The Transition at Camp

   The Cascade Pacific Council has Cubscout camps that help transition Cub Scouts from Tigers to Webelos II and then onto the Boy Scout program.  Adventure Cove at Camp Clark is the last in this transition.  Camp Meriweather is next door.

I have been to all four camps with the boys since they were Tigers.  Discovery, Cub World, Gilbert Ranch and now Adventure Cove.  This is the end of the line for me.  I seriously doubt that I will go with the Troop. What? I am not going to continue?  My Committee Chair and a few others think that I am going to be a Scoutmaster.  I disagree and here is why…

Getting to the camp and getting all checked in was ok.  A tad long and the boys got really bored with the forms.  They wanted to play.   Once we got all processed in and headed to the elective sign-up it started to get better.  The sign-up for the electives was a tad weird.  College classes were better organized, so we coached the boys into what they wanted to take and forced others.   Oceanography was the hit of the week.  Elliot and his buddy signed up for BB Guns for three times as well as Archery.  What? Why?  That’s too much… Dad, we want to get the Pin for them.  Oh, Ok, They had a plan.  Ok, but sign up for Oceanography.  It’s the cool one. Your on the beach.  OK.

During the middle of all this, I got the latest installment from Jerry’s Blog. (stop and read it.)  As Jerry says “Taking away from camp a life time of memories is more valuable than any merit badge.  Parents often times view summer camp as an advancement opportunity, and it is certainly there for the taking, but cranking out merit badges without having fun is a waste of summer camp.”  Yes…..Memories.  That’s what they needed.  I was bent, again, on getting them requirements completed.  Ok, get a few, but create memories is what CAMP is about and being 10.

Adventure Cove is set-up to transition to Boy Scouts.  The morning is set-up for the Troop to travel together to all stations over the week.  This allows the Instructors “talk” through all the requirements.  The afternoons are the electives.  There is a program for the parents to attend. Also my District Exec came on the last day and we talked shop.  It was a good talk.  I learned a lot. I did get the Adult Leader Medallion for taking a class a day for Den Leaders.  That was fun.  I also got certified in “Nap on Safely“!  All of these classes were about 2-3 hours long.  After that I read a lot.  I also  hung out with the other parents in our Troop.

I will say that our Webelos II Scouts went through a lot of growing and learned more than they know that they did.  Also, I grew as well.

Normally the Scouts and parent have 60-90 minutes together each week.  Not much interaction outside of that, really.  Yes, the parents see each other at other functions and school activities, but that is it.  The boys have sleepovers and have friendships.  However, this was, I think our first of being together for six days and 5 nights.  There was homesickness, injuries, disobedience, fellowship, and all 12 points of the Oath and Law.  One of the main themes of the camp was for the Scouts to earn a bead for each of the 12.  They did work at it and we were able to give them slips of paper so they could get them at the trading post.  A week of learning and living the Scout Oath and Law.

There are two specific transition points that happened during Adventure Cove.  They are the hike to Camp Meriweather and the Final Campfire (pictured above).  First, the hike.  Two Troops each day cycled through for a five-mile hike round trip to Camp Meriweather.  It was to show the Scouts and parents the camp.  It also was to encourage the Scouts to continue their journey.  That there is a lot of fun to be had.  While none of the Scouts got to shoot Shot Guns or Rifles, they did get to see a replica of Ft Clatsop that held a Black Powder Range, a Blacksmith shop and a Tomhawk Throwing Range.  I heard several questions about if we are going their next year for Camp.  I also heard several boys talk about moving over to Boy Scouts.

The last point on transition is the last Campfire.  For those in Wood Badge, there are a lot of great campfires.  Every Scout camp has one.  These are meant to be significant and give meaning to all.  This one was no different.  The one main item that I really liked was that the Scouts were asked to find a little piece of wood and either carve or write them name on it.  At the end of the campfire and after the retiring of two large American Flags they were asked by Troop to come up and put their totem into the fire.  The Staff told them that this signifies leaving a part of themselves at Adventure Cove and making the transition to Boy Scouts.

While some might think that is was all goofy sappy Scout stuff and over the top, it was all that to make a point.  A point well taken once we all got back to the Campsite.  I stopped the boys before we had smores and got ready for bed to say about what they had seen, heard and had done.   I explained to them, that I had been to every camp with them, that I was their Tiger Den Leader and seen them through many things.  They surprised me.  They spoke of it being a solemn event, honor and that they even grew up.  Other parents reflected on how Vespers is very touching to them in several ways.  It was a good moment that we all had together.

