Giddyup Tree Scouts!

This weekend five of the now ten Webelos II Scouts called “Tree Scouts” went for an overnight at the Butte Creek Scout Ranch in Cascade Pacific Council.  The goal was to work on the Outdoorsman requirements.  During the years summercamp at Adventure Cove some requirements were met.

Our fearless Webelos II Den Leader worked out the planning for the overnight at Butte Creek and also the four-hour Horse ride.  We were able to camp in the Adirondacks for free.  This is due to our Pack attaining the Friends of Scouting goal for 2012.  We get free camping on the non-summer time days.     During my time within the Pack, we only have made FOS twice.  Attaining FOS within a Pack is a hard thing to quantify to the Parents.  This is just one way to make it real.

The main plan of attack was to get on site, setup and have fun.   Once on site and bunks were scouted out and figured who is sleeping where, we went exploring.  We knew the area since we were there the summer of 2011.  We could not go into the main area since two other districts combined for a Webelos Woods.  We caught the tail end and recognized a few Scouters from this summer.

Off we went back to the Campsite with a stop at the river.  Rock throwing 101 and Exploring 101 was had.

Back at Camp we reviewed all the different types of Fire.  As well as: Discuss with your Webelos den leader the rules of outdoor fire safety. Using these rules, show how to build a safe fire and put it out.

We also talked about: With your accompanying adult on a campout or outdoor activity, aid in preparing, cooking, and cleanup for one of your den’s meals. Tell why it is important for each den member to share in meal preparation and cleanup, and explain the importance of eating together.  The Scouts actually cooked hot dogs for dinner and then Pancakes/sausages for breakfast.

After breakfast we talked about: discuss how to follow the Leave No Trace Frontcountry Guidelines during outdoor activities.  Which, we always talk about Leave No Trace as well as practice it.

The other reason we came to Butte Creek for a Horse Ride.  The Scouts did a 15-20 minute ride in 2011 as part of came.  We liked it so much, we came back for more.  This time the Adults got to ride.  Again, because of Friends of Scouting we got a reduced rate. ( I believe that’s the case.)

The wranglers are totally awesome.  Eric, the Head Wrangler, Emily, Tim, Randy and Austin accompanied us for the half day trek.  Eric, Tim and Austin came to the campsite the day & night before to check in on us.  Time and Austin came back later during the evening to talk and hang out.  Fun stories.  We offered them Hot Dogs and Smores.  Smores were the hit.

As Eric walked everything through how to act around horses, how to mount & dismount we all listened intently.  It was the basic’s of Summercamp all over again, but it was more relaxed and more information was handed out. Plus it was WAY COOLER than a HOT JULY Day!

All all got our steeds and mounted up.   These horses were the ones that went up to Camp Baldwin and were amazing.  They really just walked with the other horses since they knew what was going on.  The were gentle and responded easily.

The trek itself was about 4-5 miles long.  We got to see a lot of ground that you just do not get to see if your there for Summer Camp.  It took me awhile to get used to the horse, only because I could not get my left foot in the stirrup all the way.  However, after one really good Trot, it slid into place.  Oh, and the giblets did too.  Go with the flow, don’t fight the horse and give him/her praise.

The ride was over faster than we all wanted it to be.  All the Scouts had a lot of fun.  Chattering the whole way.  They were naturals when they got back.  During the break Eric did go into more detail about the West/East Bound Trek to/from Baldwin.  It’s an amazing trek.  One of the Scouts said that he really wants to do it when he’s 13.  He is the same Scout that said he wanted to go to Camp Meriwether next year for Scout Camp.

If you want to expand your program, create retention and have fun….go to Butte Creek.  If you’re a Pack, this is what FOS can help you with.  If you’re in another Council, look for things to do outside the norm.  That is what makes the journey in Scouting memorable.

I also found one more reason that Friends of Scouting helps provides people jobs.  Butte Creek is a working Ranch.  There are some people on the Ranch who are still Scouts.  They are there also to learn a trade.  Friends of Scouting helps with this.  We paid into FOS and got the free camping.  But, it also provided for others to help us have a great weekend.

Scouting…full circle.

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Why have a Summertime Pack Program?

