Push me Over for @cpcbsa #boyscouts

Hello all: It’s the Friday Report for sending Me OVER THE EDGE for Cascade Pacific Council and Boy Scouts!

Thank you to all of those who have already Donated!  We are at $1050!  Awesome.  There are many reasons to donate to a cause.  Please consider donating to help the Cascade Pacific Council provide a great program to both Girls and Boys.   I need to raise $2500 and I am 41% of the way there.  Please consider a $25, $50 or $100 donation today.
Click on this link to donate!

Your donation is 100% Tax Deductable for the 2012 Tax Year.  So let’s Donate for the Future Leaders today!

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Two years later

Back in 2010, there was a landmark case that changed the Boy Scouts of America.  It was the case of a former Scout charging he was sexually abused by a Scoutmaster in the Troop back in the 1970′s.  I wrote a couple of articles about it.  Oddly enough, this is one that I published two years ago today.  More recently, even Scout Canada has had issues with Youth Protection.  I really like their active stance on it.  Their National Commissioner stood up and took responsibility for it. There were several other Bloggers who were talking about this.  Scoutmaster Jerry had a few good ones.  Even a Podcast as well.

I am not going to rehash the whole event of the trial or the events.  While it’s in the past, I am focusing in on what’s changed in the past two years.

A lot actually.  The BSA has stated and enforced the mandatory Youth Protection Training.  It can be taken online or in person.   Also, the BSA has created a set of Social Media Guidelines for Twitter, Facebook, Email and many other outlets.  Scouts are online and so are those who wish to do them harm.

During the time I was a Troop Guide for the 2011 Woodbadge within my Council, I talked about how people communicated and pointed to those guidelines.  I explained that if you email a Scout information that is one on one communication.  The simple solution is to copy another Adult, even the Scout’s Parents on the email.  that way, your adhearing to YPT.

In my own life and within the Pack & District, I have become more sensitive to how YPT is played out.  While no serious violations, even minor ones have happened, there were learning moments.  Meaning, a well-meaning parent was with a couple of Scouts by themselves at a Scout camp as they moved from one section of the area to another.  I know the person and all the Scouts were just running around, but I pointed it out.  Harmless, yes.  But, I need to bring it to their attention.

Within the Pack many of the Dens have watched “It’s Happened to Me” and have had disscusion about YPT.  I have also talked a lot about how Scouts look out for eachother and be respectful of eachother and those that they might meet.  One was just recently on how to work together as a team.

So, what else is the BSA doing to help in the Youth Protection game?  The Scout-Wire website has started to publish articles on the subject.  It’s a great start.

So, what can you do?  If your an Adult Scouter, log into Myscouting.org and take the Youth Protection Online Training.  It’s 25 minutes.  If your a Scout parent, but not a Scout Volunteer, log into myscouting.org, create an account and take the Youth Protection Training.  The more you know, the safer everyone can be.

If your Youth Protection certification ends before 12/31/12, then you need to take the training again.  YPT is good for two years.  Adult Scouters need YPT every two years so the Scout Unit can re-charter.

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Cubmaster Hike #1

Saturday afternoon (April 21st) was our first Cubmaster Hike.  I selected the Wood Memorial Park as our hike for several reasons.  First, it’s very close to the school.  It is actually right next to the SW Community Center & Gabriel Park.  Secondly, it’s an easy hike.  Nothing like climbing Mt Hood or Everest.  My goal was to get everyone out for awhile into  a place that they have not been to before.

I had eight Scouts show up five other siblings and seven parents. not counting myself.  Awesome!

With any Scout outing we needed to go over a few things.  I went over the Cubscout Leave No Trace items, asking the Scouts what they are.  They are slightly different from the normal LNT.   I wanted them to think about LNT and being out in nature.  We did talk about what Respect meant.  Knowing that they would be loud and running as boys normally do.

I also talked about some of the trees and plants that were there.  Mind you I am not an expert, but I did.  I pointed out the Pine tree, Red Cedar Tree and the English Ivy and a bunch of ferns.  We talked what an Invasive Species is and what we can do.  We had a couple of Girl Scouts with us as well, and they were very helpful.