To which, when I got back into reality Clarke Green posted a wonderful post about the Aim’s of Scouting.  It really spoke to the weekend.

It really is a Game with a purpose.  There is a start and an end, but it’s the journey that’s the most fun.  Don’t lose site.

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Outdoor School?

In several posts recently, I have lamented about how the Portland Public Schools are/were on the edge or brink of not providing “Outdoor School“.  I grew up in Montana, Billings to be exact.  I was in Scouts for a year, but I had a wonderful place called East Rosebud Lake that I went to each Summer.  Yes, I went to Camp Lincoln for two one month sessions over two years.  I learned how to sail, canoe down the Mississippi River for 4 nights, cook over a fire, play Ultimate, Pottery and shoot .22 and Archery.  I got a lot or awards for them too.  I also learned and sang a lot of Camp songs and did skits.  My Dad took me up to Nanaimo, BC for a 7 day sailing course out in Desolation Sound in a 25ft Sailboat.  From that I can sail anything up to 70ft.  I took these skills along with all the camping, hiking, fishing and other stuff I learned in Montana and had a great upbringing and life outside.

Now, in Portland, it seems to be a tad different.  Yes, a lot of families do get out and do the same things that I have.  But, our Schools did not have an Outdoor School.  Yes, there were field trips that we took to several places each year, but it was just DAY Trips.  All this was funded by the School Districts, which from what I understand was supposed to be from one fund, but wasn’t because they moved $$ from one pot to the next.  Now, the Portland Public Schools is in a bind.  It’s $500k for Outdoor School, but PPS is faced with cutting 110 Teachers.  However, our wonderful Portland Mayor Sam Adams, has apparently found $5 Million out of the City budget to help save PPS.  But, did you realize that the City apparently has to cut $14 Million from its budget, but has $5 Million for PPS?  How is that?

Complete disclosure here: I never voted for Sam Adams.  Yes, he is Gay.  That is not why I disagree with him.  He lied about having sex with an underage boy before being elected to a second term.  There are other reasons, but that he lied about this, makes me not trust him. Yes, I am glad term limits has ended his term.

So, why are people so up in arms about loosing Outdoor School?  Yes, it’s a tradition and it is a good one.  Should it continue?  Sure, but it needs to be funded properly.   There is a group that does help that, but maybe it’s time the those who actually go, pay for it. Now, I fully understand that Outdoor School is also there for the kids that cannot and do not make it out of the city.  This most likely is the only time that they physically get out-of-town.  That’s a great thing.  That needs to continue.   It also has wonderful affection like getting kids out of the classroom and excelling past their physical limitation.

So, what does this have to do with Scouting?
You will just have to wait until the next post!

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The Cub Scout helps the pack go.

Each year within Cubscouts there is the annual Popcorn drive.  Some Packs do this and/or wreath sales.  In the Spring some Packs also do meat sticks and chocolate bar sales.   I get the fundraising aspect of Scouts. “The Cub Scout helps the pack go.”   In our Pack, we usually do Popcorn as the main source and fundraiser.  We also have done Wreaths since Elliot was a Tiger as a Pack.   But not a lot of wreaths get sold.  This year that changed.  Our District Popcorn Kernal ended her three year run and the District was late in getting a Kernal.  Our Pack PK bailed out on us saying they did not want to do it for several reasons.

Now, for those in the District/Pack/Council that read this, I have nothing bad to say about the people who are/were the PK.  I am just frustrated with the CHANGE and deployment issues it created.  Those people are my friends and I understand the situation.  I am working under the “A Scout is Kind” theory for this blog.  However, being Kind does not limit a Scout in biting their tongue when something needs to be said, as in A Scout is Honest too!

Because of the change in Popcorn Kernals, out Pack really did not roll it out.  We normally have a show & sale at stores.  This year since we did not have a PK, it was a take order only and deliver later like the Girl Scouts do with Cookies.  So, we are not going to meet the sales we did last year.  We did send out an email to all the Parents of the Pack before School started (which I think this has started and ended earlier than normal) asking and explaining Popcorn and that we need a PK.  The Sound of Silence was deafening. The Council training that we sent a new Committee Member to was so not geared to newbies.  It was all the ones that know how the game works.  Also getting info on how to do what we needed to do it was severely lacking.

A quick note before going on…The Council gets 33%, Trails-End gets 33% and if you get to the Popcorn Meeting the Pack gets 32%  If you don’t then its 27%.  Doing the math here?  Last year we as a Pack got $3500 or so.  The boys sold $12-$13K.  Our Pack uses a ISA setup and we changed the split this year to benefit the boys and pack a lot better.  While I understand that Popcorn is how a Council gets Operating Capital along with other resources, it’s still a lot taken away from the boys.

