#OVERTHEEDGE for @CPCBSA & Scouting

  The Cascade Pacific Council has started up a very cool event.  It’s called Over the Edge.  At first, I thought it was something that us volunteers do to our District Executives!  Well, ok, we do.  Then I thought it was National coming out with a new version of “The EDGE Method” for training. Great, I had just completed “The Trainer’s EDGE” class the other month.

Nope, it’s a fundraising event for the whole Council.  I talked about it during another Council event with my DE and even with Matt Devore the Scout Executive.  Now, I am all for promoting Scouting as you know.  I am not a huge fundraising type guy.  I am not in front of or on the ground floor of it.  I do not like asking for money.

I do promote the annual Popcorn Drive for Scouting in the fall that Elliot does.  He uses it to pay for his activities and camp.  Remember, a Scout is Thrifty and helps the Pack GO!

I get and understand what Friends of Scouting does as well as the James E West Fund.  However, this is a tad bit more fun.  I have to raise $2500 in money to secure my spot in order to rappel down the side of the US Bank Tower.  This tower is in the Pioneer District, of which Pack 221 is in.

I have rappeled off the Rims in Billings, Mt and also off the Clock Tower at Shattuck St. Mary’s in Fairbault, Mn. So, I figured this was cool, but taking it a tad higher.  Which, apparently the US Bank Tower is the 2nd highest building in Oregon.  It takes place on June 29th in Portland, OR.

So, I signed-up.  Yeah, I want to do this.  So, I need your support to make it happen.  I am asking you to help.  What do you get out of your support?

Besides supporting a great program and making sure that a lot of boys and girls will have the opportunity to do something like this (yes they offer climbing in Scouts) or other cool adventures and life skills.  I will send you a signed photo of me going over the EDGE and the old official Pioneer District Patch for your donation.  Also, I will include a hand made Woggle out of Leather.  It is the same that I used in giving to all of my Cubscouts at the beginning of the 2011-2012 year.  It represents that we are all fellow Scouts and friends no matter where we are. I made 50 of them and I still have a lot of material left over.

So, help me help the boys and girls in my area have a great Scouting Adventure.  I support Scouting as my way of giving back because I believe in it.

Donate here

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Doing one’s Duty

Even if you are not a Boy Scout or Girl Scout and live by the Scout Oath and Law you should have a sense of what “Doing your Duty” entails.  You should also know the “Golden Rule” and what it means to “Play Fair”.    We also should have a good understanding of what common sense is and what “Do unto others as you want to done unto you” is and means.

This is not a post about Scouting and what the Pack or District is doing or the latest training I have gone through.  No, it’s a post about “doing ones duty.”  Jury Duty.

Jury Duty is when your government requires your time in the Judicial system to help decide a quarrel between two parties.  Now, it could be a simple neighbor sueing another for being a jerk and damaging their property, or a major crime case that gets you on CNN or on a Grand Jury that helps indict people for being really bad. Jury Duty is only the one time that the Government requires your service.  That is if your female.  If your a male, you are required under law to sign-up for selective service on your 18th birthday.

You are not even required to vote for the Mayor, Congressman, Senator or President.  Those are optional.

So, there is no Military Draft, no other time the US Govt will require you do anything outside of following the law on a daily basis.  If you skip Jury Duty, you can be fined and even jailed.  It’s True!  Ask this guy in Missioula!

So, here is my gripe.  People who shirk their duty because it’s an hassle to them.  There are good reasons why you cannot serve.  The law allows for that.  Also, if it is a real hardship for you to serve.

I have been called several times.  Mostly in the State of Oregon.  I did request once to be excused due to a training for work that I was going to be at for two weeks during the same time as the trail.  I was excused.  However, outside of that, I have always gone.  I made it to one trial for two days.  The person was actually found not guilty due to a County’s mishandling of evidence.

My point is this: If you do not involve yourself within the system and then decide to gripe, bitch, moan and complain…..you have done nothing to help change it.  You must participate.  Ok, it’s your 1st amendment Right to Free Speech, but remember this….there were people involved with the system who wrote that for you.  There are also people who gave their life for you to be a couch potato.

