Any Cub Scout or Boy Scout Leaders in here?

[sun_runner235]

Just curious how many in here are involved with or have been involved with Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts. I was in Cub Scouts myself, and now that my son has joined I find that I've been "volunteered" as the Den Leader and potentially Cub Master. LOTS of work I know, but I can't depend on some of the people that's leading the Pack to maintain a quality program.

Anyone with expereince with being a Scout Leader? Advice? etc

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Any Cub Scout or Boy Scout Leaders in here?

I have a lot of respect for dads who are active in Scouting with their boys. That's from the helper dad to the cub/scout master. I spent 7 years actively involved in Boy Scouts with my son. I can definitely say I had no better opportunity to bond with my boy AND that he would not have turned out as he has (now 20) without his regular involvement in that active troop.

I watched him grow from a scared little boy into a confident and capable young man during the scouting years. I watched other boys grow, incredibly, as well. The scouts whose dads stayed active and insisted that the boy show some allegience to participation were the ones who benefited the most. If a parent was not involved, most just drifted away after a while.

My son achieved Eagle Rank at 17.5 years and stuck it out till he turned 18. He is now in Washington DC, for an internship, to finish off his Bachelors Degree in Political Science.

My only advice is to keep the boys active with projects and outings.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Any Cub Scout or Boy Scout Leaders in here?

My sons cub leader always had control of them at all times. He allowed no video games or DVDs when thay were on camp-out. He also kept them busy
with cub things and games. You might say he ran it a bit like a boot camp
but never humiliated any child. He had there respect but also had there friend
ship. He won a cub leader award for his efforts. Things like pack leaders and
other cub rituals were of the most importants to him and it worked. Hope this helps you a bit.

 

[Mike722]

Re: Any Cub Scout or Boy Scout Leaders in here?

Never a Leader, but a Cub thru Eagle Scout. Our Den leader always had a project at each meeting. I think the meetings were once a week or twice a month. We made all sorts of crafts (homemade candles, bird houses, door stops, etc). It did not hurt that he was a college art prof. Our troop had pop lucks once a month with all the other dens and one den was resposible for the entertainment each month. We would go to the local parks in the summer and a major local lake for hikes and cookouts. Of course back then TV's only had three stations.

We did not do any overnight camping until we were Webelos and then we had one overnight with the Boy Scout part of the troop.

Out of the five orginal members of the Den three of us made Eagle Scout at the same time. One addition, member also earned Eagle Scout on that day.

 

[sun_runner235]

Re: Any Cub Scout or Boy Scout Leaders in here?

Thanks for all the input. Like I said before, I was a Cub Scout and worked all the way through it to recieve the Arrow of Light. When it was time to make my transition into Boy Scouts, the Troop in the area basically fell apart. No one wanted to lead, etc. I regret I was never able to stay in and recieve the Eagle Scout honor.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Any Cub Scout or Boy Scout Leaders in here?

I am a Boy Scout, Life, nearing eagle. I started way back in tiger cubs (pre cub scout)

If you are gonna be doing cub scouts, lead it yourself, but always have a lot of fun activities and games. In Boy Scouts, step back, and let the scouts do it. With previous leaders, my troop was basically like cub scouts for older folks. Not great. Now, we have been gradually been moving away from that. It is now boy led, meaning that older boys lead the younger ones. We have a trip a month, and a meeting a week. We have a PLC (patrol leaders council) which consists of the patrol leaders, senior patrol leader (an older boy, not adult) assistant SPL, scribe, and quartermaster. We get together once a month, and plan all our trips, and what we will cover at our meetings. Then, during the meetings, we run it completely. We are divided up into patrols, which do everything together. Each patrol has its own chuckbox, and they do all their own cooking. We often have patrol against patrol competitions.
I have just scratched the surface here. I feel we have one of the better organized troops, so if you need anymore info, just let me know.

BTW, if you ever get the chance, go to Philmont. Well worth it.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Any Cub Scout or Boy Scout Leaders in here?

