OneHour

A troop nearby has been doing the Flag deal for several years now. Each year, from what I understand, they bring in around $12k a year. The end result is that the boys get a lot of subsidies for their travels ... and they travelled. This past summer, they took 15 boys to Scottland for about $300 out-pocket-pay for each boy! The year before they took the whole troop to Alaska trip, etc. Our troop is trying to model after theirs. We are looking at charging $30 for 6 holidays with the boys keeping a large chunk of the proceeds in their personal accounts. $1 for planting, $1 for picking up or $12 for the 6 holidays. Each boy gets $3 for each subscription that he sold. So a boy stand to get $15 out of $30 for each flag. Even if our troop does 200 flags, I'm happy. That's $3,000 to the troop's piggy and $3,000 to the boys' camping fees. Of course, the start up cost will have to be accounted for, but after two years, we figure that this will beat many car washes and popcorn sales. The only drawback is that popcorn sales help the District and Council as well. We have a local flag maker to make our flags. I'm not sure of the cost. I think that it's in the neighborhood of $5-$7 a 3x5 flag. We used the schedule 40 pvc and I think it is 1.25 in size. We use a handheld pounder (auger) to pound the schedule 40 into the ground. So far our pilot sale was to our community association. They bought 7 flags for their office. We are in the process of getting sponsors to sponsor the purchase of the flags and equipment. In return, we place their business names on our flyer as we distribute them throughout the neighborhood. So far so good. We will start the effort after our new Webelos families are settled in (say ... April time frame). We are expecting 25 of them! This is why I posted the question on scout's personal account. From our observations and talks to the troop that was successful, the key is to have active involvement of the scout and his parent. This requires a lot of work. Just for our pilot, it took a lot to put those seven pvc pipes into the ground. There are issues such as ... sprinkler lines, roots, sewer pipes that were not burried deep enough, cement that were mistakenly poured and left burried in the ground, etc. So cons are the necessary steps needed to ensure that the pipe planted is planted in a hopefully clear area. Pros ... as I have said, if it works out, it beats car washes and popcorn sales several times over. We may even can afford a new trailer, new chuck boxes, new equipment, new tents to replace the 10 years old ones that stood up to the beating of the boys, and subsidize the boys camping fees (that is my personal goal ... it has been very painful to the pocket)! Good luck. 1Hour

I am not the Treasurer of our troop, just an innocent ASM; however, our Treasurer indicated that she does not have time to mess with the scout personal accounts. I pushed for this because for the past 2 years, the same number of boys (about 8-10) do the fundraiser while the rest are being funded by their parents. I told the committee that we need to institute the personal accounts to reward these boys who actively supporting the troop. Well, you know what happen when you opened your mouth to suggest something ... you became the proud owner of the task. So from my point-of-view is that our Treasurer still bean count the real money that goes in and out of the Troop treasury. I maintain the revenue/withdrawal accounting for each boy. If they make a request, I have to ensure that there is a mechanism for the fund to be transferred to the activity or at least being deducted for the boy. Thanks for the answer so far. 1Hour

I have just been tasked to create and manage the troop's personal account. I have no idea how to approach this ... yet. If someone has done this before, I would love to learn from you. What software do you use? What % of the fundraiser do your scout keep? How much goes into troop's general fund? What is the withdrawal process? I am looking to model after best practices out there. Many thanks in advance. Please PM me if you do not mind sharing your expertise or experience. 1Hour

The job of the cubmaster is to have fun with the boys at the Pack meeting. He/she is the entertainer/mc/figure head of the Pack. You have to have a strong committee to support you or it will be a long road. The CM runs the pack meeting, organizes it, recognizes the boy, and closes it. Outside of that, he/she makes sure that the Den leaders are informed and involved with the Pack activities. He/she delegates the task of leading the activities to his/her fellow adult leaders. The final task that the CM does is to recruit, adults and boys. With strong help ... it's a piece of cake and fun! Did not regret my time as a CM. It took 1 hour per week ... per boy! 1Hour(This message has been edited by OneHour)

Another idea ... use that block of wood and use that box it came out of. The box can be shrunk to wrap the block of wood. One thing that you can do is to make sure that derby car weighs about 4+ oz but no more than 5 oz. Glue quarters, nickels, pennies on the block before you wrap it with the pinewood kit box! Attach your wheels and axles and voila` you have gotten one fine pinewood derby kit racer. Glue them with Crazy glue or super glue at the pointed edge of the axles (nails), but be careful and don't tip the car while you are glueing ... be care not to let the glue run down and glue the wheels. Go to Hobby Lobby or local hobby shop and get some (graphite-molybdenum) graphite dry lubricant. Have your son squirts some of the lube into the wheels and spin the wheels, repeat until the wheels can spin free for about 10-15 sec counts. Get your son to clean his hands thoroughly afterward. Then your son is all set! If you want more info, do a search on Google for Pinewood Derby and you'll get a ton and a half of information. But to make sure that your son car is competitive: 1)the car has to be at least 4oz, but 5oz is the best, 2) make sure that the car runs straight, and finally 3) lube the wheels, Good luck and have fun. 1Hour ps: I let my Webelos builds his own (I only help with the cutting), but I race against other dads in the open race.