So, next time you get a summons for Jury Duty.  Go, be a part of the system.  There are people who have a quarrel that need you to decide.  Sometimes it takes the threat of a Jury Trail to get a decision made for them to get them to resolve their issues.

Also, with all the people on Fox News, CNN and other Social Media outlets crying out for the Justice System to due their Duty…..yup..that’s you.  You are called “We the People.” So, do your duty.

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Mission Possible

This Thursday, the Cascade Pacific Council held a secret meeting that was by invite only.  Council invited two Scouters from each Cubscout Pack within it’s borders.  It was led by Jake Nichols, the CEO of Leatherman Tools.  The Council Scout Executive Matt Devore was there as well.  So, I signed up and went.  Any chance to put on the Tan & Green for an hour I am there.  What got my interest is that Council was putting on such a huge push for Cubscouts.  I have long pined for more CUBSCOUT stuff.

The jist of the whole meeting was to explain and challenge those of us within the Cubscout Scouter Choir.  It also was to point out several things.

Cubscout membership  & summer camp attendance is down within the Council.  Some of which I knew since I am on the District Committee and have gone to Top Team.  Matt Devore stated (if I remember correctly) that Boy Scouting starts with Cub Scouting.

Matt related how his oldest son got his start in Tigers.  It was him asking his son what seven buddies he wanted to have in Tigers.  Matt then called each parent of the boys and invited them.  Matt also related several firsts that his son had due to Cubscouts.

Both Matt & Jake asked us as Leaders to accept a challenge.  They are:

• Start a den of incoming Tigers or Wolves with all the paperwork turned in by June 10th.
• Do everything we can to get every boy in the pack to Summer Camp in 2012
• Help earn the Pack  earn GOLD in Journey to Excellence
• Help the Pack earn the Summertime Pack Award

• Here is the deal, Pack 221 is getting most every Cubscout to Summercamp. We are finalizing plans for one Den out of 4.
• Pack 221 has earned Gold w/100% Boys Life for 2011 JTE. We also have earned the Quality Unit Award for 2009 & 2010.
• Pack 221 since 2009 (when I came on) to earn the Summertime Pack Award.

What we have not done is start a Tiger Den by June. (So, I know what to do)

My Program Chair’s Pack is doing this:

• We recruit year round and have really grown the pack over the last year. We are currently at 58 boys registered. Our annual Rain Gutter Regatta is planned for June 10th. Just this week we have a new Tiger, soon to be a Wolf joining the pack. In June another boy will be moving from Seattle and his mother wants him to join our pack based on our web site, our emails and one phone call. So that makes two boys toward the goal and we are not even out of March yet.
• We are currently the only pack in the district that has dens attending all four Cub Scout Camps, Camp Discovery, Cub World, Gilbert Ranch and Adventure Cove.
• We set high standards for the pack and by doing so we have achieved the GOLD level of excellence in 2009 and 2011 in both the Quality Unit Award and Journey to Excellence. We are on our way to achieving GOLD again this year, our low point was adult trained leaders and we will be addressing that issue.
• Our Pack has earned the Summertime Pack award for the past several years. We do this by attending Summer Camp, offering a monthly event in each of June, July and August. Our belt loop family sports night, the BBQ and the parade all make great Summertime Pack events.

My goal is to recruit a Tiger Den Leader/s and get a Den started.  We are hopefully going to start that shortly for the May Pack Meeting for Raingutter Regatta.  I have one parent already in mind for the Tiger Den Leader.  I just need to ask.

So, whatelse can I do as Cubmaster to help be an Agent of Change?  Our Pack grew from 33 to 49 this year.  The 7 Webelos II just crossed over.  Our Tiger Den is 13 (highest since I came on in 2008).  That brings us to 42, though Council will have us for 49 until Dec 2011 when we re-charter.  Our membership was as high as 80.  Do I want 80 boys?  No, not really.  Do I want to offer Scouting to all?  Yes?

So, here is what I need to do. (When I say I, I mean PACK/WE)  Get a meeting with the possible Tiger Den Leader. Get his son’s friends names.  Invite them.  I also need to create a flyer for the Kindergartners and invite them to Raingutter Regatta in May.  However, I need to get those boys a boat.  To get them a boat, I need more of a committment.   Flyers are cheap, boats are not.  Fun is Priceless

To do this, I need to get flyers and info to the Council so I can get them to the Kindergarteners in the School.  There is a lot of footwork to do and to be done.

