Infastructure Reflection Pt#3

Every Scout Unit has a Committee.  The Pack is no different.  The BSA National Website has this to say about a Pack Committee:
“A strong pack committee will have members assigned to such areas as record keeping and correspondence, finances, advancement, training, public relations, and membership and registration. The pack committee chair decides how the responsibilities should be divided and gives committee members assignments.”

In our Pack, it’s really the Chair, Treasurer and myself.  The Cubmaster.  There are others who help with projects such as Wreath Sales and Blue & Gold.  Many of the Den Leaders take on other projects but their main job is their Den.

It’s a tad lope-sided since the work is really done by a few.  While the Parents who were not a Den Leader did help out as Committee Members, many I think were pulled away by other work commitments, charity work or just did not get that .  I suspect that some are also not sure about what to do or nervous about what it all entails.

I need to  point out that the Webelos II Families really put in a lot of work during their son’s time in the Pack.  I saw it.  It is hard sometimes for the parents to see what goes on behind the scene that “helps the Pack GO.”  We have tried to include as many as we can.  My hope is that those who are still in the Pack, step-up and keep going forward.  This next year is a rebuilding year.  Forming, Norming, Storming & Performing!

I can say that there are a few key people who put their best foot forward to help carry it forward for the Scouts.  If it were not for them, this Pack would have had a lot more issues than just the Program.  We worked out both fundraising and financial based issues.  Much of this was cobbled together after looking at how other Scout Units handle their affairs.  This also included a Pack Parent Guide.  Again, these internal operating documents are a good Wood Badge ticket item.

It was in the last two years of the Pack, that we actually had an Annual Planning Meeting.  The first was about 2-3 hours.  The last was about five hours.  This is part of the Pack Journey to Excellence program.

The Annual Planning Meeting really did help create a set list of events and Pack Meetings we wanted to hold and carry out.  It really is a vital part of the Scout Unit.  Figuring out this part of the infrastructure is a catalyst to recruiting new Scouts, but also showing the Parents you know whats going on.  It will help recruit them to be a Den Leader or Committee Member.  Even your replacement.

While the Pack Committee is vastly different in what going on from a Troop Committee, there are a lot of overlapping policy and rules that are just the same.  For that, I will point you to two resources that has helped me a lot.  The first is a blog from Bobwhite Blather.  The link provided shows all the posts about a Troop Committee.  The next one is of him appearing on Scoutcircle.org.  Scout Circle is a spin-off of the Scoutmastercg.com website.

Overall, a well run Committee can easily support a Scout Unit.  Our Pack Committee has weathered many a stormy situation and has learned and grown from it.

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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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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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Two birds with one stone style of advancement

  In the world of Cubscout advancement it’s led by the Adult Scouters and not so much the Scouts.  Yes, the Scouts can tell you what they want to work on, but generally it’s the Adult Scouters that do all the planning.

The big idea that I work to get across to my Den Leaders and Committee is that Advancement can happen with any event and multiple achievements can happen at once.    So, here is my real world example that is happening right now within the Pack and the Tree Scout Den (Webelos I).

First up, the Tree Scouts.  The Webelos Den Leader (WDL) is planning a lot of outings and working hard to plan everything to get the boys their Webelos Badges by March.  I really like what he is up too.

The other week six out of nine Tree Scouts went to the Ape Caves and got a few items completed for the Geologist Activity Pin. In my estimation Elliot earned #6 & #8.  The latter was a visit to a Geological site.  Some boys earned the Geology Pin at Camp.  Elliot did not want to.  #8 also works for  #4 of the Naturalist Pin as well.  Elliot knocked that out on the first Pack Hike along with several other Webelos.  But, let’s look at both.  #8 of Geologist will work for #4 of Naturalist.  But it won’t work the other way around.  Reason being, the first is Geological and Naturist is not geared towards Geology.  It’s all in the wording is what I am getting at.  So, this means that the three boys that did not go to the Pack Hike or the Geological Hike will be able to get the Naturalist #4 when we go to the Forestry Center in Portland.  Now, it won’t count for the Geological Pin since again, no rocks.