This weekend wrapped up Pack 221′s Summertime Pack Award for the 2012 Summer.   Which, is my last one with the Pack as I crossover with Elliot in 2013.  I did not realize this until the other day.  The 2009 Summer was my first with the Pack.  I realized that we were not doing Summertime Pack through my research due to my taking on the Cubmaster role.  I came across the Cubmaster Knot that could be earned.  (Since the Cubmaster Knot has been replaced by the Scouter’s Key, it’s still required to earn) I had to help the Pack earn the Summertime Pack Award just once.  We have now earned it four times.  The first year was an Ivy Pull, Bike Ride and a sleepover at the Ballpark.  The second year was Rain Gutter Regatta, Water Bottle Rockets and the Multnomah Days Parade. We also did the baseball park sleepover.  Last year was a Bike Rodeo, Multnomah Days Parade and Disc Golf.  This year was Rain Gutter Regatta, Bike Ride and Mud Cubs (Council Mud Day..;)  ).

It was a good Summer.  The 2010 June event was Rain Gutter Regatta.  Everyone totally loved it.  So, we brought it back again.  Again, a huge hit.  The July event was a Bike ride at Champoeg State Park.  I was not able to go, but I heard that it was a great time.  My now Wolf Den Leader planned it.  Finally, Council had an event called MUD CUBs.  It was a lot of fun.  Think MUD, Cubscouts and having them crawl through mud on their hands and knees.  It was a huge hit.  Included was two water slides.

I also included 3 out of 5 Cubmaster Hikes during the summer.  Meaning, if a Scout could not make an event, there was a second chance.  Not to many Scouts took me up on it.

Great….it’s done. Now what.  Time to fill out the form and answer the questions.

Did the Pack get The Summertime Pack Award? Yes.  Three events were offered. So, the Pack get the Streamer for the Flag.  In our Council we have a patch program that has a Summertime Pack patch.  I gave those out to anyone who came.  Since we earned the award as a Pack,

Summertime Pack Pins?  Yes, but only the Cubscouts who earned them.  One.  My Son.  There were several that went to TWO Events.   What I will say about this section is that in the past to encourage Scouts to keep with the program, I gave Pins to those who went to two event.  This, year that is not going to be the case. (I so want to hand these out.)

National Den Award: No.  No Den had 50% participation.  The other years we had enough to pass.  This year, we did not.

Please note, that the Summertime Pack Event only needs to have three events OFFERED.  It’s the National Den Award that requires the 50%.

So, why is the Summertime Pack Award important?  First and foremost, it keeps Scouting alive within the Youth and the Parents.  Most Packs stop for the summer outside of Summer Camp.   Summercamp does not generally count for inclusion for this award.  Yes, I said, generally.  Here’s is my reasoning.

In many Council’s Summercamp is put on by volunteers who have a whole week of DAY CAMP.  It will have TIGERS, WOLVES, BEARS & WEBELOS I & II all there.  That would be ONE whole event.  Other Council’s like mine, Cascade Pacific has a rank ascending Camp Program.  Meaning, Tigers go to a 5 day daycamp.  Wolves & Bears go to a 2 night resident camp.  Webelos go to a 3 day resident camp.  Webelos II go to a 5 night resident camp.

Since everyone goes to Summer Camp, it does not count.  It’s up to you on how you include or not.  Since I am the Akela and in charge of P221′s Program, it does not.

So, what happens if you put on Summertime Pack Events for three months and it’s just YOU and your SON and family.  The Pack has earned the award.  Your son got the pin, but not the Den Award.  The Pack has offered the program. It would have been great to had more.  Weird?  Maybe.  But, I got this solution from my now Wood Badge Scoutmaster when she was on staff at the 2009 Wood Badge.  First 30 minutes on being in camp, I was talking about how we did not get the award.  She asked what we did, I explained, she said we got it for the above reasons.  I really quizzed her about it.  Explained that “A Scout is Honest”.   She again explained the process.  Got it.

So, what else does Summertime Pack does for you besides keeping Scouting in front of the Scouts & Families.  It helps attract other families to your Pack.

Pack A does 9 months of programming and stops for the summer.  Pack B does the same, but provides a summer program.  It shows families having fun together.  It  also shows that the Pack works together to give fun.  If a Pack does not give a certain aspect that is important to you, what else do they NOT do?  Are they boring?  Do they just hand out awards in baggies?  Ceremonies for any rank advancement besides Arrow of Light?  If the Pack is boring, the kids won’t want to go.