Once this is done, we can get out all the information to the Parents that shows what we do and have events for the Summer.  Maybe, I can also get them into Camp Discovery too?

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Quail Forever!

March 19th & 20th were the beadings of Ken and Andy. They are my Peeps of the Bobwhite Patrol of the Woodbadge Course W1-492-11 in Cascade Pacific Council.  I am very proud of these Bobwhites for many different reasons.  There are a total of 6 Bobwhites within the Patrol.  Russ is slated for June and Barry is slated for April Beading Ceremonies.  The other two Bobwhites are close behind.

Every participant has their own story to write.  I am proud that I got to follow their story.  One great thing is with all the beadings that I get to go to, is to see how other Scout Units hold Arrow of Light and Court of Honor ceremony.  It’s the reflection of how each unit honors their Scouts and Leaders.  Scouting is very fun.  I look forward to having the whole Covey beaded!

Quail Forever!

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Arrow of Light 2012

  This weekend was the Arrow of Light and Crossover Ceremony for the Fire Scouts of Pack 221.  It was held as a Pack overnighter at Scouter’s Mtn which is about 40 minutes from the School.  Pack 221 has held it there for the past three years.  This is our second time since I was a Tiger Den Leader in 08-09 that the Pioneer District Wanua La-Mon’ tay Lodge Chapter  of the Order of the Arrow did the ceremony for us.  Apparently, it’s the first time this OA Ceremony Team has done it at Scouter’s Mtn. (It might be longer, but what I have heard they do it at schools a lot more.)

They were fantastic.

The weekend started out with a rocket shoot with the Webelos I Den.  The Pack opened it up to everyone to bring a rocket, which several other Scouts did.  It was a solid hour of fun.  We lost one or two, but watching them go up has a blast.   During a recent Den meeting the Webelos I (Tree Scouts) worked on building the rockets.  Our Fearless Webelos Den Leader was not able to be with us this weekend due to the Flu bug.  But he got the boys to build the rockets.  One main thing that happened in most of the rockets was that the wadding was not placed in the rocket between the engine and parachute.  The end result of that was a melted parachute and a very rapid decent.  Which, after a few went up, we knew it was not an isolated issue.  Good skills on STEM!

The parents had such a good time watching them, we all decided that a Rocket Day would be in order next year.  Just have to figure out when.  We have the where.

As I said, this was the weekend for our Arrow of Light.  It’s the big deal and it’s one thing that I keep telling the boys to work towards besides their own rank.  It’s their Eagle in Cubscouts.

It was also the time that I had to say good bye to our Membership Chair and two Webelos II Den Leaders.  All three of them mean a lot to me.  They have done their best and it’s time to move on and take a break from the weekly Den Meetings and such.  I was able to get them each a small reminder of their time spent within the Pack.

The OA was able to work with us on a few interjections of personal commentary.  We had Arrows given to each boy from the Den Leader via their parents.  We had the boys give the parents pin to their parent.  Our Den Leader had a part for me to read about the Seven Rays of Light, which worked out perfectly since I personally gave them each a Arrow of Light Coin.  It was my Cubmaster gift to them.

It was a great ceremony.  The Troops that the boys are going to will be a great place for them to flourish. So, end of a great Cubscout career for the now Boy Scouts and retired Webelos Den Leaders and Membership Chair.  I will miss them all.  Hopefully, as I told the Scouts, that I would like to asked to their Eagle Court of Honors.

Signed

Your Old Cubmaster.

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The Cubmaster Hike

I have been thinking for awhile about how to put the OUT in Scouting.  Many of my Cubmaster brethern throughout the land have hiking clubs.  As the person who gets to set the tone and program of the Pack, I have decided that I will host a Cubmaster Hike.  It’s independent of any Pack or Den Meeting.  It’s up to anyone who wants to come, come.  We will always practice YPT, Leave No Trace and be on the lookout for cool nature stuff.

I am not a subject matter expert on nature or animals.  So, we will all learn as we go.  Yes, I will study up on the area and present facts as I can.  However, I am hoping that there are parents and scouts that can help point this out.  My main goal is to get us OUT.

