Originally Posted By ajnhollysmommy Andrew wants to be in Cub Scouts. He is a 1st grader so I guess he would be a Tiger Scout. I have only heard very negative things about the Boy Scouts from my one friend. But she is the type of person who is negative about everything, so I usually ignore her LOL She said it is really expensive and you have to buy the full uniform only from the scouts and so on Anyone have any better information for me? This is new territory for me. Hubby and my Dad were both Cub Scouts but things have changed since then
Originally Posted By nevadarebel just a question, is this through the school or church? Reason I am asking will show as follows and I don't mean this to upset any certain religous groups nor am I angry at the religion, so please take that into mind when you read this.. My son wanted to go to cub scouts so I started to inquire around to see where there were troops. Our neighbors across the street and I were talking and they said that they had cub scouts through their church (which I did not attend). I had them get me the information and he started going. Right off the bat, I never felt comfortable and at times was ostracized because I was not a member of their church. The leaders approached me several times about attending their church and explained that we had a church that we went to and although I was not the same religion, I appreciated their offers. As time went by, we were excluded more and more and it came to and end when my son had earned 9 badges which he worked hard to get and every month at the pack meeting was told, oh, we have a new leader and they forgot to turn in his stuff. For the first couple of months I could deal with that but then 6 months went by and he still did not get any awards. The other boys received theirs but not my son. Finally on the 6th month (mind you, we had been in this pack for about 16 months at this time), when he did not receive his awards and my son was in tears again, we got up and walked out and never went back. The church then began calling us and then the leaders of the pack called us to say they had gotten his awards and would like to give them to him. I explained that he would not be back and they could keep them and give them to some one else when they earned them. My son was very disappointed and had a really hard time with this because he loved the outings and going to the meetings and took pride in his cub scout uniform that he got to wear to school. I then contacted his school which did not have a troop but a friend's school did so we joined them. It was a different experience and he enjoyed it. I loved helping him earn his badges. He now is no longer in it because the school discontinued the program and I did not try again. The program is a great thing if it has good leadership and support. I would recommend it to anyone and did not let the bad ruin my opinion of the scouts. Sorry this is so long...
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan Dang, I just wrote up a really long response, only to have the post not work for some reason. Here's the Reader's Digest version... I've been involved in Cub Scouting for several years now. I've been a den leader, day camp program director and am currently a Unit Commisioner. The program is great, and gives boys skills and experiences that will benefit them (and their communities) throughout their lives. What happened to nevadarebel's son is inexcusable, and that's not how good cub scout pack is run. Makes me frustrated and angry to read of those kinds of things. As to the expense of the uniform, it varies slightly depending on whether your local cub scout pack chooses to require the boy to wear the 'official' uniform pants as part of the uniform. It isn't terribly expensive, but if cost is an issue, there are often dollars available within packs or in scout councils available to help. The cost shouldn't be an impediment for a boy to be part of the program. Some of the experiences I've enjoyed with my own son in cub scouts included overnighters on the USS Hornet aircraft carrier and the USS Pampanito submarine, several camping trips, tours of everything from police stations to fire houses to bowling alleys, helping the community by singing Christmas carols at retirement homes, cleaning up parks, and collecting canned food donations for needy families in the annual Scouting for Food drive. If your son joined as a Tiger Cub (and yes, he's at that age) he'll be with a small group of boys in a den, and meetings are held at least once a month. He'd also attend pack meetings, where awards are given out and he has a chance to see the older cub scouts, too. He'll learn the cub scout motto: "Do your best!" and the Cub Scout Promise: "I promise to do my best, to do my duty to God and my country, to help othe rpeople and to obey the Law of the Pack.", how to properly fold the flag, and lots, lots more. Give it a try! If you don't know where the packs are in your area, you can get started here: <a href="http://www.scouting.org" target="_blank">http://www.scouting.org</a> Click on the hot link to 'local councils' and enter your ZIP code. >>you have to buy the full uniform only from the scouts<< Usually there is a 'Scout Shop' in your local Scout district office, but there are also other places to buy the uniform as well (local retailers). The cost is pretty much the same no matter where you get it. As your son earns patches and such, those are paid for by the pack. The pack usually has a fundraiser or two (selling popcorn, Christmas wreaths, etc.) to cover these expenses.
