perdidochas

Here are the swimming requirements before starting the in-water parts of the Canoeing merit badge: 3. Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test: Jump feetfirst into water over the head in depth. Level off and swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yards must be completed in one swim without stops and must include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating.

Life jackets fail all the time? I can't recall hearing of a drowning (other than white water) of someone in a life jacket.

There are three parts to the Blue Card: Troop, Scout, and Counselor. The Scout should be responsible for having his copy. In our troop, for the most part, the troop has both of the other copies.

I would try to lead from behind. What are some of the things he needs more enthusiasm about?

Whizzing in the woods in close proximity to the campsite is a YP issue. YP requires separate latrines for adults/scouts and male/female. Also, to some degree it is a matter of simple politeness, that I think we need to relay to Scouts. You don't pee on a tree 10 yards from the latrine in the presence of females.

SMT outlined some pretty good options. In terms of friends, I wouldn't worry. If a person is really a friend, they will side with you, not with the crowd. If they don't side with you, are they really worth having as a friend? What most bothers me about his alleged actions are the peeing, and the innuendos/lap sitting, etc.? I'm not opposed to boys peeing in the woods, but it's totally inappropriate within 10 yards of a latrine, as well as within close sight of the rest of the camping area. That's a health hazard and a YP issue. The lap sitting/innuendos are against the Scout Law, and even though you are Cub Scouts, I believe Scout Law is still applicable. Also, not sure about your marital situation, but if a man did what that CM did to my wife, I'd be having a talk with him. Now, what the CM's son did is just being an elementary school boy. Admittedly, the CM should stop it from being sung in the future, but I wouldn't hold the fact that he taught that to the other scouts against the CM.

CNY Have you thought that the reason you have a new registrar is because the old registrar wasn't doing the job correctly, and the new registrar is playing catch up for that?

Is there something wrong with the other troops in the area? I'm just wondering why this guy wants to be a SM so badly.

That sounds like an improvement to me.

Not really sure all of the traditions, but one of the more noticeable ones is that the names of all the Eagles that the troop has ever had are painted on the back of the troop trailer.

I've always thought that grad ceremonies with new neckers was kind of bad for the Webelos about to start their second year. I was the den leader for a Webelos den that crossed over in March. Now, I'm the assistant den leader for Webelos den that will cross over next March (I've got two sons, one in each group) For the Arrow of Light ceremony, the boys each made an arrow. I bought 25 modern manufactured stone arrowheads for this (had 17 left over). I made the leftovers into necklaces for the new second year Webelos, and told them that this was to remind them of what they are working towards, and that this will become the point of their Arrow of Light in the spring. My only change is that if I were to do it again, I'd make woggles out of the arrowheads.

I agree with beavah as well. Also, if the former WDL is now a ASM, you might want to talk to him about it. Maybe he let the kids sign their own stuff in Webelos.

Lisabob: Make sure all parents understand the rules for what is (or isn't) acceptable behavior at a camp out. You'd be amazed at what people suppose is just fine. Better to address with everybody before hand, than to have to deal with problems later. But don't single out this mom. You did not see what the previous interactions were, and you aren't sure of your source. So it could have been nothing at all. Response: Exactly true. When I was a Tiger Cub leader, I had a parent bring a cooler of beer. He had set up his tent away from mine, and in a quiet corner, so I never knew about it. I found out later, after a near disaster (he gave a beer to another parent, who had a reaction between alcohol and his prescription meds). After that, I laid down the law before any campout with parents that I didn't already tell that to. Lisabob: About single tents - I really prefer the privacy of tenting by myself. I have a two-man tent, but if 2 adults were to sleep in it, we'd be mighty cozy. So it is effectively MY tent. Maybe this fellow feels the same way. Unless he makes the connection for you, I would not suppose that there's a link between him purchasing his own tent, and him wanting to avoid this mom. Unmarried adults of opposite sexes wouldn't be tenting together anyway. Response: If this woman is really after him, as the OP thinks, a single man tent won't be a problem :-) (I agree totally about tents. Personally, I like at least a 3 man tent for myself)

6. While a Star Scout, use the EDGE method to teach a younger Scout the skills from ONE of the following six choices, so that he is prepared to pass those requirements to his unit leader's satisfaction. a. Second Class - 7a and 7c (first aid) b. Second Class - 1a (outdoor skills) c. Second Class - 3c, 3d, 3e, and 3f (cooking/camping) d. First Class - 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d (first aid) e. First Class - 1, 7a, and 7c (outdoor skills) f. First Class - 4a, 4b, and 4d (cooking/camping) Wouldn't one younger scout be able to learn these for 6 different Life Candidates? One would teach a, the second b, and so on. It's not teach a younger scout each of these, it's teach a younger scout one of those.

My comments about "his responsibility" are basically about the campouts. You can't ban a parent from a campout in Cub Scouts. You can ask a unregistered, untrained leader not to come on a campout. Also, how reliable is your source about the young mom having her hands all over him? Could it be jealousy, or just somebody exaggerating to stir the pot?

