Now that I am visible, Cub Scout dilema inside... please help me...

[zakatak]

Here's the lowdown...

Dh travels alot.

I have three kids, ds 6, dd 4 and dd 2.

This is ds' first year to join cubscouts. Of course, dh is out of town on registration night so I call the cubmaster and ask him how long the program is (it says 7-9pm). He says it can go that long so I get BIL to come in (35 minute drive) to take him and register him. He comes out, takes him and is home in 10 minutes. HUH????

Seems like he just picked up the paperwork and came back. Great! Now I have an application (with no address to send it) and second hand information about the meetings, etc. Am I having fun yet???? NO!

So, included in this packet is an invitation to a marshmellow roast (first event of the year) next wednesday night. GREAT!! Guess what? DH is out of town! My three babysitters are all on the same soccer team and have games Wednesdays and Saturdays. HAHAHAHAHA... So... here is my dilema... do I take the girls (4 and 2) or dig through people begging them to take him?

Now, since I "think" he has den meetings once a week??? and scout meetings once a month??? should I bring the girls to that if I can't get a sitter and DH is out of town or do I just drop him off??? HE IS ONLY 6!!!

Anybody with scout experience that can help me out with the meeting frequency and whether sibs are allowed? Anybody with any ideas on how to survive a travelling DH and still give my kids a life???

Visibly confused, frustrated and sad,
Karen

 

[minniecarousel]

I'd take the little ones with you. In our Pack, younger siblings were always welcome. Parents attend Pack meetings, but not Den meetings. Hopefully, you'll know someone else in his den. That way you can do some car-pooling (that gets tough with 2 in car-seats! My brother has 4 year old triplets, and it's always been tough getting their older son to/from things, when only one parent is around!)

 

[tar heel]

If he's only 6, I'm guessing he's in Tiger Cubs. At that level, they are supposed to have an adult partner -- you even list the person on the registration form. Also, in most Tiger dens, parents get a turn or two planning the meeting. If you can't get a sitter, I would take the younger kids. There often are younger kids there. The once a month meetings are Pack meetings (all the dens together) and involve the whole family, so there's plenty of younger kids there. IMO, weekly is too often for Tiger Cubs, although one of my boys was in a pack that met that frequently.

 

[Fire14]

My nephew was in Cub scout(tiger cubs) His pack had meetings every week, and den meetings once a month, I know that other sibs were there, there was some just drop off and go kids. For most part parents are at meetings for tiger cubs. I know his pack mets were on mon night. It's a school/pack thing some meet on mons some another day of week. Hope this helps some.

 

[Dream]

It is so hard sometimes isn't it? Hang in there though...it's worth it! Cub Scouting is a family affair. When we did Tigers they had very few "official den meetings" but lots of "outings" and achievement work was done at home with the parents. I know the program has changed since then so maybe they have more meetings now. In my opinion weekly meetings are too much for this age! Pack meetings (all the dens together) are definately full of siblings! It sounds like you need some answers though. Look in the phone book for your local Boy Scout Council, give them your school and explain your situation(couldn't go to the recruitment meeting etc.). They should give you the name of either the cubmaster for your pack and/or the den leader for your son's den. Call either of these folks and get the scoop about meetings, uniforms, handbooks and the like. I just re-read your post and you don't mention if your BIL brought a phone number home for you so this is another route you can take if he didn't. Good luck to you and your ds! It is a wonderful progrram!

 

[Pam]

My experience has been what everyone else has stated. The Tiger program is designed for the parents to be highly involved (sets the tone for helping the young Scout on the trail to Eagle Scout).

I would call the local Council center if the paperwork your husband brought home does not have a phone number. They should be able to give you a number for your Pack's Cubmaster.

If you can't make the Den meetings, you can drop off your son and then pick him up. Pack meetings are a family affair, siblings and parents are always welcome. It is up to the Den leader's discretion about sibs and parents are the den meetings, but usually they can use all the extra help they can get.
Pam

 

[Pembo]

We are new Tiger scout parents too! There were siblings at the pack meeting. I agree with everyone else, call the leader, tell them your dilemma, see what they say.

As impossible as I know it can be, I'd work on finding another babysitter. I always have a tough time with this, so good luck.

My Tiger scout is going on a Sat. nite campout in 2 weeks and my dad is driving an hour to stay over night with him. Rev. Dh has to preach Sunday morning so sleeping in a tent isn't really a good option. And with a 4 yo and a newborn I'm not going!

Good luck!

 

[lisajl]

Take those DD's with you!

My dad was a Boy Scout leader for over 10 years and my sister and I went all the time.

We had more fun at Boy Scouts than we ever did at Girl Scouts.
I guess probably cause Dad was a great leader!

Our DS is now 8 and in Scouts. My husband works a lot and sometimes I have to take Kyle. Well...his little bro goes too!

I figure he is learning from the best, and will be ready for it when he gets there.

Take those little girls...they will have a blast. IT is also fun to watch the boys make over the little girls. (Especially the ones that have little sisters of their own)

Have a fun time!
Lisajl

 

[zakatak]

Thanks everyone!

I feel alot better about being involved and bringing the girls now. I just didn't want to be the one dragging kids in and out, you know what I mean?

He has a Marshmellow roast next Wednesday night so I will bring the girls to that! Should be fun! At least I will get to meet everyone else!

Thanks again,
Karen

 

[fklhou]

As a father of an eagle scout, I would encourage you to take your DDs to the meeting. It is done all of the time at the cub level. This weekend one of my DDs just joined the new sea scout venture crew that our temple just formed. She has been waiting until she was eligible to join boy scouts since she saw her brother's Arrow of Light cermony.

Finally, do not stress out over this. Scouting is meant to be fun for both you and your DS. Give it a chance. You will meet some great people in scouting.

 

[Piglet's Pal]

I feel your pain! I have 2 Boys in scouts, a younger daughter & a husband who works nights and some weekends. My daughter goes to all Cub Scout stuff--she even wears a pack t-shirt!
Don't worry if you haven't been given a leader's name yet. When our pack has registration they gather all the information, find out how many boys have signed up, decide how many boys to put in each den and then assign a leader. Your leader will be in contact with you as soon as they get a roster. Take the whole family to the marshmallow roast, meet some new people and have FUN!
PP

 

[paras4ri]

I also agree to take the girls. DS is a Senior (or second year) Webelo now....(don't worry, you'll learn what Webelo means soon!) and he's been in the same den since he was a Tiger Cub in first grade. The Tiger program is designed to have an adult partner and your daughters will have fun too. My kids have great friends made from being part of scouts...and so do we. Enjoy!!!