ScoutNut

We generally try for one Pack activity (other than the Pack meeting) each month. These will usually be on a weekend (whereas the Pack meeting is usually a school night). We don't always manage one per month. A lot depends on how everyone's schedule ends up as the year progresses. We include Pack events at our CO (Pack Haunted House), area events (festivals, shows), council/district activities ("Cub Fun" days, Scouting For Food), and sports events (we are lucky to have a number of 1st, and 2nd, tier professional teams in the area). Den activities/outings are on their own. I know that many of the dens try for 1 den outing per month too. Sometimes the den outing IS the Pack outing for that month.

One more thing - make sure you attend your Council/District's Popcorn Kickoff meeting. They usually go over the council sale rules/incentives, give hints from veterans, pass out samples, answer questions, and hand out the unit packets with all of the forms/whatnot. Ours include a free dinner, and are rather fun.

1)Show/Sell orders - Depends largely on how your council runs their popcorn sale, how much storage space you have for corn, and how many Show/Sell/Booth sales you have scheduled. Does your council have two separate sales dates, one for Show/Sell, and a separate for Take Order? With no overlap at all? Or is the Show/Sell happening at the same time as the Take Ordering? What kind of return policy does your council have? Are you required to purchase everything you order with no return at all? Can you return only unsold, unopened Show/Sell cases? Can you return unsold Show/Sell individual pieces? What is your council's payment policy? Do they require that all Show/Sell orders be paid in full before ordering Take Order? Do they have only one due date for all money from both sales? Our council lets us return any unopened, individual item. They let us use unsold Show/Sell toward Take Orders. They also let us roll over all payment due to the end of the entire popcorn sale (Show/Sell + Take Order). I base my Show/Sell order on what our average total sales were over the last few years. The order I place for Show/Sell is what I think we will sell for the entire sale (Show/Sell and Take). I then have enough popcorn on hand to not only cover Show/Sell, but to get most of the Take Orders filled early as well. At Show/Sell return, Take Order ordering, time I return unsold popcorn not needed for Take Orders, and order any items needed that we sold out of at Show/Sell. It usually works out pretty close. We also defer our payment until the final, council end of sale, settle-up. In general, since you have never done Show/Sells before, I would start slow, with 1-2 sale dates, and order lightly (just the most popular/cheapest) for Show/Sell. This is especially true if you face the prospect of getting stuck with unsold popcorn that you have to pay for. Take a look at past years popcorn paperwork (if there is any) to get an idea of what sells in your area. 2) Incentives - Council incentives from the popcorn company are usually cheaper items, however we have found that the kids do like them, especially the knives, and camping stuff. The parents like the store cards because they can then get what they want. How the council incentives work is entirely up to the council, usually in partnership with the corn company. A unit (Pack/Troop/Crew/Ship/Team) can have their own individual unit incentives for their Scouts. What these are depends mainly on how much money the unit wants, or can afford, to spend. A unit incentive program would have to be approved by your Pack Committee. What I did - We established a sales goal for each Scout (not family), based on what we spent on our program the previous year, and what we wanted to do for the current year, divided up by the number of Cubs in the Pack. This goal could be reached by a combination of Take Orders and working Show/Sell booths ($$ allocated based on the total Show/Sell sales and number of shift spots). Every Scout that made his goal received an Estes rocket kit (we do a rocket shoot in Aug). The top 10 sellers in the Pack (of 30-40 Cubs) all were awarded the chance to toss a whipped cream "popcorn pie" (whipped cream on a foam plate) at the leader of their choice at our December Pack meeting. Every Scout who participated in the sale in any way (even just one Show/Sell shift) gets a Pack popcorn patch segment for their Patch vest. 3) Keeping the sale in the front of everyone's mind - We have basically two months (Sept/Oct). The Take Order forms, Pack due date/incentive/selling tips sheet, and Show/Sell dates/times signups, go out to the dens at their first den meeting of the school year. The Popcorn Kernel visits each den meeting. Depending on how the schedule falls out, we might hold a Pack Popcorn Kickoff Sales Blitz day where we meet at a park to go over that years popcorn program. Every Scout gets some popcorn to take door-to-door to sell in the neighboring area (gotta love those little red wagons!). When they get back to the park we play games, eat dogs, chips, and bug juice. Den leaders are the backbone of the sale. They remind their boys/families each week to aim for incentives, sign up for Show/Sell sales, send sales emails to relatives out of town, etc. Bottom line is to try what ever sounds good to you (with Pack Committee OK). You never know what will work (or not work) for you until you try it. One caution - Spreadsheets are your friend! Keep accurate, and detailed, records, of who took what corn, who returned what corn, who sold what, who paid what, and who earned what incentives (council and Pack). Put together a receipt form, and have an ADULT family member sign for all corn taken/returned, and money due/paid. Also, I don't know how it is by you, but around here Show/Sell Booths have gotten very popular. I start calling Show/Sell locations in August (talk to manager) to make sure I get all of the location/dates/times reserved that I want.

