First Goal Complete - Diversity Hikes

Reblogged from The Owls of Wood Badge W2-590-12-4:

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Hi fellow owls, I"m so excited to report that I've completed my first goal towards my Wood Badge Ticket!

Goal: Lead they girls on three hikes at Girls Camp and create experiences on each to teach the girls about diversity.

Who: Young Women of the Brookwood Ward

What:  Lead the girls on three hikes with diversity experiences on each hike.

Read more… 945 more words

This is a very cool idea for showing others how having a disability can be. I think that I will use this in one of my Pack Meetings....

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Finding a Troop

I know that this blog is read by a few Troops within the district.  Please do not read anything into this post.

It has been about fours years since Elliot started Cubscouts with Pack 221.  He is now a Webelos II.  I have been the Tiger Den Leader and now am entering my last year as Cubmaster.  It is that time to really start looking for a Troop.

While, I have been on that search since my second year as Cubmaster, Elliot has not.  Nor should he have.  Traditionally since we started with Pack 221, the Scouts have gone to one Troop.  Fine.   This last year, the Webelos II went to two different Troops.  The traditional and then one that took me by surprise.  I thought that another Troop had the lock on a few.  Nope, they all minus one went to one where our family buys the Christmas Trees from.  No worries. It’s a great Troop and my Webelos II Den Leader was made ASM.

Here is my worry.  Elliot might go to a Troop that is way more into High Adventure than he really wants.  He is not into a 50 Miler.  Unless it’s on a horse or maybe a kayak, canoe or a bike.  He’s not into HIKING!  He is much more at ease with car camping with some light hiking.

I need and want him to get into Boy Scouts so, those Older Scouts can help mentor him and have them teach him what he needs to know.  I am becoming a bore, burden and not fun in Scouting.  I know this.  He likes Scouting when it’s on his terms and it’s fun.  He has to go because he is the Cubmaster’s son.  It was good when he was a Tiger and Wolf.  But towards the end of Bear and in Webelos I I have seen the tide changing.

I get and understand that.  I have had to learn to pull myself back.  Only in the past two weeks, did I talk about Summer Camp.  I barely touched upon what he’s interested in as it relates to going to Boy Scouts.  He’s first thing he said, is that he would go if his buddies went.

I asked, which one he would like to go with.  Got the name.  Made perfect sense.

Now, with all my conversations with Scoutmasters, ASMs and others in the Internet Virtual Roundtable, I have listened to what they have said.  I have asked questions.  I think that I understand what makes for a good transition.   Hence, my ask of Elliot of who he wanted.  I briefly talked to that Scout’s parents.

A note about that Scout.  He’s good.  He’s one of those that you know will go all the way to Eagle.  I know this because as a Bear, he told me on the way to Summer Camp that year, that he cannot wait until he gets his Arrow of Light.  His Dad also told me that on a vacation through an airport once, they ran into a Troop flying through the Airport.  This Scout went and talked to them.  Asked a lot of questions.  That Troop took him in and answered them all.  I will be an Eagle Court of Honor.

All that being said, I ran into a ASM of a Troop today at the Scoutshop that I had not seen for a while.  Swapped stories about where we were going to Summer Camp.  Then I asked what Troop he was with again.  I asked what they were all about and what they did.  Got the location of the Troop Meeting.  Ok, not too far away.  Same area as we are, but closer than the Troop the Webelos II crossed over too this year.

So, tonight I started the process of reaching out to three different Troops.  One that the last Webelos II went to, and two others.  I have no real understanding of one of the Troops.  But, I know two of them.  Elliot will have a choice of about five Troops all together.  I really do not think that he will go to the two traditional ones.  Which is fine.  Both are good Troops.

Overall, I am trying to stay out of making the choice for him.  It needs to be his choice.  I know that once he moves on to any Troop, that at some point I will become a part of the Troop.  I have no real wish to be an ASM.  I would rather be a Committee Member at this time.  I will become a Merit Badge Counselor and continue on District Training Chair.  I will start the process on becoming more involved with the Troop for Board of Reviews as well as on the District level.  As District Trainer, I will focus more on the Cubscout Training as I see a huge gap there.

