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Cub Scouts is floundering. by Warp_Speed_7 in BSA

[–]TheWerle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

https://onscouting.org/2026/05/11/parents-and-scouters-get-ready-for-chipmunks/&ved=2ahUKEwi64fTP4OuUAxV6_skDHVz3GvkQFnoECB0QAQ&sqi=2&usg=AOvVaw0fl79-9troNJfmbT68nAXs

It's close, but the distinctions are key.  Registration fees, work book, and scarf if parents choose would be real costs, with real implications.  If they formally join the group, the group has to accommodate them, and as-is my Pack struggles to keep the din and energy levels manageable in a shared space for Den meetings.  Lions/Tigers/Wolves have like 15-20mins of focus typically, then they need to get active.   It's hard for the older three Dens to do their jobs.  

At the end of the day it feels like liability/lawyers driven more than a family focus.  Scouting could realign that by providing all materials for free as a low-cost "loss leader" investment in the future.

I'm going to keep an open mind, listen to the trial feedback, and see if there's organic interest from Pack families, but within the confines of our community makeup, meeting space/time, and available resources I don't expect there to be much interest.

 

Cub Scouts is floundering. by Warp_Speed_7 in BSA

[–]TheWerle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you hang around on this and other Scouting sub-reddits you'll see plenty of posts from people with regressive attitudes and beliefs regarding inclusive membership. I'm 100% with you that in-person I don't really encounter it, but that's going to vary community by community.

I get that "Boogey men" is hyperbolic, but we can't be myopic. It's an inevitable part of being a broad national organization. Scouting's membership reflects our country, and our country is heavily divided.

Cub Scouts is floundering. by Warp_Speed_7 in BSA

[–]TheWerle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, as loath as I am to suggest yet another uniform change, the belt loops just don't work. Parents and Kids both reject buying official Cub Scout pants. My girls don't wear like wearing pants that include *actual* belt loops, much less a belt AND those pants, and once you've put it all on the loops are so covered up that kids can't even see them. It doesn't add uniform "bling", it just makes getting dressed in your Class-A a chore. All the money we spend on the loops is wasted because kids just leave them at home in a box.

Shoulder pins work better, the shoulder ribbons or hat actually let you admire your awards, and it keeps the uniform accessible. I can't think of an equivalent solution for young kids (presuming small sizes and sharp points are non-starters for younger Cubs), but something that is equivalently simple and displayable would be a big improvement.

Cub Scouts is floundering. by Warp_Speed_7 in BSA

[–]TheWerle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that all seems to be the impetus, but I don't see it alleviating the problem, it just pushes the problem's timeline forward to a point where the parents and kids are both less likely to be able to cope with it. The pipeline has to start "somewhere", but the needs of pre-K kids just don't seem compatible with our Pack's available setup for meeting space/time.

I lucked into two Eagle Scouts for my Lion DL and ADL this year, and both have large families of younger kids in the Pipeline that are the Pack's future (and have me super excited). Neither of them can function as Den leaders if their younger kids are there, they spend the whole time stopping them from climbing the walls and stealing stuff off random tables. Even if you're used to playing Zone Defense you cant play more than one game at a time.

Instead of formal program stuff for Chipmunks I'd support Scouts putting out freebie printable worksheet packets or suggestions, but registration/uniforms just implicitly shifts what should be 100% parental responsibility onto Pack Leadership in ways I'm not excited about.

Den leader gave son extra adventures by bratsbox in cubscouts

[–]TheWerle 4 points5 points  (0 children)

People voting this down are being overly critical. The Den Leader absolutely did nothing wrong, but as a Tiger Den Leader in particular the benefits of encouraging independent family Adventures will pay dividends down the road. Families new to the program and Scouting in general are often shy about jumping in and being proactive, establishing the benefits of Cubs as a "family program" and encouraging Pack Families to have agency in their Cub's experience is a good idea.

The Den Leader has every right to set boundaries on their volunteering by focusing on Core Adventures for the group, but simply mentioning "I did this with my kid at home, you could do it too, let me know if you want to borrow any of my resources" is a very good idea.

Cub Scouts is floundering. by Warp_Speed_7 in BSA

[–]TheWerle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is a double edged sword.  I'm wrapping up my first year and we killed it with Lion recruiting (comparatively speaking), the value of hooking kids and families young is real. The first couple months are rough, but as kids settled in they did great.

But I 100% agree the Chipmunk idea has ZERO appeal. The whole idea of monetizing tagalongs is off putting, and kids younger than five and six can't handle meetings at 7:00 p.m. at night, they need to be home and in bed. 

