Novemeber Pack Mtg-Citizenship

Inspiration hits at all times.  This time it was a reminder from Scouter Mom‘s Twitter/Blog posting.  This post centered around the Citizenship Activity Badge for Webelos I.  It is a requirement for  their Webelos Badge.  Coupled with the Citizenship Beltloop that they can earn, November is a perfect month to make it all happen.

Starting with the 5th meeting the Webelos can start to work on Citizenship in the new 2010 Den meeting plans.  This is in line with the November Pack Meeting 2010 Plans.

With all of this swirling around in my head, I realized and fired off two emails.  One to the Webelos I DL‘s, a copy to the Committee Chair and another to the District Exec and other District people.

First, I explained to the Webelos DL’s that it would be great if we can have them run the Flag Ceremony and do a Flag Retirement.  I sent them the  2010 Pack Meeting PDF for reference. The Committee Chair has flags that need to be retired.  I then asked the DE and others to see about getting us on the list for Flag Placement at the Williamette National Cemetery .  From what I understand, we have to be invited to go.  We have not gone for two years, and I really want the pack to go.  This will also be good for  Memorial Day as well.

Participating in a either a Veteran’s Day or Memorial Day event will help enforce and remind the boys that there is a lot more to just having Flag Ceremony’s and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.  It’s just not something we do before sporting events.  Time to get planning for Veteran’s Day in your Unit!

Flag Trivia Question: What is this flag?

Read Full Post »

August Summertime Pack Event

Today was the day of our final Summertime Pack Event.  It was great!  Even with the fact that apparently I was supposed to register with the people who put it on.  I explained that I kept going to the business association website looking for info.  That was then when I was told that the site was hacked months ago.  She let us in anyway towards the end.  I gave her my info for next year to get us on the list.  Our Charter Org is SW Kiwanis, the ones doing the Pancake feed….. Guess we had some pull.

Our Summertime Pack events were a Rain Gutter Regatta and Water Bottle Rockets.  If the boys attended two, they get the Summertime Pack Pin of the year they just completed.  Rain Gutter Regatta everyone attended.  So, boys only needed one more.  All boys who attend get the Summertime Pack Segment.  As an added kick, for attending this Parade, they are going to get the Parade Segment that the Council just came out with.  It’s my intention that the pack do as many parades as possible.

The boys were able to throw candy to everyone down the whole route.  We changed up the idea of displaying the American Flag and Pack Flag since not a lot of boys came.  However, we used the new banner that I had made from Vistaprint.  It was only $42 for a 6ft x 2.5ft.  It worked out great since once we were next to the grandstand area the announcer said some great words about us including JOINING CUBSCOUTS!

During the whole parade I kept hearing about Senator Ron Wyden was behind us.  I instantly knew that all political types love SCOUTS!  After he got done talking, I asked if we could have our picture with him.  He was incredibly generous and took time to talk to the boys.  I made it a point that he is our Senator in Washington DC.  He even invited us to DC for a tour.

This is our conclusion of events for the Summer.  Our join night is Sept 14th with the regular pack meeting on the 20th.  One other event we did which was not really on the schedule as an Event is the PGE Baseball Sleepover.  That was on August 14th.  The boys were able to walk around the diamond before the start.  After the game, the boys were able to talk to the players and ask good questions.  They always seem to ask if they were scouts.   After the talk everyone setup camp and got ready for the movie.  This years movie was UP.    While most of us have seen the movie, it was still a great one to see.  In the morning PGE fed us eggs, sausage, potatoes along with juice and coffee.

Overall, another successful Summertime Pack Event line-up.  Next year we will do the Parade, but I am also hoping to do something related to the 2011 World Jamboree in Sweden.  It is along the lines of doing an event that will allow the Pack to earn the International Activity Badge.  Maybe a sleepover at IKEA and eat SWEDISH MEATBALLS?

Read Full Post »

The Segment Program

I was asked via Twitter about this photo that I posted of my son.  This is the first photo of him in his Bear Scarf & Slide. We were going to the Scout Night Sleepover at the PGE Baseball Park in Portland, Or.  It was not a Summertime Pack Event, but something we have done for two years.

The question was about the patches around larger patch on the right side of the uniform.

