Recruitment & Transition: XX of C #100daysofscouting

When does recruiting start? It starts NOW!  When does transition start?  It starts NOW!  I am not talking Cubscouts, Boyscouts, Den Leaders or adult volunteers……. I am talking about it ALL.

I recruit for my Unit and Scouting all the time.  I did it at Baseball tryouts the other week.  I do it when I travel.  I will do it at our School Auction in April.  I will tell people who have a daughter in Girl Scouts that Venturing is a very cool program.  I also start with parents of Kindergartners.  Why?  Because Scouting is a great program. Also, our Pack is celebrating our 60th Anniversary this year and I do not want to have it be it’s last.  I want to “Help the Pack Grow”!

But I also recruit parents to become Tiger Den Leaders, Den Leaders, Committee members and Ast Cubmasters.   It’s hard work.  I fully understand that people have work, families and activities outside of Scouting.   I knew that I was not a good coach for baseball, soccer, basketball or anything sport related.  But, I knew that when I walked into the Join Night, that I wanted to do something in Scouting.  Other than that, I had not a clue.  I figured if my wife was President of “Mothers of Pre-schoolers (MOPS) or as I called it “The Mothers Mafia”, I could hang out with a couple of kids and teach them crafts and stuff.

Baseball & Soccer have 4 practices a week then games on the weekend.  Scouts once a week.  If you played sports you can earn a beltloop and a pin for playing that sport in Cubscouts.  In Boy Scouts it’s a Merit Badge!   Oh, I recruit as sports practice  & games too!

Getting the boys to join is not hard.  It’s the parents.  Parents put up the blockade with schedules and bedtimes routines.  Ok, I do get it. Yup, I have them too.  But here is my point.  Parents will do things for and with their kids if it’s worthwhile.  Generally if they can just show up and watch and do nothing.  However, getting that parent to sign up to be a Den Leader is HARD. My biggest worry is getting the Tiger Den Leader for that Den.  Once they are in, they generally stay.   I was the Tiger Den Leader for two years in a row.  Cubmaster and Tiger Den Leader.  It was tough, but I did it.  I am very lucky that this year I have two Co-Tiger Den Leaders for the den of 8-10 boys.  They switch off as needed due to their work schedule.  I get work schedules.  I travel 5 days a week.  I make every Pack Meeting, every Committee Meeting, and have only missed two Den Meetings & Roundtables since my son joined in 2008.  However, the times that I missed were because of other Scout events that took me away from my home unit.

I have made Scouting for son and unit a priority.  Again, not over my family or work as I pointed out earlier.  I appreciate each and everyone of the Den Leaders, Committee Members and those who help support Pack221.  It takes a village to raise a child.  This is my village.

So what about Transition?  Part of recruiting is to find your replacement.  Cub Scouts will transition into Boy Scouts.  Also from one rank to the next.  My son Elliot is currently a Bear.  In June he will transition into a Webelos.  The Bear Den Leaders will become Webelos Den Leaders.  Everyone gets new patches and uniforms.

This is a significant change.  Bears to Webelos, Webelos to Boy Scouts.  Everyone needs to be planning ahead.  Thinking about how to grow the Troop.  Boy Scouts just don’t grow on trees.  Where to find them?  Camporee?  Den Chiefs? Calling the Cubmaster and inviting them to a meeting? Roundtables?

Yes to all of them.  Everyone needs to recruit.  In a recent Podcast from PTCMEDIA on their new show “Scoutnation” both Scoutmaster Shawn and Bryan talk about this transisition. Check out “There aint no Akela here” podcast.  They do a great job in explaining “Heliocopter Parents” in the Troop.  They also explain the transition from Webelos to Scouts.  It’s Different.

However, when listening, listen to what they do about Recruiting. Both Adults and Boys.  One actively does it, the other does not.  Why? Well, one is small and the other is large.  If your Troop is small and just starting out you NEED to recruit.  If your large you generally do not.  I will say that BOTH Shawn and Bryan “GET” what scouting is all about.  The Boy Led Program is fully alive and functioning  within both Troops.  Bryan has the large Troop and has the reputation of doing it right. So, he does not have to go out and recruit.  Shawn runs a small Troop, has a great reputation as well, but has to recruit due to size. (If you follow them on Twitter/Facebook and listen to this podcast and True North you will understand this and more.Listen to show #35 and you will understand)

My point is this.  If your Troop sits by and thinks that just because a pack has always gone to your Troop because it’s the way it always has been….THINK AGAIN.   Hookers get Drive-bys.  If your Troop starts not getting boys ask yourself why.  It’s time to start asking for invites from Packs to put on a Pack meeting, Den meeting or Summertime Pack Event.  Get yourself in front of the cubscouts.  Show them COOL STUFF!  As Scoutmaster Shawn said once “COOK THEM DESSERT IN A DUTCH OVEN!” (ok, I paraphrased..)

