The Traveler Activity Pin

In 60 minutes, along with teaching Elliot Google Maps and how to use Alaska Airlines Booking Tool, he has completed the Traveler Pin. He wanted to go to a Waterpark in Hayden, ID (Holiday Inn). It’s the one place he always asks to go to. We first plotted it out on Google Maps via driving. He got into a discussion about why one route was faster than the other. So, we used the little yellow guy and looked at some of the routes. Once satisfied on the shorter route (time wise) we printed it out.

Then, we thought about places to go. He focused in on past trips. Maui, a beach in Mexico (which I can;t spell), the Waterpark and to a pool in West Seattle that he learned how to go off the high dive. (See a trend here? Swimming MB here he comes.)

Once that was all done, we had to plot out a trip via railroad, bus, ferry or airline. Since I fly all the time, we went with the Alaska Airline. It turned out to be $758.80 for the trip since it was leaving tomarrow.

So, out of this, Elliot learned some planning, costing, drive time, how to use Alaska Airline Booking website and Google Maps. Not to bad for 60 minutes.

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The Webelos Beltloop co·nun·drum

There are 53 Academic and Sports Beltloops (& Pins) that can be earned by any Cub Scout during their time within the Pack.   This program is great since it helps the boys not only explore areas that they are interested in or sports that they play.  These can be earned as a Den, Pack and with the family.  Once earned, the Beltloop and/or Pin should be immediately present to the Cubscout at the next Pack meeting.  Many of these beltloops can be actually earned by completing school projects such as Art Beltloop during Art time.  Every school generally has an art class. During first grade several boys in the Den were in the school Chess club.  So, they earned the Chess Beltloop just by being in that.  Another easy one is Reading and Writing, the kids are in school to read and write, go the library and sometimes keep a journal.  Hence earning that beltloop.  For the sports side of beltloops, what kid does not know how to play Kickball?  Just like “There’s an App for that”, there is a Beltloop for that. Oh, and there is an App!  Reguardless of how athletic a Scout may or may not be, there are several sport beltloops that they can work towards.  Not everyone is into Football or Baseball.  They could be the next Dude in Bowling or a wicked Disc Golfer!
So, what’s the conundrum part?  When a Bear becomes a Webelos I then II, the whole Beltloop process starts over.  Beltloops in particular count again, but the pins do not.  It does not mean that the Beltloops previously earned go away, or don’t count anymore.  The Cubscout has earned them.  They are his.  Within Webelos, the Beltloops can be used to complete several Activity Badges.  There is the conundrum.  Actually two.  The first is, many Webelos Den Leaders are NOT aware that the Beltloops can be used for the Activity Badges.  They do.  It should be explained to both the Webelos and their Parents.  The more sticky part is really a Pack based policy.  When a Webelos re-earns a Beltloop that they got as a Tiger, Wolf or Bear should a Pack  re-buy the betloop and present it?  In our Pack, it is a no.  They already have a beltloop and has been given to them.  There is no reason to have two.  If the Webelos looses it, the parents should re-purchase it from the Scoutshop.  If every Beltloop was earned, that would roughly be $80.  No kid has a belt that large to wear them all.  I would encourage the Webelos Scout to push further and earn the Pin and award the Pin with an explanation during the awarding that they re-earned it, got the pin and it counts towards whatever Activtity Badge it works for.  I would get a policy in place about earning Beltloops a second time and explain it to the Webelos and Parents.  That will stop hurt feelings before they happen.

So, what Activity Badge would work with a Beltloop.  Let’s look at the Aquanaut Activity Badge.   While it is in the Physical Class in Webelos, it is not a required Activity Badge as Fitness & Citizen for the Webelos Badge.  It is also not required for the Arrow of Light Badge either.  The Webelos Badge does not allow for two Physical Activity Badges, but it can be used for Arrow of Light. The Aquanaut is very attainable and is linked to the Swimming requirement in Boy Scouts.  So, it’s well worth the time and effort to complete it as a Webelos.  The Beltloop that goes along with it is…any guesses?  Yes, Swimming.  My son, Elliot, earned it and the Pin while in Maui in Feburary 2011.  Ok, he actually finished it with going SNUBA off the beach and in the pool.  SNUBA was the icing on the cake, since he worked up to it.  It was the reward actually.  Elliot is a fantastic swimmer and loves to snorkel in every pool he can find.  Looking at the Aquanaut Badge under requirement 8, you can earn the Swimming Beltloop to complete one of the three other requirements.  If you look at the requirements of Swimming,  it’s like looking at the prerequisite for Aquanaut.  There is also a Swimming Merit Badge and it’s required for the First Class rank in Boy Scouts.

