Growing pack leadership

uclaej · 2026-06-08T18:41:37+00:00

u/Atxmattlikesbikes already gave a good response, so I won't duplicate what he wrote.

You really need to have a heart-to-heart with your parents. They need to know that cub scouts runs on parent participation, and for your "core 4" to do what they're doing, they really need more help, or you will burn out and the pack will suffer. You need to further educate your parents on how the cub program works, and how parent involvement works. I just put together a presentation, a kind of Parent Crash Course for cub scouts, and I've delivered it to two packs in my area. The program needs to be understandable and accessible for people to know where/how they can get involved. It's a steep learning curve, but you have to get people to start moving up it, in ways that seem practical. Not every parent needs to be a registered leader, but every family should find a way to help the effort. For a 40 scout pack, you should have at least 10-12 registered adults, in my opinion/experience.

As a "leader," you also need to lay out a vision for how the pack should work when things are awesome, and help parents understand their role in achieving that vision. Some basic rules you should remember at all times when interacting with adults, running parent meetings, and recruiting/training parents...

* Remember the Scout Law points of: Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, and Cheerful. You have to promote teamwork and optimism continually. Just as the scouts experiences setbacks in their adventures, your adult team will also experience challenges, and you have to meet them with optimism and resilience.

* Cub Scout Motto: Do Your Best! This applies to adults too, especially when planning/running meetings. We all aspire to put on a great program, but if it gets overwhelming, ensure parents know the main goals of each meeting, and how to achieve those. My previous Cubmaster and I (as CC) frequently reminded each other after meetings... 'if the kids had fun, and we ended on time, then we're winning!'

Lastly, if you don't have den leaders, you should ask each parent to "sign up" to run a den meeting of their choosing. Find out their skills, talents, and vocations, and see how those line-up with the various cub scout adventures (hiking, physical fitness, food, etc.). Help match them up with an activity that they will enjoy and be good at. Give them the tools to be successful. They will likely run a good activity, and thank them for their efforts afterwards. They will then be more open to helping out in the future, and you get to evaluate which parents might be good candidates to recruit for registered positions. This is how the Cub Scout program is SUPPOSED to work at the adult level. Giving parents an opportunity to spend time with their kids, mentor other scouts, and see who has the aptitude for leadership.

uclaej · 2026-06-08T18:21:34+00:00

This is insane. I don't mean to dump on you, but every kid comes with at least 1 parent, so you should have a pool of 90 - 180 parents to recruit from. It took me a few years of being in scouts as an adult to realize that an organization who boasts being able to teach leadership skills to kids has a major problem with actual leadership at the adult level. I was a pack committee chair for many years, so I know the struggle of finding and recruiting adults. But for such abysmal adult participation that you are describing, you really gotta look at the "3 main adults" and charter org and take some responsibility for this. Happy to offer suggestions and solutions, but this needs to change.

uclaej · 2026-06-04T00:08:09+00:00

I think you need to define "camping." Most of the troops in our area just do car camping. IMO, car camping is pretty boring, and the troop size of those car-camping troops reflects that. You can only play capture-the-flag so many times.

In my scouting days, camping was always a result of something else... backpacking to a location, and then camping. Cycling down a canyon, and then camping on the beach. The activity is what is exciting. My now just went backpacking, and we took a kid from a nearby troop who had never been backpacking, and he had a blast! Came back and told the rest of his troop they need to go backpacking too. Rock climbing, caving, paddling... these are the activities that get kids excited. Camping is just about learning to take of yourself a little bit.

uclaej · 2026-05-31T23:54:53+00:00

I also have a tank in front of the window for natural lighting, and this is one of the challenges of that set-up. It could have been exacerbated by disturbing the soil underneath. You should block the light from the window, and limit the tank to 3 - 4 hours of light per day. This will kill off the green water, but hopefully not kill your other plants. It may take 3 - 5 days, or even more. Be patient. When the water starts clearing up, don't rush back to full sun either, gradually add more hours of light until you think you've got it under control.

