Netsmartz Activities Cub Scouts 2015-2023

I haven’t heard about this. I’ll have to do some research on it.But, the Scouts (can’t call them Boy Scouts since they want girls in now) are just another politically correct group that brainwashes kids to think like the government wants them to. Firearms are considered “evil” by the government, both sides really, so a kid asking about them is a big no-no. I doubt the scouts even teach basics like knives and archery today, so the kids won’t grow up violent.The schools today prep kids more for prison than working in the real world, compared to what they did teach in the past, working in a factory. Since the number of factories have moved overseas, there is no point in teaching kids to work in them. With more and more laws aimed at taxing and locking people up for minor things, programming them for a prison environment only makes sense.In my day, the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Eagle Scouts taught many things that today would be called survival skills. They also taught honestly, clearly a trait the US has lost. As I said, archery, blade work, and firearms are taboo today. It won’t be long before Uncle Sugar will have plastic knives being sold to keep them safe from the masses.One of the many things was discipline. Maybe you could call it self-restraint today. If your wife cheats, leave her instead of killing her in an orgy of death and destruction. We have trash like the “office shooter” and “Las Vegas shooter” that, for whatever reasons, couldn’t handle life and chose to do harm.Harmony. How to live together peacefully, without racial BS. This is something Trump exploited to get the White House, which is further insulted by the lies that have stained it’s walls. It’s a Black House now and shows has far the US has fallen.Differences were to be celebrated, where everyone deserved to be treated with dignity and respect. This is another one that Trump fails. Trump mocks everyone and thinks it’s fun.We were also taught about keeping our oaths and living up to a code. You could use the Ten Commandments or the Decalogue as an example. It didn’t have to be religious, but it was generally a correct way of living.Honestly, it’s summed up pretty well in the following article.What the Scouts taught meSo, it could be that the boy showed a trait unwelcome today or he took the opportunity to attack the government’s stance on “gun control.” It’s hard to say without seeing a transcript, unedited by the left or right media. It could have been the fact that he wasn’t the right color or used the proper words.

The only important tip --> Let your child make his own car the way he/she wants.  A well run derby will let each kid run the same number of races.  This is about building and sportsmanship... if you do everything then your child isn't going to learn anything (except how to have his parents do his work).Our local pack lets the parents build and race cars as well.  If you're making your own, you can do the following:1) Fill in the axle slots and re-cut so they are perfectly straight.2) insert the axles so they are slightly toed down & such that only 3 wheels touch the track.  (some competitions check that all 4 wheels touch).  By running on the inner rim you are reducing rolling resistance.3) Use graphite on the axles.  There are aftermarket axles and wheels that offer even better performance.4) Sand the stock axles smooth.  Sand the wheels so they are perfectly round.  Aftermarket wheel truing systems exist for pinewood derby cars.5) Make the car as slim as possible (low air resistance) and place the majority of the weight toward the back. The center of gravity should be right before the rear wheels.

