ScoutNut

BSA/Learning For Life no longer seems to be doing the Young American Award. It has been taken off of both the BSA, and LFL-Exploring, sites.

I have used dryer lint for years also. The hair/smell excuse is silly. Even if true, who cares? The ONLY valid excuse I have ever heard is that the lint can have rubber particles in it which would give off toxic fumes when burned. And, yes after drying an old bathroom rug or two there can be quite a lot of rug backing in the lint. You just don't use that lint. Rather than have Webelos (please don't forget that "S"!) start melting wax in their family sauce pots, there are other ways to make firestarters. Toilet paper tubes & old candles are great items to collect for this. You can cut the tubes in half, put a piece of old candle in the middle, and stuff the ends with that dangerous, smelly, dryer lint. Dent the ends in and there you go. You can also take a piece of candle, roll it in a sheet of waxed paper, and twist each end so it looks like a piece of candy. This works great with newspaper too. Don't tell your son, but Girl Scouts call these starters Candle Kisses. As for your son not feeling comfortable with his negative leaders, this is something HE has to work out, not you. This is the perfect thing for him to bring up at his next SM conference, or a reason to request one. Even if his SM (or especially if) was one of the leaders involved.

We had ours on Friday. The 37 boys in attendance all raced 6 times, and had a blast. I had a Tiger family there who was scoping out our Pack for a possible move. The boy had fun, and got to know other Tigers. The parents had fun, and the dad stayed to help clean up. They are coming to next week's Tiger meeting, so it looks like they are staying.

So, you only have 1 session of 4day/3night Cub/Webelos Summer Camp all summer long? How strange, my council has 4 sessions of 4day/3night, and 6 sessions of 2 day/1night, Cub Resident Camp. Pretty much covers the entire summer. Or, are you only going to run the training during 1 session? Sorry, I still don't buy it. Maybe you could make it work at Webelos Camp, but for the general Tiger thru Bear group, I don't see it. Even at the "handicraft" station, the problem is NOT discipline, the problem is many of the Cubbies need hands on help. The problem is at a 5:1 ratio, if you take away that 1, even if it is only to around the corner, or the next room, then you no longer have the mandated ratio. You have other adults covering twice the number of kids to make up for those who are off doing their own thing. I don't see how that makes it a "better", or a "quality", program. But, hey, that's just me, viewed from the perspective of my council's Cub programs and training. I wish you luck.

"OUr summercamp has posted the flyer stating that while they do RECOMMEND parents attend, the only requirements are 2 deep leadership and a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 5:1 ratio of Cubs:Adults. When they are moving from station to station they will be in rank/age appropriate groups. Wolves with wolves, bears with bears. The next part of camp will be for Webelos I and II. So if the staff has the Cubs attention and they are all working together, then if one of the registered leaders has the oppurtunity, then why not try to train them." "I went through and broke down the training for at least one of the days that we would be at camp. I was able to fit Baloo training into the day and get all of the training sessions built in. I just have to look into day one, or I might just go through and spread baloo out a little more as to not bore orover do it." >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Why no train at Summer Camp? Because the 2+ adults are at Cub Camp for the CUBS not to go off and do their own thing. I have staffed Cub Summer Camp, both Day and Resident. I am there to run the station, NOT babysit the Cubs. If I have a missing adult, I will send one of the other adults to go find them and drag them back over. If I have adults relaxing in the grass chatting to each other or on their cell phone, I will stop the session and get them back, and involved. THEY are in charge of THEIR Cubs - NOT me. I am a Course Director for BALOO. I don't like the idea of running BALOO training at Cub Summer Camp. There is a LOT of information there. It is an entire day jam packed with training. To take the adults away from their Cubs for an entire day of summer camp is not good. To cut back on the content of the training is also not good. To run it piecemeal means that you will need qualified BALOO Trainers out there at Camp all Summer. Good luck with that, unless of course you intend to use any handy, warm body as a trainer. And what happens if you do not get enough Cub parents interested in these trainings? Then you have Council Training Team members (or your misc handy warm bodies) out there all Summer, basically wasting time and money. I can see running some training courses at BOY SCOUT Summer Camp. Totally different scenario, with totally different kind of camping going on. However, CUB SCOUT Camp is about the Cubs. The adults attending with the Cubs should be INVOLVED WITH THE CUBS. Or they should not be there. My 2 cents

