Elliot visits a Troop

Tuesday night, Elliot and his buddy went to their first Troop visit.   It was his first foray into Troop Life.  While he has been around Boy Scouts before, this was the first meeting.  Yes, he went to Webelos Woods in 2011.  He went to a day of a Camporee at Wapiti in 2009 as a Wolf and had a blast.  But, this was the first time he was there because he might crossover into this Troop in March 2013.

I did arrange it and get his buddy to come along with his Dad.  It was just as much for the boys as it was for the Parents.  While I think that I understand Troop life, it was good to see it in action.  There was no “Webelos Open House” type stuff.   I wanted normal mayhem.  We got it.

I felt myself wanting Elliot and his buddy to tie knots, learn First Aid, have a Scoutmaster’s Conference, cook something….nope, they played games and teased each other.  They talked to the Scouts, some of which came from our Pack this last March.

Yes, Elliot got bored in the beginning, but I get to meetings early.  He got questions, he was introduced to several people and he was himself.  Elliot and his buddy got brought up in front of the Troop and had to answer three questions.  What’s your name, What’s your favorite superhero and what kind of Peanut Butter do you like?

We got to see an Eagle Scout get his Official Certificate (ECOH is later) and a new Scout join and his swearing into the Troop and Scouting.

Then it was off to Troop life.  Scoutmaster Conferences, Advancement confirmation with Advancement Chair (my old Webelos Den Leader is now it!) and planning for a climbing weekend.  The younger scouts did playing and some working on skills.  Yup, its normal stuff.

The Dad and I got chatted up by many people.  They have a Parent Unit Leader who coordinates Parent involvement.  All the Dads came to say hello and introduce themselves.  I found that many of them were Cubmaster’s.  (Is there a Club? I want to join!)

I know the Scoutmaster.  He’s a great guy and it shows within the Troop.  We all got invited to go on camp outs with them.

On our way home, I asked what Elliot liked and did not like.  Apparently he thought there would be smore’s so he did not like that.  He like the Scouts and the games.  He knows that it’s up to him to decide.  He asked if we were going to see them again and see others.  I said yes.  He said ok.

Will he pick this Troop?  I have no clue.  Does he understand Troop life better?  I don’t know.  Do I have a better understanding of Troop life?  Yes.  From all the blog reading and podcast listening I have done, I have not been at a Troop Meeting.  I learned a lot.

Overall, I have seen Elliot mature a lot these past few weeks.  Tonight he matured again, but still was that goofy kid that I love.

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Make Time for Scouting

 

It is the season in the Cubscout world that Packs are starting up.  Some are already going due to the school calendar.  Within Cascade Pacific Council, there is a huge push for getting Tigers and Wolves.  It is called Mission Possible.

So, today as I was checking Twitter today, I found a great video that another Council re-tweeted.  On my Google+ page, a fellow Scouter pointed it out and had sent it off to his Scout Exec.  Guess, you are on a first name basis when you’re the District Commissioner.  So, I sent off a quick note with it to my DE, SE and the SE’s Exec Admin.  My hope was that it will get blasted out through our District’s Email list.

What I like about the video is that addresses several things about why Scouting is a good thing.   However, the one theme I liked is that Scouting and Sports go together.  There are so many times that I hear from Parents that it’s hard to go to Scouts and Sports.  Many of my fellow Scouter’s have blogged about this same them.   I tell the Parents that their children should be in sports.  They also can be in Scouts at the same time since many achievements will use sports to help earn them.  Plus, Sports still uses Leadership, Character, Good Sportsmanship…many of the same ideals that are in Scouting.

So, take a look at this video.

 

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The #501st Final Pack Meeting

Our final Pack Meeting was on June 4th.  It was a complete blast. Member’s of the 501st Cloud City Garrison helped with the final Flag Ceremony and Pack Promotion.

