ScoutNut

>>"> I am sure that members of the African > Scouting Associations have native influences > in their ceremonies, much as we do do here > in the USA. Do you think white South Africans do that?">> I am sure there might be some such ceremonies in their Scouting Association, I don't know for sure because I live in the USA, not South Africa. Who are you to tell folks in another country what kind of Scouting ceremonies they should use? For every person with Native American heritage you state has a problem with OA ceremonies, I am sure that there is another with Native American heritage who does not. Why is it that only the folks of Native American heritage who agree with YOU are right? I am not sure why you seem to be so hung up on African culture, and black-face. There are plenty of different cultures/heritages in this country, and many different ceremonies, based on those heritages. Why is it that you are not railing against Santa Claus, and Christmas celebrations? Using your logic, only the Greek have any right to use Saint Nicholas in any kind of ceremony. So you had better forget about hanging up those stockings as I have a Greek friend who will be insulted! Then there is All Hallows Eve. Do you dress your kids up, and take them around to beg for treats? My nieces celebrate the 4th of July, but then they are Daughters of the Revolution.

I suggest you cut back on the some of the extras, or see if they can be donated. Also, look for a cheaper place to hold your ECOH. While the Eagle himself might not belong to a church, members of the Troop leadership might be able to use their church halls free of charge. Community centers, or libraries, might be willing to donate the use of a meeting room. Many shopping malls have community rooms. Local VFW, Eagle, Moose, etc. Ask at your local Boy Scout Roundtable.

>>"Yeah, there's always "that guy" who claims he is 25% Souix (he's not - he has blue eyes and white skin)">"I want to start a society within scouting that will use the traditions, dances, and songs of Africa. We will all dress up like Zulu, make shields with zebra skins and spears, and we will do Zulu dances."

What pchadbo said!

Nothing complex about the Cub badge program at all. There are age appropriate rank awards, and electives, that the boys can earn at each Cub level. There are also supplemental award programs that the boys can do to introduce them to other things. All awards, of any kind, are optional. Dens are still run by den leaders. The boys are not required to figure out what to earn next. However, in many cases they can choose what they do based on what interests them. Innocence and maturity are two entirely different things. A 9 year old is not mature enough for the Boy Scout program. Nothing wrong with "fumes". The more successful Boy Scout programs I know make room for both Scouting and "fumes".

Was the dad the Tiger's den leader? Interesting that none of the other Tigers mentioned that this boy was not in their class.

Personally, I would find a new den leader.

The only "shooting badge" for Cub Scouts is the Cub Scout Academics and Sports BB-Gun Shooting belt loop/pin. These can NOT be earned at the Pack, den or individual level. They can ONLY be earned thru a council/district activity. As far as I can tell, the NSSF youth programs were for Boy Scouts, not Cub Scouts, and are no longer being done. NSSF does, however, provide Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselors. For more information, have your Scout leader contact your local council.

>>"it was an overnighter at a local university campus where they did security for the Special Olympics event. But some of the boys can't stay up all night so they do go to sleep."

concernedparent - So, your son has been a Boy Scout for 5 years now, and still has not earned his Tenderfoot rank? Why are you still with this Troop? And, why, after practicing "almost every day" for 5 years, is it that your son still can not do a single pull up?

>>"volleyball tent"

>>"I am not one of those people who is sympathetic to people who choose to be poor."

I think that all of the local, non-Scout, privately run, shops were shut down by BSA when they moved all of their business to shops inside the local council offices. We used to have a small local business which sold books, uniforms, and crafts, for both BSA, and GSUSA. The local JC Penny department store also had a Scout department. All are now history. Our council changed from a local council owned Scout Shop to a National owned Scout Shop a number of years back. It made a lot more sense for both the council and it's members. When the council owned the Shop the inventory was rather limited. Council had to purchase inventory from National, so anything not sold was a financial liability, moving further into the red with every second. Council was also responsible for the salaries of the Shop employees, and maintenance on the Shop area/structure itself. That all added up to a lot of overhead. With a Scout Shop owned by National, all inventory is owned by National, so if it is not sold, it is simply returned to National Supply. Therefore, they have a much broader, and in-depth inventory. National also owns the Shop space, and is responsible for any maintenance, or improvements to it. They pay the local council rent for the privilege of having their Scout shop on the council premises. All National Shop employees work for, and are paid by, BSA National. So, the local council gets rid of a financial millstone around their neck, gets an improved building space, and gets paid for it all. The Scouts, and Scouters get a larger, and more diverse, inventory, with easier access to National Supply.

