Pack212Scouter

While we want to follow the rules & requirements, you will unfortunately find the predominant color in Cub Scouts is not Blue or Gold...it is Grey. I suppose that this is a by product of using "Do your best" as a principal guideline for the program.

The Cub Scouts Academics and Sports Program is an additional, supplemental, and optional Cub Scout program. As such it is not a part of the normal requirements towards ranks except when used for Wolf elective 20 or for some of the Webelo requirements. As such, there is no published timeframe for completion of belt loops and pins. The only time that completion would be restricted is if they are used for Wolf elective 20 or the Webelos program. In those cases they must be completed in that rank year.

Quality Unit does indeed mean something. It means that the unit is setting and reaching goals to maintain a quality program for the boys. Should every unit be able to achieve it, yes. That is the point. It is a BSA program to set and reach goals for unit performance, not an award for outstanding excellence. As for how it is received, a unit does NOT receive it for what it plans to do in the next year. A unit receives it when in Nov-Dec they have achieved their set goals for the current year, or have developed a plan with their District to achieve them by the end of the year.

Our unit also discovered that the oval in the Centennial QU patch bleaches out in dry cleaning. The good news is that is does hold up very well to repeated washing.

Oak Tree, while 2-deep is *not* required for transportation, it is obviously prefered. There is always the very real possibility of the two vehicles getting or being separated, in which case it is much prefered to have two adults with each group. I always prefer to err on the side of caution. Also as has been mentioned here there should be at least three adults for the actual outing in case of injury, etc occurring.

Units who rechartered prior to October 31st, 2007 ( I believe for most it would be December 2006) and made their goals wear the old style black QU2007 patch. (recharter based annual year) Under the new Centenial Program, Units who achieve their Centenial goals (the new QU program) no earlier than October 31st and no later than December 31st, 2007 qualify for the new style red CQU2007 patch. (calendar based annual year) It is my understanding that the new Centenial Quality Unit Program will permanantly replace the onld Quality Unit program and a unit will earn it for the year that it actually completed the goals. ie. 2007 goals by the end of 2007= 2007 CQU patch. Old system (2006 goals by the end of 2005 recharter period=2006 patch.(This message has been edited by Pack212Scouter)

Good point Greg. If driving I can't see a need for any LESS than 4 adults. By BSA standards that means 2 per vehicle. Each vehicle= 2 adults + 5 boys +gear.

Yep. Depending on the campout we usually make the deadline 2-4 weeks in advance. And while it does slightly reduce your last minute participants, it very much increases attendance. People are much less likely to not go to something they have already paid for rather than something they have not paid for yet.

The uniforming policy is pretty simple really. If military personel are assigned duty at the event, or they are on immediate call, where time changing uniform is not available (they are always on call and since 911 this has become even more so), then it would be appropriate for them to wear uniform. Also, if they are there representing the military at some function at the unit's request (such as a cerimony or Memorial Day) then uniform would also be appropriate or even desired. Even Philmont has an official policy for this (and if BSA would correct anywhere it would be there). It states "Military personnel on temporary assignment at Philmont may wear the uniform of their respective services or the Scout uniform prescribed for staff use." That said, military style, or cammoflage clothing as "class-B" is not acceptable for non military personel or boys at any event. Off duty military personel should also be respectful enough of the BSA uniform to wear it when appropriate.(This message has been edited by Pack212Scouter)

We've done camping both ways. Families prepare their own meals, pack meals, and in between. We've actually been moving more towards pack meals because it seems to significantly increase attendance. We set a deadline for fees for every campout. If your not paid by then usually you can't camp, although we may make an exception if it is to cover site only. In all cases, if they attend and don't pay for the campout, they either need to ask for financial aid (or we offer if it is obvious) or pay their balance before they can attend another event. Last year we set a goal of each event paying for itself and it has been pretty successful so far.

