Anita1216

I would image pony beads? That's usually what the kids get at Day Camp at each activity. Even those tri beads would be good, you know those ones that kind of nest? http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/321683320178?lpid=82&chn=ps This seems like a good deal too, then they kind of get to pick their bead- http://www.walmart.com/ip/25388937?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227018175097&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=42972668192&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=81464981552&veh=sem

I like the necklace idea. Everyone loves wearing beads and is a great topic piece for other leaders- "Why do you have those beads?" or "Where did you get those beads?". Great idea! Like you, we don't typically meet jointly. We have a beginning meeting with everyone to discuss Council events and such then we break out. BS side does what they do and we do what we do which is usually a discussion and maybe some reading materials that go along with the discussion. I like the guest visitor idea. It'd be a great way to advertise too how easy it is to get someone to come to a meeting and the kids get things marked off in their book.

I've been in that same boat! Someone volunteered to run a Roundtable once and it was painful. We made those colorful window hanging things and it just hurt being there. Trust me, I am all for crafts, but I can find this stuff on Pinterest, or I'd rather pass a finished product around and have her say "It was super simple- you just need blah, blah and blah and it takes about 20 minutes. Our Tigers and Wolves loved it!" Or whatever she had to say. Our RT is definitely more discussion driven. We like to know what everyone is doing, where you're going, tricks on how to get parent involvement, etc, but our topics just seem to be running out!

We've tried that and it went over really well. We were actually thinking of each meeting featuring 1 adventure from each rank and ideas on how to do it, places to go, etc. Does that seem along the same lines/something you as a Scouter would feel inclined to go to to get some ideas?

We have our length down pat. A lot of fun people show up so we usually go over an hour (not by much) but it's because we get off topic or whatever. There has not been 1 complaint about the length of the meeting, only how the content is getting old, which is why we're trying to revitalize the topics and bring some new ones in.

That's usually why it seems after each topic there's an open discussion. It goes over well and as you mentioned, it gets the current questions answered because the question can't wait a month or however long.

From what we can tell, no one feels that way. We have regular people that show up but once their child moves onto Boy Scouts they start going to the Boy Scout breakout session. So there's a natural loss of people just because Cub Scouts is no longer needed. Some of the activities you mentioned were good ideas but seem more like the boys are there to do it. Did your RT have the actual Cubs come along too?

Our Roundtables are definitely short and sweet and used to be full of opinions and ideas but since the topics have been used over and over again, it's sometimes a drag. My sister and I attend Roundtable monthly (except in October when they review rechartering) and even though it can be a drag, we still go because we want to be there. It's hard to find more than 10 people who want to be there and want to actually engage in a really good Scouting conversation. BSA does have ideas to follow and not to 'bash' the BSA (because trust me, I love them) they can get so boring. It's not what people want to talk about. Some of our topics in the past have been about skits and songs, networking (where we basically said here's what you come to me for if you need help. If you need help doing this, definitely go here, etc), campfire programs, Blue and Gold, etc. After each topic is over there's usually an open discussion and that gets 1 or 2 people talking because they have a question or want an opinion. I like the open discussion but when it's the same people, you run out of topics to openly discuss! We're trying so hard to think of ways to revitalize it because we think it is a great tool. When we first signed up to be leaders, we relied so much on Roundtable and what it had to offer. Almost 5 years later, we have everything down to a science and don't have questions nor does anyone else!

My sister and I agreed last night to take over the Cub Scout Roundtable break out session. We feel like we've done all the topics known to man and are looking for some topic ideas. We know some topics will naturally come up with the new program but we obviously need to plan ahead. Any ideas? We are also trying to get more leaders to come to Roundtable. Our district has the highest attendance in the Council but it feels like it's always the same people. I know there's a common misconception that RT is for Committee Chairs and Cubmasters only, but that's not true. Our topics benefit everyone. Any ideas on advertising Roundtable and entice people to come?

There are 9 Webelos 2, 13 Webelos 1 (our group), 6 Bears, 6 Wolves, and 6 Tigers. It's a shame because they have fun when someone is running the meeting and I don't understand why a parent doesn't observe this and say something.. I know everyone is busy, trust me I know all about that, but to not step up and let this be taken away from your child... It's sad.

