#Scoutcircle STEM Hangout

I was not able to attend the full showing of the first Google+ Hangout of Scoutcircle.  I had a Pack Committee Meeting.  However, here is the video of the hangout.  Please bookmark the Scoutcircle.org website and check them out on Google+ for upcoming shows!

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#Scoutcircle Google+ Hangouts

  This is a great idea and avenue for Scouters.   The idea behind it STEMs from TedTalks and Ignite Talks.  However, this is a group of Scouters coming together and presenting what they know best.  It’s like Roundtable, but on the Internet.  Check out the Scoutcircle website. They are also on Facebook.  If you have a Google+ account, even better.  If not, you can still watch, listen and get enlightened.

The first Scoutcircle is January 13th and it is all about STEM.

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The Future

Last night was my first Eagle Board of Review of 2013.   I am growing to really like these.  They give me comfort and knowing that there are really smart young men who will do very well in life.  While I have now have done only two, it’s very fun.

This young man once I got to talking to him and listening to him, really reminded me of my son Elliot.

Here’s why.  Billy, as I will call him, is deep into STEM activities.  His Eagle Book had all of his Merit Badge Cards.  Outside the normal 21 for Eagle, there were the FUN ones.  I believe he had a total of 27.  He took Aviation, Space Exploration, Metalwork and Rifle, Archery & Shotgun.   Coupled with that, he took classes at school on Physics and Astronomy and is in his fourth year on the Robotics Team.  This young man is very smart.   His book also had his Webelos and Arrow of Light Rank Cards.

So, why does he remind me of Elliot.  Let me explain further.

As his Scoutmaster and Parent said he attended all the Summer camps and really loved them.  He did do some of the Outings, but wasn’t a huge outdoors person.   He does a lot of Robotic Team Competitons, so he’s there a lot.  His Parents are Mazama‘s and go Mtn Climbing a lot.  They think they wore him out.  This is because they took him and his brother and sister out all the time.  They still go out as a family. But  it was clear in listening to Billy,  that he likes the Outdoors.  It calms him from being in the City.  He can think better.  Billy talked about a recent snowshoe outing on Mt Hood that they took.

My point here is this, Scouting is about the personal journey for the youth who is in it.  You do not need to be in a backpacking high adventure Scout Unit, or be one yourself.  Scouting is your own journey.  What the program provides is access to  opportunities to find what you like.  The Merit Badge system.  I told Billy that I was very impressed that he had all these other Merit Badges, and asked what he thought of them and how they helped.  He pointed out that the Aviation was great since he was taking Physics at that time.  His most fun was the Shooting Sports ones.  He took great joy in explaining how he got 25 clay birds to get marksman.  He also got all the Donuts.  Donuts are the clay birds that were altered by the Range Officer to fly wrong.  He got all of them as well.  Not only did he met all the requirements of the Merit Badges, he excelled.  He said, he didn’t know how much fun it was to shoot.  Even his parents didn’t know that he was that into it until he earned them.

So, why does Billy remind me of Elliot.  Elliot loves all these things.  Shooting, building things and exploring.  He loves nature in his own terms.  He is not a huge hiker, but will go on a trail.   Also, it’s Billy’s demeanor and thoughtfulness that got me.  Billy really cares about people.  Loyal is the one point he cherishes.  Billy puts a lot of thought into what he says and does.  He cherishes his family, friends and people that he meets.  Again, Elliot latches onto people who are loyal.

For me, I saw Elliot.  He could be Billy in the future.
I saw what Scouting offers to those who are in it.
Scouting is there to help the Youth excel at what excites them.

Image Credit

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The #501st Final Pack Meeting

Our final Pack Meeting was on June 4th.  It was a complete blast. Member’s of the 501st Cloud City Garrison helped with the final Flag Ceremony and Pack Promotion.

We wanted to end the year with a big send-off and the 501st helped make it happen. As with tradition, we made sure each remaining award was handed out.  I also congratulated all the Den Leaders and Committee members for doing a job well done.  As I pointed out in an earlier post, I am very glad they are there. I was also able to recognize a now Bear Scout with the Religious Youth Knot.  I was not aware that he had undertaken it, until I saw his mom at a baseball game that my son was playing against.  It’s a huge thing to undertake and complete.  So, I made sure I brought him up in front of everyone and explained his achievement.  No Scout in the Pack since I have been apart of it since 2008 has earned this Knot.  I told him that I was proud of him and that I was honored to present it to him.

