Where worlds meet

Reblogged from The Scoutmaster Minute:

For those of you that have followed the blog for any given time, you know that I am a fan of sports.  I believe that sports do great things in the lives of youth and I also believe that there is room for sports, scouts, academics, and a normal life for our youth.  I actually think that when youth participate in sports and scouts they become better young men and women.

Read more… 1,035 more words

I just got this in the email from my friend Scoutmaster Jerry. He and I are in the same Council and have many views that are the same. This, is one of them. Sports and Scouts. It does and can work. I will go further than Jerry does and state that it's the Parents that limit the Son/Daughter in what they do. It's because the Parents DRIVE THEM EVERYWHERE! Along with what Jerry has said, it's the Parent's Time in doing stuff within their life and work. Yes, some Parents are single, work 4 different jobs. But if something really is important to you and/or your children, you will make it a priority. Great Posting. Hence, I have re-blogged it here.

Read Full Post »

Training in the District

On Saturday our District held three training classes.  Merit Badge Counselor, Charter Org and District Committee Trainings.  There was supposed to be the Boy Scout & Cub Scout Position training.  However, those the Boy Scout class only had two and the Cub Scout had none.  There was only ONE WALK IN for the Boy Scouts!

As Training Chair,  I looked at our records and realized that we were not trained as a District.  We only needed 95 more people trained to get to 50%.  Yuck.  (I am waiting to see what Council has for the January timeframe since that will get us the latest version after Re-Charter.  Many people will drop & get added.)

So, first up was Merit Badge Counselor Training.  Out of the normal Roundtable Crowd, there were four Scouters who I never saw before.  One lady was the Merit Badge Coordinator for his Troop.  The other was told to come and another knew she needed it.  Plus since there were changes to the Guide to Advancement & new Eagle Project Book, she wanted to make sure she got all the new info.  The forth was an ASM.  We all took it in and got a lot of great information.  The course was taught by our Advancement Chair, who is also on the Council Advancement Team.  So, great info from the top.  So, why was this different?  Well, normally this training was done at the Troop level or one on one.  Here you had 6 different Troops represented.  Basically 6 different ways on how MBC could be handeled.   The great thing is through this group learning 6 different Troops came together and learned how each other did it and what their issues were.

Charter Org Rep Training:  This was timely as there is a dust-up within our District.  We had four real Charter Org Reps at the class along with several of the normal Roundtable people.  My push for this class was to help the District reach out to the Charter Org Reps and tell them more about Boy Scouts and what everyone is supposed to do.  Our Trainer got right to the point and said, it’s about the Kids and that’s who we work for.  He pointed out that each COR is on the District Committee.  Our District Chairman was there as well and did do an invite and how he saw them and the BSA.  It was great.  We covered the basic syllabus from the BSA and also dived into very meaty topics.  Ones you would not get online.  Portland Lawsuits, Insurance, Liability…who owned what.  We had service clubs and churches represented within the class.  Great mix.   I was very happy that this class was offered.  It will be back.

District  Committee Training:
My big push for this was a lot of our Committee is new within the past year or two.  With our new Chairman, Commissioner, Program Chair, me and others….we needed this.  Our fellow Scouters in the District next to us was in a similar situation.  Plus, I knew the District Chair from Wood Badge and as being a Troop Guide together this past year.  So, while I had just gotten trained as a MBC, COR, I was really looking forward to this training.  I had asked the Scoutmaster from WE1-492-09, who is a Assistant Council Commissioner to come speak.  The Trainer worked with her to figure out what needed to be covered.

This was a great training.  We went over the basics of what a District is and how it functioned.  We did not get into breakouts since we were so small and our committees as a District are not that huge.  So, what happened was a lot of discussion between each other.  Our counterparts within Wapiti (The Great Herd from the West, as I call them) were great!   Both Districts learned from eachother about how the each did business.  We learned that we are not that different in the challenges we both face.  Membership, Retention, Finance, Programing….you name it we talked about it.