This stems (no pun intended) in my recent post on the Nature Deficit Child post.  I have also started on thinking on how to incorporate STEM into the Pack Meetings. Later on this.

Because of this, I have worked up a Cubmaster Hike within the Portland Metro Area.  Our second hike will be on May 12th, which is the Jamboree on the Trail day.

I hope that you can take this information and ideas and create your own program within your Pack.

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Why I do what I do

The other day, I wrote a post about Supporting the Village.  Over the past years of this blog I have written about what happens to me, my son, the Pack and many various things that happen during my Scouting life.    I have done a lot since Elliot joined in 2008.  My term of being Cubmaster will end in March 2013 when he crosses over into a Boy Scout Troop.  I will not stop being involved.

I was reminded today several times actually on why I do what I do.

The first was an email from my Mom that talked about Mister Rogers Neighborhood.  I grew up watching Mister Rogers and Sesame Street.  Couple the recent “The Muppets” movie and watching a documentary on “Being Elmo“, I have been on a flashback kick.  But the one thing that I realized in reading the Mister Rodgers article and watching “Being Elmo” is that I am not to different from them as being a Cubmaster.

“We can’t all be Mister Rogers. But in a world that’s often far too cold and mean, one in which bullies can now tyrannize with both a fist or a tweet, we can all stand to be a little bit better neighbors. Consideration and kindness and gratitude aren’t make-believe dreams. They’re what make us all special. Just by being us.” (From the Mister Rodgers article)

Now, I have several reasons about Scouting.  One is making sure that a Scout is ok. This is from my mantra that all boys should have a chance at Scouts and that they all can benefit from Scouting.  No matter if they leave before the Arrow of Light or attaining the Rank of Eagle.  If Scouting is not fun, then the Den Leader, Cubmaster or someone is at fault.  We as Leaders need to provide fun.  I know that sometimes Scout’s leave because they move.  But I will always remember them. (Yes, I still keep tabs on him.)

Here is Mister Rogers asking us to remember those who made a difference.

The second time I was reminded today was during a meeting with the District Exec and Program Chair for lunch.  As we went through our conversation, the Program Chair several times mentioned that it’s the Boys we are focusing in on.  We talked about Camping, Training, Scout Events, Friends of Scouting and “Doing our Best”.  There was discussion on everyone being on the same page.  If you bring Woodbadge into this, we are a High Performing Team.  There are those who are storming and continue to because they are on their own path.  We were working to figure out how to get them on the same page and also deliver and remember that “It’s about the BOYS!”  His dedication to Scouting is great.  His goal is the same as mine.  Make it fun.

Finally, the third and now last time I was reminded about what I do is a recent letter since out to parents from another parent.  I get what this person says.  Part of the email says

“I am inspired by the display of our community values at the auction and in our school broadly. Thank you! We are enriching the lives of our children and our neighborhood children by giving of our time and our money. I’m particularly humbled by families like the one I saw who give of both far beyond their share to the benefit of us all.”

I give of my time as Cubmaster and I do give of my money to Scouting.  Not just Pack 221, but also within the Council.  This is both directly to Pack 221, the District and Council.  Not only am I the Cubmaster for Pack 221, but I am the District Training Chair, as well as a Trainer, and instructor for both the Program & Training Conference (2010 & 2011) and for the 2011 Woodbadge course.  For me, I am able to affect the program within the Pack and help other Scouter’s affect theirs.  As for the financial aspect, I am able to ensure that boys and girls within Cascade Pacific Council will be able to have Scouting available to them.  This is in form of Camperships and resources made available to them in they or their families cannot afford it.  All of this, helps in achiveing the benefits of Scouting. (Do read this link since the benefits are many.)

So, here is my plea.  Take the time to volunteer.  If it’s within my Pack, let me know.  If your reading this and your not local, find a local Scout unit and volunteer.  It can even be at the District Level.  Take the training.  If your local within Cascade Pacific Council and you have not donated to Friends of Scouting, go here.

Your financial donation and/or of time will be greatly appreciated and realized in the youth it serves.  The affect of your donation might never be realized by you, but for the boy or girl it does, they will have skills that will be used for a lifetime.