For me, it’s an exciting time for Elliot.  It’s a transition and turning point.  While he has had several choices put before him, this is the first of what HE wants to do.  It’s not, hey do you want to play soccer this year?  NO.  What about La Crosse. NO.  Piano? No.  Wii? YES.

Also, this year at Camp, I am letting him choose what he wants to do for electives.  Then, I will let him go and follow as needed.  Camp starts on this Sunday @ Noon.

See you on the flip side of Summer camp.

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Cub Master Scouter Adam 07/26 by Autism and Scouting Radio | Blog Talk Radio

Hello all: I had a great time and opportunity to be on this Podcast.
It was a very quick 30 minutes show.  We crammed a lot of great info.  If you have a child on the Spectrum, please check them out.  If you’re a Scouter and you need more information about being on the Spectrum this is a great avenue to get more information.

Cub Master Scouter Adam 07/26 by Autism and Scouting Radio | Blog Talk Radio.

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My First Aid Kit

Recently, I took Wilderness First Aid.  I ended up using it when my daughter had a bad accident.  I realized that my First Aid Kit sucks.   Next week I am off with the “Tree Scouts” aka P221 Webelos II to Adventure Cove for 5 nights.

This being the case, I needed to get my kit in order.  So I went off to three places and bought First Aid Supplies.  These are mainly for blisters, stings, scrapes and some lite trauma care.  I have what I think are the basic’s.  This kit is not set-up for massive wound care.  That being said, I have fit a lot into a small bag.  One main thing that I did is to make sure that the gloves and bandages are latex free.  Never know when a person I might work on my be allergic.  Below are the photos of my kit.  I packed a lot in there.  I have the extra’s in my car.  So, I feel better to respond for the basic basic items.  I even have a Blood Clot Kit from an Army Field Medic that I got from a Pack Meeting Demo.  They gave it to me.  Pretty cool.  Hopefully, I never have to use it.  I did however get a really really small one from REI.

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July Summertime Pack Roundup

This weekend the Pack had two outings.  One was for the Summertime Pack Award, and the other was Cubmaster Hike #4 to the Portland Audubon Society.  Both actually counted for Summertime Pack.   Our family was not able to go to the Bike Outing due to Rachel’s accident and the fact that both of the Kids bikes are broken.  We opted yesterday to do yard work.

The Bike outing only had the now Wolf Den Leader and her two kids and another Wolf Cub.  Hey, it’s an event!  They cycled at Champoeg State Park.

Meet at 1pm at Pioneer Mother’s Memorial Cabin. Note there is a $5 Park Day use Fee per vehicle. We will bike 4 miles to the Historical Butteville Store, eat ice cream then head the four miles back to Mother’s Cabin. Bring water and a helmet for sure and any money for snack purchases at the store. There will be some .6 miles of the route where we will be on Schuler Rd to get to the store for prepare your Scout for biking safely with traffic. Most of its flat with rolling hills for part of it.

I really wanted to do it.

Today was the Portland Audubon Cubmaster Hike.  I had visited this area when I took the Wilderness First Aid class a couple of weeks ago.  The Cubmaster Hike events are setup to get my family out of the house and to a place that we have not been to before.  I put it out for the Pack for the same reason.  I blogged about the reason earlier.

It was a good hike/walk for 60 minutes.  It’s an easy family hike.  I like that a couple of places for teaching.  Some trees and plants have markers on them so they can be identified.  To me, this is a great place to take a Scout unit to work on requirements.