We also learned that the Commissioner Corp is highly valuable.  That they needed to be out in the Units so we can get “The Message” out to them.  That the Commissioners are there to help tell the District Committee how healthy or unhealthy the District/Units are.

It was a great day for learning at the Unit Level, District Level and Council Level.  Both the District Exec’s were there.  Each of them had words to share about what they thought was important.  Not just about their District, but as a Council.

The Wapiti District Committee: (Not all shown)

The Pioneer District Committee (Not all shown)

Finally, we did celebrate our Training that day.  As any Scout function needs to have, is a song.  Since it was the 2009 Wood Badge Scoutmaster came and spoke to us, we sang her favorite song. ROOTBEER!  Yes, we had fun.  If you cannot have fun during training….well…..

 

 

Read Full Post »

Spending Time with your Family

The Boy Scouts of America says this about Cub scouts and Families “Cub Scouting aims to develop youth into participating citizens of good character who are physically, spiritually, and mentally fit. The organization recognizes that it is the responsibility of parents and family to raise their children. The Cub Scout program is a resource that can help families teach their children a wholesome system of values and beliefs while building and strengthening relationships among family members. “

This has been true within my journey in Scouting with my son.  I also see some parents able to have this time with their sons as well.  Within the Pack I am in, I work to make sure that if siblings are able to go to the Cub Scout events, that I advertise that point.  I also tell that to new parents and those who are thinking about joining.

So, why is it a topic today?

Recently I had to tell the Pack Committee that due to my position at work increasing my time away, that I might be missing some Den Meetings and possibly Pack Meetings. I am not stepping down and I am not leaving.  I am however kicking up the search for my replacement. I need several Assistant Cub Masters.  I am lucky in several ways.  First, Pack Meetings are only once a month.  My wife can take Elliot to the Den Meetings, which are close to home.  A lot of our advancement happens on our outings which are on the weekend and I am home.  However, the big issue for me, is time away from my family.  My wife understands why.  My kids understand that I have a job, but not that it brings home the money for us to live.  I have been keenly aware that my being away does greatly affect them and my wife.  I now routinely get comments from the kids like “your gone a lot”and ” I’m giving you extra hugs cause I don’t get to during the week”.  There are others.

So for awhile, I have been working at doing stuff with them.  Building forts, playing non-electronic games (though I will try to win at Wii Games when I can) and spending time with JUST them one on one.  It is very important to hang out with your children.  Just be with them.  Don’t do Scouting unless they bring it up, go biking, do their favorite thing, go bowling, watch the dumb cartoon that they like and you hate.  You do not need to go out and spend a lot of money, take them to fancy places, get them huge cool gifts to create memories.  You just need to give your time.

Which leads me to this great video.  It’s from the Melrose Scout Productions out of Minnesota.  First, it’s a great blog.  With 30 years as a Scoutmaster in Minnesota, Steve has a lot of great ideas.  The video below is about the Adding Machine Tape.  When I first saw it, I thought it was great.  Now, as I look at it again, it rings even truer.  While Steve focuses on Scouting with your Son, it works with Familytime as well.

Thanks to Steve for letting me use this in the post.

Read Full Post »

Scouting will give you Job Skills

While I am not in the Boy Scout area, yet.  I find a lot of the skills that the Scouts could learn very good.  Hence, I am glad about this new Merit Badge.  Welding.  I have actually looked at classes for this.  I find it very fascinating.  I took shop when I was in 7th & 8th Grade.  I also went to the Vo-Tech Center for Graphic Arts.  As most of you know I went to Culinary School and worked in the restaurant world for 9-10 years.

So, when the BSA announced Welding, I was very happy.  Bryan on Scouting has a great article on it.  The American Welding Society also has a note about it.

While I currently as of this writing, do not see requirements yet posted to the BSA Merit Badge section, I think it will be very valuable.    However, if you do not want to take my word for it, take it from Mike Rowe.  You know, that Dirty Jobs guy who is an Eagle Scout….  It’s a good lesson also on how there is employment, but in fields that many do not consider these days.   There are many professions and all require knowledge.  Most are not as sexy as being an Astronaut or Rocket Scientist or Heart Surgeon.

