#Scoutnation Bucketlist

” From our humble beginnings as a #hashtag on Twitter to a community on G+ we are Scout Nation. The adult volunteers in the great organization of Scouting! Sit by the fire and stay awhile, we have questions, answers, stories and laughs. Remember the Scout Oath & Law and you will do fine here!”

The above is the “About” part of Scoutnation on the G+ Community page.  I think that I have following Scoutnation Scouters via Twitter & Websites since about late 2008 when Elliot joined Cub scouts.   I have had the pleasure meeting a lot of them offline and in the “real world”.  Most recently Bryan Spellman.  Funny, both he and Arlen Ward have both been in Non-Scouting areas.  Bryan in Las Vegas. (PS: The Scout shop was closed the whole time! We were bummed.)

What I love about Scoutnation is the instant Brother & Sister Hood we all have when we meet.  There are hugs all around.   As Bryan put it, there are other forums and places that Scouters get mean and nasty about what they think is correct.  We, within Scoutnation love to poke fun at each other and work well together even though we are separated by hundreds of miles.  If it were not for Scoutnation, I would not have been able to grow into the Scouter that I am.  It would have taken longer.

My hope is that sooner than later, I get to meet everyone within Scoutnation.

While our plans did not totally work out together, Bryan and I got to meet and talk.  I was in Vegas with my High School Class and he with his Wife of 20 years celebrating their 20th Wedding Anniversary.  We kept texting each other trying to make it work.  It was still very much fun to be there.

So, the Scoutnation bucket list.  Meet other Scouters.

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Operator Rating Strip

  I follow K2BSA on twitter and via his blog.  I am also a Ham Radio Operator.  My call sign is K7RUB.  I have written about Ham Radio before on this blog, but was very happy to see K2BSA’s tweet/blog about a recent update to the BSA Program.

“The National Radio Scouting Committee is pleased to announce that the BSA Awards and Insignia Committee has approved the Amateur Radio Operator Rating Strip for wear on youth and adult leader uniforms. This rating strip recognizes the member’s availability as an amateur radio operator for communication services for events and activities as well as emergencies.”

You can read his blog here for more details.  K2BSA is the official Ham Radio call sign.  Several BSA Volunteers travel to many National events like Jamboree to broadcast.  Learn more about Scouting and Ham Radio.

I would highly suggest anyone either in or out of the Scouting program to get their Ham Radio license.  It’s fun and it’s always good to Be Prepared.  The American Radio Relay League has more information and has been around since 1914.

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#Scoutcircle STEM Hangout

I was not able to attend the full showing of the first Google+ Hangout of Scoutcircle.  I had a Pack Committee Meeting.  However, here is the video of the hangout.  Please bookmark the Scoutcircle.org website and check them out on Google+ for upcoming shows!

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#Scoutcircle Google+ Hangouts

  This is a great idea and avenue for Scouters.   The idea behind it STEMs from TedTalks and Ignite Talks.  However, this is a group of Scouters coming together and presenting what they know best.  It’s like Roundtable, but on the Internet.  Check out the Scoutcircle website. They are also on Facebook.  If you have a Google+ account, even better.  If not, you can still watch, listen and get enlightened.

The first Scoutcircle is January 13th and it is all about STEM.

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Scouting for Food 2012

Today (Saturday Dec, 1st) is Scouting for Food in the Cascade Pacific Council.   Pack 221 had about 35 Scouts and 14 Parents out in the local neighborhood collecting the bags of Food.  The weather was just perfect, a quick drip rain, some wind, but a lot of sunshine.  In past years it snowed, frosted and we froze!  In all Pack 221 collected 302 bags of food.  Which according to the St John’s Fisher’s  SFF person, that was enough to feed 40 families.   Their outreach services 147 families and 60 elderly couples.  I had never known how or what they did with the food.  I know what happens, but they were able put a face on those who will use it.

The real standout today was a story that was told to me by a Den Leader and then the Scout himself.  As they were collecting food, a Scout went up to ask for a donation.  The person who answered stated that they have no food and all they had was peanuts.  The Scout thanked them  anyways and left.   As he left, he thought that he needed to do something.  So, at the next house the bag he got he walked right over to the person with just peanuts and gave it to them.  He was asked why he did it and his reply was, all they had were peanuts and we were collecting food for people like them.  So, I thought it was the right thing to do.

I can say that several people today thanked that Scout and told him he did a good job.  He is a first time Scout this year to the Pack.   I now know what I will be doing for a Cubmaster Minute for the December Pack Meeting.  That unknown Scout that helped William Boyce in the fog was known today.

We will be using this as part of our Messenger’s of Peace award that is from the World Scouting of the Scout Movement.  Several Scouts and Parents of Pack 221 had previously performed a service project at the Oregon Foodbank.

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The 4%

October 2, 2012.  A Life Scout sat waiting his turn as myself and two others talked to his Advocate, His Father and finally him.  We had reviewed all the documents and his project.

