sctmom

Well said NJ!

Bob, Let me answer for TJ, if I may. Here is the link to the official BSA website page of the Membership Numbers from 2000. www.scouting.org/nav/about.html I found it by going to "About BSA", "Media Center", "2000 Annual Report", "Annual Membership Summary" Someone mentioned non-caucasian youth. I live in an area where the percentage of blacks is growing at a high rate, the whole population is booming. Five years ago there was 15% non-white at the elementary school, now there is over 30% non-white. The Cub Scout pack at that school has more than 70% whites. At the Boy Sco

A comment about the Girl Scouts camping. A friend of mine said both her girls went to week long summer camps the summer after 1st grade! It was their "prize" for selling cookies. About the money issue, some of the boys in my son's troop told me that they are getting summer camp as a birthday present. Perhaps some of the parents could suggest that to grandparents -- at least a contribution of $20 would help them out. Homesickness -- ha, parents often flatter themselves. Two years ago, due to a child care shortage in the area, my son spent the weeks with his grandparents. At first he

Bob, no, sorry. It was in reference to Ed's comments on religion.

Ahh-- the "whose religion is right" argument. The religion I was "brought up in" (I use the phrase loosely), the religion of the church my mother now attends on a regular basis, the religion of my mother's parents. According them all Mormons, Catholics, Jews and even Methodists are NOT Christians. My mother told me last year that Methodists didn't "believe in being saved anymore." Well, that would make them non-Christian, right? Bet some Methodists would be a little surprised by this. So according this religion, all of the people mentioned above are bad role models and therefore shou

I don't think anyone on this board is in favor of NOT following the rules, the point is how to change them properly. Even though National changed the "rules" without telling anyone. One's sexual preference does not necessarily make one a bad role model. Scout leaders are role models, not saints.

Did I miss something? I don't remember seeing NJ or TJ talk about a secret conspriacy. Bob, you say if we don't like the policy then we should leave. I do believe the Boy Scout handbook, we all so dearly love, says that if a Boy Scout does not agree with a law or rule, he works WITHIN the system to get it changed. If someone OUTSIDE of BSA says that BSA is wrong, most are quick to point a finger and say "and what have YOU done for youth lately. don't like us, then leave us alone." ">The method of leadership was established and approved by congressional charter. " Explain

www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/841 Long article about a program the Girl Scouts have been doing since 1992.

Does he need Flint River Council or Atlanta Area Council from Georgia? My son hasn't gotten into the patch collecting, but I can get you both of these CSP's. I know I have an extra Flint River at home.

Bob writes: "In the Scoutmaster Leaders Specific Training, we teach the the adult leaders there is no need to remind boys to work on advancement. " So when to do you tell the boys this? What do you do with the boy that NEEDS reminding? My son has a serious reputation at school about not completing school work. He's in 5th grade, going to middle school next year. The teachers keep saying "it's his responsibility". I've tried to make it his responisibility. But the fact of the matter is that he HAS to be reminded, at times FORCED to do school work. Geez, I have to remind him to go to

My son will be going to Camp Sidney Dew in North Georgia. I hear it's great. The local people are very supportive, many of the local residents volunteer their time to work at the camp. It's what "everybody" does. Was told that the new scout program has 2 adults on staff for every 5 scouts! They not only teach the swimming merit badge but they teach basic swimming for those boys who are starting from the beginning. www.nwgabsa.org/campmain.htm

Eisely, No, you weren't missing anything, but I sure thought I was. Yes, it is wonderful to say "the boys are responsible for themselves". Yet, I was standing there when the boys were asked if anyone checked their packs. From the look on their faces (and mine), you could tell that none of them knew they should do this. We are talking about brand new scouts, many not 11 years old yet. None of this was discussed at the meeting a few days earlier. I assumed someone (an older boy or an adult) would be in charge of doing that. But then again I'm surprised that teachers say they don't remind

My son and some of his Cub Scout buddies may never forget their very first campout, at least the parents aren't forgetting! I didn't even go and I know the story. The kids were Tigers, just joined Cub Scouting and went to the annual Council Cub camporee around Halloween. A storm front moved in that night. It rained, it stormed, the wind blew, the lightening and thunder was waking up kids. Practically every tent was flooded. The group had gotten the worst possible campsite in the camp --- right next to the lake, out in the open. This area stays wet and mushy for days after a slight rain.

You might want to share this article with the other parents. In fact I think EVERY troop should be sharing this with the parents, especially new parents. http://www.scouting.org/nav/volunteers.html page down until you see "National study shows why Scout summer camp is a quality experience" Apparently your local councils will have a more detailed brochure or fact sheet.