Now, the right pocket is generally reserved for a temporary badge area.  In our Council it is used for a district badge.   This is one way that we can recognize where we are from.

From my understanding, there are councils that do have segment programs. The Seattle Council & Montana Council’s do.  However, not all programs are the same.  Which is pretty neat since I know people who stop in to scout shops and get different ones.  I have done that in Montana.

One of the great things about a having a segment program is that when the boys do something within their rank and it relates to a segment we can acknowledge them with that segment.  The more they get, the more they get excited.  Couple  that with the Beltloop/Pin program, there is a lot of learning and excitement going on.

We have Pinewood Derby, Space Derby, Raingutter, Scouting of Food, Goodwill/Goodturn and several others that most all seen in other councils.

However, the Cascade Pacific Council has their own.   Which, has actually grown by five more this year.  Which is great.  Now we have a wreath, candle, $ and a parade segment. (Cannot remember the 5th).

The one bummer thing about having this, is that when there are other temporary patches what I would like to display in this location, it cannot.  Hence, the Red Vest!

While the segment programs are a great way to encourage the boys to learn, the downside of it is that they get a lot of them.  It is highly suggested to have two to three rings of segments around the middle patch.  Any more rings starts to look bad.  Hence a really good reason for the red vest.  Elliot is getting to the point of starting that process.  Once the boys get into Webelos and get the tan shirts, they can put the segments they are most proud of on there, if they want.

Overall, the segment program is a great motivational item for the Tigers and other boys who need reinforcment of joining.   To me, as a Cubmaster, if a boy shows up and does something, they get a patch.

Read Full Post »

Roundtable Saves Lives!

Last night was the first Round Table of the year….  I love Round Table.  I had not seen friends since June and it’s such a relief to hang out with like minded people who share your goals within Scouting.

During Round Table,  I asked for a new Unit Commissioner since ours  decided to move on for various reasons.  I also asked for a Den Chief and also reminded the District Commissioner for help with JOTA.

The Cub scout breakout was great. We talked about Join Night and how to do it.  Talked about the New Cub scout Den/Pack guides and Summer Camp.  The CS RT Commissioner, District Chair of Membership and District Exec were there asking how it went.  They wanted feedback since they are hearing a few bad points about a few places.  Which is good they wanted it.  The issues dealt with being clean and sleepy troop guides.  All fixable.

I even got teased by the Membership Chair that I could have his position… I think he was pretty serious about it.  He also offered to find another position for me within the District.   If I was crossing over to a Troop, I would have said yes.  That will have to wait till 2013. At the breakout PTCMEDIA was mentioned by the Membership Chair…Scoutmaster Jerry to be exact. He commented about a show on recruiting and Cubscouts.  I added the MISS show.

However, the night was magical for two ladies who just stepped up to be the Webelos I Den Leaders for various reasons.  The reasons do not matter, except they were doing it for their sons and the boys.

Apparently, the Pack Committee told them that Round Table was boring and nothing good comes out of it.  The two had questions, but got their eyes open.  Several of us gave them their contact info, as I did.  I then saw them in the parking lot outside of the Stake and talked about another hour about many things.  They were unaware about Summertime Pack Award and many many things.  They want to do things different.   The Pack Committee is in for a shock…..;)

Apparently five Webelos II last year quit Scouting after not getting the Arrow of Light and did not Crossover to Boy Scouts.  RED FLAG! WARNING WARNING WILL ROBINSON!

The lives of the boys and these ladies have changed.  They are even very interested in WOOD BADGE for next year.  (Too late for this year)

They are however going to Pow-Wow and as many Round Tables as possible.

Read Full Post »

Unit Leader’s Knots

Why are Leader Knots cool? Why do we want them? From a 2009 blog post of the Trainer’s Corner, I found a good answer.

I believe that just as the boys (cub/scouts/venture/sea scouts) all have goals for their next rank, we as Scouters should as well. Granted there are Scouters that are really just volunteer Parents who do this to make sure their kids have a good experince.  Also to tag along with them.  These people do not want recognition themselves.  Having their kids get recognized is reward enough. There are also Scouters who look at these knots as silly just to have them up on their chest showing off their accomplishments. They again are just there to make sure the boys are progressing through their ranks and having a good time.

