Tampa Turtle

I was afraid that is what you meant for book work. I was lucky and had a mom co-leader. She did the crafty stuff and I did the "scouty" stuff. I started adding short hikes in the park, using the compass, etc, etc especially in the group. I think BSA has too much school work as it is and you want to whet the appetite of the boys who would be good Boy Scout candidates. In my final Webelos den it caused one late bloomer to get real excited about camping and crossing over. I lost a couple who really weren't all that interested in anything outdoors but they were good boys who had other interests they were really into. I'd trust your instincts and do the fun stuff. Lash catapults. water rockets, obstacle courses, games they never play at school, and a campout where they do some foil packet cooking are all good fun. When my older son was trying to decide which Troop to join it wasn't based on which gave more MB's or Eagles it was the one that had the more physically challenging outdoor program. Also there are no cub scout requirement police--I will substitute a more interesting activity if it met the intent of the activity.

There is an official answer and a practical one. I guess it depends on how much one hates sewing, Officially red until they cross but 80% of the Webelos 2 guys I see with the new tan shirts have green. But yes that is incorrect and the scout store may catch you on it. We just went with green as we were going over to a Troop with the same number.

We have had some...distracting..practice hikes along the Pinellas beaches. The older boys usually give some sort alert and we struggle to manage decorum.. One hike the hike reports had differing comments on "notable things observed during the hike". The younger boys wrote "the cool dead turtle" and the older boys "the topless sunbather".

We need more info. Tiger, Wolf, Webe? Is the disgust over doing the book work or parent abuse? I had some boys who I was suspicious of parents were signing off on "completed at home" assignments that never took place. I was advised by older hands that playing the "gotcha police" was the wrong way to go. Cub scouts is not the same as Boy Scouts in that regard though it is rather sad and pathetic. On the other hands I have seen some boys so revved up over scouts that they fly through the material. I'd hate to discourage that. We did do more outdoorsy and scouty stuff at meeting and I would sign off on the spot. In Webelos we practiced setting up and taking down some tents--that was surprisingly popular. I hate to think what some of your parents might do for the pinewood derby!

Up as well as the two neighboring Troops. 5-10%. One of those Troops got kicked out of their CO over the policy change and really didn't lose anyone.

I think the form of bullying is different in an adult-led Troop; some of the bully's are the ones good at manipulating the adults. I agree that the adults need to be there for the real hard cases--you know when you probably need to notify Council over.

We have had better luck the more boy-led we get. Boys tend to call other boys out quicker and are tougher on rule breakers and punishments.

ASD overlaps and often co-morbid with ADD and ADHD. I agree ask the parents. In my experience boys with ASD often interact WORSE with each other than "neuro-typicals".

I see some more nifty websites, cool looking logo's, T-shirts, a delay on getting any kind of handbook out (is the old Baden Powel stuff public domain) and a lot of ambiguity. I'd lilove to be a fly on the wall for liablity protection discussions. But other groups have dealt with it. I think if they do it right it will be expensive. If my boys were interested (1 Star, 1 1st Class) would their "credits" transfer over or would they have to start from scratch?

Urg! That one got to me. I have too have a 15 year old son with disabilities who loves scouts. Of all the "help" he has gotten over the years it is has been the best program for him. He is a tough guy but occasionally tells us of how much isolation and bullying he has to put up with everyday. I do not know how he endures it; I guess some don't. Some of the meanest bullies (including scouts) have been the ones who were the most intelligent, attractive, and affluent kids --the ones who already are winning life's lotteries.

All good advice. We are in same boat after a year of backsliding. I think the boys will catch on quick. It is often harder to get the adults on board...

This is a well worn topic. I agree talk with the parents and if behavior continues they need to be there. That's how I got started in my DL career...I was there to fill in for the regular DL while he dealt with my son! Seemed only fair...and he was better behaved for another dad. There will always be boys that require more work than others. That said I have had some boys where the parents were entirely in denial; I did not have much patience for that.

I have taken chairs outside to make sure I was not "behind closed doors". Within visual range of others but not in earshot.

Make a word file (or similar) Make a list of partials. Note remaining requirements Note Counselors if any. Go online and goto Meritbadge.org. Copy and paste requirements needed. Prioritize which ones to work on. (Eagle related, for example). I usually make my boys finish up the ones with just one requirement. Print Out several copies. One for you, two for him. Have him make a notebook with dividers for each MB Have some plastic sleeves for the blue cards, Have him meet with SM or ASM for advice. Have him make an ongoing appointment to discuss progress or problems. (If your Troop has Troopmaster you can print out some stuff) You get the picture. Sometimes it helps if he has a buddy working on the same MB's.

Papadaddy, in theory perhaps. What I observed locally was the CO disposed of it the way they wished; in one case keeping gear for the youth program and a local camp; in another a neighboring Troop.

We had a lot of active military participate in our pack and troop. Some actively discouraged boys from the military live style. Most were excellent MBC's and Pin instructors. I wouldn't worry too much; he should be able to leave the day job away from scouts. Obviously a great leader can inspire boys to look into a particular career; we have had that with military, computers, and police work. If a parent is uncomfortable with that they can opt out, I would note that the recruiter should get some BSA training to make sure he does it the scout way. We have had a rare problem with a macho military guy that needed a little nudging. But overall it has been very positive.

In our pack (which sold a lot) after the highly motivating prices it was 24% +/- 3%.