We wanted to end the year with a big send-off and the 501st helped make it happen. As with tradition, we made sure each remaining award was handed out.  I also congratulated all the Den Leaders and Committee members for doing a job well done.  As I pointed out in an earlier post, I am very glad they are there. I was also able to recognize a now Bear Scout with the Religious Youth Knot.  I was not aware that he had undertaken it, until I saw his mom at a baseball game that my son was playing against.  It’s a huge thing to undertake and complete.  So, I made sure I brought him up in front of everyone and explained his achievement.  No Scout in the Pack since I have been apart of it since 2008 has earned this Knot.  I told him that I was proud of him and that I was honored to present it to him.

At this point, we started the Promotion from Webelos I to II, Bears to Webelos I, Wolves to Bears, Tigers to Wolves and introduced the new Tigers.  I spoke about how they earned their rank, what they went through and all the fun they had.  I pointed out to each, that they are working their way up the Trail to Arrow of Light and towards the Eagle Scout Rank.  As they passed me by, their Scarves came off and were given their new books and Scarves.  I shook each hand and congratulated them.  The New Scouts were then congratulated by the members of The Cloud City Garrison.
I was able to spend a few moments giving my last announcements about Summer Pack Events, Camp and thanking the boys and parents for a great year.

It was then off to the Races for the Scouts.  It was our second time putting on the Raingutter Regatta.  We liked it a lot the first time, we did it again.  It worked out well since we skipped a year.  Last year was the Bike Rodeo.  That was awesome as well.  However, this year it rained and we held it under the huge awning on the playground.  Overall, it was a huge time.  This accounted for our first Summertime Pack Event.

Which brings me to Mission Possible update:  The Pack Officially has two Tiger Den Leaders and seven Tiger Scouts. I turned in the paperwork for the seven Scouts.  One Tiger Den Leader has taken the online training and Youth Protection. The second is a current Scout Parent, so he gets the program.  The first is an Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow Brother. There is about 3-4 Scouts  that will make it on the list this fall. (Paperwork…..coming)  Also, all the Den’s are going to Camp.  This year, there is a Free Tiger Day Daycamp on July 7th.  BB Guns, Archery and all things Scouts!
We have also planned out our Summer Events (which was a no brainer we have done it since 2009).  Our next event is actually as Color Guard for the Junior Rose festival Parade on the 6th.

It was a great year, a great finish as well as start for the new Tiger Den and we are firing on all cylinders.  This Pack does not really stop in the Summer.
Remember, Being in Scouting, as a Volunteer, gives you the opportunity to have just as much fun as the boys!  If my son was not in Scouting…..this would not have happened.
I like these guys, Wonder if they know STEM Awards?  You think they would be Naturals?

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Scouting and Sports

This is a topic that comes up a lot, in any and every Unit.  Sports and Scouting.  Many Parents think that it cannot exist together.  Practice and/or games are on Scout night or the Unit is off camping during a “BIG” game.    I am in a Pack, so I am not going to be able to talk about Troops or Crews and Sports.  Those involve High School sports and Elliot is not there.  If you want more information about it, visit Scoutmaster Jerry’s Blog & Podcast.  Follow that link and it will show you a search on Sports.

I am going to talk about Sports at the Cubscout Pack level.  I will start with the understand that you (the reader) are fully aware of all the Beltloop/Pins, rank requirements and other Scout Awards at the Cubscout level that deal with Sports.

As Cubmaster, it is up to me to create and foster a good program within the Pack. I have tools from the BSA available to me for that.  I also have tools from the US Scouting Service Project (USSP) called BALOO’s Bugle.  There are many others, but these are the ones I turn to the most.  They are bookmarked on my browser toolbar for quick access.

So, it’s Program Program Program as one smart Beaver keeps pointing out to me.

“Ray Kinsella: I think I know what “If you build it, he will come” means. “

So, why is this coming up?  In an online forum, this question was once again posted.  The poster was perplexed why the Coaches wouldn’t work around Scouting and that  his Scouts were missing out on the program he was presenting.

