starwolfmom

As my username suggests, when I joined this forum, my Scout sons were a Star and a Wolf. As of Monday night, that little Wolf is now a Second Class Scout (he crossed over in February). His brother is a Life Scout who is two badges and a project away from Eagle. I''m not changing my name, though. Elizabeth J

We have a January recharter in my pack, so the way we handle it is to have new Scouts pay $13.40, and returning Scouts $10. That way we don''t have to collect twice--one in September and again in January. However, if someone didn''t have the money, we could arrange to do the $3.40/$10 thing. Elizabeth Cubmaster, Pack 9 Lansing, MI

Here is a link to an article I wrote for Scouting magazine about Scouts with autism and Asperger's Syndrome: http://www.scoutingmagazine.org/issues/0609/a-boys.html Also, as a mom of a kid with Asperger's, I probably would NOT place him with a younger den. Emotionally/socially, he may skew younger, but I think it would benefit him to be with his peer group. Also, depending on his disability, the younger boys might be unnerved by the older kid who acts "different" while his peers may know him from school and be used to his differences. You'll need to work closely with his mom to find out what's best for him. Elizabeth J

A year ago February, I became Cubmaster of my son's Pack because no one else would step up to do the job. He crossed over this February (two months ago). I agreed to stay on as Cubmaster through the end of the school year. However, the person who we had lined up to be the next Cubmaster is likely moving to another state where her husband has a teaching job lined up, so now we don't have anyone and have to start all over trying to find someone willing to do this. My husband keeps saying, "Don't even think about it. You are done in June." But after a great meeting like we had last night (raingutter regatta) there's a little voice in the back of my head that says, "This is fun. Those little guys are so wonderful. You've been doing for over a year and know the ropes now, so it will be easy. Just stay on." On the other hand, another voice says, "Only two more meetings and then you're done! FREE! Buh-bye Cub Scouts!" Am I crazy for even acknowledging the the voice that says "stay"? I don't even have a kid in the pack, and I know that the troop (where both of my sons are now) is anxious for me to come back to the committee (I stepped down when I took the Cubmaster job). WHAT DO I DO????? Elizabeth J

I was glad I had read through this thread, because prior to its posting, Heelies had not been on my radar screen. My three boys have never asked for them, so I was aware of them. But because of this thread, I took action when some of my Cubs were zipping around the gym before our meeting started. I asked one of the Webelos what the school's policy was on Heelies in the gym. He said that they aren't allowed in the gym or anywhere in school. So I made an announcement last night, "Since the school does not allow Heelies in the gym during the school day, our pack will not allow them in the gym during the meeting." I only had to give two reminders last night--a very simple, "Gentlemen, no Heelies. Thank you." And the wheels went away. ElizabethJ Cubmaster, Pack 9

I got all choked up when my oldest son crossed over five years ago. But it's going to be MUCH more emotional tomorrow night--that son, now 16, is a member of the Order of the Arrow ceremonies team that will cross over the Webelos 2 den that includes his little brother. I'm the Cubmaster, so I suppose I should try to maintain some sort of dignity, but I just KNOW I'm going to cry! ElizabethJ

My son (hs junior, Life Scout) came home from play practice beaming. He's one of the hardest-working kids in the cast and crew, and the director asked him, "Matt, are you an Eagle Scout?" He said, "Not yet, but I'm working on it. Why?" She told him that he was always there on time, always prepared, always ready to help with whatever needed to be done. She said that he reminds her of a young man who graduated from our high school two years ago, who was also active in theater and is an Eagle Scout from my son's troop. This is a boy my son has looked up to since he was a Tenderfoot--to be compared to him really made his day! Elizabeth J

These are both terrific. I just let my editor know about both of them, and now he's saying that since the story is coming out in July, he DOESN'T want something that's too Christmasy. I may mention your events as examples of the many kinds of service projects that Scouts help with. So . . . instead, if your troop does something in the late winter or early spring (maybe a March "Scouting for Food" drive that's really big, or a safety/first aid/health fair in the community or something) let me know and we'll arrange for a photographer from the publication to come to the event. Thanks. Elizabeth

For an article I'm writing for American Profile on the 100th anniversary of Scouting, I need to find a troop that's doing a service project that's really beneficial to the community, one that will make for good action photos (providing holiday meals to the homeless? wrapping packages for needy kids?), and to meet my editor's deadlines, one that's happening fairly soon. If you can help, PM me through the forum or send me an email at elizabethwriter@gmail.com Thanks. YIS Elizabeth Johnson Troop 111, Lansing, MI Pack 9, Lansing, MI

I need to talk with a Scout or Scouter who is going to England in 2007 for the World Jamboree for Scouting's centennial. This is for an article for American Profile magazine. Thanks. Elizabeth Johnson Troop 111, Lansing Pack 9, Lansing

