe that Native Americans did not legally grant any European explorers the rights to settle North America! Does that make everyone but the Native Americans illegal aliens or decendants of illegal aliens? By that suggestion, then everyone should not be granted the rights to go to school or work here! Hmmm ... such a quandry! It's really sad indeed! So often when I was growing up (and from time to time even now), I constantly heard the phrase ... "Go back where you came from. We don't want your kind here!" ... and I was one of the "legal aliens!" Hey, Eamonn, if you are getting deported to the palm treed islands, save a spot for me as well!(This message has been edited by OneHour)

We have never designated adult to stay back. So far, we have been a "guest troop" to the summer camp which resulting in choice campsite that is in the extremely far corner of the camp. So the incentive for the boys (and the adults) to go back to camp is 0 to none; as a result, we packed everything to stay "down" in the activity areas the whole day. Our adults have assigned tasks. One or two are busy updating their training. One or two work on their BSA lifeguarding. One or two assist camp staff in the mb classes (depending on their expertise and registration as mb counselor). One or two act as truant officers spot-checking the boys and be readily available at a central location just in case the boys need help. As for camp director finding us, they know us quite well after a day or two and where we are, especially the health lodge! We usually agreed on a "central" place where at least one or two adults can be found. If the boy has an emergency, his first task is to get him and/or his buddy to the health lodge. If it is a non-emergency, they can find the adult(s) at the previously agreed spot(s). Our adults do take turn from time to time drop by the camp to make sure that everything is in order. It's more of the "tagged, you're it" style! We pay closer attention to the new scouts' adaptability for the first couple days than the older ones. After they got the routines down, our adults tend to look for "free shoot," "free ride (horsemanship)," "free swim," "open hike," or any along that line, up to and including a nice shady bench for a nap! This past summer camp was the first time that I actually bought one of them "slushy" at the trade post. Now, I know why the boys like 'em so much! They're nothing more than colored sugar syrup! 1Hour(This message has been edited by OneHour)

"Cell phones are not Game Boys" is not a true statement. Have you seen the number of games that are on some of these cell phones. We have one boy who brought his cell phone to camp. He didn't use it to call Mom. He spent the night talking to his girlfriend keeping his tent mate and tent neighbors up all night. Cell phone should be part of emergency preparedness kit. Cell phone at camp for a youth? It will be a hard case to judge. We can go back to the fact that these boys need to take the opportunity to appreciate nature and to learn from it, but during free time or down time, what is harmful in utilizing these gadgets (including gameboys) before they sleep? On the other hand, gameboys, cell phones are distractions that we don't need. They can cause envy, hostility, etc among the boys. Case in point, we allowed gameboys, CD players, etc, in the van for the 8 hours trip to our summer camp this year. In our van, two boys had them and the others didn't. It turned out to be one begging and pleading session after another, then it turned into a war of words. These devices can give the driver some peace and quiet to drive. After all, I have pointed out once before. This is the new day and new age of scouting. There has to be a happy medium. Hmmmmm ... such a quandry this issue is!

After re-reading one or two of Juris' postings, was Juris right? Neah! He is more left! Extreme left!

www.scouting.org/commissioners/resources/13-500.pdf Good luck, 1Hour

eagle90 ... Blob ... that, in itself, is worth the trip to Sid Rich! Loved those canons! The dark cotton, Civil War outfit under the 98+ degree Texas sun can get mighty warm! Great feedback from our older boys as well on the Chisholm Trail. We had 18 older boys enjoyed that trip thoroughly! One complaint on the base camp side that our younger boys (24 of them) observed ... the activities are very far apart ... some of them are a good 1 - 1.5 mile hike. If you were to have archery and then having to go to horsemanship and then to the climbing mb ... you might have hiked about 2-3.5 miles easily! Our first year scouts were dying by the end of the day. It seems that out-of-council troops get the prime real estates ... yes, we got the one that is out in the booney ... (~.8 mile). We were there 3 years ago. As for weather, we had 96+ first 3 days and 72+ at night, great thunderstorm on the fourth day and then the weather dropped to upper 60's at night, but the day still in the mid 90's. Great sleeping weather for the remaining 2 days. We'll be back to Sid Rich. Great mb programs (not too many short cuts ... okay ... maybe the give me's like basketry, Indian Lore, leatherwork, etc) and the Chisholm Trail! Personally, I liked Sid Rich, but my vote doesn't count since I'm an adult! 1Hour

troop251scout ... check with Unit Commissioner, then try your District Exec or any of your District's Key 5 (the folks that the District's helm). They may already have an event planned for this (Webelos Woods, Webelos Transition Campout, or the likes). These usually are held in the Sept - Oct and then Feb - March timeframe. Your troop could participate by hosting an event or two there. Now as for your troop, I would recommend that your troop has its own campout that you could invite the Webelos to see how your troop functions and operates. In a District Webelos campout, there are a lot of activities that are catered to the Webelos. The purpose for the Webelos to campout with the troop is to actually immerse themselves into the troop routines so that they can evaluate whether or not this particular troop meets their expectation. Having said that, it can also be done at a District's campout as well. A troop campout has a different program and feel to it than a District campout. Good luck, 1Hour

