The Bad Akela

My only incident that really set me off was with another Akela within our Campsite.  This camp is five nights and six days.  All other Camps were two nights and three days.  It is a very long time to be away from home, for everyone.   So, this incident came towards the end of Camp.  This Akela is the Cubmaster and the spouse the Webelos Den Leader.  All very well-meaning folks. However, over the course of the week, I came to realize that they work the Cubscout program way differently than I do.  They are very by the book. No grey/gray areas whatsoever.  So much so that they had all the Den Leader books, Beltloop/Pin Books with them.  I carry mine on the iPhone via a App.

The incident involved my son and his buddy.  Myself, another DL and the boys walked up to an ongoing flag retirement ceremony that we did not know was going on.  (We are in the upper camp site and this is in the main campsite of where three packs were brought together as a Troop.)  The boys walked right through it.  A DL told us what was going on and the DL and I stopped and became reverent.  The boys did not hear and started to play with a pine cone.  The Cubmaster, rightly so, stopped them again and reminded them that a ceremony was going on.  However, then took it too far.  The Cubmaster then challenged one boy asking if he had gotten his Citizenship Activity Pin.  This reduced him to tears and he ran back to his tent.  My son was shocked and came to me.  I did not hear all of this, but watched it happen.  Suffice to say Elliot repeated what happened.  I explained that the Cubmaster was correct for reminding you about the ceremony.

Shocked that a Cubmaster would creduce a boy to tears, I went to investigate as my WDL went to help with the Scout.   I asked the Cubmaster, as a Cubmaster what they said.   I was not happy.  I pointed out to them, that they were correct in the fact that they can remind/correct Scouts for the flag ceremony.  However, they had NO RIGHT to challenge them in earning a Pin.  I told them that was over the line and to back off from my boys.

Again, the post from Clarke Green’s The Aims of Scouting rings out clearer than anything.  “Our job is not the flight, but the aim.”    In the Law of the Pack, it states: The Cub Scout follows Akela.
The Cub Scout helps the pack go.
The pack helps the Cub Scout grow.
The Cub Scout gives goodwill.

As the Akela, specifically a Cubmaster, it is our job to help these youth keep their aim.  This other Cubmaster altered the flight and got the Scout off target.  I do not and cannot stand by when any Adult, let alone an Akela/Cubmaster belittles a Scout.  It does not work with youth, adults and in any setting.  Scouting is supposed to be a safe environment.  A place where Scouts can mess-up and learn.

The interesting aftermath is that the husband, the WDL confronted my Committee Chair, who was in camp the whole  week saying, Hey, we need to have a man to man talk about Adam.  Hello.  Did you not learn in Woodbadge that Communication is a two-way.  Come talk to me about my actions, not my Committee Chair. If you want to deal with an issue, talk to those involved, not those who were not there. All he got was a one way communication.  He did not resolve anything. It was not his issue.  Needless to say, they kept their distance as we did too.

“Our job is not the flight, but the aim.”  New words to live by.

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Pack Annual Planning

It is that time of the year, for most, to gather up the Pack Committee and Den Leaders and find a spot for a whole day and figure out what’s going to happen the next Cub Scout Year.  This year, our Pack will have its first real sit down meeting and flesh it all out.  Last year I had a 4 hour one at my house at the end of summer which was good in the fact that we got a new Committee Chair out of it.  The years before was just me plopping down a calendar and saying “Here we go!” and ran with it.

So, what information/tools do you need to plan for the upcoming year?  Several things.

First: Review what the Pack did last year. Join Night, Pack Meetings, Pumpkin Races, Scouting for Food, Caroling at Retirement Home, Wreath Sales (Fundraising), Scouting for Food, Pinewood Derby, Rank Advancements, Arrow of Light, Pack Camping, Blue & Gold, Webelos Woods, Camporee, JOTT, Summertime Pack Events, Raingutter Regatta and others.  Did we do well? What did we fall down on.  How can we improve.

Second: What do we want to do for events in 2012-2013? (See above)  What do we do differently.

