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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 8:21 am
Who out there is (or has been) involved in scouting? I just signed my son up for Tiger Scouts. I feel a little hoodwinked in a way. $36 to sign up (after the flyer said $10-but whatever.) Then you have to buy a shirt, a book, neckerchief, neckerchief slider and a bunch of patches. Then you have to sell $250 worth of popcorn (What if you don't? do you have to buy that much yourself?) Yikes. And somehow I ended up as assistance den leader? Barely escaped having to be leader. I think I was thinking I could just sign him up and everything would be taken care of. It seems to me that we (the 5 or 6 parents of the 6 year olds) have to take care of everything. The den meetings and the field trips. (one of each every month.) What did I get myself into? Is it worth it? Any tips? Anyone want some popcorn????
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 9:27 am
Tigers are the first intro into scouting and they have slightly different rules really due to the age of the boys. So, yes, it's a parent per boy at each meeting. The meetings are usually called 'go sees' cause you go see something and that's why you need alot of parents there. What was the breakdown on the $36? I bought the magazine one year and never bought it since. We didn't have manadatory minimum on popcorn, but now that my son is a scout, he sells greenery and has a mandatory min on that. The popcorn is really good and not a hard sell. I think scouting is very worth it. My son is on the path to Eagle. I think they teach the boys so much.
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 9:36 am
Thanks Annie. I just want to make sure it is "worth it." I think I was just caught off-guard about the cost and commitment. I also HATE HATE HATE having to sell stuff. (Wish I liked popcorn!!) Plus out of the 5 boys, 4 of them live in our relatively small subdivision--which is GREAT, but also the head guy lives here too--meaning all our neighbors are already buying plenty of popcorn. The breakdown was something like $16 for the year membership and $20 for supplies for the year???? I didn't get the magazine. Seems a little old for Ryan yet. Is it good for a 6 year old? I just got him Highlights thru his school so I thought that was enough for now. What is a typical meeting like for a Tiger Cub? (side story--keep in mind we live in Chicago where most everyone is a Cub fan. And keep in mind that my dh is a HUGE HUGE HUGE Cardinal fan.) At the start of the meeting the head guy was talking to all the boys and asked them "So who wants to be a Cub Scout?" Ryan yelled out "I want to be a Cardinal."
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 10:21 am
ROFL!!!!!!!!!! no, don't get the mag. Sometimes they make it seem mandatory but it's not. I don't think $20 for supplies is that out of line, but ask for an accounting. All of our meetings were 'go sees' and they would get a bead for having gone see it (great grammer! LOL) Tiger's don't get badges like you do once you are a cub. Here's a pretty good info sheet http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/tiger.html
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 10:45 am
Aw Julie, I don't know anything about boyscouts, but you're suffering the "Oh know one told me I'd have to pay a fortune" syndrome, lol! We go through it with little league. $55 that covers tshirts, hats, trophies and pictures to sign up. No one tells newbie parents though that's just the tip of the ice burg, lol. Cuz then you have to buy pants, matching socks and belt (or they look awfully silly,) cups (for both boys and girls,) gloves, most kids have their own bats, balls, and bags, snacks, money for pizza parties, money for coach, team mom/dad, and manager gifts at the end of the season, and $40 worth of candy bars for each kid (which we buy half cuz I can't stand to go around asking people to buy it, lol!)
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 11:19 am
Oh Annie, thanks for that link!!! Our meetings are dupposed to be one that is the goseeit and one "regular" (what ever that is!!) Wargod, you are so right!!! No one did tell me how much $$$ this'd be. I thought $10 was a great deal. I bet I end up spending $100 on the shirt and accessories. (I hear the shirt alone is $50. Not sure though... wonder if ebay might have anything any cheaper. I think the worst part for me is trying to sell the dang popcorn.
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 11:19 am
Wargod, did you ever consider boyscouts for Caleb?
