I got this from Clarke Green’s website. In this article he talks about Disposable Propane Cylinders.
Again, as always, Clarke hits the nail on the head. Also, while I knew about the Solo Stove, I really liked his article about it. Clarke also blogs/talks about many other Scout related subjects.
If you do not know anything about Clarke Green’s website or Podcast (also on iTunes) and your in Scouting (no matter what part of the Global) it’s a good read and listen.
Scouting’s Leave No Trace program does help teach youth and adults about how to reduce your carbon footprint. We just need to keep it going so others can enjoy nature.
This weekend five of the now ten Webelos II Scouts called “Tree Scouts” went for an overnight at the Butte Creek Scout Ranch in Cascade Pacific Council. The goal was to work on the Outdoorsman requirements. During the years summercamp at Adventure Cove some requirements were met.
Our fearless Webelos II Den Leader worked out the planning for the overnight at Butte Creek and also the four-hour Horse ride. We were able to camp in the Adirondacks for free. This is due to our Pack attaining the Friends of Scouting goal for 2012. We get free camping on the non-summer time days. During my time within the Pack, we only have made FOS twice. Attaining FOS within a Pack is a hard thing to quantify to the Parents. This is just one way to make it real.
The main plan of attack was to get on site, setup and have fun. Once on site and bunks were scouted out and figured who is sleeping where, we went exploring. We knew the area since we were there the summer of 2011. We could not go into the main area since two other districts combined for a Webelos Woods. We caught the tail end and recognized a few Scouters from this summer.
Off we went back to the Campsite with a stop at the river. Rock throwing 101 and Exploring 101 was had.
Back at Camp we reviewed all the different types of Fire. As well as: Discuss with your Webelos den leader the rules of outdoor fire safety. Using these rules, show how to build a safe fire and put it out.
We also talked about: With your accompanying adult on a campout or outdoor activity, aid in preparing, cooking, and cleanup for one of your den’s meals. Tell why it is important for each den member to share in meal preparation and cleanup, and explain the importance of eating together. The Scouts actually cooked hot dogs for dinner and then Pancakes/sausages for breakfast.
After breakfast we talked about: discuss how to follow the Leave No Trace Frontcountry Guidelines during outdoor activities. Which, we always talk about Leave No Trace as well as practice it.
The other reason we came to Butte Creek for a Horse Ride. The Scouts did a 15-20 minute ride in 2011 as part of came. We liked it so much, we came back for more. This time the Adults got to ride. Again, because of Friends of Scouting we got a reduced rate. ( I believe that’s the case.)
The wranglers are totally awesome. Eric, the Head Wrangler, Emily, Tim, Randy and Austin accompanied us for the half day trek. Eric, Tim and Austin came to the campsite the day & night before to check in on us. Time and Austin came back later during the evening to talk and hang out. Fun stories. We offered them Hot Dogs and Smores. Smores were the hit.
As Eric walked everything through how to act around horses, how to mount & dismount we all listened intently. It was the basic’s of Summercamp all over again, but it was more relaxed and more information was handed out. Plus it was WAY COOLER than a HOT JULY Day!
All all got our steeds and mounted up. These horses were the ones that went up to Camp Baldwin and were amazing. They really just walked with the other horses since they knew what was going on. The were gentle and responded easily.
The trek itself was about 4-5 miles long. We got to see a lot of ground that you just do not get to see if your there for Summer Camp. It took me awhile to get used to the horse, only because I could not get my left foot in the stirrup all the way. However, after one really good Trot, it slid into place. Oh, and the giblets did too. Go with the flow, don’t fight the horse and give him/her praise.
The ride was over faster than we all wanted it to be. All the Scouts had a lot of fun. Chattering the whole way. They were naturals when they got back. During the break Eric did go into more detail about the West/East Bound Trek to/from Baldwin. It’s an amazing trek. One of the Scouts said that he really wants to do it when he’s 13. He is the same Scout that said he wanted to go to Camp Meriwether next year for Scout Camp.
