ScoutWolf

Hey everyone, question for those in the know. Can the district nominate scouters for the OA? If so, I was wondering if camping requirements can be waived? I have seen conflicting reports.

Thanks BD, Im not the WDL so Im not up to snuff on it as much. Saw it today when I was looking at MB.org for some items for one of our kids AoL ceremony coming up.

I understand how you feel in this manner MDM. You put a lot of effort in trying to put on a positive program for your den and there always seems to be that one issue. I agree with taking the high road is the best option. Congratulate him and the parents, and then put your energy back into making an exciting program for the newly arriving bears next year. To be honest, I really dont see this scout family continuing too much after your B/G banquet. Its like we have DL who ditches on his den a lot without notice and good reason. It frustrates the living hades out of us, but the best thing to do in that situation as well as your current predicament is to be nice, congratulate, encourage them to stay and be active in the program and move them on to Scouts. However, I just dont see this happening. Interesting arguement, Is it time to add an attendance req. for AoL? If the Boy Scouts have attendance req. or what "active" is for rank advancement, this sounds like a great idea for AoL. If your going to earn CS highest honor, then I think this is necessary.

I understand how you feel in this manner MDM. You put a lot of effort in trying to put on a positive program for your den and there always seems to be that one issue. I agree with taking the high road is the best option. Congratulate him and the parents, and then put your energy back into making an exciting program for the newly arriving bears next year. To be honest, I really dont see this scout family continuing too much after your B/G banquet. Its like we have DL who ditches on his den a lot without notice and good reason. It frustrates the living hades out of us, but the best thing to do in that situation as well as your current predicament is to be nice, congratulate, encourage them to stay and be active in the program and move them on to Scouts. However, I just dont see this happening. Interesting arguement, Is it time to add an attendance req. for AoL? If the Boy Scouts have attendance req. or what "active" is for rank advancement, this sounds like a great idea for AoL. If your going to earn CS highest honor, then I think this is necessary.

We have a scout with Aspergers. (I put an ephasis on this here because its not appropriate to say Aspergers child IMO). Dad is involved with the pack as a DL, but he only listens to his dad even though his father has reminded him that other leaders in the pack can call him out when hes acting up. You just have to firm but fair with these scouts as if they didnt have a diagnosis. Special needs only units are great because its good for networking and all with parents, but honestly if the goal is to help students (I teach) with disabilites be able to function in society then inclusion is the best bet. I have told myself that I would never want to turn a scout away based on their diagnosis wether it be mental or physical. If the parent pulls them out thats their call. I recently worked with a scout who is dyslexic. He earned his AoL which was awesome. However, he struggles in Boy Scouts with the material. Once I told the SM some strategies he needed to work with the scout that we used, it worked almost immediately. We just have to change our approach. I wish there was more training on this issue. Scouting a great program for students with disabilities. As a High School Teacher, I agree with the IEP issue, its pretty much non-enforceable after high school, especially in college. Those that say its a PITA for teachers to do the accomodations, your absolutely right. If they could abolish this testing nonsense, I would love to devote more time to modifying my lessons to cater to the needs of students. We do the best we can. Its also on the kid at the HS level to start self-advocating for themselves. Its all about growing up.

Ran across MeritBadge.org saying that the LNT award for CS was being cancelled. http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Leave_No_Trace_Award_%28Cub_Scouts%29 Seems they have substituted it for http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Outdoor_Ethics_Awareness_Award This is a tad confusing. They say on MB.org that the award is being cancelled, but link the new award to the older ones. Not sure if they have everything in place yet, but I could only imagine it being confusing. Im smelling a new edition of the CS books with all these changes in the next 2 years.

We do 1st, 2nd, 3rd for each den and 1-3rd for overall. We dont really do design as much since the kids like to do fast cars. All kids get a certificate and a patch for participating. Adult race there are no awards.

