cubbingcarol

And don't forget about your state badge. My guys are working on the Texas Badge. I'm sure every state must have one. A while back someone said something about Michigan having one so I assume (taking a risk there) that the other states have one as well. Carol

What about other items to donate, specifically clothing. Does anyone know about any organizations that would take used clothing? I too am unable to donate money at the time, but with 4 kids I always have good used clothing. Plus, this would be a great 'good turn' for our pack, even if it would not be for America. Carol

I've got goosebumps!!! Oh man, what a son to be proud of, but if he acts that way now then I'm sure his parents are the same way more than likely. Not to mention the values he has picked up during his Scouting career. Carol

You are absolutely right. When I asked some co-workers what today was they answered, Tuesday. How sad. I am relatively young (31) but my mother who was about 5 at the time tells me stories of her experiences from that time which so vividly bring them to life for me that I almost feel a connection to that time. I had 4 great uncles who fought in that war (my grandfather was deferred due to a back problem but worked for the railroad 16 hours a day). And being a nurse at a nursing home I am reminded how many we are losing. Thank you for reminding all of us on the forum, too bad we have to remind anyone. Carol

Did anyone else catch what Merlyn said "That's why I also contact various state ACLUs. The Southern California ACLU is very interested that there are 550 public schools in that state that unlawfully charter Packs and Troops" Is this a witch hunt? Carol

I agree with fotoscout and eagleinky, I finished Tigers last year with 3 out of 7 boys. Only 3 stayed in for Wolves (my son and a set of twins that did not even come to meetings after November during the Tiger cub year). We have since signed up 5 more boys for a total of 8 and all but one of them are active and faithful. Even those twins are faithful and have really blossomed! Tigers are a great concept but things don't always work out as great as the concept itself. JMHO, Carol

Of course, I'm always happy to have another Texan join in. Never can have too many of us, esp. when we have to deal with those New Yorkers Carol

I am an American. My family has had many to serve our great country. My husband retired from the service of our great country. We live in the most wonderful country of all. Why is it the most wonderful country of all? Because we can have our own opinions and voice them without fear of retribution. Because we can make our own choices. Because we can have these petty arguements online and not fear government involvement. Just because someone believes something different than me does not disqualify them from being an American too. But the great thing about America is that I don't HAVE to believe or agree with what they do. That is my hard fought, hard won right. But on the flip side, I should not try to infringe my beliefs on others. Do not belittle people for believing what they do. Just let others know your stance and remember that everyone has their own. How boring it would be if everyone acted like everyone else and never constructively argued anything. The key word being constructively. If I have offended anyone I am truly sorry. I always was an optimist and can't stand for anyone to have hurt feelings and not try to do something. Let's all agree to disagree on politics. Carol

Very interesting questions, Unc. I wonder what the facts will state. And when I say facts, I don't mean one person's view of them, but black and white with official seals in place kind of facts. Carol

This goes on the other list... 1. A new house with enough bedrooms and bathrooms for a family of 6 OR 2. New tile in the kitchen and the carpet gone from the boys bedroom and the living room OR 3. The winning Mega lottery ticket!!!!!!!!! Oh please Santa!! I've been very good! Carol

But how many times in the last 2 years have you seen anyone from council or district at one of your functions (invited or just showed up)?

Just curious, how often has a District or Council exec. come to any function (whether invited or just showed up) of your Pack or Troop? Do they come to your Blue and Gold's if invited? I'll tell you about ours after I hear from others. Carol

Well, I think you have to look at this in 2 ways. 1. If your involved with Cub scout age boys, then you obviously have to "scout" at home. With Boy scout ages then that is different since it is much more boy oriented. 2. Scouting is not sports. It is something that is lived, every minute of every day. The values we try to instill in the boys do not turn off when they leave the meeting. When will a boy use the game plays he learned during ball practice 10 years down the line if he is not a professional player. The values last a lifetime. That's my 1 cent worth (I'm cheap ) Carol