If you want to expand your program, create retention and have fun….go to Butte Creek. If you’re a Pack, this is what FOS can help you with. If you’re in another Council, look for things to do outside the norm. That is what makes the journey in Scouting memorable.
I also found one more reason that Friends of Scouting helps provides people jobs. Butte Creek is a working Ranch. There are some people on the Ranch who are still Scouts. They are there also to learn a trade. Friends of Scouting helps with this. We paid into FOS and got the free camping. But, it also provided for others to help us have a great weekend.
Today was Jamboree on the Trail. It’s technically my first time. Last year I was at Gilwell Field as a Troop Guide, so maybe I was on the trail? I put JOTT on the Pack Calendar and incorporated it as part of my Cubmaster Hike. This was the second in a six part set of hikes. Today we went to Elk Rock Island. Non of the people on the trail within the Pack had ever been there. The land bridge that was supposed to be there, was under water. We could have gone swimming, but I had no idea about the currents or what it was like. Hence, we did not. The adults could have walked on the bottom of the river bed, but the water would have been up to our armpits. Plus, it was VERY COLD. Many of the people with us elected to wade in other areas and explore.
We did see several Osprey’s and a Bald Eagle. As we were hiking in, we saw a lot of garbage, which we all picked up some of it on our way out. We also went over the Cubscout Leave No Trace ideals again. The Scouts and Parents did well. It was shorter than I had really planned, but we did talk about the volcano & lava flows that we were on as well as the island itself.
Main thing is that we got out into an area that no one had ever heard of before and had a good time.
Jamboree on the Trail is this May 12th. It’s the day before Mother’s Day. It is also an unofficial International Scouting event. As with all things Cool, it started up in Canada and progressed around the world. For the past several years I have tried to make this event happen for the Pack. Last year, I was at Gilwell Field for Woodbadge 2011. The year before just did not happen since I forgot.
This year, I put it on the calendar and made it happen through the Cubmaster Hike program that I started. The first hike was great. The Elk Rock Island hike will be on the Willamette River in Portland, OR. With the description of “The island represents part of an ancient volcano that erupted about 40 million years ago. The large, jagged rocks (Waverly Heights basalt) found throughout the island were formed by lava flows, and may be the oldest exposed rock in the Portland area. The island contains seven distinct habitats, including wetlands, forests and grasslands.” I figured that this hike will be very cool. What boy wouldn’t want to hike on a volcano and lava flow!
So, what does Jamboree on the Trail or even just getting outside for a hike really do? First, it gets everyone OUTSIDE into Nature, in a place that you might not have gone to before! It’s different. This gets back to the book “The Nature Principle” by Richard Louv. Through that book and websites, this program of Cubmaster Hikes is helping me get myself outside as well as my family. Again, I go over Leave No Trace principle and get to point out plants, animals and other objects that the boys might not know about.
What else does this do for your Cubscout program? It could count for a Hiking Beltloop, Cubscout Outdoor Activity, Naturalist Activity Pin, Geologist Pin or Beltloop, the Leave No Trace award, Geology, Geography beltloops and many more. Another item that this will help with is the Journey to Excellence for your unit. If you offer a quality program, for your Unit, it will keep Scouts, and attract others to it.
So, go out and have fun. Find a place that you have not gone to, or a place that is your favorite and invite the Den or Pack to come along.
Saturday afternoon (April 21st) was our first Cubmaster Hike. I selected the Wood Memorial Park as our hike for several reasons. First, it’s very close to the school. It is actually right next to the SW Community Center & Gabriel Park. Secondly, it’s an easy hike. Nothing like climbing Mt Hood or Everest. My goal was to get everyone out for awhile into a place that they have not been to before.
I had eight Scouts show up five other siblings and seven parents. not counting myself. Awesome!
