bbender

We actually (almost) had the most terrific pre-crossover/goodbye to our Webelos II a year ago: the B&G was on a Friday of the Troop's "Welcome Webelos" campout. The Webelos had done extra Troop visits to prepare for the campout, and the plan was for them to have their packs at the front of the room, and after they got the Arrow of Light, we'd have a goodbye . . . literally, as they put on their packs and hiked out with the Boy Scouts. Unfortunately, the threat of really really bad T-Storms coupled with our next to the river campsite where the Ranger told us not to come caused the campout to be postponed, so we couldn't pull that off . . . maybe someday. We were really hoping to get a visceral "I want to do that" reaction from the younger guys . . .

For that matter, there's no reason why you "have" to do your Blue & Gold Banquet in February, especially if you're doing it to recognize those who earned rank advancement. Our Pack has alternated between very late February, or early or even very late March, depending on where our school's spring break hits (normally early to mid March) and/or other school events. Yeah, yeah, February is Scouting's birthday, but . . . hey, sometimes better late than never. For those who do earn rank by B&G, and want more, the good news is there's more stuff you can earn during the rest of the spring.

Perhaps you recognize them not for the end, but the new beginning, and have an investiture ceremony for your new Assistant Scoutmasters?

Let me circle back to the concept of flexibility in the Cub Scout program. There was the note about whether "the new program will be more flexible than the pilot", as it was also noted that the Scouting Magazine article stated that "Rank advancement is based on activities laid out for the entire school year, a clearly sign-posted path that discourages alteration in the curriculum." And, yep, the magazine article says that, which sounds like a "thou shalt not deviate from the guide" message. -- But . . . note that the very next sentence calls the guide "it's a place to start" (it says "for the new den leader, this will dramatically increase confidence as it gives them a plan to execute . . . it's a place to start"). Those in the studied "Pilots" were told to do it exactly as written, with no deviations. For statistical purposes, that made a lot of sense to be sure that everybody did it the same way. But the studies are over: mandatory adherence to what you do within your Den Meeting program shouldn't be required any longer. Of course, some folks revel in the idea of describing "program helps" or program meeting "guide" ideas as absolute requirements that one must do just as written without deviation. But others recoil from that rigidity, finding it more beneficial to apply their judgment to what meeting program to put on, or how to do it with their resources. -- And Program Helps and similar sources were never really written to be rigid, requirements: they were resources to be used to assist leaders in planning meetings. Program "Helps". Not Program "Mandatory Content". -- Hopefully, the Guide will be received in that flexible vein: a plan you can execute right out of the box and get advancement done, but also a "place to start" as you make it fit your Scouts and Families. As an example of how any meeting program plan will be deployed, hopefully leaders will feel free to set up the order their meetings to fit Parental involvement (keeping in mind that ya gotta get the right advancement done timely -- can't just do a bunch of electives and call it a rank). Because it would be better to do a First Aid program when the EMT Mom has a day off and can lead that program, rather than missing out on using that resource because "first aid isn't until next month" if the EMT Mom can't make it that day. Bert Bender Pack and District Trainer South Fulton District, Atlanta Area Council http://atlanta631.mypack.us/

On MooseTrackers notes about combining Webelos Traveler Badge Activity with Forestry (or Naturalist, which is how it is paired in the Fast Tracks pilot), some thoughts: I'd bet that there is not a meeting plan that dictates "Take a bus out of state.. (Planning & mapping included).. to go look at the trees". And I hope there never will be, for the sake of those in central Texas or anywhere in Alaska! ;^) However, I suspect that (and this is based on looking at the Fast Tracks pilot plan), the concept is to work on these two elements of Traveler: "2. Use a timetable to plan a trip from your home to a city in another state by railroad, bus, airline, or ferry." -- That's just "plan" a trip, NOT take it. One can do that with a handout, or on a computer. "4. With your parent or guardian, take a trip to a place that interests you. Go by car, bus, boat, train, or plane." -- That doesn't mandate the bus, nor the distance, nor crossing any geographic boundaries. Bottom Line: I don't think that the new Guide's plans will dictate that the Den go on a bus ride, in or out of state. Now, as to the museum bit, if it comes out like Fast Tracks, this is part of Naturalist: "4. Visit a museum of natural history, a nature center, or a zoo with your family, Webelos den, or pack. Tell what you saw." So, the "mash up" here between Traveler and Naturalist is to plan how to travel to a "museum of natural history, a nature center, or a zoo" with your family for a Den meeting, and travel there. Doesn't have to be far. Doesn't have to be the Smithsonian -- as to what constitutes a "museum of natural history, a nature center, or a zoo", I would use your local resources, and do your best. Could be the local display in the county agricultural office. Find a fun place. Lots of middle and high school science teachers have nature stuff, and can present it, in a more fun, hands-on, meaningful way than if you're in the crowd at a larger zoo. Keep it Simple, Make it Fun. Do your Best! Bert Bender Pack and District Trainer South Fulton District, Atlanta Area Council http://atlanta631.mypack.us/

