So, I met this guy Arlen on the Internet one day. Apparently he’s kinda smart. He’s a Scouter, a Wood Badger (Beaver too) and a Cubmaster. I also figured out that if I had not been a Troop Guide this Spring, I would have met him and his family at Philmont during the “Strictly for Cubmaster” class. Sounds creepy that all of this is similar.
Through the #100daysofscouting I got to know him a lot better. So much so, that I realized that he is really smart. Anyone who tweets that he just had five patents accepted is way smart! I just got five ticket items approved two years ago and I thought I was doing pretty good!
So, let’s take a look at his blog. First, there is the disclaimer. Now, my blog has one since I might use logos from the BSA and other places and I don’t want a letter from anyone telling me to stop. Mine is pretty generic. I got it from Scoutmaster Jerry. Now look at Arlen’s Disclaimer. Again, I am not so smart.
In reading his tweets and posts I realize that this guy is educating me about trying other stuff within the Cubscout Pack. He is really doing it right. He is engaging the boys. Building things that throw awards to the boys (no baggies there!), Game Shows the list goes on. But then up comes The Easy Button post. It’s a bit about Scout Sunday and how life isn’t meant to be easy. It’s about taking the hard choices to help you learn. He even quotes Mike Rowe’s speech from the 2010 Jamboree. (You’ve heard it. If you haven’t then your not in Scouting. So go Google it and come back.) Arlen also quotes another friend of mine Phil’s post about taking it easy. (Please read both posts/blogs by this point. Stop now if you need to.)
Ok, so taking it Easy is not supposed to be Easy. Scouting to me is helping boys to confront what they do not know, what they find hard/difficult and overcome it. We as Scouters (and Dad, Husbands, Brothers and Moms, Wives, Etc) need to do this in our lives as well. It does not take Woodbadge to get items to work on. Sometimes it’s called a to-do list, a honey-do list or tasks to complete. We are here to make ourselves better and those around us.
So, why do I like “The Easy Button” post? Well, I like it and the blog. Again just like yesterday’s post about being a Bad Dad, I learn something and I use it. It’s a life lesson. The blog shows me that there is another Cubmaster doing things for fun and the boys. He is very creative and I thrive/feed off that. Do I want him in my Pack? Oh yeah! But, I don’t think he will move. I also like that he is a Cubmaster. I am a Cubmaster and not a Scoutmaster. I am not out climbing mountains or having Scoutmaster Conferences or going to Eagle BOR/COH and such. Arlen helps me realize that with all the proper planning and work, Pack meetings are fun and exciting. (which they are). I get to have my virtual roundtable with him.
So, is he really smarter than me? Well, in some areas yes. Are we equals in others? Yeah. We are Cubmasters. We will succeed in Scouting. Oh yes. Will we ever meet? Yes, I believe so since another twitter friend got us thinking about the Philmont Leadership Course for 2012. It’s Wood Badge on Steroids. That’s no easy button, but it will be fun.
So, I really like his whole blog since it’s at my level. It also challenges me to do more and stretch. I survived Tiger Den Leader, being Cubmaster should be easier, right?
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While I am not in the Boy Scout area, yet. I find a lot of the skills that the Scouts could learn very good. Hence, I am glad about this new Merit Badge. Welding. I have actually looked at classes for this. I find it very fascinating. I took shop when I was in 7th & 8th Grade. I also went to the Vo-Tech Center for Graphic Arts. As most of you know I went to Culinary School and worked in the restaurant world for 9-10 years.