The good thing is the Forester & Naturalist do count for the Webelos level World Conservation Badge.  With two Activity Pins complete soon, they will only need the Outdoorsman Activity Badge and do a Den/Pack conservation project.  Which, the boys did at the Ape Caves.  We practice Leave No Trace all the time, so every Scout and Scouter will get that done each outing.  It’s just the way that is.

Elliot and another Tree Scout have already earned the WCB as Wolves.  But we will note that if the others in the Den accomplish it.  You cannot earn it twice in Cubscouts.  They can re-earn it as Boy Scouts.

Getting the hang of it?  Ok, now for the Pack Event.

As a Pack we are going Christmas Caroling.  Since I drive a lot a collegue and I talk a lot on the phone.  He is in Colorado Springs and his son is a Tiger.  Apparently their Pack does the same thing at several retirement homes and the Adults love it.  So, I suggested that for a service project.  The Committee loved it.

So, for those boys who want to do it, they will learn several songs and then perform it.  We were asked by the place we were going if the Boys would like to have a dessert with the Veterans Group.  Of Course!  They will get the dessert, but also get to hang out with guys who have served and hopefully it will rub off.

So, what will the Scouts earn for for this?

First, it’s a Service project. That counts for everyone.  Second, they will earn the Music Beltloop.  For the Webelos it will work for the Showman Activity Pin #15.  For both the Tiger and Wolf, this might work for attending a play/musical event.  Use your best judgement on that. It really should be going to see a play/musical instead of being in one.    The Bears, if gifted with how to play an instrument could create a Cubscout band and perform that.  Overall all the Scouts will earn the Beltloop.

Within our Council, there is a segment program so there are a few segments that would work for this event.  This would be the Living Service Segment and or Civic Service.  It should not be both.

So, with a bit of planning, the Scouts will earn achivements and other requirements for their rank.  Yes, there should and needs to be a limit of how many things one event can cover.  You do not want to award 10 things for one event.  That’s not correct.  The Scouts need to do the work.  But the Adults need to understand that doing everything for each requirement is really not needed.  It also allows for Scouts who miss out for no fault of their own to get credit for something for attending a different function.  Which really means the Adults need to be on their toes at record keeping for the Scouts.

Yours in Scouting.

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The weekend of being a Dad.

  This weekend was our District’s Webelos Woods.  It was located up at Camp Cooper.  Camp Cooper has not been in the Boy Scout Summer Camp rotation since 2005.  It is now generally used by Troops for weekends, OA for events, Districts for their events and training courses.  It is where I went through Wood Badge in 2009.  In 2011, the second weekend of Wood Badge was held there.  Rumor has it that Camp Cooper is going to be put back into rotation for the 2012 Boy Scout Summer Camp season.
To me, Camp Cooper is a magical place.  It’s a place that I came to realize what Scouting is all about.  So, it’s special for me.

I first heard Webelos Woods was going to be put on at a May or June Roundtable.  The moment registration was open, I signed Elliot and I up for it.  I promoted it lightly within the Webelos I & II Dens before the end of school and towards the beginning of school.  For various reasons the Webelos I did not sign-up.  Think Sports.  The Webelos II did not sign up due to the fact that they went last year (to a different District’s Webelos Woods) and they had an invite from a Troop to go Crabbing this upcoming weekend.  I get that.  So, Elliot and I were the only ones going to Webelos Woods.  The Webelos II need to camp with a Troop for their Arrow of Light and to check-off other requirements needed.  The Webelos need to see if this is a Troop that they want to join.  It’s a natural process.

So, I was pumped to go, but Elliot was not really.  He said that he wanted to go, but swapped back and forth a lot.  After explaining what Webelos Woods is, what would go on there and the promise of going to a Waterpark afterwards, he said he would go.  Yup, I bribed the kid.  To which he said as I left his room “Dad, don’t take offense at this, but your kinda nuts about Scouting.”  I explained that I was not offended.  We both laughed about it.