Interesting. On the comments raised my MooseTracker: As to "from what I was told, the den leader must now sign the books, not the parents. So even if the family works on advancement at home, they will need to start coming to the den leader, and the scout must tell them what they did, then the den leader will do the sign off." ===> oh dear, I hope that's not the absolute practice, nor the directive issued. Though, for what it's worth, currently in nearly every case I would suspect that the parent and/or cub ALREADY comes to the Den Leader (if only to hand over the book for review and recording) and, even if the DL doesn't "sign off in the book" (because the parent already did), the DL would "report it" to the Pack/Council at the right time for advancement purposes (though some packs might have a direct report from parents to an advancement record keeper). -- As a result, I suspect that most DLs have "dialogue" of some sort with parents, and creative DLs even now would probably say to those parents "gosh, since you've signed off Jimmy on 'knots', can you and Jimmy come work with the rest of the den on that sometime?" -- That approach tends to get the early "pencil whippers" (those who want Jimmy to earn rank by Halloween) to dial it back some! -- Plus, I believe the FAQs indicate that some items will need to be done at home with parents. -- And there's gonna be make up stuff that's gonna get done at home. As to "fear that the Fast Track den meetings I saw seemed more like weekend long events" ===> Part of that, I believe, just results from creating an arc of meetings that can allow a Den to complete the rank work in as few as 8, maybe as many as 12, meetings (though the Scouting Magazine refers to 16 meetings, and if that tracks with past pilot plans, I suspect some "elective" meetings are in those that could be replaced by doing busy achievement meetings over two sessions), and it assumes that meeting less often means you'll probably meet longer when you do gather (P.S.: be sure to add some games and fun stuff). -- So, if your schedule is a "twice a month" schedule, you can get it done by February. Yes, gonna be tight. But it gives you a path to get it done. -- If you meet more often, I hope that folks will realize that of course you can spread out the good stuff over several sessions (and/or do some at weekend Pack events). As to "they will not be as strict with following the plan exactly, as they were for people who piloted the program" ===> Hope so too (as originally noted in this chain http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=251353#id_251353 about our revision of Fast Tracks to make it more "fun" and more "flexible"). But a lot of that also depends on the attitude of those who train, conduct roundtables, etc. Used to drive me crazy to hear someone say "next month you HAVE to do these things at your meetings" just because they were set out in "Program Helps". We felt like we were screwing up because we would, say, do bike themed activities in a non-biking month, which made sense to us because we were doing a Bike Rodeo thanks to volunteers who got it together for that month. . . . On that topic of being strict and following things in a "guide" or "helps" handout exactly (statements like "from what I was told, the den leader must [fill in the blank . . . ]"), when it comes to den meetings for Scouts, as long as it is done safely, within the Scouting rules and guidelines, and, as to achievements, the steps/activities are done (in meeting or at home) properly, I really really hope that folks "keep it simple, make it fun", and don't major in minor details and distractions. -- If you have a great guest presenter/parent who can come in and have a more special, fun, exciting, interesting meeting "out of order" compared to the "guide", I hope you'll take that opportunity to use your resources and do the great guest presentation. In that case, please tune out someone else who says "but you did that wrong, because meeting 7 came after meeting 3, so it was out of order!" Just be sure the achievements all get done. -- As it is, any Den Leader who's doing advancement work is gonna have to keep a log of what you did (did you "do it all"?) and who was there, so if you do switch the meeting order to take advantage of those opportunities -- especially bringing in other parents when it fits their schedules and talents -- it shouldn't be that much of a burden, especially if it takes other loads off the Den Leader (like getting another parent to lead the program activity that day!). Bert Bender Pack and District Trainer http://atlanta631.mypack.us/