Third: Get the calendar of the School District, Council & District.  As well as any religious calendars needed.  As a Pack work to join, work with, be mindful about the Jewish Holidays.  Since I am not Jewish, it is very helpful to know that there are days/nights that are not the best for Pack Activities.

Fourth: Tools.  By this I mean look for the documents,websites, spreadsheets, software that is provided by National and Council to help plan.  These will include the Journey to Excellence (Pack), Summertime Pack Event, Budgets and other helpful items. This is our Council’s Pack Planning Guide.

Once these are collected and the pre-work is done.  Oh, Pre-Work?  What is that?  To me, that is all the ideas of what you want to happen next year based off past experiences and new ones you learned about.  Since I am the Cubmaster and in charge of the program, it’s up to me to formulate the ideas.  I do take advice from everyone.  Yes, this is a group process of what should, should not be included and what worked and didn’t.

This year there are several factors that I need to contend with.  We have the normal Fall Join Night.  This year Cascade Pacific Council is working a program to increase the Tigers & Wolves enrollment.  We have a Council Wide Sept 19th Fall Join Night.  There is going to be a media blitz about it.  So, we need to reason that in.

I have a Spring Recruitment happening as well.  This will lead into a Raingutter Regatta for the last June Pack Meeting.  It’s also our Summertime Pack Event.  There are a couple of other Pack events in June that will cover the Summertime Pack Event.

For the coming year, besides the normal Council/District events and Traditional Events, I want to include a Space Derby in October.  I have never seen one, nor do I know when the last Pack Space Derby happen.

Training: This is always a big thing.  However, this year, I need to get several Den Leaders and others to BALOO & OWLS.  I am the only one in the Pack with BALOO & OWL training.  I also need to insist upon the Committee/Den Leaders to go to Program & Training Conference on November 3rd.  It’s our University of Scouting/Pow-wow.

With these tools, plans and ideas of what & how to put on a Cubscout Year, your Programming will help attract & keep Cub scouts and Parents to the Pack.

I do have to say that my Council, Cascade Pacific has really made a huge leap in making it easier this year.  This year, they have put the Calendar for the Council and each District online that can be updated easier and also to be subscribed to via your computer’s Calendar and Smartphone.  This way, I know what is happening and get updates to all training events (that are loaded into the system).  So, thank you to those within the Council that made this happen.  It makes me very happy.  Both as a Cubmaster and District Training Chair!

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Mission Possible

This Thursday, the Cascade Pacific Council held a secret meeting that was by invite only.  Council invited two Scouters from each Cubscout Pack within it’s borders.  It was led by Jake Nichols, the CEO of Leatherman Tools.  The Council Scout Executive Matt Devore was there as well.  So, I signed up and went.  Any chance to put on the Tan & Green for an hour I am there.  What got my interest is that Council was putting on such a huge push for Cubscouts.  I have long pined for more CUBSCOUT stuff.

The jist of the whole meeting was to explain and challenge those of us within the Cubscout Scouter Choir.  It also was to point out several things.

Cubscout membership  & summer camp attendance is down within the Council.  Some of which I knew since I am on the District Committee and have gone to Top Team.  Matt Devore stated (if I remember correctly) that Boy Scouting starts with Cub Scouting.

Matt related how his oldest son got his start in Tigers.  It was him asking his son what seven buddies he wanted to have in Tigers.  Matt then called each parent of the boys and invited them.  Matt also related several firsts that his son had due to Cubscouts.

Both Matt & Jake asked us as Leaders to accept a challenge.  They are:

• Start a den of incoming Tigers or Wolves with all the paperwork turned in by June 10th.
• Do everything we can to get every boy in the pack to Summer Camp in 2012
• Help earn the Pack  earn GOLD in Journey to Excellence
• Help the Pack earn the Summertime Pack Award

• Here is the deal, Pack 221 is getting most every Cubscout to Summercamp. We are finalizing plans for one Den out of 4.
• Pack 221 has earned Gold w/100% Boys Life for 2011 JTE. We also have earned the Quality Unit Award for 2009 & 2010.
• Pack 221 since 2009 (when I came on) to earn the Summertime Pack Award.

