wickjr

Stosh, it sounds like you have the same arrangement we do. Our boys work the dinners around the holidays for feeding the homeless and such. As they should as scouts. Community service should be a big part of scouting with no expectation of anything in return. I know a few troops in our area who get a large amount of contributions from their CO, and many more who do not. We find a way to make the funds we earn through fundraising and dues cover everything (well most everything). I was just curious on how common our situation is.

While I've not read every response on this thread, the one thing I see missing is any Charter Org help as far as finances go. Our Charter Org doesn't give us any funds at all. In fact, they frown upon us even trying to sell popcorn or anything to the congregation(it's a church). Are we alone in this? It seems from the breakdowns I have read that this is pretty common. I just assumed our charter org was less involved than most.

But to the topic...I guess we should just do something low key so it doesn't seem like we are saying goodbye. Maybe a reflection period and informing him we will be covering his adult training if he wants to stay. Thanks for the recommendations. Any others are welcome.

I understand your concerns, Deaf Scouter, but all of that has been considered. We won't scar the young man. He knows the troop will welcome his help as an adult with open arms. In no way are we pushing him away.

We have batted around the idea of a roast. That may be our best option.

He has been an Eagle for a couple years now, so his ECOH is long past. Unfortunately he turns 18 in February and our next COH is April, which I fear will be too late to send him off properly. There is really no doubt that he will stay on as an adult leader. The idea of paying for his ASM training is a good one. To be honest, I'd like to see him step away from scouting for a little bit and see what else is out there for him. Scouting has been his entire life outside of school.

Our troop has an Eagle Scout who turns 18 soon. He has been involved in everything possible since joining the troop. From being a Den Chief to Senior Patrol Leader and now Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. We are looking for a way to honor this young man to show him how much we appreciate him and how proud we are of his accomplishments. Does anyone have any ideas on how to do this?

As a "double dipper"....I am a Webelos den leader and a commitee member with the troop...I have seen scouting now from both the cub scout and boy scout side of things. One piece of advice I would give is to get to know the Scoutmasters in the troops that your boys are likely to bridge into. Some troops do things a little differently than others, and knowing what the boys can expect as they become boy scouts may help you with how you run your program. When my oldest son bridged from the pack to the troop, it was a major change. I'm sure it always is, but his Webelos leader hadn't prepared him or me for what to expect since he really didn't know himself. Then the new boys jump right in to the middle of a scout year already in progress. Be sure to introduce the patrol method at least to make the boys aware of how it works. Remember, they aren't cub scouts anymore...but not quite boy scouts either.

Great thread! I wish I knew of this forum when I started last year. My first piece of advice would be to establish a relationship with the other den leaders in your pack....especially those of older dens than yours. They have been there, done that. Learn from their mistakes and then pass your own lessons to the guy coming up behind you. Get to know the parents. Find out their strengths and talents, and get them involved immediately. Not all will want to be up in front of the group, but they can help in some capacity. Don't be too proud to scrap a meeting plan. Sometimes the best laid plans give the worst results. If the boys are bored or restless there's no shame in breaking out and just playing a game. Get outside! Its been said already, but most people hear "scouts" and think camping, fishing, hiking....not craft time.