With any Scout outing we needed to go over a few things. I went over the Cubscout Leave No Trace items, asking the Scouts what they are. They are slightly different from the normal LNT. I wanted them to think about LNT and being out in nature. We did talk about what Respect meant. Knowing that they would be loud and running as boys normally do.
I also talked about some of the trees and plants that were there. Mind you I am not an expert, but I did. I pointed out the Pine tree, Red Cedar Tree and the English Ivy and a bunch of ferns. We talked what an Invasive Species is and what we can do. We had a couple of Girl Scouts with us as well, and they were very helpful.
There were several fallen logs over a stream and even over our heads. We talked about what might be living in them. Why they fell, how they fell and if no one was in the forest did it make a noise?
While at the Stream area, we talked about the trail work that was being done and why. We talked about erosion and what it really is. I explained that the fences that were up were really for the people to keep out of the area so plants would grow. Some Scouts thought it was to keep the plants off the trail.
As we hiked towards the end, there was a fork in the road. All the Scouts took it immediatly. I asked why are they taking it? They said because it’s there and it goes back to the cars. I asked if they knew that. They did not. I said, that it looks like the other way does. So we continued.
As we went the other way and up a nice size hill, I reminded them that they needed to make sure that everyone was with us. We stopped at the top and looked where we were.. That is when I pulled out my iPhone and looked at the Map that I had downloaded. I asked the Scouts if they knew where we were. They said that they were close to the cars cause they could see the houses. Which, actually we were on the complete opposite side of the park.
I showed them the map and explained where we were. Explained that we needed to go back to the fork in the road and take it! (I remember a Yogi saying that once!)
As we got to the Fork and took, it we got to the road that we needed to take to the cars. It looked very similar to where we all parked. It confused the Scouts. They said that there was still a lot to walk since they realized it was not the same area.
Good, they thinking about where they were. They had the idea of Planning Ahead.
Overall, it was a great day. 70 degrees and warm. The day before was RAIN and Cold!
This hike served several purposes. We got out and connected to Nature. We thought about Leave No Trace, thought about planning, learned about erosion and learned about an area that we had not been to yet.
I have been thinking for awhile about how to put the OUT in Scouting. Many of my Cubmaster brethern throughout the land have hiking clubs. As the person who gets to set the tone and program of the Pack, I have decided that I will host a Cubmaster Hike. It’s independent of any Pack or Den Meeting. It’s up to anyone who wants to come, come. We will always practice YPT, Leave No Trace and be on the lookout for cool nature stuff.
I am not a subject matter expert on nature or animals. So, we will all learn as we go. Yes, I will study up on the area and present facts as I can. However, I am hoping that there are parents and scouts that can help point this out. My main goal is to get us OUT.
This stems (no pun intended) in my recent post on the Nature Deficit Child post. I have also started on thinking on how to incorporate STEM into the Pack Meetings. Later on this.
Because of this, I have worked up a Cubmaster Hike within the Portland Metro Area. Our second hike will be on May 12th, which is the Jamboree on the Trail day.
I hope that you can take this information and ideas and create your own program within your Pack.
Today is the national release of “The Lorax” and it’s a great movie. If you have been hiding under a stump or rock, it’s a book from Dr. Seuss. Who is supposed to be 108 today.
I won’t ruin the movie or book for you, you should read it you know you should. Would you could you? In a box with a fox? In a boat with a goat?
Ok, I will stop.
The main theme of The Lorax is one of Leave No Trace (er, making sure there is a Trace…) As Scouts and Scouter’s the Leave No Trace theme is one that we know very well. I spent the movie thinking of how to incorporate it with Scouting. Yes, I actually thought of a large orange suit and mustache.
Without going through a tit for tat of how The Lorax and Leave No Trace works together, I was struck by the movies last frame before the credits.
I had to come home and Google it.
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
If you want to change something, it’s going to have to start with you or it will never happen. Go out and make a difference, no matter how small. I see it all the time in the people I am around. I just have to figure out how I can do it too.