The basis of his question is: How does your unit deal with the interference that comes from the various sports seasons?  Is there any solution other than to roll with it and let those boys that show the dedication to Scouts forge ahead?”

My reply: As a Cubmaster, it’s my duty to explain to the Den Leaders & Parents that Scouting will be here for you during your other activities. As we all know there are many Beltloops, Pins, Arrowpoints, Webelos Activity Pins and other requirements that can and should be used to achieve the desired Rank. If you can convey that to the Den Leaders, Parents and directly to the Scouts that they should participate in other cool things and it counts for Scouting, then they will be more inclined to come back. I can tell you that my son’s Webelos I Den is all Baseball right now. They just got done with Basketball. We even have LaCrosse. For the most part, they come to the meetings, some don’t make it to weekend events or just late.

Main point is tell the Parents how Scouting works. It is very hard for Parents to shuttle kids to several practices, games and Scouting events. Sport seasons are short and Parents feel that because of that point, the kids need to be there. Scouts is every week for an hour, so skipping it is not a big deal.

I always tell Parents that if there are things that are required for the Scout to progress, that they are the Akela (in most circumstances) and can sign-off. But I also explain that a Scout is Honest and we are just not going to pass them through. They need to do the work then explain, demo or show. (All depends on what activity/requirement they are working on)

What your fighting is the Parents, not the Scouts in scheduling. I would just put out your schedule, send reminders as you do and work with who shows up. I would follow-up with a re-cap of what happened to all and make mention of it at Pack Meetings. If the Scouts that missed hear what they are missing and find it cool, they will lobby their Parents.

It’s Program, Program, Program. Build it and they will come.

So, that is my job.  I need to explain it to the Parents about how Scouting and Sports work.  Boys are both Scouts and sportsman.  They like both of them.  Nurture both of them.  There are even boys who do not like sports or not totally good at them.  Scouting is there for them.  Provide a good program for the boys.

You just might be Ray’s Brother-in-Law at the end of the movie:

Mark: When did these ballplayers get here?

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Scouteradam’s First Podcast: Bobcat

Image via Wikipedia

So, I am having a go with Podcasting.  Blame Jerry and everyone else at PTCMEDIA for giving me the idea.  I am still figuring out how to create an RSS Feed and publish it via iTunes.  I have a friend of mine who I am working with to host it at his server and then push it.  I have already asked a few Cubmasters to see if they wanted to do a Cubmaster’s Roundtable just like the big boys and girls do over at Clark Green, Leaders Campfire,  Scoutnation & the MISS Show.  There is always inspiration out there and these guys/gals rubbed off on me.So, until then…..

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Called to the Carpet

  On Sunday our Pack Committee Meeting.  It was a good meeting.  We have an agenda that we plow through.  Figuring out what needs to get done, by who and when.  Some discussion about events and projects that we want done.  There are reports on all the den activity and progress.

During this meeting I had to defend my stance on why the new boys were getting their Bobcats.  Point was that generally none of the current boys really could give you the Cubscout Promise or Law of the Pack.  Yes, it’s pretty sad.  Most of the boys cannot say it without prompting with some more than others. That is why I started having it with the Opening Flag and doing it at every chance we get.

Within the Pack, when Elliot was a Tiger,  all we did was the pledge, flag, awards and a brief talk and maybe a game.  That was all we really did.   So, for the most part I followed the agenda of the meetings but I kept putting in stuff that I wanted to see.  Remember, I was only a Wolf and I this is the start of my fourth year in the Pack and third as Cubmaster.  So, I have learned a lot of what I want to do from Roundtable, Wood Badge, Pow-Wow, PTCMEDIA and surfing the Internet.  I still have a lot to learn and do.

Towards the middle of the year, I started to inject the Promise and Law as much as I could.  Hindsight, I should have done it earlier and and required at all meetings.  At the end of the year, I had placed it in the Pack Meetings and now require it at all openings.

