perdidochas

The SM needs to find something for the meddling adults to do that doesn't directly involve the patrols. I was almost that meddling Cub leader almost 6 years ago when my oldest first crossed over to Boy Scouts. Thankfully, the SM at the time found me a job to do--Advancement chair. I can remember about a month in, hearing the New Scout Patrol (my former Webelos Den for the most part) fumbling about with menu planning. Thankfully I was seated at the computer entering in data, so it slowed me down enough to realize that I need to stay away from them.

I don't see that at all. Most of the boys I know do the last ones fast.

Well, I haven't really noticed all that much really bad behavior at state parks in Florida.

Exactly. I'm on the lookout for the grooming behavior, too. Thankfully, I haven't seen any.

Doesn't really concern me, other than making sure the usual precautions are observed.

The adults usually take a bit longer to warm up. Also, you never know if some of the adults are ready to step down.

got to beascout.org You should be able to find a Venture Crew or become an Assistant Scoutmaster somewhere. Either way, you will have to have a background check.

It's why we have Scouts always follow the buddy system. My troop does the majority of our campouts in state parks. We have absolutely no idea who else is sharing the campground with us.

Well, my troop (I'm an ASM) is pretty much boy led, but there are still some adult led aspects to it. You aren't going to find perfection. What you need to do is find a troop that your son likes that isn't overly adult led.

We put tater tots in the bottom of a tinfoil packet.

My expectations are small of the professionals. I want the records I send to them used to update the records they keep in a timely fashion. I want them to organize enough training for leaders. And I want them to help me communicate with units around the district. I have gotten possession of a Pinewood derby track from a Pack that disbanded--it's CO wanted to throw it away, I wanted to give it to a Pack that needed it. I asked my DE if he could email that information out to the Packs (I'm a Boy Scout leader and don't know many Cubmasters anymore). He wouldn't do that for me. It would have taken him 30 seconds to forward my email to them. That left a bad taste in my mouth. Funny thing is, a few weeks later, I mentioned starting up a Venturing Crew. He bent over backwards for that. Self-serving, IMHO.

Well, I use camporees as my break. I try to go on all the campouts with the troop, but since I don't enjoy camporees, I don't go on them. I leave it to the guys that want to drink coffee and walk from campsite to campsite.

That's a different thing. I love camping with just the troop.

With most of us it is based on experience. When I have asked professional scouters (the DE) about doing things to help my current unit, the answer has fallen on deaf ears, and response has been lukewarm at best. When I asked them about creating a Venturing unit, they bent backwards to get me the information ASAP. Why? My guess is they get points for starting a new unit, but nothing for helping an existing one.

Well, my church wouldn't allow that ratio either.

Well, I'm glum on camporees, but it's not because I don't like camping, it's because I've had to hear the boys in the troop next door whispering and talking until 3 am. That, and I hate camporees.

Not a patrol, but I know individual scouts that don't like it.

I can remember back to when my oldest (now a Jr. in high school) was a Wolf. We decided not to get him Boy's Life to save a few bucks. He started checking them out from the school library, and we have paid for them ever since. The worst part about it is the jokes we have to hear from him and his brother for a couple days after the issue comes.

That's #3 restated. :-)

I agree 100%. It's the outdoors that sells us. That is the only thing we have that is unique, and it's what we are designed to do. I am all for STEM and nature being incorporated into that, but the real crux of it is that to be a scout is to camp and hike.

I always enjoyed discussing things with her. Didn't see eye to eye at all times, but that was part of what made the discussions worthwhile. My condolences for your loss.

The standards say: Tiger—Must be under the age of 8, have completed kindergarten or be in the first grade, or be age 7. There are three different things that allow a boy to join TIgers: Age 7, completed kindergarden, or be in first grade. To be a Cub, you have to complete first grade, or be age 8 and 9. 6 is plenty old to be a Tiger. That said, parents should be supervising their Tigers most of the time.

I have never understood the "pack for the boys" concept. I have two sons (now Eagles), and I have never packed their packs since Webelos (I may have when they were Tigers, wolves, bears). I have told them to remember certain things, but I have no idea what they have packed for any particular campout. Admittedly, my youngest son once went to summer camp with two pairs of socks (one packed, and one he wore for travel). They have had to improvise due to forgetting things. I sadly admit that on talking with other Troop parents (even leaders), that they give me a shocked expression when I say I've never packed the boys' stuff. Interestingly, their sons aren't as self sufficient as I would like to see in Scouts.

That's hard to believe, but I'm glad the ASM and a few scouts attended, and glad that your older son got to do the ceremony. I think your troop needs to be reminded about the Scout Law. For the RSVP, a Scout is Courteous. For the rest, A Scout is friendly. A Scout is kind. No wonder that your son is the first Eagle--the Troop doesn't sound very scoutlike.

Well, I think it's a good idea for a troop that does more than just plop camping, but from my googling, I can't find any evidence that this is a national thing. It might be the OP's local council floating the idea.