So, having a Summertime Pack Event program will attract others to your program.  You want to get those new Scouts in the Pack.  You need parents to take over when your time is up.

Finally, Summertime Pack Events will greatly help you in using Journey to Excellence (JTE).  It goes back Pack Programming, Outdoor Activites, Building Cubscouting, Retention and Fitness.   Looking at all the areas within Journey to Excellence, you can knock out a lot of these with this program.  Does it matter if your Bronze? No. Silver? No. Gold? No?  Working with JTE will help you get to Bronze, Silver or Gold! It will also tell you where you need to improve.

Using the JTE will help improve the Pack Program.  Improving that, will help create fun.  Creating fun will help you with the game.  A game with a purpose.

So, put on the Summertime Pack Event program.
(ps: Don’t do it for the Knots.  Do it for the Scouts. That’s the real reward.)

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The Transition at Camp

   The Cascade Pacific Council has Cubscout camps that help transition Cub Scouts from Tigers to Webelos II and then onto the Boy Scout program.  Adventure Cove at Camp Clark is the last in this transition.  Camp Meriweather is next door.

I have been to all four camps with the boys since they were Tigers.  Discovery, Cub World, Gilbert Ranch and now Adventure Cove.  This is the end of the line for me.  I seriously doubt that I will go with the Troop. What? I am not going to continue?  My Committee Chair and a few others think that I am going to be a Scoutmaster.  I disagree and here is why…

Getting to the camp and getting all checked in was ok.  A tad long and the boys got really bored with the forms.  They wanted to play.   Once we got all processed in and headed to the elective sign-up it started to get better.  The sign-up for the electives was a tad weird.  College classes were better organized, so we coached the boys into what they wanted to take and forced others.   Oceanography was the hit of the week.  Elliot and his buddy signed up for BB Guns for three times as well as Archery.  What? Why?  That’s too much… Dad, we want to get the Pin for them.  Oh, Ok, They had a plan.  Ok, but sign up for Oceanography.  It’s the cool one. Your on the beach.  OK.

During the middle of all this, I got the latest installment from Jerry’s Blog. (stop and read it.)  As Jerry says “Taking away from camp a life time of memories is more valuable than any merit badge.  Parents often times view summer camp as an advancement opportunity, and it is certainly there for the taking, but cranking out merit badges without having fun is a waste of summer camp.”  Yes…..Memories.  That’s what they needed.  I was bent, again, on getting them requirements completed.  Ok, get a few, but create memories is what CAMP is about and being 10.

Adventure Cove is set-up to transition to Boy Scouts.  The morning is set-up for the Troop to travel together to all stations over the week.  This allows the Instructors “talk” through all the requirements.  The afternoons are the electives.  There is a program for the parents to attend. Also my District Exec came on the last day and we talked shop.  It was a good talk.  I learned a lot. I did get the Adult Leader Medallion for taking a class a day for Den Leaders.  That was fun.  I also got certified in “Nap on Safely“!  All of these classes were about 2-3 hours long.  After that I read a lot.  I also  hung out with the other parents in our Troop.

I will say that our Webelos II Scouts went through a lot of growing and learned more than they know that they did.  Also, I grew as well.

Normally the Scouts and parent have 60-90 minutes together each week.  Not much interaction outside of that, really.  Yes, the parents see each other at other functions and school activities, but that is it.  The boys have sleepovers and have friendships.  However, this was, I think our first of being together for six days and 5 nights.  There was homesickness, injuries, disobedience, fellowship, and all 12 points of the Oath and Law.  One of the main themes of the camp was for the Scouts to earn a bead for each of the 12.  They did work at it and we were able to give them slips of paper so they could get them at the trading post.  A week of learning and living the Scout Oath and Law.