Back to the defensive stance.  I explained that as our tradition the boys getting the Bobcat will get it.  I will ask them several questions, but slacked on the Promise & Law.  I got questioned on why.  I explained that Tigers generally cannot recite it.  Once in a great while a Tiger can.  I walk them through the sign, motto, handshake, WEBELOS and then had it out.  This year is a tad different since I am going talk them through the Promise and Law.

A few Committee Members got on me about how their son could not recite it publically cause they do not know it.  I explained that is why I am doing it at Openings and that I am getting back to what a Tradition Pack SHOULD BE!  They all understand and agree that it needs to be done.  However, a debate ensued of “Did they earn the Bobcat?”  I explained that in the Tiger meetings we went through all of it, having them repeat it several times, asking them what each line ment.  Several of the less shy boys stepped up and explained  what they thought it meant.  So, we did go through the whole process.

Then, it came.  I got called to the carpet.  I was asked by the Committee Chair as Cubmaster to recite the Promise and Law.  He did it right there. Crap….my worst fear.  Asked for the Promise and Law…..  On the Carpet and failed.  Yes, it’s something that I just have not worked at, and it should be something that I should know by heart.  My Committee Chair does.

So, I am starting to practice the Promise and Law.  If the Cubscouts are required, then the Leaders will be required as well.

Yours in Scouting….

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Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience

COPE is:

Objectives include building teams, solving problems, making decisions, and developing trust, communication, leadership, planning, and self-esteem as team members cooperate to achieve goals.

If you have been to Wood Badge, you have gone through this.  COPE is not just for Scouters. It’s for everyone.   Now, when you think of a COPE course, your thinking of harnese, helmets and walking on high wires or falling backwards and overcoming your fears.  Yup, that’s COPE.  But during the Webelos Woods this weekend, I went on a LOW-COPE course.  Man, it was amazing.  Forget all the touchy feely Corp junk.  We are not into finding a Brand or coming up with a Mission Statement!  This is TEAM BUILDING and not one that includes hanging out with your Boss at a Strip Joint!

When I first heard of the Low-Cope course that was going to be put on at Webelos Woods, I thought…..great.  Walking on ropes on the ground. Dumb stuff.  Wow, I was not ready for what I had coming.  I did look on the bright side and go into it saying that I would do it.  These were simple games and exercises made to have everyone gain confidence in themselves and their Team Mates.  It broke down walls, physically put our physical safety in someones hands (literally) and work together brainstorming ideas to get a common goal.

I seriously think that Donald Trump’s “The Apprentice” needed some of this.  My main thing about the weekend for me was to break down barriers, stretch myself in ways I had not done and think of others.

This was one way to do this.

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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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Tigers are so Cool!

Tonight was our first Tiger Den Meeting for the year.  We covered the basics from the Cubscout Tiger Den Meeting list.  I got there 30 minutes a head and got everything ready.  we were meeting up on the stage, since it was away from the Wolves and Fire Scouts.  First there were only 4, but soon grew to 8.  We covered the Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Hand Salut, TWO!, Do your Best and the Handshake.  We made up our own Den Yell.  Ok, it was from the book, but they don’t know.  We yelled it 4 times, but the other Den’s did not hear us cause they were loud!

I showed and explained the uniform and showed a Boy Scout Merit Badge sash that I got from someone at school.  It was their Dad’s.  He is 85.  During the Flag ceremony, I explained what the flag was, and how we got it.  We also worked on a Scrapbook that we are going to draw Scout things in it and record what we do.

Overall, it was simple and took 60 minutes.  A lot of the boys had questions about all sort of stuff.  I found out that they played Soccer, came from the same school as others were there.  Had boys in the same class.  To which, I explained that Scouts are buddies.  We do not go anywhere without our Buddy.  To which a Tiger asked to go to the bathroom and I told him to get a buddy.  He did. The Parents did very well.  They were all there with the sons and worked with them.  It was a good night.

