It’s the Program Reflection Pt#2

My original plan for being the Cubmaster was for just two years and then become the Webelos Den Leader for the remaining time.  My goal was to get the Pack on course and pointed in the correct path and step-down.  I am not sure when it was during my tenure as Cubmaster, but I realized that what the Pack needed was consistency.  I do not know much of the history of the Pack before 2008 and how it operated, but it was not strong.

I took over as Cubmaster in April 2009 and attended Wood Badge in the fall.  I was beaded in March 2010.  Yes, it was a quick set of items for the Ticket, but they were completed.  It was geared towards the Pack and making it stronger and more traditional.

What my Wood Badge Ticket and University of Scouting classes have taught me is that consistency is a good thing and having a program is very important.  Getting out and doing things creates fun and retention.  Without that, you have nothing.

With all of this change, Committee Meetings started to happen more often.   I kept pushing them and getting us together.  Winging it isn’t an option.  Sometimes it would just be a few Den Leaders or Committee Members.  Now, it’s both.

The planning started to happen because I wanted to have Summertime Pack Events, Bike Rodeo, Raingutter Regatta, Den Chiefs, Hikes, Outings, Overnights.  One of the best things to come out of all this was my quest to have the Scouts earn the Emergency preparedness Pin.  While no one in the Pack since I have started has earned it, we incorporated a lot of fun into the Pack Meetings.  One of our most fun is the First Aid Pack Meeting.  We have had Combat Medics, Ambulances, Boy Scouts, Search & Rescue come to help put it on.  Some of the Scouts still have & use their Emergency Kit that they made the first year.

The photo is of a Pack Meeting that was “geared” toward cooperation and imagination.  The goal was to have the boxes, tubes, tape and other items made into a Robot.  The Scouts were broken up into groups that had Tigers, Wolves, Bears, Webelos I & II.  It was not a Den vs Den set-up.  Scouts had to work with others that they did not know.  They had to help each other.  This group actually used a Scout and built a Cyborg.  They used their imagination and cooperated to get a task done.  I took this right out of the Pack Meeting plans and also Wood Badge.  A Game with a Purpose.

These style events is what I wanted to do.  It continued for the next four years with events like this.  I even started holding Pack Meetings outside.  This is after the U of Scouting class that I took called “Putting the OUTing in scOUTing!”  Map & Compass with a Geocache style hunt.

Yes, I did want to be Webelos Den Leader, but I found that being the Cubmaster help me with creating consistency within the Pack.  It also helped me recruit Tiger Cubs and Tiger Den Leaders and volunteers.

The program was happening and it attracted a lot of boys to the Pack.  I believe when Elliot started there was about 25-30 Scouts.  At the time of the 2013 Crossover, there are 57.  A lot of boys have come, crossover, or dropped but the Pack has grown.

Program Program Program

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Knot Again

  There are several posts and threads on many different forums on the Internet about Knots.  I most recently wrote one in July of 2012.  That post and ones linked to it talked about how the Boy Scouts of America have discontinued and replaced a lot of the Cubscout Program based Knots.

Many of us do things within Scouting for the Youth and do not expect to be rewarded publicly for our service.  Some of us are grateful for knots and wearing them in pride.

I am proud to wear the knots that I have.  They are the Tiger Den Leader Knot, The Cubmaster Knot and the Unit Leader of Merit Knot.  I did buy the James E. West Knot.  At this last Roundtable I got the Cubscouter Award Knot.  Each Knot holds something for me.

The Tiger Den Leader Knot reminds me that I made it through the Tiger year.  It’s a baptism of fire for me.  I really did not have a clue as to what I was doing, but made it through and provided the boys a lot of fun.

The Cubmaster Knot is one that made me aware of my responsibility to the Pack.  The Cubmaster is in charge of the Program and direction of the Pack.  It is its own Wood Badge ticket in of itself.  Through that Knot, the Pack now has a successful Summertime Pack Program and has accomplished two Quality Unit Awards and two Gold Journey to Excellence Awards.