I'm not sure what you are refering to. Do you have an informational meeting? Are you refering to activities other than actually sleeping in a tent? Cub Scout camping is meant to be family camping with an emphasis on fun. There can be activities to teach them about things, but with the exception of Webelos, the emphasis shouldn't be on informational meetings and requirements. Cub camping is meant to keep them interested and let them have a taste of what is coming up in Boy Scouts. It should be focused on short hikes, games, some book requirements, campfire program and smores. The parents are responsible for equipment and setup. The Activities Committee is responsible for planning the campout. Now your pack MAY have a requirement for a parent to attend an informational meeting. Depending on the campout, this may not be a bad idea. It sounds to me that you have more of a parent issue than a campout issue.(This message has been edited by Pack212Scouter)

Our Pack charges an annual dues of $60 in at the fall roundup. Out of this we cover charter for new boys, recharter in January, awards for the year, Boys Life, Den Leader books, and some basic supplies for dens. If the boy joins after September we prorate the Pack portion. If the boy joins after January we prorate the Council portion also. Boy can ue their Scout account (money from popcorn sales, etc.) to pay for membership dues. If next year's are paid by April they get a $10 discount.

Amen to that John-in-KC....nothing better than Campfire coffee. Seriously though, unlike a drip coffee maker, strength of coffee in a perk depends much more on perk time than on quantity of coffee grounds. So this will be trial and error for you until you find what you like. I always perk mine until it is strong and haven't gotten a complaint from the line of leaders at mytent yet

Correct Gunny, I have seen Troops that split the boys up into their patrols and those that keep them together. Our Pack traditionally advances one or two entire patrols up to our Troop. The boys seem to do much better that first year if kept with their peers.

BeaverLBC, you commented "If that pack doesn't cross the boys over until fall, he is not a Webelos until fall." That is actually not correct. Cub Scouts is either age based (LDS) or grade based (most other packs). Cub Scouts should advance at the end of their school year. This may pose some confusion issues for Packs with year-round schools, I am not sure when those schools usually advance grade. Some Packs or districts might even consider the next grade to begin at the begining of the school year, however this really shorts the Webelos program which needs more time (and I don't think is correct but like most things in Cubs "grey" is the area that it resides). Reguardless of all this, when the Boy Scout Troop likes to do their cross-over has nothing at all to do when ranks in Cub Scouts are advanced in rank, including into Webelos. This is simply the date that the particular Troop likes to get their boys into their program. With our troop it is the begining of March because they want to get the new boys involved before summer arrives.(This message has been edited by pack212scouter)

Our Pack has the rule "Once checked in, only the Scout can handle his car." Our District and Council races have the same rule. Obviously this precludes anyone but the Scout racing his car. Every Pack has their own rules, but the key is to make sure that any rules that you have don't conflict with the rules for your District or Council race. You'd hate to have a boy with a really fast car that can't race it at those events because it was too long, or too tall, or too whatever.

Hmm...no meat..does pose it's own challenges. If it's just vegitarian, try subbing soy/veggie burgers for meat with a extra oil to keep from burning. Menu suggestions: 1) Hobo meals (use veggi burger for him instead....if not, he may just like the potatoes, onions, etc with somesavory seasoning. Don't forget a liberal helping of oil or it will burn though) 2) Baked potatoes & corn on the cob cooked over coals in it's shuck and wrapped in foil. 3) Pasta with a no-meats sauce (everyone liks this) 4) Stir fry...serve his with only the veggies if he simply doesnt like meat. 5) Beans...especially chili?

Congratulations! We also just completed our PWD last night wit only positive parent comments! What a joy. We conducted huge fundraiser last year to purchase the two new four lane aluminum tracks. We went with 40' tracks which was probably a good think since we has several cars still only .001 seconds apart even with the extra 8'. The best cars were still running 40' in the low 3.1 and 3.2 seconds range! A note to anyone considering this: The extra 8' does add a significant "build factor" to the race. We had three out of 131 cars DNF because of drag from wheel alignment. We also saw that the lead car at 32' was not always the race winner. Runout mattered alot. The best part of last night....we ran 131 boys, 4 races each in around 90 minutes! The parents LOVED us for that. Definitely made the second track worth it for us. BTW, just for fun info...our winner had a time of 3.1370 seconds on a 40' track with a scale speed of 203.8 MPH!