Well, that’s a wake-up call.  Something that I have known for awhile.  I had laid off a lot of Scouting stuff over the summer, but I plotted about what “he” was going to do for Webelos.  Plus, I had worked up a lot of stuff via the Summertime Pack events that any Scout would be able to use as a requirement for their rank.

Towards the end of the Summer and the beginning of the school year, Elliot did work out both the Traveler and Aquanaut Activity Pins.  I have given him those pins.  He also has the Bear Summertime Activity Pin. These were paid by myself and not out of Pack money.

Going into Webelos Woods, I had planned on him earning the Outdoorsman Activity Pin.    In light of that conversation, I realized that I was not going to push it.  During the weekend, I point blank asked him if he wanted to work towards stuff.  He replied, No.  Clear answer.  Message received.  I stopped.  It was just a weekend of Dads/Moms with their Webelos son.

I spent time talking to other Dads and going through the Lo-Cope course that they had, which was completely amazing.  It was very Wood Badge-ish and I learned something that I am going to take away and use at the Pack Meeting. I also participated in the Webelos to Boy Scouts talk from the Scoutmaster.  While, I have seen this online and read a lot, I got a ton of information. Grouping both activities together, all the information came together on what to look for in a Troop for your son and how to NOT become a Helicopter Parent.   The Troop that was putting it on was there on display for the Webelos & parents.

So, for the rest of the weekend, I was Dad.  We had a great time. It was early in the weekend that this happened, so it was good.  Elliot was able to hang out with another Pack that I knew and he made fast friends.  So much so, he asked me to have a playdate with one of them.

Overall, the weekend was an eye opener on several levels.  This, is just the first one.  Being a Dad and not a Cubmaster or Scouteradam.

So, more to come on the other levels in the coming days.

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Kayaking Cub Scout Style

Today, I let loose a fire storm on Google+ with a simple question of:
Aquanaut activity badge question: if son does 1-3 doesn’t that also count for #7? Also does a kayak count as a rowboat? I say yes for the latter. He already got swimming beltloop again this summer and one other. So he he just needs to swim with a PFD and he is done besides explaining why.

The first question was answered because I did not read Feet vs yards within the Aquanaut requirements. Done.

Here is the full requirements of the Activity Pin:

• Jump into water over your head.  Come to the surface and swim 100 feet, at least half of this using a backstroke.
• Stay in the water after the swim and float on your back and your front, and demonstrate survival floating.
• Put on a personal floatation device (PFD) that is the right size for you.  Make sure it is properly fastened.  Wearing the PFD, jump into water over your head.  Show how the PFD keeps your head above water by swimming 25 feet.  Get out of the water, remove the PFD, and hang it where it will dry.
• And Do Three of These:
• Do a front surface dive and swim under water for four strokes before returning to the surface.
• Explain the four basic water rescue methods.  Demonstrate reaching and throwing rescues.
• With an adult on board, show that you know how to handle a rowboat.
• Pass the BSA “Swimmer” test:
  • Jump feet-first into water over the head in depth, level off, and begin swimming.
  • Swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl.
  • Then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke.
  • After completing the swim, rest by floating.
• While you are a Webelos Scout, earn the Cub Scout Sports belt loop for swimming.

So, my son Elliot over the course of the summer and just today has completed the following:
#1: Earned in pool earlier in summer.
#2 Same as above, but he is skinny so he worked at that a bit since he didn’t float like boys who EAT! (He’s very skinny for his age.)
#3 Not done yet. Need to find PFD
#4:Done: He does this all the time when diving.
#5: Not done.
#6: Did it in a Kayak this summer.  He has done this before in a Rowboat, but not as a Webelos. So, I cannot count what he did before he attained Webelos I   rank this June. (At family cabin on a Lake in Montana.)
#7: Not completed as a whole.  Which he needs to do.
#8 Earned the Beltloop for Swimming.

So, I posted this on Google+ and got a lot of Feedback.  Remember Feedback is a gift!