What we have not done is start a Tiger Den by June. (So, I know what to do)

My Program Chair’s Pack is doing this:

• We recruit year round and have really grown the pack over the last year. We are currently at 58 boys registered. Our annual Rain Gutter Regatta is planned for June 10th. Just this week we have a new Tiger, soon to be a Wolf joining the pack. In June another boy will be moving from Seattle and his mother wants him to join our pack based on our web site, our emails and one phone call. So that makes two boys toward the goal and we are not even out of March yet.
• We are currently the only pack in the district that has dens attending all four Cub Scout Camps, Camp Discovery, Cub World, Gilbert Ranch and Adventure Cove.
• We set high standards for the pack and by doing so we have achieved the GOLD level of excellence in 2009 and 2011 in both the Quality Unit Award and Journey to Excellence. We are on our way to achieving GOLD again this year, our low point was adult trained leaders and we will be addressing that issue.
• Our Pack has earned the Summertime Pack award for the past several years. We do this by attending Summer Camp, offering a monthly event in each of June, July and August. Our belt loop family sports night, the BBQ and the parade all make great Summertime Pack events.

My goal is to recruit a Tiger Den Leader/s and get a Den started.  We are hopefully going to start that shortly for the May Pack Meeting for Raingutter Regatta.  I have one parent already in mind for the Tiger Den Leader.  I just need to ask.

So, whatelse can I do as Cubmaster to help be an Agent of Change?  Our Pack grew from 33 to 49 this year.  The 7 Webelos II just crossed over.  Our Tiger Den is 13 (highest since I came on in 2008).  That brings us to 42, though Council will have us for 49 until Dec 2011 when we re-charter.  Our membership was as high as 80.  Do I want 80 boys?  No, not really.  Do I want to offer Scouting to all?  Yes?

So, here is what I need to do. (When I say I, I mean PACK/WE)  Get a meeting with the possible Tiger Den Leader. Get his son’s friends names.  Invite them.  I also need to create a flyer for the Kindergartners and invite them to Raingutter Regatta in May.  However, I need to get those boys a boat.  To get them a boat, I need more of a committment.   Flyers are cheap, boats are not.  Fun is Priceless

To do this, I need to get flyers and info to the Council so I can get them to the Kindergarteners in the School.  There is a lot of footwork to do and to be done.

Once this is done, we can get out all the information to the Parents that shows what we do and have events for the Summer.  Maybe, I can also get them into Camp Discovery too?

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I care a lot

On Thursday night our District like many had their Committee Meeting.  I had not been to a meeting for awhile, and really needed to be there for Training.  I got to meet the new Advancement person and talk to our Communication Chair.  The normal banter of Membership/FOS and what units are doing what.

I joined in June 2011 when the District’s re-chartered.  We were asked that night about staying on if we wanted to since May is our last month before we re-chartered.  I said yes.  I plan to be on for awhile.
That all being said, I have gone through two District training cycles.  One was already planned and one I planned.  I have yet to make it to one of our ITOLS.  I am thinking that I will show up for the start of the one in March.

I also made it to a Council Top Team meeting.  To me it’s important. I need to know who all are my counterparts and what they are doing.  As do they.  I went into it just wanting to listen.  However, I made myself known.  I voiced my opinion about how we should share training lists of courses.   I explained how I went out of District for BALOO/OWLS and even considered going to Chief Seattle Council for BALOO/OWLS.   I pointed this out along with the fact that one of the main reasons our Pack got Gold was that my Webelos Den Leader and I had gotten BALOO/OWLS & ITOLS trained.  It counted on Journey to Excellence.  We would have gotten Gold, however out overall points would be lower if we had not.

During the District Meeting, I explained how I am putting our a request (not a call since the LDS view that very differently) for my trainers for all courses.  To which I got favorable support for.  I have made the request of our Communications Chair to put that in the Roundtable Notes & District Email.  Pioneer needs to have a good group of Trainers in case some back out or not able to make it for various reasons.  Be Prepared.

I also explained that three other Districts and Pioneer will be sharing lists of training courses and dates.  I have already agreed to host/put on Cubscout training for Sunset when they have Boyscout, Varsity & Venturing.