Originally Posted By DouglasDubh I'll second what Kar2oon said. My boy just earned his Second-class Scout badge in Boy Scouts. We've always encouraged scouting. But the first pack we joined when we moved to Bend was not a good fit, so we found another. Finding a den that your son enjoys is crucial - a bad den leader or having too many fellow scouts that he does get along with will sour his enthusiasm fast.
Originally Posted By ajnhollysmommy Thank you! I needed to hear that there is some positive points, navadarebel this is through his school and not church. The roundup is next Tuesday and he is very excited so I will go with a very open mind - Hubby just cant wait to do build your own car and race activity LOL
Originally Posted By DouglasDubh Hope he has better luck with that then me and my boy did. I could never get those little wheels on straight.
Originally Posted By ReadingMom <<My boy just earned his Second-class Scout badge in Boy Scouts.>> Congratulations to your son! My son earned his first class in July. He is now a Patrol Leader. It's such a great program for him to be in. He is starting his 7th year in the scouting program and is looking forward to earning his "Eagle."
Originally Posted By avromark Although i'm now in my 20's I enjoyed scouting. T- (will be 14 this month) didn't. Sometimes it depends on your child. Scout Jamboree's were a blast, A- (Entering college this yr) also enjoyed scouting. Scouts Canada is basically the same, but each country has their own variations, IE I started in Beavers - Enjoyed Wolf Cubs the best. The day you get your awards, badges and working for them felt like a personal accomplishment. I still remember my first star (Tawny), more precicely I still have my first award, my uniforms etc. Memories are priceless in all that you do. I was Second. Does American cubs call their leaders after characters in scouting? I.E. Baloo? Dib Dib Dob Dob we'll do our best eh
Originally Posted By avromark Oh yeah and never climb on a beaver dam, you may break your leg, not that *I* did. At least I wasn't the person who dropped the wolfhead and chipped the ear cough *Brad*
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>Finding a den that your son enjoys is crucial - a bad den leader or having too many fellow scouts that he does get along with will sour his enthusiasm fast.<< This is very true. Keep in mind that just because you live in a certain area, that doesn't mean you 'must' attend the local pack, so as Douglas said, look for a good fit for your family. Also, be open to the idea of becoming a leader yourself! It can seem daunting at first (it was to me), but training is provided, and there are monthly 'Roundtable' meetings where leaders get together and cool ideas are presented by veterans of scouting that you can use with your own den. >>Does American cubs call their leaders after characters in scouting? I.E. Baloo? << In cub scouts, adult leaders are called Akela (if you've read or seen the movie Jungle Book, the leader of the wolf pack is Akela). There is B.A.L.O.O. training for adult leaders -- no, it isn't about the bear necessities -- it stands for Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation. To get everyone at a meeting to quiet down, the leader puts two fingers up (like a peace sign) and all the cubs are supposed to be quiet at that point and make the same signal with their hands so that the leader knows they are listening. The two fingers up are meant to represent the alert ears of the wolf. In American Cub Scouts, the ranks are Tiger Cubs, then Wolf Cubs, the Bear Cubs, then first year Webelos and finally second year Webelos. When a boy is in second year Webelos, he begins looking for a Boy Scout troop that he 'bridges' to. Sometimes a den of Webelos II will all choose the same troop, sometimes the boys will all choose to move on to different ones.