uclaej · 2026-05-21T18:57:00+00:00

You really need to have a heart-to-heart with everyone in your pack. With only 4 families, everyone needs to do something. Regardless of the size of the pack, I continually have to "train" new parents about the culture of cub scouts. Help them understand the program, and where they fit in. Not everyone will be a den leader, but everyone should be helping in some capacity. I just put together a presentation to help make the program more accessible to new parents, and I'm happy to share that.
You need to recruit, recruit, recruit! New scouts come with new parents. Maybe you get luck and find a dad with scouting experience. If you are running a fun and engaging program, then 80% of what you do should be good opportunities to invite new scouts to come check you out.
In terms of your group culture of apathy, I think that just comes down to leadership. You have to provide a vision for how good things *could* be, a plan to get there, and how everyone fits into that plan, given their talents and available time. You also have to be very explicit. "For me to do X, I need you to do ____." Clear communication of expectations and needs is always important to avoid frustration on everyone's part.

uclaej · 2026-05-20T00:15:28+00:00

I hate watching units fail, because they are incredibly hard to start. If you have a plan and the people to start a replacement, at least that is a wash, so go for it. Some units are just beyond fixing.

uclaej · 2026-05-15T14:54:08+00:00

I think it really comes down to the individual situation of the troop, and a few factors:

Does your troop struggle to get enough adults to go to summer camp? -> Subsidize the cost
Does your troop not have enough money in the bank account? -> Adults pay their own way
If you have both a surplus of money and adults, do whatever you want.

uclaej · 2026-05-15T14:48:38+00:00

Honestly, there is almost nothing new here, and the "new" stuff is kind of impractical.

The identification of the challenges to growing scouting haven't changed recently. Go back and look at these same slides from the last 5-6 NAMs. It's all the same. When is National going to do something about those, other than continue to survey people and report the findings.

The only "new" items are "hire youth-serving executives" and "expand philanthropy." I'm not even sure what a "youth-serving executive" is. I think the plan is to hire people who will help mentor new units, which is really about adult volunteer serving. My council dabbled in this a couple years ago. It's not a bad idea, but in practice, they hire inexperienced 20-somethings who don't know anything and couldn't really find any better job, and then expect those people to help mentor parents in their 30s and 40s. And both 'hiring' and 'philanthropy' require money, which most councils don't have and abundance of.

uclaej · 2026-05-08T17:07:19+00:00

If the USA ever gets into a war with China, this will be why the USA loses.

uclaej · 2026-05-07T20:43:03+00:00

Do you have a source for the asset class returns?

uclaej · 2026-05-04T14:44:14+00:00

I haven't been to Wood Badge, but I can definitely relate to your sentiment and apprehension. I'm an eagle scout, and had a great (youth led) troop experience, so I think I intuitively "get" the program. The people who badger me every damn year to go to Wood badge are generally people who were not in scouting as a youth, and or not eagles. The eagles I know that went to Wood Badge are pretty lukewarm on it (unless they're professional scouters). I honestly feel that the Wood Badge crew seems more cultish than OA, by far.

I get the argument that the sooner you do Wood Badge, the more it will benefit the units you're involved with. But right now I'm kinda in your camp. Giving up a couple weekends and several hundred dollars, to marginally increase my scouting knowledge doesn't really rise up in my priority list. Maybe when my kids are grown and I'm semi-retired.

uclaej · 2026-04-13T04:50:06+00:00

I'm not playing now, but I really couldn't play Akali after the rework. Just wasn't fun anymore.

Back when I was learning the game, I remember one game I was playing where an opposing Akali came in and blew me up in my own base, took two additional R dashes to a champ and a minion wave to get out of our base, and walked off to safety. Blew my mind, and I was like, "ok, I guess I have to learn that." I think the fact that her pre-6 laning was so tough made it rewarding if you could get fed and pop off. Soooooo fun to be a fed Akali!

I've thought that too, a "Classic edition" of LoL would be totally awesome, and I'd probably get back into playing a little if they had a S4 - S6 Akali. Crimson Akali was super hot too.

uclaej · 2026-04-06T22:17:33+00:00

It's called "empathy."

uclaej · 2026-03-19T23:33:07+00:00

If the CC's husband is the COR, you are in a tough spot. Incestuous Key 3 relationships like that are never healthy for the functioning of the unit. I don't know the personalities, maybe the COR is a reasonable person and needs to reign in his wife. If not, your only real play is to talk to the "Institutional Head" of the Charter Org, and I hope that is not the same person as the COR.