Folks on this forum were so helpful when I was working on my article on helping units work with boys on the autism spectrum (Scouting, Sept. 2006 issue), that I wanted to ask your help for another article I'm working on. I'm writing a feature article on the upcoming 100th anniversary of Scouting for American Profile magazine. I need to interview a variety of people, including: a family with three generations of Scouts (preferably three gens of Eagles) A Scouter who was a Boy Scout in his youth and is now active as an adult--even though he doesn't have a boy in the unit someone who is going to England for the 100th anniversary World Jamboree next August a troop that is doing a big service project of some kind (one that would make for a good photo opportunity) a troop that is doing a Brownsea Island Games event Ideally, anyone fitting these categories should be in a community of 50,000 or less, because that's the demographic of the magazine, which is a Sunday supplement (like Parade or USA Weekend, but for smaller circulation newspapers). If you fit any of these descriptions or can point me in the direction of a person or unit that does, please contact me by email at elizabethwriter@gmail.com by December 1, 2006. Thanks a million. YIS, Elizabeth

We are also having an SCA group come and give a demo. My husband and I were in the SCA years ago, and we remember being the entertainment at a Blue and Gold banquet one year, so when I saw this theme, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. The Cubs are really excited about the November pack meeting. Elizabeth

Wow! We did it! I got 14 new boys last night at my sign-up meeting: 4 Tigers, 3 Wolves, 6 Bears, and 1 Webelo. And about six other boys want to sign up but couldn't make last night's meeting, so they'll register at our first pack meeting next week. Three of those new Scouts came from the school that we've never recruited from before. Only a few of our current members came last night--most will re-up at the first pack meeting. If they all return, that's 29 boys, so we'll grow our pack by more than 50 percent with the 14-plus new Scouts! We didn't end up showing the video, but still got the information across. Most of the parents completed the Family Talent Survey (first time using this--will give it to returning parents next week). My son (Life Scout, high school junior) and a Tenderfoot (who had crossed over from our pack back in February) played games with the boys. Next year, I will remember to reserve one of the school project areas or else pray for better weather, because the boys were on one side of the gym and parents were on the other. Every once in a while, the noise level got a bit high, but we managed okay. In addition to the new boys, we had one returning Webelos mom sign up to be an assistant den leader, one parent volunteer to be a Tiger den leader, and another parent sign up (but didn't specify a leadership role--we'll find something for her!). One dad reminisced about his winning Pinewood Derby car when he was a Cub Scout--I think we have a volunteer to help run the race in January! My assistant Cubmaster (who has handled registration on her own for the past two years) only had to take people's applications and checks. She said it was the least stressful sign-up night she's ever had. Now I just have to keep up the momentum with a bang-up first pack meeting next week. Thanks for all the positive vibes--I'm sure they helped! Elizabeth

Tonight, I'm doing my first sign-up night as Cubmaster. In the past, sign-up night was just that--the parent came, filled out the application, paid the registration fee, and left with a "see ya next week at the first pack meeting." This year, we're having a real meeting. Parents will sit at tables by grade level, we'll watch the Cub Scout introductory video, we'll discuss program, family involvement, money, etc. I've got a couple of Boy Scouts coming to play games with the boys while the parents go over all this stuff. My DE is coming to help me with the presentation. I'm hoping everything goes well, but since we've never done with before, I have no idea what will happen. Will we get three boys or 30? Who knows? Also, for the first time, we did some low-key recruiting at a neighboring school that doesn't have a pack. We sent flyers home with their boys last week, and yesterday, in a last minute "sure, you can come over" from the principal, our senior scout exec did boy talks with the first and second graders. (I did boy talks at our home school yesterday with all grades.) We already have one little boy from the other school (he joined as a Tiger this summer), but I have no idea what kind of response to expect. This could be wonderful or awful! Please send lots of positive vibes my way and I'll let y'all know tomorrow how it went. Elizabeth

For the many folks who've been inquiring, my article about working with Scouts on the autism spectrum is finally published--in the September issue of Scouting magazine. I don't think it's up on the Web yet, but it starts on page 28 of the latest issue of Scouting. Thank you to all who helped me when I was researching and writing the article. I hope it will be helpful to pack and troop leaders. Elizabeth

My son is really excited about going. He's going to be part of the Service Corps, in administrative services. He and other Arrowmen from our lodge will be helping in the days before the conference starts, hauling things over to campus and helping to set up so that everything is ready for when everyone else arrives. (We live 15 minutes from campus.) I'm hoping that the service corps guys still get to participate in some of the events. This is probably the only NOAC he'll get to attend and I'd like it to be a good experience for him. Elizabeth