Unfortunately we did try this and we had no success. Maybe if we got a new group of kids in addition to the current ones some of those parents would step forward but all these parents just look at us like we're crazy for even asking. These parents won't even come to Committee Meetings or anything. We're hoping that if we still don't have a leader but recruit more kids maybe this eventually will be a success but as of right now, the parents just aren't motivated enough.

We actually did do this! It worked great with the parents my sister and I have in our group and the 2 groups above us. The Tigers, Wolves, and Bears... not so much. We didn't do the point system though because sometimes we can't reply on the same parent coming to meetings, etc. We also tried a sign up and saying "Okay, let's make this a group effort because we can't run all these groups alone.." and all the parents just sat there and offered nothing.

I'm sure this has been posted here before and I apologize for reposting if it has been... But here's my Pack's situation. We are a thriving Pack and have changed the Pack so much over the past 5 years. Our Cubmaster (who has been CM for 5 years) is leaving in February when his son goes to Boy Scouts and I am taking over. His Webelos 2 Den Leader/Unofficial Asst. CM is also leaving with his son. Now we've expected this as I'm sure many Packs do. But our Webelos 2 Den Leader's wife is the Wolf leader and she's leaving on not-so-good terms. AND our Tiger leader just quit because he's moving (he was a past Venturer and took on the role). Now it's myself, my sister, and another mom who has been our third musketeer and is awesome! So now we have to find a Tiger and Wolf leader. Then next school year, a Tiger leader again (Since the Tigers and Wolves will then be Wolves and Bears). Does anyone have any tips on recruiting adult leaders? We've approached a mother who seemed interested and actually said she was. And when we approached her and offered to help her wean into it she said "No." and walked away and that was that. We have tried many different approaches in the past to recruiting leaders and it's really difficult for us. We can get the boys but not the parents. Also, does or did anyone have this problem? I'm sure it's a common problem but it'd be helpful to know we're not alone here!

Cubmaster 205, I've e-mailed the ceremony along to you.

We always hold our AOL ceremony inside and we have great success. One of my Wood Badge tickets when I did Wood Badge was to do the AOL ceremony for 2014 (where my oldest nephew was crossing over into Boy Scouts). I actually wrote my script myself. I was rather close to most of the boys in the group and my oldest nephew and I are extremely close. I was bawling, I had parents bawling, and I had the audience bawling. I basically rewrote the Bobcatting ceremony and we did the facepainting again. It fit this group well because they all talked about how much they did not like having their face painted when they joined, so they left with the same colors! Although they were not head over heels about being painted again, they all had a giant smile on their face and I think it made the ceremony relatable, especially to those who were Bobcatted not too long ago. I've tried to upload my ceremony but it's invalid? If you'd like I can send it to you, or I can post it here..? It may not suit you 100% but it may spark some thoughts or you might find that you want to write your own. I wasn't a fan of any of the ceremonies out there personally, that's why I ended up writing my own, and it was a great success. The leader actually asked me for a copy because he loved it so much.

I do remember learning about that in my Wood Badge presentation I had to do during the second weekend. But of course, I knew nothing about it when I was of the age and I don't think there were any in my area, or at least that my parents would drive me too!

I went in completely blind, had no heads up, and didn't prepare at all (besides for any kind of weather) and I think that's what made it that much more fun. But I would recommend showing up ready to embrace whatever critter you get (Go Beavers ) and with a good spirit. You don't want to be the dud that brings your Patrol down. Definitely bring your speaking voice and be ready to play games and get to know a group of people that will forever be your family. I agree with T2Eagle in the fact that it isn't for everyone but go in with the spirit that you will love every second of it. I went in scared but excited and I came out on top of the world. And I met amazing people along the way and networked with incredible people! So I suppose that would be another tip... Come knowing what you're good at because when you're sitting with your patrol around the fire or with anyone really, you will get talking about Scouts and they'll mention how they need to find an engineer or someone that does photography or something like that. It's a great time to share who you are, help people out and get the love right back. Have fun! I was just thinking today that Wood Badge (I was in C4-463-12) was the most amazing thing I could have ever done for myself as a person, a Scouter, and a leader.