. . . on the other hand (and not at all to disagree with the idea that there needs to be more "family involvement", not less -- which is why we have our Pack's "every parent leads" requirement for den meetings), there are elements of the idea of the new program that can increase parental involvement -- because it will make it easier (a) for Den Leaders to plan and run the meetings (as the program has been announced, there will be full meeting plans tied to advancement elements, but with more clarity and fun options than were seen in the "Fast Tracks" pilot plans), and (b) for Den Leaders to recruit and "hand off" to other parents portions of den meetings to those more knowledgeable about the achievement area (even, in some cases, I suspect a Den Leader could hand a copy of the day's Meeting Plan to a parent who walks in at the opening, and ask them "can you cover 'this' part when we get to it"). Yes, it is possible to create full, meaty den meetings now using existing sources and add achievements in to get the badge and/or send it home (and hope that parents "get it" and help their sons, and don't just pencil whip the book right before Blue & Gold), and the new Meeting Resource Guide won't (I hope) eliminate that sort of excellent initiative, but . . . by making it easier to get meetings done (especially in the early den meetings when leaders and scouts can get frustrated if they don't "get it" and might pull out if they don't have success or fun), it is hoped that more leaders will be involved and successful, and involve others in the process as well. More den leaders will get "hooked" by successful meetings, and that means . . . more and better program. As far as it being "advancement and advancement only", from what has been posted (and I don't have the Scouting Magazine yet, nor is the online edition updated last I checked), it will cue in more "fun" options than the "Fast Tracks" pilot plans. And I would suspect that a great use of roundtable would be to note how to "fun up" the meeting plans, from the ideas around the table and the vast resources that Scouters have in places like this. Bert Bender Pack and District Trainer http://atlanta631.mypack.us/

I believe that the program (and the patches in the Scout Shops across our land, and databases like Packmaster) are set up so that each Den has a unique number. If you have 5 Dens, you have Dens 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Now, the first year, there can be numeric sense to it: you can have Den 1 be Tigers, 2 = Wolves, etc. (or go in the other order, with Web IIs paramount as Den 1, Web I = Den 2). Then it gets all bollixed up when the Web IIs cross and a new crop of Tigers come in and either take over that number or become Den 6, as, if you are keeping Dens together (as in this example). Since we've either had 1 or two dens at each level during our recent existence, we use "pairs" of numbers, so that this years Tigers were Den 3, and if they had a second Den, they'd be Den 4, because a year ago former Web II Dens 3 and 4 crossed over to Troops. However . . . while the number may be unique, we find nothing really unique or interesting about being identified as "Den 9 . . . yea!". Instead, we ask each Den, as part of their self-organization (guided by leaders with appropriate discretion) to come up with their own Den Name (so we get Tiger Sharks, and Saber-toothed Tigers, Weird Wolves, and, one year, "Billy Bob Bears"). We find that the Scouts and Parents identify with that better (and it makes more interesting Den Flags) and so it satisfies the KISMIF requirement. Plus there's not the intense disappointment when the Cub Scout comes home disheartened because his den isn't a "prime number". ;^) We also don't encourage getting the Den Numbers on the uniform, because we're not gonna refer to them by number but by name, and it's just one more unnecessary cost, and the number may well change if they have (or expand to) two Dens (Tiger Den 3 may be Wolf Dens 3 and 4 next year). And where there are multiple dens, our policy is that while we'd "like" to keep Dens together if all else is equal, if it isn't, like when Den Leaders step back/retire, we're going to try to secure consensus from the families at that "rank level" to share the current active leadership across both dens, so that no remaining den is suffering from a significant lack of leadership. Of course, YMMV. Bert Bender Pack and District Trainer South Fulton District, Atlanta Area Council