I think context is very important here.Is there any (recent) history in the troop of boys being "held back" because of "intangibles" like this?If so, then the case is pretty clear. "Just like Johnny last year, your Jimmy needs a little more time to demonstrate Scout spirit and leadership development."If not, then I think that the Scoutmaster is in dangerous territory. Not legally, of course, but in terms of morale, unit cohesion, and "optics". Either way, if he wants to make a serious stand over "Scout spirit" and "leadership skills", then he (or the committee) needs to outline exactly what it means to meet these standards at each rank. Otherwise, it really looks like he's picking on a kid, either because the kid isn't the most diligent Scout or because the parents are obnoxious.ADDED: After reflecting on this overnight, I think there is something else at play here that I hinted at, but didn't really address head-on. I'd like to rectify that.There are two really entirely separate (though intertwined) problems here. In fact, most of us have really answered the wrong question--the question that we inferred, but not the question that was explicitly asked. We have addressed what to do about the Scout's advancement; the question asks how to deal with the parents.First and foremost, the Scoutmaster needs to separate any issues with the so-called "helicopter" parents from any issues with the Scout's progress. If the Scout asks for a BoR, then give him a BoR (and, I say, pass him after some discussion). If the parents ask for a BoR, tell them that that request must come from the Scout. Meanwhile, work very hard at isolating feelings about the parents from feelings about the Scout. (This is what led many of us astray in answering the question.)The long-term strategy here is to work simultaneously on helping the Scout to develop independence, and helping the parents to allow him the space to do so. This is not just good for the troop and the Scoutmaster; it is--and I say this as a university faculty in Learning Assistance--essential to the Scout's personal growth as well.You'll have to start this subtly. Make sure that there are activities for parents (if they attend meetings/events) separate from the Scouts' program, and encourage the Scout in question organize/lead some of these events. In fact, I would strongly discourage the parents from participating in any events unless they are troop leaders--and if they are part of the leadership team, they should have specific roles that keep them at arms-length from their son.Again, this process will not be easy, but it is necessary. Hopefully the parents will come to recognize this as well.

In the program itself, nothing at all.Girls are interested in joining the program because they WANT what we HAVE, not because they want to change what we’re doing. BSA Nationals has already done the research on this, and has concluded that the program we already have is entirely suitable, attainable, effective, and beneficial to all youth regardless of gender.In the administration of the program, there are a few things to be aware of:It is not truly a co-ed program. In a family pack (what you’re describing), boys are still in separate dens with other boys, and girls are still in separate dens with other girls. You will need to recruit and train new den leaders to support the new dens you will be forming for the girls. According to Nationals, if you do not have enough girls for a given age/den, it is preferable to have girls of multiple ages in a single den, not a co-ed den of boys and girls of the same age.New youth protection rules must be followed. This includes the requirement that every time a girls den meets, there is a youth protection trained, registered adult female over the age of 21. This does not have to be the den leader, but she has to be filling a den leader or assistant den leader role. A mom, even with YPT training, isn’t sufficient…actual registered leader is the new requirement.Initially this year, there will not be girls troops in place yet for the Arrow of Light year Girls (5th graders) to visit girls troops to fulfill their [Outdoor Adventure] and [Scouting Adventure] requirements to visit a troop meeting and a troop outdoor activity. These requirements CAN be fulfilled with a boys troop (again, following all of the standard YPT rules). This will only be an issue this year.

Question: For parents with both a son (Boy/Cub Scout) and daughter (Girl Scout), which one of the kids are you more supportive of to attend meetings/events/ceremonies? Do you treat them equally, or give more attention to one?I am a father of five, four boys ages 13 years, 7 years, 6 years and 19 months and on girl age 11 years. All of my older boys are involved in Scouting and my daughter joined a Girl Scout Troop at the end of the school year last year.I am also an Eagle Scout and I am fully supportive of all my children's scouting activities.That said, I serve as a Committee Member for my oldest son's Troop. I am also the Cub Master for my middle sons’ Cub Scout Pack. Last year I served at Tiger Cub Den Leader for my middle son's Den. I also spent several years as Assistant Cub Master when my oldest was in Cub Scouts. Put simply, I show favoritism to my boys in the Scouting area.I have a long history with BSA going back to the 3rd Grade. I understand the program.I never really left scouting after I turned 18. I continued teaching Leadership to my original Troop right up until I was married. I continued to pay my dues to my Order of the Arrow Lodge until my first child was born.Once my boys were old enough I have gotten them involved.The BSA Program is extremely family oriented not just the boys, but the whole family. Girls can't earn awards but they are welcome to participate in everything.BSA is very well organized with a push to provide a sponsoring organization and a structure for leadership through all levels of the organization. (national, counsel, district and unit)On the other hand, Girls Scouts feels (to me) extremely disorganized when compared to BSA. In my area, for example, there are so many troops with just a handful of girls (3 - 10) organized by grade level with little information available on each that selecting a troop was difficult, especially since there were no listed troops with girls from my daughter's school.Also, I do not feel as though I, as a father, am really welcome at the variety of events my daughter's troop participates in. My wife doesn't get that feeling, but I do. However, we both agree that her troop would prefer that we don't bring our other children along to the activities.Bottom line, I favor my boys because I feel more invested in their Scouting program.