We only have one more month for the Summertime Pack Awards.   There is another hike that is on Mt Hood and also Mud Cubs put on by the Council.  These are on Aug 24th & 25th.  Then Summertime Pack Awards is over and I can submit.  I pretty much know a couple of Scouts who have earned the Pin.  We should get the Den Award based upon the June event.  Overall, the July events were not really attended at all by the Pack.  The Webelos I Den actually got back on Saturday from their 3 night camp.  The Webelos II off this following Sunday for 4 nights 5 days of Camp.  The Wolves/Bears are soon to go.  So, we are busy at the Den Level.  Even three of our new Tigers got to a special one day Day Camp!  So, that’s a bonus!

This will make four years of earning the Summertime Pack Award during my total of five years as Cubmaster.  So, I am pretty proud of what we have accomplished overall.

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My thoughts

Recently, the Boy Scouts of America has reaffirmed their place on the membership requirements.  It comes on the heels of a recent petition submitted to the BSA by an Eagle Scout whose parents are lesbian. Which dealt with the issue of a now former Tiger Den Leader who is a lesbian.  The Boy Scouts of America has also responded to the Oregon Supreme Court’s Ruling on the files it holds.

If you have not read or seen these statements, please take the time to read through these.

I personally have read and watched this for sometime.  I have been on occasion asked what my stance and thoughts were on it.  I have even heard that friends and family have been asked too, or seen it on their Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin Forums or Google+ sites.

I basically have kept quiet since, there is not much I can do or say about the policy that will change it.  I do have my views.

However, my views on this really have not much to do with the physical process of delivering the Scouting program to those who sign-up for it.  I do not talk about the LBGT community at a Pack or Den Meeting.  We do not have LBGT Go-See-Its.

What the Boy Scouts of America does not talk about is about sexuality. It is contained in the Youth Protection training for all volunteers at every level.  At the very beginning of every handbook is a parents guide to “How to Protect your children from Child Abuse.”  There is also a video that has been shown to the Webelos II group that Elliot is in called ” It happened to me.”  All of these can be found here at this link.

It is a tough time to be associated with Boy Scouts of America.  But, I am staying with them.  I am continuing my association with The Boy Scouts of America and The Cascade Pacific Council.  I believe that there is a lot of good that Scouting can and does give for the youth.  Go back and read past posts of this blog and you will find out what I mean.  There are too many posts to link here.

I also believe that in time, hopefully, that The Boy Scouts of America as a National Organization will come around.  Because there are about 289 Councils within the BSA, it will take time.   Some Council’s have already done so.  Case in point, Northern Star Council in Minnesota.  (If you have questions on how/why  they can do this, please contact them directly.)  It will take time.

Remember, it took time for African-Americans to get the right to vote.  As it did for women to vote.  It took time within The Boy Scouts of America to let women be Den Leaders, Webelos Den Leader, Cubmasters,  Scoutmasters and to be allowed into the Order of the Arrow.  There are still rude comments about women holding this positions that I have seen and heard first hand.

I do have several friends who are in the LBGT Community because they are Lesbian or Homosexual.  I also have friends who are Republican, Tea Party, Green Party and Democrats.  I recently switched from being a lifelong Democrat to Independant.  I also have and have known friends/family who are members of many different faiths.  Do I care about their beliefs? Sure.  Do I agree with them?  No & Yes.  Would I want them in the Pack?  Sure, if they were able to abide by the rules and are there to help on the subject at hand.  Now, I didn’t say become a registered Scouting volunteer.  Correct.  That at this time cannot happen.  Does not mean that they could not come help demonstrate something to the Pack or Den.  Sure, why not?

I do value my friends and people I meet and I judge them on them and who they are.  I do Not based this upon sex, race, religion, creed or sexual orientation.

Scouting to me as I have said before helps me get the Scouts Prepared. For Life.  A Scout helps all.  They do a Good Turn Daily.  They are there to help others in their time of need.  It’s not checking to see if they are LBGT or Republican or Democrat or whatever else that person might be.

As part of the Cubscout Promise we pledge: TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE

Helping other people means doing things to help those around you—your family, friends, classmates, neighbors, and others in your community—without having to be told.

So, I am here “To Help Other People”

If I can show the Scouts and others through my actions and meetings that helping others is a good thing, then we will all be better for it.