So, if you turn a wrench, good for you.  You cannot be replaced by a Script.  People still need to repair the robots and machines that process all the crappy food we eat and to the things we buy to sweat it off with.  You might need a lawyer to sue the guy who made the hot coffee, but that lawyer will need a Printer Repair guy to fix the printer that produces the lawsuit papers and a Desktop Support Guy to install the printer on the computer.  So, gain knowledge in any field.

Read Full Post »

Thoughts on District Training

  As the Pioneer District Training Chair, it’s my duty to fullfill the “Every boy deserves a Trained Leader” part.  It’s my duty to offer training that is needed or that I see needed within the District. I  have always thought, WHY CANCEL, a training.  A Scouter friend of mine out in Southern Ohio who is a Program Chair has the same thoughts along the line of canceling courses.  However, in this case it’s not because there isn’t enough.  Say, class needs 10 and only 7 sign-up.  Wood Badge needs 30 or the course is canceled, so I get that.  The past several years our Council’s Wood Badge has been full at 56.

The photo is during the W1-492-11 Wood Badge course.  It was during the first presentation/talk that I gave as Troop Guide to the very awesome BOBWHITE Patrol! You will notice that I have both thumbs up!  It’s because they ROCK!

So, at this first of the year training for Pioneer, I have put together the normal Cubscout Specifics, Boyscout Specifics training.  I also put on for the first time, Merit Badge Counselor, Charter Org Rep & District Committee trainings.

I have more sign-ups for the MBC & District.  COR has one and CS/BS have none.  I have interest from other Districts.  I even had a LDS Stake President call me directly.  Talk about a calling..(FYI: I am not LDS)  I think that is HUGE!

So, I have just sent out an email to all the COR/CC/SM/CM letting them know that the two CS/BS classes will be canceled due to sign-ups at COB on Monday.  I had let my thoughts be known to the DE & District Chair as well as the Program Chair.  Which, they agree and understand.

I have directed the District Commissioner & the Commissioner Corp to reach out to each COR and explain the training date & invite them.  It’s their job to do that.  It will put a contact in the system for them.  If they all come to the training, including the Unit Commissioners they will build up a bond and or strengthen it.

Overall, I do not like canceling.  But, I do not want to waste the Trainer’s time either.  I am not disheartened and I will schedule more and sooner.

I did get feedback for Den Chief & Troop Committee Trainings to put on.  I have also contacted the Council Training Chair and asked for assistance in putting on a BALOO & OWLS course.  Either for all the Cubscout Trainers so we can take it back to the Districts or hold one Council wide.  I am also aware of our Council’s Trainer’s Edge course that is coming up soon.  It’s basically for the Wood Badge Staff who have not taken it.  I got a mini version since I went to Maui during that time.  I will be telling those who have not taken Trainer’s Edge in the past three years to go.  Which, if you follow the Training Times from National, a lot of training requirements have changed.  They do have a Facebook page as well.

Read Full Post »

Handyman Webelos Pin

This weekend there were several projects around the house that I had Elliot help me with.  Back in my mind I knew that I was going to have him complete the Handyman Webelos Activity Pin. (Check the link for all the specifics)

Outside of the Know, Commit & Practice aspect of the requirements, which were completed over the summer, fall and on a ongoing process, we worked on these:

2. With adult supervision, wash a car. (Washed Mom & Dads car a couple of times this summer)
3. Make a repair to a bicycle, such as tightening the chain, fixing a flat tire, or adjusting the seat or handlebars. (Worked on brakes, Seat & Derailer on his bike and sisters)
4. Properly inflate the tires on a bicycle. (Both his and sister’s bike)
5. Replace a light bulb in a fixture or lamp. (Helped with kitchen light replacement & replaced Smoke Detectors during our Smoky House issue,)
6. Help take care of the lawn. (Yeah, all summer long…you think I wanted to?  That’s why I had kids!)
7. Arrange a storage area for hand tools or lawn and garden tools. (Use of Lawn Mower & Power Washer in Shed amoungst other items)
8. Clean and properly store hand tools or lawn and garden tools in their storage area. (Same as above)