Where did you read that >>"the summertime award scouts receive should match their current rank rather than the rank they are working on"

There is this new-fangled invention that just might help. It is called the sewing machine! Fold up the excess portion from the bottom. Iron (another new-fangled invention!) it flat. Run it thru the sewing machine a couple of times (top/middle/bottom of fold). There you go! A newly shortened mesh bag.

Oval, mesh, lingerie bag from Sears - http://www.sears.com/innovative-home-creations-mesh-oval-lingerie-bag/p-011V002156052000P 9" x 10" x 5" for $3.00 You can also take a 12" x 18", and cut/hem off the bottom to the length you want.

A suggestion about the hamburger for the foil packets - use cheap frozen burgers. Easy to portion out (1-2 patties per), and the moisture, and grease, will help cook the veggies.

What a pity to be at such a great park and to not use any of it's facilities! Whoops, looks you do have some fishing time in there, that is good. What about a hike on the trails? Call the park Rangers and see what they can do to help with any of the requirements for any of the outdoor Activity Badges. You will be camping at a great Geological site (Geologist #8)! See if a Ranger can tell the Scouts about how glaciers have impacted the land, and what a moraine is. I would leave the Readyman stuff for an indoor meeting when it is cold, rainy, or snowy. When camping, concentrate on the outdoor stuff that can't be done when it is 10 below with snow up to your chin! One thing I noticed you did NOT plan - free time. The boys, and their parents, need some free time to explore on their own.

Sure! As long as you are a current member of that Lodge. Contact the Lodge, and pay your dues for the year.(This message has been edited by Scoutnut)

>>"If some of your cubs earn their rank in February, then you do a special ceremony for them then right? And if some earn it in March, you do it again and the same for April?">"What I meant by everyone does not move to the next rank is that they decide not to continue and they don't get their colors because they are not at the graduation ceremony."

>>"If you have one outdoor activity per month, you might reasonably expect the Den Leader and most of the Cub Scouts to show up. You have a functioning den."

No, a permanent Pack Committee position is NOT needed in order to build a relationship with a Troop. Any given Pack should pursue relationships with multiple area Troops. This does not mean that a Pack must have multiple Troop "representatives" on their Pack Committee. A relationship can be formed by having a conversation between 2 parties. Folks are not restricted to having conversations only with those who are a permanent member of their unit Committee. I say that as a Unit Commissioner of a number of different units (none of which I am a personal member of), and as a 15+ year member of a Pack whose only other long-term volunteer is the Cubmaster at 10+ years.

>>"not everyone moves to the next rank because they may decide to drop out."

>>"The problem I have with multiple outings/month is that a lot of people tend to choose the one or two activities they like the most, so you cannibalize your own program and your dens or patrols have few people attending any particular activity. You wind up weakening your dens or patrols."

Why is Cub Summer Camp a "den only" activity? Resident Summer Camp is promoted by the Pack, to the entire Pack. We pick one specific date for any/all of the Pack families to sign up for. They register individually, but put on the registration that they want to be with others from Pack 1234. Folks that can't make the "official" Pack camp date are free to sign up for any date they like. Sometimes they will get a few of their friends from the Pack to join them, sometimes they will camp on their own in a mixed Pack group. Any way is fine with us, as long as it gets the Scout and his family out doing a fun Scouting activity. Cub Scout Day Camp is even more Pack centered as we have to register as a Pack, make sure we have the proper number of volunteers, and make sure everyone gets to, and from, Day Camp. So, with council/district resident/day camps being such a big part of our Pack's Summer program, why would we NOT count it as part of our Summertime Award activities?