Besides, it was the goal of Sir Robert Baden-Powell the founder of Scouting as he wrote in 1917:  “The roots of Scouting have grown among young people of all civilised countries and are developing more each day. It might be thought that if in years to come, a considerable proportion of the future citizens of each nation forms part of this brotherhood, they will be joined by a bond of personal friendship and mutual understanding such as has never existed before, which will help to find a solution to terrible international conflicts.”  Thus, Messenger’s of Peace.

There is hope.
Messenger’s of Peace: BSA Website
Messenger’s of Peace: WOSM Website

Yours in Scouting,

(PS: Please re-tweet/post this as you see fit. Also, click the like button on top of the blog saying you like it!)

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It’s not a Scout thing

In and earlier posting about being ready, I made a statement right at the end of “It’s not a Scout thing”.  I want to say that I know what I was saying at this point, and the closest that I can come to putting it down in words is,  my reaction was not based upon being a Scouter.    That nothing that I have done up to this point had anything to do because of Scouts.  That it was all me being a Father and that any normal person would do what I did.  But, it’s not correct.

If you read the comments from the post, you will see that I got called out on that statement.  A few minutes after I read that during my morning coffee, that Scouter dialed me up on his speed dial.  It’s a good feeling to know that I am on a speed dial.

We talked briefly about my daughter and how she was and what happened.  We talked about our recent vacations that our families took.  (It’s tad eerie that they were a bit similar.)

Then he got into the meat of the reason of why he called.  He explained about several First Aid incidents that happened during his vacation.  He realized how Wilderness First Aid played a part of where he was.  He talked about how people go off hiking in flip flops and carry a cellphone 2 hours into the woods thinking that’s their lifeline.

We talked about how the ideals of Scouting do work into our lives.  Leave No Trace, Bringing Food, Water, 10 Essentials on a hike.  How we do a good turn, how it’s a Scout who steps up when needed.  In anything.  Helping out, saving lives, getting a car unstuck….you name it.  A Scout is generally there.

We talked about how we as Scouters always talk Scouting at the drop of a hat.  It covered our excitement of being a Scout, to those who think we are a tad nuts that we talk SO MUCH about it.  I offered up that I have apologized about being TOO SCOUTY. We talked about those who just don’t get what Scouting is all about and it was part of everyday life.  He did not offer an apology.  This is something that I have heard from him before.  It is something that I have said before.  But, I realized something this time.

Why, was I apologizing on being a Scout? Why was  apologizing about what I was taught and how I use what Scouting is all about?  Yes, I talk about earning beltloops and all the Cubscout Awards possible.  But, it is much more that.

It’s Citizenship, Compassion, Cooperation, Courage, Faith, Health & Fitness, Honesty, Perseverance, Positive Attitude, Resourcefulness, Respect and Responsibility.  The 12 Core Values of Cub Scouting.  This are the cornerstone of the Cubscout Promise and Law of the Pack.  They lead into  the Boy Scouts Oath and Law.  Why was or am I denying this?  Why would anyone?

In the end, we both agreed that the now new slogan of the BSA is correct.  “Prepared. For Life.” Scouting prepares us for anything.  First aid, corporate board rooms, leading others, learning and adventure.

So, it was Scouting that prepared me for what happened.  It also prepared my Bear Den Leader. He is an Eagle.  He also was awarded the Heroism Award as a Boy Scout. Who is now a Physician’s Assistant in an ER.

Scouting prepares the youth and adults for life.  Yes, I am a Scouter and it IS a Scout thing!

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When it counts

This last week the family took off to The Treesort in Southern Oregon.   Think of Ewoks, maybe a Hobbit and Tree forts and you got it.  Oh, and throw in a bunch of hippies and vegans.  It’s a nice place.  The family and two others from the elementary school spent Monday to Friday there.  First day was just drive and get there, hang out and get situated and eat dinner.