At the first Tiger den meeting of the year, every Tiger Team gets a copy of the Pack calendar, the den calender, and a den contact list with names, phone numbers, and email. The den calender has all scheduled den meetings, Pack meetings, and special activities, that I am aware of at the beginning of the year. I do not include what we will be working on, because past the first meeting I am not sure. I run the first meeting, and do requirement 1D, elective 16, and start on Bobcat. After that, the Tiger Teams run meetings, and can do what ever they wish. I do not have a schedule I make them follow. When we know about outings everyone gets a phone call. When there is no Team scheduled I will fill in for that meeting with a requirement or elective activity, based on what we still have to do, the weather, what I have available, etc. We have currently covered all of our den and out requirements. I have a few Teams who have missed meetings. I am hoping that we have some decent weather coming up soon so we can do repeats of some of the outdoor things. They can also work at home on the things they have missed, along with their family requirements, and electives. While having all of my Tigers earn their Tiger Rank by B&G would be nice, it is not mandatory. I think I will have 3 of my 6 finished by B&G with the rest done in March.

ROFLMBO!!!!! WOW Tia! Would you like to move to the Chicago area? We could really use some decent leaders, and with a sense of humor no less! Greaves - In BSA, when there is no leader for a Tiger Den there are other options. The CM, CC, or one of the other Pack leaders can pick up the slack for a while until they can get a parent to commit as leader. They can combine the leaderless den with an older (or younger) den and have that leader do double duty. Or they can tell them to join the Pack down the road. Of course, if there is no Pack down the road, the boys are out of luck. In GSUSA, there are no Packs at all. Every Troop (think Den) is independently run. Every independently run Troop has the ability to say - Nope, go away, we don't want any more girls. Also, as Tia noted, there are no CO's. Every GS Troop is owned by the local GSUSA council. Now GSUSA councils want new members, just like the BSA. If they have girls who want to be in Scouts, but no Troop in their areas will take more girls, and none of the parents of the potential Scouts will step up to lead a new Troop, what most councils will do is put them on a waiting list. Then if a Troop in their area, in their age/grade level, decides they will open up to more girls, or if a parent sees the light and offers to lead a new Troop, the girls on the list will get first chance for a spot in the Troop. IF the council has taken their registration for the waiting list (not all do), they can attend council events, and function as a Juliette (lone) Scout while waiting for a Troop to open up. If your friend's daughter is on a waiting list already, then it sounds like she is seriously considering taking the leap into leadership. I would recommend that she consider registering, and working with, her daughter as a Juliette Daisy for the rest of this Scout year. Next year she can form a brand new Brownie Troop. This will give her plenty of time to take the training she needs, both online, and in person, and to con a buddy or two, who also have 7 yo daughters, into signing up with her.

While BSA and GSUSA are similar, there are significant differences. Yes, GSUSA has training for it's leaders. As a matter of fact, in many cases, a volunteer must take basic training before they can start meeting with girls. They must also undergo a background check by their local council. There are a lot of program activity suggestions for Troops, both online at the National website, and from their local GSUSA council. There are also plenty of activities in the Level Handbooks. However, there is no year long lesson plan available, or Program Helps equivalent. Part of the reason for that is GSUSA programing is girl driven from the very start. Even the Kindergarten Daisy Girl Scouts have some say in what they do. Girls are also encouraged to work independently (more so as they get older). However, like BSA Webelos, the girl must show her work to her leaders, and the GSUSA Troop leader has the final say on accepting it. Suggesting Troop visits is a good idea. Her 7 year old would be a 1st grade, 2nd year Daisy. She should contact her local council to get contact info for Troops in her area. The first place to look would be at her daughter's school. Edited to add that unless there are girls on a waiting list for a Daisy Scout Troop, and she is willing to be the leader for a new Troop, she would be better off finding an existing Daisy Troop that she likes and signing her daughter up with them. (This message has been edited by scoutnut)

2eagles stated - "Where do we start to help and encourage the lone girl in our family -- most will be done by mail due to distance." Since you will not be "hands on" with your niece, the best way to encourage her is to ask her about her experiences, and get her talking about what she is doing with her Troop, and what she is planning for the future. Ask her about the Girl Scout Bronze Award. If she is/will be working on it, what she is doing for it, etc. Let her know that you are available for long distance interviews if she needs it for any of her GS projects. Encourage her to work on Religious Emblems. Ask about Girl Scout Sunday (yes, GSUSA has their version in March). Ask for pictures of her in her uniform. Support her, and her Troop's, money earning endeavors.