While I am not going to post every response, this one sums it up. “With an adult on board, show that you know how to handle a rowboat.” — it’s not a rowboat, it’s a kayak…not the same device. “  Ok, I got it.  But, I will go futher in what the Boy Scouts of America officially says.

First, Safety Afloat. Under section six: For Cub Scouts:Canoeing, kayaking, rowing, and rafting for Cub Scouts (including Webelos Scouts) are to be limited to council/district events on flat water ponds or controlled lake areas free of powerboats and sailboats. Prior to recreational canoeing and kayaking, Cub Scouts are to be instructed in basic handling skills and safety practices.

It is restated on a PDF for Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities.

So, while I get and understand that a Rowboat is not a Kayak, another Scouter pointed out: Think about why canoes (and kayaks) are discouraged for cubs: they are much more likely to capsize than a row boat because of their narrow beam. So a row boat is mentioned in the requirements because of the higher amount of safety it provides for the boy. There is also one significant difference between handling a row boat and a canoe or kayak: with the row boat you are going backwards and the others you are going forwards. So, in order to control where the rowboat goes you need to know how to pick a reference point.

These are all great points and I would have argued in the end that yes, a Kayak is not a Rowboat.  I see and get that.  In life, I work to follow the rules.  In Cub Scouts, and in the early ranks, I use the “Do my Best” philosophy.  Meaning, if a Cub Scouts really tries to do the activity and makes the attempt, then he gets it.  However, last year a Bear did not write a letter as required for a Communication section for Rank or Beltloop. (I wasn’t the Den Leader I cannot fully remember what it was for.)  However, he was not awarded credit since he did not do it.  Now, the Den Leader sent home the information so he could bring it back and present it to her or his mom.  Nope, did not do it.  So, he was told why he did not get the requirement.  Yes, he was upset.  But he learned.

Hence, my understanding of why people responded the way that they did.  So, Elliot will not get credit for that section of the Aquanaut Activity Badge.  It is still easily attainable to him and he will end up getting it.

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The Den Leader Book

I am not a Pack Trainer.  I am a Trainer in my day job and somehow I got sucked into being the District Training Chair.  So, why have a picture of the Pack Trainer patch on the blog?  Well, it’s simple really…I am in the middle of creating books for my Den Leader Teams.  I have seen and heard of these being a Wood Badge ticket item.  This also includes “building a Unit Library.” We have all seen the Song book, Cook Book Ticket items.  Those can really be amazing.  At first, I thought..huh? really?  But then I started seeing a few and they are really good.  I guess it’s because those people really put the time into it and made it to what they wanted.  It wasn’t a cut/paste/slap it together job.

So, I I figured that I could and needed to do the same, but with a Den Leader Book.  My fear with library’s is people running down to the Council office/store and loading up on a bunch of books and calling it good.  Well, not me.    While I am not completely done, I have a good start to it.

I am making one for each rank.  I should be making one for the Committee Members as well.  The Den Leaders will contain the, Pack Calendar, Den Leader Guide, Budget, Tour Plan info, print outs from the National website from their rank’s info and all the den meeting lessons from it as well. (Yes, they are downloadable.) It will also contain our current Journey to Excellent, Pack Meeting Duties for each den and many other items.  The Webelos will have all that, and the Activity Plan sheets included.  There will be a list of Beltloops and the Segment program list too, in everyones book.  This will help stop confusion and misinformation about what to do within the Den and Pack.

Image via Wikipedia

What will also accompany this book is a CD of all this information on it.  Actually, two CDs since there are generally Two Den Leaders.  Both can have the Softcopy and one the hard copy.  This will allow for both Den Leaders to send off info to Parents as needed.  It can cut down on printing costs and keep info at their fingertips.    Our Pack has a Website via Google, so I am hoping to load all that information to there.

The main thing is that all this information will be provided not only to the Den & Committee, but also to the Parents.