All were in order.

His journey was filled with firsts and with service to others.  A 50 miler at the age of 12 and an avid rock climber.  He is reverent and trustworthy.

His Eagle Scout project was worthy.  It wasn’t a bunch of benches or bridges, but actually giving back to a program that he was a part of for many years outside of Scouting.

He spoke of giving back even after he became an Eagle Scout.  He talked about his future career, family and that he would continue with Scouting when he was our age.

He talked about how it was hard at times, and the fun that he had.  He talked about how you get to know people while camping and that Scouting matured him.

He walked out of the room tonight an Eagle Scout. (Well, after all the paperwork comes back from National.)  Tonight is his date he became an Eagle Scout forever.

Tonight was also my first Eagle Board of Review.  I will always remember this night and this Scout.  Just like I remember all my Scouts.  Yes, even that one Scout.

Thanks

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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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How to explain Veteran’s Day

  Today, I took Elliot and Rachel to a local park that is dedicated to Veterans.  I needed to do this for several reasons.   First to communicate to them why we as a Nation celebrate this day Nationally.  It’s not to have sales or in their eyes have a day off from school.

Secondly, to explain that there are people within their world that have served.  I explained that while I never served, that their Grandfather, Guido did.  (That is him as a USMC in the early 60s.  I pointed out that their maternal Great Grandfather was in WII in Italy as an Ambulance Driver.  They also had Uncles, Great Aunts and other relatives serve.  On my wife’s side her Father & Step-Father also served.  Also that their Uncle Darren was in the USAF.

Finally, I explained that there are people right now who are off in far away lands serving their country to make sure that we are free and  that people are safe.  I said that they are Moms & Dads just like us but they are not able to see their family for weeks, months and years at a time.  That they also come home for a while and then get sent back to the same or different country.  That the Dads do not get to see their new Son or Daughter born and have to wait a long time to see them for the first time.

I also said that sometimes that the people who serve do not come home because they were killed in action.

While we were at the Veteran’s Park, we saw many people who were coming to pay their respects and to have moments alone to remember their friends who did not make it home.   Elliot, Rachel and I did go to a Church Service for 15 minutes that was just off the park.  The VFW Color Guard did Flag.  Both Elliot and Rachel covered their hearts and paid their respects.  Elliot went for the Cubscout Salute even though he was not in his Class A.  Rachel had her hand over her heart.  Both stood very still and were quite.  Several words were said and I could see them get not interested.  So, we left.

As we walked back to the truck we came across a WWII Vet in a Wheelchair whom I talked to a bit.  He explained he was in the Submarines for 4 years and hated the Mark 14 Torpedos.  I thanked him for his service.  He went on to tell us about one of the Medal of Honor winners that was on the Granite Plaque.  Explained who he was and what he did and that the USAF Airforce Base in Klamath Falls, OR was named after him.  Both kids just stood there and listened and then thanked him.

I was very proud of them.  I think that they got the meaning of the day.  They both explained over lunch to their Mom what they did.  I did not press them to do it nor did I ask questions of them.  They got it.

While Scouting values provides many opportunities to advance within their Rank, this was not a day for advancement.  It was a day to help my two children to understand what Veteran’s Day is and isn’t.
Thanks to: Dad, Bill, Dewey, Jesse, Frank, Mike W, Kirk, Norm, Dick, Pete, Wayne, Doug, Steve J, Jerry, Larry, Darrin, Lori T, Archie B, Gary, Chuck, Ty P and all the others who serve, served and for those who are still on Eternal Patrol.

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The PTC 2011 Review

This weekend, Nov 5th 2011, was Cascade Pacific’s first Program & Training Conference.  We used to have Pow-wow and then Advancement Extravaganza.  The latter was geared towards Boy Scouts, Varsity, Venturing.   Because the AE event was canceled this last year due to very low sign-ups, Council decided to go this route.  Our COO is actually from the Chief Seattle BSA Council where they have been doing the same program for about 9 years.  I have had always wanted to go there and take classes from them.  It’s about 3 weeks earlier.

This was my second year in teaching.  Last year I taught Special Awards for Leaders.  This was outside of all the Den Leader Knots you could earn.  It was a nice class, but it wasn’t something I was passionate about.   They year, I was asked to be on the Event Team, which was fun and also to teach a Social Media Class.  I Co-taught with Jerry Schliening and he also taught the Scoutmaster Conferences.

So, the review:
The event itself was great.  The place was good, as we have been there before.  My only issue was that the Advancement Software Class (Troopmaster/Packmaster and others) and our class (Social Media) did not have WiFi/Internet Access.  Apparently the school is heavily locked down.  I huge shout out to my Wood Badge Troop Guide Buddy, David Nash who has a Sprint Wifi Hotspot, however my Mac Laptop would not work with it.  So, next time. Get WiFi!