With Wreaths all we have to do is pay the cost of the wreath and then split it between the Pack & Scout in the ISA.  It’s now 50/50 between the two of them.  Both the Scout and Pack benefit.  There is no 3rd & 4th party.

So, the benefit to doing Wreaths is that the direct Scout and Unit get more money to cover and do more stuff.  Using Popcorn, others cut into your profit.  But, let’s look at this further.  Within the world of Popcorn each year Trails-End changes packaging, product offerings and weights of them.  The prices also change and are not always in a cheaper fashion.  In Girl Scouts, the cookies are really almost the same price and they do not change offerings that much. Yes, this year they did away with a couple, but Thin Mints are still there! (Mind you the whole infrastructure to GS cookies are completely different. In GS, there is no way to turn in any left over cookies. in BSA, you can turn back popcorn.  In GS all checks are made out to Girlscouts, in BSA it’s to the Unit.  The GS is the bank for the cookies, the BSA has no bank and the Unit is respondsible.  In GS each Parent is financially libel for every box, they sign a form before the girls can sell. In the BSA, there are no forms to sign to be financially libel. How do I know this? I took Cookie Training last year and signed the form.  SCOUTS HONOR!)  So, with the change of pricing within Popcorn a lot of Scouts were turned down or got questioned about it.  If someone did not buy they gave $$ instead just to make sure they got to camp.  This year, I have even heard that when one Scout went Door to Door the person not only did not buy they gave back last years popcorn cause they did not like it.

So, for several reasons we are switching to Wreaths.  They are not profitable, support from the District and Council was not really clear and late.  Will I continue to support the District & Council? Yes, by all means.  I have done FOS each year, and will continue to do so.  And yes, I do have the James E. West Knot.

So, to Elliot.  The reason that I am in Scouting and care deeply and passionately about.  Because the fundraising was not totally rolled-out correctly (my fault at the Pack Meeting/Join Night I skipped right over it and ended the meeting and realized it too late).  He was disappointed that there were no real prizes like in years past. (Yes, again gripe of mine with Popcorn).  The Pack came up with a Marshmellow Gun type thing for the top $$ earner in each Den and then the Den with the most $$ gets a Bowling Party at Big Al’s.  While he likes that, Elliot is more into the prizes.  So, I made him a personal deal.

Deal is this: First each boy to pay for the year in our Pack is $300. That will cover the $145 for Registration/Boys Life, books, awards ETC.  If there is $$ left over that can be applied to other activities that are not covered by Pack Dues and including Summer Camp.   He gets and understand this.  So, today when we went to go sell, he said that he did not want to.

He explained that he would do it, but there are no prizes that he likes.  Good reason.  In a Sales Job there needs to be a motivation.  I did explain that why should I pay $145 for him to do Cub Scouts when he has earned it himself the past couple of years.  He asked what he could do.  Told him about work around the house.  Ok, he’s not into that.  Asked again.  He came up with, what if I do Wreaths but get prizes that I want.  Ok, what do you want Elliot?  Magic Cards and a DS Game. (He had just seen one at a store that in the used section for $14).  Ok, seems fair.  But, I have rules too.  $300 in sales and he gets $30 of Magic Cards.  $450 for the DS Game.   He agreed with that.

Did I bribe my son?  No, not really.  I gave him an incentive to earn money for Scouting so he would pay for it himself.  He was going to do it only if there were prizes.  So, to me, that’s instant gratification.  Something tangible.  It’s like handing out the patch they earned the next meetings or day of the event.    I kept him involved with earning his own way and explaining how important it is that he does it.

The whole idea about earning your way, being thrifty is providing a tangible benefit to the person doing it so they get something out of it.  Which, if the people who run the Popcorn program stood back and looked at what was good, what was bad, what could be better and how to better comunciate the WHY you should do it, then the people putting it on would get a better return.  I know this because the former District PK, raised sales for three years running each year from when she took it over.  When she took over it was very low.  This year, there are only 4 Pack participating.  Last year there were 8-9.

I had to make it attractable to Elliot.  Which in the end, it’s really about “The pack helps the Cub Scout grow.”  It’s a cycle.  Teach and explain to them well, and everyone will get what they need and want.