I have also decided that we are going to go to the core of what is required for training.  These courses are BALOO, OWLS, ITOLS, Hazardous Weather, Trek Safely, First Aid/CPR/AED, COR and Merit Badge Counselor.  I will include Troop Committee Challenge too.  All these courses are required at some level or for some paperwork to be legal within the eyes of National.  Be it for position or Tour Plan.

I did get feedback from one person on the Committee who stated that for volunteers to take time away from family is hard and that we should offer other ways to get trained.  They would like to see training done at Camporee, Webelos Woods, Summer Camp and other District Camping events.  I fully agree with this person in part.  I replied that yes, I want training to be given at Summer Camp, Camporee, Cub-0-Ree, Webelos Woods and other District Event.  However, I am running into people who feel strongly that training would take away from those who are there with their Scouts.  IE: Parents who hover.  I said that they need to start requesting it.  There are many Districts within our Council that hold BALOO/OWLS  and then ITOLS at these events.  Starting next year, I am going to work in BALOO and maybe OWLS into one of these events.  I would like to work ITOLS into Camporee as well.  It would help focus the District’s energy into these events and get people there.

So, this gets to the part about TIME AWAY FROM FAMILY for training. I fully get and understand that time with family is very important.  If you follow me on Facebook, Twitter and/or Google+ you will know that I travel the six western states of AK, ID, MT, OK, MT, CA for work.  I now tell Scouter’s and my DE how many Councils I traveled to to get where I am at that moment.  I once traveled through five Councils to get to Roundtable that night or a Cubscout meeting.  I know that people have their own busy lives within a town.  However, they made a commitment to Scouting when they signed up for the position.  They committed to the Unit and the Scouts that they serve that they would be there.  That also means getting the training needed to be considered trained for their position.

I don’t get people who cannot get trained for their position within Scouting.  Even if it’s just the Online version from myscouting.org.  At lest they took it and maybe learned something.  I personally like the face to face training since they will be able to get answers to their questions.  Plus maybe learn a bit about how another unit has fun.

Heck, I am not involved with Girl Scouts, but I took Cookie Training so my daughter could sell cookies last year.  That helped me this year when I was picking up cookies from Rachel’s new Troop leader.  I knew what she was going through and told her.  I explained that I am appreciative of what she does.  Did I need to do the training.  No, not really.  My wife could have, or we just would not have sold.  The latter would have been horrible since my daughter might have ended up quitting and getting mad at us.  But, I took it because it was needed.  I was not a registered Girl Scout Leader.  From what I have heard, the Girl Scout Council in Portland demands the Troop Leaders come to Council and get training on specific dates.  The Troop Leaders do it.  Why can’t we?

In the end, training will provide knowledge to the participant that will enable them to correct their ways if needed and provide a program to the unit that is fun.  Keeping it fun will help keep the scouts involved in scouting and keep them safe.

And just as Dr Seuss said in “The Lorax“

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

Yours in Scouting.

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Rank Advancement Season

It’s that time again in the world of Cubscouts.  On March 17th the Fire Scouts will crossover into a Boyscout Troop.  It’s out annual Pack Overnighter at Scouter’s Mtn.  It’s our third year doing it.  It’s my second time in having the OA come do Crossover.  My son’s Tiger year we had them at the Gym.  I kinda freaked out since I had NO Clue as to what the OA was or is.  I walked into the gym and it was dark and there were dudes in Indian Clothing.  Granted I was in a Frat in college so I had an idea, but that was laced with Beer and Sorority Girls!

The Arrow of Light Award will be presented at this ceremony.  It’s all about the Fire Scouts.

The Monday before, the Tigers, Bears & Webelos I (Tree Scouts) will all get their Rank Badges.  This is really quite early for them. But hey, they worked hard to get there.  This will also be the chance for all the Fire Scouts to get all the rest of the Awards, Pins, Patches and everything that they have earned.

I really like this part of the year since the Tigers get their first Rank Badge.  They have the Bobcat, but Tiger is the completion of the whole year of working towards a goal.  Likewise for the Wolves, Bears and Webelos.  But, it’s the first for Tigers.