Well I remember being in cubs, that was lots of fun...but once we were old enough (for Scouts) we shifted over to night raids on the Girl Guides.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Any Cub Scout or Boy Scout Leaders in here?

......He allowed no video games or DVDs when thay were on camp-out.

Those along with Walkman are an absolute must. Once the electronics get turned on all participation comes to a screaching halt. I would not allow them even in the car, going to a from activities. I would let them play their music on the car system for a short period but controlled the amount.

 

[jimyoung]

Re: Any Cub Scout or Boy Scout Leaders in here?

Between Cubs and Scouts, I have 20 yrs in the organzation....it is IMHO,
the best program for our youth......it encompasses fun, learning, fun, faith, fun, teamwork, fun, outdoor skills, fun, confidence building, fun.......did i mention fun?
I have gone thru the Woodbadge Course and served as staff twice....FUN!
My son didnt quite make Eagle....fumes got in the way..(gas fumes ie cars and perfumes..ie girls), but to this day he lives by the Scout Oath and is succesful....I got too many stories, could go on for hours...but to answer your question....I have been in Scouts.

 

[bucky7680]

Re: Any Cub Scout or Boy Scout Leaders in here?

I was a scout leader from the time my son was a Tiger Cub until well after he attained the rank of Eagle. I was an Assistant Den Leader, Assistant Scoutmaster and Committee member. I still consult with some of the boys from my old troop with their Eagle projects. (I have lots of tools and equipment) There's no better feeling than running into some of my exscouts who have gone on to become valued members of our society.
I don't know who had more fun, my son or myself. Scouting gives both Father and Son the opportunity the experience things that they would not normaly have a chance to do. It's more than just camping. I highly recommend it to both boys and fathers.

My one advice for fathers who want their son to attain the rank of Eagle, Tell them that they won't get their drivers liciense until they do. Once they get moble it's hard to compete with girls and cars.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Any Cub Scout or Boy Scout Leaders in here?

I tried scouts both as a 12 yr old and then a leader when my son was involved.

I never had enough time to devote to it because of so many other things that I do, so I backed out of leading and my son quit going. With sports, hunting, fishing and other stuff, it was too demanding. What I realized is that my son was learning all the scout stuff anyways with all our other hobbies.

My suggestion is, if you plan on being a leader, forget your other hobbies and do it 100%.

Ken

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Any Cub Scout or Boy Scout Leaders in here?

By all means do it. Scouting is one of the best parts of my life. I volunteer with a local troop and do programs for them (backpacking, wilderness survival, etc..) I am also an Eagle Scout.

bassboy1's program sounds a lot like the way my old Troop was. Pretty much the same setup. I was a PL and then SPL. I learned a lot about leadership in scouts. He's also dead on about Philmont - make an opportunity to go.

bassboy1: When did you go to Philmont?

 

[bucky7680]

Re: Any Cub Scout or Boy Scout Leaders in here?

Keni what time demands?
It's 1 hour a week and 1 weekend a month. LOL

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Any Cub Scout or Boy Scout Leaders in here?

Keni what time demands?
It's 1 hour a week and 1 weekend a month. LOL

Yea right!

To be honest, the pack leader is a full time job.

 

[sun_runner235]

Re: Any Cub Scout or Boy Scout Leaders in here?

Glad to see so many scouts and scouters in here. Last night was our first den meeting (Tiger Cubs). It was a little bit of a challenge getting 6 & 7 year olds to go through their first opening ceremony, work on their requirements for the Tiger Totem, etc. But I tricked them into earning the totem by playing "Akela Says" by the end of it they all were able to do the Scout sign, salute, and motto. So next week is the Pack meeting in which they will recieve their first awards. Should be fun.

As for the potential for being Cubmaster, I turned that down. I can only one position at a time. Yes the pack needs a cubmaster to give the woman who is acting cubmaster some relief, but I would rather spend the time directly with my sons den to make sure it gets started on the right foot. I'm the only parent in the den with any experience with scouting. If they all get on board I may transition into the cubmaster at a later time.