The James E West Knot means that I have helped future Scouts that outside of my view to enjoy Scouting.
The Cubscouter Knot is the Cubmaster Knot extended.  I kept doing what I was supposed to do.  It kept me on task within the Pack.
The Unit Leader of Merit.  This means a lot to me.  It means that the Committee and Leaders thought I was doing my job.  This knot is the culmination of all the others.

I have learned a lot about Cubscouts and Scouting during my five years within the Program.  These Knots help tell the story of my journey within Scouting and how the Scouts in the Pack had fun.

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2013 Arrow of Light Scouts

Over the weekend, the Tree Scouts of Pack 221 in the Pioneer District of the Cascade Pacific Council celebrated with an Arrow of Light Ceremony and Crossover at Magness Tree Farm.  The Webelos II, called Tree Scouts  in 2011 came to Magness Tree Farm to complete the Forester Webelos Activity Pin.  It was one of the more memorable outings taken during their time a Scouts.

Due to the liquid sunshine, the outdoor Campfire Ceremony planned was shelved for a more drier atmosphere and was held inside the Learning Center.

There were 11 Webelos II who were in the Den at the beginning of the year.    The Pioneer Order of the Arrow Chapter of Wauna La-Mon’tay Lodge helped the Webelos II crossover.   This will be the third time in my five years the Order of the Arrow has helped Pack 221 with Crossover.  Each time is very moving and memorable.  This time, one of the former Scouts from Pack 221, now in Troop 41 helped.

Of the 11 Scouts, only 10 were present for the ceremony.  Six Webelos II crossed over to Troop 150 and two crossed to Troop 432.  Three Scouts were undecided at the time of Crossover, but were still visiting Troops.

All received their Career Arrows from the OA Ceremony Team who handed them to their parents and then to the Boys.

As the now Boy Scouts spent their first night as Boy Scouts at Magness Tree Farm, many of the Dads and families stayed the night as well.   Many of the Dads had spent not only many days with the Scouts during the Outings.  But also spent many vacation days at Scout Camp.  The night was filled of stories of all the fun things that we did during that time.  It ranged from the 107 degree Tiger Day Camp week to the Horse Trek weekend at Gilbert Ranch and the most recent Summer camp at Adventure Cove.  There were many high &  low points remembered fondly.

I am proud of these boys.  Seven of these boys started at Tigers.  We had several boys who became our friend, but went on their own Journey.  Four have stayed and we continued on as a Den.  Even though many did not finish with us,  I remember all of them.

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Memories

I have just put up a cork board with a lot of my patches from Scouting thus far.  All of these patches were either given to me by #Scoutnation (a group of Scouters world-wide), earned through trainings or a process.  Some of the patches especially the Council Shoulder Patches were picked up within the Council they are from while visiting them through my business travel for work.

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The Final Countdown

As I pointed out last week in a post, the Pack Committee submitted me for the Unit Leader of Merit Award as Cubmaster.  It is and will always be one of the great highlights within my life to be a part of Pack 221.  To be honored as such at the Blue & Gold, was just that, an Honor.

People have joked with me as what am I going to do after Cubscouts.  “Hey, you’d make a great Scoutmaster!”  True, maybe someday.  While I do look forward to not being at a meeting Monday night, or a Committee meeting Sunday night or figuring something out, I will miss it.

I am very glad that I have my replacement.  She’s a retired US Army Major in the JAG Corp.  My joke is, she is able to take you down and read you your rights at the same time.  She’s very organized and full of ideas.  Some of the photos she sends are great.  Campfire cookout at her house with the Wolf Den! She is energetic, loves Scout songs and does wear the Scout Uniform.  One of her first emails/questions was, “what patches do I need and where do they go?”   Oh, lord…I was in heaven.   And now, she will be at the W1-492-13 Wood Badge Course this April.  Perfect.  The Pack is in good hands.

Equally important is the Committee Chair.  He’s new to it, but been with the Pack for now two years. Equally organized, he’s full of ideas and taking charge in the back office.  They make a good team.  They are both new to Scouting, with their 1.5 years in.  But, heck, I took over as Cubmaster after 8 months.