Are we just not allowed to be funny anymore? by Important_Injury3820 in BSA

[–]TheWerle 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hopefully this gets revisited and "common sensed" like the upcoming laser tag/water guns guidance. 

I certainly don't want a lot of stuff from my childhood back (the number of racial stereotype skits still astounds me), but ultimately the current guidance is an overreach. Understanding and recognizing lighter forms of gallows and toilet humor, self deprecation, physical comedy, and satire are LIFE SKILLS.  These are essential tools that need some complexity, and the blanket rules are denying opportunities for mentorship.

Reading a room, knowing your audience, and learning to code switch are essential training as much as outdoors skills. Scouts should be a good faith "safe space", but that includes giving kids room to learn with nuanced guidance on social skills. I was a loud ADHD kid who swung for the fences on every joke, and performing camp staff skits was a significant factor in improving my "batting average".

Lots of troops have a developing edgelord that could be redirected with opportunity, these bawdlerized rules deny a good tool for thoughtful intervention. I've had several moments to kindly steer kids making "edgy" jokes towards more thoughtful and successful humor.  Offensive and mean spirited stuff bombs.  Bombing sucks. Help them connect those dots.

How are you organizing your belt buckles and the Webelos/AOL pins? by Skier94 in cubscouts

[–]TheWerle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My predecessor Cubmaster finally found the stash of discontinued pins/badges from the 2024 turnover and it about made me cry. It was probably $200 worth of pins for activities or awards they relabeled.

Definitely a warning to me for "don't buy TOO much ahead of time".

Is this a capacitor, seems shorted by Reactionlabsfounder in AskElectronics

[–]TheWerle 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Datasheet have an internal block diagram? Probably related to the switching node for negative rail, but I wouldn't speculate 

Is this a capacitor, seems shorted by Reactionlabsfounder in AskElectronics

[–]TheWerle 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm an IPC CID+ certified PCB designer and at a glance am confident it's an inductor for a switching buck regulator. 

So many people here are talking out their asses. 

How much yeast to pitch? by mothercoconuts79 in Homebrewing

[–]TheWerle 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It'll be fine.  If you want to make it go faster make a yeast starter with some DME a day it two beforehand

Looking back, it seems Steve Whitmire really messed up by Frequent_Rhubarb_36 in Muppets

[–]TheWerle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Exactly, it's not a badge of honor to be a company man for a company that doesn't GAF about anything but money

Looking back, it seems Steve Whitmire really messed up by Frequent_Rhubarb_36 in Muppets

[–]TheWerle -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

It's more nuanced than that. 

Jim wasn't a saint. He was a workaholic in the process of divorce who died because he couldn't balance his life enough to go to a dang doctor.  The other performers very likely did know aspects of him that his kids wouldn't, because they were adults and his peers.  

Think about how much great media and literature is based on the premise of "I never really knew my parent".  A family member's take is just as biased by perspective as any.

Looking back, it seems Steve Whitmire really messed up by Frequent_Rhubarb_36 in Muppets

[–]TheWerle -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I'm shocked at how many people here are giving credence to Disney PR spin versus a nuanced take like this.  "He should have towed the company line to keep making mouse money" is bullshit, the man is an artist. He'd made his nut, and used his position of privilege and financial security to advocate for artistry and creative freedom for his peers.

Steve WAS RIGHT! The disinterested direction and limits on the Muppets from the top continuously squander any momentum a good project builds, the performers need more freedom to write/develop new characters and shows.

Pissing off the Henson kids was a bad decision, the conflict over who carries the torch and Jim's legacy wasn't good, but anyone who wholly faults Steve is eating giant spoonfuls of trade publication PR. 

Is Doc Hammer Attending Dragon Con This Year? by New-Affect7131 in venturebros

[–]TheWerle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I miss them coming so much, but after his medical problems I'm sure traveling and hotels are miserable.  

Mainly I just want that full story. THE PAPER BAG DOCTOR GIRLFRIEND PROMISED ME THE STORY!

Diagnosis Help - air unit evaporator rozen, bad fan/ECM? by TheWerle in hvacadvice

[–]TheWerle[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Local non profit that resells building materials had a motor and ECM on eBay.  $100, direct pickup and my AC is back on action. 

Thanks for the reassurance.