Right now, I am working on the Webelos I book, since my son is a Webelos I.  The Arrow of Light book, will be similar.  Tigers, Wolves and Bears the same but without Webelos info.  It will be my hope that the current Den Leaders will use the book, add on to it and then transfer the book to the incoming den leader as they crossover.  That way, knowledge is transfered to them.  Notes about what they did, what worked, what did not work and so on.  It will make the incoming Tiger Den Leaders job easier.  And YOU WANT THE TIGER DEN LEADER’S JOB EASY!

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The Annual Pack Committee Planning Meeting

  The Annual Pack Planning Meeting is upon the unit that I am a Cub Master for.  This will techincally be our first real meeting since I came on board in 2008 as Tiger Den Leader.  When I ascended into the position of Cub Master, I followed what the previous Cub Master did.  He was still around as Committee Chair.  The Treasurer turned into the Committee Chair we have today.

I have grown since becoming the Cub Master.  It is not all due to Wood Badge.  Wood Badge does not teach you how to create a ceremony for Arrow of Light, Bobcat or other rank advancement.  It does not teach you how to put on a Pack meeting, nor deal with parents and grumpy Cub Scouts.  There is not a book called “Cub Masters, Tag your it!”  When I took on the Tiger Den Leader position, I quipped to my wife “I am going to be Martha Stewart of Crafts when I am done.”

That being the case of being Cub Master, I followed what happened the year before.  First Join Night…Wow….All eyes on me. Yup.  I whipped through the year ok.  I was always pulling stuff out of left field and stumbling.  Here is one of my first Pack meetings after I was on my own. I remember that Pack Meeting.  I made a Mom cry.  Yeah, it was good.  I still keep in touch with her about her son.  He’s a Webelos I now.

So, fast forward to Summer of 2011.  We are soon to have our meeting and I have been reading, writing, emailing and Googling a lot about this.  A lot of emails between myself and others about what’s going to be presented.  We have a lot to be proud of and a lot of challenges coming up for this year.  I think that I am ready.  Once it is completed, I will blog about the results and publish many of the documents.
So, what are we going to discuss.  This is where the Team comes together.  The Den Leaders and Committee are a team.  We provide the direction for the Pack, Parents and most of all the Scouts.  We will have a budget, annual calendar, Journey to Excellence, Den Leader Guide, Monthly Pack Meeting agenda’s and more. (Yes, it’s really a Wood Badge ticket.)  Hopefully our Unit Commissioner will be there for part of it. (Hint hint hint).

Image via Wikipedia

I have goals for this upcoming year.  One is already taking shape and going. Good sign.  We have several dads who are stepping up to be Committee Members.  Two ladies are stepping up as Den Leaders.  We have several members who will be leaving because of Arrow of Light, but that is the normal cycle.  Change happens.  Deal with it.  In the immortal words of my Wood Badge Scoutmaster “It is what it is.”

What I like is that my friend Arlen, who is currently not at Gilwell Field, but Philmont’s Training Center, is kind of in the same boat.  He is taking a class that I was supposed to be at. “Strictly for Cubmasters.”  Our families would have met, and my wife would be able to swap stories about me doing Cub Master stuff and having Mrs Arlen (sorry, don’t know her name) laugh out loud in agreement.  When I say same boat, I mean he did this recently and blogged about it.  Am I going to still it? Yup!  Great ideas are stolen and used!

So with all of this information digested, we will have our meeting in mid-August.  I suspect great things to come out of this meeting.  This year is going to be stellar.  We will be that team and all reach to create greatness for our Scouts.  When they smile and have fun, then, we succeed.  There is no i in Team.  Unless you work for Apple.  Then you can put i in front of anything.

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How to put on a Bike Rodeo

In an earlier couple of posts I said I was going to talk about how to put on events.  First up is the Bike Rodeo.  The Bike Rodeo was our first Summertime Pack event.  I do this for two reasons.  First, to end the year correctly and then to hopefully recruit other boys for the following year.