My greatest worry were two things.  First, that the Pack would spiral downward into chaos and fold after 62 years.  Second, that the program would just suck and not be any fun.  Both still could happen.  But, I realize that a Pack has its own course of destiny.  I know this because of that Crazy Den Mother from Den 8.  I met her.  She’s fun.  I realize that the Pack is totally different that it was that 20 years + ago when she was in it.  The Pack survived and is thriving.

This blog was started after I went to the WE1-402-09 Wood Badge and to help me keep a journal of my journey within Scouting.  It will continue into that next Chapter.

I am honored to have been one of the Cubmasters within the 63 years of Pack 221.  It’s been a great ride.  I am eager to see the Scouts of Pack 221 come through Boy Scouts in the coming years.  Hopefully, I get to sit in on their Eagle Board of Reviews.  Hopefully, it’s one of the Scouts that I was their Tiger Den Leader.

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Pinewood Derby Saved a Scout

This is not a post about how cool the Pack’s Pinewood Derby race went.  That is coming later.  This is a post about making it fun for the Scouts and keeping Scouts in the program.

A little while ago, I got a note through a Den Leader that a Scout was leaving.  It seems that of all the activities, Scouting was going to lose out.  The Scout was involved in other sports and so was the family.  Hence, we got chopped.  The Scout is on the charter for 2013 and will get Boys Life and is a part of the Pack.  He can come back at anytime.

I sent a note to the parents saying that I understand and that the Pack will always be here and that he’s on the Charter for the year.  They are welcome anytime.

This morning I got copied in by the Den Leader and others from the Dad saying that his son had an awesome time at Pinewood Derby and is excited to continue.  Also, to sign them up for Blue & Gold and how much of the dues was left that they owed.  I saw the Scout at Pinewood and said my hello to him and the family.  I did not mention at all about them leaving and how sorry I was that they were.  I did not want to ruin or cast a shadow over the Pinewood Derby for them.

I know that this Scout had a great time.  He ended up taking second in the Den and second overall in the Pack.  We held a race-off of the four fastest cars.  Again, he took second.  I think that sealed the deal for him and his family.

I know that my Den Leader is a pure genius at working the program within the Den.  It’s very solid and they have a lot of fun.  Night Hikes at the school with flash lights and so much more!   It was not a lack of program.  I think that the family now knows and understands that Scouting is a Journey and is important.  While sports commands 3-5 days a week along with games being played, things that are only 2-3 times a month are still very worth it.

It’s the little things that matter.

Today, I am very happy that a Scout will continue his Journey within Scouting.  No other award, patch or knot can replace or symbolize how I feel what I feel.

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Spirit of Eagles Pack 170

From the Connecticut Yankee Council Webpage:

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families in Newtown today and in the difficult days to come. We are heartbroken about this terrible tragedy.  We are very saddened to share that our Scouting family has been struck by this tragedy.

Lost from Pack 170 are:
Cub Scouts Chase Kowalski and Benjamin Wheeler.
Benjamin’s parents Francine and David Wheeler are den leaders.

Also lost are the siblings of Cubs in Pack 170: Caroline Previdi, Catherine Hubbard, Dylan Hockley.
From Pack 170, Tiger Cub leader Peter Baressi, who lost the two, is a first responder for Sandy Hook Fire. He stayed with the families throughout this terrible ordeal.

Please send prayers to these families and the pack in this time of sadness.

CYC Facebook Page     Scatacook District Facebook Page

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Summertime Pack Award 2012

Tonight at the October Roundtable I got the 2012 Summertime Pack Award for Pack 221.  Yahoo!  I remember back in 2009 when I put together the first Summer Events.  I did not think that the Pack earned it.  But we did.

I originally set it up so I could earn the Cubmaster’s Knot.  Selfish? Sure, but four years later it’s still happening.  It even spawned the Cubmaster’s Hike!  Which, actually the sixth installment is on October 20th.

If your Pack is not doing the Summertime Pack Award, DO IT!

Tonight was also a reminder that this is the last time that I get to accept this for the Pack and be a part of them.  I just wonder what will happen in the Summer of 2013.

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The Harvest

This is the 400th post on Scouteradam.  I started it back in 2009 and now over three years later it’s still going strong.  At about 38,682 views (since moving from Blogger to WordPress) later as I type this it’s been a great journey.