There are two specific transition points that happened during Adventure Cove.  They are the hike to Camp Meriweather and the Final Campfire (pictured above).  First, the hike.  Two Troops each day cycled through for a five-mile hike round trip to Camp Meriweather.  It was to show the Scouts and parents the camp.  It also was to encourage the Scouts to continue their journey.  That there is a lot of fun to be had.  While none of the Scouts got to shoot Shot Guns or Rifles, they did get to see a replica of Ft Clatsop that held a Black Powder Range, a Blacksmith shop and a Tomhawk Throwing Range.  I heard several questions about if we are going their next year for Camp.  I also heard several boys talk about moving over to Boy Scouts.

The last point on transition is the last Campfire.  For those in Wood Badge, there are a lot of great campfires.  Every Scout camp has one.  These are meant to be significant and give meaning to all.  This one was no different.  The one main item that I really liked was that the Scouts were asked to find a little piece of wood and either carve or write them name on it.  At the end of the campfire and after the retiring of two large American Flags they were asked by Troop to come up and put their totem into the fire.  The Staff told them that this signifies leaving a part of themselves at Adventure Cove and making the transition to Boy Scouts.

While some might think that is was all goofy sappy Scout stuff and over the top, it was all that to make a point.  A point well taken once we all got back to the Campsite.  I stopped the boys before we had smores and got ready for bed to say about what they had seen, heard and had done.   I explained to them, that I had been to every camp with them, that I was their Tiger Den Leader and seen them through many things.  They surprised me.  They spoke of it being a solemn event, honor and that they even grew up.  Other parents reflected on how Vespers is very touching to them in several ways.  It was a good moment that we all had together.

To which, when I got back into reality Clarke Green posted a wonderful post about the Aim’s of Scouting.  It really spoke to the weekend.

It really is a Game with a purpose.  There is a start and an end, but it’s the journey that’s the most fun.  Don’t lose site.

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Finding a Troop

I know that this blog is read by a few Troops within the district.  Please do not read anything into this post.

It has been about fours years since Elliot started Cubscouts with Pack 221.  He is now a Webelos II.  I have been the Tiger Den Leader and now am entering my last year as Cubmaster.  It is that time to really start looking for a Troop.

While, I have been on that search since my second year as Cubmaster, Elliot has not.  Nor should he have.  Traditionally since we started with Pack 221, the Scouts have gone to one Troop.  Fine.   This last year, the Webelos II went to two different Troops.  The traditional and then one that took me by surprise.  I thought that another Troop had the lock on a few.  Nope, they all minus one went to one where our family buys the Christmas Trees from.  No worries. It’s a great Troop and my Webelos II Den Leader was made ASM.

Here is my worry.  Elliot might go to a Troop that is way more into High Adventure than he really wants.  He is not into a 50 Miler.  Unless it’s on a horse or maybe a kayak, canoe or a bike.  He’s not into HIKING!  He is much more at ease with car camping with some light hiking.

I need and want him to get into Boy Scouts so, those Older Scouts can help mentor him and have them teach him what he needs to know.  I am becoming a bore, burden and not fun in Scouting.  I know this.  He likes Scouting when it’s on his terms and it’s fun.  He has to go because he is the Cubmaster’s son.  It was good when he was a Tiger and Wolf.  But towards the end of Bear and in Webelos I I have seen the tide changing.

I get and understand that.  I have had to learn to pull myself back.  Only in the past two weeks, did I talk about Summer Camp.  I barely touched upon what he’s interested in as it relates to going to Boy Scouts.  He’s first thing he said, is that he would go if his buddies went.

I asked, which one he would like to go with.  Got the name.  Made perfect sense.

Now, with all my conversations with Scoutmasters, ASMs and others in the Internet Virtual Roundtable, I have listened to what they have said.  I have asked questions.  I think that I understand what makes for a good transition.   Hence, my ask of Elliot of who he wanted.  I briefly talked to that Scout’s parents.

A note about that Scout.  He’s good.  He’s one of those that you know will go all the way to Eagle.  I know this because as a Bear, he told me on the way to Summer Camp that year, that he cannot wait until he gets his Arrow of Light.  His Dad also told me that on a vacation through an airport once, they ran into a Troop flying through the Airport.  This Scout went and talked to them.  Asked a lot of questions.  That Troop took him in and answered them all.  I will be an Eagle Court of Honor.

