My wife and I took the kids to the Oregon Zoo on Saturday. We had not been there for years. It was a great place to take them when they were little and also the Grandparents when they visited. The Zoo has updated and changed a lot since the years. We took about 4.5 hours to see everything. We left knowing that we could have seen more. I kept looking at everything thinking this would be good for a Go-See-It or this would be good for….Yes, Scouting is always present.
However, the one cool thing that happened was out of my control. As we got to the entrance and got our tickets from the Membership window a Zoo worker asked what Rank my son is. I was scratching my head on how he knew to ask? This young fellow asked a few more questions of my son. It was a good chat. He ended it by saying, keep going,” I did, I made it to Eagle.” So, after that, he and I had a quick conversation. Asked about Troops and where we are located. Said thanks for the boost for Scouting. Encouragement from a fellow who is an Eagle to a Webelos II to keep going.
Oh, yeah, how did he know? I forgot I was wearing a Cubscout shirt from Classb.com. I own a lot of Scout shirts, so I try to rotate them. (tried to find the one that I had up on classb, but could not. It is one that just says Cubscouts and has all the ranks on it. It is not a Pack based one.)
As of this posting, were are 43 people who donated to Over The Edge fundraiser to allow me to rappel down a large pink bank tower in Portland, OR. Thank you to all of you.
These people are special in many ways. I am not going to name them directly, but I will describe them.
Mom, Dad, Sister, Brownie & Webelos II, In-Law, Cousins, Den Leaders, Scouts, Former Girl Friend’s Mom, Scoutmasters, Saints, Co-worker, Bobwhites from two different councils, Mermaid, Den Mom from Den 8, A real Class A guy, Lamphead, Wood Badgers, People from the great herd from the west, A Gem of a Guy, Tiger Mom, Assistant Scoutmasters, Scouter from Beantown, a Doctor of the year, Grade School Friend, That Tool Guy, Troop Shack Buddies and a Compadre.
I wrote many times on this bog, email, Twitter and Facebook asking for support. It is something that I know (especially on Facebook) that can get annoying. So, I do appreciate everyone not defriending or blocking me.
We all have your causes, hobbies and things that we are passionate about. Scouting is my passion and cause. It gives me license to do good and help Elliot see what is good is all about and how to act. Along the way, I get to help other boys do the same.
Thank you for helping me help them. As the Cubscout Law of the Pack does state: “The Pack helps the Cub Scout grow.“
Once I know the time that I will as a few have stated “Scream like a girl” as I rappel down Big Pink, I will post it. I would love to have any and all come watch this fun event!
I have lived in the Portland Oregon area since 1989 and I know that I have not been everywhere in the area. Suffice to say, this weekend the whole family loaded up in the van and took off. Yes, we didn’t need BALOO, OWLS or did we even file a Tour Plan. Yup…We even brought Beer and stuff for Gin & Tonics. Oh, and we had the Irish Cream stuff for the morning! I know, report us to my District Exec….He’s on the coast working the Webelos II camp…;)
We realized earlier this week that we kept promising to go camping, but NEVER DID! So, instead of surfing Facebook, we found this location on the Southern side of Mt Hood. Roaring River. There is a river that is on both sides of the campsite, but it’s not roaring. Since we had never been past Estacada, OR it was an adventure. (Google Portland and Estacada and you will see how far it really is..)
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This weekend, I really wanted to go fishing. I like fishing and I, but I am not one of those Bass Masters. I come from Montana, you know that movie “A River Runs Through It”. I grew up in South Central Montana in a town called Billings. I did use worms a lures for years and years up in the Absoraka-Bearthtooth Wilderness. I could walk to Yellowstone National Park from where I hung out.
Because of all that, I fished up and down the rivers and lakes growing up. I also camped as well. I should have done a lot more now that I think about it. Because of this, I want to pass it along to Elliot and Rachel. So, far I seems to have gotten them hooked on it.