Some "magic" ceremonies - http://scouting.argentive.com/docs/ceremony_magic_formulas.pdf Note - BSA does not recommend the flaming necker ceremony because of the fire danger. I have used the Bobcat Bones, Color Changing, and Glowing, ceremonies for both rank advancement and end of year graduation. They are fun for the boys. Make sure you do a LOT of practicing with these before doing them with the Cubs! A note about the Color Changing one - I did not use bleach. I used clear glass jars with lids, and put lots of food coloring on the inside of the lids. Keep the lids top up on the table, and use warm water. Put water in the jar. Put on lid, being careful so that the boys do not see the dried coloring inside of the lid. Shake vigorously. Use fresh water, and a different color, different jar, for each level. For the glowing ceremony I also recommend using one clear jar per level. This eliminates the worry that a Scout will spill/break an individual one. You can use a different color glow stick per level. For Bobcat Bones, you can change the story to be the bones of a wise, old Cubmaster, or magic dust from the spirit of AKELA. A Painted Face ceremony is also fun. There are a number of them on the 'net. I combined the symbols I liked for each level. You can put on all of the symbols for each level up to the one they are moving into, or just do the symbol for their new level. If you are including the parents, I like to add a white dot on the end of the parents nose (done by the Scout) to remind them of the family aspect of Cubs, and that they must continue to help their Scouts along their Scouting trail. In all of the ceremonies, for the 4th grade Webelos moving to 5th grade, there is no real "graduation" involved as it is simply a continuation of the program. We would use the ceremony to encourage their continuing the trail to AOL, and Boy Scouts.

Just a note - Since Cub awards are created to be age appropriate, Cub Scouts are only allowed to work in ONE level at a time. If your Cubs want to continue working on their rank awards at the Tiger, and Bear, levels over the summer they can NOT also work on requirements toward any Wolf, or Webelos, level awards. Also, they can ONLY work on the rank award, not electives, or any other awards at the lower level. Personally, I recommend that if the Cubs elect to work on their current level rank award over the summer, then they do not "graduate" to the next level until the end of summer. This usually convinces the parents to let their son move on immediately.

Please - do NOT award rank awards when the requirements have not been completed! "Doing their best" only applies to individual requirements. They STILL have to complete ALL of the requirements. Also, in Cub Scouts, earning a rank award has nothing at all to do with moving to another Cub level. The rank awards are just that - awards. Cub Scout levels are based on age and grade, not what awards they have, or have not, earned. BSA National automatically moves every registered Cub Scout up to the next Cub level every June 1. It does not matter if the Scouts did not earn a single bead, patch, or pin, all year. They still move up to the next level at the end of the school year. So, robb100, include ALL of your Cub Scouts in your "rising", or "graduation" ceremony.

Summerd603 - it sounds like there are a few things going on here. First you need to talk to your Advancement Chair to find out exactly WHY she needs an in-depth listing of who did what requirements for what award. As others have stated, the Pack might be using some sort of management program to coordinate awards for the Pack. If this is the hold up find out if there is a way that you can enter the info for your den yourself, to save her time/work. If she just wants paper for her records I suggest making a copy of whatever spreadsheet, or paper trail you use for yourself. One note, part of the Pack Advancement Chairs job is to sort out all of the awards by Scout, and den, in preparation to them being awarded. In order to do that they need to know who has earned what award, not just the total number of awards per den. Knowing that they need to buy 10 video game belt loops does nothing to tell them which Scouts should be receiving them. As for the purchasing of belt loops (and any other awards) in advance, I can see her point in not wanting to spend Pack funds on something and then finding out later that the award has never been finished. If this happens a lot your Pack can end up with a significant amount of funds tied up in a box of spare awards that can not be returned, and might never get used. Not very financially responsible. However, if you are CERTAIN that XX number of Scouts will have completed X belt loop by XX date, than simply give your Advancement person paperwork showing the requirements as completed for those Scouts. Or, if you must, take a trip to the nearest Scout Shop and purchase the belt loops yourself. You can then give the Advancement person the paperwork (and receipt if you wish to be repaid) at a later date. Belt loops are a supplemental program, and are NOT considered advancement. They do not have to be included on an advancement report. Webelos Activity Badges, however, are advancement, and must be included on an advancement report. You need to find a way to work WITH your Advancement Chair.

The Trax spreadsheets are fine for individual den management. However, when talking about managing the entire PACK, they do not work. A Pack Advancement Chair must coordinate awards for all of the dens. This chore is made infinitely easier using a Pack Management product like ScoutManage, Packmaster, or ScoutTrack.

Another vote for ScoutManage!

Is there a day camp in a neighboring district/council your Cub Scouts could go to? Does your program have any kind of theme? What kind of facilities do you have (outdoors or inside - large space, or small room)? What is the time allocated for the craft rotation?

No letter. That is the "easy" way out. As has been mentioned in a number of posts here, the SM, and CC, should have a sit down, face to face, real discussion with the Scout and his parents to talk about his behavior and come up with some solutions TOGETHER.

>>"I have been told that if the troop does not use all the money in their account by the end of the year, that they have to turn the excess over to the council.. So they can't save up for a trailer or some large item."