First of jammer3598, what format did your pack race with? Elimination? This type of format will for sure cause teary eyes. We usually run all cars, all lanes with the ranking based on fastest average time on all the lanes. This kept the boys interested all the way until the end. Now, there were a lot of explanations that preceded the race during pack meetings. This format seems to satisfy alot of the more vocal dads who do not think a particular lane is fair for example. Last year, our laser gate broke which resulted in us running double elimination method. There were teary eyes and upset cubs. We vowed not to do that again. Another thing that we did differently for the last 5 years is to have a workshop to pass on the knowledge of how to get the cars competitive and to make sure that the cars at least finish the race. Nothing breaks a boy's heart more than seeing his car slows down to a crawl and stops in the middle of the track because it doesn't weigh enough. We also allow them to add or delete weights at check-in as usual. NewCubDad ... the derby is for the boys. Participation is more important; however, that does not mean that we should bend the rules that are being applied across the board. For example, one of our cub (actually a dad) wanted to check his car in late (we check our cars in 10 days before the race) because his father was too busy with baseball season to have time to finish a car. We allowed it but we made sure that he understood that his car will only compete in the opened class races and not his rank. They understood and agreed to the agreement. There were no hard feelings. For our pack, we clearly defined the rules and clearly explain it to the parents and the boys. We will make exceptions to special cases and the derby committee rules on the exceptions. We usually allow late check-ins (all the way up to one hour before race), but the cars will be run in the opened class. We found out one year that bending the rule for one boy caused a ripple effect and that caused teary eyes. Rules are there to make it fair, but rules can be interpreted and explained so that a boy's participation can be realized.

My suggestion is to approach the Cubmaster with your idea. When I was a Cubmaster, I kept a pulse on each of the 14 Dens that we had. If one was floundering, I would follow up with the den leader to see how the Pack can help, up to and including merging dens to keep the boys interested. One year, I approached a "suffering" den (down to 3 boys) about merging with another den (6 boys strong). The boys in that den voted to stay as they are and recruited a couple more of their friends and three of the dads stepped up to take on the leadership role. At Arrow-of-Light, that once fledging den was one of our strongest den, graduating 6 boys into boy scout. So, allow your cubmaster to work out a solution with the den leader. Cheers, 1Hour

Laurie, you honor us by sharing your sad news. I just wanted to extend my deepest sympathies to Ryan's and your family. Ryan's presence will be missed by those he shared his personal life with as well as his scouting life with. Words fail me now... Our deepest and sincere condolences.

We are sometimes tougher on our sons than needed to be, at least I am. I don't sign off my son's handbook; however, I do sign off his blue card if I hold the merit badge class for the entire troop and he happens to be one of the participants. I advise him to seek other mb counselor if it is just he who wants to do the mb. 1Hour

Talking about the Southern Asia disaster, did anyone else catch the brief clip on ABC's Good Morning America this morning? They had a clip of one surfer from the US who stayed with his friend and helped out with the injured after they escaped the clamity. The report went on describing this young man (about 22+) not having any medical experience other than first aid skills that he learned as a scout. They both worked with the local medical staff (what ever is left of the staff) to assist with the injured working 14-16 hours a day. I felt prouder than proud! (This message has been edited by OneHour)

I guess that one can say that this is the "icing on the cake" but it's snowing in Houston on Christmas eve. Our closest to a "white Christmas." Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. May God protects our troops overseas and brings them back safely soon. 1Hour

The boys in our troop to take on the leadership role with vigor and conviction. Alright, just some leadership would be great! For our committee to finish and follow through with our fundraiser so that we can replace our stolen trailer. 1Hour SemperParatus, out of curiosity ... your pen name ... for the Coast Guard motto or Boy Scout motto? "always prepared"?

I pulled together all of the digital photos and regular photos of our Scoutmaster (a lot the candid shots). The boys and I put together a slide show with funny captions and songs like Follow Me Boys, Military songs, etc. The Troop ordered him a very nice plaque. We held it after a Court of Honor. The slide show brought tears to his eyes as well as laughters. We had folks come up and roast him. Afterward, a nice reception to relive some of the memories. 1Hour

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on Earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father, brothers all are we, Let me walk with my brother, in perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now. With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow, To take each moment and live each moment in peace, eternally. Let there be Peace on Earth, and let it begin with me. Words and Music by Jill Jackson and Sy Miller, Circa 1955 Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas and happy New Scouting Year.(This message has been edited by OneHour)

"What evil lurks in the heart of man ?" When I opened this thread, the top reads "Read 666 times" ... coincidental ... I think not! (Dooo ... doo ... do ... do ... Twilight Zone theme playing in the background).

... Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of a winning lottery ticket (or otherwise known as happiness)!

Pediatrician. Came close but got detoured big time in college. Tried again to take MCAT and applied to medical school 8 years ago at the young age of 32. A rude medical school admission officer got me ticked off to the point that I vowed not to try again! I settled down to be another IT guy. Why a doctor? Not for the money, but for the feeling, the ability, and knowledge of helping another. Hmmm ... maybe that's why I'm stuck in this thing called BSA! If Santa were to bring me a winning lottery ticket, I would consider try it again at 40! 1Hour

Pack - Elementary School - (CO-2) (COR 3) Troop - United Methodist Church - (CO-8) (COR - 10)(This message has been edited by OneHour)

I was told by a member of our Council elites that Karate and Tae-Kwon-do are offensive martial arts where as Judo and Aikido are defensive. BSA frowns upon activities that are offensive in nature. I was inquiring about it because my son wanted to know why his Tae-kwon-do black belt doesn't earn him a belt loop. Tai Chi ... soft art? Yes ... in movement only!

I have no problems with adult leaders participate in a game with kids; however, they have to realize the size differences and adjust accordingly. Our ex-scoutmaster is a man who weighs in about 260? He participated in dodgeball. He "nailed" several of the boys point-blank with all of his might. These are 11-13 years old, one of whom happened to be my son. The man is 200 lbs heavier than my son and to have this guy hit my son near the groin put me over the top that night! All that he or anyone his size has to do is to hit a young man's head the wrong way and it will pratically have the same effect as having the airbag hitting the boy in the head! "Paralyze" is the term that comes to mind. This has nothing to do with touching, but it has everything to do with a grownup being irresponsible! Yes ... participate but know yours and the boys' limit! Somehow, in the heat of battle, this factor seems to be forgotten until it's too late. 1Hour

It would be awefully difficult to keep a Tenderfoot from earning a mb during his first summer camp (even if he is enrolling in the Trail to First Class courses at the various summer camp). In our troop, we (adult leaders and junior leaders) want our boys to work on their TFC requirements instead of spending time on mb and not rank advance. Troop level is where the rank advancement program is developed not at Council level. Hmmm that would be interesting to have the Council to lay down the law like that. 1Hour ps: Long live the red berets.

NewCubDad, be careful, I got burned out by being a CubMaster for two years, doing everything for a Pack of 132 kids. It depends whether or not you have a good supporting casts, including a good Committee. I didn't have a strong CC. I had a "silent" CC. I ended up functioning as both, burning candles at both ends. There is a happy medium, one thing that another thread mentioned and well worth noticing ... learn to say "no" and pace yourself while having fun. Your CM sounds as if he is there as a figure head only for the convenience of filling out the recharter.

Kristi, Don't take it too hard. I served as an ASM for a year and filled out at least 2 applications just to find out that I was not registered with the Troop (it costs me $11 also). I just found out after 2 1/2 years that I am not really registered as a merit badge counselor eventhough I filled out the apps 3 times. As for service knots, filled out the Cubmaster knot, the Den Leader knot, the Scouter knot, etc. for all of the years that I have been with scouting at least 2 to 3 times each and I have gotten 0. What counted was the fact that I got to contribute to scouting. I simply chuckled and continue on with my training and teaching for the boys. 1Hour ps: I got all the required training and then some so just laugh at the inadequacies that some people have and move on, knowing that what is needed is a type-A person to do the job!

That's the beauty of scouting, one can choose another if one does not like the current unit! This is an idea that a lot of scouts and parents don't understand. A Pack/Troop may be ideal and great for some, but not for others. The scout does not need to drop out of sight simply because he is not having fun! You're are doing it right! Bob58, there is no "perhaps" in this. If you and I look underneath his hat, the word Cubmaster has already stitched on the inside as well as imprinted on his forehead. This is the energy that any Pack could use! Good luck in finding a happy scouting ground. 1Hour (This message has been edited by OneHour)

We offered in one sitting and an opportunity for the family to check out the video if they miss it. We let the parents know what the video is about and the reasons behind the video, namely for the protection of their son. So far (knock on wood), no one has objected and we get about 85% of the boys. Most of the boys who missed the sitting are older boys who have gone through this at least 3-4 times in their scouting career. We feel that they have gotten the message imprinted once, if not twice during those times. We usually encourage the new scouts and those who have not been through the video to attend. We keep record of the attendees in TM. If they object, there is nothing that we can do other than make them aware of the issues at hand and the availability of the resources. We found out that if it were left as a choice, most boys (and parents) will opt out. Our troop feels that this is an important training for the boys especially in preparation for the long summer camp and for the new boys. 1Hour