BrentAllen

When I joined our Pack 2 years ago, we had a "waist-up" uniform policy. Very few adults wore any part of the uniform. I came in as an ADL, and wore the complete uniform. My son (started as a Wolf) did the same. A year later, I was asked to be Asst. Cubmaster. At that time, I very tactfully pointed out official BSA policy: "Uniform parts should not be worn separately or with civilian clothing. The entire uniform should be worn or not at all. The pack does not have the authority to make changes the the uniform." We decided to go to a full uniform policy, and have had great success. We perform a quick inspection at each Pack meeting (1 point each for hat, shirt, pants, socks, neckerchief, belt...) and the Den with the highest % wins a $2 Brusters Ice Cream card per member. Believe me, they want to win those cards!

I'll present a true case in support of training - I'd even say mandatory training, though I am sensitive to Bob's comments. We had two Wolf Dens start this school year with 10 boys each. Both Dens had a DL and an ADL. In Den A, both leaders attended and completed training. In Den B, neither leader attended any training. At our last Pack meeting (skit night, always popular), Den A had 9 of 10 boys present. Den B had 2 boys present, and at last report, only had 5 of the 10 still active at all. There are other factors involved here, but a lot of them could also be traced back to training. If not mandatory, then it should be very strongly encouraged.

Thanks for all the great information! Since it sounds like I should be able to attend, I'm going to send in my "Interest Form" today and start making plans to shift gears from Camp Perry to Camp Woodruff! Now I'm going to try to talk some of our other leaders into attending as well.

Bob White, That is very interesting - here in the Atlanta Area Council, we are instructed to send in an "Interest Form". The last paragraph of our instructions reads as follows: A REMINDER: Participatio in Wood Badge is by INVITATION ONLY. You will receive an Invitation Letter after your qualifications are verified. Invitations will be mailed beginningin May 2004. Participants should not consider their participation as recognition for past performance, but rather as an opportunity for greater service. I'm new to this, so I don't know whether everyone who requests an invitation (and is qualified) gets one or not. Sounds like other councils are doing things differently. I'm not complaining, just learning. :-)

FOG, If we are going to look like any branch of the military, I prefer the Marines! I don't care for the Army's light green shirts at all. The Marines do wear a different shade of green pants, and a tan/khaki belt instead of green, but we are pretty close. Hey, we could go Navy and wear all white! How about some Dress Blues for COHs! We already have the campaign hats (covers).

Padre, Well, I'm not looking for an ego trip, just some good advanced leader training. If I get invited to go, I would end up exchanging one week away from the family with another, so it is a wash. My son is 8 and my daughter is almost 5. Since they have been born, I have spent one week away from them in their entire lives, last summer. My wife and I believe in taking them wherever we go, and our vacations are usually built around them - Disney World, that sort of thing. We have been saving up for our "trip of a lifetime" this year - 3 weeks in southern Africa. Later in the summer, I am scheduled to take our state Junior High Power Rifle team to the National Rifle Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio. This is usually a family trip as well, but this year the matches conflict with my wife's teaching schedule. So I can either go to the Nationals by myself or go to WB. I'm getting away from the rifle team and more into Scouting, mainly because, as a leader, you can have so much more influence with the boys in Scouting. I was very fortunate to have a fantastic SM as I grew up in Scouting. He was a tremendous influence to nearly all of us. One of my scout mates, Frank, went on to become a Pastor, and he wrote a sermon about how our SM turned him around when he started heading down the wrong path as a youth. The SM did this just through strong will power - no threats or intimidation - just will power. I may post that sermon some time - it really shows the lifetime gift of scouting. I, like Frank, feel the best way to "give back" to our SM is to pass on what he taught us - to help other boys have the same positive experiences we did. That is the main reason I want to get into adult leadership - to give back some of what was given to me. My SM took WB way back, probably in the 70's. He speaks very highly of it, and I value his opinion, as you can imagine.

Bob - thanks for the info on the training. I just checked our schedule, and I will have an opportunity in May to take the Cubmaster training I need, well before Wood Badge. OldGreyEagle - RE: FOG - they didn't get rid of "Cheerful" in the Scout Law, did they? :-)

I'm considering taking Wood Badge now, as a leader in our Cub Scout Pack. I've had some local Scout Masters suggest I should wait and take Wood Badge when I'm involved with Boy Scouts. Is there a real difference in Wood Badge now, based on whether you are a Cub Scout leader or Boy Scout leader? Since this is my first post here, I'll give a little back ground. I grew up in Scouts, reached Life before getting out. My son started Cub Scouts back in the fall, working on Wolf. I volunteered as Asst. Den Leader. I've had a lot of fun, maybe more than my son! The CubMaster asked me last week if I would be Asst. CubMaster next year, with the plan to be CubMaster the year after that. I have accepted and am very excited about it. My only concern about Wood Badge is if I would be missing something better down the road if I go ahead and take it now. Are those who are suggesting I wait thinking about the old courses? Thanks. Brent Allen