This Pin started in the summer and basically wrapped up this weekend with the Kitchen Lamp replacement and after a bike ride.  During the Bike ride both Elliot and Rachel complained about their bikes not being in good repair.  Rachel’s had two flats.  Flatter than normal.  Elliot’s seat was low and brakes did not work as well as the derailer.  So while Rachel was off selling Girl Scout Cookies (Yes, it’s that time of the year in our neck of the woods) Elliot and I tackled these items.  I had also purchased a few items that I needed to put on my bike.  He helped put them on as well.  I had asked him to go get the tools and he did.  I explained what Allen wrenches were and he used them.

When we moved inside for the Lamp, I explained to him how I am afraid of electricity.  I showed him the breaker box and what it did.  I showed him how to read each breaker and when it was on/off/tripped.  He turned it off.  To which I asked him to go check the area if lights were off.  He confirmed it.

Once everything was safe, I got on the ladder and he got on the table so he could see the outlet.  I showed him the drawings of what was going to happen.  After the cover was off, i showed him the Black, White and Green wires and explained what they were and for.  We talked about lighting and how it goes to the ground.  I showed him the safety caps on why they were there.

As we worked on it he was getting it.  Spending about three hours today working through all the projects we got them knocked out.  Couple with the work during the summer and some delay, Elliot earned his Handyman Webelos Activity Pin.  Could he have completed it in the two weeks as described.  Sure.  But we started this in the summer, so I really did not want him to complete it all during that time.  I just made mental notes as to what he has done as well as logging them in Packbadges on my iPhone.

I did review with him what he had learned and asked specific questions for the Know, Comment & Practice part, just so he could tell me.

 

Read Full Post »

Daughters

  This is my daughter Rachel.  She is seven years old.  She is also the little sister of a Webelos Scout.  She was tired of doing stinky boy stuff and became a Daisy Scout in Kindergarten.  She is now in her second year of Scouting and loving it.  Rachel readily tells me that the Girl Scout Sign is just like the Boy Scout Sign.

She’s full of it when she needs to be with her brother.  But that is not why I am blogging about this.

Because I travel, I miss my kids.  Last night I was able to have Rachel-Daddy time.  My wife and son went off to a movie at a friends house and left us.  We did not want to go.  So, we made popcorn in our new popcorn maker that has a hand crank on it and popped it over the stove. We used kernals and no microwave.  She loved it since she turned the crank and loaded the popper with two shot glass full of kernals.  We then poured butter over it when done and went to see our own movie.

It was Judy and the Dragons.  We sat in bed, eating popcorn watching a movie together.  We talked before during and after the movie.  It was chit chat about stuff that was important to her, not me.

Then, out of nowhere, I got “Your the best Daddy in the whole world” & “I love you” statements as I also got the biggest hug & cuddle.  Yup…that’s all a Dad needs.

There is one book that I will recommend to help you see the light about being the best Dad ever.  I got it after listening to the Dave Ramsey show.

It’s called  “Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters“: by Dr. Megan Meeker.  It talks about being a role model for your daughter and LISTENING TO HER!  JUST LISTEN TO HER.  Do that, and you will create a strong daughter in every sense.  (Now if she would listen to me about picking up her room…)

Overall, spend time with your Daughter.  If you do not have one, be the cool Uncle to your Niece!  This works at all ages!

I also listen to this song called “Daughters” by John Mayer a lot.

Read Full Post »

2011 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 17,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 6 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

Read Full Post »

2012 Goals

There is a lot of Scouters within the Facebook, Twitterverse & G+ world asking about goals and what was 2011 like.  I love reading them.  I hope that all their plans and wishes come to being and they feel a sense of accomplishment.  The Internet is a wonderful place.

I have met a lot of like minded people whom I would love to share a campfire and coffee with hopefuly soon.  I have accomplished that with two Scouters.