All W2 boys get a BSA knife from the CM. I made a AoL Plaque and Arrow for those earning AoL Heres a great example of a very low cost AoL award. http://www.instructables.com/id/Arrow-of-Light-Arrow-and-Plaque/ I just made the plaque (not the engraving thing) Probably cost under $10 to make (I had the stain already). The arrow was a dowel (.98) and Feathers (1.99) the sections for Paint, I already have. I am going to woodburn the kids names onto their plaques. Probably could make 4 out of the piece of whiteboard I had. We give the knife to the SM at presentation time b/c they have to earn their totin chip as a scout. Motivation to get that knife and the totin chip.

For Bears, you could find a local cleanup of a River. I like the idea about helping out the chartering organization. Also, see if the state parks in your local area would like some volunteer help. Also can help with your JTE volunteer hours.

Hey All, Looking for Atlanta FOS CSPs. If anyone has some they are willing to part with, just let me know.

Thanks sentinel for the comment. I actually dont have any children yet. I was just helping out a friend and I realized how much I really did miss scouting. I wasnt trying to imply that national was kicking the can down the road in a negative way. Just my initial gut reaction. I agree, tenting is not an issue with me. Just make sure you have all that squared away before you go.

After doing much reading of these posts and hearing from the "doom and gloom" crowd and the "you are a bigot" crowd, I would like to share my comments and concerns. One of the reasons was 1. My mother pulled me out of scouts because our SM abused his children verbally and physically both in front and away from troop functions (not a great example). 2. I got tired of being called "gay" and "wuss" because I wasnt into sports as much as I was into outdoors and reading. I did not see a great side of scouting, and its one of the regrets in life that I didnt suck it up and stick with it. Im trying to see a more positive side now working with cubbies. While I fall more on the moderate/conservative side of things, I am personally fine with the local option. I work with people who are gay and they are some of the most loyal and dedicated people I can rely/depend on in my field. When I took YPT , as a teacher it was a good reminder. The things about the scouts made sense, 2 deep leadership, no isolation, be professional, polite, and prompt to handle problems that arise. Firstly, In my opinion, these leaders who want to join will be subject to the same background checks and rules that I follow as a scouter. I know dang sure to never sleep in a tent with another boy by myself or even with another adult. I know not to isolate myself with another scout, or permit any of that to happen with parents. If these leaders want to join, they know the rules and regs they will have to follow. Secondly, My first reaction was "great, National is kicking the can down the road to CORs" My C.O. (a UMC) is what we could say has a moderate/conservative slant. However, I researched the position of the UMC on their website, and it falls within my beliefs that people who are homosexual are welcome to participate in sacraments, become members of the church, ect. They cannot however serve as members of the clergy or be married in the church or by ministers. Fair enough, makes sense to me. Thirdly, whats to stop packs/troops/crews labeling each other as anti-gay or Gay-friendly units? I could only imagine the scuttlebutt that parents would say. We have some cutthroat parents in our district and I can only imagine the ripple effect. I am not sure if I have added anything to the conversation, I felt like I just needed to get that off my chest. I dont think we are going to see a lot of change in my group. I am just planning on deferring to the C.O. position.

Im working on a Inter-faith service for my diversity WB Ticket. Does anyone have any good ideas, songs, or devotionals that are cub appropriate and really engage the kiddos?

"It also seems that this Pack has no formal monthly Pack Leaders meetings." Den Leaders mentioned it... Said no to it. Hard to drive the pack when your CM doesnt see the need to meet. Thats the zinger. Poor communication from him to other people in leadership positions.

"Also, gotta say, private, suburban school, as long as a parent calls in every day to let the school know their child is going to be absent, no one from the school will call to "check up" on the student. Your checking-up has nothing to do with "no child left behind", and everything to do with not trusting the students, or their parents." Slow down please. I wasnt being super serious here about NCLB. It was meant as a metaphor in all earnest. Trusting parents and students? I guess I am not allowed to care about my kids after school hours. So if I call my parents just wanting to talk to them about why johnny isn't in school and hes missing work and hes failing my class, that's not trusting my parents? I don't frankly care if its public or private, kids are kids no matter where. Kids need to be held accountable and taught accountability by someone, if not their parents, then myself as their teacher. I work with parents who have no idea what real accountability is. I get paid the "big bucks"