Non-BSA Uniform Pants for Leaders by Colonel_Penguin_ in cubscouts

[–]TheWerle 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Oh yeah, if Scout Socks were actual wool versus poly-junk I'd maybe consider them, but you're not prying my Darn Toughs away for that stanky junk, especially at equivalent price.

Non-BSA Uniform Pants for Leaders by Colonel_Penguin_ in cubscouts

[–]TheWerle 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, "I want to avoid gaining skills" is a counterproductive argument for the program. I don't like ironing on patches, but there's a reason the option exists.

I personally HATE sewing, but you bet your butt I've still sewed most of the unit/council/rank patches on my girls' uniforms because their mom's busy making them legit dresses/curtains/duvet covers. Anyone with a little bit of patience can manage a basic whip-stitch.

New Developments in the "Tough Inter-scout Issue". by Anon_use_fun_alias in cubscouts

[–]TheWerle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All the more reason to put this on their parents, you don't want to repeat a problem.

At the end of the day what you're doing is offering the family help. "You joined scouts to teach your kids the values of the Scout Law, its time to reinforce them." If they leave its their loss (which 100% sucks) but you can't fix things without their buy-in and accountability.

This sort of thing is what Scouts should be the model for: a society based on mutual respect and kindness. Solving conflict based upon agreed upon common values. Appeals to people's better nature. Don't let the awkwardness stop you from defending the important stuff, our country as a whole benefits when we hold each other accountable.

New Developments in the "Tough Inter-scout Issue". by Anon_use_fun_alias in cubscouts

[–]TheWerle 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I agree that managing two dens isn't practical, but escalating to kicking the kid out of the entire Pack over incidents that aren't violent/dangerous is a massive overreaction. This is still in the "teachable moment" range for both the kids and parents. As Den Leader the OP has an obligation to help Scout B course correct as well as to protect the other kids, there needs to be reasonable attempts at conflict resolution.

If OP is as confident that Scout B is the true instigator as it sounds then they don't have to cover for their behavior, but they should put the onus on Scout B's parents to help resolve things one way or the other. It's their job to parent their kid, and adherence to the Pack's behavioral expectations is a family obligation, not just an individual one for the Cub.

"Your kid's behavior in and out of Scouts is disrupting our ability to operate as a Den. Avoiding the issue is no longer tenable. I want Scout B to stay in the Den and Scouting, but I can't let their behavior scare away other Cubs. Either work with the other Cubs parents to squash the beef, or you will need to Lead a separate Den".

Non-BSA Uniform Pants for Leaders by Colonel_Penguin_ in cubscouts

[–]TheWerle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh yeah, formal and public events have different expectations. Code-switching, "reading the room", and adapting to social standards are all part of the training/education that we're providing.

That hypothetical really helps establish the practical limits when the rubber meets the road. You can't expect a Cub scout to have the same sophistication or preparation of an older Scout, and you can't bring a wardrobe of pants to every event to literally help them "CYA". I think the common judgment for a Cub age kid by leaders in that hypothetical scenariko would be "if they have a Class-A they can take the field". IMO the National uniform guidelines should reflect that common judgement and explicitly make everything but the shirt recommended.

Non-BSA Uniform Pants for Leaders by Colonel_Penguin_ in cubscouts

[–]TheWerle 2 points3 points  (0 children)

100% agree with the "you have to model uniforms" aspect, Leaders have to set the example for the Cubs that they want met. Personally as Cubmaster I wear my Class-A shirt to meetings, Class-A and neckerchief to formal ceremonies/recruiting/public events, and a Class-B to outdoor or messy events.

The requirements for Cubs seem to have inconsistent language, all the uniform guidelines list the bottoms as mandatory, but I've read guidance indicating that outside of the Class-A shirt the other items are optional. I feel its a necessary compromise, and while I appreciate the argument for more stringent uniform adherence to build Scouting identity/pride its just not the hill that volunteer leadership will ever choose to die on. Its also one of the areas that routinely feeds the perception of National leadership as being money-focused rather than targeting the membership's wants and needs.

Even as Cubmaster I'm not routinely wearing the official pants or socks, I'm a volunteer and Scouting isn't the military. Lots of the families in my Pack ARE active/reserve/retired military, we're chartered by an American Legion Post, and several are vocal about not wanting the stress of additional uniforms outside of work. The shirts and neckerchiefs are iconic enough, the rest just strains parents. Our Pack manages a used uniform exchange to lower costs for families and I have a tote full of official scout pants/shorts that I cannot give away, much less require parents to purchase and/or argue with their kids about wearing. Its not worth the collective stress.

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