The one thing that I realized tonight, is that I really like being a Den Leader.  Tiger’s were my first.  It’s all about the boys.  The Tigers don’t care about patches or Wood Badge or Training or any of that.  They care about having fun, learning something new and yelling!  All too soon it will be about have a BOR and doing service projects and finding a MBC and then off to getting their Eagle.  It’s great to see the beginning.  Their first Den Meeting……..

Remember, it’s about the Boys and their dreams.  Not yours.

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The Training Chair look at Journey to Excellence.

This year will be the first year that the Boy Scouts of America has rolled out the Journey to Excellence.  If your in a Leadership position within your Unit, and your not aware of this, start your research.  It’s the replacement to the Quality Unit Award program. There is a lot written already about the JTE on several websites outside of Scouting.org.  So, I am not going to re-explain it here.

I am going to talk about JTE as it pertains to my position as the Training Chair within my District.   As the Training Chair, I get a report from Council that shows me all the latest training records for the district.  It also contains all other Districts.  A very interesting set of records.

Using some quick math here are our stats.  554 registered positions. (There are duplicate people since they might be an ASM and WDL or a CC/CM in seperate units.  Hence, I am not using People.)

Within the Packs, there are 189 positions and only 42 are fully trained. The requirements for fully trained are listed here from Scouting.org’s website of www.scouting.org/training.  This covers every program within the BSA.  If your local Council has a different set of standards, please consult your Council Training Chair.  Overall, that’s 22% of the positions trained in Packs alone. In District out of 554, only 147 are fully trained (by Council’s terms).  As a District we are at 26.5%.  To obtain Bronze Status as a District for JTE, it’s 40%.  Last time I was in school 70% on a test was a C.  Pretty lame.

What to do?  Well, I have just written a note to my Program Chair with a copy to the District Chairman and District Executive pointing all of this out.  I stated that my goal for this year is 40%. It’s Bronze level.  Next year it will be 50%.

To point out how simple a task I view this is, let’s look at what Silver is for CREW.

Have an Advisor, an associate Advisor, and a committee with at least three members. All have completed This Is Scouting, Fast Start training, and Youth Protection training or, if new, complete within three months of joining.

That is Silver.  So, why not make it mandatory at the Unit level to have EVERYONE take all that training. You can do this ONLINE as with the Boy Scout, Varsity and Pack training. (this is taken from my personal MyScouting.org account)

For the Pack Gold Level JTE you need  this: Silver level, plus pack participates in BALOO training and in OWLS training. (Note: I could not find any BSA info to link to. )  If you do not have anyone who has taken these trainings, then your Pack will not get Gold in that area, which could be what you need to get Gold as a Unit if your short in other areas.  Currently in the Pack that I serve as Cubmaster in, myself and a Webelos Den Leader both have BALOO and OWLS.  Along with ITOLS.    I will talk more about the difference between OWLS and ITOLS and why they should not be lumped together along with BALOO.

District Training: The district Key 3 and district committee have completed orientation or training plus Youth Protection training (YPT). New members complete YPT before joining and orientation or training within six months of joining.  I believe we all have met this with the exception of District Committee Training.  To which, I have one planned for.  We just need to set a date & time.  If the District Committee does all of this and meets as scheduled, we will be at least Bronze for this year.

So, training is a big deal.  It’s not something that people should take lightly. Granted the Apollo and Space Shuttle programs were bought, built and flown on the lowest bid.  Look at what NASA did with the barest of  contract spending limits.    Now, just think of the barest of training that the BSA can get by with.  Look at what can be done if we give a little bit more of our time and energy to get and be trained at the level we need to be but also EXCEL at!  Look at the reward that the Scouts will get if we do.

The Cubscout Motto says it very well.  “DO YOUR BEST”

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