Today I got confirmation of another dad stepping up to be a Tiger Den Leader. That makes two co-den leaders for the Tigers! This is great since both Dads work odd shifts and travel a lot. Now both the Wolf and Tiger Dens are complete.
I sent both of them an email about what they need to do for training and a committee meeting that is upcoming.
Also, I am trying to get my son out tonight to deliver popcorn that he pre-sold. Has to do homework before.
Last night I was able to Skype into a PTCMEDIA chat. I put myself on mute for most of it, since I was blogging and surfing. Great information from Scoutmaster Jerry, Clarke Green and others. It’s supposed to be based off of Cubmaster Chris’s An Hour A Week, but Boy Scout related. Good information since I will be there in a few years.
Finally got my first Trip Permit ever approved by the council. It took awhile since I did not know what to do. It is for a different District’s Webelos Woods.
Resent request to Advancement Chair to send out to all the Troops that I am still looking for Den Chiefs.
Found out there is a new Hornaday Award Council Coordinator. Sent email about what we want to do.
Today our Council’s Pow-wow training day opened up for registration. I did not go the first year I was a Tiger Den Leader due to helping a friend move houses. I went last year as part of my Wood Badge ticket. I had the greatest time. Learned a lot.
This year, I have signed up for:
Basic Pinewood Derby Car Building
Basics of Cub Scout Advancement
Putting the Outing in Scouting
Pinewood Derby Speed Clinic
Pack Committee: Beyond the basics
Cubscout 2010 Pack/Den Guides
I have forwarded this to the Pack Committee and Den Leaders.
Also, I was able to hopefully submit the Tour Permit for Webelos Woods weekend. Since it is my first one ever, I had a lot to learn. Since this is a basic of “putting the outing in scouting” it should be something taught to new leaders…..
Five out of Seven Beavers of WE1-492-09 have now been beaded. Monday night was a Court of Honor which also doubled as a beading of our Patrol Mate.
Monday night was a both a Court of Honor and a Wood Badge beading. A celebration of accomplishments of both the boys and a Leader. It was also a recognition of family and the game Baden-Powell asked us to play.
The Scouts received their Merit Badges from both the National Jamboree and Summer Camps. There were a lot. Many of the Scouts earned the four historical Merit Badges. Even one Scout got all four. Very impressive. Those Scouts really worked hard. Upon receiving each award the Scout Master gave a few insightful words about each Scout. It’s apparent this Troop is doing it right.
With all the Merit Badges and awards handed out, it was now time for Wood Badge. I have been to four of the five beadings (including my own.) There are two more patrol members left.
With all the normal talk about BP, Gilwell, Beads it was your normal ceremony. However, one thing came clear and made me realize how the game is played. It played right out in front of me and I saw it.
Many years ago, a boy who needed scouts, got into scouts. Scouting gave him what he needed and kept him away from those who wanted to take him away. His family made scouting an importance. His family was his Mom and Uncle. This boy went into Webelos and emerged an Eagle. He is now a family man and an Assistant Scout Master who earned his beads. According to his Scout Master, has taken to heart the teachings of the Game and become more involved within the Troop.
Because of an apparent “miss-justice” in his words, his Eagle Court of Honor did not happen. He did get his Eagle. However, he was not able to give both the Mother’s Pin and Mentor’s Pin. While the Scouts who attained thier ranks that night gave their pins, my friend was not. On Monday, both his Mother and Uncle got theirs. It was his celebration of their support of him. It was also the acknowledgement that the game does work. It showed everyone in the room, that parents do matter and are a part of the game. The family needed the Scouts. The boy did not know he needed the Scouts, but had a lot of fun. The now Man, came back to the Scouts for his sons. He found Wood Badge and now fully understands the game and how it is played. It is an never ending game. We are lucky to have him as a Scouter…..and all the boys in the Troop are lucky he is there.
Scott the newest Wood Badger and his Scout Master
If you know my Beaver Patrol Mate, you will know he is very funny and a jokester. His one big thing he is remembered within WE1-492-09 is that he tried on the beads before the course started. Because of this, myself and another Beaver needed to make sure he remembered it. Hence, our Beads to him.