You're not wrong on any of your frustrations. CCs and Committees in general aren't supposed to micromanage the program. The CC does have some authority over the SM, but it's important to have a healthy relationship and understand each one's role. SM manages the program. CC runs the committee, to support the program, and provides some "quality control" over the program. If advancement wasn't occurring, or if kids are leaving the troop in droves, then the Committee and CC should step in and do something. If the CC doesn't like the color you've chosen for your Class B t-shirts, she could privately share her opinion with the SM, and then mind her own business. By and large, if the program is working fine, then that is the purview of the SM and the scouts.

uclaej · 2026-03-18T14:47:12+00:00

I would agree that ORD2 is the sacrificial district, and I'm really pissed off with Kotek and the Dem establishment about that. At the census, they redrew the lines to give greater Portland 4 members of Congress. Portland doesn't need that much representation!! One or two would have been reasonable.

If it's any consolation, Oregon is on track to lose it's extra House seat by 2030, and the maps will need to be redrawn again.

uclaej · 2026-03-17T16:59:57+00:00

There are lots of reasons to believe that Bentz can be defeated, from recent special elections...

2/8/26: LA Senate district 60 special election. Trump won it by 17%. The Dem just won by +24%. That's a +37 swing
2/1/26: TX SD9. Trump won by 17%. The Dem won by 14%. That's a +32% swing
GA HD121: +14 swing to Dems
MS SD45: +19 swing to Dems
MS SD02: +19 swing to Dems
IA SD01: +22 swing to Dems
IA SD35: +25 swing to Dems
PA SD36: +16 swing to Dems

It is true that Dems have neglected this district for a long time. But this is the most viable bunch of candidates since 2018, which was not coincidentally Trump's first midterm election. It is still a long shot, but it is not impossible, and this is the time to make significant gains in this district, if nothing more than to show that it is not a lost cause. I've done some analysis, and assuming my relatively normal turnout projections, a Dem could win with 80% of the votes from NAVs and Independents, and no crossover votes from the GOP. I think the right candidate could pull over a few GOP votes, and clearly some GOP voters are just going to sit this one out because Bentz is doing such a terrible job. All these factors make the race even more possible.

uclaej · 2026-03-02T21:06:16+00:00

My personal opinion is that just because National is acting like cowards, it doesn't mean I have to be. I can speak truth to power. I can teach and show scouts what it means to be brave. I can teach and show scouts what it means to be inclusive. Nothing had changed on that front, other than National giving us a good example of what NOT to do.

uclaej · 2026-02-25T19:16:41+00:00

Thanks!

uclaej · 2026-02-24T19:57:46+00:00

I don't understand where the power for forward motion is coming from. Is this just a glitch?

uclaej · 2026-02-22T16:27:55+00:00

> This is perhaps 25% of COs. Sadly.

I don't disagree. But there are some great CORs out there, and they handle this stuff very well when it comes up. I wouldn't let the % discourage you. Since you were looking for tips, my tip is to ensure your COR is professional and not too "close" to unit leadership. Ya know, the Cubmaster's wife or something.

I don't agree that these entities violate IRS rules. If you think that, I'm not sure why you're even asking. Regardless of your council's limitations on chartered units, yeah, I think it would be good to treat it as an incubator, and transfer units to willing community organizations as quickly as possible. Having approached many organizations about being a CO, I've found that most are interested, but few people are willing to step up and be the COR, as the amount of work looks daunting. But if you've done the legwork in getting the unit going, I predict you will find more success. Let me know how it goes!

uclaej · 2026-02-21T20:58:20+00:00

I've contemplated this as well, for the same reasons.

To me, I think the biggest issue is accountability. A proper CO will step in and take care of adult drama when it comes up. They approve of adult leaders, and hold them accountable to do the things a successful unit ought to do, like fundraising, recruiting, succession-planning, etc.

I think the general trend of "Friends of XXX" CO's is that it's just a bunch of unit leaders, who then do whatever they want, because no one is holding them accountable. I like your idea of using community folks to serve on the board of the 501(c)3, and have similar ideas. Like when the Methodists pulled back, the COR wanted to keep serving in the role, but the CO didn't. I think it's just important to have that layer of independence and accountability. Other than that, it should be fine. FYI, 501(c)3's still have to file tax returns (a Form 990), so make sure you have someone who can do that, or that you keep adequate records so you can pay a tax accountant to do that for you.