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Scout Camp 2011

This year Elliot and the now Webelos I went to Gilbert Ranch at Butte Creek in the Cascade Pacific Council.  We had been there before for our District’s first Annual Cub-o-ree.  Which was good since we knew that “The Hill” was there!  We packed lite, which was needed since out “homestead” was two more places UP the hill than last time.  Ugh.  I lost 5 pounds just hiking up and down it.

This was a two night three day resident camp, which the boys did last year at Cub World.  They were used to it.  Next year is Adventure Cove with four nights and five days.

Gilbert Ranch is just that. A working Ranch.  Besides the BB Guns , Archery, Wood Craft and a Games station, the boys had a Geology and Horseback riding station.
The Geology station gave the boys a chance to earn the Geology Beltloop.  Elliot did not attempt it since he wanted to pan for gold.  I will say that the Staff Member who put it on, was totally awesome.  While he kept the boys attention, he handed out great information.  I even learned a few things.

There was a Pioneering station, which the boys learned how to make butter with marbles, but we apparently ran out of time for the branding and blacksmithing part.  We did however get to see all the animals in the petting zoo area.  This was our first rotation after the whole camp tour.  The Camp Tour took a bit because the boys not paying attention as they needed to apparently.

The Horseride part was something that the boys were looking forwards to.  The next time the boys get to get on Horses within the Scout Program is in Boy Scouts.  There is a Horse Trek from Butte Creek up to Mt Hood’s Pioneer BSA Camp.  The trek is a 10 trek.  This was the first time for many of the boys including Elliot to ever get on a horse and ride.  Elliot has been on pony rides with the pony walking in a circle, so, that does not count.  All the Webelos I paid attention to the wrangler who handed out instructions on how to mount, dismount, and ride the horse.  There was no silliness or dumb questions.  As the boys mounted their Steed, they were off on a trail ride.  Elliot was in the second round to go and he picked a “hard” horse.  Meaning the horse would not just follow the leader.  He has to kick him to go and steer with the reins.  When Elliot got back, I asked how he liked it.  His reply was “I hope this is open during Free Time, I wanna go again!”  Well, that answered that.   What he doesn’t know is that Mom found a coupon for a four hour horse ride for four.  It’s going to be a family outing.

The boys had to do the usual Waiter for Breakfast, Dinner and Supper. Which they did pretty well.  The Camp had Chores for each Homestead to do as well after breakfast.  Ours was sweeping mainstreet. The staff put on several Campfires and a Old West Show, which was great.  Some of the staff had long speeches that were pure poetry.  Great thing is they usually were right in front of us, so I heard them all.  There was a Scout’s Own, which was kinda wierd.  They passed out a survey to see who wanted a bible or a chaplin visit.  Ok, I get that, but it wasn’t presented well.  I made Elliot stay since we generally do not go to church on a regular basis.  15 minutes into it, he had nature call, so we both got out of it.  He needed a buddy.

At the end of one day, there was a Flag Retirement.  Which, we attended.  It was optional, but I knew we had to go.  It was very nicely done.  I had to explain to Elliot and the boys what was happening before we went to the Campfire bowl.  The ceremony was good and the boys behaved themselves.

Overall it was a great camp for the boys.  Next up, I will talk about how the Parents and my general thoughts on wierd things that happen at camp….

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On the Eve of Camp

So, it’s the night before Scout Camp.  For Elliot it’s his third time.  It’s the second resident camp, which is two nights and three days.  Next year is five days and four nights on the Oregon Coast at Adventure Cove.  I have gone now three times.  I suspect I will keep going until he asks me not to go, or the Troop has it covered.  While I am the Cub Master, the Webelos Den Leader is in charge of this outing.  I was for the past two.  We have a total of seven boys and five Dads going.  So, it will be easy for me to hang out and let Elliot be a camper.

Tonight, we packed his Backpack.  Since he’s never packed one, nor worn one, I helped.  I told him to get three of everything.  Socks, shorts…etc. Told him the basics but he could pick what he wanted to wear.  I did explain he would need his Tan Webelos Uniform and Scarf.  Got it all.  We talked about if he was going to use a pad or the cot.  It really depends if I get a real tent or I have to use mine.  If i get a camp tent, I am using the Cot.

I am not sure who is more excited. Me or him. (He just told me that I was more excited.)  I suspect that once we get there it will all kick in.  I know the BB Guns will be huge, but who knows whatelse could happen.  The one thing that I have learned, is go with the flow.  Do what the Camp Leaders/Staff tell you to do.  If there are programs that I can get into, and participate in, I will.  Maybe the other dads will too.  Two things I know so far. Pack lite cause there is THE HILL. And a Beaver participant from W1-492-11 will be there as well.  Looking forward to seeing him.  He’s a fellow Cub Master and a good guy.