So, this weekend was all about the family. Did I sneak in some scouting stuff? Yeah…I did. Several things, but it’s what I would have done even if I was not in Scouting. Elliot has his first real knife. Yes, it’s a blue Cubscout Knife. He did earn it through the Whittling Chip as a Bear. He has been bugging me a lot about wanting to whittle sticks. I reminded him about the Circle of Pain/Blood and how having a knife is a respondsibility. He nodded his head and said yes.
I gave Rachel several lessons on the difference between Bobber fishing and Fly Fishing is. She mastered putting a worm on the hook faster than Elliot. Which, if you knew her, she’s fearless! Elliot is a bit stand-offish at first, testing the waters…then goes for it. She mastered the casting of Bobber-fishing. Which, is awesome for a 6 year old.
I then showed them how to cast and what a fly rod was. I almost dropped into how Fly Fishing will help you commune between God and all things in the Universe if you let it…but…I didn’t. I let that happen as I took off from them for 20 minutes and lost myself in watching how the water flows around and around and around…..
During this campout, I really tried just to NOT do Scouting stuff. However, both my wife and I did talk about Leave No Trace and being quite and picking up around the campsite. Outside of that, we roasted marshmellows, drank hot choco and had a great time. It’s good to get a way with the family and be. Next up is Scout Camp with Elliot.
Oh, Elliot did get his Fishing Beltloop which counts as part of the Sportsman Webelos Activity Pin. Accidental Achievement…as some would put it.
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.
In an earlier couple of posts I said I was going to talk about how to put on events. First up is the Bike Rodeo. The Bike Rodeo was our first Summertime Pack event. I do this for two reasons. First, to end the year correctly and then to hopefully recruit other boys for the following year.
So, how to plan. In my current unit, as Cub Master, it’s all me who generally comes up with ideas and plans. (That’s changing this year). This event was a multi-purpose event. First, I wanted to have Troop involvement. We had Den Chief’s and they could help out. Think EDGE. I also wanted the Troop to come because it gets them in front of the Pack and parents and shows them that Boy Scouts can do it themselves and not have parents do it. (Boy led method).
The main objectives that I wanted to cover are found within the Bicycle Beltloop.
Explain the rules of safe bicycling to your den leader or adult partner.
Demonstrate how to wear the proper safety equipment for bicycling.
Show how to ride a bike safely. Ride for at least half an hour with an adult partner, family, or den.
As for the Pin:
Participate in a pack, den, or community bike rodeo.
Demonstrate how to repair a flat tire on a bicycle.
Give a demonstration to your den or pack on the proper use of safety equipment and gear.
While the Cub Scouts didn’t do a lot of the Pin, the three were basically satisfied.
Out of all of those requirements…..here was my list to the Scoutmaster.
Bike Stations:
Registration form/certificate? Station (Simple name/phone and bike info in case of getting lost/Serial #) They need to get a stamp at each station to show completion so they can get a segment/beltloop?,Bike Inspection-basic care, Bike Rules & Safety,Helmet Inspection
Bike Course (medium & advance) There is a loop at Stephenson so maybe a race? This would help the faster kids not plowing over the slower/smaller kids.
He took it to the SPL & PLC and they worked on it and came up with 90 minutes of fun for a Cub Scout Pack. They had 6 stations and a course that helped teach boys & their brother/sisters about Bikes and how to be safer. One thing that my son found out is that his brakes & shifters were broken. While they were safe to operate, we would have never would have known. So, we got them repaired later.
So, my big piece of advice for Cub Scout Packs who want to plan something like this….GET A BOY SCOUT TROOP TO HELP. Give them the requirements and let the Boys do it. Also, I believe that the SPL walked into a Bike Shop in full uniform and asked for a donation for prizes that were given away. Yup, he got one!
Today was a good day to be a Cub Scout! Every year our city puts on the Rose Festival. During that time there is a kids parade called the Junior Rose Festival Parade. I am not from Portland, but from Montana. I have seen a lot of parades, but hardly been in them. I think that my first one was last year at the Multnomah Village Days Parade, with Pack 221.
Traditionally our Pack has been invited to this Junior Rose Festival parade. I did not know how it started. I just know that our former Cub Master told me that it’s a tradition and we have to go. Here call/email this number and get in. What I had heard is that it’s just for the Webelos. So, last year I told the Webelos I & II’s to go. They went.