Sorry I am late to the discussion. I suppose there are some parts of U.S. where a large long haul vehicle would be easier but yeah the economics will be very hard to work for most people. (and I used to be in the transit business). In transit the reason for larger buses is that the major cost driver is the salary and benefits of the driver not so much the hardware. That is why it is often cheaper to operate one large bus even if it is not full over two smaller buses. With adult scout drivers volunteering I do not see as much of an advantage. But obviously if you get things cheap enough and you have expert helpers it could work for a few individuals. But once someone leaves the Troop it might leave the Troop with a burden IMHO. My main objection is that it easier to get into a lot of places with smaller vehicles (even a 15-16 passenger bus) than a big boy. I think once you use the bigger one you start limiting yourself.

I had a 20 cub Tiger Den the first time out. BIG mistake even with a ADL. As for the numbers have them keep them and just recycle when they age out after Webelos (or to what we Heretics did let them have Webelo Patrol names).

So sad. He took the time when I was a newbie to send me some good campout ideas in my part of Florida. He was in the area a while back and he wanted to swing by my Troop--we just couldn't hook up. I always wanted to meet him but always thought there was more time.

Here goes. I hope my comment doesn't evaporate in the ether. I think: (1) If a boy is consistently "mean" than that is an issue that needs to be addressed--I would advocate a Troop "time out". (2) Parents need to be upfront and part of the team; helping out the Troop as much as possible. I understand how tempting it may be to "dump and run" when you are emotionally exhausted with some of these kids. (3) Scouters need to be patient with the fact that some boys will be slower getting their skills up to speed than average. So they have to wait an extra year for the big trip? Happened with mine but now they practiced the skills better than average once they got them. (4) Incorporating some difficult scout training into the Scoutmaster training would be helpful but even I would balk at an additional requirement. Better yet to develop some better support materials and point people to them.

I thought it was me. I it is very hard to use; I guess we are all going through withdrawal. I am getting more done online though! Actually Terry, good luck on getting this fixed. This is beyond my limited mental ability.

Welcome aboard. Yeah dont take it personal (easily said). I agree...let the CM handle it. Concentrate on having the boys taht do show up have fun. If and when the kid shows up welcome in--dont hold your breath when he doesn't show up. I had this happen too.

Mom, Some good advice (except for the Riot Act). I see several issues: (1) Kid seems like classic ADD and probably some other issues like poor Executive Functioning (Organization). That can probably be solved with the pairing with an older mentor. I would have the SPL delegate some guys for that. I would have them rotate so they are not burdened. Gotta get him over the pull up requirement. Find something he is good at (must be SOMETHING) and have him do it. (2) Bear in mind that a lot of boys with dissablities act like they are a year or two younger in maturity. May also have coordination problems as well. (3) You must talk to the parents and have them talk to you about the boy. You are on the same team and want what is best for him BUT you have responsbilities for the rest of the boys as well. They gotta come clean if he has a history/diagnosis. Explain if he needs a lot of extra oversight than one of the parents needs to step up and help out more with the Troop: ASM, Committee, fundraising. To me the parent meeting is the first crucial decison point. You need to know what is going on. If they are in denial, or are just figuring out . If they want you to commit than they need to commit. If they want to work things out I would make the effort, if they don't it is not your responsiblity. I am a parent of special needs boys and unless you have been there is a mountain of issues everywhere that you have to deal with. So a good parent, however exhausted, should try to be clear with you which increases a good outcome. For example for a while I had to attend every high adventure type activity or long trip "just in case" my son acted out. Almost never needed to be there but it helped the leaders. My son has now matured and I no longer need to be along but he had to prove it. I have been frustrated by parents who, because of privacy, never level with you. Every year when the parents hand over the medications for summer camp I look at the drugs with certain boys and think "that explains a lot". I wish they had leveled with me. (4) Boy may just hate camping and scouts. That is the second decision point. I think it can be great for a boy like this and is worth the effort BUT if he has something else he is passionate about (Hockey, LEGO Laque, whatever) than he should do that. Any boy has a right to dislike an activity. My folks made me play baseball and I detested it. I quit as soon as they let me--which was several years. I really wanted to joing scouts. (5) Make sure there is no bullying going on. I have seen that explain this behavior on one occasion. But I do not see that here. It seems like every year at summer camp we have a young boy with issues that takes up a huge amount of time. Half the time the kid drops out. The other half they hang in, stay behind for 2 years or so, and eventually make fine scouts. That is the payoff in that you know you made a big difference.

My experience was like Bookemdano. Me and the mrs are bookworms but our boys were always outdoorsy. So we did start Tigers and went on every campout we could. I became a leader and havebeen at it now 6-7 years. If our Pack was having a Sat-Sun campout and the leaders were allowed to come out Friday night I always went out Friday night and I think my sons enjoyed that as a perk. I think when they were little they just enjoyed the time with my dad, the uniforms and trips, and trying bigger boy stuff. Then they started liking the awards and recognition and eventually the camaradrie of being in a group of lads. By that time they are in Boy Scouts. The main thing is to keep it fun and at their age level. Boys who are "camping experts" by 10 can get pretty bored with Boy Scouts. Another thing we did was make it a priority. So we bump a lot of other activities in favor of scouts. Kids figure out that you think it is important. It took a while for my younger son to get into it but now that he is a Boy Scout he finally got to be around other boys and start exhibiting natural leadership. I am a bit jealous that some of you guys are former Eagles. I never developed those skills and while it is easy to bluff them a bit as Tigers it gets harder and harder