By taking a look at the Beltloops and the Activity Badges, you will find that there is a purpose to them being offered.  If you work with the program and incorporate all aspects the boys will get more involved in the Webelos program, get excited about earning Webelos Bling, and really be ready for the Boy Scout Troop and the requirements needed to get to Second & First Class and beyond.

Swimming is a vital skill in life.  Most of us take it for granted, but it’s also a great source of fun! I should know, I almost drown in a neighbors pool when I was 8 or 9.  I freaked out cause I was not a good swimmer back then after diving off the diving board.  No one jumped in after me, but I spluttered to the side.  All the adults just stood there screaming at me to swim.  I figured that they might have just given me a drink since that was what I was trying to do.

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SCUBA XVIII of C #100daysofscouting

One thing leads to another.  Generally in life.  While on Maui my son Elliot and daughter Rachel swam and snorkled all over the place.  In pools and Pacific Ocean.  It was great.  Rachel is more secure in a pool than the Ocean.  If she cannot touch the bottom, it freaks her out.  No problem. I completely understand.

While on Maui, we discovered Snuba.  It’s like Scuba, but the tank is on a raft with a 15 foot airhose that is strapped to you.  Elliot and I tried it in the pool and dug it.  I signed us both up for a session a few days later.  Both looking forward to it.  Suffice to say, we went had a good time.  Elliot did get very cold, stuck it out for 20 minutes but needed to come in.  He did his best.   I used that Snuba session to do the final sign-off for both his Swimming Beltloop and Pin.

Fast forward to a few days ago when he was reading the January copy of Boys Life.  As he is reading it he comes across what he thinks is a Snuba patch that he can get.  So, I read it.  I explain to him that it is the Scuba Merit Badge.   I explain that to earn this, that he has to be a BOY SCOUT.  He gets grumpy with me.  Meaning, he wants to earn it NOW!  I explain that once he becomes a Boy Scout after Webelos II that he can earn it.  He gets happier.  I explain to him that if he wants, it can be the first Merit Badge he starts to earn as a Boy Scout.  By the end of this three minute exchange, he is happy and motivated.

I think that I know my son.  I know that he loves to swim.  He loves water.  He also loves geology and fish.  He loves science.  His sister generally follows along with swimming and fish as well.  However, Elliot REALLY enjoys it. So, there is a Scuba School next to our house.  After some googling on the BSA Website and looking for schools I come to realize that this would be a good activity for him to do.  The Scouter in me realizes that there are many requirements and awards that he can get within Scouting.  But the real advantage is, he will be doing something he loves to do and learn at the same time.

I suspect he will end up going to the High Adventure Base in Florida someday.

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Fresh outlook

For the past week I have been in Maui with my family.  Trying to take a break from “Life” as I know it and be just with them.  Most of the time here I really did not think about YOU all.  Yes, I did tweet & Facebook a bit.  I did not think about work, though I did check email on Friday. I held out as long as I could.  I did think about Scouting.  However, by in large, I was here with my family.  Swimming, snorkeling, and sight seeing.

I know that I have an addiction to the Internet/Twitter/Facebook.   My main addiction is to my family.   What I realized this week, is that family time is family time and it’s precious.  I know that Elliot and Rachel will remember a lot about Maui and what they did.

By the time you are reading this, we should be in the air on our way home to Portland.  It’s my hope to spend a lot more quality time with them even though I travel a lot.

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Taking family time

I spend a lot of time on the road for work.  I also spend a lot of time doing Scout stuff.   All of it can really stress out what people can take for granted. Family.  While Scouting is there to help the boys and girls get the full positive out of life, the Scouter really needs to understand that Family comes first.

Boy Scout & Cub Scouts is family oriented.  Family is key.  Whatever your reason for getting into Scouting, the core value is FAMILY.

Take time for Family.  Do not volunteer for the next thing.  Your Unit CAN Live without you.  The District will not fall if your not there.  Units and Scouters need to “Be Prepared” for when your not there.  Your family comes first.

While you might get Color Guard at your Funeral…it’s a Funeral.

While, I am not saying that I am leaving or starting to turn down my involement within Scouting…I am off in Maui with my Family.  Doing family stuff.

Am I mindful of things that my Son can accomplish while out here. Yes.  But, it’s not the first thing on my mine.  Am I going to visit the Scout Shop and Council. Yup! I sure am.

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