There were several fallen logs over a stream and even over our heads.  We talked about what might be living in them. Why they fell, how they fell and if no one was in the forest did it make a noise?

While at the Stream area, we talked about the trail work that was being done and why.  We talked about erosion and what it really is.  I explained that the fences that were up were really for the people to keep out of the area so plants would grow.  Some Scouts thought it was to keep the plants off the trail.

As we hiked towards the end, there was a fork in the road.  All the Scouts took it immediatly.  I asked why are they taking it?  They said because it’s there and it goes back to the cars.  I asked if they knew that.  They did not.  I said, that it looks like the other way does.  So we continued.

As we went the other way and up a nice size hill, I reminded them that they needed to make sure that everyone was with us.  We stopped at the top and looked where we were..  That is when I pulled out my iPhone and looked at the Map that I had downloaded.  I asked the Scouts if they knew where we were.  They said that they were close to the cars cause they could see the houses.  Which, actually we were on the complete opposite side of the park.

I showed them the map and explained where we were.  Explained that we needed to go back to the fork in the road and take it! (I remember a Yogi saying that once!)

As we got to the Fork and took, it we got to the road that we needed  to take to the cars.  It looked very similar to where we all parked.  It confused the Scouts.  They said that there was still a lot to walk since they realized it was not the same area.

Good, they thinking about where they were.  They had the idea of Planning Ahead.

Overall, it was a great day.  70 degrees and warm.  The day before was RAIN and Cold!

This hike served several purposes.  We got out and connected to Nature.  We thought about Leave No Trace, thought about planning, learned about erosion and learned about an area that we had not been to yet.

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Robots, Zombie & Time Machines

Imagination helps provide meaning to experience and understanding to knowledge; it is a fundamental faculty through which people make sense of the world,and it also plays a key role in the learning process.

April 16th was Pack Meeting night for us.  Another night that we all come together and hopefully learn something and celebrate being Scouts.

Several things happen. First, we welcomed a new Bear into our Pack.  He earned his Bobcat and I presented it to him.  I welcomed him with giving him the Pack Numerals that signify we are 60 years old.  I also gave him the JTE Gold/ Boys Life Patch since we earned it together.  I also gave him a woggle that I had made for the entire Unit.  I explained to him that he is now a Scout.  Part of all of us.

I then called up his buddy, a fellow Bear and presented him with the Recruiter Patch.  This Bear since being a Tiger has tried to get several of his buddies to join.  Not many completely do it or make it.  This one did.  I needed to let him know that I appreciate his work in bringing someone into Scouting.

It was then time for the Wolves to get their Rank Badge.  These hardy souls have been working very hard all year long.  A whole Den of 8 got their Rank.   Their Den Leaders took over and explained who did what and what they did to earn it.  I am very proud of this Den and their Leaders.

Now, finally for the FUN part of Scouting, disguised as a Game.  Tonight we were taking toilet paper tubes, jugs, bottles, logicboards, duct tape, egg cartons and other trash (clean of course) and building.

I asked the boys if they built stuff with Lego’s.  They did.  I asked if they created stuff at school or drew silly items.  They did that too.  I asked if they had Lincoln Logs (dating myself here)…several said they had them!    I said, tonight, we are going to build something but in a Team.  They had to come up with an idea, name it, get the trash and build it.  Sounds something like a Team Building Event?  Woodbadge?  Corporate Seminar?  Yes, it was all of that.

I broke up the boys into four Dens.  I then got a Tiger & Wolf to go get stuff and take it to their team and start building.  I did go around and re-distribute items and give out duct tape.   Each Team had a couple of Den Leaders or Parents help.

It was chaotic, slow, fast, furious, ideas flying around….. I wasn’t sure if they were going to get it done.  I gave them about 15-20 minutes to make it all happen.

As I walked around chatting with parents I realized it was working.  This was not a Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt Project.  It was not a conference or Power Point presentation that lacked fun.  It was Scouts, working with others that they did not know, communicating ideas towards a common goal.

Once the Scouts were done, I had them all come to the center of the Gym and explain what they made, what it was called and what it did.   Each creation has some cannon or blaster.   Each had a story.  One or two Scouts talked and explained.

At the end I congratulated them on their creations.  I then asked if it was hard to get started? They said yes.  I asked if they worked together.  They said yes but towards the end.