Exit interviews? Some of our scouts simply don't show up any more. In our troop, so far, both Scoutmasters to date have not cared enough to want to know why. Personally, I have called those scouts and their parents whom I know well since Cub Scouts to find out why. My questions were simple: 1) Is Timmy doing okay? I'm a little worry since I have not since Little Timmy at troop meetings for a while now? 2) Is there a reason why Little Timmy decided to stop scouting? 3) Is there anything that the troop could improve to make it better for the other scouts? and an open-ended invitation: 4) Whenever Little Timmy is ready to come back into the troop, he is more than welcomed! Remember one thing, he can start where he left off. In scouting, there is no such thing as being behind!

stam213, it really depends where you are in this big state as Trevorum pointed it out. Here in the Houston area, live oak, sweet gum, pecan trees are fairly common and easy to plant. Texas A&M (it pains me to acknowledge this ... hook'em ... ) has a great horticulture program and their website has this great page: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/xeriscape/table5.html'>http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/xeriscape/table5.html . (for some reasons the url is not diplayed correctly ... cut and paste the url) Here is their main site: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ You should be able to get a lot of help from them if you contact them. Good luck, 1Hour(This message has been edited by OneHour)

One problem that I have is the fact that the "program" is be trivialized too much in the forum. It is not broken, but then again it is not that easy to implement either. A unit has to have all participants to buy into the program before it really works. For a unit, it has to have a bunch of boys who are interested in scouting period before you can start. It then has to have a set parents who are willing to devote their free time to these boys. Then, a charter org is needed, preferably, one that has a heart in seeing the unit successful. Next, you have to get all of your unit leadership to all of the relevant BSA training and to abide according to its intent. With all of this, you have to make it fun! Simple? Not all the time! For the seven years that I have been with our Pack and the three with the troop, we are doing very well if we could recruit new parents to help out other than the overworked ones. We are doing very well to get 60% of our den or troop leaders to training for their current position! We'll be in good shape if 40% of our committee members are trained ... just getting 40% of the members to attend the meeting is itself a challenge. The boys are stretched thinly between football, basketball, baseball, soccer, swimming, etc. As for parents, all that they want to do is to drop their kids off and pick 'em up later. What? Work? That would be too much too ask of them. I have been reading for a while now about how simple it would be to follow the laid out program and all adult leaders have to do is to follow it. All that I am saying is that it is not that straight forward. Yes, the program is very well laid out. The methods are prescribed. The rules and standards are written. It is easy for a group of like-minded scouters and scouts; as a matter of fact, of the dozen or so troops in our area, maybe two at best are like that. One troop has most of its adult leaders serve the District as well; whereas, in our troop, I'm the only one who shows up to the Roundtable. The program does not work well for a group of disparagingly, diversely minded adults and boys who registered out of curiosity. It is simple for an established unit that has gone through the trials and tribulations of getting the BSA ways implemented and the growing pain. For the rest of the units who are struggling, the interpretations of its leadership corp will be frowned upon, but why does it have to be that way? If it is not a direct contradiction to G2SS and it works to keep the boys interested, then why correct it to make it perfect? Since it inception 10 years ago, our pack has seen 4 CMs, 3 CCs, and two CORs. They all do things differently, outside of the traditional cubbing. Some didn't conform to the program and one did. None violate G2SS. Skimming by, but not directly violating. Has it hurt the pack? No; as a matter of fact, the pack peaks at 132 boys and averages 104 within the 10 years. The pack crosses over on an average 65% of our Webelos. If the first rung on the ladder is too difficult to reach because some of us are "vertically challenged," then the ladder should still be used? The ladder may be the same, but the not all ladder users are the same. I am simply stating that the program is not broken. It can be tweaked to meet the current mindset of the boys to keep them interested. If I were a boy and all that I get to do is arts and crafts in cub scout ... I'll choose sports and other stuffs with the next heart beat. Take a look at the Cub Scout handbooks, these are the arts and crafts of old! When I was the pack's cm, I constantly asked the boys what they liked and what they don't. The answer seems to be the same ... don't like the arts and crafts which are easy to put together by the adults ... don't like to work on advancements ... love the games and camping ... and that's what boy scouts do ... have fun in the outdoor! That's the leaky hole! If the program will only work if all leaders are trained and strictly followed the program, then we need to clone a whole bunch of these great scouters and distribute them! Our pack and troop can use them! 1Hour