All reasons are good reasons. I am not going to knock them for their views.  However, according to Trainer’s Corner blog, it is a good system to keep the Scouters in line with BSA Guidelines and Rules.  It is also a great way to recognize each Leader’s dedication and service to the unit and the boys.  When the boys and parents see what recognition the Scouters have gotten, it will motivate others to do the same.

(Units should routinely recognize Scouters, Scout Parents, Parents and others who do something.  It will keep them and others coming back to help. I did this at our end of the year Pack meeting.  I gave out the Unit Scouter of the Year award from the District and Certificates of Appreciation to all Scouters including our wonderful Unit Commissioner!)

So, why do I want Unit Leader Knots?  I am not being selfish, nor am I just here for the knots.   I use the knots as personal goals within Scouting.  I already know that I will be going to atlest four roundtables and a Pow-wow each year.  I already know that I will be trained for my position and Youth Protection (even now it’s a rule from National).

However, here is one instance that led me to re-start two programs due to a Unit Leader Knot.  Summertime Pack Award & Quality Unit Award.  While the latter is much more a paperwork and Unit Goal award that is shared, the Summertime Pack is one that will help on many levels.   It stems from the Cubmaster Knot.  In order to attain it, both of these awards must be accomplished.  It is the Summertime Pack that really is important.

Everyone should do the Summertime Pack Award reguardless of getting a knot.  Its another patch, pin and helps out with the boys earning more awards.  That’s why we are all here…providing fun!

My goals within the Cubscout program is to earn the religious adult knot, Cubmaster & Cubscouter.  I had thought about the Unit Leader of Merit, as this is the first year Cubmaster’s can get it, but it is attainable in Boyscouts.  I crossover with my son in 2013, so I have time to figure that out.  My original idea was to earn the Tiger Den Leader (as I have) the Den Leader and Webelos.  This changed when I took over the Cubmaster.  I had thought that it would be Cubmaster/Webelos.  However over the course of this year I realized that staying at Cubmaster would highly benefit not only boys but also the Pack, Parents and Program.

I actually went to my son and explained why I wanted to be the Cubmaster and got his permission.  He agreed when I explained that I would still be at all of his Den Meetings, Outings and Camps.  That was important to him.   At the end of this year, the Bear Den Leader confirmed the enlistment of a Bear parent to be the Assistant Bear Den Leader.  This agreement also said that they would swap roles when going into Webelos I the year after this one.

I know that they are not doing this for Knots.  They are doing it for their sons and also the boys in the Den.  We have known these boys since Tigers, and I hope they continue to Boyscouts.

For more information about the knots you can get:here.
For tracking software for your leaders:

 

 

 

Read Full Post »

The Bad Den Mother or A Craft gone horrible wrong

In my last post I made mention of a Bad Den Mother that led me to not continue past the Wolf Rank.  Here is the story.

I was in Pack 81, Black Otter District, Montana Council in 1975-76.  I was 8 years old.  The Pack was out of Broadwater School and the dens met at the homes of Den Leaders.  I only have memories of one Pinewood Derby, asking what a Webelos was and going to a couple of Den meetings.  I know that I was excited about Den Meeting days since I got to wear my Class A to school.  Most of the boys in the Den did as well.

The craft that did me in was for Mother’s Day.  We took a Folger’s Coffee can and made a card holder out of it.  We did not use a can opener to take off the lids, but use a the sharpe triangle end of a bottle opener to punch holes into the lids to take them off.  This was both sides.  To me, in this day, a whittlin chit would have been earned during this process. Also, there were no parents at Den meetings back in the day. We all showed up on our bikes after school.

After taking off the lids, we then were to take yarn and wrap it through the openings.  Think SHARK WEEK…pointy sharp teeth and I put my hand/arm in and out wrapping yarn around it.  Yeah, it hurt.  Suffice to say, my Mom was happy to get the card holder.

I did not have fun with the craft.  Hence my interest started to be less and less.  I do not remember doing anything else fun.  So when it came time for Den meetings, my fellow Cubscouts would come to my house and ask where I was and if I was going.  I explained that I was not going and spent my time in front of the TV or doing something else.