BearDad: Need some advice on these topics, First have a young man who is going to be my a ASST. DL in the den with me (webelos), he has registered and even got a shirt, went pack camping with our pack. I am having a problem getting him to do his training aleast the online things, YP,etc.... Response: send him a link to the online training. Tell him he can't work with the boys without it. The YPT is for his own safety in terms of liability. BearDad: I know the importance of this and made it clear if he is wanting to do this he needs to get this done!!With all that said, if he still does not have it done when our den starts meeting, can I or do I have any say that he can not help me since some or all his training not being done, especially YP as he is in direct contact boys? IMHO, if a person isn't related to a kid in the pack, no YPT, no contact. The YPT online takes maybe half an hour. It's not major. BearDad: now the other concern, same young man involved, a mom has express comments about this young man, about being good looking, nothing has happened to my knowledge about a relationship involvement. Response: It's none of your business. BearDad:My concern is when we go den camping how to make sure their is no conact between the 2 and make sure this does not become a distraction when we are there for the boys and doing our program? Response: Tell him that. Tell him if he has inappropriate behavior, you don't need the aggravation. BearDad:Don't think I could tell her she is not welcomed at the campouts, but have to put boys interest first. Any thoughts?? Response: It's his responsibility to keep her at bay (or not). Parents are welcome at any Cub scout campout. If your helper can't concentrate, that's his fault, not hers.

Basementdweller: Eamon your lucky......I pick up my kids on occasion from school, the Middle school is near the elementary and it is frightening that some of the boys have more makeup on than the girls. Died hair and skirts and legging, not kilts. Response: Wow. I've seen dyed hair, and makeup, but never the skirts and leggings. "skinny" jeans are as alternative as I've seen boys around here. I'm happy not to witness that kind of stuff, I'm afraid my comments (to my friends/family) would be less than courteous.

So, Engineer, What rank is your boy now? How long has he been in Scouts?

Acco40: I just feel that if a Scout Troop feels it is in the best interest of the Scouts to limit leadership to males let them. I may not agree but please don't jump to a conclusion that that they are teaching or believe that women or inferior to men. I don't think many people are disagreeing with the fact that a CO can limit leadership to males. I think we are basically thinking that such a CO/Scout Troop may not be the best one for the OP's son to be in. A Scout and family (like it or not) has to fit into the Troop. I doubt that the OP's son, who is the son of a very capable mother, and family will fit in with a troop that has such views. It's not a matter of right or wrong, but a matter of fit. A relationship with a troop is a longterm one. The wrong choice can make you miserable, and can lead a scout to drop out.

Frank17: I find these uniform threads interesting. Most of out scouts are also involved in other activities. Would they be allowed to: 1. March in the high school band in their jeans? 2. Play football with a sweatshirt instead of a jersey? 3. Run track without wearing track sweats or shorts? 4. Act in the school play without a costume? Response: All of the above are supplied by the school. They have to participate in fundraising,etc., but the band uniforms, jersey, track clothes and costume are usually provided by the school. Frank17:For all these types of activities, we accept uniform wear and necessary and mandatory. But when we talk about scouts, the issues of cost, resemblance to military uniforms, and wearability all come to the front. Response: Cost isn't an issue with most uniforms required by school activities. Wearability is a major factor in the athletic uniforms.

Jhankins:Unfortunately in our society today, "your gender is your gender" isn't as true as it used to be. Transexual issues are pervasive across the country and in every generation. It's common to see boys say "I'm a girl trapped in a boy's body" and vice versa. Gender identity is becoming a huge issue, and I think the more we polarize the gender lines, the more difficult it's going to be for kids. I think the opposite is true. I think we had less problems with sexual identity in the past, when gender lines were even more polarized than today.

Jblake: "generally speaking, the group preservation dynamics/risk taking dynamics will hold true. The female protects the young and the male is expected to venture and risk to provide for the young." Phibbles: While may be true for most people, it is not a given. These are roles that our society passes down from generation to generation. Again...what if didn't? What if instead, we taught our children how to both protect and venture? I would argue that it is more than just societal, but is biological. Men and women (from the womb on up) produce different kinds of hormones. Those hormones do effect the way we think/act/react. I've seen it in my nieces, compared to my sons. They just have different modes of play and behavior. Studies of kids who were gender reassigned due to birth defect show differences. The thing is, protecting and venturing are opposing characteristics. Both are needed, but a single person can't project both.

Phibbles, While I do agree that female leaders are a good thing, I also think that only female leaders wouldn't be a good thing. Male parenting and female parenting are different (for the most part). Female teaching and male teaching are different. I think young males do need male role models, and unfortunately, in our society, they have few male role models. Think about how few teachers are men, especially in elementary grades. Males provide different types of leadership than do women. I think boys need to be exposed to more male leadership in their teens.

A few observations: 1) Initially, I thought this should be up to the scout, now I disagree. The parents shouldn't choose the troop the scout is joining, but they should have veto power. A CO that has such different values than the parents wouldn't be a good fit. As Engineer said, there are more problems in the future with this troop. 2) The different motels rule sounds like it was caused by either a rumor or an incident in the past. 3) Most boy's schools or girl's schools, while they only have students of one gender, have teachers of both genders. 4) I'm glad the CO of my son's troop is pretty mellow about things like this.

@gunny, It read as if Moosetracker was replying to the thread as a whole, not your response. She pretty much has the same opinion you do, and she quoted the OP in a later post.