I am working on a ceremony for the Rank Advancement. Below is a sample of what I am working on.  I got some of it from the Boy Scout Trail website.  It’s been my go to place for years.  I edited it with another ceremony for Tigers that is at the bottom.  Just need to get the fake Campfire…;)

(scout names), please come forward with your parents.

You see that I hold here a feather. This is not just any feather, but represents that of an Eagle, the most respected of all creatures. The eagle is most beloved by the Great Spirit because it represents life and how all things are divided into two parts.

The eagle, you see, has only two eggs at a time. Likewise, there is man and woman. People have two hands, two feet, and two eyes. We each have a body and a soul. There is also day and night, light and dark, summer and winter. we see beautiful and distasteful sights. We hear pleasant sounds and dreadful news. We use our hands for good deeds, or bad.

We have before us two paths. Scouting encourages us to follow the way of good – of bravery, service, honor, and brotherhood. We also may choose selfishness, laziness, mean spirit, and deceit. That choice belongs to each of us.

On your journey, you have chosen the Scouting way, and through your work you have earned the _____ rank. Wear the patch you receive proudly. I also present to each of you a feather of your own. When you see it, remember what it represents, that we face choices every day which path we will follow. Stay true, and continue on your trail of the Eagle.

Who are these these Scouts? Who will speak for these Scouts? Who will pronounce them worthy?

(One by one – parents introduce their sons and pronounce them worthy).

Cubmaster asks the pack: How says the pack? (Pack should roar approval.)

Cubmaster administer Cub Scout Promise to the boys, and Parents Promise to adults.

This lends itself to an outdoors ceremony, with a campfire; but it can be equally effective indoors in a darkened room with an artificial council fire, flashlights, etc. Leaders should be wearing Indian regalia.

Parents Promise:

We, the parents of a Cub Scout
Promise to help our boy
To become a better citizen
By helping him to live up to the Scouting ideals
And by helping him with his Cubbing achievements

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Handyman Webelos Pin

This weekend there were several projects around the house that I had Elliot help me with.  Back in my mind I knew that I was going to have him complete the Handyman Webelos Activity Pin. (Check the link for all the specifics)

Outside of the Know, Commit & Practice aspect of the requirements, which were completed over the summer, fall and on a ongoing process, we worked on these:

2. With adult supervision, wash a car. (Washed Mom & Dads car a couple of times this summer)
3. Make a repair to a bicycle, such as tightening the chain, fixing a flat tire, or adjusting the seat or handlebars. (Worked on brakes, Seat & Derailer on his bike and sisters)
4. Properly inflate the tires on a bicycle. (Both his and sister’s bike)
5. Replace a light bulb in a fixture or lamp. (Helped with kitchen light replacement & replaced Smoke Detectors during our Smoky House issue,)
6. Help take care of the lawn. (Yeah, all summer long…you think I wanted to?  That’s why I had kids!)
7. Arrange a storage area for hand tools or lawn and garden tools. (Use of Lawn Mower & Power Washer in Shed amoungst other items)
8. Clean and properly store hand tools or lawn and garden tools in their storage area. (Same as above)

This Pin started in the summer and basically wrapped up this weekend with the Kitchen Lamp replacement and after a bike ride.  During the Bike ride both Elliot and Rachel complained about their bikes not being in good repair.  Rachel’s had two flats.  Flatter than normal.  Elliot’s seat was low and brakes did not work as well as the derailer.  So while Rachel was off selling Girl Scout Cookies (Yes, it’s that time of the year in our neck of the woods) Elliot and I tackled these items.  I had also purchased a few items that I needed to put on my bike.  He helped put them on as well.  I had asked him to go get the tools and he did.  I explained what Allen wrenches were and he used them.

When we moved inside for the Lamp, I explained to him how I am afraid of electricity.  I showed him the breaker box and what it did.  I showed him how to read each breaker and when it was on/off/tripped.  He turned it off.  To which I asked him to go check the area if lights were off.  He confirmed it.

