Adult Training & Key Knots 2012

In several past post‘s I have talked about Knots that are either awarded or earned by an Adult Volunteer.   I also wrote an email to the BSA directly about their changing of the knots.   I got a tad grumpy about it.

In the past couple of weeks this Summer, the BSA has now come out with all the requirements for the Training Awards for Adult Leaders in Units.

(This link will take you to the page, so just scroll down to the section.)

Change happens and you have to move on.  I am over being grumpy.  I now have two vintage knots on my shirt.  Yes, I bought a few extra so I have them.

Here is what I like about the new progress reports.  They are all in the same direction.  So, the Den Leader Training Award document is used by the Tiger, Wolf, Bear & Webelos Den Leaders.  After the first time it is awarded, the DL will get a device signifying it is earned again.  My only issue with the form is that under the Training section it calls for “This is Scouting” to be taken.  Not a huge issue, but the BSA has recently stated that course is no longer needed to be considered “TRAINED”.  I would say, that if your new to being an Adult Scouter in a Pack, you should take it.  It’s 30 minutes.

The Cubscouter Knot is now the Scouter’s Training Award.  Again, it’s similar to the Cubscouter Knot requirements.  I do like how it ties in the Journey to Excellence program.  I am on track now to get the Cubscouter Knot.  (Again it will be a vintage knot by the time I earn it.)

The Cubmaster Knot as well is no longer.  It is now called the Cubmaster Key.  It is the same as the Scoutmaster’s Key.  Again it make sense in the plan.  My only gripe is the three years of tenure compared to the two.  One year as an Assistant Cubmaster still counts.  However, the Tenure section gets in line with the requirements of being a Scoutmaster.  Which once you start thinking about it, makes sense.  Just forces Pack Committees to work the recruiting for Leaders on the burner than the back burner.

I have linked to the BSA Website for the physical PDF Progress Records on this site.  I will say that as of this posting (7/2/2012) all sites outside of Scouting.org are out of date.  Please refer to Scouting.org for the most complete set of information.  I know that the US Scouting Service Project‘s website will be getting an overhaul at some point.  Please use that site outside of Scouting.org.  I use USSSP’s site as well as the BSA Training Update site to find a lot of information.  The latter for updates from the BSA.  The BSA Training Team has a Facebook Page as well.  They are a great source of information.  Plus they do answer questions quickly.  They are friendly!

So, download the forms.  Start working on them.  Since my CubScouter Knot was already in progress, I will be using that form.  I will say that when I became the Cubmaster for Pack 221, I looked at what I needed to do and know.  I found the Cubmaster Knot.  I knew I wanted it.  I quickly realized that I needed to do several things to earn it.   I got a Unit Commissioner, earned the Quality Unit Award twice, Summertime Pack Activity Award and took the training.  All of these other awards made me create fun for the Pack.  It helped me make the Pack a lot better.  Knots are good.

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Get those KNOTS!

This just in from BSA National:

Awards and Knots

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Cub Scouter Knot

  My next knot officially started on April 9th 2011, after I attained the Cub Master knot.   To me, it’s actually the continuation of being Cub Master.  Besides the training, the Cub Scouter knot actually has more items to complete than Cub Master.  Cub Master however is more public.  As Cub Master I will continue to do my job.  I recognize and realize that being in this position it is very easy for me to attain this knot.  However, for some Committee Members & Den Leaders some of these points might be harder than others.  That is the key to this knot and others is stretching yourself to get the end result. Yike…that means that I am not stretching myself.  While true in some sense, the way I am viewing it, is I am making the Pack Go.  Some of it comes easy, others it is a stretch. Either way you look at it, knots provide a path to completion.  Working the requirements will help the Pack attain certain goals and provide that activities are actually happening.

One great thing about this knot, is if you have a Den Leader who is not able to attend Roundtables or Pow-wow, but is doing everything else, then it’s a great way to reward them.  Hence the fact, that I can as Cub Master officially recognize a Den Leader and Committee Member who helps out officially.