So, how to plan.  In my current unit, as Cub Master, it’s all me who generally comes up with ideas and plans.  (That’s changing this year).  This event was a multi-purpose event.  First, I wanted to have Troop involvement.  We had Den Chief’s and they could help out.  Think EDGE.  I also wanted the Troop to come because it gets them in front of the Pack and parents and shows them that Boy Scouts can do it themselves and not have parents do it. (Boy led method).

The main objectives that I wanted to cover are found within the Bicycle Beltloop.

1. Explain the rules of safe bicycling to your den leader or adult partner.
2. Demonstrate how to wear the proper safety equipment for bicycling.
3. Show how to ride a bike safely. Ride for at least half an hour with an adult partner, family, or den.

As for the Pin:

1. Participate in a pack, den, or community bike rodeo.
2. Demonstrate how to repair a flat tire on a bicycle.
3. Give a demonstration to your den or pack on the proper use of safety equipment and gear.

While the Cub Scouts didn’t do a lot of the Pin, the three were basically satisfied.

Out of all of those requirements…..here was my list to the Scoutmaster.

Bike Stations:
Registration form/certificate? Station (Simple name/phone and bike info in case of getting lost/Serial #)  They need to get a stamp at each station to show completion so they can get a segment/beltloop?,Bike Inspection-basic care, Bike Rules & Safety,Helmet Inspection
Bike Course  (medium & advance)  There is a loop at Stephenson so maybe a race?  This would help the faster kids not plowing over the slower/smaller kids.

He took it to the SPL & PLC and they worked on it and came up with 90 minutes of fun for a Cub Scout Pack.  They had 6 stations and a course that helped teach boys & their brother/sisters about Bikes and how to be safer.  One thing that my son found out is that his brakes & shifters were broken.  While they were safe to operate, we would have never would have known.  So, we got them repaired later.

So, my big piece of advice for Cub Scout Packs who want to plan something like this….GET A BOY SCOUT TROOP TO HELP.  Give them the requirements and let the Boys do it.   Also, I believe that the SPL walked into a Bike Shop in full uniform and asked for a donation for prizes that were given away.  Yup, he got one!

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Why I became the Training Chair

I have technically been the District Training Chair since June 2nd when I signed the Application and gave it to my District Exec.  So, what radical changes or changes have been made.  None.  I am at the beginning of seeing what is what and how things work.  I am the new guy within the District.   Before I became the Training Chair, I sent a couple of emails saying this should happen and that should happen and why isn’t that happening.  While I didn’t get an earful, I did get an education of why.  Which was great.

So what do I do now that I am a Training Chair?  I have to educate myself on what classes are out there, who needs them, who my training team is, what powers I have within my position and what are my goals.
Step one: Educate myself.  I have already sworn that I will take every class that is offered.  I need to know what and how they are taught.  This stems from BALOO to ITOLS.  Also includes Den Chief and Merit Badge Counselor as well.  Why, because I will get questions on why a Scouter needs it.  I will also need it because I plan on moving on after my son crosses over.

Step Two: Who needs Training.  That would be everyone within a Leadership, Committee or Direct Contact position.

Step Three & Four: Who is my training team.  Many people have already come up to me and said that they would like to be and that they will help as needed.   These are Scouters who have helped put on trainings before. AWESOME!  I had a great conversation with the acting Chair and he explained a lot of who is who.  I have also found out that it is within my power via the District Chair and Exec that I can designate those as Trainers if I see fit.

Step Five: What are my goals.
Right now, I want to keep it simple.  Keep what is planned on the books and make it happen.
What I would like to see as what our District offers is seperate class offerings of BALOO, OWLS & ITOLS during the year.   I would like to also offer training within Roundtable nights.  Den Chief, AED, CPR, Weather Hazard, How to fill out a Tour Plan & WHY.  Who is your UC and why should we care?  Journey to Excellence….