This year, I told the Bears (just like last year as they were almost Webelos Is) and the Webelos I (soon to be II) to go. Which meant I got to go because of Elliot being a Webelos I on June 13th. The Bear Den Leader called/emailed and got us in. Cool.
So, here’s the thing. Myself and the other Bear Den Leader and three Bears were kinda running late due to traffic. We hiked it for 6 blocks to the starting point. Everyone is there and accounted for, great.
Bear Den Leader comes up and says “hey, I met the lady who started this 20 years ago!” OMG. Really? After a few moments, she appears and is currently the Rose Festival President. Ok, this is getting really cool.
She gave me a quick history lesson about how it got started and how she’s glad to see us. I told her myside of the story and we swapped info. What I learned is that she took the entire Pack to the parade and marched. Guess, what we are doing next year.
Before the parade started I explained that today at this moment, they represent BOY SCOUTS and all of them in Portland, OR. My main goal was not to have them get all goofy during the walk.They didn’t. They were AWESOME! Yes, we changed the Color Guard at lest 9 times. Were we all over the place. Yeah, but it was good.
The whole parade was awesome. People stood and covered the hearts, took their hats off and saluted as we walked by. I kinda knew that this would happen and I had to explain to the boys what is going to happen. While walking down, I saw it happen. They stood up and saluted. It was the Flag they were saluting, but it felt really good. It felt really really really good to be a Scout today. A Scout is Reverent. I am not sure if the boys got it. But I will remember this day forever. The other great thing that happened is that people were cheering for BOY SCOUTS! Many times. That felt really good too!
Here is the fun part.
We were first. We were the Color Guard for the 2011 Junior Rose Festival Parade. Everyone was behind us.
Twenty years of walking the parade. Well, next year we are bringing the entire Pack!
I cannot do much without my wife. It’s true. But, I am not going to talk about our relationship here or now. What I want to say is that she’s pretty wonderful. I think that I change lives within Scouting. However, she as PTA President of the Stephenson Elementary School in Portland, Or really makes a difference. It’s only her first year in a two year term. But there are two things this year that really went above and beyond what a lot of people have done.
First, she started, spearheaded and got everyone to VOTE for Stephenson to get a new blacktop for the Playground. She got us to vote and win the Grant! Woot Woot!
Now, she tells me that she got another local grant to purchase 10 Dual Core Pentium 2 Laptops from a company that is getting new ones for $200. They are replacing DESKTOP units that are REALLY REALLY SLOW. I think 266mhz. ugh. So, all the teachers now have new laptops that will allow them to work from home and not be at school late at night.
Pretty good for first year PTA President. These are only TWO of the many things that she has done this year. She’s just amazing. If she was in Scouting…she would get the District Award of Merit in my book!
First off, it’s my Wife’s Birthday! Happy Birthday!
Normally, I am the one sending out emails or making contact with people at the Council or District level asking for stuff. Today, tables were turned and it was all GOOD!
First, our Unit’s new Unit Commissioner emailed me letting me know we have a new one. Great thing is, I know her. Second great thing is she’s with Troop 221. We are Pack 221. Been wanting more interaction with Troops. 221 used to be the Troop we went to years ago. (Don’t anyone read anything into what Troop is what…more later on this.)
Second, Our Charter Org Rep asked if he should be coming to our Pack Meetings. I said that it would be fine. I am generally hoping he comes to the Committee Meetings since, that is a better use of time. Either way, it will help them know what the Pack does.
Third, our District Exec reached out and asked if I was going to Roundtable on Thursday and that he wanted to know how we are doing.
Fourth, a person from the District Training Committee (I beleive) contacted me about helping out in training other Den Leaders. We setup of coffee meeting to discuss it all.
Fifth, our Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner sent an email out to all the Unit Leaders inviting us to Roundtable and drumming up excitement. Apparently the DE is pushing for more Packs to attend. I also suspect Troops & Crews. Our Roundtable is not very well attended. Even though we are generally 15 minutes from downtown Portland, OR. I am glad to see that the District is working on getting more people to Roundtable.