If your group is shy (like my group was when they were Tigers), this is always a simple one that involves little speaking.. Required: 4 to 8 scouts chairs or a bench Preparation: Line chairs up in a row facing audience. Scouts sit on chairs. Script: All scouts sit on chairs and cross right leg over left and right arm over left and stretch out like they are resting. Scout on end: (to the scout next to him) Is it time yet? (each scout passes the question down the line to the end) Scout on far end: Nope. (each scout passes the reply back up the line to the end) (wait a few seconds) Scout on end: Is it time yet? (pass it down) Scout on far end: Nope. (pass it back) (repeat a couple times) Scout on end: (to the scout next to him) Is it time yet? (each scout passes the question down the line to the end) Scout on far end: Yep, its time. (each scout passes the reply back up the line to the end) When the reply reaches the end, all scouts stretch, yawn, switch their arms and legs and go back to sleep.

I'm going to have to agree with many of the other posts, focus on the boys! There are lots of resources around to help you with training and to get ideas and to NETWORK. Networking (to me) is such a big and crucial thing. A great place to network would be a local University of Scouting or Roundtable or even training! It took myself about 2 years to really get to know others in the Scouting community and when I started I dove right in. A year into Cub Scouts my sister and I were being Wood Badge trained, Rangemaster trained, BALOO/OWL, etc. And by doing all of that, we met some great people along the way and many have helped us many many times. By networking it can help you with some of your concern such as your PWD coming up. A local Pack might be willing to let you borrow their track and help run your PWD so you can get your feet wet (we actually let Girl Scouts borrow our track since they wanted to put on a district PWD for GS). Also, Blue & Gold is not a deadline for ranks. I'm not sure when your Scouting year begins and ends but ours starts when school ends (June) and ends the following year at the same time, then the next rank begins. If kids don't earn their rank by our Blue & Gold, then they have until June and if they earn their rank they are awarded at our Annual Crossover in June. And no one says you HAVE to earn rank. If the kids are having fun, that's really all that matters. Recruitment is another big thing because (as I'm sure you are 100% aware) you can't do it alone, or a few of you can't do it alone. You need committed parents, other leaders, and maybe even a committee to handle the PWD or B&G for you so you don't have to do it yourself. Recruitment isn't always easy but if you can get into your school to do a Boy Talk, that could be very beneficial to you.

Oh! I almost forgot... I'm also an ex-Girl Scout. I was involved with Girl Scouts for about 6 years. And I wish Venturing was around/I was aware of it earlier because I would have loved to be involved in Venturing!!

Welcome! You sound like my sister and I. We wear many hats and some are unofficial hats. We love and believe in this program so much, I'm willing to do almost anything.

Hello! My name is Anita and I'm a Webelos 1 leader for my Pack along with Advancement Chair and a Unit Commissioner Reserve for the Council. I am a proud Wood Badge bead holder as I was part of C4-463-12 put on the Greater Western Reserve Council in 2012. I was one of the youngest Scouters that they've seen go through Wood Badge as I was a 20 at the time. And I started as a leader with the Pack when I was 18 years old (now currently 23). Unlike the typical Leader, I did not begin in Cub Scouts due to any my own children since I didn't have any (Although I am now a proud mother to an adorable 7-1/2 month old future Cub Scout!). I have 4 nephews and at the time my oldest nephew (who is now a Boy Scout) was a Bear and his younger brother was beginning Scouts. My sister decided she wanted to be a leader (since she wishes she did with her older son) and me (fresh out of high school and starting college) mentioned "I wish there was an assistant position! I'd totally help." and she told me "Well, I think there actually is, I'll find out"... And it's all history from there! Our core leaders in our Pack are awesome and we did a complete 360 with this Pack. It's amazing to see what we've managed to do in such a small amount of time. And after our Blue & Gold ceremony in February, I will be taking over as Cubmaster! I'm super excited to have found this forum! I'm hoping I can help with ideas, get some ideas and have some help in some areas as I start moving around the forum