When I introduce Pinewood Derby to the scouts - I try and look at the BIG picture: How will this activity help them in their lives. There are LOTS of future applications for the Pinewood Derby - but the top reasons that I feel are:Sportsmanship - Not everybody’s car will win. Not everybody will get a trophy. But we can cheer for everybody! We can root for our friends. And we can learn to lose graciously and be happy with our certificate that says our car was ‘The Greenest Car.’Talk early: I have found the best way to do this is to start talking about this at the Pack Meeting BEFORE the Pinewood Derby (yes - December, maybe even November). Have them practice cheers. Tell them about an experience when you wanted to win something - but didn’t - and how you coped with it. You want the parents to hear this too. You need them to support the idea that not every child wins a trophy. (This isn’t T-ball!)It also helps if all the boys DO get something cool. Like a ‘PWD Drivers Licence’ and a certificate and/or participation ribbon. They did design, build, paint and assemble a car!Stress being a ‘good winner.’ A good winner doesn’t rub it into his fellow scouts that his car is better/faster/cooler than theirs. He celebrates his win with pride, but not pridefully. He should also be able to compliment other cars…Safety - OK. Don’t roll your eyes. Seriously - this is an important one. In cub scouts you aren’t allowed to use your pocket knife until you have your Whittlin’ Chip. You aren’t supposed to learn to build fires till you are a Webelos. WE ALL KNOW MOST OF THEM BUILD FIRES AND USE A POCKET KNIFE AT HOME. Same with power tools and stuff. Now is our chance to emphasize that we want scouts to end this project with the same number of fingers they started with.Talk about safety at that December (maybe November) Pack meeting. Even though the likelihood they will get hurt making their PWD car - it let’s them know it is important. It sets up good habits for the future. And who knows - it may save a limb or an eye! (The picture below is of my son (as a Tiger) ‘cutting’ out his car with the help of the guy in charge of the community woodworking facility. Packs around the city would sign up to have their cubs get help with their cars.)Be an example of safety. Wear your stupid goggles. Follow all the rules. You know the old saying - practice what you psignNow. Well - as a cubscout leader - you got to do it.PHYSICS! This is the fun stuff. And probably what you were really asking about. The truth is - if you can get your car to weigh as close to 5 oz as possible and have the wheels on correctly - you will have a great car. (We had some high school students use our track for a science experiment - that is what they learned.) There are some things you can do to improve it like smooth the axles and distribute the weight strategically. There are so many websites on that - I suggest a google or youtube search. I always tried to find a video that did a good job explaining it to the boys - and show it at a meeting. But I also just did a fun talk with the boys where I made them tell me‘What is friction?’‘Does friction help you go faster or slow you down?’‘Where on your car would you have friction?’‘What can you do about it?’Some important tips to keep in mind as a parent/leader:In reality - parents need to help Tiger scouts more than they need to help their Webelos. Therefore - encourage your Webelos to do all of the work themselves (just have supervision when working with tools). In many aspects - a Webelos car should not be the BEST cars - because they have the least amount of adult help. THIS IS AWESOME! This is what we want! THIS is where the learning starts. This is when magic happens. I LOVE it!You never want to hear your cub scout say this “I can’t wait till I grow up so I can build my son’s pinewood derby car!” (From the movie Down and Derby - worth watching if you are a cub scout geek like myself.) Instead - encourage the adults to make their OWN car. Have an adult/kid race after the scouts are done. But yeah - let your kid do the work on their car…Have fun!YIS

