Pack212Scouter

Wow...Our Pack runs a very active program, yet I can't imagine a Pack which travels more than 2 or 3 hours to an activity that many times a year! I think maybe the Pack needs to reevaluate it's program. This is Cub Scouts, not Boy Scouts! Something else that may not be considered is how long are these events? If they start on Friday night and go until Sunday night or Monday morning, then they excede the 72 hour limit for Class 1 medical forms. Any event which lasts longer than 72 hours requires Class 2 forms for Scouts and Class 3 forms for any adults (not just leaders...adults) over 40.

Against the law? Now that is highly unlikely. While there may be one, I know of no location in the US where it is illegal to have a private party in a privatly owned location with alcohol being served, as long as minors are not served. As a matter of fact, by your statement, every resturant in your area that offers wine or beer in the dining area where minors are allowed would be in violation of the law. I am not saying that it is necessarily the right thing to do, but a private, non-BSA reception after the ceremony is completely legal and not against BSA policy. And leaders should not be imbibing while in uniform...but to the best of my knowledge, while it is certainly not appropriate and not the image that we want, BSA does not even restrict a leader in uniform from stopping off to get a beer or buy a bottle while in uniform. The only restriction is at BSA activities.

Our requirements are: 1) The family presents a need or one is observed by leadership. 2) Confidentiality (CC, CM, and Treasurer are the ones who know the details) 3) Helping themselves (Must participate in fundraisers uless there is a good reason, i.e. hospitalized family member or something) 4) Helping the Pack (Parent must help out on some pack functions, not necessarily leadership as we want leaders that want to do the job) 5) If they don't attend for other than a reason such as illness, etc., we ask that they repay as much as they can of what was scholarshiped so that we can continue to help others. This year we are also going to try giving them a paper that outlines this and having the CC or CM privaly discuss with the parent the importance of what they are getting and that it is to help the Scout (we don't have money to burn).

Our Pack does many events year around. Rock Wall climbing, Pumpkin Picking & Hayride, Bike Rodeo, Camping 3 times per year +1 for Webelos in the Winter, Raingutter Regatta, Pinewood Derby, thinking about Space Derby. We've actually had some cubs transfer over because we run an active program and theirs didn't do much. We do have a scholarship fund to help those who need it. All we require is that the parent helps the pack, the boy does some fundraising, and they attend what we pay for.

Well, I can see where this is going... NOOO!!! IT'S DANGEROUS!!! Well, potentially, yes. Is it a good idea in front of young boys? Maybe not. But it's purpose is ceremony. If you are so concerned about fire that you immediately jump on this without asking yourself purpose and how it might or might NOT be safe, then you should be cancelling any candles and your campfire at camp. After all, fire is part of ceremony, in these situations it serves no purpose other than ceremony. It is how it's used and what safety is taught that is important.

Last year the fall campout was Patriot Games. A huge Council wide campout done every few years at Fort Knox. The DE talked up camping...the funs stuff that they would see and do there and the boys were really fired up. If you have anything similar coming up in your area, that works well.

I know what you mean. I meantioned the classic "Who's on first" routine at work the other day and got stange looks from most of them. As a matter of fact, only about 20% had even hear of Abbot and Costello.

My kids love to read. They both spend the last 1/2 hour before betime reading. I tend to fall into the "kids today" generalizations too, but realistically, they will do what they are allowed to do. Most of us were not allowed to play outside or play boardgames right before our bedtime (or other time) so we read. If we allow kids to be on a computer up until lights out, then we are doing them a disservice. They don't learn other behaviors such as reading because we don't make them "taste it."

Not even going there Gern. But if BSA really want's to put the knife in their heart, that is what they can do to get it done. They will gain 2% membership and lose about 50%.

Actually, it was at least two years ago I think. My son was probably in the first year of the ranked Tiger program, 2006.(This message has been edited by pack212scouter)

ScoutNut, thats what I always thought, but now I am not sure. My son's Wolf and Bear books say Bobcat must be earned before "any award or rank". I can't find my son's Tiger book to check. Sounds like another conflict of BSA information since the website only says rank. You do have a point about what it says when to award the Totem though.