Same as is with Transition. START NOW.  Once the current crop of Leaders leave….those who remain are left with the reins.  Units die a needles horrible death.  Our Unit is fortunate that many parents stepped up to the plate.  However, myself and others will be gone in 2013 at about this time.  2011-2012 is the time for Tigers & Wolf parents to step-up into leadership positions or just shadow/volunteer so they can learn for 2013-2014 and beyond.  Will I be around? Sure.  Will I help? Sure.  Will I do Popcorn? Nope. (I will tell you what to do)  Will I help on Join Night, Yup!

The message is: Plan ahead. Being prepared is not just for the Scouts.  It’s for the unit.  Help the Pack Grow!  You cannot start reaching out to Packs as a Troop a couple of months before a big event.  You have to start earlier.   Have the boys fight over which Troop they want to go to.  The sooner you get Cubscouts excited about something, the sooner they want to go do it.  Once you do that, the momentum has begun.  Just do not loose it.  If you do, regroup and figure out what to do.

Nothing in life is Easy.  Even if there is an Easy Button!

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Pinewood Derby XIX of C #100daysofscouting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last night was out Pinewood Derby.  This time it was held in the Lake Oswego, OR Armory.   Which was pretty cool actually.  I mean, we all had jackets on.  No big deal, the races really heated people up.  The boys went nuts in watching about 90 minutes of racing.  So much better than Nascar!  This year as last the Order of the Arrow did our race.  We had time to kill during the setup, weigh-in and inputting names into the system.  So, I did what any Cubmaster, Woodbadger would do.  WE SANG!  And we sang The Rootbeer Song!  Thank goodness for my iPhone and Google!

 

 

 

 

 

The rest is history.  Records were smashed and boys had fun.  I will even say that I purposely messed with a car!  The Webelos Den Leader who raced in the Open Class, put a propeller on his.
He broke the track record.  So,  one race we held onto it for a second.  The last race we put it on backwards.  IT STILL KICKED BUTT!  We all giggled hard!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We handed out First, Second & Third place medals to the Dens and then trophies for the overall.  I had three parents judge Best Design and Best Unique.
There were three of each.  The boys had a great time.  Elliot got 3rd in the Bear Den.

 

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SCUBA XVIII of C #100daysofscouting

One thing leads to another.  Generally in life.  While on Maui my son Elliot and daughter Rachel swam and snorkled all over the place.  In pools and Pacific Ocean.  It was great.  Rachel is more secure in a pool than the Ocean.  If she cannot touch the bottom, it freaks her out.  No problem. I completely understand.

While on Maui, we discovered Snuba.  It’s like Scuba, but the tank is on a raft with a 15 foot airhose that is strapped to you.  Elliot and I tried it in the pool and dug it.  I signed us both up for a session a few days later.  Both looking forward to it.  Suffice to say, we went had a good time.  Elliot did get very cold, stuck it out for 20 minutes but needed to come in.  He did his best.   I used that Snuba session to do the final sign-off for both his Swimming Beltloop and Pin.

Fast forward to a few days ago when he was reading the January copy of Boys Life.  As he is reading it he comes across what he thinks is a Snuba patch that he can get.  So, I read it.  I explain to him that it is the Scuba Merit Badge.   I explain that to earn this, that he has to be a BOY SCOUT.  He gets grumpy with me.  Meaning, he wants to earn it NOW!  I explain that once he becomes a Boy Scout after Webelos II that he can earn it.  He gets happier.  I explain to him that if he wants, it can be the first Merit Badge he starts to earn as a Boy Scout.  By the end of this three minute exchange, he is happy and motivated.

I think that I know my son.  I know that he loves to swim.  He loves water.  He also loves geology and fish.  He loves science.  His sister generally follows along with swimming and fish as well.  However, Elliot REALLY enjoys it. So, there is a Scuba School next to our house.  After some googling on the BSA Website and looking for schools I come to realize that this would be a good activity for him to do.  The Scouter in me realizes that there are many requirements and awards that he can get within Scouting.  But the real advantage is, he will be doing something he loves to do and learn at the same time.