Yours in Scouting

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The Webelos Badge

Tonight, March 12th 2012, my son Elliot was presented his Webelos Badge.  As his Dad I could not be prouder.  I know he has worked hard for it.  It was not easy in some cases.  All the boys  eight Tree Scouts  earned their Webelos Badge today.  As did the 13 Tigers and  seven Bears.  That’s 28 boys who advanced tonight out of 47.  The Arrow of Light is this weekend and the Wolves are working hard.

We played a few games at the end and had cake.

The second half was a parent meeting coupled with our DE giving the FOS talk.  We did well, but our goal was not met for the $$.  But it was higher than last year.  Which is good.  Granted the whole meeting itself could have gone different.  But, as a Cubmaster, I gotta role with it.  Let’s just say if Mick Jagger was a Cubmaster, I would have Moves like Jagger!

As I got home tonight, I spoke to my son since I was not able to stand next to him and give him the award.  I got down to his level and looked right at him and told him that he has earned something that I have not.  He has done things that I have not done.  I told him that I was very proud of him and what he has accomplished.  I pointed out the 8 pins that he now has.  He asked if he could get all 20.  I said, yes.  It is up to him to earn them.

I am proud of my son tonight.  I am also very proud of every Scout who got their Rank tonight and those who are still working on it.

This is why I do Scouting.

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A team-by-team guide to the BSA's new Major League Soccer alliance

Reblogged from Bryan on Scouting:

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The Major League Soccer season starts March 10, and with it comes an exciting opportunity for Scouts and Scouters nationwide.

As I told you in January, MLS and the Boy Scouts of America joined forces this year.

But what does that mean for your pack, troop, team, or crew?

To help you learn more about this alliance and understand how to connect with the MLS team near you, I've compiled a team-by-team guide.

Read more… 758 more words

This is awesome. I have already got our Events Chair working on this. My hope is that the Portland Timbers have a Scout sleepover like the Portland Beavers Baseball Team had. That was awesome.

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The Nature-Deficit Disorder

This past week while traveling for work, I picked up a great book.  Now, I generally get books in the Airport and are related to CIA/Spy Novel stuff about blowing stuff up.  I read a lot of history as well.  But this was different.  First off, I picked it up in the Scout Shop in Spokane, Wa.  The Inland Northwest Council.

It is called “Last Child in the Woods” by Richard Louv.
While the book itself is really long and filled with a lot of facts of this and that, tells stories about nature and the author’s upbringing.  Something hit me about this book and the children of today.  Even the young 20somethings as well.  They do not know what it was like to grow up and be with nature.  This is something that I am currently experincing with my children and even with those that I train at work.  They do not get or understand nature and some of the cultural references that I know.

While reading this book I am constantly going back to my childhood in Billings, Mt and all the stuff I did and got away with.  I played outside, built forts, huge holes in the ground, built snow forts, hiked, fished, rode bikes, walked up/down streams and so much more.  I did this with neighborhood kids including my best and oldest friend John Fillner.  I also spent days, weeks and months up at East Rosebud Lake and hiked everywhere. (I should have done more really).  I played at the Beaver Pond, Shannon Inlet, Head of the Lake and the Outlet.  I went to Camp Lincoln and learned how to sail and canoe.  Even spent 4 days canoeing down the Mississippi River. It’s where I first realized that I liked being the camp cook. Note that I also figured out that  Blackberry Strudel mix and Beef Stew really does not mix well when cooking dinner.  Need seperate bowls/pots.

Fast forward to now.  Now as the book spells out, parents are hyper sensitive to “NATURE” and getting hurt and the Lawyer & Insurance crowd.  If your kid gets hurt, parents sue whomever into the ground.  So, kids do not get out and play.  They play Wii/XBOX.

One of my main reasons of being in Cubscouts is to get the Scouts OUTSIDE.
Suffice to say, I am going to be working on making changes within my family (already have) but also working to do more within Scouts.

I am going to use this Resource guide from the book and see what we can do.  I also want to incorporate hiking within the Pack.  Which, on May 12th, is Jamboree on the Trail. I also think that the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights is very cool, which is from the Leave No Child Inside website.

In the coming months, I hope to report back on what my family is doing as well as the Scouts as it deals with this subject.  I have already because of Scouting started to get out more.  This is just forcing me outside more.

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