Cubscout Training

As Training Chair for out District I am in the middle of setting up our October Training Blitz.  Myself and the Program Chair/CS Roundtable Commissioner will be teaching the Cubscout section this year for the first time.   We are looking forward to it.

Last year I pushed and made it pretty well known within a few people that I wanted certain trainings.  Guess I pushed hard enough that I got the head job.  No worries.  So, I am a training junkie. If you follow this blog you know I took and then Staffed Wood Badge.  While that is important, the other trainings are also important.

I am bringing this up since at our Pack Committee Planing meeting last night, training was brought up.  Since I have the records for our District, I sent in what we had to the Committee Chair and Treasurer and Membership Chair.  I know that the council records do not really reflect what we all have, but it only shows most of us have the basics.
As I was forwarding the information to the CC, I went online to Myscouting.org and looked at what I had.  I had more than the basics. While you cannot see all of it, I do have Hazardous Weather and a few more.  I also have Tiger, Wolf and just took Webelos.  I have half of Bear done, which I need to complete.  I also have Pack Trainer, Committee and District Committee.

The Webelos training took about 30 minutes.  It was informative.  Did I learn anything?  Not really, but I was reminded of what the program is supposed be about and some ways to accomplish it.
Point being, is that online training for Cubscouts is easy.  It is all the training you need? Nope.  It is a great starting point.

Hence back to the October Face to Face training our District is putting on.  Having that face to face time is valuable.  It does several things.  First, it helps you network with other adults who signed the Adult Application and was forced to drink the Kool-Aid.  Second, it helps to show the new Scouters where to go for help and other resources.  Finally, it’s the meeting that will tell them what they need to know outside of online training and books that they can read.  Meeting people and having them tell you where all the COOL places to go and who to talk to get get free stuff is invaluable.    Do you need both?  Sure.  Can you survive with just online. Sure.

The Cubscout Leader training is just the first line of training that a Scouter will go through if they continue with the program and into Boy Scouts, Varsity, Venturing or Sea Scouts.  Yes, those other trainings do take time out of your weekend or weeknight, but just like going to school or college your there to learn something so you can be better at what your position within the Unit.

Did I know that in 2008 when my son Elliot went for his first Pack Meeting that I would become the Tiger Den Leader, Cubmaster, Troop Guide @ Wood Badge, Pow-wow & PTC Instructor and finally District Training Chair?  Nope. I had not a clue.  Point is, all the training that I have gotten has gotten me here.  It is helping me provide for the boys in the Pack and in other units within the Council.

So, take the time to take training.  Those who are providing it have been in your boots and do it for free.  Also, take the online training. It’s good information.  It’s also very simple.  Besides, from what I hear most online training taken at myscouting.org is done between 11pm and 2am.

Yours in Scouting!

 

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Why I became the Training Chair

I have technically been the District Training Chair since June 2nd when I signed the Application and gave it to my District Exec.  So, what radical changes or changes have been made.  None.  I am at the beginning of seeing what is what and how things work.  I am the new guy within the District.   Before I became the Training Chair, I sent a couple of emails saying this should happen and that should happen and why isn’t that happening.  While I didn’t get an earful, I did get an education of why.  Which was great.

So what do I do now that I am a Training Chair?  I have to educate myself on what classes are out there, who needs them, who my training team is, what powers I have within my position and what are my goals.
Step one: Educate myself.  I have already sworn that I will take every class that is offered.  I need to know what and how they are taught.  This stems from BALOO to ITOLS.  Also includes Den Chief and Merit Badge Counselor as well.  Why, because I will get questions on why a Scouter needs it.  I will also need it because I plan on moving on after my son crosses over.

Step Two: Who needs Training.  That would be everyone within a Leadership, Committee or Direct Contact position.

Step Three & Four: Who is my training team.  Many people have already come up to me and said that they would like to be and that they will help as needed.   These are Scouters who have helped put on trainings before. AWESOME!  I had a great conversation with the acting Chair and he explained a lot of who is who.  I have also found out that it is within my power via the District Chair and Exec that I can designate those as Trainers if I see fit.

Step Five: What are my goals.
Right now, I want to keep it simple.  Keep what is planned on the books and make it happen.
What I would like to see as what our District offers is seperate class offerings of BALOO, OWLS & ITOLS during the year.   I would like to also offer training within Roundtable nights.  Den Chief, AED, CPR, Weather Hazard, How to fill out a Tour Plan & WHY.  Who is your UC and why should we care?  Journey to Excellence….

