A Scout is Kind

This weekend was the Pioneer District Camporee.  It was Elliot’s first Campout with T432 in Boyscouts.

For several reasons overnight, Elliot did not have a good morning.  I had to teach ITOLS and the Troop assigned a Scout to be with him.  One of the great things about Scouting is that people do take the time to be with and help others.  I saw it in action.  Several Scouts and Scouters did check in with him and helped as needed. Yes, this is his first time at a Camporee, but it wasn’t his first time at Scout Camp.

At the suggestion of a fellow Scouter, we were pointed to the pond area where fishing was being set-up.  The gentleman, whom I know, graciously spent 15-20 minutes with Elliot to help teach him how to cast.  Ellliot already knows how to fish, but really likes it.  The Scouter spent his time to help Elliot feel better and improve his casting.

It was later in the day that Elliot buzzed by asking me for my chair and saying he was going to go fishing again.  Someone had caught a big fish and he was going to try.  It ended up that he went whittling by the pond.

This photo is of that moment. A Scout is Kind.

Read Full Post »

The Scout Rank

With anything, there is a starting point.  In Cubscouts, it is the Bobcat Rank.  It’s the rank that helps the Cubscout start to understand the culture of Scouting.  He continues on this path with much guidance in the beginning and less so as he reaches the Arrow of Light Rank.

In Boyscout, the joining rank is called Scout.  It is much like the Bobcat Rank, but it really symbolizes the official break from Cubscouts.  While the Arrow of Light ceremony is the celebration of that achievement. The Scout rank seals the deal.

Tonight, Elliot and his buddy achieved the rank of Scout in Troop 432.  He’s off to Tenderfoot.  I was not there for this, due to work.  But, that’s ok.  It’s his journey.  I am just as proud of him as I was when he earned Bobcat, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos & Arrow of Light.   But, this rank he did on his own.  Ok, with a little coaching because he does not know the rules.  I told him, he needed to ask for the Scoutmaster Conference.  He did.

Now, I get to tell him to go ask his Patrol Leader or the Senior Patrol Leader!

<update 10:11pm PST> Just got off the phone with him. Said the Troop meeting was boring. But, then said, they played Simon Sez, Chopped Wood, worked on stoves. Said they are working on something called a Chit….Like Whittlin Chit? Yeah…but with an Axe. Dad, you can’t Chop Wood with a Knife! (Oh…whoops) He finally got Totin Chit said.

Read Full Post »

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.

Read Full Post »

BSA Membership Survey

The Boy Scouts of America have launched their “Voice of the Scout” survey, open to all currently active members of the BSA.

The results will be part of BSA’s decision-making process on whether to change the membership policies to allow gay Scouts, Scouters, and parents to participate; so your completion of this survey is critical.

Request your copy of the survey here:
http://scouting.us.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_0lecWOay3bPbczP

To participate, you will need your membership ID number (or if you are a parent, your Scout’s ID number). The survey will close on April 4th, so please request your copy right now and forward this information to other current BSA members.

To participate in this survey, which is conducted twice a year, you will need your membership ID number, also called a BSA ID number. This is the number which appears on your registration card; or which is displayed on your MyScouting profile page. If you are a registered youth or adult with no access to MyScouting or without a paper registration card, contact your unit leader or the local BSA Council to obtain your BSA ID number.

Currently, this is just a sign-up for the survey to come out shortly.

If you are not a member of the BSA as a Youth or Adult and you want your voice heard, please give your thoughts here.

Membership Survey Info from the BSA

Read Full Post »

The Rope Ladder

The other day Elliot came to me while I was working in my office asking for rope.  Oh, wonderful.  I wonder what he’s up to now.

After several questions, he told me he wanted to build a rope ladder.   Puzzled, I kept asking why.  Mom chimed in saying, at least he will be OUTSIDE on not on the computer.  OK.. Go get rope.

Still perplexed, he started asking more questions, which led to “I need a drill!”  Ok, now he’s getting technical and I need to see what’s what.

We talked more about it and I said, you need to learn Knots.  It’s better with knots.  You will need to tie the top to something so you can climb UP.  I showed him the Scout Handbook that he has and left him to it.

I later found him outside, with the 100 ft of rope tied up in the package, in his pants and he’s eyeing a tree outside the window.  Clearly, he’s on his own guided discovery.