Once everything was safe, I got on the ladder and he got on the table so he could see the outlet.  I showed him the drawings of what was going to happen.  After the cover was off, i showed him the Black, White and Green wires and explained what they were and for.  We talked about lighting and how it goes to the ground.  I showed him the safety caps on why they were there.

As we worked on it he was getting it.  Spending about three hours today working through all the projects we got them knocked out.  Couple with the work during the summer and some delay, Elliot earned his Handyman Webelos Activity Pin.  Could he have completed it in the two weeks as described.  Sure.  But we started this in the summer, so I really did not want him to complete it all during that time.  I just made mental notes as to what he has done as well as logging them in Packbadges on my iPhone.

I did review with him what he had learned and asked specific questions for the Know, Comment & Practice part, just so he could tell me.

 

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Cubscout STEM Science Beltloop Day

The Cascade Pacific Council put on it’s first STEM based event that was aimed at the Cubscout Units.   While it was not touted as a STEM based event online, after talking to both the Scout Executive and Program Direction, who were there, they gave me the full low down on STEM within the Council.  Needles, I am very very happy.  The group who put on the session (morning & afternoon) are from Mad Science company.  I have seen them at the Program & Training Conferences before and liked them.  This is my first real experince in using them.

The Cubscouts were able to go through the day and earn the Science Beltloop and Pin.  With the opening segment, everyone earned the Beltloop.  The rest of the day was spent on the Pin sections.

1. Use these simple machines to accomplish tasks: lever, pulley, wheel-and-axle, wedge, inclined plane, and screw.
2. Learn about solids, liquids, and gases using just water. Freeze water until it turns into ice. Then, with an adult, heat the ice until it turns back into a liquid and eventually boils and becomes a gas.
3. Build models of two atoms and two molecules, using plastic foam balls or other objects.
4. Make a collection of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks and label them.
5. Learn about a creature that lives in the ocean. Share what you have learned with your den or family.

There were 5 different sessions that were 45 minutes each.  Each session was led by a Professor.  Each one had a great lesson and explanation of what was happening and what the Cubscouts should do.  Our Pack had four Cubscouts attending.  We were put together with other Packs which is just fine.   The parents basically followed the boys around from station to station and helped as needed.  The great thing about this is, that it was seasoned professionals who put this on.  It was not Scouts teaching Scouts.  Which, is not to say it’s a bad thing, it just that sometimes at camps it can be lacking and distracting.  This was not camp

The opening segment was great.  Madame Chaos rocked the show.  She got the Cubscouts in the right frame of mind and kept their attention.  (I silently want that power at Pack Meetings!).  The one great trick that made me learn something was about Bernoulli’s principle .  She did it with a Leaf Blower, Plunger & a roll of Toliet Paper.  It rocked.  Everyone howled!  Guess, what I am going to use…;)

The two Moms who came to the event had nothing but glowing reports on how much they liked it.  They thought it was perfect in getting the boys involved and showing them how to do science.  Both understand how much planning and prep it takes to put things on, since they both volunteer at the school.  They would both like to see more of these things put on.

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Webelos Fitness Activity Pin

At this week’s Tree Scout Den Meeting, the Scouts will be going over the Fitness Activity Pin.  You can read the requirements within the link provided.  After looking it over, you can see that with a hearty discussion after reading of some material and a week of writing down what they eat, the Webelos Scout can work through this with ease.

However, we ran into a snag here at the house.  It’s a combination of things.  First, no one really did the home work for recording of the meals.  No big thing, We can do it this week and submit when complete.  At the beginning of the year, Elliot, myself and my wife did sit down with him and talked about YPT and what to do.  We also talked about it briefly again tonight.  But here is the sticking point.

The Planning of the Meals.  The wording is : “With a parent or other family member, plan a week of meals.”  So, my son was really wanting to do something else other than Scout stuff tonight.  He argued about it for 10 minutes.  It was basically the same amount of time we took in talking about some of the points.  We still need to do more.  He really wanted to play video games and watch TV than this.   My wife chimed in that I was going to be away all week for work, so why should he plan the meals if I was not going to be home to cook them.  She also asked if there were other things he could do to earn the pin.