The best way is . . . whatever is the most fun for you and your Scouts and Families. Stickers? Sure! Marbles? All right . . . and have a marbles game station too if you like. Ideas we've put into the "fun and flexible fast tracks" meeting plans for our Dens include: -- Consider themes like carnival, circus, track meet. -- Maybe have an MC or Announcer for each event. -- Maybe someone with a Video Recorder (Flip, phone) can team up with a Sideline Reporter to get interviews with the contestants. -- When they have events like Wolf 1f (See how high you can jump), don't just say "go" and write it down, but get everyone fired up. The Blast-Off Cheer is perfect for this. Count down (10, 9, 8 . . .), then jump and yell. -- For some things, like Wolf 1g (Do the elephant walk, frog leap, and crab walk), if you and other parents do these too, the Scouts will enjoy your participation. -- You can also join up some of the elements, and make them into contests between a split Den or a companion Den, or Scouts vs. Parents. For example, a play catch relay down the line of Scouts, or a Front Roll, Back Roll Relay (super fun to watch Parents do that one!). -- Remember, Wolf 1a says "Play catch with someone 10 steps away. Play until you can throw and catch", but it doesn't say WHAT you play catch with -- it doesnt have to be a ball. So, for fun (and if youre outdoors), maybe do a Water Balloon Toss Game. Or frisbee. Rubber Chickens. Whatever you have . . . -- Getting the Bears (and Webelos) to make up games and teach them is a great opportunity, and ties into the Bear Games Games Games requirement of "Select a game that your Den has never played. Explain the rules. Tell them how to play it, and then play it with them." Plus gives them a "leadership" exercise as THEY help select what to do. You could do recognitions at each event, including making "homemade" medals with ribbons, and award them olympic podium style. Let your imagination be yer guide, and use your parents and local resources as much as you can (we like to stay on very good terms with our Phys Ed teachers to get access to their Closet 'o Fun Stuff for use in our meetings for stuff like this). Bert Bender Pack and District Trainer More at http://atlanta631.mypack.us/node/1005

"since Dad was actually there in the end, I guess "Family" (and Cub Scouting) wins out!" ===> great result, Reaper! When we train Cub Leaders, one of the things we try to emphasize in our "Every Parent Leads" sharing of jobs and meeting roles is that when a Parent does "step up" and participate -- and get recognized for it -- that Parent becomes a "hero" to the Scout and the Den or Pack. At least in their offspring's eyes . . . ("that's my dad!"). And it makes lad and dad want to do more . . .

No worries bear dad. Yeah, I'm gonna have thoughts about it (but I'm gonna keep them to myself since they're not gonna be useful for anyone). But for the boy, we're gonna be kind and all and just work on him learning it right and getting it done now for T-foot . . . whether or not he was just signed off on AoL without doing it right, we're gonna make sure he gets it right from here on. And then we're sending him back as a Den Chief in a couple years to get it done right for those who follow!! ;^)

Thanks BearDad. What I mean is that since the topic is about "new Scout in your Troop, proudly wearing his Arrow of Light patch, and he can't say the Oath or Law": -- the "then" was when he was in Cubs, to earn the Arrow of Light. We hope he earned it and has simply forgotten it since or has stage fright now or whatever, but there's no going back. -- but the "now" is: let's earn Tenderfoot, and let's be sure they can "Repeat from memory and explain in your own words the Scout Oath, Law, motto, and slogan". Working on that is where they are now . . . Yeah, should come easy, but . . . that's the next task (even if it was an AoL task too).

We've got Readyman spread over three Den Meetings in our "Fun & Flexible Fast Tracks" Den Meeting Plans at http://atlanta631.mypack.us/node/1005. You'll find them in Meetings A8, A9 and A10, but of course it could be combined in your Webelos Day event (we fleshed out the "pilot" fast tracks which just suggested finding a workshop, which is great if you can get it . . . and for a large event, you might be able to get Red Cross or EMT help). There's some ideas in there about games and relay races and making it look realistic (e.g. gross) and such, with many of those ideas probably pulled from the Webelos Leader Guide (where you'll likely find even some more ideas).