At this point, we started the Promotion from Webelos I to II, Bears to Webelos I, Wolves to Bears, Tigers to Wolves and introduced the new Tigers.  I spoke about how they earned their rank, what they went through and all the fun they had.  I pointed out to each, that they are working their way up the Trail to Arrow of Light and towards the Eagle Scout Rank.  As they passed me by, their Scarves came off and were given their new books and Scarves.  I shook each hand and congratulated them.  The New Scouts were then congratulated by the members of The Cloud City Garrison.
I was able to spend a few moments giving my last announcements about Summer Pack Events, Camp and thanking the boys and parents for a great year.

It was then off to the Races for the Scouts.  It was our second time putting on the Raingutter Regatta.  We liked it a lot the first time, we did it again.  It worked out well since we skipped a year.  Last year was the Bike Rodeo.  That was awesome as well.  However, this year it rained and we held it under the huge awning on the playground.  Overall, it was a huge time.  This accounted for our first Summertime Pack Event.

Which brings me to Mission Possible update:  The Pack Officially has two Tiger Den Leaders and seven Tiger Scouts. I turned in the paperwork for the seven Scouts.  One Tiger Den Leader has taken the online training and Youth Protection. The second is a current Scout Parent, so he gets the program.  The first is an Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow Brother. There is about 3-4 Scouts  that will make it on the list this fall. (Paperwork…..coming)  Also, all the Den’s are going to Camp.  This year, there is a Free Tiger Day Daycamp on July 7th.  BB Guns, Archery and all things Scouts!
We have also planned out our Summer Events (which was a no brainer we have done it since 2009).  Our next event is actually as Color Guard for the Junior Rose festival Parade on the 6th.

It was a great year, a great finish as well as start for the new Tiger Den and we are firing on all cylinders.  This Pack does not really stop in the Summer.
Remember, Being in Scouting, as a Volunteer, gives you the opportunity to have just as much fun as the boys!  If my son was not in Scouting…..this would not have happened.
I like these guys, Wonder if they know STEM Awards?  You think they would be Naturals?

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Cubscout STEM Science Beltloop Day

The Cascade Pacific Council put on it’s first STEM based event that was aimed at the Cubscout Units.   While it was not touted as a STEM based event online, after talking to both the Scout Executive and Program Direction, who were there, they gave me the full low down on STEM within the Council.  Needles, I am very very happy.  The group who put on the session (morning & afternoon) are from Mad Science company.  I have seen them at the Program & Training Conferences before and liked them.  This is my first real experince in using them.

The Cubscouts were able to go through the day and earn the Science Beltloop and Pin.  With the opening segment, everyone earned the Beltloop.  The rest of the day was spent on the Pin sections.

1. Use these simple machines to accomplish tasks: lever, pulley, wheel-and-axle, wedge, inclined plane, and screw.
2. Learn about solids, liquids, and gases using just water. Freeze water until it turns into ice. Then, with an adult, heat the ice until it turns back into a liquid and eventually boils and becomes a gas.
3. Build models of two atoms and two molecules, using plastic foam balls or other objects.
4. Make a collection of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks and label them.
5. Learn about a creature that lives in the ocean. Share what you have learned with your den or family.

There were 5 different sessions that were 45 minutes each.  Each session was led by a Professor.  Each one had a great lesson and explanation of what was happening and what the Cubscouts should do.  Our Pack had four Cubscouts attending.  We were put together with other Packs which is just fine.   The parents basically followed the boys around from station to station and helped as needed.  The great thing about this is, that it was seasoned professionals who put this on.  It was not Scouts teaching Scouts.  Which, is not to say it’s a bad thing, it just that sometimes at camps it can be lacking and distracting.  This was not camp

The opening segment was great.  Madame Chaos rocked the show.  She got the Cubscouts in the right frame of mind and kept their attention.  (I silently want that power at Pack Meetings!).  The one great trick that made me learn something was about Bernoulli’s principle .  She did it with a Leaf Blower, Plunger & a roll of Toliet Paper.  It rocked.  Everyone howled!  Guess, what I am going to use…;)

The two Moms who came to the event had nothing but glowing reports on how much they liked it.  They thought it was perfect in getting the boys involved and showing them how to do science.  Both understand how much planning and prep it takes to put things on, since they both volunteer at the school.  They would both like to see more of these things put on.

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