Scouts - Freeze-Frame Radio

Date: Thu Sep 15 09:47 2005

Scouts

Molly · The Mediator

I was in Campfire for a couple weeks, but then they forgot to pick me up when they went trick or treating for Unicef, so I decided I didn't need them either!

confuzzed · Permanent State of Confusion

Speaking of forgetting people....The Brownies left my sister at the pumpkin patch.

JD The Jazz Doctor · Grand Poobah

I was a boyscout, and then the next level- a weebolo (??) but I left because it was really disorganized and most of the kids in it were annoying. I still remember handing in my scarf thing....bandana? "WHY ARE YOU QUITTING!!?!?!?!?!!" "Because your son and his friends are idiots, Mr Bednar."

CP · Lord of the Lair

I did the scouting thing--I hated it. I am glad your son enjoys it.

Molly · The Mediator

My hubby was in scouts but quit after they denied him from becoming an eagle scout.

WebGuy · Doesn't Do Windows

Ruby, I'm surprised that your son is enjoying Scouts that much and yet is having the troubles he's having. He must really be getting pulled in many directions at once right now.

Trish · The Procrastinating Red-Head

I was a Girl Scout for many years. I am also the cubmaster for our local Cub Scout pack. It is a very fun and frustrating job. We just had a recruiting night and got a few new boys, but some dropped out. We try and keep it fun and tell the boys and their parents that if they are getting bored to let us know so that we can kick it up a notch, but we still have a high turnover rate. One problem is that once boys get to be a certain age where we live, they are pressured by their peers (and their parents) not to do scouting. One boy told a boy that was a Webelo last year that scouting was gay. Sports are more important than scouting, as far as they are concerned. I see the benefit of both. We had a bunch of parents of my Tiger cubs one year that were such manly men that they were horrified that I had their boys doing crafts and taught them how to sew on a button. They did not come back the next year. These people are ridiculous and really piss me off. They are the same parents that would drop their kids off at the door and never come to any of the pack functions. The same parents that we couldn't get to help do anything or sell anything to help the pack and they were criticizing us. I put a lot of time and effort that I don't really have to keep scouting interesting because my son wants to do it. If it weren't for my son, I wouldn't have started the pack back up again 5 years ago. He has one more year in it and after that, I will be done with Cub Scouts. I love scouting and actually prefer the boy scout organization to the girl scout organization, but I don't have the time for it when my son will move on to Boy Scouts. The other problem we have is that we cannot get any men involved. They are all out hunting, fishing and drinking in the taverns and don't want to take the time to do it. I can't be a Scoutmaster for boy scouts. I know my limitations and I am not able to do it. We have a few boys that would like to start a Boy Scout Troop, but they can't because we can't find a man to do it. I understand that they work, but so do I and I still do it. I'm also on the road a minimum of 60 hours a week and I still find time. I'm sorry, guys, but this really aggravates me and is a sore subject with me.

Trish will now step down off of her soapbox. I now return you to your normally scheduled conversations.

Date: Thu Sep 15 10:39 2005

Yes, Web I guess that is part of being a teen.

We are fortunate Trish. All of the parents participate in everything. I guess that it is why we have remained together since 3rd grade. The dads are too involved in a geeky way, but that is ok with me. Good role models!! We sold $10,000 worth of popcorn last year!!!

JD The Jazz Doctor · Grand Poobah

wow!

lol trish shout box is ---------------------------------> thataway!

Trish · The Procrastinating Red-Head

Wow, that is awesome, Ruby. Our boys sold about $1500 worth of popcorn last year and my son sold about $1000 of it. I asked the parents Tuesday night if they wanted to do it again this year and they said no. So, we won't be selling popcorn this year. I let them know, though, that they would have to do some other fundraiser to make up for it. We have a Veteran's Appreciation Dinner in November and it's free for the vets to come and have soup and dessert and for us to honor them for their service. We have to have the money for that. So I think we're going to do a Krispy Kreme fundraiser. Our campouts are also completely free, the pack pays for all the food.

I wish the dads were more involved, but my own husband doesn't participate that much. He works midnights, so he's not able to do much. He did do all the running for picking up the popcorn last year, though, and he does come to the campouts and the Blue and Gold Dinner, Veteran's Appreciation Dinner and the Pinewood Derby. So it's not like he doesn't participate at all, it's just minimal. He doesn't like Cub Scouts. He has let me know that several times and has tried to make me quit. I won't do it, though. My son loves it and for one hour a week he's not playing video games. It's worth it to me. Yeah, I'm THAT mom.

Pray for me, though. My daughter starts Daisy's this year and they don't have a leader as of yet. It's not fair for her not to get to do scouting and my son gets to, so I might end up being a Girl Scout leader and a Cub Scout leader this year. With my work, I don't know how I'm going to do it. Oh, well. Sleeping is optional, right?

Date: Thu Sep 15 10:53 2005

That is correct. No sleep for us parents. When do you find time to sleep anyway?

Trish · The Procrastinating Red-Head

Sleeping is overrated. Kudos to you, Ruby, on behalf of all scout leaders for keeping your son active in scouting. Wish you lived near me.