Sensing danger, I came out and started asking more questions.  He explained what he wanted to do.  I said, that the place he has picked is not good.  There was a raised flower bed below the limb that had 90 degree angles and were sharp.  Also the limb wasn’t the greatest.

I explained again, that he needed to learn the knots, and that the large metal swing set would be a way better site to test and build the rope ladder.   He was mad that I was saying no.  I had to explain that, I never said no he could not build it, but that I was pointing out hazards.  I asked him if he saw what I was seeing.  He agreed.

While, he did not even really start the rope ladder project, he realized that there are steps to make it safe and secure.  I also found several websites/videos on how to create a Rope Ladder.  The project is still alive.  I am glad he’s interested in doing something like this.  He might get into Pioneering..;)

The Art of Manliness
Scout Pioneering  Indoor Ladder
Pirate Rope Ladder

Read Full Post »

Blue & Gold

The National Scouting website says this about what a Blue & Gold represents:

“The purpose of the blue and gold banquet is to celebrate the pack’s anniversary, thank pack leaders and other adults who have helped the pack, and inspire the leaders, Scouts, and parents. Packs often like to invite former members and other Scouting or community leaders to take part in their blue and gold banquet.” 

If you’re in the Boyscouts, it called the “Red and Green”.  I do not know what it would be called for Teams, Crews, Ships or Posts.

In a Facebook Cubscout group, there has been a lively discussion on how Blue & Golds are put on and what happens.  A lot of the forum people are putting in all the details on what they do, the entertainment, speakers, gifts, awards, food, rank advancements, Arrow of Light, Crossover’s and unruly kids.  I even heard of a Pack that hands out the Pinewood Derby cars.

Blue and Golds are supposed to he held within the month of February.  It’s to celebrate the Birthday of Scouting in the United States. Some Packs hold it in March.  I suspect even in April, but I have not heard that.

So during all of this, I posted that our Pack had forgone Blue & Golds up until now.  A fellow Cubscouter asked me why?  Which, got me to thinking that I need to post about this before it gets hazy.

Here goes.  My son joined in the fall of 2008.  Our first Blue & Gold was in 2009.  I really had no idea what the culture of Scouting was at that time.  I had never passed beyond Wolf back in 1976.  So, I do not remember it from back then.

I believe that we did have a Blue & Gold that year.  I know this because I brought Pulled Pork.  Though, it might have been part of the Pinewood Derby.  I am getting old and feeble….and cannot remember well.

During 2010 I was the Cubmaster as I took over in April 2009.  Because of the 100th Anniversary, we got ourselves to a Pizza place called Roundtable.  Families ordered their own Pizza and soda. NO BEER.  The cake, two of them, were bought.  Yes, I got one and so did the Webelos I Den Leader.  Neither of us communicated.  We wrote letters to the military and had a FOS guy come speak.  BORING.  Not that fact that it was FOS, but they guy really was kinda boring.  The talk was good, but we did not relate.

2011, I just cannot remember if we had one.  I know we didn’t do anything special.  I think the timing of the Pack Meetings just got messed up.  Even in my notes on Pack Meetings has nothing for February.  I know we had the DE come talk to us about FOS.  Again, not the best use of time.  The FOS part was on a stage with a Pack Meeting going on in the Gym and all the yelling made it hard.

While, I need to as Cubmaster take responsibility for the Program.  The Blue & Gold was a lot to do by myself.  In 2010, it was myself and the WDLI doing it.  This year we had the Committee and a B&G Chair.  The Committee spent a lot of time working through details and handing out assignments.  KISSMIF.  And that’s the difference.  There was support from all sides.  In earlier years, there just wasn’t.

This year, we had a potluck.  Each Den was responsible for some type of Food.  I brought Pork Butt.  It was gone at the end.  There were the basic veggies in a plastic container, Pizza, Nachos, Dips, Chips, Salads, 3-Bean Salad and Crockpots full of goodness. Oh, and yes…Spaghetti.  What Scout event does not have some type of Spaghetti?  Yes, again, we bought Cake and too much. 

We had our Den Leader Awards, Songs, a small history lesson on why Blue & Gold is celebrated.  We had a great guest speaker who spoke about tradition.  In total we had about 110 people attending.

Now, here is what we did not have.

Rank Advancements, FOS, Awards for the Scouts or paid entertainment or Catering. There was no Arrow of Light or Crossover as well.  Nothing like all that.