It was during that time and the Cubmaster minute that I told them that even though they did not know others within the Pack since they are in their own Dens, they came together and worked and communicated. I explained that we all can get a long and find solutions even if we did not know each other.  I also pointed out that while we are playing baseball, soccer or other sports this spring, we might not know the other team or boys just yet.  But we can work and communicate together and have fun at the same time.

A game with a purpose and a lot of imagination.

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Going over the Edge

Hello Friends, Scouters and Country people!  Quick update on getting me “OVER THE EDGE“  I have had several donations in the past 72 hours, which is awesome!  Thank you to those who have donated.  I really appreciate it.

Right now, there is $785 in donations.  Which leaves $1,715 to go!  If you have not donated, please consider a donation between $15 & $25.
Every bit helps the Boys and Girls within the Cascade Pacific Council.

Your donation is 100% Tax Deductable for the 2012 Tax Year.  So let’s Celebrate Tax Day today and Donate for the Future Leaders today!

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Delivering the Promise

Reblogged from The Scoutmaster Minute:

At last nights Roundtable I was pleased to see a great turn out in the Boy Scout break out.  Last nights attraction was Camporee and what units can do to get ready for it.  We had about a half hour left so I thought it would be worth our while to talk a little District talk with the leaders that took their time to be at the break out.

Read more… 761 more words

There are three take aways here. Summer Camp, Retention and Program. I can affect all three, but I am in charge of Program. It also boils down to Volunteers at every level. With so many services being cut, Scouting does offer a great opportunity. It also is low cost, but Scouting runs on Volunteers.

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What Scouts offers…..

Robert Baden-Powell and the first Scout at the first Scout encampment, August 1907, Brownsea Island, England. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Scouting in any flavor offers a lot to the youth that they serve.  It could be Girl Scouts, American Heritage Girls, Campfire, Boy Scouts and the list goes on.   All programs feature Leadership Skills, Fun and getting outside.  In a recent meeting with all the folks down at Council and at the last Top Team meeting, we were told about how our Council’s Summer camp program is down.  I think we are at 46-48% of use.  Council wants us to get to 78% in three years.   The Scout Exec stated that while we are property rich, we are not where other Councils are at with Summer camp numbers..  Within the same meetings it was shown that there are 92,000 boys within the Council that are not in Scouts. (I would like to include girls in this, but I just do not have that number).

Now, in a recent development in the Portland Public School system, they are talking about a lot of cuts to many programs.  One of these is an Outdoor Program for the 6th Grade.  Also, within our School the 5th Graders used to go on this but at a different time.  It now has not happened for a year or two since parents did not step-up and make it happen.  For the 6th Grade program, it is available for both Boys & Girls.  The School system paid for it via Taxes.  While I think it’s a great thing to go and do, this is just another reason for Scouting.  Here is local reaction to the proposed cuts from KGW.

Schools are facing budget cuts and cut vital programs, teachers and staff.  Is there waste?  Sure, let’s get that out first.  This is a perfect reason for a Lean Six Sigma project to take place.   I would also recommend the Senior Management group to do Woodbadge.

Here is my point…..Scouting provides Camping to generally all kids 1st-12th grade.  It might be Girl Scouts till Venturing and Cub scouts to  Boy Scouts, throw in Sea Scouts for both too!  What Scouting also does is help the community way more than just a week out in the woods.  It provides Leadership Skills along with skills to explore different occupations.  So, while the Portland Public Schools are not going to be able offer the Outdoor School, Scouting is there to pick up.

Go here to find a Boy Scout Unit.  Support Scouting in Portland.

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Unit & District Communications

Tonight was the District Committee meeting.   There were several topics. Training, FOS and Recruiting.  Blah Blah, Yadda Yadda Yadda….  One of the Commissioners reported about going to a Pack Committee and asking about upcoming events and if they are going to them. Camporee, Cuboree, etc….  They also asked about training.

What they got back was shocking to me and others.  “Our Planning Meeting is soon, if we do not have dates, we don’t include it for the year.”  What’s OWLS/BALOO….why do we need them?”  The Commissioner told us, They don’t speak Scouting like we do in this room.  I got his meaning.  He also circled back to the Pack Committee asking “Do you go to Roundtable?”  No, they do not.