So, why did I take on the District Training Chair while I am still the Cub Master, or just take it on.  To me, it was my chance to figure out and see why these courses were not offered.  I did not and do not have an issue with anyone within the District.  I like everyone. ( I say that publically since I know several of the District people read this blog).  I also figured that my life beyond Cub Master is being paved now.  I have till March 2013 until my Son crosses over into Boy Scouts.  This position will allow me to take a break from Unit Leadership and step back and learn more about the Troop he goes into.  Will I get on the Committee or be a MBC or ASM within that Troop. Yes.  But, I am taking my time to learn about them.

I also took on this position because I like training.  It’s what I do at my day job.  The more I can learn about something, the better I am in helping those who are in my Unit as others within Scouting.  With the Vaccum of no BALOO or OWLS within our District many Leadership Knots cannot be awarded.  This includes the Webelos Den Leader Knot.  Which, if a WDL has put in the time and effort to complete all the other requirements but cannot attain OWLS training, then we as a District and Council have failed.  OWLS should really be taken by the Bear DL before they move into being Webelos DL.

So, what is my planning of what I would like to see how training is planned out for the year?
Sept: ITOLS
October is all Training needed for the position & YPT.  It’s a Super Saturday that is already in place.
Novemember. Our Council is changing from a Cubsout Pow-wow to a Program & Training Conference for Cub, Boy Scouts, Varsity, Venturing, Sea Scouts and OA format.  So, Promote that.
December: BALOO/OWLS.  Super Weekend of both Yes, do it in Dec. Early enough so it won’t conflict with Football Playoffs and Christmas vacations.
January/Feb ITOLS
April/May: BALOO/OWLS Super Weekend of both.

Having BALOO/OWLS together makes sense at this point.  BALOO would be first and those who just want that, can leave after it’s complete.  The OWLS will be after that and people can register for both.  This will allow for those who have taken BALOO to skip it and head directly to OWLS.

Why is BALOO/OWLS important at a Pack level.  I get ITOLS importance.  The main reason is that Boy Scouts main function is to CAMP & HIKE.  They are not in a gym doing crafts like their little brothers in blue.  They put the OUT in scOUTing.   If you have a robust Pack program via Den Leaders that gets the boys OUTSIDE, awesome.  If you don’t this is why.

Being BALOO trained will help the Pack understand that CAMPING is available to the Tiger, Wolf and Bears.  Yes, they have to CAMP AS A PACK for them to go out. Webelos can camp on their own.  Promoting Camping as a Pack does count for earning requirements and other badges.  However, it will help the new parents and parents in general to be aware of the Council Camp Properties.  If you are able to reserve them, the parents will see where the boys go in the summer.  It will also provide a better understanding as to how a Council operates and what is offered at that level.

It will help the parents to understand what the Popcorn and FOS money is used for.  You must give a tangible benefit to those who generally are not invested within the program.  If you do not, they will not donate or participate more.  The parents are generally there for THEIR son.  Not yours.  So is their pocketbook.  Once you give that tangible benefit to the parents, they get more invested.  Maybe not to what you are looking for, but it’s at a deeper level than before.  Am I saying that Training will lead to a better FOS year? Nope.  It could though.  What I am saying is that providing the avenue to learn more will increase the fun of each boy/girl within a unit.  It will create more fun for families who participate in Pack Camping events.   Which in turn will increase better memories for all.

At the Pack level Camping really is a family event and not so much within the Pack itself. (My Pack, maybe not yours and maybe others don’t camp as well). Yes, we have had overnights at a camp property for Arrow of Light, but that’s it.  There is also a Council Family Camp twice a year.  We have done it once.  It’s Family and not PACK. So no Tour Plan/BALOO is needed.   In Boy Scouts, it’s camping all the time.  Parents have been in the Scouting world for awhile and understand this.  Not so much in Cub Scouts.  So, there is a learning curve.  If you can introduce the idea and start Pack Camping, then the value of training is recognized and fullfilled.  If you don’t, then why train?

Overall, the reason to go to training is to provide a great program and be that person to help create a program within the unit.  If you don’t care about the program, don’t train.  Don’t train, don’t volunteer.  Don’t volunteer, don’t care.  It’s as simple as that.  I care about the program and I have gotten trained so I can continue to volunteer.

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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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LVIII of #100daysofScouting

There are three Pack meeting left in our school year for Cub Scouts at our Pack.  Wow, what a year it has been.  It’s not over yet, but it’s winding down and we have accomplished so much.  Every year is completely different.    I have no idea what next year will bring.  Do I have a plan. Yes, in general.