Most insurance policies cover annual physicals only for those over 40 or with accompanying medical conditions. For others it's usually every 3 years. Some are more often, but this is pretty norm I think. Of course that doesn't help the others without insurance or the boys.(This message has been edited by pack212scouter)

"Do you really think he wants to serve "ALL" kids? If he does, that would be a HUGE move. In a positive way." I certainly hope not. First off, you can't please all of the people all of the time. Second, you don't change to the point of ruining the program for some in a vain attempt to attract those that won't (This is what GSA is now attempting). Third, I think I know what you mean by that, and I certainly hope not.

I think we shortsell them a bit. I know it is not typical, but it can be very easily done. My son learned them on the 15 minute drive to our first meeting.

It does indeed cover boys and adults who are being recruited at an event. Simple participants in a general pack event are not covered unless they are registered.

Typical unit supplemental insurance covers Scouts, Leaders, parent partners of Tigers and boys and adults who are attending with the purpose of recruiting as members. There may be some other insurance at a resident camp that covers this, especially since they often require an adult with the Scout. I am curious, please let us know what you find out.(This message has been edited by pack212scouter)

The restriction on archery states "or to council activities where there are properly trained supervisors and all standards for BSA shooting sports are enforced." If the Council will approve and supply supervisors for the event, then it does not matter if only one pack attends. The restriction is that Packs cannot run the event.

I can't be a whole lot of help, but something to consider is that fog from dry ice drops. A simple solution to this might be a small battery powered fan to blow it upwards, more like smoke.

Our council has used Campmasters for a number of years. No complaints here, but I don't have any experience with others to compair it to.

Pack15Nissan, I kinda have to disagree with your aquanaught example. The requirement states swim 100 feet. If there is a medical reason that a boy cannot swim 100 feet, then it is passable. But trying and swimming only 75 feet is not acceptable, unless there are accompanying reasons. Part of Do Your Best is to practice. Especially as Cub Scouts get older, I expect Do Your Best to be on par with their abilities. There is also the situation where someone may not have access to facilities to practice. This doesn't mean that the printed requirement should be lowered because they are doing their best. If they cannot swim to the standard, they cannot earn Aquanaught.

My G2SS says that for Cubs it has to be 1 to 5 ratio.

G2SS is pretty strick on swimming as a Scout activity, but it is doable. There are a few important things to remember. a) If you know that a Cub has passed a certain level swim test this summer, I do not believe that they have to retest. So if they have all gone to camp with swimming, you should be good there. Just be sure that you KNOW this. b) For Cubs, the ratio of adult supervisors to Cubs must be 5 to 1, not 10 to 1. c) Make sure there is a trip permit on file. d) Most private pools have a sharp dropoff, so a rope across the shallow end marking a non-swimmer/beginner and swimmer areas would be sufficient. Also note that BSA does not allow diving in water less than 7' in depth, entry in depths less than this must be feet first. e) Don't forget your buddy checks about every 10 minutes. Note that if the group is small enough to get a quick and accurate count, they do not have to exit the water. They only have to mark their buddy. f) You do not need certified lifeguards. You MUST have capable adult swimmers and a life line. A rescue pole and float is also highly recommended. g) One person needs to be desiganated "look out" and must have a clear view of the pool. This person is responsible for the rules in the pool including buddy checks, safety issues, adult swimmer/Cub ratio, etc.

Yes....I highly recommend the electronic timer hooked to a laptop with the software. We use Micro Wizard K2 series with the large finish place LCD's. Actual times, etc are on the software. We love this timer, but while it works awesome indoors, we had some issues using them at the Council races last spring. Basically, if you are outdoors or in an area with lots of windows during the day, sunlight can be an issue for the timer. If you run your PWD in these conditions, I recommend The Judge, which can be ordered with special photodiodes that work even in full sunlight.

We bought two four lane 40' tracks from Pinewoodderbytrack.com last year and couldn't be happier. Setup is very easy once you get used to it and it runs very fast. I even prefer the unique "wizz" sound the cars make on aluminum as they fly by. We previously owned a 3 lane 32' track also made by the same company (formally Piantadossi. The Best Track seems good also, but we prefered the other because it stores flat, whereas you have to store the curve of the Best Track.

Just got back from Cub Resident Camp. Last Cub camp of the summer here. It was hot, it was humid, but the Cubs had a blast! Food could have been better (they had refrigeration issues this summer) but all in all the dining hall staff adapted well (I won't go into the cottage cheese milk though LOL). Great activities. Knocked out a bunch of electives and achievements. Our Pack accounted for 1/4 of the 128 Cubs registered, and that was a blast too! This was my son's second Cub Resident Camp and we are looking forward to Webelos Resident Camp next summer!