She’s not a Scouter and has no real desire to know the way Scouting works.  I don’t blame her.  So, I had to explain a few things.  In Cubscouts, it’s Parent led/reminded to the Cubscout.  More as a Tiger, but less than as a Webelos.  In Boy Scouts it’s all up to the Scout.  With very minor reminding from the parents.  Her response was, well you wait till the last night before a Den meeting.  Well, yes, in some cases.  But, we had not done anything on a Pin for awhile, so I was getting him going on this.  He had to also do a chore list, which she did with Elliot at the last Den Meeting and turned it in.  I was not aware that they did that.

I explained that Elliot wanted to do it next week, but that was not possible.  He needed to start now for the week of recording the information.  Also, there are no changes within requirements due to the specific rules within the BSA.  No, I did not quote the Advancement Guide verbatim.   What I did explain is that the word PLAN is in the wording and not “PLAN & COOK” a week of meals.  I explained that all he has to do is plan what he would like to eat and then explain the ramifications of those means as they pertain to being healthy.

What Elliot has to do is write down what he eats.  Which is really easy.  toast/oat meal/cereal for morning.  School Lunch (copy from lunch calendar) snack of Nugo bar and then either mac n cheese, pizza, hamburger or something really good for you from mom.  My wife asked why is all this really needed.  I explained that this is one of the required pins for the boys to do to get the Webelos Badge.  It’s to help show them what is good to eat and what is not good to eat.  It’s to help let them understand healthy choices are needed.  If you follow my other Blog about my weight loss, you will know how important it is.

So, this week while I am gone, Elliot will be tracking his food.  I will call and remind him as need.  Big thing is that at the end of the week, he will get it completed and will get the pin.  This will bring to a close all the Pins he is required to earn for the Webelos Badge.

This issue brought to light that, I need to explain better why and what Pins are for Elliot to my wife when she asks.  It’s a good reminder as well to explain them to parents if they have questions.  Not everyone GETS the Scouting program and why the requirements are the requirements.

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Cubscout Knots revisted

  So, I got a response awhile ago from the Boy Scouts of America’s National Office about my Cubscout Knot email that I sent them.  I also posted this question in a Linkedin Forum and got a lot great feedback/history as to why this is happening.  It’s all very good.  Main thing is that my voice was heard at National and explained in great terms.  I know that there are reasons behind this and it’s good that a panel of Scouter’s thought about it.  Here is the reply from National.

I am not identifying the person who sent it, since I don’t want to have his inbox flooded

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The awards committee took a look at all of the awards in the BSA. There was nearly a year of discussion (and a lot of angst) over this. I am a Cub Scouter and served in the Cub Scout division in the early days of the knots, but the conversation made sense even to me. Let me share some of the thoughts. Not in an attempt to convince you, but to give you some of the key thoughts that led to the decision by our committees. And keep in mind, the awards are not going away, just the separate knots.

• The Scouter’s Key is one of the oldest and most prestigious adult training/performance awards in the BSA. For the last 25 years Cubmasters have been the only top leaders excluded from earning that award and knot. It was felt that they should.

• There are more den leaders than any position other than unit committee, the den leader knot is one of the oldest knots, and arguably, along with Scoutmasters, den leaders are the most important position in Scouting. So that knot was retained. However, except in councils with a large military presence, active den leaders and pack committee members told us that the knots are not an incentive. The certificate however and public recognition are! (Many of the Den Leader and Cub Scouter knots are “earned” by former Cub Scout leaders, not current leaders.)

• There are some (including me), but only a few Cubmasters become Scoutmasters. While the majority of Tiger Cub den leaders do serve as Wolf and Bear den leaders, a minority of Cub Scout den leaders become Webelos den leaders. Most people will only earn one Scouter’s Key and one Den Leader Award.

• Very few Cub Scouter and Pack Trainer knots are awarded each year.

• The awards and uniform committee recommends that Scouters wear, at the most, two or three rows of knots. They have not formally restricted it to that because there is a group to whom knots are important. But for those that do follow that recommendation, with the use of devices they can wear the recognition for more earned awards. In reality most Scouters do not wear the devices. They are there for the group that wants to.