Cub Scouter Knot items san Training Requirement:

Performance
Do five of the following:
Assist in planning a pack program that results in advancement in rank by a minimum of 50 percent of pack members each year. (I do this when Planning the Year. This year we are doing it as a Pack Committee)
Serve as an adult leader related to a pack that earns the national Quality Unit Award. (Been doing that for two years now.  Will be the same for JTE)
Serve as leader of a blue and gold dinner, pinewood derby, space derby, raingutter regatta, field day, picnic or other Cub Scout pack activity.  (Yeah, that’s me.  But I will claim Summer Time Pack Award planning)
Give leadership to a promotional effort that results in at least 60 percent of pack families subscribing to Boys’ Life magazine. (Pack Committee choice to just include fee in Scout Fee for the year.)
Develop or update a Tiger Cub or Cub Scout den activity book listing local places to go, things to do, costs, distances, etc., for the five Tiger Cub areas, or for at least 12 Cub Scout themes. (Um….outside of forwarding the 2010 Den Themes to Den Leaders, I will coach them.  But this really is a Wood Badge ticket item and I will guide them.  )
Give leadership to planning and conducting a pack service project. (Duh….it’s what I do)
Organize participation of a pack in the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program. (I gave a whole Pack Meeting about this.  Plus I do talk about it all the time.)
Help conduct two annual pack Friends of Scouting campaigns. (Did that for two years…..will “talk about it” each year.)
Serve as a leader for members of your pack attending a Cub Scout day camp or resident camp. (Third Year in a Row…;)

Cub Master Knot:

Performance
As a Cubmaster or assistant Cubmaster in a pack, earn the national Quality Unit Award at least twice.
Earn the National Summertime Pack Award at least once.
Plan and conduct pack meetings during each year registered as Cubmaster.

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What not to do about Knots

I learned something this past week about Den Leader Knots and made friends with a Scouter on the opposite coast as I.  I first wrote about Den Leader Knots in this post.

(These are not my knots. I googled and found them.)

I am on Linkedin and a member of several Boy Scout Discussion group.  The week of Thanksgiving I spent time making my points know in these forums and also on PTCMEDIA.net.   I had an idea of how Den Leader Knots worked.  You follow the requirements and submit the paperwork.  My education via this forum, PTCMEDIA and my twitter account was incredible.

Two administrative items that I learned are: Assistant Den Leaders cannot earn the Den Leader Knot, Tiger Den Leader or Webelos Den Leader Knots.  The person needs to be the DEN LEADER and also registered AS the Den Leader on the charter.  One way around this that I learned not via Linkedin is register them as a Den Leader on the Charter.  One person on PTCMEDIA asked why do people have Assistants, they should be fully involed within the Den.  I agreed.  I describe the people who are Leaders in our Unit as co-Den Leaders and not assistant.

But it did not stop there.  From the forum posts, I found a Scouter who helped me understand how Knots are earned and the spirit that they are earned in.  Just like Scouts earning their advancement in rank and other awards, Scouters need to do the same.  There is not an overlap or two-fer for them.  Meaning, one event cannot count as two.  Also, to avoid confusion, records should be kept and questions asked by those who would authorize/sign-off on the Award.  This was learned when I asked about the International Scouter Award.  This award is something that I have decided to work towards.  It will take atleast six or so years to complete due to all the requirements.  Which, once earned will only allow people to ask how I got it .  That will allow me to help others understand another side of Scouting and what fun can be had.

The main thing about Knots, is they are to be earned correctly. They are not to be given out as awards or as service.  I know some units/people do this since most knots can be bought through the Scout Shop without paperwork.  That action does a disservice to both the person and the knot.  A Scout is Honest.

Also, learning about Knots, I was able to make another connection through Scouting that has enabled me to understand more about how Scouting should work.  This is in the spirit of the Cubscout Promise and Law of the Pack.

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