Here is why, and I hope it keeps that way.

Blue & Gold is not a Pack Meeting.  Nor is it for the Scouts, in general.  It is a time to come together and recognize the Scouting Movement within the United States.  It’s a Party.  It is also a time, the one time a year, that the Pack Leadership and Den Leaders are recognized by the Scouts and the Parents who bring their sons to the meetings.  It is not an Arrow of Light or Crossover or Rank Advancement time.  Hold those at different times.

Here is where it gets sticky and I got some of this from my Troop Guide in the WE1-492-09 Wood Badge Course.  Yes, I am a Beaver.  My Troop Guide is a Bear.  He was a Cubmaster for seven years, and a pretty good one at that.  His main thought on Arrow of Light and Crossover is to keep them seperate.   Crossover should be a separate ceremony for just the Webelos II.  It’s their time, not Pack Time.  There should be time between Arrow of Light and Crossover so the Webelos IIs can be the highest rank in Cubscouts.  Not crossed over and be the rank of Scout in Boy Scouts at the lowest.

Are some of you getting rankled?  Your green BSA Socks in a twist?  Need to loosen your Bolo Tie?  Maybe slide the homemade slide back off your necker?

Why do this, we have done X and Y and Z forever!  That’s the way we have done it!  Well, yes you have.  Am I saying YOUR WRONG?  No.  You are having Blue & Gold.  We were not.

Now, I do believe that no Rank Advancement, FOS and Crossover and even Pinewood Derby should be a part of Blue & Gold.  These are all separate and unrelated items.

Again, Scouting.org describes Blue & Gold as: The banquet can be like a regular pack meeting, with songs, skits, stunts, and awards. Or it can be something different and a little more special. Your pack may decide to bring in an entertainer such as a magician or a storyteller. Or you could have a video or slide show of what the pack did over the past year.

If your Pack is comfortable in the way it does the Blue & Gold. Fine, don’t change.  Why fix it.  If you feel you’re doing WAY too much…then take a look at what you’re doing.  Spread it out, but talk to the parents and Scouts.   I know that putting on Pinewood, Crossover and Blue & Gold all into one event is a lot of work.  Again, my opinion.

The great thing is that the Pack is now been shown a tradition of Scouting and it will grow from there.  We were not perfect this year, and we won’t be perfect next year.  But, it’s all about fun and recognition of Scouting and those who help along the Journey of Scouting.

Read Full Post »

Pin College for Webelos II

  This weekend was a Webelos Pin College at Troop 127.  Five Webelos II from Pack 221 attended.  Last year’s Webelos IIs did the same.   I think that four or five Webelos are still there out of seven.  My Webelos II Den Leader is now the Advancement Chair and the Assistant is also a ASM.   A lot of the Scouts are now closing in on Second Class if not First Class.  It is a medium-sized Troop for the area.

Of our five Webelos, one really needed a lot of the Activity Pins.  He joined this year and is working through the Webelos Badge.  I know he will attain both the Webelos and Arrow of Light Rank by Crossover.  The other four Webelos II were there for the experince as well.  Though, they completed the Engineer and Showman Activity Pins.  The other two were Readyman and Geologist.  The Webelos who already had the Readyman re-took it.  It explained that a refresher is always good to go through.  I have to for various training.

The overnight/Lock-in consisted of the Activity Pin work, games and a movie.  They even had the local police come to visit.  To which, they told the Scouts that they had a complaint of loud noises..:)   The two police officers said that they would be coming around the church a couple of times tonight just to make sure everything was secure.

Between the first Pin session and the start of the movie, the Troop put on a Movie about themselves, what they did and also talked to the Parents about who they are.   It was your basic recruitment.  Lots of good information.  While I know the Scoutmaster and several of the Adults, this was good info.

I was able to ask the Scoutmaster to sit down with the Webelos II from Pack 221 for a Scoutmaster’s Conference.  While I saw it happen, I have no idea what was said.  Which is just fine.  I am glad to have that done.  It also got the Webelos to understand more about the Troop.

Overall, it was a good night.  The boys had fun, learned skills and started their step on the trail within Scouting.   I did ask them in the parking lot about Boy Scouts.  Of the three that was there, they had positive things to say.   They really do not know what Troop they want, since they flip-flop from the two that they have seen thus far.  But the discussion has started.