Today was POPCORN. My son did two, two hour shifts. He also cornered his Grandma and Great Aunt into buying Popcorn when visiting between his shifts.
While numbers of sales and physical dollar amounts are not important, he did well. The goal set out by the Committee Chair & Treasurer was met and exceeded. The goal that Trails-End asked for is still out there. However, only after two days of selling is closer than it was after about 7-8 days of selling last year.
This year we are more organized and ready to go than last year. Hence, it’s easier on those who run it for the pack. I suspect that next year even more so.
There is two things that stand out while I stand there watching my son sell popcorn to put himself through Scout Camp and to pay his fees for the year.
First, people who have scouts, Eagle Scouts, married to and Eagle, knows a Scout, who are Den Leaders, Scoutmasters or like it that boys are doing good either Buy Popcorn, Donate some money because they do not like Popcorn and grill the boys on what they know and teach them how to sell. Those are the people who understand why the boys are there. They are helping them.
Then there are people who just pass by and say no thank you, which the latter sometimes just does not happen. I get why they do on some level. I used to avoid the little kids selling stuff because I just did. It felt awkward. However, there are people who just out right lie and walk out the other side. They also ignore the boys altogether. That I just do not get.
To illustrate both of these, the boys and I had several talks with Moms whose sons are Eagles and told them to keep at it. Gentlemen who were Scout Masters back in 1948 where they chopped the Christmas trees down themselves and hauled them to the parking lot for sale…not like they do today! Even had one gentleman who schooled them in the art of the sale and then just gave them money.
The flipside is this: One lady came in and out several times totally ignoring the boys. The boys did give up asking if she wanted to buy. Not too bad, however, for 5-7 minutes she stood right in front of the popcorn stand, obstructing traffic flow while she tapped away on her iPhone 4.
Then it hit me….we were in the rich section of town. Yup, cars that cost $50k+ rolled around. Watches that were about the same on the wrists. The ladies had handbags worth $$$. I realized this when one gentleman stated that WE were the Rich Parents out there with kids selling popcorn. Even from one old Scout Master.
I am not rich and I am not poor. I have a good job, a good income and my family does well. I am able through Scouting to contribute back through the community and change lives. Our family does donate clothes and time to several causes. (We need to do more TIME than donate clothes however.) I am not a Cub Master just to have the title. I am here to make sure that the boys have fun, but learn the values of the golden rule.
I realized that some wealthy people go out of their way to ignore something that is good. They won’t support it directly. They will however text $10 to a cause that is happening thousands of miles from them. If you are a faceless cause, you get money. If you have a face and your right there, you won’t get the money or the time of day.
It also taught my son a lesson, hopefully. Hopefully he got the point that the people who bought from him cared about what good he will do and what he will learn. He is already getting the point that people with money have a hard time letting go of it. However, he will know that he earned his way and that a Scout is Thrifty.
Tonight, I told him I was proud of him. I am proud that he is earning his own way. He wants to go back out tomarrow around the neighborhood and sell. When asked if he likes Scouts, he says yes. Yup, I am proud of him.
Today we started to go to the Oregon Coast to help out on the Clean the Beach by Solv. However, we got a late start and did not get there until everyone was headed back to the cars. Bummer. There goes the Good Deed for the Day.
We did end up at the Oregon Aquarium where “Free Willy” was held for many years. The pool he was held in is now a Shark tank as well as a native ocean fish tank. Sharks were swiming overhead of us as we went through the tunnel. Elliot and Rachel thought it was totally cool.
The other tank had fish like Rockfish, Lingcod and Hailbut. All things that butter, garlic and herbs go well with. Sorry, when I see fish like that floating past, I get hungary.
The Bear Den is looking to go to the aquarium in the late Spring for an overnight in the Shark Tunnel area. Pretty fun. No tents, no bad weather, just falling to sleep with sharks overhead.
The other Scouting related thing is that my wife is warming up to going to Philmont as a family in 2011. Thinking of taking the “Strictly for Cub Masters” class.