 

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The Webelos Summer

      So, this summer is my Son’s first Summer as a Webelos.  And I am excited.  I think that it’s more ME than him.  So, I am trying to ratchet it back a few notches.  He is going to Summer Camp and I am following along.  In Scout Master Jerry’s Blog, he talks about what do you do at Summer Camp.  There are a few of us Scouters within our little Twitter/Internet Virtual Council (as I am starting to call it) that are going to Camp.  Some of us are even running it.

I have generally waited a few weeks to get back into Scouting mode with myself and son.  However, I started last night to talk to him about the Activity Badges and what he can earn.  I am thinking that Fitness, Family Member and Traveler might be a good couple to start.  This is also a long with several beltloops.  The beltloops will help him earn part of the requirements of the Badges.

He was not too receptive about any of this.  Eyes started to glaze over, so I asked him what he wanted to do.  We ended up playing a game of Sorry and Battleship.  He won Sorry and I won Battleship,but it was a great time together.  I did suggest playing Chess as he loves it.  He quickly was onto me about the Chess Beltloop and declined the offer.  The Chess Beltloop is part of Scholar Activity Badge.

Within summer camp in July at Butte Creek, there are several Beltloop and Activity Badges that he will be able to earn.  In theory he will be able to earn two beltloops and Activity Badges.  If he works on the other three Activity Badges and those Beltloops he will be well on his way for getting the Webelos  Badge.

So, back to Jerry’s Blog.  I am going to expand it a bit and mold it to Cub Scouts since he deals with Boy Scouts and Troops.  By their very nature Boy Scout Troops are run by Boys, not Adults and are more independant than Cub Scouts.  Packs generally do not have official meetings during the summer.  Unless the Pack puts on a Summertime Pack Award program, then it’s done till Fall.  If your Pack is NOT doing a Summertime Pack Award program, then you are not allowing the boys even more fun and chances to earn various awards.

Within the Pack, and specifically Cascade Pacific Council’s Summer Camp program there are three awards/patches that the Adults can participate in.  It was my goal to earn them.  However, during last years Resident Camp I realized that it would take me away from the then Bear Den and my son.  Granted, out of eight boys that went, seven Dads were there.  However, I was there for my son and watching another Bear.  They were fine, but I felt the need to be there with them.  I did not want to wander off in search of signatures or doing things to get the patch.  I did participate a bit.

Cub Scouts need a bit of direction during, well just about everything. I herd Cats & Turtles during this time.  You just cannot leave them to their own devices…for the most part.  They had their own play time near the sleeping area that I let them do what they wanted, but always close enough for the Two-deep leadership part.  Everyone was good.

So, I did not participate in that Badge.  I know that I will not do it for the other two camps that my Son will be going to for the same reason.  Also, because we will not have the dad coverage that we had last time this year.  Next year is a four night five day camp as Webelos II.

So, for Camp, that is what I will be doing.  I will be with my son and the other Scouts making sure they get to where they need to be and help as needed at those stations.  BB Guns and Archery won’t be an issue since they get it.  Others, well let’s just see what can happen.  I am not going to DO the crafts for them.  But I will hold a nail for them or stretch leather so they can nail it into place.

Back to the Webelos advancement….  It is generally the policy of our Pack that items earned over the summer are not bought by the Pack.  It’s up to the parent to buy them.  We will log them into Packmaster so they get credit for them.  It’s my general idea that the Webelos program is 20 months long without a real break for Summer.  Meaning, the boys should be a bit more active in earning their rank.  So, here is the rub.  With all that I think that my son can do over the summer, is it really HIM wanting to do this, or is it me?

Yes, he will get at lest one Activity Badge that is required outside the three for Webelos this summer.  One out of 20.  The four others not required for either Webelos or Arrow of Light possible rank requirements might happen, but will be up to him.  As well as the beltloops for others.  It really is MY goal for him to get all 20 Activity Badges and not his.

So, that’s the rub.  So far it’s all about ME and not HIM.  I know we will get a few things in, but Scouting is for him.  He drives this bus and I am the silent guide/passenger with him.  That’s my struggle for these upcoming 20 months.  I am working on not becoming that Helicopter parent or one pushing their son to do everything within Scouting.

I would love to hang out at Summer Camp and read a book or do the patch, so who knows…..

Have a great summer!