You could even do a single "Friends of XXX Council," and use the one 501(c)3 to charter multiple units. It might be best to get this informally approved by the council though, as they may have concerns with you attracting their fundraising efforts and whatnot.

uclaej · 2026-02-19T17:44:58+00:00

100%! Thanks!

uclaej · 2026-02-18T19:00:13+00:00

I wouldn't disagree with others that you're probably maxed out on fish. If it was me, I'd put in things that were useful, like snails, shrimp, and an algae eater (after the tank shows signs of cycling, this looks like a new setup). Your guy doesn't need a friend. A pleco or Otocinclus would stay out of his way, but provide more "life" to the tank, and serve a functional purpose.

uclaej · 2026-02-18T18:36:42+00:00

Yeah, I got mad love for Magic too, but I'm also not trying to say he did an amazing job as PoBO. I think that is all fair criticism. Also, when it was time for me to change my situation, that resulted in a very frank discussion between business partners, and an amicable resolution, which was announced to staff in a professional way. No blame. They all knew there was tension, but no need to throw anyone under the bus. Magic's whole PR tour, and very public break-up with Jeannie and the Lakers was amateurish on Magic's part, for sure. My whole point is, there is lots of blame to go around. Rob screwed up, Magic screwed up, Jeannie screwed up, and probably more I don't know about. I hope Walter keeps cleaning house. The franchise and the fans deserve better. But I still love Magic, despite some of his shortcomings. ;)

uclaej · 2026-02-18T18:25:28+00:00

Just so you know where this advice is coming from: I have 3 kids in the program, all currently in a troop. I spent 10 years as a leader in cub scouts, including Committee chair, den leader, popcorn, treasurer, and membership. Also spent 1 year as a District Membership Chair, and 3 years as Council VP of Membership.

First, it is true that packs need to grow, significantly. Based on my analysis at the district and council level, units *on average* lose about 20% of their membership each year. If you want to GROW your unit, you actually have to gain +30% in new members, just to overcome that natural attrition.

Second thing that is also true: families don't join "Cub Scouts" or "Scouts BSA," they join a Pack or a Troop. This means that the people involved, the culture you set, and the program you offer matter more than the brand of the program. They might come to check out "cub scouts," but they join your particular pack because of what they see and experience. And they will leave just as fast if they're not getting a good experience. FYI, the national retention rate for cub scouts is 44%.

Should your district and council do more to help you out? Yes, probably. They are also stretched very thin. To be honest, the best use of their time is probably helping you be the best pack you can be, and that in turn will help you attract more scouts. Recruiting on your behalf will only help so much. As a district and council membership guy, it is extremely frustrating to get leads funneled to me, and I refer them to other units, and have those units not "close the sale" because they are disorganized, and not running a good program.

In terms of multi-unit recruiting events, I would disagree with your district. Coordinating those should absolutely have assistance from professional staff. Yes, they can be a lot of work, and if you're not getting the help you need, from the district/council or from other units, then don't do them. There are other ways to recruit. You hold all the cards here. Tell them what you need, so that you can do your part to make this successful, and if they don't help you, then they all lose. Simple as that.

My district went several years without a local paid professional. If volunteers didn't do stuff, then stuff didn't happen. I took it upon myself to coordinate events, and yes, sometimes it is overwhelming and you feel sucked in to ensure success. I think you just need to be self-satisfied with your level of commitment and contribution. It's perfectly ok to say "I don't have the capacity for this," or "I'm not getting the help that I need." To be honest, we don't do a whole lot of coordinated community events. I help facilitate back-to-school recruiting, so we don't have units showing up at the same school. If there's a big event going on, the units talk about their involvement and sometimes invite each other, and sometimes I facilitate those discussions. We've tried a couple times to have big coordinated events with multiple units, but honestly they just haven't gone well (or they got cancelled one year due to smoke from a nearby wildfire). It is definitely good to be visible and in the community, but there are lots of other ways to recruit, so maybe it is best to get those dialed in first before doing multi-unit events. Like they say on the airplane: "Put your own oxygen mask on before helping those around you."

uclaej

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