From this experience I have learned that the Boys within Pack 221 need to HAVE FUN.   I have no desire to be the person that is the reason a boy leaves.  Because of this, I have worked hard when I was a Tiger Den Leader and now as a Cubmaster to figure out what to do and then do differently the next time.

Wood Badge helped me greatly to understand that it is up to me within Cubscouts that it is up to me.  Since I am in charge of the program for the Pack, and help create Pack events, I need to change it up for the Wolves, Bears and Webelos who have already seen many of the events.  The Tigers are new, so it’s new for them.

Looking back, the Bad Den Mother did do her job for helping me out in my Scouting life.  I suspect that had I had a more fun experience within my Wolf year, I would have continued on.   However, this now guides me in how I conduct Pack Meetings.

Read Full Post »

The Scouting Life

As I think about how Scouting has influenced my life I come up with two stories.  The first is when people ask how far I went growing up.  I usually end up telling the story about “The Bad Den Mother”.  I suspect that she’s a good person but just had a really bad craft day that I always remember.

My second story is about how I came back to Scouting from 1976 when I left as a Wolf.  I came back because of my son Elliot.

These questions get asked when meeting people within Scouting.  I hear their story and how they are Eagles, OA, Webelos, Life, Star….etc…  If they were not an Eagle, there is a tinge of “I should have gone the distance”, theme to it all.  I can so relate.

If I had people in my life that got me to go back later, maybe into a different Den or Rank, I would have continued.  When I look at people who I know now and see how their life is I wonder if my life would be different.  What would I really be doing, where would I live..yadda yadda..

I cannot go down that road since it is a bunch of whatifs.  What I can take away from meeting people in Scouting for one reason or another is that we all beleive in it.  We also get what Scouting is all about.  However, a big theme beneath it all is the chance to give back to a community and help as needed.

Scouting makes it easier for a person to give back. It’s our excuse or better yet, our letter of introduction to do good.  While I want to create fun for the boys so they stay involed and learn, my overall goal is to help show them about giving back to their family, school, community and those who need it.

The Scouting life brings us together so we can do a good turn daily.

Read Full Post »

Hornaday Project 2010-2011

One of the goals that I have set for the pack this year is to earn the Hornaday Award.  The pack can earn the Certificate version of this due to the BSA rules.  My main goal in going toward for the Hornaday Certificate is that it will encorporate many items the boys need to attain their rank.

Tigers:

1. Let’s Go Outdoors

   • 5G – Take a hike with your den.

   Electives:
   Conservation (a project like this will suffice greatly)
   With your adult partner, think of a way to conserve water or electricity and do it for one week.

Wolves:
YOUR LIVING WORLD
This achievement is also part of the Cub Scout World Conservation Award and Cub Scouting’s Leave No Trace Award.

1. Complete the Character Connection for Respect.

   • Know. Discuss these questions with your family: What things have people done to show a lack of respect to our world? Why is it important to respect our environment and natural resources? How can you show respect for your environment?

   • Commit. Discuss with your family how you feel when you see places in your neighborhood that have lots of litter. Name one thing you can do to help the environment.

   • Practice. Practice being respectful while doing the requirements for “Your Living World.”

2. Land, air and water can get dirty.  Discuss with your family ways this can happen.

3. It takes a lot of energy to make glass, cans, and paper products.  You can help save energy by collecting these items for use again.  Find out how recycling is done where you live.  Find out what items you can recycle.

4. With an adult, pick up litter in your neighborhood.  Wear gloves to protect your hands against germs and cuts from sharp objects.

5. With an adult, find three stories that tell how people are protecting our world. Read and discuss them together.

6. Besides recycling, there are other ways to save energy.  List three ways you can save energy, and do them.

Bears:
TAKE CARE OF YOUR PLANET
Do three requirements.

1. Save 5 pounds of glass or aluminum, or 1 month of daily newspapers. Turn them in at a recycling center or use your community’s recycling service.

2. Plant a tree in your yard, or on the grounds of the group that operates your Cub Scout pack, or in a park or other public place. Be sure to get permission first.

3. Call city or county officials or your trash hauling company and find out what happens to your trash after it is hauled away.