99 days left for the 100th Anniversary of the BSA:
Our Pack is going to Webelos Woods that is put on by Wapiti District at Adventure Cove on the Oregon Coast. Because of this, we actually have to do a tour permit. All of our trips have been within 50 miles of Portland. The Bears have done no trips longer than that, even to camp. That being the case, this trip is 18 miles roundtrip.
So, off to myscouting.org and trying out that new thing called “Online Trip Permit”. Wow… I can fill out a medical form fast than this. Off to the Council Office I go after lunch. I spent about 30 minutes there working with the lady who actually processes all the permits. (or rejects them in my case). I explained that I am new to this and need to get it in and sorry that I am under the 2 week requirement. She states that there are people who do it day of, so I am fine. (Not to self…..do it early as possible!)
She walks me through it all and I realize that I need Hazardous Weather. Ok, started that awhile ago, just need to finish. Still need BALOO training, but that should be taken care of at Wapiti Webelos Woods since they have training there this weekend. I am also looking into BALOO in other districts. I just cannot overtax my wife in weekends away or she will hate SCOUTING!
WOOD BADGE for Cascade Pacific Council.
2011 Wood Badge course dates announced and I am very very happy! I emailed a note to the course director who was at my session letting her know that I want to volunteer. She asked me for this session, but I was not able to go….
Our council is offering a spring 2011 course. Save the dates:
Weekend 1 dates: April 29-May 1 at Camp Clark
Weekend 2 dates: May 13-15 at Camp Cooper
The cost will be $195.00. A deposit of $85.00 is required when registering.
Today marks the 266th day of the 100th Anniversary of the founding of Boy Scouts of America. We have all seen and done a lot over these past 265 days. Many of us went to the National Jamboree at Fort A.P Hill, the last Jamboree at this site.
Many of us have earned new awards, den leader knots, gone to Wood Badge, gotten Beaded and created many many memories that will last another 100 years.
In the tradition of many Scouters who had blogs talking about what they did for the first 100 days, I will be blogging about what I have done for the last 100 days of Scouting.
Today: Communicated to several Pack Committee Members about registration and training. Also helped two new Den Leaders begin to understand what fun they will have this coming year.
Also working on how to have a great Bobcat Ceremony in Oct for all the new Cub Scouts.
This marks the start of my second full year as Cub Master after stepping up from Tiger Den Leader in May 2009. I plan to be Cub Master till my son crosses over in 2013. I am very excited for this year. We have a great program setup and a great set of Den Leaders and Committee.
With a year under my belt, I have learned a few things and using more resources. As part of my Wood Badge ticket, I pledged to be a better Cub Master. This year, I am use the new 2010 Pack & Den Meeting Guides. I am also working up the meeting plans sooner than later.
It is a habit of mine to procrastinate and quickly put something together. This year I am not. This year I am putting together an agenda and sending it out to the Den Leaders and Committee so they can see what I am planning to do. This will allow them to coordinate their Den Meetings better.
So, this month we kicked off using Den Yells, singing Cub Scout Vespers and having a Cub Master’s Minute. I am using the 2010 Pack Meeting Guidelines to help guide me. While I might not use the the guide note for note, I did use a lot of the information. This is much the same guidelines that I used for the Join Night.
The night flowed very well. Gathering Activity, Flag, Opening Comments,Quick intro to Nothing but Nets and Hornaday Award projects, Popcorn Kick-off which included shooting marshmellow guns and three Door Prizes, Cub Master Minute, Cub Scout Vespers.
The Popcorn Kick-off also included the Trails End Popcorn Video, which helped keep the boys enteretained and parents informed. This was good since it was our desire to split the Join Night and Kickoff due to all the info being thrown at the parents.
The unexpected part of the meeting:
The boys are squirrly, but that is to be expected. I am working on keeping them more engaged by engaging them to think and respond. Not just sit and watch. I have taken to reminding the older boys that we need to show how Cub Scout act for the Tigers and new Cub Scouts. I give the new Cub Scouts and Tigers more slack since they do not know.