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 11:44 am
LOL, I decided our first year out that I wasn't going to try adding up the costs cuz I'd still be twitching now in outrage! Wasn't so bad with just him, but then she started and doubled our costs. I think any extracirricular activity, be it sports or scouts or music or whatever is great for kids. While the costs our awfully high, when I see the benefits (and I'm talking what I've seen with my kids and friends kids) it's so worth it. They get to spend time with other kids their ages who share interest, they're active and staying out of trouble, they do better in school, and whatever the activity, they learn something rather it's about good sportsmanship or about nature or themselves. We did consider it for awhile, but at the time the time commitments were just too much. I was working days, Darren nights, two little kids at home, and both of us going to school part time. We saw with our neighbors kid how much they did with scouts and there was just no way at the time we could have done it.
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Secretsmile
Member
08-19-2002
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 12:59 pm
I have a confession, LOL! I'm an avid scouter. When our sons were of age, Tim and I jumped head first into scouting, (We also did girl scouts with our daughter, but that's another thread.) Tiger Scouts are young, it's a partnership with a parent. In hind sight I like the way it's set up since scouting is an all volunteer organization it prepares the parents for what's to come if your son wants to continue in scouting. I understand that it can take you aback at first, I know it did us. We stayed extremely active with scouts until the kids earned their highest awards, Eagle Scout for boys and Gold Award for my daughter. Both my husband and I held a multitude of volunteer positions, yes I was even a female Scoutmaster for a Boy Scout troop for a time. All three of our children went on to Venture/Explorer troops which is also a part of the BSA. If you have an questions you can PM me anytime. I'd like to add that the uniforms can be expensive but you can often find used ones at the Salvation Army and some of the more long standing packs have a supply of used uniforms that have been donated, the only problem with that is that they are worn by young boys and it goes without saying that they are hard on their clothes.
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Secretsmile
Member
08-19-2002
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 1:00 pm
Oh, another thing. Boy Scout popcorn is very popular and as easy to sell as Girl Scout Cookies. Many people wait for that time of year and stock up.
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 2:15 pm
Thanks Secret! I wish they were girl scout cookies, cuz I wouldn't mind having to buy so much!! But popcorn??? Well, we'll see I guess...
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 2:22 pm
The popcorn is good. Have dh take your son (or cheat, the order form) to his office.
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 2:32 pm
Oooh, good idea Annie!
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Teachmichigan
Member
07-22-2001
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 8:31 pm
My DS just started his second year Webelos tonight (his third year in Scouts). Had to spend $25 on a new shirt this year, but his book, neckerchief, and badges from last year just transfer. I agree with what everyone has said -- it IS worth it. It teaches them to care for people and the environment and look beyond themselves (no small feat for 5-15 year olds!). It has also gotten my DS to do some things he never would have done on his own. We try to not to think about the cost -- between piano lessons, Scouts, etc. it can be depressing, but when I see him tie for first in his piano testing and then sit down to play "just for fun" --or when I see him planning a Scout craft, it makes me smile from ear to ear. (That was a grammatically horrid sentence -- hope you understood the jist). Basically GO FOR IT!! (and definitely take them up any offers to help with your first pine wood derby car -- we didn't and poor DS was dead last! It looked cool though! LOL)
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Sherbabe
Member
07-28-2002
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 8:51 pm
My nephew is an eagle scout and was awarded 1/2 scholarship to eastern michigan university. they were giving away full ride sholarship as well. my son and he were born within 2 weeks of each other. my son took the sports route and now in college w/ partial soccer scholarship and nephew w/ the partial eagle scout scholarship. both want to be teachers. honestly speaking, my nephew is way more well rounded. they do teach them so much in the scouts.
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 7:17 am
Thanks guys! It wasn't the money so much (well except for selling stuff), I just wanted to make sure it was worth all the time and potential headaches. There is a lot on the Boy Scout calendar. A bit overwhelming actually. And they don't seem to be spoonfeeding us (and I like to be spoonfed!) Oh well. Better find out about that pinewood car thing...
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 7:18 am
Hey Reader, (you out there?) You are very much into scouting aren't you? What's your ?
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 7:27 am
Pinewood Derby is great fun!!
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Native_texan
Member
08-24-2004
| Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 7:31 am
Oh, the pinewood derby is so much fun! Travis was in Cub Scouts for one year and we took home all the first place awards which were best in show, fastest scout car and fastest parent car. We had so much fun creating the cars. And the popcorn sells itself.
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 7:35 am
Is it better to go door to door or in front of a grocery store?