Today, I went to the Scout Shop and started poking around.  I picked up several items, but put them down.  I figure that I will get them on Friday.  I need to get my son his Webelos Tan Shirt & green pants, myself another shirt along with all the correct patches.  I thought about getting him a Webelos Hat, but they have a cool hat with lights on it.  It’s Blue with the BSA logo on it.  It should work just fine for Scouts and also family camping.  He loves flashlights…;)

Secondly: I also went upstairs to where the District Execs hang out.  I had a really good talk with one of them.  It was about how Troops operate and work.  This is about some of the local ones within my District.  One’s that my son and others “might” go to when they crossover in 2013.  Our Pack has been a feeder pack for two Troops and it’s my job to make sure that the Pack has Troop involvement so the boys can make up their minds on which one to go to.  Can I influence the boys?  Sure.  Do I want to? No, not really.

By that I mean, I am not going to play favorites.  It’s not my Scouting experience that is at stake.  It’s theirs.  Which brings to me to an odd cross road.  This morning as I was getting ready to head out I listened to Cubmaster Chris’s Podcast “An Hour a Week #256″ In there, CMC talks about how he is working through issues of how he has prepared the Cubscouts for Boy Scouts.  Did he do it right?  This was also commented to my by the DE today.  Though, it was in a fashion of how the boys made the transition from the Pack to the Troop and did not realize the difference and that made it hard for them.  They ultimately left Scouting because it was not Cubscouts.

Now, this is two different people who both love Scouting, but are geographically apart.  I suspect the DE does not know about CMC.  It got me thinking.  There are Trail to First Class.  Trail to Eagle and a Crossover.  But, there really isn’t any Webelos to Boy Scout Trail. (that I am aware of).  The parents/Den Leaders are just doing their best to get the boys through the meeting and requirements.  In Boy Scouts, it’s the BOYS who do it.  It’s almost like waking up on your 18th birthday and POW, your a legal adult but in someways still a kid that is learning.

I do not have an answer to all this.  However, it’s made me realize that I need to pay attention to it.  I need to call it out to the boys and parents within the Pack that it’s going to happen.

Finally, I have two things that I am going to do (hopefully) at the next Pack meeting besides what is already planned.  We are going to have another Uniform Inspection.  It’s going to be the Adult Scouters and Scouts.  The Adult Scouters are also going to do the Flag Ceremony.  This should show, how a uniform needs to look like and also how a Flag Ceremony is performed.  Along with that, I am going to re-introduce the Beltloops to the boys.  I did it last year and blogged about it.  I am also going to explain the BSA Family Program. I believe that my Webelos I Den Leader has been working with it for awhile.  I also think I bought a copy of it.  Since Cubscouts is a Family program, this should help spark things for the whole family to do.  I know that sometimes I just try to think of things to do and I just sit there.  The one great thing is that it’s spring and it’s Baseball Season.  A lot of the boys are in Baseball, even LaCrosse.  This allows them to make more new friends and do other things.  I completely encourage boys to do that.  I told them last year that if there are things that excite you outside of Scouts, that more than likely it will count for rank advancement within Scouting.    It’s not ALL or NOTHING.  It’s Everything.

Overall, Scouting should not conflict with outside interests.  Those interests can include Scouting.  It’s an additional outlet to help boys grow and learn.  It’s year round with seasonal things thrown into it.  Learn the system within Scouting (by this I mean Girl Scouts, Campfire, Blue Bird, Venturing, Sea Scouts. Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts) and you and your son/daughter will flourish.

Remember, it’s a game with a purpose.

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2010 CPCBSA Pow-wow

November 13th was the Cascade Pacific Council‘s annual Cub Scout Pow-wow. It was my second Pow-wow and my first as an Instructor.   (This shot if from the front looking towards the crowd as Instructors were called to the stage for a round of thanks!)

I love Pow-wow.  It’s such a wealth of knowledge that is garnered from every corner.  Not only from the classes, but also from those who attend. There are many many conversations that happen about how to run dens, pack meetings, committee meetings and so on.

To me, Pow-wow is a must for all Den Leaders and Committee Members of a Pack.  It should be required for new Adult Scouters due to all the wealth of information. Crafts, Ceremony, Camping, Den Leader Basics & Pinewood Derby info just to name a few.

The whole event was kicked off by the Cascade Pacific Scout Executive Matt Devore.

The vendors that come on-site are just amazing.  So many places to have the boys go and do.  Evergreen Aviation (Now home of the Spruce Goose), OMSI Museum, Model Railroad Company, Putter Theater, Next Adventure (local camping store outlet…10% discout for Scouters) and the list goes on.  There are so many good deals and they cater to Scouts!