In the world of Cubscout advancement it’s led by the Adult Scouters and not so much the Scouts. Yes, the Scouts can tell you what they want to work on, but generally it’s the Adult Scouters that do all the planning.
The big idea that I work to get across to my Den Leaders and Committee is that Advancement can happen with any event and multiple achievements can happen at once. So, here is my real world example that is happening right now within the Pack and the Tree Scout Den (Webelos I).
First up, the Tree Scouts. The Webelos Den Leader (WDL) is planning a lot of outings and working hard to plan everything to get the boys their Webelos Badges by March. I really like what he is up too.
The other week six out of nine Tree Scouts went to the Ape Caves and got a few items completed for the Geologist Activity Pin. In my estimation Elliot earned #6 & #8. The latter was a visit to a Geological site. Some boys earned the Geology Pin at Camp. Elliot did not want to. #8 also works for #4 of the Naturalist Pin as well. Elliot knocked that out on the first Pack Hike along with several other Webelos. But, let’s look at both. #8 of Geologist will work for #4 of Naturalist. But it won’t work the other way around. Reason being, the first is Geological and Naturist is not geared towards Geology. It’s all in the wording is what I am getting at. So, this means that the three boys that did not go to the Pack Hike or the Geological Hike will be able to get the Naturalist #4 when we go to the Forestry Center in Portland. Now, it won’t count for the Geological Pin since again, no rocks.
The good thing is the Forester & Naturalist do count for the Webelos level World Conservation Badge. With two Activity Pins complete soon, they will only need the Outdoorsman Activity Badge and do a Den/Pack conservation project. Which, the boys did at the Ape Caves. We practice Leave No Trace all the time, so every Scout and Scouter will get that done each outing. It’s just the way that is.
Elliot and another Tree Scout have already earned the WCB as Wolves. But we will note that if the others in the Den accomplish it. You cannot earn it twice in Cubscouts. They can re-earn it as Boy Scouts.
Getting the hang of it? Ok, now for the Pack Event.
As a Pack we are going Christmas Caroling. Since I drive a lot a collegue and I talk a lot on the phone. He is in Colorado Springs and his son is a Tiger. Apparently their Pack does the same thing at several retirement homes and the Adults love it. So, I suggested that for a service project. The Committee loved it.
So, for those boys who want to do it, they will learn several songs and then perform it. We were asked by the place we were going if the Boys would like to have a dessert with the Veterans Group. Of Course! They will get the dessert, but also get to hang out with guys who have served and hopefully it will rub off.
So, what will the Scouts earn for for this?
First, it’s a Service project. That counts for everyone. Second, they will earn the Music Beltloop. For the Webelos it will work for the Showman Activity Pin #15. For both the Tiger and Wolf, this might work for attending a play/musical event. Use your best judgement on that. It really should be going to see a play/musical instead of being in one. The Bears, if gifted with how to play an instrument could create a Cubscout band and perform that. Overall all the Scouts will earn the Beltloop.
Within our Council, there is a segment program so there are a few segments that would work for this event. This would be the Living Service Segment and or Civic Service. It should not be both.
So, with a bit of planning, the Scouts will earn achivements and other requirements for their rank. Yes, there should and needs to be a limit of how many things one event can cover. You do not want to award 10 things for one event. That’s not correct. The Scouts need to do the work. But the Adults need to understand that doing everything for each requirement is really not needed. It also allows for Scouts who miss out for no fault of their own to get credit for something for attending a different function. Which really means the Adults need to be on their toes at record keeping for the Scouts.
Saturday was our first Pack Hike of the 2011-2012 season. We have done this for the past three years to get us out of the Gym as soon as possible and also to use it as a get to know you for all the new scouts. While our numbers are trending to 19 new Scouts we only had four new scouts and four old scouts and my daughter show up. This included a few parents that I was able to talk too. One nice thing is that we had a Scout return for Webelos II after one year as a Wolf. We met at Tryon State Park. Here is the Friends of Tryon and the State Park websites. Both are chock full of great info.