I am not leaving and this blog is not going to fade.  Yes, it will continue.

I have written about many subjects as it relates to my journey as a Boy Scout Volunteer.  Fresh from Wood Badge as a participant and staffer, to being a new Cubmaster and District Training Chair.  I have been opinionated, depressed about what to do and excited about what has happened and what will happen.

I have met people both in the Virtual Internet Roundtable in the Twittersphere, Facebook, Linkedin and Google+ worlds and in real life because of my interactions.  I cherish and value them. Even if some of them are just dead wrong. (Mainly Linkedin)

I wanted to write a profoundly awesome post for the 400th posting.   I wanted to take what I have learned and also what I was feeling and put it down so you can understand it and that I can re-live it years from now.  So, here goes.

No matter what you do in life or what you volunteer for or how you want to be remembered,  “What you Plant now, You will Harvest Later“.  I got that from the BSA Licensing Facebook Page off a photo they posted.

It is significantly simple. In the picture is the words “Do your Best” with Always in front.  Do you Best is the Cubscout Motto.

You do not have to be a Cubscout or a Scout to Do your Best.   You just have to do it.

That sentence does a lot for me.  As a parent, I try to make sure my children understand right from wrong, the golden rule and manners.  I also try to show them the outdoors and that the world is not viewed through a TV, Monitor or an iPad.  I also try to carry myself in the same way my parents wanted me to be.  I still remember my Grandfather, Bill Trask showing and explaining how to shake hands and it’s meaning.

Whether you are in Scouting or not, these traditions, values and character traits ring true in how we would like to pass on to others.

Please take a moment or a few, and look at what you are planting.  How are you planting it and why are you.  Is it for your children, your community or something else?

Because what you Plant, will grow and you will Harvest it.  Let’s just make sure that we tend to it.  So, like any investment in a 401k or 529, make good choices.

Yours in Scouting.

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Join Night 2012

I now have been at 5 Join Nights at the Pack.  I joined the first one, and got nervous at the rest.  I should have this down, and I think that I do but every Join Night is different.

The Tally:

9 Tigers (including Mission Possible‘s)
12 Wolves  (8 returning + 4 new)
12 Bears  (9 Returning + 3 new)
6 Webelos I Returning No new
10 Webelos Returning. No New

I think that we also have about four adults who will actually sign-up and be Co-Den Leaders or be on the committee.  Over the summer we had a Dad sign-up for the Events Chair as that Chair is moving into the Committee Chair position.  The current Committee Chair is more than likely to be the Co-Den Leader for the Webelos II.

Each year, I want to have about 10 Tigers join.  That is to replace the Webelos II.  We do get boys joining the other ranks and that’s a good thing.  This year, we have 17 boys joining.  Counting the Webelos II that left and those who are returning, it’s about a wash at this point.  We have several inquiries via email and boys who want to recruit their friends.  All those people have been reached out too.

So, with Mission Possible Tigers we have 16 totally new Scouts within the Pack.  Not bad.  Most we have had since I took over as Cubmaster.  Which, actually this is an upward trend for us.

Our historical Scouts on Charter was 80 in about 2005-2006 timeframe.  It sank from there.  2008 when Elliot joined was about 30.  With all the normal Webelos II Crossover & dropout we are on the upswing.  Last year we were about 53?  So, really not bad.

The one good thing about this Join Night is that the Pack is healthy and sustainable.  I do not want a Pack bigger than 60.  50 is a lot.  I know people who are in a Pack that is 100+.   To me, that is a lot of Committee/Den Leader time and Parent involvement.   If you can get it and it works, great.

Seeing the Pack grow  to 50 from 30 when Elliot started, really make me feel good.  This year, as I keep pointing out is my last in Cubscouts.  I am now on the opposite side of where I was in 2008.  I was looking at the Webelos II thinking, its going to be forever till Elliot is that old.

I think that I have seen 80 boys cycle through the Pack.  Pretty amazing.  If you think about the 4% that will be Eagles, there is roughly 4 Scouts that will be that have passed through Pack 221 while I was there.  Hopefully, I get to see that happen.

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