I suspect he will end up going to the High Adventure Base in Florida someday.

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Arrow of Light / Cub Scout Career Arrows Follow-Up (#100DaysofScouting, Day 15) (via Scouter Scott’s Scouty Stuff)

I wanted to post this to everyone and also to remind myself. This is a great blog that shows how to make a great Arrow of Light Arrow….

This is a great blog on how to make one great arrow. It is very important to really celebrate the Arrow of Light. It is the highest award within Cubscouts that the boys can earn.

Read it and make it happen!

(This is a follow-up to my previous post on Arrow of Light / Cub Scout Career Arrows, found here.) So they're done.  Finally!  And they look pretty sweet!  Probably because after doing the design, I had NOTHING to do with them after.  That task was undertaken by my lovely wife with the degree in Art! So I kinda/sorta followed the ways that had been previously published, but we diverted in a few different areas and I think it turned out for the be … Read More

via Scouter Scott's Scouty Stuff

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The Video Post: XVII of C #100daysofscouting

On the road and showing you my Holiday Inn Campsite!

Yours in Scouting.

Music is by Nine Days Wonder.
Song:High Road to Heaven.

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Arrow of Light Ceremony

I am working on the Arrow of Light Ceremony that myself and others will give in March.
Two boys are crossing over to Troop 41.  Last year for the Crossover the Order of the Arrow was not able to attend.
I first saw the Crossover as a Tiger Den Leader.  I had NO idea that this even happened.  Remember, I only made Wolf.  I was blown away at that time.

 

 

 

 

For my Woodbadge ticket I setup a North American Flute demo that would help bring back Native American Culture into the Pack.
What actually happened was my Troop Guide worked up a Arrow of Light Ceremony.  He had never done one.
He is very good a ceremonies and is active within the OA Lodge.  So, he knew his stuff.  He also had flutes and costumes.

Below is the link to my very rough draft of what I am working to present as a ceremony.

Pack 221 Arrow of Light Ceremony

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Hornaday XVI of C for #100daysofscouting

Today, I got confirmation and introduced to our Hornaday Advisor!  I am very excited.  Been working on this for awhile.  Hoping to meet with him soon and get the ball rolling.  I am the idea guy and love to make things happen.  Hopefully, I can get our Den Chief’s involed as well.  I know the rules about having the Pack participate at 60% to earn the Certificate.  However, it just might inspire a Boyscout to go for a Hornaday award too!

Here is my blog post about Hornaday.

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Todays Thoughts for #100daysofscouting

I think that I am a head of myself in blogging. I have been blogging but then scheduling my posts for the next day…talk about getting ahead or behind of myself.

As I was off to the Council office to drop off some FOS material for a fellow Scouter I was stopped by the father of one of the Den Chief’s in our Pack.   He basically had a few questions about communication and activities.  Good conversation.  I sent off a few emails to the Den Leaders about it.

While I was upstairs in the District Exec Cubical Land, I ran into our old Cubmaster.  Explained what was going on and he gave me a couple of pointers including a Den Chief online training at Scouting.org.   His suggestion was to have the Den Leaders take it since they might not know what a Den Chief is, let alone what they should be doing.  Passed that along as well.

I also bought the Den Chief book in the Scout Shop so I can give it to them.

All of this got me thinking as I read through  the Den Chief Service Award requirements.  Scouting Magazine has a great article about it.

I know that the boys are using the Den Chief time to earn the Den Chief Service Award.  It is actually something that I want them to earn.  Because of this and re-reading it I need to step up to the plate and help them.   From what I know the Scoutmaster does keep tabs on them, but the Cubmaster also needs to be a part of this.  Because of this, I got myself invited to the Troop meeting this Wednesday.  My hope is to get 5 minutes with the two Scouts and answer any questions they might have.  I also want to see what they want to do to help with the Pack Summertime Events.

Unit Scouter Awards:

Our District Award Banquet is coming up in May.  Last year I nominated a Scouter for it.  I have sent my current recommendation into the District Advancement Chair.  This is an official award from the District.  These types of awards are very valuable.  I really want to nominate the whole Committee and all the Den Leaders.   I taught a class at this years Pow-Wow that was how to recognize those leaders and parents within the Unit.  Most people are not officially on the charter and are not able get Den Leader Knots.

The image here is not from our unit.  I think it’s pretty funny. If you want it, go here.