I did ask one Scout if he wanted to continue.  He stated that he did.  I asked why.  He said it was fun and that he wanted to give back to the Community.  That surprised me.  I asked why.  He said, that Boy Scouts allows you to do more than he normally would.  Boys surprise you everyday.

Read Full Post »

My Thoughts Part II

Back in July 2012, I wrote a post about what I thought on the BSA National re-affirmation of its policy on Gays.  I still believe in what I wrote then as I do now.  Today, the BSA put out a statement on how it’s going to decide on the matter in the coming days.

My friend Arlen summed up his thoughts on his blog.  I cannot add any better thoughts outside of what he wrote and what I said earlier.  Please read Arlen’s post.

I will close with what I posted on my earlier post on what Lord Baden-Powell’s vision of Scouting (world-wide) should be.

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.

Read Full Post »

How to pick a Troop

  It has been that time for a while for my son, Elliot to figure out what Troop he wants to go to.  Quite frankly, he is the only Webelos II to really get started, from what I can tell.  He has only started, along with one fellow buddy, because I behind it.  While I want to say that  I am not pushing him, I am.  It’s been a goal of mine to look at other Troops than the one the Pack has historically gone to since Elliot joined the Pack in 2008.  I got that vision/goal when I went to Roundtable and met the District Chair.  He welcomed me, asked name, rank and Unit that I was from.  He then went on to tell me about visiting at least three Troops.   I took that to heart.

I wrote another posting about this topic in July 2012.  Not much has changed since that posting or my feelings on the subject.   However, now Crossover is April 6, 2013.    And here is my frustration.  It could be just District related or maybe it’s the same within any Pack and Troop.

Because the Pack has historically gone to two Troops, we do not get asked, invited, offered or even considered for Webelos Recruitment.  I get notices from a fellow Cubmaster who I would have only have met because of the Cubscout Roundtable and Roundtable.  He has turned into a great friend.  (Note: GO TO ROUNDTABLE! It helps with everything!)  While I am the Training Chair for the District, I recently gathered a lot of contact info from all the Packs, Troops, Teams, Crews and presented it at a Roundtable that only One Troop and One other Pack came.  The one that came I had not seen before.  I withheld the info from the District until after Roundtable because I wanted them to show up.  Our District does not have a Membership Chair let along a Webelos to Scout Transition Chair, hence my taking this on.  I highly suspect that in my next role within the District, that I will be in the Membership role of Webelos to Scouts Transition.

If you’re looking for a Troop and your son is NOT in Cubscouts, using BeaScout.org is a good thing.  More than likely a call to the Council will happen.  Hopefully somehow you get connected to a Troop.  Many District websites has a page with a list of all the Scout Units.  Our District does not.  However, that is another reason I put this information together.   However, if you’re a Webelos Den Leader and/or parent, beascout.org is not really want you want.  You need to have communications between Packs & Troops.   Yes, that means even if a Scoutmaster needs to “Cold Call” a Cubmaster or Webelos Den Leader to get info, that should happen.  It is part of the job of the Cubmaster to also find this information and give it to Webelos Den Leaders and Parents.

Knowing about a Troop is essential to make sure your son and his friends get to the right Troop.  Also, they need to know if the Troop isn’t right after they join that they can transfer.  It’s $1 and a Transfer form.  Not another Application!

So, how do you pick a Troop?  In order to not reinvent the wheel, I Googled “How to pick a Troop” and got these good websites.

• Boy Scout Trail
• eHow
• USSSP
• Troop 135

My last piece of advice is to start early and start looking for a Troop.  Ask your son what he wants and likes.  Do not assume.  There are many fine Troops right in our area and I would have no problem sending my son to them.  However, their program might not be the one for him.  The goal of this is to have the Webelos II crossover into Boy Scouts and continue their Journey in Scouting.  It is then up to the Scout to continue on.

Read Full Post »

How Scouting is supposed to work

This post from Shawn Cleary, a Scoutmaster in Green Bay, WI is about correcting a wrong and keeping a Scout in the program.  It is amazing to me how wrong a Troop can get a program.  It is good that there are people out there that know the Scouting Program and are able to correct it.

I am reposting through here, so you can read it and understand that there is a correct way on how to use the program to everyone’s advantage.   Scouting is not a program to put limits on a youth.  It is there to help them discover and learn.

Again, another reason Scoutnation is a wonderful thing.

Read Full Post »