4. List all the ways water is used in your home. Search for dripping faucets or other ways water might be wasted. With an adult, repair or correct those problems.

5. Discuss with an adult in your family the kinds of energy your family uses.

6. Find out more about your family’s use of electricity.

7. Take part in a den or pack neighborhood clean-up project.

Webelos:
Naturalist Activity Badge:
Do these:

1. With your parent, guardian, or Webelos den leader, complete the Respect Character Connection.

   1. Know: Tell what interested you most when completing the requirements for this activity badge. Tell what you learned about how you can show appreciation and respect for wildlife.

   2. Commit: Tell things that some people have done that show a lack of respect for wildlife. Name ways that you will show respect for and protect wildlife.

   3. Practice: Explain how completing the requirements for this activity badge gives you the opportunity to show respect.

And do five of these:

1. Keep an “insect zoo” that you have collected. You might have crickets, ants, or grasshoppers. Study them for a while then release them. Share your experience with your Webelos den.

2. Set up an aquarium or terrarium. Keep it for at least a month. Share your experience with your Webelos den by showing them photos or drawings of your project, or having them visit to see your project.

3. Visit a museum of natural history, nature center, or zoo with your family, Webelos den, or pack. Tell what you saw.

4. Watch for birds in your yard, neighborhood, or town for one week. Identify the birds you see and write down where and when you saw them.

5. Learn about the bird flyways closest to your home. Find out which birds use these flyways.

6. Learn to identify poisonous plants and venomous reptiles found in your area.

7. Watch six wild animals (snakes, turtles, fish, birds, or mammals) in the wild. Describe the kind of place (forest, field, marsh, yard, or park) where you saw them. Tell what they were doing.

8. Give examples of

   • A producer, a consumer, and a decomposer in the food chain of an ecosystem

   • One way humans have changed the balance of nature

   • How you can help protect the balance of nature

9. Identify a plant, bird, or wild animal that is found only in your area of the country. Tell why it survives only in your area.

10. Learn about aquatic ecosystems and wetlands in your area. Discuss with your Webelos den leader or activity badge counselor the important role aquatic ecosystems and wetlands play in supporting lifecycles of wildlife and humans.

11. Look around your neighborhood and identify how litter might be dangerous to the birds and other animals. Clean up the litter. Identify what else you might do to make your neighborhood safer for animals.

12. While you are a Webelos Scout, earn the Cub Scout Academics belt loop for Wildlife Conservation.

As listed above many of the ranks need Leave No Trace, but also this activity goes towards the Cubscout Outdoor Activity Award, Cubscout World Conservation Award and several Cubscout Academics Beltloops & Pins.  The chance to use this one activity for multiple awards is almost endless.

Each year our Pack participates in the Guy Miller Tree Planting.  Which is great. It’s early in the spring and gets us out.  The 2010 Wolves worked on and got the Leave No Trace Award.  It was long and hard, but it worked out.  As Bears they have to earn it again. The requirements are a tad harder.

But, why do the same hikes, the same everything.  It was recently pointed out to be in an Facebook exchange that it’s my job to keep it interesting and different.  I so agree.  A similar conversation took place between myself and a Bear Den Leader at Scout Camp.   Just because your pack does it year after year, the older boys get tired of it since the ceremony is the same. blah blah blah.  Hence, the Hornaday Award.

So, I contacted the Eagle Project Coordinator at SOLV in Portland, OR to see what we can do after contacting our council’s Hornaday focal point.  There are many factor’s to take into consideration when selecting a project for the Hornaday Certificate.

Because of this, I am meeting with the Solv coordinator about it at the project site.  I need to do my due dilgence before I meet with the Council Hornaday people. Because of all of this, I wanted to go see the area.

Above is a video of the area and my comments

There is already plants ready to be used……

The entrance to the Carter Creek area is to the left of the mulch pile at the bottom.
Carter Creek is in a urban walk area with houses in the back and office buildings on three other sides.

Beyond the curb is Carter Creek.

So, my hope is that over a long weekend maybe in the spring we can get something going.  Maybe even do a day of clearing all weeds and do some maintence for the fall.  That way, the boys can take some ownership in the project and we can see the change in the spring.

Read Full Post »