LisaBob, I can't find the printed info that I remember, but this is taken from the National website... "How old (or young) can a boy be to join Cub Scouting? Cub Scouting is for boys in the first through fifth grades, or 7 to 10 years of age. Boys who are older than 10, or who have completed the fifth grade, can no longer join Cub Scouting, but they may be eligible to join the Boy Scouting or Venturing program."

Trailblazermom, The short & simple of it is he does not HAVE to cross over until he leaves the Cub Scout program...which acording to National is. The earliest is 10 1/2 after completion of AOL or 11 years old. The latest is end of either the school year that he turns 11 or the end of Fifth grade, whichever comes first.(This message has been edited by Pack212Scouter)

I hate to sound critical, but I kinda have to here. It sounds like your Pack isn't running the advancement timetable correctly. Cub Scouts are supposed to start their rank upon completion of a grade. The date may vary depending on your school system. It is commonly considered June 1. Around here it is in May. By running it the way that your pack does it is really shorting their Webelos time for completion of items. FYI, in case you don't know. Electives for arrow points can be accumulated throughout the year. They just can't "earn" them until they get their rank completed.(This message has been edited by Pack212Scouter)

As was said in one post, Resident camp. The good ones will earn a few pins, if not at least get him a good way along on them. I think was Barry was thinking of was the compass points and the Super Achiever.

To clarify myself a little more. The Cub Scout program is more grade related than age related (except for LDS programs I believe). A boy can be a Webelo as long as he is in his 4th or 5th grade year, and has not turned 11 before the start of that year. Typically a boy wants to attend Cub Scouting with those in his grade group. That said, crossover to Boy Scouts typically occurs when the Troop wants them in their last year. Boys are usually eager to get started in Boy Scouting. Some troops want the boys to cross over together, often in early Spring of thier 5th grade year. Some cross them as they reach requirements to be a Boy Scout. Technically a boy can cross over anytime that he is 10 and has completed his AOL or once he turns 11. That said, there is nothing in the book that requires him to cross over and stop working on his AOL until his 5th grade year ends, if that is something that he really wants to complete. I wouldn't worry to much about the Webelo badge if something happens and he gets behind. It is not a requirement for Boy Scouts, and doesn't carry over. Only the AOL can be carried over to Boy Scouting.(This message has been edited by Pack212Scouter)(This message has been edited by Pack212Scouter)

Trailblazermom, welcome. If you Pack placed him by age, that may not be uncommon. You post suggests that the other boys in his rank are younger though. Typically Bears are Third graders and boys 9 years old. If you Pack runs by age, they may not advance until the boys are done with their 11 year old year. Anyway, that is water under the bridge now. With a lot of push, the Webelos badge can be earned in 6 months. Our Pack had two Webelo 2's join this year and they are both getting their badge. AOL is alot harder in that time, but if you, his leaders, and he are dedicated it could possibly be done. Just keep in mind that you don't want him to burn out on Scouts. Also keep in mind that he can work on pin requirements over the summer and they should count towards his Webelo's Badge & AOL.(This message has been edited by Pack212Scouter)

For the egg in a bag thing, use plastic sandwich bags and put in boiling water. Works great that way actually. There are some tricks though. 1) Squeeze the air out of the bag before sealing or it will burst. 2) Double bag just in case. 3) You can't overboil an egg. Cook it for twice the time you would think unless you like runny eggs. 4) Use non-sharp tongs to squeeze the bag partway through cooking to let the uncooked part out. 5) Add onion, bacon bits, salsa, cheese, whatever. It's a GREAT method for omlets.