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Certificates of Fun #100daysofScouting

Monday is our Pack meeting and it’s the first one back since our district’s First Cub-O-Ree.  I need to make a huge deal out of this, so we can make it happen again.
At the Cub-O-Ree all the boys earned:
BB Gun/Archery Beltloop.
Geocaching Segment
Ultimate Beltloop
They also  earned a Butte Creek Ranch Segment.  You normally get this segment if you go and ride horses at a camp.  While, you have to be in 5th Grade and a Webelos II per Council rules, none of the boys will get this at this time.  I have not seen any Webelos II go there and do this in our Pack.  Hence, I am awarding it.

Now, many of the boys participated in a Skit (and I forget who all), my son participated in a Scout’s Own and all the boys camped overnight. Yes, even the ones who could not stay for whatever reason.  “They did their best”.  There was also a First Aid Station that counted towards the Readyman Pin for Webelos and for other ranks.

Overall, the boys had a great time.  I have made up certificates for both the Scouts and Parents who went. Yes, everyone gets something!

Which, this all goes to a point.  There are NO BAGGIES in Cubscouts.  Only when cooking in a Baggie is there a Baggie.  Do not ever, never, Ever hand a boy a bag of stuff and say good job now sit down. UGH! LAME LAME LAME!  Put it on atlest paper and give it to them.

Now, I normally do not hand out awards or patches.  I did last year for the Wolves as Cubmaster.  I stopped when my wife said I wasn’t the Den Leader.  So, now I only hand out Pack based awards. Summertime Pack, Quality Unit and others.  Because this was a pack activity within a District function, I am doing it.

One other great thing from this weekend is that one of the Tiger Dads emailed me stating he was going to turn in an Adult Application so he can help out with the Committee and Pack as needed.  I am very thrilled!  He is also a Sea Scout from New Zealand, so I am really happy about all that.

My overall point in this post, award and make the boys special as much as possible.  However, you must award and make the parents special too!

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Cub-O-Ree #100daysofscouting

The weekend of April 16-17th was Pioneer District’s first Cub-O-Ree within the Cascade Pacific Council.  Well, atlest that anyone can remember.  Everyone who went got a patch.  Including the Adults….;)  Just makes this patch very cool just due to the history of it. Our Cubscout Roundtable Commissioner, Allan, came up with the idea and pulled it all together.  Oh, and his Wood Badge starts on the 29th.  That would have been a ticket item done.

The main thrust behind this was to get the boys outside and to help promote Cubscouts to those who were not in Scouts.    Any Pack that came had to put on an activity center.  Our Pack opted to be Rangemaster’s for  BB Gun another Pack was Rangemaster for Archery.  The Cub-O-Ree had a 3-hour session open on Sunday for both BB Guns and Archery.  This is one requirement for both Pins.  You can only do this at  Council/District or Summercamp.   For the other Packs that attended, Ulitmate Frisbee, First Aid and Geocaching was offered.  There were seven Packs that participated.  In our District there is a Special Needs Troop/Pack that obviously based on who they are could not put on an activity.  They however helped with check-in/administration.  Our District Chair is part of that group and he got the William D. Boyce New Unit Award for helping to start both of these units.  It was great to see the guys come through.
If you know anything about Oregon, is that it rains and it rains a lot.  Because of that, it rained this weekend.  My son’s baseball league sent a note on Friday afternoon stating that all baseball was canceled for Saturday. WHoo hoo!   Scouts still go camping in the rain!  It’s call MUD!  Boy were we covered in it.  I fell down a few times because of it.

We had the opener in the rain (misting at this point) at the Campfire Bowl and it was off to the races with Cub-O-Ree.  However, I got called out by both Commissioners saying that I took Complaints if any!  What?
After we got the BB Gun Range setup and operational, I manned it all day along with three other Den Leaders.  Fun was had by all within our group.  A total of 13 boys came out.   1 Webelos I, 6 Tigers and 6 Bears.  A few did not sleepover due to sechedules the next day. Overall, all the boys earned the Archery and BBGun Beltloop. If they work on the Pin requirements, they get it.  I highly suspect they earned the Ultimate Beltloop as well.  Apparently there is a Geocaching segment within our Council.  I am going to look into this.  Another local Pack put on a First Aid station.  This was awesome since the very cool (yes, she reads this blog) Webelos I Den Leader who is a RN.  Oh, she and the other WDL took ITOLS this past December, it snowed and they were the only ladies on course!
After all the Activity Centers were complete, the boys had time to goof-off before Dinner.  Which, was ok.  The more energy they could spin out of them, the better.  During this time we worked on a couple of Skits.  Which, it took a bit to get them in the spirit of it.  During the Campfire, the OA came and told a lot great stories and sang a lot of songs.  Many of our boys were chanting them in the morning.  I so wish I could remember all of them and explain them here, but my brain is mush from it all.  Pack 221 did the “Life of a Raindrop” and the Tiger Den Leader and Son did “This Skit’s a Drag” as Dad pulled the son across the floor.

