Hello Im Debby from Illinois

[DebbyMomX4]

Hello i'm Debby from Illinois. My son is a scout and I am a busy mom who is still learning the ropes and trying to figure all this out so that i can get behind him with support and encouragement now that scouting is getting more serious.

 

[prof]

Debby,

Welcome to the virtual campfire!

Steve

[printman31]

Hello i'm Debby from Illinois. My son is a scout and I am a busy mom who is still learning the ropes and trying to figure all this out so that i can get behind him with support and encouragement now that scouting is getting more serious.

 

Debbie first let me welcome you to the board.

second, let me send you my condolences for living in the socialist republic of Illinois

 

Third & most importantly. I highly recommend you do a few things to help your scout. I tell all of my scouts parents that they should go do the free online youth protection training. This lets the parents know exactly what the BSA policy is in this category & then the parent is more aware of any possible problems that may arise. You should also attend committee meetings. They aren't a private meeting for scout leaders. Parents are supposed to be welcomed & invited. Unfortunately most parents aren't told when the meetings are.so if that info isn't being given freely, ASK for it. Let your child progress at his own rate. If he wishes to advance at high rate. Just give him the ball & let him run with it.

 

[Bob White]

Welcome Debby

 

Sorry Printman31, someone gave you some incorrect info. Unit committee meetings are not public meetings and parents are not automatically invited nor must they be allowed to attend. While I agree that most parents would be welcomed most of the time, it is important that people have accurate information. Committee meetings are private meetings.

 

And with the thousands of units nationwide with who knows how many units coming and going every month, I don't how how you could possibley know if most units publicize their committee meetings to the parents or not.(This message has been edited by Bob White)

[printman31]

Unit committee meetings are not public meetings and parents are not automatically invited nor must they be allowed to attend.

 

Thank you for the clarification Bob. I was informed that committee meetings were indeed open to parents. I know from this pack that they never send out emails to the parents informing them when the meetings are.Even though they say parents are welcome.I'm guessing then that the decision to open the meetings to parents is on the individual committees choice.

[kenk]

Welcome to a fellow Illinian.

 

The absolute best thing you can do to understand Scouting is to read his Handbook carefully from front to back. You don't mention what level of Scouts your son is in (Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, Boy), but regardless, the respective Handbooks are PACKED with information about how his level of Scouting works.

 

If he hasn't already, I'd have the very same recommendation for your son. Too many Scouts don't read enough of their Handbooks.

 

Oh, and Scouting shouldn't be too serious - it should be lots of fun mixed with a wealth of learning and experiences.

 

Ken

[packsaddle]

Welcome to the forums Debbie,

You'll notice quickly that there are many opinions, diverse ones, expressed in these forums. Keep your grains of salt handy.

 

Our unit committee meetings are open to any members of the unit, not that anyone really cares. We'd be delighted to see that kind of interest in the parents and we'd probably have volunteer applications ready and waiting.

I guess we'd welcome the public as well although I have no idea why anyone else would want to attend. But they'd probably be especially welcome if they brought snacks and other refreshments, hint, hint.