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 7:47 am
Ds usually did door to door. The whole troop sometimes did shifts at the grocery store.
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Reader234
Member
08-13-2000
| Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 7:38 am
I'm back Julie!! Are you sure you wanna know my 2cents?? BEG!! I hated Tiger scouts. The monthly Pack meetings are not appropriate for your young sons... no matter what 'activities' they plan, it can hold the interest of the WEBELOS, but rarely can a Tiger get thru the 1 - 2 hour meeting.... imho! Plus, the burden is on the parents to hold the activities,(outside of that once a month gathering meeting) and that can be a pain too, quite frankly, depends on the "group" you have. (Some parents love to organize and plan group outings, the zoo, the aquariums, nature museums, even Chuck E Cheese can be an outing for Tigers) The other problem I find is with Tigers, you may just "burn" out too soon! For Popcorn, keep in mind the popcorn is expensive, but its because it goes to the Boy Scouts, that money is what helps the camps function - and that is a HUGE deal, of course they also depend on the "FOS" = Friends of Scouting campaign. They dont receive money from United Way any longer, and so they have to raise money. Like Secretsmile, dh and I are very involved with the Boy Scouts. The Cub Scouts was too politically charged, and we got burned bad - or I did, which in turn, my son did. So that was our motivating factor in getting involved in Boy Scouts. The most important year for Cubs is Webelos - and earn the Arrow of Light - its the only award that is carried over into Boy Scouting. My major problem with cubs is that they have a "Brag" vest - which is an oxymoron for me - Brag about the "deeds"?!! Any and everything they do can earn them a little "segment"... and again, it totally depends on you, and your pack how this is run, this is only MY opinion, and I have sour grapes for Cub Scouts. Also, there is a huge need for Den Moms, and if you care about your son, and have the time, and love kids, you step up and help - and then you may end up more involved than your son!! Then he doesnt want to go on to Boy Scouts, which is totally and completely different than Cub Scouts!! Boy Scouts is Boy Led. In Cubs the mom can sign the book when the boy completes something, not in Boy scouts... it takes awhile to 'get' the change - but for me, I love watching those new crossover scouts - they grow and learn so much that first year!! Each troop is also different. We have 2 troops in our town, our troop is totally into camping, and boy led, the other troop, the parents are more involved, and they only camp a couple times of year... Good Luck.. if you are hesitant, I say go with your gut... and as far as the cost of the magazine, my dd loves that magazine!! With 2 boys one year I deducted the cost of the magazine (because you dont have to buy it - well let me tell you that was a HUGE mistake, the troop loses a point for100% participation, and they dont get this cute flag that no one reads anyway... like I said dont get me started!!
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 8:45 am
Thank Reader, I gotta run so I can't read your whole post now, but I want to say thanks and yes I want your two cents!!! Be back later tonight...
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 5:12 pm
Well Reader, I do believe you have it right. I agree that these little guys are gonna have very short attention spans. We are going to give it a try. I just wish I knew that Tiger Scouts was needy for mom/dad participation. Now I think I may have wanted to be a leader (right now I am an assistant leader.) I just was so on the spot and had no information about this at all. I had no idea that Cub scouts was different than Boy Scouts and I never even heard of Tiger Scouts... I am also not crazy about selling the popcorn. So far I have sold $55.00. That means I only have to sell $195.00 more. Ugh! Cuz I already hit the grammas up so now I have to hit people with kids which means that I am gonna have to buy their stuff... Anywho, thanks for your comments Reader!!!
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Reader234
Member
08-13-2000
| Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 7:31 pm
Julie, trust me, try and not worry about being an assistant, save yourself for later!! and just sell up that the popcorn goes to help the Boy and Cub Scout Camps, its a "Fundraiser" to help our Camps!! (It's helped our Boys!) And above all, listen to your kid, get there late to that monthly meeting (cause you will not be able to leave early!! Ours never started on time anyway!!) Try real hard to listen to what your son wants, and needs... and as far as that Pinewood Derby, they make way too much out ofit, try and know that there are more that "dont win" than "can" win, so make sure you lower the expectations - the Hell with everyone else, your main focus should be on your kid, and at this level of politics, you have to be in charge of what you want your son to "learn"... ON SECOND THOUGHT!! Never mind.
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