After the OA, there was ice cream, two types of pie and Dutch Oven Cobbler.  It was soooo good!
After we got the boys to bed, after visiting a neighboring Pack’s Campfire and me playing both Native American Flutes, along with answering every question they had, I got Elliot off to bed.  Within 15 minutes he was out.  I love sleeping on platforms with thermarests…;)  The morning was good with breakfast and coffee.  The Dads all got more of a chance to talk and trade jokes that the boys did not understand.  I think it was a great time for us to get to know each other a lot more.  More than just hanging out in the gym and watching.

As I told several of the Dads, I really like getting OUT in this fashion.  As Tigers we did not have a Campout or Sleepover on Council Property.  I explained that I would love to keep doing this each year.  They agreed.  While on site, I talked to several Packs as they rotated through about the Cubscout Outdoor Activity Award along with all the different awards and segments that the boys could have earned.  Several parents (who might have been Den Leaders) asked more indepth questions about what this weekend could be counted as.  The fun part is that I did recognize a few of them who have come to Roundtable, but for the majority…it was my first time even seeing them.  I know they exist within the District but never see them.

Hopefully they start coming to Roundtable and Pow-wow.

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When Scouting Happens…….

This weekend our family and others showed up at Camp Meriwether that is located within the Cascade Pacific Council on the Oregon Coast.

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We had heard about this weekend and came down for the day at the Memorial Day Weekend and knew we were doing it for Labor Day.  This was our first time at a Boyscout Camp as a family.  We had a lot of fun.  Hanging out with the family and friends not worrying about the rowdy party family in the RV next door @ 1pm.  So nice.

We looked around the camp to see what stations were where, what was offered.  We walked the Rifle, Shotgun & Archery stations along with several Troop campsites.

I had several things happen there that really re-confirmed that the Boy Scouts of America program is a great program on many different levels.

First, it’s just plain fun. It’s not school work and book learning.  It’s learning by having fun.   Take away the leadership part and you get to have fun doing stuff as boys.  Do not get me wrong, leadership is very important, but you need FUN.

Second,  having properties like Camp Meriwether allows the council to develop boys into well rounded men.  It is the respondsibility of the adults whether a Scouter or Scout Parent to keep this program alive.  This is what Friends of Scouting is here for and all about.  It allows camps to function.  It allows the council to put on programs because there are people in support services that help the Pack,Troop,Crew and Seascouts Committees support the the units in what they want to do.  If it was not for FOS and those within Support Services, then I would not have have a great weekend let alone send my son to camp.

Finally, this weekend allowed me to help counsel a friend in how to respond to her Pack Committee.  I believe that I have convinced her to go to Wood Badge in 2011.  Her Pack Committee needs to go as well.  The short story of this pack is: Committee Chair is also Webelos I DL and rules with blinders on.  No uniform is worn, tells others that only she goes to Roundtable, like blank checks, cubmaster has a spine like an eclair, wants total pack crossover (all ranks @ Blue & Gold) thought it was funny that my friend bought a Tiger Den Leader Uniform and finally belives that doing stations within den meetings is ok for a den of 14 cubscouts.  “It’s what we did”.

My friend has been hearing a lot of advice and is going to act upon it.  She actually has the backing of the den parents so she does not get saddled with 16 boys instead of the 7-8 from last year.  The only growth in the program as been her den.

The point of all of this is that while there is a lot of training that covers Youth Protection and how to be safe while Scouting, there is not a program for those Den Leaders/Scout Parents that are lost within a Unit and the Unit is lost as well.  There are Pack/Troop Trainers, but if a unit has blinders on, they will never be a fully functioning unit.    Hence, my belief is that it is the duty of those of us who are dedicated to help steer a unit to the right path.

This goes outside of being a Unit Commissioner (I am not one) or other Council/District type person.  Fellow Scouters need to be on the lookout for those who are going a stray in this case.  I am not perfect or always correct.  However, I know that pointing people to the correct information and people is what is best for a unit.

It bothers me to no end that people with the “It’s the way we always do it” mentality will sink a perfectly good program and the only ones who suffer are the boys/girls who are in it.