One thing I will say is that technology has done a lot for the scouting program. All of the resources available online, the online training, etc. are excellent.

 

[Ret USN CPO]

Re: Any Cub Scout or Boy Scout Leaders in here?

I too am in Scouts with my son. I went all the way through Cub Scouts, earned my Arrow of Light and into Boy Scouts and made first class before I decided baseball was more important. Now I am back with Scouts...there is a lesson in there somewhere.

Being a leader for my son's Den when he was a Wolf right up to being an Assistant Scoutmaster today has been very fun and exciting. Seeing the look on some of the boy's faces when they finally learn how to tie a specific knot by themselves or how to build a fire with only one match or how to pitch a tent and properly set up a camp.

As was previously said, Cub Scouts is led by adults, Boy Scouts is led by the boys. That teaches them the leadership skills they will need later in life as they become followers and eventually leaders.

As for being both a Cubmaster AND a Den leader...No Way. Unless you are retired, there is no way you would have the time necessary to properly run both programs. They are both time consuming, but together would wear you out.

Good luck...and if you have any questions...just ask.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Any Cub Scout or Boy Scout Leaders in here?

By all means do it. Scouting is one of the best parts of my life. I volunteer with a local troop and do programs for them (backpacking, wilderness survival, etc..) I am also an Eagle Scout.

bassboy1's program sounds a lot like the way my old Troop was. Pretty much the same setup. I was a PL and then SPL. I learned a lot about leadership in scouts. He's also dead on about Philmont - make an opportunity to go.

bassboy1: When did you go to Philmont?

I am an assistant senior patrol leader right now. I was a patrol leader for a while, and a quartermaster for a while (tough job with our troop, we have more than 40 members, and a lot of loaner gear, and patrol gear - and, when I started, there was a 5 x 10 box trailer crammed full, nobody knew what was in it, and an empty storage unit. My job was to make a system out of that mayhem, and when that was finished, I passed that job on down, and moved up to ASPL. ]

I went to Philmont in June of this year. I believe it was itinerary 31. 84 miles, started at Ponil, and hiked into base camp. Went to the top of baldy, the tooth of time, and Mt. Phillips. My troop is going back in 2 or 3 years, and since I was the youngest on this trek, I will be the only one young enough to go again, as a scout. I am really hoping to go back then. We will be doing the longest trek they have when we go again (I think it is a 110 - our troop does a lot of hiking, so the 84 was nothin'.)

 

[bucky7680]

Re: Any Cub Scout or Boy Scout Leaders in here?

SunRunner: Being Cubmaster is not too bad. But you should have at least 2 years as a parent in Scouting. The key is to have as many parents get involved as possible and let them do as much as possible. If the Pack has been around for a while it will follow a monthly progression as to what the Pack needs to do. The key is to get as many parents involved as you can. The problem is that many parents think that BSA stands for Baby Sitters of America. Some of the best times I've ever had have been diong things in Scouts with my son and with the other dads. My son and I have both made life long friends through Scouts. I'm sure you and your son will have some great times ahead.

"Remember it's just 1 hour a week and 1 weekend a month."

Bassboy: Philmont is a great place to go. Did you ever think you would ever do anything like that before you became a Scout. You will find my oportunities to grow personally in Scouts take advantage of every one. Do you have boating related merit badges such as Motor Boating, Small Boat Sailing, Rowing, Whitewater or Water Skiing? What rank are you?

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Any Cub Scout or Boy Scout Leaders in here?

That sounds great. I went to Philmont in '84, '86, and '88. I don't remember which itineraries we did, but all were ~80-90mi. We were a big hiking troop, too. I do remember Ponil Camp. That last stretch on Baldy (the 45 deg. scrambling) is fun, huh...was there snow on the backside? We slid down parts on our rain jackets...man, those were great times! Have fun! I still have my branded boots...

 

[KRS]

Re: Any Cub Scout or Boy Scout Leaders in here?

Cubmaster is WAAAYYYY easier than den leader (once a month v.s. once a week).

Good luck.