Now, we all know what BALOO/OWLS is and what it’s for.  Granted the Annual Planning Meetings are setup to plot out the coming year and set out goals.  Most are  events that area standard and generally Pack related.

What also was asked in this swirl of conversation was “Troops think Packs just gravitate to them”.   They do not go out and talk to Packs.   As I pointed out to the room of Boy Scout Unit people, I have to call Troops for support.  No one ever calls me.  I pointed out that I have two Troops that I call regularly for support.  The Webelos I Den just had one over for a Den meeting for Readyman.  Another Troop has helped us out for many meetings.  I even pointed out that I get emails forwarded to me from the Program Chair/Cubscout Roundtable Commissioner that should have included me as a Cubmaster that invites them to Webelos/Scout things.

I pointed out that if a Troop does not communicate to a Pack and the Pack plots their year before that communication the Troop is  locked out for the year.

The Commissioner and I both agreed that being inflexible is totally wrong.   Yes, planning is key.  A Troop can help a Webelos Den with advancement or just a hike.  That is not a Pack planning issue.  That’s a Den Meeting. Nothing to do with a Pack Meeting.   Webelos Woods & Camporee is a Webelos Activity.  It’s not a Pack Activity. Now, having a Den Chief within the Pack/Den is a Pack activity.  But, that’s coördination with the Den Chief, Cubmaster & Den Leaders as needed.  Pack Committees need to be flexible.

The point that was getting across to all was this: Effective communication needs to come from the District Committee to the Commissioners to the Units.  Boy Scout Troops need to communicate to Cub Scout Units.  Communication can happen via email, phone, newsletters, during camping/events, Roundtable and Trainings. This communication is vital between all.

While Training is key, the reason behind it and for it needs to be communicated effectively.  If you have gone to Woodbadge, you will know that effective communication is that the sender gets acknowledgement from the receiver that they got it and understand it.  Right now, we have ONE-Way Communication.

If the Pack Committee understood what training they needed and able to find support from Troops, they would have a better program.  The Troop would have more Webelos crossover and more retention.  Out of that, Roundtable and Trainings would be well attended.

Communication is key.

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The Hike Recon

In the Cubmaster Hike post awhile ago, I talked about getting this started.  Well, it’s on the calendar and I have told the Pack about it.  So, I need to prepare myself for these upcoming hikes.  I went to the Woods Memorial Park and was pleasantly surprised.  It is right next to a larger park and community center.  I drove by it all the time.  I did a quick walk from one trail head to another.  It was down a paved road that is blocked off.  I calculated the trails and it is just under a mile.  Ok, that’s good for the first time out.  It’s close to where we meet and we can get a test hike in.

Yesterday I went to Smith and Bybee Natural Area in North Portland, right along the Columbia & Williamette River.  It was not where I had thought it was.  Again, it’s pretty easy to get to.  It’s very early spring here in Portland and a lot of rain has fallen.  All the rivers are very high.  So high that this area is totally flooded.  I could not even get down 30 feet down the trail from the road.

With that in mind, I need to find a replacement just to be safe.  I want to make it along the same lines.  So, I found Elk Rock Island.  With all the information about the seven different habitats on such a small area, is really amazing.  Here is the Google Maps/Earth location.  Again, this island is very close to where I live and I drive by it for work a lot.  I never knew it was there.

So, I will need to check back towards the end of the month and see how the swampy hike will be.

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Ten Train Tracks Long………

Quick update for the total thus far.
It’s $685!  Whoo hoo!

Quick shout-outs to Pam, Rob, Blaise and my Dad.  Thanks so much for your support.
I told  my Dad not to tell Mom that he wants me to rappel down the side of a perfectly good building….;)
Let’s keep this going.  Please donate here. <———— Right there!

The below video is all the reason why you need….it’s FUN.

Please make a tax-deductible donation to help me reach my goal of $2,500 and support the Boy Scouts of America? Kids today need a values based program to participate in and superb role models to lead them. By making a donation to support me you are ensuring that the Boy Scouts of America continue to develop quality young men and women. My son and his friends benefit from CubScouts and I want them to know how much I believe in this program.

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