Finally, I found a new iPhone Scouting App.  It’s all Boyscouts and not Cubscouts, but I got it anyway.  It’s very nice and close to what the BSA has put out.  However, it’s all about Ranks, Requirements and it includes other awards that are not found in the BSA Scout APP.  It’s called Scout trail.  According to the Developer’s website they are working on a version for Cubscouts.

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Friends of Scouting XV of C #100daysofscouter

Friends of Scouting is a good thing.  Yes, it is.  I know that a lot of us RUN FAR AND FAST when the District Exec shows up with envelops saying “A Scout is Thrifty”.
For most all of us who are currently reading this blog, WE GET FOS!  I do not need to sell you FOS and why it is a good thing.  Granted we give of our time as Scouters in many many ways.  Driving boys to camp, getting supplies, advancement for unit, Tiger Den Leader, Popcorn Chair…the list goes on and on and on.

I have been asked to be on the FOS Team for our District.  I am doing it for several reasons.

1) Help deliver the message better.  I do not like people just coming up and asking for money and leaving.

2)I want to get to know more about how the District works.  (I suspect at some point in my Scouting career that I will work at that level.)

3)Need to explain what resources are used within the Council. Our camp fees and FOS within our Council is very low compared to California.

So, why do I give to Friends of Scouting?

I do not have to.  I have historically NOT given to charities and other organizations who ask for money.
My wife and I do participate in our children’s school auction and give old clothes to charities.  I have given in the past to my school that I went to in Minnesota.
I give to the local Council’s FOS because it directly supports Scouting.  I know that that money is used for Camp upkeep, Staff within the Council, supplies and other items.  I have used Council resources such as the Tiger Truck, printing flyers for the pack and renting posters to use in recruitment.

So, why do people get all wierded out about FOS?

It’s money. It’s the giving of it.  We are easier texting $10 to cute fuzzy animals, flood victims and other causes faster than things or people we see RIGHT IN FRONT OF US!  Out of sight and out of mind and easy to give.  I like to see something done with my money…in general.  Scouting gives you chance to see what can happen almost in front of you.  It’s tangible.

The hurdle of FOS within Cubscout Units is that if they do not get out and Camp as a Pack, a lot of the gift is lost on them.  In our Council, FOS allows them to camp at council sites for free.  That takes a lot of coordination of sites down.  It also allows for all the families to be in an area that is protected from other campers who party all night.  Within the Troop Units, it allows the same function, but in a lot more sites.  It’s easier for a Troop to ramp up for a weekend than a Cubscout pack since Troops CAMP!

One thing that I ran across on the Internet via Twitter is the Last Frontier Council’s FOS Youtube Update. I wish that my Council would do this.  It helps gets the message out to not only to their Scouts, but to others.

Overall, FOS is a good thing.  If you enjoy Scouts, support them.  You do not have to give the Council’s “Suggested Gift of X”, but give what you can.

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Communication: XIV of C #100daysofscouting

Today was all about communiciation.  It started off from last night on Twitter about how a Merit Badge Counsoler should handle not going to a public meeting.  It spilled over to this morning.  At first I was against it since the requirements were to go to a meeting.  However, as the conversation went on, I realized that today’s scouts are digital.  I go to meeting via Live Meeting and conference calls and other remote computer ways of participating with people from all over the US.    Granted Cubscouts do generally go to City Hall meetings or other public civic events.  Those are fun.  Cubscouts do not Facebook or Twitter.  They have GO-SEE-ITs.

Which, brings me to the Tiger Den.  Today their Den was supposed to go to a local Radio station.  Something came up at the station and they canceled mid-morning.  The Tiger Den Leader let me know and I contacted one of my friends at KGW.  When I was the Tiger Den Leader, I got us in to see the station.  So, I Facebooked a note to my friend to see if it was possible at the last moment.  Being the Boyscout, and wanting a back-up, I contacted my Ham Radio friend to see what could happen. Last year I used Ham Radio to cover the Communciation part of the Tigers.

In the end, the TV Station did not work out just because of the short notice.  My Ham Radio friend was able to do it, but the Tigers re-grouped and are doing something else…working on their Pinewood Derby cars for this weekends Pinewood Derby.

So, today, I used Twitter, Facebook & iPhone for texting.  I was hoping to use Television and Ham Radio to help explain how we communicate.  Right now, I am using a HTTP server to give you this information.

Yours in Scouting!

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