And Finally……wait for it……. one of the Den Leaders told me over Facebook that he is going to go to WOOD BADGE 2011! I think he and I drink the same flavor Kool-aid! He did ask me awhile ago about the Assistant Cub Master position…….;)
PS: The Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner also told me he is going to Wood Badge. Very cool!
It’s been a good Scouting Day. Who knows, maybe I might volunteer to be the Bobwhite’s Troop Guide…..
So, today while doing chores my son asked if we could go bike riding and not at school, somewhere else. Now, I had thought that would be great. He normally does not ask for this. The one pitfall about our driveway is that it’s a 300ft decline right into the garage door. It was great when we bought the house, but now, I want a ranch on a cul-da-sac. Hence, we have to GO places to ride bikes and scooter. If I was moving I would not buy this house for that reason.
Ever since I took over being the Cub Master, I have been thinking of how to get new boys to join. It’s hard to do! Some places just naturally attract Cub Scouts. It’s all about marketing and getting the work out to the parents. Once the word is out, you have to get the interest of the boys. Boys want FUN!
So, when Elliot asked about Biking, I realized that we have not done a Bike Rodeo. A Bike Rodeo would be a perfect Pack event that could hit on several items for all. The boys can have a huge amount of fun, the whole family can join in and requirements can be met for many ranks, badges and patches.
If the Pack stages it right, we can send out flyers to the schools and get a new crop of Tigers for next year. The boys can offically join Cub Scouts in June. Which we can have a Bobcat Ceremony and get them going to Camp and set-up for a great summer activity award of events.
Now, our council has a great Fishing Derby program in the spring. I do not have a problem with it. It is set-up for the Cub Scouts to bring a friend to the Fishing Derby. It is a one-on-one recruitment. The location of the fishing hole for our district is a good 60 minutes away from our meeting place. It is set right in the middle of soccer season with games during fishing time. Most of the boys last year did not go because of that and we did not get anyone joining. The first year was ok. Several boys went, but no one joined. Some boys went the second year too. This is in no way a put-down on a great event. It gets the boys out doing something that they just might not do. It just does not fullfill the main reason of going for us. I will continue to support and advertise it to the pack, because if we do get just one boy, it worked.
My plan is to have a more locally centered event that we can control to our advantage. If we can grow the Tiger population each year, that will allow this Pack to grow and still be around. We were first chartered in 1951 and next year is our 60th Anniversary.
Here is my email to the Den Leaders & Committee today:
On Oct 31, 2010, at 11:09 AM, Adam R. Cox wrote:
Hi there:
Thinking about this for late May. This would be a great Spring Round-up for the Kindergarten Boys in May. June is the first available time that they can join the Pack. Which they can also earn their Bobcat Rank and go to Summer camp & the Summertime Activity Events.
Elliot and I are doing a few things around the house today and he asked to go bike riding somewhere else. So, after choirs we are going out.
So, being that I have Cub Scouts on the brain, I thought he could earn his Beltloop today. (I will buy it..:) )
That made me think that maybe we hold a Bike Rodeo for the Pack and the Bears can put it on in the Spring? It would get them a requirement, Beltloop & Pin. There is also a Bike Rodeo Segment.
Below are links to a Cubscout Rodeo on You Tube, Beltloop/Pin requirements and Bear Requirements.
http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Cub%20Scouts/UniformsAndAwards/sanda/bicycling.aspx
RIDE RIGHT
Do requirement (a) and three other requirements.
Know the rules for bike safety. If your town requires a bicycle license, be sure to get one.
Learn to ride a bike, if you haven’t by now. Show that you can follow a winding course for 60 feet doing sharp left and right turns, a U-turn, and an emergency stop.
Keep your bike in good shape. Identify the parts of a bike that should be checked often.
Change a tire on a bicycle.
Protect your bike from theft. Use a bicycle lock.
Ride a bike for 1 mile without rest. Be sure to obey all traffic rules.
Plan and take a family bike hike.
The Webelos I can also use this as part of their Fitness Pin
Tigers & Wolves:There are several items that can be marked off for rank and as electives.
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Adam Cox
Cubmaster Pack 221 Portland, OR