Ease in to it. When introducing someone to sleeping under the stars, it’s important not to change too many variables at once. This applies to the kids as well as the adults.The youth groups (cub scouts or otherwise) that I’ve seen that tend to have the smoothest time camping are the groups from rural areas, as they are more likely to have camping experience.If your group does not have much — or any — camping experience, that’s OK, too. You can all learn together. Starting with families camping together is an ideal way to begin. Most campgrounds require at least 1 adult for every 2 children - a lot of chaperones will be needed.Keep it simple to start — one night only, and do not plan for much for the following day. If you can, choose a campground that is a reasonable drive for the families and one that has cell service.Encourage — or insist — that every adult sleeps on a sleeping pad. It’s not a bad idea for kids to sleep on them as well. The pads help prevent some conduction heat loss from the ground, they have many uses in a medical emergency. Sleeping on a pad is also comfortable, and thus more likely to encourage repeat volunteers.Sleeping pads can be inexpensive. The more expensive tend to be thicker, or be air mattresses, or a lighter design, or more insulated. Weight and insulation matter a lot more for backpacking, but not camping at a drive-up campsite.Proper gear is important, but so are proper actions. Make sure that the kids understand the buddy system, and other ways to keep themselves safe. I don’t think a scout has ever endangered themselves because they forgot their mess kit, but scouts have endangered themselves by wandering off or otherwise separating from their group. Kids are curious!Darkness is different. Everything is seems bigger, odder, and more otherworldly at night. Make sure the kids and adults understand this. Brushing up on nighttime animal sounds can’t hurt, either.Not everyone will like camping their first time out. It takes time for kids, and adults, to find their groove.

I saw a statistic yesterday saying that the number of girls in Cub Scouts has grown to over 30,000 as of 9/21/18. With 272 councils across the country, that's an average of just over 100 girls in each council...not a large percentage of the youth yet, but certainly signNow.Beyond that, all I can offer up is anecdotal evidence I've heard from other Scouters. Girls are enthusiastically joining into the program. Many are sisters of existing cubs, while some others are joining, and bringing their brothers with them. A fair amount are also Girl Scouts, and are enjoying both programs.I've heard various takes on how well they've been received. In most cases, it's been a warm reception...they're welcomed, and they're enjoying taking part. There have been a few instances I've heard about where one or a group of the boys have been mean to girls joining the program (even to the point of driving them to quit) and adults have deliberately sabotaged efforts to get new packs up and going, or change existing packs to Family packs. As a general rule, district staff have been working hard to prevent incidents like this, or resolve them when they come up.Overall, though, enthusiasm is quite high. The launch of girls in Cubs appears to have been a success, and efforts are well underway for starting girl troops next February.

The pack meeting brings all the dens in the pack together for the purposes of recognizing the achievements of the Cub Scouts, communicating information about upcoming events, and providing a program that enriches the Cub Scouting experience. It helps the Cubs rEvalize their den is part of a larger organization.

Cub Scouting helps to support your family by providing ready-made opportunities for you and your son to do things together. Cub Scout-age boys benefit developmentally from belonging to a group of boys their own age. Through this sense of belonging, boys build self-esteem and learn to get along with others.

That means outdoor fun, skits, games, songs, and award ceremonies happen with a wide variety of Cub Scouts and their families. Cub Scouts have a lot of fun together and work alongside one another, their leaders, and their families to grow into well-rounded young men.

That means outdoor fun, skits, games, songs, and award ceremonies happen with a wide variety of Cub Scouts and their families. Cub Scouts have a lot of fun together and work alongside one another, their leaders, and their families to grow into well-rounded young men.

Cost of Cub Scouting. When compared to the cost of sports and many other activities, there is no doubt that Scouting delivers great value to its members! The registration fee to join Scouting is $33 annually. In addition, there are uniform costs and nominal activity fees that may be charged by your local unit.