Another thread has now started this thread. In the case of new scouts going on a their first campout. Who is responsible for getting them signed off on requirements ---- the scout or an older scout or an adult? My son can barely remember to take his homework to school, is he supposed to spend his camping weekend figuring out if he met a requirement? He packed his bag with some guidance from me for the campout (yes, extra socks and undies are good to pack, just in case). No one said "hey let's see if these new guys packed right" when we go to the meeting place. There was too much

Bob, the reason I ask is that my son went on his first campout. The second day an adult was working with the boys on Joining Badge and Tenderfoot, says "Did you present yourself to your leader properly dressed and packed yesterday? Oh, you didn't have anyone check you pack? Oh, well, do it next time." Some people go by the theory of the boy must approach someone to get signed off on this. I see that as a goal, but these first few months the boys are doing good to remember their own names! They are so excited they forget about getting signoffs. Also, what is "properly packed" when we ar

I agree with AdvanceOn -- boys don't care about "hot". They will be having the time of their life. Adults get hot quickly, kids having fun never know they are hot. I've had to sell my son on Boy Scout summer camp, but 4-H had him sold on their summer camp within minutes. Look at all the FUN! Here's what fun at my son's Boy Scout summer camp for all the first year scouts -- swimming in a POOL (not just the lake), working on knots, working on a merit badge like pottery, photograhpy, fishing, space exploration (ROCKETS!). The older boys can take shotgun or rifle shooting, archery, more sw

Bob, On this campout, did an adult or older boy go up to the new scouts and say "show me that you are packed right"? Or "show me how to whip the ends of a rope"?

One person said that 20 scouts had left one troop in a year. WOW! I'd be really upset if I was an adult in this troop. What about the district and the council? Are they are aware of numbers like that? I realized from a parent's perspective, most parents don't know what to do if they have problems with a pack or troop. They only thing they know is to leave. Parents aren't told about the structure of the organization or given a list of "here is who you call when...". I don't think we should come across negative to new parents, but at least let them know something about who is involved beyon

Thanks you both for your replies. I bought a copy of the Boy Scout handbook and Scoutmaster handbook last year as a Webelos Leader. I think they are both great books. I find myself turning to the Scoutmaster handbook as help in parenting! I know the adults in the troop are very dedicated and work hard. It's not that they expect the boys to work only on their own, so this boy slipping through the cracks is not intentional. I think I'll make sure to have some rope in my car and casually ask the boy if he had a chance to work on the knot tying, since this week was spring break. Then I

I'm always learning things from this board. My son has joined a good troop. Yet as you can tell from my other posts, I see some areas that could use some "attention". I filled out the adult volunteer form the same time I turned in my son's application. I think they officially listed me as a committee member. How do I, as a new parent and a female, help the troop without running over everyone? The adults in the troop are very good people. They welcome anyone who will help the troop. They are accepting of me as a female Scouter. I think I have gained some respect from them based on a few ev

Just my two cents worth.... My family does not attend church or feel we belong to a particular organized religion. I have only seen a couple of "vespers" in Cub Scout Camping. I saw nothing to object to. I would in fact think that Summer Camp is a great time for my son to experience a religious service -- with friends, most likely outdoors, an upbeat program aimed at young boys. I would object if I felt the service was only for one extreme denomination, forced the boys into stating their faith, tried to get the boys to join a particular church, was a "fire and brimstone" type service

I've been reading about Seton's Woodcraft program. Some of the requirements for awards is pretty amazing. Here are a few I found very interesting, these are only one of many requirements to actually recieve the "badge" or "degree": Identify 100 different birds that you have seen State whether "mother" is legally "next of kin" to her children in her state. Explain the difference and likeness between a feminist and a suffragist. Sleep out 100 nights or 30 consectutive nights. Make a camp table and 6 chairs from wood. Give a party for at least 6 people. Know 25 edible mushrooms.

Bob, My son's troop IS using the new scout patrol method. The new scout patrols are not necessarily doing the same thing as the older scouts. There are mainly new scouts and Life scouts, very few in-between. I see the same thing Ed is mentioning, though. I have been thinking myself that they are rushing them through the requirements a bit. The adults want to get them through the First Aid requirements in the next few troop meetings. I wonder how much the boys will learn. I know they don't have to master it, but I think having really learned the material would mean more to the boys than

My son is in a new scout patrol. In fact the troop has 2 new scout patrols right now. The troop has a lot of Life Scouts and a lot of new scouts. Not much in between. When is advancement supposed to take place, if not at troop events? I understand learning can take place anywhere, including home if I want to teach him the stuff. I don't think this is unique to this troop. Look at the "first year program" of any summer camp. They work on a lot of requirements from all first 3 ranks. I understand and agree with your reasons #4 and #5. That makes the goal of First Class in First Y