So, why did I take on the District Training Chair while I am still the Cub Master, or just take it on.  To me, it was my chance to figure out and see why these courses were not offered.  I did not and do not have an issue with anyone within the District.  I like everyone. ( I say that publically since I know several of the District people read this blog).  I also figured that my life beyond Cub Master is being paved now.  I have till March 2013 until my Son crosses over into Boy Scouts.  This position will allow me to take a break from Unit Leadership and step back and learn more about the Troop he goes into.  Will I get on the Committee or be a MBC or ASM within that Troop. Yes.  But, I am taking my time to learn about them.

I also took on this position because I like training.  It’s what I do at my day job.  The more I can learn about something, the better I am in helping those who are in my Unit as others within Scouting.  With the Vaccum of no BALOO or OWLS within our District many Leadership Knots cannot be awarded.  This includes the Webelos Den Leader Knot.  Which, if a WDL has put in the time and effort to complete all the other requirements but cannot attain OWLS training, then we as a District and Council have failed.  OWLS should really be taken by the Bear DL before they move into being Webelos DL.

So, what is my planning of what I would like to see how training is planned out for the year?
Sept: ITOLS
October is all Training needed for the position & YPT.  It’s a Super Saturday that is already in place.
Novemember. Our Council is changing from a Cubsout Pow-wow to a Program & Training Conference for Cub, Boy Scouts, Varsity, Venturing, Sea Scouts and OA format.  So, Promote that.
December: BALOO/OWLS.  Super Weekend of both Yes, do it in Dec. Early enough so it won’t conflict with Football Playoffs and Christmas vacations.
January/Feb ITOLS
April/May: BALOO/OWLS Super Weekend of both.

Having BALOO/OWLS together makes sense at this point.  BALOO would be first and those who just want that, can leave after it’s complete.  The OWLS will be after that and people can register for both.  This will allow for those who have taken BALOO to skip it and head directly to OWLS.

Why is BALOO/OWLS important at a Pack level.  I get ITOLS importance.  The main reason is that Boy Scouts main function is to CAMP & HIKE.  They are not in a gym doing crafts like their little brothers in blue.  They put the OUT in scOUTing.   If you have a robust Pack program via Den Leaders that gets the boys OUTSIDE, awesome.  If you don’t this is why.

Being BALOO trained will help the Pack understand that CAMPING is available to the Tiger, Wolf and Bears.  Yes, they have to CAMP AS A PACK for them to go out. Webelos can camp on their own.  Promoting Camping as a Pack does count for earning requirements and other badges.  However, it will help the new parents and parents in general to be aware of the Council Camp Properties.  If you are able to reserve them, the parents will see where the boys go in the summer.  It will also provide a better understanding as to how a Council operates and what is offered at that level.

It will help the parents to understand what the Popcorn and FOS money is used for.  You must give a tangible benefit to those who generally are not invested within the program.  If you do not, they will not donate or participate more.  The parents are generally there for THEIR son.  Not yours.  So is their pocketbook.  Once you give that tangible benefit to the parents, they get more invested.  Maybe not to what you are looking for, but it’s at a deeper level than before.  Am I saying that Training will lead to a better FOS year? Nope.  It could though.  What I am saying is that providing the avenue to learn more will increase the fun of each boy/girl within a unit.  It will create more fun for families who participate in Pack Camping events.   Which in turn will increase better memories for all.

At the Pack level Camping really is a family event and not so much within the Pack itself. (My Pack, maybe not yours and maybe others don’t camp as well). Yes, we have had overnights at a camp property for Arrow of Light, but that’s it.  There is also a Council Family Camp twice a year.  We have done it once.  It’s Family and not PACK. So no Tour Plan/BALOO is needed.   In Boy Scouts, it’s camping all the time.  Parents have been in the Scouting world for awhile and understand this.  Not so much in Cub Scouts.  So, there is a learning curve.  If you can introduce the idea and start Pack Camping, then the value of training is recognized and fullfilled.  If you don’t, then why train?

Overall, the reason to go to training is to provide a great program and be that person to help create a program within the unit.  If you don’t care about the program, don’t train.  Don’t train, don’t volunteer.  Don’t volunteer, don’t care.  It’s as simple as that.  I care about the program and I have gotten trained so I can continue to volunteer.

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