We had a birthday annouced by a Tiger. So, we did the best we could. We all sand happy birthday! It was a good moment!
The feedback thus far from the Den Leaders/Committee is that the meeting went very well. A lot more controlled, organized and on-point. Yes, there are things to work on, but that is normal. I have already communicated the Pack 221 October 18th Pack Meetings Plan. It has been received well and there are adjustments. So, next meeting is to have all the new Cub Scouts get their Bobcat Badges. I am currently working up a great ceremony for them. It’s their first Rank Advancement! It does mean a lot to them and their parents.
Until next time…….. Create Fun at your Unit Meetings! The boys deserve to have fun and learn at the same time!
Our Join Night was on a Tuesday after the PTA Back to School picnic and meeting on Monday. Normally it is a week later on a Monday. We split it up for two reasons.
1) Explaining the Cub Scout program to the boys and parents with all the seasoned scouts and parents is tough. We need to talk to the new people and answer their questions.
2) Have Join Night and a Fundraising speech all at once, is information overload and can scare parents away. I had it happen when I joined and know others that were overloaded with info. The first year my son did not do Popcorn. We just paid the money and joined.
As a Pack Committee we wanted to make sure that we answered any and all questions and not overloaded anyone. Then we would bring in the entire Pack and have the summer awards, popcorn talk and kick off the year correctly. This would also allow the new parents to have their questions from the Join Night answered after they had thought about it for awhile.
So, to the night……
We started off the Join Night with a Flag Ceremony by the Bears and the Pledge. Opening comments my yours truly about the agenda. Which was DVD, Cub Master Talk, Parents talk by Pack Committee in Libaray while Den Leaders helped boys earn the Art & Marbles Beltloops. We then end the night with awards, Cub Master Minute and Cub Scout Vespars.
I had welcomed as many parents and boys as I could. I shook every hand, asked their name, age, grade, school and thanked them for coming. I did this while squatted down on my knees at times since I wanted to look directly at their eyes on their level.
I am not a parent. I am Cub Master Adam, their Akela. I am here to guide them down the Scouting Path on their journey.
We then started with a DVD from the BSA. It was “100 Years of Scouting: Celebrating the Adventure-Continuing the Journey” It was seven minutes. (Note to self, bring speakers…;) ) Laptop speakers in a Gym does not work. But everyone was quite and listened.
Cubmaster Skit. This was just for the boys. It was not for the parents. However, there was a lot of information for them.
I had this recorded so I knew what I did and how it came across. I am always looking to see how I improve.
As you can see from this long video, I packed in lot of info. I also made a few mistakes, but nothing major. I got down on their level after getting them all working together. “MAKE THE PACK GO” I did not use any of the old Cub Scouts since it was not their night. I wanted to include every boy.
After the talk, we broke into groups and got the parents out of there. I went with the parents. That went very well since we had parents signing up to help the pack in other activities during the rest of the year.
So, now the winding down of the meeting and sending the boys home. They were fully of excitement and parents need them in bed. In comes the Native American Flute. I got up on stage behind the curtain and started playing. Just jammed for about 2-3 minutes lovely tunes. I just let it flow. I could hear everyone get very very quite. They did not know what was going on.
I stepped out from the curtains and joined them at halfcourt in the gym and talked about what was happening next. Cubmaster minute and vespars. I told them that I was very happy that they all came tonight and joined Pack 221 and started their Scouting Journey with us. I then explained Vespars and why we held hands. We all sang and hummed a verse and it was over.
ONE HOUR START TO FINISH! (Yes, it’s a goal)
I can tell you that this rocked. It’s what I wanted to happen. Even since going through Wood Badge I realized that traditions start the first meeting. You set the tone. Wood Badge gave me the tools (and Native American Flute) to pull this off.
It’s going to be a great year!
This is the flyer that was created through our Support Services at Cascade Pacific Council in Portland, Or. Completely wonderful!
Five out of Seven Beavers of WE1-492-09 have now been beaded. Monday night was a Court of Honor which also doubled as a beading of our Patrol Mate.