I posting this here instead of on the OA forum because that doesn't seem to get a lot of traffic. I'm just curious if anyone from these boards is going to be at NOAC at the end of the month in East Lansing, Michigan, on the Michigan State campus. Despite the fact that NOAC is local for our troop, I think my son is the only OA member in our troop (and we have 8 or 9) who is going to the conference. Elizabeth

Last night, my son's elementary school had its end of the year picnic. Lots of kids, big and small, moon bounce, DJ, hot dogs, dunk tank, fire truck, etc. A scene of fun chaos. I was in my Cubmaster's uniform, because we had a pack recruiting table at the event. I was walking around near the play equipment with my toddler daughter, and a mom came up to me. Her little boy--three years old, autistic, non-verbal--was missing. Would I help her find him? Of course I did, mobilizing my three older boys, fanning out over the grounds while the woman's sister ran up to the DJ to make a "lost child" announcement. My middle son (who is himself on the autism spectrum) found a child in a few minutes--happily bouncing in the moon bounce. Mother and toddler were reunited. Why did the woman approach me? There were plenty of adults milling about. I just figured it was because I was nearby and I also had a 3-year-old with me. My husband, however, says that it's simple: I was wearing a Scout uniform, and everyone knows that when you need help, you look for the person in uniform. What do you think? Have you had any heartwarming experiences while in uniform? Elizabeth

Trevorum--I sent them a query or pitch letter describing the article I'd like to write for them, and they gave me an assignment to write the piece. I've also written about this guy--a much longer article--for American Profile magazine. He's really cool, although I think that last year, because of increasing health problems and medical costs, he was considering selling the original flag he had made on eBay. I never heard, though, whether it sold, or for how much. I've also written a couple of other small stories for Boys' Life, and have an article on helping Scouts with Asperger's Syndrome and autism in an upcoming issue of Scouting. Elizabeth

On page 11 of the June issue of Boys' Life, there is a small article about the Boy Scout who designed our current 50-star U.S. flag (back in 1958). I wrote that article. Elizabeth

Our council is offering some recruitment incentives this spring. Every pack that recruits 5 new Tigers and every troop that recruits two new Scouts (not Webelos crossovers) gets to participate in a mid-June fishing derby at a local park and a late August fun night at our minor-league ballpark (night game, fireworks, movie on the big screen, camp out on the field, breakfast the next morning). Our pack is doing its first-ever spring Tiger recruitments in hopes of getting to do these cool things. Our troop is more lackadaisical, figuring that by August, the council will open up the ballpark event to everyone, regardless of recruitment goals. Elizabeth

This guy hasn't met my kids. My 3 boys (15, 13, 10) have chores. They feed the cats, clean the litter box, empty the trash, do laundry, set the table, dry dishes (when mom washes) pick up their rooms, haul groceries, rake leaves, babysit their little sister (age 3), and the oldest mows the lawn (the 13 year old will learn how this summer, as well, since the 15-year-old will be working at Cub Scout Day Camp and the NOAC service contingent). Even my 3 year old knows how to set the table and she helps me unload the dishwasher (of nonbreakable items). They are not always happy about what they have to do, but they do it. They do not feel like I am a slave driver, because they see how much harder I work than they do (their dad is disabled with a back injury, so he can't really help much). I have noticed, too, that my boys are the ones who leap to help a teacher who is carrying heavy boxes or to hold the door for an older couple at church. They know that things go more smoothly when everyone is contributing. Elizabeth

We had a similar situation to Don's, except we only got two new Scouts this year, and after several years in the same den, they were downright tired of always being in each other's company. Since there weren't enough new Scouts to form a NSP, my son (SPL) recommended that one boy go to each of our troop's two patrols, that way each patrol needs to step up to help bring the new boys up to speed. It's worked out really well. Elizabeth

I would agree with Beagle Scout on the knocking on doors. One boy in our pack only got two bags--and one was his own family's. His mom said they had dropped off the bags along their street, and when they went back the next Saturday, no one had put any out. When my son and I did our street, we knocked on doors so we could explain what we were doing and how it worked. If no one was home, then we just slid the bag between the screen door and front door. When we came to collect, only 2 of 9 houses had put out bags, but when we knocked on the doors, we got 6 more bags full of donations. Elizabeth

Our council had the big map at the council office where units could highlight their territories. It looked like quite a few units were planning to do it. There's a video rental place right next door to our council office, and this weekend they had a sign on their marquee: Boy Scout Food Drive this weekend. Bring in a can and get a free rental." I don't know how they did, but it was a nice promotion. I didn't want to overwhelm our boys, so I encouraged each one to just do his own street. A few boys had terrific hauls--others only got one or two bags. But every little bit helps. Our council told us we could either tally by weight or number of items. Since we didn't have a good scale, we went with a numerial tally. Elizabeth