When do you hold your last Pack meeting of the school year? Our Pack does it's graduation ceremony, and moves the Scouts to their new levels, at the last "official" Pack meeting of the school year, at the end of May. School usually goes until the first week of June. June, July, and August are summertime fun Pack activities only (picnics, hikes, camping, kites, rocket shoots, fishing, etc), with no "official" den or Pack meetings.

I am really surprised the woman whose stomach he patted did not deck him. Find out who the Pack's Charter Organization is and LOUDLY complain to the head of it. Then do what Twocubdad said - in spades!

@Peregrinator >>"I suspect you are right that the GSUSA will not be much affected by bishops' prodding into their alliances. Their membership will probably continue to decline along the same slow line that it has for years."

@Moosetracker >>"I know unused cookie money goes to the Council. But, if the Troops can not purchase troop Gear.. Then what do they do with their cookie money?.. I am sure they make better profits with that then BSA does with popcorn. It is better received, and a box is What? $3.00 or $3.50? Still affordable, not like $15 or $20 we charge. "

I think we are talking different kinds of banners. A large, long, wide, narrow, banner, that hangs from a ceiling is rather impractical for a den. However a banner that is the size of small-med flag (that hangs down instead of out like a regular flag) is very practical. It is also easier to see the entire thing when it hangs straight down, and since the boys are proud, they want their flag to be seen. The pole at the top can be easily carried in a parade by one or two Cubs, even small ones. A cord can be attached to the ends of the pole so the banner can be hung from another pole and stood upright on its own at meetings. The flag/banners we have used are typically about 1.5-2 ft wide at the top, and 2-2.5 ft long to the flat, or pointed, bottom. Felt works nicely, but can get iffy in the rain. A piece of an old sheet, or a cotton fabric remnant, also work well.

@SeattlePioneer - >>"Anyone ever hear of a Girl Scout Troop doing a fifty miler backpack trip?"

Has the SM said - exactly - WHY he feels "it doesn't count as camping"? Has he said what he DOES consider camping? Can he show a BSA publication that agrees with his concept of what camping must be?

Just as with BSA, GSUSA is a PRIVATE organization, and can make it's own rules. Just as with BSA, GSUSA will continue to have to defend itself against folks that want everything to reflect only their own beliefs/desires. While BSA is viewed by more, and more, people as a strictly Christian organization, GSUSA has gone to lengths to be publicly, inclusive, and accommodating, to all faiths (such as allowing the word "God" to be replaced by whatever term the individual Scout uses in their OWN faith. Being "parish-sponsored" for GSUSA is ENTIRELY different than what that means for BSA. In BSA the individual BSA unit is OWNED by the "sponsoring" parish organization. If a parish drops their "sponsorship", the BSA units fold. Not so with GSUSA. GSUSA Troops/Groups are OWNED by their local Council, NOT by outside organizations. Their existence does NOT depend on them being "sponsored" by anyone. With GSUSA, the "parish-sponsorship" might just mean allowing them meeting space, or even just publishing their news in the parish bulletin. If parents like what GSUSA brings to their girls, and their girls like it, they will continue to register their daughters in GSUSA Troops/Groups. Parents that want an organization with a more rigid, conservative, religious (specific faith), bent, will find a different organization, like AHG, to enroll their daughters in. I really doubt that it will much matter to the first group what the Council of Bishops has to say. For the second group, that have already left, or are looking for an excuse to leave, a negative outcome from the Bishops will "prove" their point, and give those not yet gone their "permission" to find an organization more to their liking. Either way, life will go on. There will continue to be folks that spout skewed, negative propaganda about organizations (easier/more fun with today's technology), and look for any excuse to stir the pot. However, GSUSA will not be folding any time soon.

>>"Wanted to know can you have a flag and a banner? In what purpose are they used?"

What, by nearly breaking your arm patting yourself on the back to your DE?

>>"It's really not a "failing" as much as having to start all of the work over again under someone new if the scouts don't meet the MBC's requirement."

Yep, there is a bit of culture shock going from Cub to Boy Scouts. However - your Webelos program is supposed to address some of that. Webelos should be a transition from spoon-fed Cubs, to do it yourself Boy Scouts. It sounds like your former Webelos expected Boy Scouts to be pretty much like Cub Scouts. Instead of telling the Scoutmaster how he should change the Troop, consider training your Webelos leaders, and making sure they do a better job of transitioning the Webelos and their families.

I am also a bit confused over how a den leader gets in the middle of a Pack leadership dispute. Was the "ex-den leader" from your den? Did you take over when the "ex" left? That would explain the animosity and the emails. I am also a bit confused as to why your Pack would send the new Pack, started by the "ex", any money? Especially if the guy left under less than friendly terms. Info, and ideas, if requested, yes, money, definitely not. Why is your COR(Charter Organization Representative) involved with the new Pack? Your COR's responsibility is to the Scouting units chartered by YOUR Chartering Organization, not some other CO's unit. Talk to your Cubmaster(CM), and/or Committee Chair(CC), if you feel you are being unfairly treated. Otherwise, stay out of the middle of this fight. Concentrate on giving your den the best possible program.