BW, Who said anything about defeat? We have great success with taking the pics down to the paper and them getting them in. Yea, it might take 3 minutes to drive downtown and talk to them but I figure I can spare that time. And as far as using resources that would go elsewhere, what do you mean? It costs nothing to get into the paper or on the radio station here in town (we have no TV station). And our program never suffers, we take the pictures for our own scrapbook anyway. And who said anything about our approach not being effective? Why regard the way we do PR as a failure or ineffective, is there a law or rule in BSA that says we can not do our own PR? Just curious?! Carol

BW, while in a perfect world or a perfect council your ideas on PR would be the ticket. In our neck of the woods it just does not apply. Our council office is located 115 miles away from us. It is in a city (some would call it a town) of 120,000 people. Our little town on the other hand, barely has 6,000 people. Our DE lives in a different town located 90 miles away. In the city of our council office, they have a daily newspaper. Do you know how often our entire community is featured in it? Only about once a month, and that is only if something extrodinarely bad or good has happened. Our little newspaper comes out 3 times a week. If we didn't take the pictures with the story down there ourselves, our little pack of 32 boys (only pack in town) would never be recognized by the paper. The last time an article or picture of one of the boys from the only troop in town was in the paper was 2 years ago. Obviously, they (anyone connected with the troop) haven't bothered to do as we do and take it the paper. We want our boys recognized, not only for their achievements, but also for their public service. Besides, the boys get such a kick out of seeing their picture in the paper. Just letting you know how the other side has to get it done. Carol

I am the mother of 2 boys and 2 girls. While I support women's rights to a point I DO NOT believe that girls should be allowed in CS ever! JMHO. Carol

Count me in on it. No pun intended. Can't wait to go vote when I take my little one to preschool. You would be surprised at the amount of people who don't vote. At the little nursing home where I work there are several people who don't vote at all. How sad. I couldn't wait until I turned 18 just to vote. America is awesome!!!! I want to keep it that way! Carol

I believe what Dan was trying to say is don't assume that he has problems before you call to verify his Eagle status. JMHO, Carol

I am a nurse and have worked at the nursing home for the past 9 years. Before that worked at the hospital for nearly 5 years. Thankfully I only work about 30 hours a week because 4 kids are a handful. Carol

God Bless you Troop 53 and all the other packs and troops out there that take time to remember the men and women out there, anywhere, far from home and loved ones, defending our GREAT nation. May God bless our service men and women and their loved ones as well. Carol

Depending on the size of your unit, your husband may have lots of support already. If that is the case, moral support and lots and lots of encouragement are essential. If you are in the same size boat as we are (collapsible dingy ) we don't have all the commitees and volunteers to do each job. They come down to my husband (and eventually roll on down to me sometimes). He delegates what he can but picks up all the rest. There are times that I have to remind him about his family. Not that he forgets (although when you have 4 children it's tempting sometimes), but Scouting can be all consuming if you don't learn how to balance it with everything else. It is also helpful to be somewhat knowledgeable about Scouting to be able to answer questions that others just can't wait for your husband to get home and answer. I've cracked open the leader how to book so many times I've gotten a hernia lifting it. And remember to tell him how proud you are of him for this noble role he has undertaken. Best of Luck, Carol wife of a Cub master

I agree! Some people in this day and time are too concerned about giving their children all their own choices. Hello?! They are children, not small adults. I keep telling my oldest DD (16) that until she moves out on her own it's mine and my husband's way or no way. End of story. Carol

We save the face painting ceremonies for rank advancement. It is just one more incentive to earn them. They love it. Carol

Too bad we didn't know about this sooner. But we will make plans to attend next year, it sounds so cool. It will be a long drive for us (7-8 hours) but it looks to be well worth it. Let us know how it goes. Thanks for the info! Carol

For the 15-pack box of "Unbelievable Butter" it costs $12 this year. For the 18-pack of Kettle corn it is $20. Carol