So, this weekend affirmed to me that I need all the training that I can find and take.  It will allow me to give back to those Den Leaders, Pack Committees and Parents who need to understand what Scouting is all about and how to provide a quality program for the youth. It also affirms that Friends of Scouting helps provide the physical for this training to take hold. Educating the Cubscout parents and unit leaders is vital.  By the time parents crossover to a Troop or other unit they understand the operations and logistics of Boyscouts better than Cubscout units.  It is that knowledge that needs to get communicated.  If someone gets it wrong and it’s generally from the outgoing committee, the trend continues.

“If your not learning something each day, your dead.” ~Adam R. Cox

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Cubscout Camp 2010 with Da Bears!

Cubscout Camp is one of the things that I now look forward to each year.  Last year was a day camp, this was the first resident camp.  It’s only looking better as I can see.  I am always nervous before large events kick off.  I just know that I forgot something or something is going to happen.  My goal was to get through getting to camp and handing off  the medical forms. Once I got to there and no issues…..then I could relax……

The two and half days of camping with the boys was awesome.  Not sure if we lucked out and got the Boxcars, but it was good.  Cool and close to the dining hall.  We were paired up with Pack 56 from Hillsboro as the Golden Dragons. That was a good move since it got everyone talking to others that we would not have.  The Den Leader of 566 and I found out that we were looking for simular things in ceremonies.

 

There were 10 stations that we worked our way through the whole weekend.  Great thing was we ended up on the last day with Archery, BB Guns and Slingshots.  If you look at it, we got the best rotation, saving the best for last.

 

We started off by making Knight Helmets, Tunics and learning to ride horses.  We then went through the process of making leather book covers, learning BMX Bike Racing,cooking,  and Earth Science over the whole time.  It was a good even pace and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

My main goal in going to camp with my son was to ensure he had a good time and that I was there for him as his Dad.  We had seven boys and six dads.  Not unusual since the other pack has 8 & 8.  That being the case, four of our dads had never been to camp. One was a Life Scout.  Another Dad went last year to Day Camp.  What I was hoping to have them get out of it was how Scouting works.  All they see is Den and Pack meetings. Not the behind the scenes of Scouting, nor what the bigger picture was for all.

This took shape in several points during the weekend.

First: There were not a lot of real adults onsite on staff. It was run by boys and girls 25 and younger.  Our troop guide was 15 or 16.  We had him last year at Day Camp.  This was their second session out of seven.  Were there rough spots. Yes, but we all got through it.  It was interesting to hear comments.   This is not Disneyland or some corporate run camp.  It’s Council Run for boys.

Second: Religious.  Our pack is not big on religious overtones.  We generally shy away from it since it’s one of those topics if brought up at a party everyone will have an opinion and a heated debate might ensue.  That being the case, I was interested in Chapel & Prayer before meals.  There was a chance for a youth and adult chaplain’s aid service.   Three boys and one dad took part.  All surprised me, but I welcomed their participation.

That being said, I did talk to the two lead Chaplains/Youth Leaders about it.  Explained our pack and that I really enjoyed what they did.  They were very very easy to get along with and a good conversation about religion within Scouts.  My hope is that I can slowly incorporate it into the pack.

Finally: There was an adult leader award that could be earned if the adult completed a list of items.  All were very fun to do and kept the adults engaged with the boys.  It was designed to do that.  It was something that I had planned on doing.  However, after getting onsite, I realized that I am no there to EARN Patches.  I did do a lot of what the list had, but I did not get sign off.

What I found myself doing was a lot of “Safe Scouting.”  I felt the pull of Youth Protection with my own son since there were incidents that made it nessacary for him and I to have talks and bathroom breaks.  He needed a Youth Buddy at times, but the boys were off doing their own things with other buddies.  Being Ground Zero for the Portland Trials, I was mindful of it all.

While we all kept after the boys about the Buddy System, it was hard for them to follow.  Hence, my visability with the boys at a lot of the times.  I am normally a nervous nelly about safety.  However, when BSA rules are active I get a tad more.  I think it’s all the training that I had.

Overall, my goals were to have fun, keep the boys interested and on track.  Also, to have the parents experince Scouting as I have.  The more the parents understand Scouting, the easier it is on the kids and those of us to volunteer that ONE HOUR A WEEK.

In the end, the boys had a great time. The  Crossover ceremony was totally fantastic.  I know that all the boys will not forget this Cubscout Camp for along time since they kept talking about last years.

Until next year…….Gilbert Ranch with horses and NEW WEBELOS I!

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