Second day we took off to the Oregon Caves Monument.  We had been there in 2010, but this was a group thing, so we all went.  It was a blast.  I learned a few more things about the caves that I did not get.  It’s made out of marble.   I asked the Tour Guide some pointed questions about Geology, because, hey, there is a beltloop involved.  I really kept the Cubmaster hat off on the trip, but it got put on several times.  Besides Elliot, we had a Wolf and a Bear along with us. So, I figured, hey, let’s learn and earn as we go.  I kept telling the parents/friends that I was trying NOT to be too Scouty.  To which, one of them stated, “we would be shocked if you weren’t!”  She also said, it’s good to vacation with the Cubmaster since he can sign off on stuff.   So, we basically got through the Geology Beltloop.  Elliot did not need it, but the others did.

The third day we went off to the Redwood National Park area.  Specifically the Jedediah Smith State Park.  I found the place in Stout Grove hike that is where The Return of the Jedi was filmed for the Planet Endor.  After a good hike, we realized that summer bridge was not yet put in.   We looked around to see if there was a safe place to cross, but there wasn’t.  So we returned to our cars , ate lunch, fished, swam and jumped off 30 foot rocks.  Yes, this was not a Pack/Den outing…;)    I coached the Bear Cub on how to fish, the Wolf was not too interested, but he played along for a while.  Elliot was the first and only to catch a fish.  That got people excited.  The Bear Cub spent an hour fishing.  He started with not a lot of skill or talent and by the end of it, was casting on his own.  Done, both earned the Fishing Beltloop.  Yes, we talked about baiting the hook and the regulations.  Two Beltloops done.

On the fourth day, we spent it in camp.   All the kids took a horse ride sans the Wolf Cub.   That ended up as another beltloop for Elliot and the Bear Cub.

There is not a beltloop for Ziplines, but there should have been.  I cannot say much on how proud that I am of all the kids who did this.  The age range was 7 to 11.  They totally conquered any fear that they had and made it happen.  Elliot, and the Bear Cub and the now Bear Den Leader ended up going on the Advanced Course.  12 total ziplines about 80-90 feet off the ground.

So, our excitment ended for the day.  We got into relaxation mode again and the kids were off to the pool or riding bikes.  dinner came and went and again, parents talked and kids played.   during this time we were at a cabin that over looked the zipline course and was away from all the people who were in the middle of the Treesort area.  It was kinda loud and full of high schooler types with their parents.

The kids were riding bikes up and down the hill and it was getting dark.  And that is when it happened.  The accident.

Rachel was speeding down the gravel road after her brother, Elliot and lost it.  My wife saw it happen and yelled to me.  Elliot came running down to us and say “Rachel’s hurt and it’s Bad”.   I sprinted like no father ever wants to his daughter.  While some of this is a blur and I think that I remember the first seconds, this is what I remember.

As I ran, I yelled SCOTT!  Scott is my now Bear Den Leader.  He is also a Physician’s Assistant in the local ER. Rachel was down, but getting up.  She looked at me in a dazed look and her face was full of blood. Deep red blood, so was her mouth.  She was gasping, so I swept her mouth with my finger thinking I would find broken teeth.  Nope, GUM.  Got that out.  She was talking.  Good, Airway is open. Scott got there and he did a very quick assessment and we started down as he did that.  I ended up carrying her since he knew she was weak and my fall.   Carrying your bloody daughter down as she looks at you is something that I will never forget.  I kept telling her, that she’s OK that Daddy is here.

Once inside, Scott got his Medkit from the car and went to work.  Both Debora and I were there helping keeping her calm.  Scott went through what I recognized through the Wilderness First Aid Class.  I realized that.  I realized that WFA was in effect.  This was not play acting.  Ok, Scott had this.  I knew we were going to the ER.  I did not know where that was, exactly but it was far.