Once our girls were past 5th grade, the yearly winter cabin camp was the only cabin camping we did. The rest of the year was tent camping. I suspect that, aside from their love of tenting, they were also glad to limit the dusting, moping, scrubbing, and toilet cleaning to only once a year! They loved to cross country ski, do night snowshoe hikes, sled, star gaze, etc. Of course, they also liked curling up by the fireplace, munching s'mores, and telling ghost stories!

As Kalae stated, Venturing is youth-led. Also, many Crews are created with a focus in mind. Why did your girls join Venturing? Find out what THEY want to do. If they want to do camping and outdoor adventures, then they will have to learn the basic skills. Get THEM thinking about what THEY need to do, and how to go about doing it. Have THEM check out area sporting goods stores and outfitters. Many have programs for the novice. This time of the year cross country ski, or snowshoe, workshops are likely. Have THEM check out programs at the local Metro, state, and national parks. They might even be able to get a ranger to build a program specifically for them. Are they interested in working on any of the Venturing awards? If so, THEY should look into activities that further that goal. From just a brief search on the Net, I was able to find a number of things that sounded interesting to me. The point is, what sounds interesting to THEM.

As stated in your BALOO training, it depends on what is available at the site you are using. We don't usually use council camps for our Pack Family Campouts. We use Youth Group Camp sites at local County, and State Parks. We like to hike, fish, swim, work on Junior Ranger programs, and sit by the campfire after a long, fun day. We visit nature centers, and go on ranger led programs. We have even done an off-site visit to a nearby Scouting Museum. If we are at a local park with few facilities, we will put together a program. Usually it involves doing things at different stations. We have also done our rocket shoot at Family Camp.

Yes, the rules could be rewritten a bit. They could spell out alternatives better. However, let's not forget the point of these activities is to give the child a chance to do a special activity, and bond with one of their loved ones. It does not matter if the father is a professional Pastry Chef. Perhaps while baking with his son he can share share his love of cooking with him, and give him some insight into just why dad does this for a living. Remember that just because a couple is divorced does not mean that both parents are not still active in their child's life. And if one is not, this is a great way to encourage a renewed bonding. Many Cub aged boys also have other male relatives in their life. There are big brothers, uncles, grandfathers. This is a great opportunity to bond with them. Make it a Saturday family get together and have FUN. There are also close family friends. Invite the Scout's best buddy and his family over for an evening of baking and games. It should NEVER be an ORDEAL. That is just plain nuts! BTW - I would ask why there is no Mom & Scout event!

Why the need for some kind of "structured" program? Copy out the requriements and then show them to your local Fire Station EMT's. Ask if they can help your Scouts complete them. We often use our local Fire station for this requirement and have never had a problem. The boys love working at the Fire Station too!

karen1970 posted - "It seems like Cub Scouts is more of a father/son thing am I right?" Actually, Cub Scouts is a FAMILY thing. The program works best if both parents are involved. If your wife wants to get involved in your son's den and Pack, more power to her! You are both a big part of his life. Why shouldn't you both be a part of his Scouting experience too?

We use Scout Manage. I like it a lot. Initial entry is a pain, but that is the same for any of the programs. The biggest hurdle is getting everyone, including the parents, to use it.

A Troop might have a "relationship" with a Pack, but it is the boy and his family who ultimately choose their Troop. This is why visiting many different Troops, and even the same Troop different times, is a good thing for the Webelos Scout. Webelos den leaders who do not encourage this, regardless of any "relationship" they might have with a particular Troop, are doing their Scouts a disservice.

Sam Houston Area Council is larger, and has a rather nice, fairly explicit, staff organizational chart - http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/AboutSHAC/Council/StaffOrgChart/StaffOrgChart/StaffOrgChart.PDF Maybe this will help.

