Scouting with the Dads

[DisneyDadC]

Ok I have been wanting to start this thread for a bit now.I have noticed a lot of us seem to be scout leaders. So I figured we could have a thread here to share our wisdom.
Everyone can post a little bio about themselves and maybe the experienced guys could help out drop some tips for the newer ones. It will be cool to hear about others do thing etc.

[DisneyDadC]

we will reserve this just in case for future

[DisneyDadC]

I will start off: I am a first yr leader.I am den leader for the wolfs.I have a son as a wolf and an older one as webelos.Last yr was both of my sons first yr in cub scouts,I kinda helped out where I could and I guess thats why they asked me to help out with the pack this yr.I took the basic training courses online (youth proctection ,leader spec etc).I took the first half of the outdoor leader training and have the second half to go in Oct. I plan on doing as much as I can and being as active with the scouts as possible.
Look forward to seeing who else here does scouts and how far along they are. I also intrested in seeing how active other troups are and compare things. Well off for now hope to see many more replies to this thread.

[DisDadDoc]

Thanks for starting this, Carl! Great idea!

I've got two boys in scouts, a 5th grade Webelos 2 & a 6th grade (soon to be) 2nd Class Boy Scout.

Both boys have been in it since third graders. I've been Popcorn Kernel of our Pack since my oldest 2nd year (& now Kernel of my Troop), summer camping chair for 2 years, Committee Chair of my Pack for 2 years, & Co-Den Leader of our Webelos 2. I've done Baloo, Owl, etc training was supposed to do Wood Badge this fall, but have to wait until next year thanks to hurricaine Irene

As I've posted before, I've been pretty unhappy with the leadership of my Troop. I spent 2 weeks at camp with the boys this summer, one with the Troop & one with the Pack. The amount of adult supervision & bullying/hazing was appalling (other parents words, not mine, I've been careful to call it "relational aggression"). I've met with the the scoutmaster, the Troop committee & the council of the BSA and have they've been receptive to my suggestions, but I have yet to see significant positive improvement. The real problem is that the Troop has unbelievably weak Assistant Scoumasters, & with 83 scouts, our scoutmaster (who is fabulous) can only do so much. I've offered to tale over as Committee Chair for the Troop. Our current Committe Chair hasn't had a boy in scouting in 3 years. I'm still waiting to hear back, but I'm not optimistic

Most recently, my Pack's Old Scoutmaster (who joined another local Troop) has contacted us about having Den Chiefs from this rival Troop. Need to decide what to do. I'm inclined to accept his Den Chiefs & to have den chiefs from 2 packs. As it stands now, I'm going to have a really hard time recommending the current Troop to any of our Webelos.

Going to be a tough year. Camped last night with the Troop & there was lots of bullying (which I stopped), but none of the Assistant Scoutmasters even came to the campout (& two of their sons are the biggest bullies so doubt they'd be much help...)

[DisDadDoc]

And in honor of talk like a pirate day, today I took another step on my path toward mutiny in my town's scouting program. Tonight, my Pack's Cubmaster from last year (who refused to cross over into the town Troop because of the environment there and joined a neighboring town's Troop) and I are meeting over a beer to discuss starting a new Troop in town.

[afwdwfan]

I never was in scouts, although i think it is a great program and I'm glad I'm getting the opportunity to learn a bit about it from the DIS Dad's... especially having a son who might have some interest in scouts in a few years.

Originally Posted by DisDadDoc

And in honor of talk like a pirate day, today I took another step on my path toward mutiny in my town's scouting program. Tonight, my Pack's Cubmaster from last year (who refused to cross over into the town Troop because of the environment there and joined a neighboring town's Troop) and I are meeting over a beer to discuss starting a new Troop in town.

Shouldn't you be meeting over some rum?

Good luck! I hope you can work together and get something positive accomplished.

[The Disney Fanatic]

My troop will have it's first Court of Honor in October. I would love to hear ideas of how to conduct the ceremony.

[DisDadDoc]

Originally Posted by The Disney Fanatic

My troop will have it's first Court of Honor in October. I would love to hear ideas of how to conduct the ceremony.

Ours have always been like a potluck dinner. We either do desserts or a full meal and then have the boys come up in front and get their new rank patches and merit badges. If you google "Scout Court of Honor" a bunch of resources (like blank programs templates, and scripts, etc) come up.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by DisDadDoc

And in honor of talk like a pirate day, today I took another step on my path toward mutiny in my town's scouting program. Tonight, my Pack's Cubmaster from last year (who refused to cross over into the town Troop because of the environment there and joined a neighboring town's Troop) and I are meeting over a beer to discuss starting a new Troop in town.

