ScoutNut

The page buttons are now pinned to the top so they are always accessible.

I love it when you try to edit your own post. You make your changes and then try to save it. Back comes the notice that you must put in a title in order to save your changes. So you go to the title bar where it says to type in title. Surprise! Your cursor will not click in the title area. You can not type in a title, so you can not save any changes you have made. Forget editing your posts altogether.

While the search/page # bar is now fixed at the top so it is always available (thank you!), the page number is still an issue. It seems that some times it will show the correct number of pages, and sometimes you need to enter a number (any number) to get it to boot up the correct number of pages in the thread. It has got to the point that I automatically stick in a number when I enter a thread to see what the real page numbers are. It would also help if a thread pulled up with the last page visible instead of page 1. That way you would not have to find the correct number of pages, then go to the last page, to find the most current posts.

The pages in a topic is still messed up. In order to see past page 1 you have to manually type in another number (any other number will do). At that point it will show you how many pages there are in the thread. You then have to either type in the last page number and hit enter, or go to the two small blank boxes next to the page numbers and click on the right hand box to get the next page. Why can't it automatically bring up the most current post? Or at least automatically tell you how many pages there are? And why is the New Topics button not bringing up anything? Does it have to be a brand new topic, and not just a new post in an old topic? Of course the new activity button does not work either.

Wow, talk about pedantic, and sarcastic.

"Pedantic"? I do not think so. You made point (several times) of stating that you had looked, and "googled", everywhere, and found nothing. I found the - complete - Guide easily enough doing a search on the BSA National site for insignia guide. So I asked. Rather politely, if a bit sarcastically, I think.

Editing is a non-existent. All it does is add messy script to your post. Also the "edit" button is useless. If you try to go back and edit your post you are not allowed to save any changes.

Well, it looks like copying and pasting also results in messy added script. Sorry guys!

From the BSA "Guide to Awards and Insignia" 2012 edition - "ordeal sash, No. 2167; long, No. 2168; Scout or Scouter; worn only with the field uniform, over right shoulder, under epaulet of shirt; NEVER WORN ON BELT OR WITH MERIT BADGE SASH. “Legend strips†or “sash backs†are not official and may not be worn on the sash or with the uniform." The highlighting is mine (the "advanced" editing only results in the edit tag text being inserted into your text, not any actual bold, underline, color, etc). The same instructions are listed for the Brotherhood, and Vigil, sashes. One wonders, Krampus, how you missed looking at the Insignia Guide when pondering where to where official insignia? Here is the address for the Guide on the BSA National Website (inserting links also only results in link text being added. It does not actually make it into a link) - http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Media/InsigniaGuide.aspx

The boys get vittle kits at Pack Graduation ceremony at the end of 4th grade. At Crossover to Boy Scouts they get a compass, new shoulder loops, and a Boy Scout Handbook. The Troop gives them their new necker. A Webelos Career Arrow is nice, but it will end up in a pile at the back of the closet. A good compass is something they can use, even if they do not go on to Boy Scouts.

No "busting" of any "chops" intended. Joe asked for advice, and the best advice I can give a brand new Cub Scout leader is to get trained, and get copies of the BSA materials. As for complaints about others "interpreting your writing", there was no "interpreting" involved. Joe, like many new to Scouting, and especially those new to Cub Scouting, had no idea what your abbreviations SM, or BOR, meant. He also seemed to think that your capital letter I, was the number 1, and so was further confused. By the way - you could also say that we got thru 10 posts before someone got snarky. But that would be just, well, snarky!

Please see "The Cub Scout Cycle" - http://www.scouting.org/filestore/CubScoutMeetingGuide/PDF/Appendix/511-807.pdf As you can see from that BSA publication, the Cub Scout program year "officially" starts June 1, and goes thru May. BSA graduates all Cub Scouts to the next Cub level in ScoutNet (BSA computer system) on June 1, because School districts across the country have various dates for the end of their school year. So, unless you are in an LDS Pack (which moves boys up on their birthday) your Pack should basically be following the school year. With the last Pack meeting of the school year (late May-mid June) being the date for your Cub Graduation ceremony. Once a Cub "graduates" to his next Cub level he can begin to work in that level. As for giving boys a few extra weeks to finish up their rank award, yes, BSA does allow for that. However - BSA puts a few stipulations on this. The extra time is to finish up the requirements for the rank award ONLY. Boys may NOT work on any other level specific awards for their "old" level. That includes arrow points. ?BSA states that Cub Scouts can only be in, and therefore work in, ONE level at a time. So while the Cub is working to complete his rank award from the previous school year, he can not also work on any requirements of any kind for his next Cub level. In other words, You can not be both a Wolf, and a Bear at the same time. As long as little Bobby is still working on his Wolf award requirements in the Summer between 2nd (Wolf), and 3rd (Bear) grade, he is still technically a Wolf, and nothing he does that Summer at camp, or at home, will qualify for any Bear level specific award. On holding awards until some future presentation date - Per BSA, awards should be presented to a boy as soon as possible after their completion. That is usually the den, or Pack meeting, directly after. This is called "instant recognition", and helps to keep the Cubs involved, and coming back to the program. That is also the whole theory behind the Progress Toward Rank beads. To celebrate small steps along the way. Yes, some Packs will hold awards (not just rank awards) until a specific date. That date is often in February, for the B&G,but I know of some that hold any/all awards until the last Pack meeting of the school year, and hand them out as part of the graduation ceremony. This means that boys are waiting months for an award they have completed. By the time they receive it, many will have forgotten just what it was they did to earn it. BSA has, somewhat, addressed this with their current Cub Scout program delivery method. Den leaders are now the primary "Akelea" (similar to the Webelos program), with most work being done in den meetings, along with "homework" to be completed at home, and returned to the den leader the following week. The "Cub Scout Den and Pack Meeting Resource Guide" - http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Leaders/DenLeaderResources/DenandPackMeetingResourceGuide.aspx - contains step, by step, sequential, den meeting lesson pans to get the entire den to complete their rank award by February. These are based on two den meetings per month beginning in September. As an assistant Cubmaster I suggest you get fully trained as soon as possible. I also recommend that you purchase the "Cub Scout Leader Book", and the "Guide to Advancement". "as SM I award Rank directly after the BOR" = (translation) - as Scoutmaster (unit leader of a Boy Scout Troop) I (me, myself, not you) award rank directly after the BOR (Board of Review - method of reviewing, and awarding, Boy Scout rank awards in Troops, and Venturing Crews).