• The decision was made that Scouters that have earned the Cub Scouting knots in the past will continue to be able to wear them. It will be moving forward that the old knots will not be presented for those awards.

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Magness Tree Farm, Tree Scouts & Forester Pin

  Saturday was the Tree Scout’s (Webelos I) Den outing to the World Forestry’s Magness Tree Farm.  It is not on Council property, but is highly used by Scouts as a learning center.  The Tree Scouts were off to earn their Webelos Forestery Activity Pin.  While the Tree Scouts have a few items to review at the next Den Meeting, all the Tree Scouts who showed up will earn it.

This outing was actually run incredibly well.  Our Host, Bill Wood a 30 year veteran of Weyerhaeuser really knew his stuff.  I won’t say like the back of his hand.  Since you could not fit all the knowledge he had on there.  Bill really showed his passion about his subject, but also teaching Scouts and others.  Apparently he was a Scout Master from years ago and has given this talk 120 times in the past 10 years for the Forester Pin.  The Tree Farm also plays hosts to Colleges an Universities from around the world to which he gives lectures too.  So, it was a great honor to have him teach the Tree Scouts.

The Tree Scouts were kept on task for 90 minutes in total.  They were constantly being quizzed about Pine, Cedar, Noble Fir, Doug Fir and so many more.  They got quizzed on Oak Leaves, White Snow Berries, Native Black Raspberries, Ferns and so much more that I cannot remember. (Adults don’t earn the Pin, so I am safe.)  Bill went into what bark was used for what, what ferns were used for what, how Native American’s used the berries, how they tasted and what not to eat.  I am lucky that the Webelos Den Leader took a ream of notes on what was being said.  I suspect he will be using it for the Den Meeting to go over what tree was what.

The one fern that Bill pointed out which stands out to me, is the Licorice Fern that is on the side of this tree.  He explained that in all his travels to every jungle in the world, that we have plants that can cure many things.  This one can cure AIDS.  He explained that we don’t need to go all over the world to find cures, that it’s all in our backyard.  That really stuck with me.

The other thing he pointed out is that the Native American’s would use this root to boil it for a Tea.  He pulled a tiny bit, and showed us what it was.  He then gave it to our Webelos Den Leader to let us do it later.  He explained to the Tree Scouts, that if you do not know what your picking, don’t eat it.  If you do, wash it very well since most things are lower than a Dog’s body. (hint hint)  Everyone chuckled.

During our 90 min trek we came to a section of the forrest that had been harvested and replanted.  We were shown photos from 1980, 83, 90 & 2000 during plantings.  What was explained is that trees can grow fast.  If you pack a forest with trees close together, they grow slower.  If you thin them out and plant sparsely or even stagger the types you plant, they can grow fast in 50 years for harvesting again.

In the classroom session, Bill explained how much water, oxygen, wood is used by the trees and people.  it’s highly astounding to what is being used by a population and what goes to waste and how Trees play a huge role in our everyday lives.  In this photo, to the left is a young forest, but growing fast.  The right hand side (which you really cannot see) is densely packed.  Both are the same age.  The latter is smaller.

To me, that information Bill gave us is huge.  I learned a lot and actually helped re-think clear cutting.

So, after the hike, the Tree Scouts got together at a campsite to learn how to make a fire.  In the campfire bowl they were at, Bill explained that it was one of 39 Eagle Scout projects that the Tree Farm has had done.  As the Tree Scouts went over the process of learning TeePee, Lodge, or Lean-To fire building they made hot dogs and had lunch.  The Scouts were asked what kind of fire would be good and voted on which one to make. (Boy Led…kinda there.)

One great thing that we saw and learned is that all the Campfire Bowls, Cabins and Kitchen are rentable for $200 a night.   That got a few of us Committee Members thinking…let’s do a Pack Campout here.  We are also thinking about having the Tree Scouts Arrow of Light/Crossover here in 2013.  There was a Troop camped in the cabins the night before and were using their time for Troop Leadership Training.

Overall, a great outing for a Saturday.  Everyone learned something and had a great time.

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