"That's fine if you are looking for the council employees" Actually, that is exactly what he was asking for - "Who reports to who and which ones are that paid ones? Got an organizational chart?" Many council web sites HAVE an organizational chart on their site. Or, they at least have a staff list laid out in order from Scout Executive (SE) down to Secretary. This would tell Mafaking who the "PAID ONES" were in HIS council. Often a council web site will also list some volunteer contacts (with title names) under the separate Districts or under their training area. I believe this is also covered, in part at least, in New Leader Essentials Training. Mafaking, have you taken NLE Training?

Why not just look on your council's web site? Most councils have an employee, or contact, list on their site. You can also look on the BSA National site for more info.

Items that go along with the theme for the camp (Pirates-spyglasses, hats/eye patches). Items the boys can use during free time. Carabiners Water bottles Usually the trading post items will be picked by the Camp Director, in conjunction with council. These are often based on the camp's budget, and weather the camp has to purchase them up front, or council will supply them (usually along with a Scout Shop employee).

"Super Achiever" is a local award, not a BSA award, with National requirements. The only criteria I have ever seen for this patch is to simply earn every Webelos Activity Pin. What difference does it make if some were earned before he finished AOL, or after? As long as the boy HAS completed all 20, and he was a registered Webelos Cub Scout when he completed them, I don't see the problem. Give him his recognition. As for the SM not communicating with anyone - Does the Troop have Troop meetings? Get your CM, and your assistant Webelos leader (if the den leader is still unavailable), and show up at their Troop meeting this coming week. Corner the SM talk to him. A bonus is that you can speak to the SPL, PL, and the Scout who is to be their Guide at the same time. As has been noted, IF the missing requirement is - "With your Webelos den, visit at least one Boy Scout - oriented outdoor activity" - The activity does not have to be a camp out. It can be a day hike, sledding, orienteering, pioneering, etc. As long as it is done outside with the Boy Scouts it qualifies.

I would have a little talk with my Cubmaster and let him know that you are not going to go along with what he has in mind. Let him know how you, and the Tigers, feel about this. If he brings up the word "tradition", let him know that traditions change all the time. Having the "BSA ceremonies guide" pretty much means next to nothing. You can pick up a copy of "Den and Pack Ceremonies" from your local BSA Council's Scout Shop for $10. While you are there you can pick up a copy of "Cub Scout Program Helps 2008-2009" for $3. The Program Helps are also found online at the BSA National site - http://www.scouting.org/CubScouts/Leaders/CubScoutHelps.aspx There are thousands of ceremonies that can be found on the Internet too. Some good ones are - http://usscouts.org/bbugle.asp http://www.usscouts.org/ceremony.asp http://www.scoutingbear.com/Ceremony/cerecub.htm http://scouting.argentive.com/docs/ceremony_magic_formulas.pdf I like the following version of the Painted Bobcat ceremony because the parents get painted also - http://www.scoutorama.com/ceremony/ceremony_display.cfm?cer_id=10 There are so many FUN ceremonies out there, why stick with one that will embarrass some of your boys?

Unless they are all 11 years old, if they have not earned their AOL they can NOT become Boy Scouts, so no Cross Over. Have your CM talk to the SM of the Troop the boys want to transfer into. If he REALLY wants these boys, he, and his PLC, can put something together for one of their next meetings. If that's to much trouble for him, contact other area Troops, I am sure one of them would like 5 new Scouts! Meanwhile, the CM, and the CC, should have a heart-to-heart talk with that Webelos Leader. What a way to drop the ball!

There is a big difference between "crossing over" and receiving awards that have been earned. Webelos transferring to a Boy Scout Troop are the only Cub Scouts who really "cross over". Cub Scouts do not move to the next level of Cub Scout when they receive their Rank Award. Tiger/Wolf/Bear Scouts stay in their current level, and work in their Tiger/Wolf/Bear program, until the end of May, beginning of June, even if they earned their Tiger/Wolf/Bear Rank Award way back in February. Cub Scouts "graduate" to their next level at the end of the school year (BSA updates Cub records as of June 1st), regardless of weather they have earned their current Rank Award or not. Awards should be presented to Scouts as soon as possible after they have earned them. If you have Cub Scouts who have earned their Rank Award by February's B&G, they should most definitely receive it then, and not be forced to wait another month or three.