Not exactly. LDS Scouting is completely integrated into the church's youth program. It goes strictly by age, and not by grade. There is no Tiger program in LDS because boys do not start in the Scouting program until their baptism at age 8. They then enter the "Primary" Scouting program as a Wolf Cub Scout. On their 9th birthday they move to Bears, 10th to Webelos. On their 11th birthday they are registered with the Boy Scout Troop as 11-Year-Old Scouts. On their 12th birthday they enter the Aaronic Priesthood Young Mens Scouting program as a Boy Scout. At 14 they join a Varsity Team. At 16 they join a (all male) Venturing Crew.

MDM - This family has effectively taken themselves out of your den. They refuse to communicate with you in any way. The only positive thing in all of this is that there still seems to be a silght bit of communication with the CM. If the CM wishes to act as the figurehead "den leader" for this one boy "den" that is his call. It the CM is willing to sign off on, and present, the Bear Badge to this boy, that is his call too. Hopefully, he will insist that the boy actually DOES do the requirements, and, not just hand the boy an unearned award. However, at the Bear level, if the parents state that the achievements were completed, we have to take their word for it. Bottom line - if any of your Bears ask about this boy, simply tell them he is no longer in your den. I would also encourage them to talk to this boy at any Pack events he attends. It is a shame that the parents are keeping him from enjoying Scouts with his friends. You can only hope that there is really a better reason behind it than mere pique with you personally. If the boy attends the B&G, and is awarded his Bear Badge, I would make sure to congratulate the boy on his accomplishment, and let him know that the other Scouts have missed him. As for next year, I agree with the other posters, you need to have a heart-to-heart discussion with the CM, and the CC, about the situation - NOW. This pseudo "Lone Scout" stuff will not fly for Webelos. The family needs to get with the BSA program in your Pack, or find a Pack that is more to their liking.

What are the KIDS interested in ?

Or - just click on your picture in your post. That will bring you to your profile page where you can edit your avatar.

At the very top of the page you will see your user name - jpstodwftexas. Click on it and go to "My Profile". Put curser on your current picture. This will bring up a blue box that says "Edit Avatar". Click there.

I don't expect a BOR to be a "rubber stamp". However, I do expect that a BOR follow BSA rules. Where does BSA state that a rank can be denied based on something that is "preceived" will happen, or not happen, in the future? Are we to believe these BOR members are psychic? Where does BSA state that a rank can be denied because a Scout recited the Oath/Law sitting down, vs standing? Where does BSA state that "a weak command of some of the basic Second Class & First Class skills" is a reason to deny the rank of Life? Personally, I find that a big weakness at the TROOP level, not with the Scout. A decent Troop should be providing lots of opportunities for Scouts to keep current with, and improve, their basic, and advanced, skills. As the, very true, saying goes - "use it, or lose it". This BOR was a joke, and from this Scout's actions at the BOR, he knew it.

Where/how has the Troop been getting his past rank patches? Is this one of those councils that allow anyone to simply stroll into a Scout Shop and purchase rank awards with no paperwork? If so, this should cause the council to re-think that policy. Personally, I would contact the SE and push for that change as soon as possible. Depending on your position with this unit, I would also contact your CO to give them a heads up on what kind of a mess they have on their hands. This CO/unit was extremely lucky that this boy was never injured on a Scouting activity as he would not have been covered by insurance. I completely agree with the others - toss the ball back to the SM. This mother needs to be informed of the reality of the situation. Only REGISTERED members of BSA can earn BSA awards.

We generally have 30-40 boys at PWD. We give out 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place medals. These are overall, not by den. We also do a few design award certificates. Everyone gets a participation certificate, participation ribbon, and driver's liscense. The 5th grade Webelos create car stands for everyone as part of their Craftsman badge.

At Crossover we give each Webelos either a compass, or vittle kit (depending on what was given to them at the Pack Graduation ceremony the previous May). The Webelos going to a Troop also receive Boy Scout shoulder loops, and the Boy Scout Handbook. The Troop provides the necker. Our Troop presents their necker when they are awarded their Scout patch.

>>"The fact that the SM reported directly to DE(council exe in his mind) gives me the impression SM feels strongly about this.">"I know the boy,father and mother">"The Unit is small(4) as others have aged out"

You never withhold an award from a boy who has completed the requirements. He should receive his award at the next Pack meeting after the requirements are completed. You should never hold a boy back in Cub Scouts when he has met all of the requirements for, and is ready to, transition to Boy Scouts. It should never be assumed, expected, encouraged, or required, that all boys cross to the same Boy Scout Troop. Or that they all cross at the same time. Hold a grand Crossover Ceremony in February for your Webelos that is ready. Hold another grand Crossover Ceremony in April/May/June, or whenever the other Webelos is ready, and has met all of the requirements.

I believe that jamesprepatrip is simply plugging his trip organizing web site prep-a-trip.

If he wants to, why not.