The Vendors who showed up were generally the same as the year before.  Some new and some did not show up.  I was miffed that Evergreen Aviation did not.  They have been a huge supporter of the Council for recent events hosted at their place.  I was a little perplexed that they were not more Scout-oriented however.  When I think of Vendors at a Scouting Event, it’s Science, Outdoors, Camping, Hiking & Go-See-It based.  Some were not.  I had really wanted to see the Hungary Hiker’s people there.

Classes:  I wanted to go to the Autism in Scouting class, since Elliot has an IEP.  I did not end up going for several reasons, but the instructor said that it was packed each session and very crowded in that respect.  Great thing is that everyone loved it and he was warmly received.  I did get to meet John as he was in our Social Media class.  I did not know him, but talked about him and then he introduced himself.  An amazing man.  If you have a Scout who is on the Spectrum, you need to connect with him on Facebook. If you a Scouter with Scouts on the Spectrum, you need to connect with him.  So, to me, this was the highlight/success of the entire event.

I ended up crashing three classes that I did not sign-up for.  Which, I actually knew all the instructors for.  First was the Packmaster Advancement course.  I use Packmaster a lot and understand it pretty well.  So, I really was there to lend support to my friend teaching it.   It was a class that was to speak to many other advancement programs and software.   There were great points to each.

The next class was Cubscout Songs. My friend David and his friend David put on the class and boy were they FUN!  The first David and I met through Wood Badge and we staffed the 2011 course at Troop Guides.  Love that guy.  So, I was there as support as well and got several questions on why I do what I do in the Pack.  However, I learned one great song that I am going to have our Den Leaders/Committee Members learn to sing for Blue & Gold.

Where are you tonight?
Chorus
Where, o where, are you tonight
Why did you leave me hear all alone
I fixed the kids dinner and they are up in bed now
You started Scouting and Pffft you were gone
It started one day with a flyer in his backpack
We‟re having a meeting come check out and see
We‟re forming cub dens and we want your son in one
But I found out who they really wanted was me
Chorus
From Tigers to Wolfs to Bears onto Webelos
One hour a week they said all that I need
Between den and pack meeting, to field trips and outings
I‟ve used up all my one hours till the next century
Chorus
With Powow and Roundtable to training and Woodbadge
I managed to try to sign up for them all
Once in awhile I think back to my family
I think I can still here my spouse and her call
Chorus.

The one class that I did sign-up for and take was the Webelos Technology Class.  I could have taken to all of them, but I was personally struggling with this group.  The Instructor is the Husband of the Event Planner and Scoutmaster.  He is an Engineer and a great explainer of how to do what you need to do.  That class really demystified a lot of it.    He also proved my point on working smarter instead of harder.  Point being is if one, two or three requirements can be knocked out in several Activity Pins, DO IT in one setting.  Find what lends itself from each Activity (or elective for other ranks).  It’s what I preach to all Scouters that I come across.

Finally, Disc Golf.  My friend Scott Hill who is a regional Disc Golf Wizard put on this class.  I got him in touch with the Event people since he put on our Disc Golf Clinic this summer.  While I thought I knew a lot about Disc Golf, I learned.  The great thing about the class is that he was that there are many aspects that relates to Scouting.  Respect and rules of the game are found within the Scout Oath and Law.  So, that was a great idea boost.  Granted there are a few rank requirements that can be earned at each level and program.
So, Program & Training Conference was a success overall.  I will be back next year.  I know that the Event Planners will be thinking about changes for next year…..they already are.

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Get those KNOTS!

This just in from BSA National:

Awards and Knots

The national council’s awards committee recently conducted a review of the hundreds of awards presented to Scouts and adults in the BSA. Many recommendations were made to simplify and update procedures, and the awards themselves.

Among the recommendations was the update of some awards and/or the knots that represent them on the uniform. These include the training awards and the Cub Scouting awards.

For example, to give the award the same recognition as the other top unit leader awards, the Cubmaster Award will become the Cubmaster’s Key and use the Scouter’s Key knot. The Cub Scouter and Pack Trainer Awards will use the Scouter’s Training Award knot. The Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, and Webelos Den Leader’s Awards will use the Den Leader’s Award knot. Devices to be worn on the knots will be available to indicate which awards, and for which program awards were earned.

Scouters who have earned the awards will still be able to wear the old knots as long as they are available.

The training team is currently reviewing and updating the requirements for the awards. So watch here for news, but we expect the details in early 2012.

So, while I get and understand this.  I am sad because they are pulling Cubscout Adult Leader Knots into Boyscouts.  Having the the Tiger and Webelos Knot blended into the Den Leaders knot makes no sense.  The same for the Cubmaster into the Scouter’s Key.  Think I will write a few letters.  I have written about getting Knots in the past. And here too! Oh, and again!  So, if your able to earn them in time get on it!

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