Doing a bit of a search, I found http://www.youthonline.ca/crafts/, which includes some Pirate Themed crafts. Found it from http://moorecountyboyscouts.org/scoutingresources/scoutcrafts.html. Like a lot of things tied to a theme, sometimes you can retool for the theme. For example, if they make coin purses or wallets, those are Pirate Treasure Wallets now! For more ideas, see See also http://www.e-scoutcraft.com/, and from across the water, see http://akelascubs.blogspot.com/2009/03/kontiki-pirates-of-caribbean-2009.html.

That (AoL) was then, this is now (Boy Scouts). And a requirement of the Tenderfoot Rank is "Repeat from memory and explain in your own words the Scout Oath, Law, motto, and slogan", so that's the next step that one can work on. I suspect that we've identified a reason for there being no AoL exemption from this requirement! FWIW (and yeah a super den leader will have done this so well they'd never forget), I'm sure there's lots of stuff I knew and memorized and could explain that just a few months or weeks later I couldn't remember. Now, of course, that half life has burned down to hours or minutes . . . ;^)

Technically (and I speak both as a law talkin' guy and one who's seen lots of Law & Order), "probation" is a criminal justice term for a punishment in lieu of imprisonment, namely a supervised (and conditioned) freedom. Probably not the right term in the Scout context (since it is a criminal justice term and carries that rough edge) for this purpose, though for a very serious act it could be appropriate. If a Scout, on account of a violation, is allowed to continue to participate, I would tend to use terms like "on notice", or "warned", that another violation will result in a further imposition (possibly suspension of privileges). In any event, needs to be clear, like "one more strike and you're out". Suspension, on the other hand, would be more serious than the warning or supervised participation. But then, it can also be crafted to fit the circumstances: for example, perhaps not suspended from "duties" (e.g., work as a den chief, at a service project, equipment cleaning day), but suspended from "privileges" (e.g., campout, high adventure). I would imagine that suspension might also include a period of time before a passing mark on "Scout Spirit" can be issued, as that requirement is a subjective one, to be demonstrated "in your everyday life". After some period of time, the past will be past, and that requirement can be passed. Technically, the "active" requirement includes, I think (at least in one part of the scouting.org website) a concept of not being "dismissed" from the unit. I suppose "suspension" would be a "temporary" and/or "partial" dismissal.

Having come from a smallish chapter (but we still had ceremony teams twice a year!) in large lodge (hello "belayer") back in my youth, I'm now in a district where OA had been sort of a rumor (in that we thought there might be members . . . but were not really sure beyond a handful). Our Troop elected another handful last year (first election in years), and we located a few more. This year, the good news was that when no Troop stepped up to run the District Camp o Ree this past weekend, a couple of us said "let's have the OA run it", and . . . asked to help, they served (and had great ideas too). Baby steps here . . . truth be told this was more adult run (as had been the case in past years) than guided with youth getting it all done . . . but some of these guys see and imagine what it could be if they do it . . . and now we have 9 new candidates who will hopefully be available to help in the future. Great that some of them "get it".

Yep, the Eagle requirements move from knowin' and memorizin' to gettin' it done: "Demonstrate that you live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life". And providing references to confirm: "List the names of individuals who know you personally and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf, including parents/guardians, religious, educational, and employer references." And congrats to ASM and your Webelos Den Leader and your Scouts for doing so well. It's not supposed to be easy, and great when it's done. I'm glad that the requirements cover both the knowing and then the memorizing -- and I'm glad that in Den Meetings about reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the meaning of it, I've never had to discuss Richard Stans, who Bill Safire called "the most saluted man in America", since "legions of schoolchildren place their hands over their hearts to pledge allegiance to the flag, 'and to the republic for Richard Stans'." ;^)

On the comment/question "They wanted to make sure they received recognition for their work. How would you recognize them?" The in-school announcement (even if the Scouts are not there) is great. As would a public thank you at the next Parent event (PTA or whatever) or dedication of the playground. Of course, for the best recognition, and for extra credit, if the School doesn't sponsor a unit, they could become a chartered organization and start one now! While the Scouts may have just be doing their good turn like that kid in the London fog 100 years ago and so don't want any special attention, if the school can determine what unit they are in, a letter to that unit's leaders and/or chartered organization would be terrific, primarily for the impact on the Scouts, the unit, the chartered org (plus the Scouts might need some "service hours" that Boy Scouts need to get . . . though I suppose these guys have plenty of those . . . )

