Wow! That was an amazing showing at the Pack meeting. Your scouts are awesome!
"Tigerpalooza" had a nice ring to it -- although tongue in cheek, it does show how much the Pack leadership is aware of what we're doing.
I have a couple of quick thoughts to share. The first set of thoughts was inspired by several parents' questions over the past few days. I thought I should share my response with you all.
REGARDING ACHIEVEMENTS AND ADVANCEMENTS
I do NOT quiz the scouts! I accept the parents' (aka "Akela") signature as "proof" that the scout worked on the requirement. However, as a rule, I don't accept email status reports as "official".
I do want to look at each Tiger's book with the scout when the advancements are recorded. (For our Den, the Siberian Tiger team coordinators can also fulfill this role.) At that point, I initial the "Recorded by Den Leader" space. This serves two purposes: (1) it rewards (and thereby encourages) participation in Den and Team meetings; and (2) it reinforces the impression that this is a collective endeavor rather than simply a parent-child endeavor.
We'll typically do this at Den and/or Team meetings. So, missing Den and/or Team activities will impact the schedule of a Tiger Cub's recognition at Pack meetings. The order for advancement awards are placed and the meeting agenda is drafted the week BEFORE the Pack meeting. (Advancement awards have to be picked up in person by a
registered adult leader from the Pack.)
I will try to come prepared to Pack meetings with a sheet to record achievements, but I have to apologize in advance: Pack meetings are a terrible time for me to juggle handbooks and personal interaction with 20 Tigers ; ) I will try to set aside a few minutes to look with a scout at his handbook AFTER the meeting. Obviously, time doesn't permit doing this for all 20 Tiger Cubs at every Pack meeting.
We actually want the Tiger Cubs to see other scouts getting rewarded for completing requirements and participating. We want them to want to achieve in scouting. That being said, the timing isn't crucial in any way to me or the other leaders. I understand that it may be important to scouts and parents -- that's OK.
UNIFORMS
The second set of thoughts has to do with uniforms. First, let me say how wonderful it is to see every scout in full uniform at the meetings. Even our newest additions were in full Class A. Everyone is to be congratulated and praised for that effort!
That being said, I'd like to ask your help in impressing on our Tiger Cubs the importance of respecting the uniform. How can we do that? I can think of two important ways.
The first is to wear a complete uniform and to wear it properly. Tonight, I noticed untucked shirts and neckerchiefs not neatly tucked under shirt collars. Are these crimes? Absolutely not! We can all think of many things that deserve our attention more richly. However, I think it's important for our Tiger Cubs to understand the importance (and the history) of the uniform and to wear it proudly. One way to do that is to take an extra minute to get the details just so. If you
help your Tiger do these things (and insist even when he wants that shirt untucked), he'll quickly get the clear but unspoken message that his uniform and appearance have value. Indeed, they are special!
A related issue is treating the uniform with respect. The biggest problem that our boys have is that they're first graders -- therefore, they're fidgeters! They like to turn their caps sideways or inside out. They like to do silly things with their neckerchiefs. Again, these aren't crimes : ) But I would like to ask your help in supporting my message to the boys that their uniforms are special and deserve to be treated that way.
As we go along, we can use the "uniform is special" mantra to help with discipline and positive behavior. I'm introducing that idea now: when you're in uniform, which is special, your behavior is also special. We want to "act like scouts" when we're in the scouting uniform.
Thanks for your enthusiastic participation and sharing your sons with us. They are indeed awesome and joys to be around!
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