Because of of the Internet I have grow and been able to swipe a lot of great ideas from a lot of different places.

I am going to put down several of my goals, which some will be in a Wood Badge Ticket form.  Here goes.

1#:

What will be done: Lose weight.
Who will do it:  Adam R. Cox
Where will be it done: Everywhere.
When will it be done:  Target date is May 28th 2012. That is the date for a 24 hour relay Mtn Nike Race in Spokane, Wa.  I am doing this.
How will it be done: Take Shape for Life/Medifast Diet program, Juicing & Exercise.  I have ordered a Kona 20in 29 Hardtail Mtn Bike. I will be training for the Spokane 24 Hour Race.
How will it be verified:  Using the Lose it App and Blogging about it.  Doing a Zipline Outing on July 4th weekend with my family. (You cannot do it if your above #250).  Also to use the Hennessey Hammock.  Currently it only supports up to #250.  So, once I have gone below #250, I can use it.
Why will I do it:  My heaviest weight was #290.  I graduated in 1986 @ 190.  I need to do this for myself.  Everyone else will benefit!

#2

What will be done: Recruit and Train new Cubmaster & Assitant Cubmaster
Who will do it: Current Cubmaster & Committee
Where will it be done: Den, Pack & Committee Meetings and one on one sessions.
When will it be done: The identification, recruitment will be done before June 4th. Our current Pack year.  The Cubmaster will be an Assistant Cubmaster until they take over in March 2013.  Hence, there will be two Assistant Cubmasters for awhile.

How will it be verified:  Adult Application will be turned into Council to become Assistant Cubmaster in June.  Cubmaster Application turned in in March 2013 before Crossover with date of Crossover.  Adults taking over will complete Online Cubmaster Training and go to Program & Training Conference & other in-person training.

Why will I do it: The success of Pack 221 depends on it.

#3

What will be done: Create Training Plan for Pioneer District in CPCBSA.  This includes BALOO, OWLS, ITOLS and other trainings.
Who will do it: Training Chair & Program Chair along with District Exec/Chairman helping out as needed.

Where will it be done:  At ongoing meetings.  However, after District Committee Training Course is complete, dates of training will be laid out.

When will it be done: By the end of Feburary 2012.
How will it be verified: Publication of Dates via District Website/Calendar and email to District Committee.

Why will I do this: To increase the Fully Trained percentage from %32 to %50.  Every Adult Scouter has Youth Protection.  However, many positions are not considered trained.  I am working on to get more and different trainings out to the District.  I am also working to see what the District needs/wants and what times would be better for them.

#4

What will be done:  Have seven patrol members of the W1-492-11 Bobwhite Patrol finish their Wood Badge Ticket and get Beaded.

Who will do it: The Bobwhite Patrol.  I am their Troop Guide.

Where will it be done: the tickets of the Bobwhite patrol has that information.  I will guide them as needed since I am their Troop Guide.

When will it be done:  All w1-492-11 Wood Participates have till July 2012 to complete their tickets.
Why will I do this:  I committed to them as the Bobwhite Troop Guide to mentor and support them till their physical completion of the ticket and the Beading.  However, i will continue to guide & help them as needed.  Their tickets are their own.  The completion of those tickets are there to help enhance them and those around them and within the unit they serve.

These four items are Wood Badge version worthy.  The rest are just goals and desires that will be worked on on an ongoing basis.

Learn and operate Ham Radio better.  I am a General License Ham Operator.  However, I have not done a lot with it.  I would love to have a JOTA/JOTI or some other type event for Pack 221 or District.

I also want to become a Merit Badge Counseler for Ham Radio, Scouting Heritage, Public Speaking,Personal Fitness, Graphic Arts and others.  These will start after Elliot has crossed over.  The first two will be Ham Radio and Scouting Heritage.

While these are all generally Scout based, my first thing I am going to do is spend more time with my family and do more outings with them.  Such as Camping, Hiking, Biking and anything else you can think of.

Thanks for reading…..

Read Full Post »