As to why Cubs don't continue on, agreed (along the lines of "all Scouting is local"), with the concept of "get their contact info from your Pack, and call each one". Frankly, from a "why they didn't go on", every one may well have a different story, and some of them are just individual stories. Speculation won't work -- only hard information will. More importantly, we can often learn as much from our failures (why they didn't stay on) than our successes. And a lesson could be that if you have a bunch of young, but qualifying, AoL recipients (that is, they're old enough, even though in 4th Grade), yer gonna need more supervision (ideally, Troop Guide types, but probably also some distantly hovering ASMs) to be sure that they "stick" in the more chaotic Troop environment. I look back on my Tigers/Wolves (where over 50% remain in Scouting somewhere now that they approach their 3rd Summer Camp in Boy Scout Troops), and as to those who don't remain, the reasons are Sports, Sports, Moved Away (so I really don't know if they stuck), and Church Activities (Dad is the Pastor, Mom runs activities). And transition is a big big thing. Both in terms of continuity and in making it clear how it's different, and steps up. To that end, we're looking at our third year of a "Webelos Winter Camp" where we go to a state park that is (a) challenging enough to be interesting for Boy Scouts (the older ones can do some serious hiking up/down some N. Georgia mountains), and (b) safe enough so that no Webelo should have a bad experience (large cabin with appropriate accomodations, including wood burning stove, should it be really cold). HUGE success last two years, and Webelos and Troop members each want to return. Webelos moms & dads also very impressed by how the Troop operates (e.g., SPL organizes and SM coaches vs. Cubmaster and Den Leader "do it all"). We've also overlapped on some other events (like a cave camping trip) where the Webelos start to look up to the extra things that the older Scouts do. All in all . . . transition is important . . . gotta make it seem like a great adventure . . . And for those looking at some of the baser reasons to remain, I guess ya can remind them that while some folks along the adult trail will look at yer son's resume and say "wow . . . you're an Eagle Scout?!!!", I suspect few hiring decisions are decided based on "he earned his AoL!" ;^)

Sounds like a terrific program idea (especially in this 100th anniverary year), especially if they can earn the belt loop on the parallel track of their own families (which no doubt could be done mostly at the day camp, plus you'll have drop off/pick up interaction with the families to be sure they know to talk "about your family heritage: its history, traditions, and culture", and give them help with the family tree. And, by getting families involved, you might be able to . . . wait for it . . . get families involved! For folks who think that day camp is a great BSA (Baby Sitters . . .) program, you can volunteer them to come in and be a hero to thier sons by helping with their son's presentation to other scouts in his camp den about his heritage and family tree. (Heritages is the easiest one to get families involved, because hardly anyone can say "well, I don't know anything about that"!). Also intriguing would be to bring in former unit leaders from your Packs or Troops (whether DLs or CMs or Scoutmasters or current/former Committee and Chartered Organization folks), and put a personal face on the family tree of those who've helped make your units run and thrive today . . . assuming they're on good terms and are good sports and aren't gonna be grouchy old "well when I use to run things . . ." types ;^)

Congratulations Jhankins, and well earned, I'm sure! Just got back from a District Camporee, and while our callout was simpler (we're a small, small District with few OA resources), I believe that our Scouts elected, and Scouters selected, too felt -- as you so aptly put it -- "that twinge of humility and honor when you hear why you've been elected and the faith people have in you". Many many comments from those called out that seemed to indicate in them a new turn on their trails as they spied new horizons not seen before . . . .

