susanc918

Our Troop uses Individual accounts and it works great. We have one fundraiser a year in the fall. All scouts must participate to help out the Troop and their accounts. The committee decides on the Troop/Scout split. It is generally 2/3 goes to the scout accounts. When outing paperwork comes out the boys can pay 3 ways. Cash, check or out of their accounts. We also allow them to purchase their own personal gear then give us a receipt for it and reimburse them. This way they take the responsibility of keeping their gear in good working order if they buy it themselves. We are an active troop that goes on outings once a month from Sept. to May and Summer Camp. The way we do our outings is we charge $10.00 for food, camping fee, and gas (depends on how far it is). We generally don't charge for gas if its an hour or less away. It has worked out for us for over 10 years. I know my son's would not have been able to go on some of the outings if it had not been for the scout accounts.

Have an adult Patrol on outings. We had in the past a helicopter parents that would even make his son's sandwiches! I remember the first time I went on an outing with my oldest son and the SM came over and gently told me that this was not cub scouts and to step away. Me being a Mom was so used to doing the things my son is going to learn that I hadn't even realized I was doing it. It was actually really nice for a change not to have to do the cooking! So every once in a while when I wondered over there you can bet the SM was watching me and gently reminding me to step away. Then I started seeing it with other parents in the Troop. By now I was on the Troop committee and suggested to form our own Adult Patrol. I pointed out that how are the boys going to learn if we keep stepping in there. Besides our rule at the time was to eat with our son's patrols and adults were allowed to eat first. After I suggested we could eat better since the guys didn't have the cooking skills yet and we always got the uncooked or burned stuff the adults all agreed to try it. That was 5 years ago...We have little or no helicopter parents since they now enjoy the good eats and the wonderful fire we make!

Hi, My son is a Webelos 2 this year but would like to contribute if it would help. I think this is a wonderful idea. Our Pack is from Flushing, MI (just west of Flint). So if you would like you could write to us.

I have a Boy Scout who is working on his Eagle. It has been frustrating at times like you are talking to a brick wall. My son is now a senior working on his Eagle. I really didn't want him to do it this late but sometimes they are not ready. You can try to get other leaders to talk to your son. Sometimes its eaiser if its not coming from a parent. Some boys are not leaders and may not want to get their Eagle. Scouting is a great program and should be a fun & rewarding for the Scout as it is for the parent. I know you may be disappointed that he doesn't make Eagle but that is his choice. Does you son want to go to college? If he has his mind set on it then being able to put down that he is an Eagle Scout should motivate him to do it. What hobbies does he like? Instead of nagging him help him find a project thats right for him. Don't tell him how to do the project because that his job. You can assist by helping him find one he would like to do. Try and find one that's not a lot of work. Contact your city, schools or churchs. My son finally found a project that won't take a long time to do. He should be able to finish in a weekend. Meanwhile, I am proud of him whatever he does. I hope this helps.