Our Pack has at lest for the four years that I have been with them, gone to there to use it to talk about all the different requirements for all ranks. Last year the Tigers used it to earn the Leave No Trace award. I made this a Wood Badge Ticket item back in 2009 that 50-75% of the Pack would earn the LNT. Which, we did.
While the hike was there as a mixer, the boys did fulfill several requirements toward their rank and other awards.
Webelos I & II covered:
Naturalist Activity Pin #4
Bears covered:
#5 D
#12 C, D
Tigers:
#5G (Hike with Den)
Wolves:
#10 C
All Completed:
Wildlife Conservation Academic Pin: #1,7,8
Leave No Trace Award:
#1 Discuss LNT with Parent/Leader
#2 (went on one outing)
#5 Can complete if boys agree to sign Pledge.
What I found really very cool, is that the Ranger that our Events Chair had scheduled to give a talk had a trick up her sleeve that I didn’t see coming. She was incredibly passionate about Scouting. She herself is a Girl Scout and also pointed out that her brother was in Scouts as well. She also mentioned that many Eagle Scouts come to the park to find and complete Eagle Projects. However, the most impressive part of the talk was when she took out all the animal pelts and asked the boys to figure out what is what. There was a: Skunk, Mole, Fox, Beavers, Coyote, Mink, River Otter, Rabbit, Squirrel and Raccoon. They all squeeled when she brought them out, but had a great time with the identification.
Overall, it was a great first Outing for the Pack. I got to talk to many of the parents, explain a bit of the program and get interest in helping out the Dens and Committee going forward.
I have been doing what I have been doing for the past three years as Cubmaster/Recruitment guy. I like this time of year, cause I get to reinvent myself and try things differently than before. However, this year, I have fallen into a RUT. I do have the benefit of reading and following others within my Internet Roundtable on how they do Join Nights and their successes. Bad thing is that they blog about them too close to ours that I am not able to change it up. Ugh. Point in fact is Kevin Devin’s few latest postings. Here, Here, Here, and Here.
I have done some of these over the year. Business Cards were good, just have not gotten them out this time around. Each year we do do a Join Night 11×85 2011v4 flier. This one is based off our last years with new info on the back. One thing that I realized is that this layout really sucks up the INK! Ugh. Next year and for other flyers we are going to go off the BSA PPT Template. So much better.
The great thing is that our Council will print these off for us for free. It’s in Black and White, so that’s just fine. This year, I wanted Color so I did it off our Xerox Phaser 6280. Yup, I am plugging my companies product. (Something I normally do not do.) I wanted to have color on these since Color Sells! This is the first thing that Parents will see when they are sent home by the kids. However it’s pretty exspensive. Next year I am going to print Monochrome and use colored paper. That will be cheaper.
So, I have been to one Back to School night, two more are slated for after Join Night. It went well. Got a few Parents and boys interested. The flyers went out and I have heard good things. Even from my son who says that a friend is thinking of joining. Also, a few other parents who are already in the Pack will be bringing their Tiger son to join. It’s always good to have those set-ups.
After the Join Night we have a hike in a local State Park that is just down the road from us. It’s really a mixer for the families to get to know eachother, get the boys on the trail and talk about nature and Leave No Trace. One of the Committee Members got us a spot for free (usually $75, but since we are Scouts….). The Park Rangers are going to come talk about nature, trails and LNT. So, those who come, will get stuff!
So, Join Night is almost in the bag. I am excited. My next couple of topics will cover, Webelos Woods & District Training .
Finally, if your so inclined to join those who are in SCOUTNATION on Google+, please follow this link. It will get you into G+, linked with me and I will then get you hooked up with everyone else. The great thing about G+ is it allows for deeper conversations within the Circle. It’s almost the hidden conversation about Scouting.
I got this from Clarke Green’s website. In this article he talks about Disposable Propane Cylinders.