On the new Cub Scout Program, we've been following this fairly closely, having always "done advancement in the den meetings" in our pack. We were intrigued by "fast tracks on the advancement trail" when we heard about it, but also found that the pilot program, as you note, was restrictive -- see, for example, the thread here: http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=251353#id_251353, where we shared a revision of fast tracks that added in more fun and more flexibility. (Note: this addresses den meeting elements, not pack meetings and those theme changes). On the "new delivery system" of Cub Scouts 2010, there is an updated (3/31) version of the PowerPoint presentation (see http://www.scouting.org/filestore/cubscout2010/ppt/orientationpresentation3-31-2010.ppt), which confirms that the new materials (Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide, CS Leader Book, Fast Start Training) will be available on April 30, except that it notes that a full online Position Specific Training module won't be available until June 2010. However, on another site, there was a note that the only change in the training modules is to replace references to "Program Helps" with references to the new "Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide" (see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scouter_t/message/11672). More on the timeline of the rollout was revealed in various places, such as http://usssp.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html, which notes "National Council has announced the following via E-mail sent to council execs and others . . . Development of materials to support the rollout of Cub Scouts 2010 is well under way, and we are now in a position to confirm that the leader materials and training needed to support the change in delivery method will be completed and in local council service centers between April 30 and May 7, 2010." Now, as to what the CS 2010 program will look like, from what I've seen, the origin of the Den Meeting Plans are indeed from the "Fast Tracks" advancement program pilots, though (from what I've seen and heard, such as comments from National representatives at certain Pow Wows this spring), the program will add in flexible alternatives and additional ways to cover the advancement work in fun ways (pulling in ideas from multiple sources and Scouter's tips). There will be more meeting plans (for those who want to meet every week or all year round), and those who do meet every week and all year round would, I am sure, proceed in a more leisurely and fun pace than those who are meeting twice a month, so I would imagine that some of the "packed with activities" meeting plans would be spread out over two meetings. One of the issues noted in that prior thread (and reflected in that alternate view of fast tracks found at http://atlanta631.mypack.us/node/1005) is to make it more fun and more flexible (as noted about doing a museum trip). All Scouting is local: not every local Scouting unit will have access to, say, a bowling alley (or one you'd take little Tigers to!), so it appears that what will come out in the upcoming Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide will, in large part, reflect those sorts of changes in the delivery plan for the Program. On the question of "do you truly follow the den meeting suggestions [in the Fast Tracks Pilot] to the letter?", I am sure many did. But that shouldn't matter. Just as "Program Helps" was called "helps" (as in suggestions to help you), and not "Program Dictates" (as in you must do this in your meetings this month), so too I hope that there will be a rule of reason and creative application of the ideas in the upcoming Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide, so that all leaders apply meeting plans that are successful for them. The only orthodoxy should be adherence to the achievement requirements (which are themselves subject to the "do your best" caveat, of course!). I suspect that Roundtables and other resources will look to add further fun and flexibility about ways to stick to the core (advancement and values) and supplement with fun ways that help achieve those goals in ways that will be easy to conduct for parents and make Scouts want to come back for more. Hope this helps. Bert Bender Pack and District Trainer South Fulton District, Atlanta Area Council

I suspect it "should" require effort on the part of both parties noted: -- The DE "should" be working contacts at possible chartering organizations anyway at all times to determine who might be willing to sponsor units, and should also have a very strong interest in retaining these units. -- But the units have the most interest in this, since they will have the day to day working relationship (including use of space, etc.), and so their agreement to a "match" is paramount. Now, if the Unit is more active than the DE (which I infer from the "he would try to show up" comment . . . ), then -- if I were the Unit -- I wouldn't wait on the DE to make a match for us, but instead roll on and get 'er done (for the Scouts in the unit), and then push the new CO on the DE.

That's the way I understand it as well in tent camping . . . in part because of the privacy issue component for changing clothes and whatnot, though (like with cabin camping and dormitory style sleeping arrangements like Aircraft Carriers) one can change in a restroom or other facility and/or create divisions within a room. And I suppose one could do the same with some of the big honkin' tents that some folks end up dragging out to camp one or two times . . . and perhaps there are tents that are big enough to accommodate both the "odd stares and looks" plus the two adults and scouts, and would therefore comply with the G2SS rules about "Single-room or dormitory-type accommodations for Scouting units: Adults and youth of the same gender may occupy dormitory or single-room accommodations, provided there is a minimum of two adults and four youth". Now, of course, under that rule, it would have to be an even bigger honkin' tent to have those numbers (but I've seen some bigguns), plus the only adults who could share would have to have, between them, at least 4 Scout offspring! Bottom line: don't buy that great big tent, or, if you do, let your scouts sleep in it by themselves while you bivouac under the stars nearby!