Other vendors are from the Boy Scouts what want you to use their services: Sea Scouts, Tree Planting (it’s different this year) Wood Badge.  There is information about Religious Embelems, PRAY, Catholic Services within Scouts and much more.

The CPCBSA Scout shop was on hand selling most all the basics you needed minus rank badges.  CPCBSA was also selling leftover summer camp shirts for $1 each.  I snapped up four.  two for me and one each for my son and daughter.  They also had vintage scarves and shirts from the 80′s 90′s and even before Cascade Pacific changed their name to what it is today. Very cool stuff.  Too bad those items did not come in the FAT GUY size!

Classes:

Last year my main reason for going to was to satisfy a ticket item of becoming a better Cubmaster.  it was to go to Pow-wow. DONE.   I took a lot of ceremony classes, Blue & Gold bases classes.  This year I took Beyond the Committee Basics, Putting the Outing in Scouting and Pinewood Speed Clinic.  The latter was taught by my Troop Guide.

I really enjoyed the Putting the Outing in Scouting.  I learned that you do not have to hold Den/Pack meetings in a gym.  GO OUTSIDE AND WALK AROUND.  Do a Flag Ceremony at the School Flag Pole (already do that).   Hold a meeting under a tarp. (It rains in Oregon…a lot) so, why not do it anyway?  The soccer folks to it all the time…and they are in your Pack anyway.  Also, it was confirmed to me that if your on a hike, you can work on the Hiking Beltloop/Pin, Leave No Trace, Wildlife Conservation Beltloop/Pin and many other achivements all at once.  (This was reconfirmed by a conversation with a Scoutmaster & his wife Ast District Commissioner & fellow Wood Badger…if you work on a project that combines two merit badges and talk about both, both count…)  The Outing in Scouting made me think again OUTSIDE THE BOX.  The Box just got smaller.

 

The Pinewood Speed Clinic was fascinating.  My Troop Guide and obsessed with Pinewood Derby. Now, straight off the bat, I am here for my son.  I am not here for me.  In our Pack last year we had an Open Class and one for Siblings.  I made a Cub Master car and raced it.  My daughter made one too!  We even had a dad bring his 1966 car.   This year my son will be doing a lot more work on his car.  He is a Bear.

However, I found out some very good tips on how to set-up the wheels, offically supported tools that will make a difference.  He talked about where to add weight and the physic’s of it.

There are many many tips that I came away with.  Will I share?  Sure……;)

My class that I taught was Recognition.  I took it last year as part of my ticket.  So, I was very familiar with it.  I had to teach it three times today.  In my day job I train people how to use copiers and printers, this was very different.  This was all content that I had to come up with by myself.  Yes, I had last year’s CD with all the information.  i did create a quick sheet on a few links and info.  I also created a Certificate of completion of Recognition 101.  I signed it and shook each person’s hand and thanked them for coming to the class. I did provide manyt hings that I do and have planned to do in the Pack.

However, I learned a few things from some of the Scouters.   I am going to bring out Den Doodbles.  I am going to start the year by having a Campfire program. I am also going to end the year with a Campfire program.  I again realized that it’s the little things that matter.

The one main theme that I got from all the classes is RECRUITING HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. INVITE BOYS ALL THE TIME.  PUT FUN INTO IT!   The boys come to a Pack by two ways: The parents sign them up and their friends explain what they are doing.

Now that Pow-wow is over for the year, I cannot wait for it again next year.  Next year it’s all Webelos classes for me.  I am going to PUSH HARDER for my Pack to show up. This includes the parents.

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Communication

This blog stems from how a unit, in my case a Pack, communicates to parents and Scout Parents outside of Den & Pack meetings.

In our pack, there is a lot of email between Den Leaders, Committee Members, myself and parents. I have created newsletters from time to time to keep everyone in the loop.  There is also a pack website and calendar which is in need of serious work.  So, the communication in my eyes has been spotty and sporatic.

Because of this, I have started to re-work the Parent’s Guide that is about 5-6 years out of date. So out of date our Chartering Org and meeting place is not who it is and where it is today!  This is a work in progress. So, this will change.  My hope is to keep it to 12 pages or less.  This booklet also contains my goal for next year.  I think that every Pack should have a goal.

This is a guide, it is not a list of by-laws and Pack specific rules that is 45 pages long.  In my research, readings and listening to Scouting podcasts from PTCMedia, what I am creating is a supplement of who is in the pack committee and our goals for the year.

The laws and rules set forth by Boy Scouts of America, is what we go by. All the books published by the BSA is all that is needed for the Adult Scouters to help the Scouts have as much fun as possible.

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