Cubmaster-Fred

First I am sorry for the loss of your Den Leader. I agree whole heartedly with everyone on this, training, training and more training. Also get the publications as these are great resources. On the subject of crafts I also have my opinion. Remember they are boys and what you like they might not. Keep them interested. Keep it fun and they will come!!!!! Fred

First get yourself an assistant, second finish the training and third get a copy of the CS Leader Book. These will help answer most of your questions. But for now..... The denner and assistant denner are den members who are elected by the other den members to serve for a short period of time, usually a month or two. You as the Den Leader determine his responsibilities. In our Pack the denner usually helps set-up and cleanup, designs and performs an opening ceremony, and assists with other tasks as appropriate. The assistant denner usually takes over as denner when the term is up. If you would like a Den Chief contact your CM and let him know. This way he can contact the troop and get one for you. Hope this helps for now. Fred

I too agree that this has been a tragic week for scouting, and my heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones this week. While I agree that it sounds like we are concentrating too much emphasis in one area, I think the problem is we sometimes become complacent in the things we do. I too am going to emphasize safety and G2SS at next weeks RT. Fred

I took over as the Cub Roundtable Commissioner in April. The District has never had good attendance at the RT and was wondering if anyone has ideas to help me correct this. This month the meeting will be in a central place and I have informed everyone that this is not a meeting but a place to share knowledge and ideas. Am I on the right track? Fred

My Pack has designed a Pack t-shirt and we wear it on most outdoor activities. It shows who we are and the boys love to wear them. I also would never tell a boy he could not wear the uniform. We wear the uniform on all service projects. Remember to have fun and let the boys be boys. CMF

I agree. There is so much to do and earn in 12 months. Don't forget that the Pack will have many things planned for the summer months to earn the summertime award. Don't forget that during the year you will get new boys and you will have to repeat some of the Den and Go-see-it items. And remember boys like to have fun, so if you went to the Police Station go to the Fire Department. Change it up. If you make it fun, like my wife did, It will take at least 2-3 months to give the boys all the knowledge they need to earn Bobcat. And like it was stated, belt loops, belt loops, belt loops. CMF

Welcome, I would not limit myself on which boys join. Hold a recruiting carnival or roundup and see who comes. Have a fun and exciting year and watch as more and more boys come with thier friends and join. I took over a failing Pack 2 1/2 years ago and now have a thriving Pack that continues to grow. I accepted any boy who wanted to sign up, but I concentrated on keeping the younger ones involved. I now have a strong Bear and WOlf den, with dedicated leaders. A a good sized brand new TIger Den. If you make it fun, they will come!!!! CMF

A big Texas welcome for you, and remember you are never to old to have fun :-)

Michelle, I made the same assumption last year at our Pack BBQ about the Ultimate belt loop. All the boys wound up having fun, from TIgers to Webelos. I am the one who was in disbelief when I found out that Ultimate is nothing more than frisbee golf. good luck, CMF

A Big TExas welcome!!!! Just remember sometimes it's not the wind that's blowing it's just hot air! CMF

A big hellooooooo! from Texas. CMF

Welcome, and a big Texas welcome. CMF

Great news we all heard yesterday. Glad the boy is all right. CMF

Vigil, The Cubs can wear both the progress towards rank and a temporary patch. Webelos can wear both the compasss emblem and a temporary patch. The progress towards rank and compass emblem go on the button and temporary patches go on the pocket. This is IAW the inspection sheet. CMF

It does not penalize anyone. It rewards the boys who have gone the extra mile to attend as much as they could of the program. Think positively not negatively. CMF

Mike in our Pack the committee and leaders voted in a simple plan: 80% of all Den meetings, Pack meetings and Service Projects. The number sounds a bit low but we had 25 boys registered this last year and only 2 got the attendance award. Fred

I agree with most everyone here on this one. The Webelos should continue to use the Cub Scout sign and handshake and so forth. They must learn the Boy Scout items so they are prepared and ready for when they enter Boy Scouts. They are not Boy Scouts yet. I think you got bad information from council. CMF

Torveaux is on the money. Also I wouldn't have a Bobcat University. I would just ensure that the boys and parents know the requirements and let them work on it at thier pace. I would also have my Den Leaders incoperate them in to the meetings. CMF

Unc, Thanks accepted as I pass it on with my own thanks to all the other veterans past and present. CMF We are once again placing flags in the local cemetery and I will once again be able to answer all the boys questions. Don't forget that it is through them that we will all be remembered.

Welcome, and I hope you have aas much fun as I have. This is even more fun than when I was in myself. CMF

Acco is correct except for one small item. The pack must plan and conduct at least one event each of the three months. There is no attendance requirement for the Pack award. cmf

We award everything as it is earned. An award should never be held back for any reason. The boys need and deserve to be recognized as soon as possible for all the work they have done. This also instills the drive in other boys to get out and get the work done. Our BnG is a celebration, and we concentrate on that. If we have any boys earn something then it is given out at BnG. We award renk advancements all year long. IMHO holding back any award is just plain wrong. CMF

Den Chiefs are a great asset for any pack to have. I currently have 2, the troop in town is very small. The boys in the Dens have taken a shine to them and the Scouts are enjoying helping the DL and the boys. Ensure you utilize thier knowledge and even have the DL give them assignments to accomplish. I also make them responsible for certain things at the pack meetings. CMF Its Me: as long as they are in Cub Scouting they must be called a Den and have a denner. All references to patrols are for Boy Scouts. My Webelos are the Jaguar Den, and will become the Jaguar Patrol in 10 months.

Big hello from Texas, and welcome back after all these years. Guess scouting never gets out of your blood. CMF

Welcome from Texas! CMF