I had also gotten my First Aid Kit since Scott needed more of this Triple Ointment stuff.  I had a few packets.  He was getting Rachel to be evacuated.   Elliot during this time knew it was bad and was very shaken about it.  I told him that I need a blanket, pillow and other items so Rachel can go.  He went to the room and got his blanket, two stuffed ponies of Rachel’s and her pillow and put them all in the car.  He knew what to do.  I told him I was proud of him on the way he acted.  He spent the night with one of the families.

I got out the Garmin Car GPS that I had just gotten and pushed Hospital.  Great 60 minutes away.  OK.  Great.  Time to follow the GPS.  With Rachel in the car, Debora ready to go we left.  Rachel was as good as she was going to be, but we needed to go.  Off we went.

It is now about 96 hours later and we are home from vacation and the hospital.  Rachel is fast on the road to recovery.  There are no stitches, just a lot of road rashes, lacerations on the face and a fractured left wrist.  She is laughing and getting along with what happened and in great spirits.  She does not like talking about the accident over and over again.

So, here is the takeaway that I have from being 60 minutes away from a hospital and what I learned from the Wilderness First Aid course.

I was not ready as I had thought.  Rachel was lucky to have Scott there.  I remembered my training only in and out-of-body experience as I watched him do it.  I had the presence of mind of several things and knew I had to evacuate Rachel.  I now know that my First Aid Kit sucks.  I also understand how fast an accident can and will happen.  I was not freaked out about the blood or the fact it was my daughter.  I was calm (so I think) and focused on what I needed to do.  I asked Scott point-blank questions and I got them along with advice on what do to and ask.
My to-do list is to create a GOOD First Aid Kit for myself, family and Debora and kids.  I need to research more about the area we are going to for Emergency Situations and have a list of them.  I need to take more First Aid classes.  I can say, that if it were not for Scouting, I would not have been this ready nor have taken any CPR/First Aid or WFA based classes.   This was not being a Scout or Scouter, but Scouting got me prepared for this.

Get Trained.  Get Re-certified. Get Knowledge.

I took Wilderness First Aid as a Cubmaster.  I did not need it.  I was not going to Philmont.  But, I know that I travel in the Wilderness and remote areas for work and with my family.  It was not a Scout thing.

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#worldscarfday is August 1st

In 2007 at the occasion of the 100 anniversary of the Scout Movement, the Austrian Scout Association declared August 1 a “National Scout Scarf Day” and asked all active and former scouts to wear their scout scarfs in public. Many people including prominent business persons followed the call and thus made the spirit of scouting visible.

So, get your Scarf and Woggle and wear it!

Last year on August 1st, the World Scouting Jamboree was happening in Sweden.  Elliot and I will be at Adventure Cove during that time.
So, if your a Girl Scout, Boy Scout a Scout Volunteer….get your Scarf and wear it.

PS: Your never an Old Scout!

Here is my blog about World Scarf Day 2011.

Photo Credit: Marek Pęczak from Poland.

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Encouragement

My wife and I took the kids to the Oregon Zoo on Saturday.  We had not been there for years.  It was a great place to take them when they were little and also the Grandparents when they visited.   The Zoo has updated and changed a lot since the years.  We took about 4.5 hours to see everything.  We left knowing that we could have seen more.  I kept looking at everything thinking this would be good for a Go-See-It or this would be good for….Yes, Scouting is always present.

However, the one cool thing that happened was out of my control.  As we got to the entrance and got our tickets from the Membership window a Zoo worker asked what Rank my son is.   I was scratching my head on how he knew to ask?  This young fellow asked a few more questions of my son.  It was a good chat.  He ended it by saying, keep going,” I did, I made it to Eagle.”  So, after that, he and I had a quick conversation.  Asked about Troops and where we are located.  Said thanks for the boost for Scouting.  Encouragement from a fellow who is an  Eagle to a Webelos II to keep going.

Oh, yeah, how did he know?  I forgot I was wearing a Cubscout shirt from Classb.com.  I own a lot of Scout shirts, so I try to rotate them.  (tried to find the one that I had up on classb, but could not. It is one that just says Cubscouts and has all the ranks on it.  It is not a Pack based one.)

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