Originally Posted By ajnhollysmommy My friend and I have a plan to become den moms if we can not get out of the troop what we want our boys to be doing, She is her daughters Girl Scout leader for this reason. My 1st task this fall is to learn to play soccer as they do not have a coach and brat boy really wants to play. Should be fun with Holly bouncing around in the backpack as I try and teach 8 1st graders how to play a game I also know nothing about The joys of parenting
Originally Posted By ajnhollysmommy Well the roundup pack meeting was last night. It did NOT go well at all! right off the bat they were talking about how each boy needs to sell $600 worth of popcorn or the cost is $25.oo a month. They wanted $14.00 for signup and Boys Life and another $20.00 for the upcoming Sept/Oct. events (we have soccer so would not beable to attend but still had to pay) This troop had you paying for all the events ahead of time, and no refund if you could not go. I was so upset!!! There were 2 dads who left. One was a pastor at the church up the street and had 2 boys, for him it would be $50 a month ~ he simply could not afford it but I remembered what you all had said about there are other packs and my friend and I today went "Pack Shopping" lol We found a small pack. They too want you to sell popcorn but they do not have an individual goal but a troop goal. And reasonable. I could see us exceeding this goal. And if the troop does not sell enough then you pay for the activities that you attend, ect. I was so please with what they had to say and how comfortable I was we signed up right away. They had the boys carving soap during the meeting (even earning some badge for it), unlike last night where it was a free for all in the grass out front of the school, in the dark- Andrew now has a nice goose egg on his forhead from running into another boy because it was so dark! my friend did sign up to be the Tiger Den leader (they did not have one and had 8 new Tigers sign up)and my hubby and I will tag team as co leader (hubbys never has the same days or hours off every week and has to work every sat) So now I am is search of a Cub Scout uniform and Andrew can not wait until the pinewood derby and wants to paint his car to look like the Gravedigger monster truck Thanks again for all your help Lpers! Our 1st official den meeting is next Wed. night
Originally Posted By ReadingMom That is so great that you found a pack that you are comfortable with. Selling $600 worth of popcorn seems pretty unusual to me. When my son was in Cub Scouts I think we paid a total of $80 for each year.....that was dues and Boys Life Magazine. We did sell the popcorn but my son never sold more than about $100 or so. Ther boys were probably working toward their "Whitlin'Chip" badge. Once they earn this badge then can carry a pocket knife for scouts. Scouting is such a great program and you will love being involved. My son is in his 7th year of the scouting program and he has experienced things he'll remember forever. Good luck!
Originally Posted By alexbook >>So now I am is search of a Cub Scout uniform and Andrew can not wait until the pinewood derby and wants to paint his car to look like the Gravedigger monster truck<< Many years ago, when I was a Cub Scout, I think Mom bought most of my uniform from Goodwill.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>right off the bat they were talking about how each boy needs to sell $600 worth of popcorn<< I've never experienced having an individual 'sales goal' for each scout like that. IMO, a terrible idea that instantly sets a boy up for feeling bad about himself, plus puts undue stress on his parents. The new pack sounds much more like it! I hope you and your son have a fantastic time in Tiger Cubs! >>Andrew can not wait until the pinewood derby and wants to paint his car to look like the Gravedigger monster truck<< You know what makes me happy about this? That HE wants to paint it himself! Pinewood Derby drove me crazy because my son always did most of the work on his car (I'd help here and there, but I didn't take over). So many times, Tiger Cubs come in with these perfectly built cars and you know that dad did the whole thing himself. The point of Pinewood Derby is SUPPOSED to be the boys learning about designing their own car, having fun. Sometimes we dads make it all about winning. Okay, climbing down off my soapbox, but it's a pet peeve of mine!
Originally Posted By alexbook >>Okay, climbing down off my soapbox, but it's a pet peeve of mine!<< Better than a pine box, I suppose.
Originally Posted By avromark Funny how many things are the same but different in different areas, we sold Apples not popcorn, sorry to hear about the profit pack.
Originally Posted By ajnhollysmommy At a blink of an eye Andrew is bridging over tonight from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. I ended up being the Cub Scout leader for all but 1 year. Andrew also earned his Arrow of Light and will be awarded that tonight also. I thought it would be fun to find this original thread - I swear this was just yesterday not 5 yrs ago! OH and we do have a wonderful display of pinewood derby cars that ANDREW designed and painted all by himself.