My meeting didn't go so well. The old Cubmaster couldn't be convinced to leave his new Troop. Something about his wife would kill him And his son really enjoying the new Troop (which is a pretty good reason!)

So, it looks like I'm back in the same boat. Continue to stick it out in my current Troop and trying to make it better, while waiting to decide whether to jump ship to another Troop when my son crosses over or starting a new Troop. In the meantime, I'll keep my eyes out for other potential partners in a new troop. I may need to step up as Scoutmaster of a new Troop, which I could do, but I couldn't do it alone and I'd need to find a strong Committee Chair.

[DisneyDadC]

camping trip in two weeks was canceled.I hate when this happens wonder why???? My kids (and the big kid in myself) were looking forward to this.

[DisDadDoc]

Originally Posted by DisneyDadC

camping trip in two weeks was canceled.I hate when this happens wonder why???? My kids (and the big kid in myself) were looking forward to this.

You could come camping with us! Simsbury Community Farm on Saturday October 8th.

I was just shopping for a new camp stove... I make a mean camp omelet!

[wasnotafan]

I did the cubscouts/Weblos/Explorer thing many years ago. Looking for options for my son and daughter. No cub packs and the only brownie troop meets from 3:10-4:00 and my daughter doesn't even get out back to town from school until 4:15. Not really wanting one more thing to do and there aren't that many kids around but we may end up starting our own if we have to do it. My other option is just do what I unofficially until I can sign them up for Civil Air Patrol in a couple of years.

[DisneyDadC]

Originally Posted by DisDadDoc

You could come camping with us! Simsbury Community Farm on Saturday October 8th.

I was just shopping for a new camp stove... I make a mean camp omelet!

Eggs in a bag???? thats what our kids do. Fast clean and no mess.

[DisneyDadC]

Chris, Did you guys find out where you are staying when you go to Gettysburg???

[DisDadDoc]

Originally Posted by DisneyDadC

Eggs in a bag???? thats what our kids do. Fast clean and no mess.

Yes!!

Originally Posted by DisneyDadC

Chris, Did you guys find out where you are staying when you go to Gettysburg???

No, not yet. And they moved it from Columbus Day weekend to Oct 28-30th. My daughter's birthday is Halloween so I may not get to go now. Would really like to, though! I'll see how much grief it'll cost me.

[DisDadDoc]

Originally Posted by DisDadDoc

WISDOM NEEDED FROM THE GROUP

Guys,

I've droned on and on about my trials with our scout troop here before, and now I'd like some advice. I received the following email from our Scoutmaster last night. After finishing laughing and resisting the temptation to respond immediately, I've put extensive thought into this, and I'm pretty sure how I'm going to respond (really no differently that my previous discussions with this guy, but I'd like to hear your thoughts as well. Plus it'll give me an opportunity to vent without doing it publically.

Hi Chris --

I heard indirectly ... at least 3rd hand ... that you remain very concerned about bullying among the boys in Troop [XXX]. I'd like to talk with you again on this topic.

How are we defining "bullying?" Do we think it's intentional?
Is there any pattern regarding who is doing the bullying and who is being bullied? Are there key offenders?
Can the Troop change the environment to eliminate this behavior?
Don't interpret this next question to mean that I don't care ... but, is the behavior outside of what's normal for boys? These guys may be Scouts, but they are not angels.
What kind of campaign can we undertake to bring awareness to this behavior, and influence change?
I think my Scoutmaster Minute last week about "being kind vs. being right" gets to the core of many unpleasant comments ... it got some good applause, any way!
I plan to regularly hit similar topics.

Years ago, Troop [XXX] had a reputation. I believe my efforts and those of other Troop leaders have largely corrected the situation. I don't think we have a big problem, just a problem that is typical when dealing with 11-17 year old boys. Nevertheless, it's a concern that always needs to be addressed. I am not blowing it off ... but would like to hear more of your concerns and ideas for an action plan.

Most of all, I would ask that you are sensitive to the grapevine in [town]. We focus a lot of energy on recruiting boys and parents into the Troop, and negative talk can undo a lot of hard work.

I hope your weekend at Gilwell is absolutely awesome. Let's find time to chat. Maybe some of the Wood Badge sessions will lead us to new solutions.

Bill

What do you think?

I posted this on the main thread, but I'm looking for some advice whereever I can find it!