All that being said, I ran into a ASM of a Troop today at the Scoutshop that I had not seen for a while.  Swapped stories about where we were going to Summer Camp.  Then I asked what Troop he was with again.  I asked what they were all about and what they did.  Got the location of the Troop Meeting.  Ok, not too far away.  Same area as we are, but closer than the Troop the Webelos II crossed over too this year.

So, tonight I started the process of reaching out to three different Troops.  One that the last Webelos II went to, and two others.  I have no real understanding of one of the Troops.  But, I know two of them.  Elliot will have a choice of about five Troops all together.  I really do not think that he will go to the two traditional ones.  Which is fine.  Both are good Troops.

Overall, I am trying to stay out of making the choice for him.  It needs to be his choice.  I know that once he moves on to any Troop, that at some point I will become a part of the Troop.  I have no real wish to be an ASM.  I would rather be a Committee Member at this time.  I will become a Merit Badge Counselor and continue on District Training Chair.  I will start the process on becoming more involved with the Troop for Board of Reviews as well as on the District level.  As District Trainer, I will focus more on the Cubscout Training as I see a huge gap there.

For me, it’s an exciting time for Elliot.  It’s a transition and turning point.  While he has had several choices put before him, this is the first of what HE wants to do.  It’s not, hey do you want to play soccer this year?  NO.  What about La Crosse. NO.  Piano? No.  Wii? YES.

Also, this year at Camp, I am letting him choose what he wants to do for electives.  Then, I will let him go and follow as needed.  Camp starts on this Sunday @ Noon.

See you on the flip side of Summer camp.

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Mission Possible

This Thursday, the Cascade Pacific Council held a secret meeting that was by invite only.  Council invited two Scouters from each Cubscout Pack within it’s borders.  It was led by Jake Nichols, the CEO of Leatherman Tools.  The Council Scout Executive Matt Devore was there as well.  So, I signed up and went.  Any chance to put on the Tan & Green for an hour I am there.  What got my interest is that Council was putting on such a huge push for Cubscouts.  I have long pined for more CUBSCOUT stuff.

The jist of the whole meeting was to explain and challenge those of us within the Cubscout Scouter Choir.  It also was to point out several things.

Cubscout membership  & summer camp attendance is down within the Council.  Some of which I knew since I am on the District Committee and have gone to Top Team.  Matt Devore stated (if I remember correctly) that Boy Scouting starts with Cub Scouting.

Matt related how his oldest son got his start in Tigers.  It was him asking his son what seven buddies he wanted to have in Tigers.  Matt then called each parent of the boys and invited them.  Matt also related several firsts that his son had due to Cubscouts.

Both Matt & Jake asked us as Leaders to accept a challenge.  They are:

• Start a den of incoming Tigers or Wolves with all the paperwork turned in by June 10th.
• Do everything we can to get every boy in the pack to Summer Camp in 2012
• Help earn the Pack  earn GOLD in Journey to Excellence
• Help the Pack earn the Summertime Pack Award

• Here is the deal, Pack 221 is getting most every Cubscout to Summercamp. We are finalizing plans for one Den out of 4.
• Pack 221 has earned Gold w/100% Boys Life for 2011 JTE. We also have earned the Quality Unit Award for 2009 & 2010.
• Pack 221 since 2009 (when I came on) to earn the Summertime Pack Award.

What we have not done is start a Tiger Den by June. (So, I know what to do)

My Program Chair’s Pack is doing this:

• We recruit year round and have really grown the pack over the last year. We are currently at 58 boys registered. Our annual Rain Gutter Regatta is planned for June 10th. Just this week we have a new Tiger, soon to be a Wolf joining the pack. In June another boy will be moving from Seattle and his mother wants him to join our pack based on our web site, our emails and one phone call. So that makes two boys toward the goal and we are not even out of March yet.
• We are currently the only pack in the district that has dens attending all four Cub Scout Camps, Camp Discovery, Cub World, Gilbert Ranch and Adventure Cove.
• We set high standards for the pack and by doing so we have achieved the GOLD level of excellence in 2009 and 2011 in both the Quality Unit Award and Journey to Excellence. We are on our way to achieving GOLD again this year, our low point was adult trained leaders and we will be addressing that issue.
• Our Pack has earned the Summertime Pack award for the past several years. We do this by attending Summer Camp, offering a monthly event in each of June, July and August. Our belt loop family sports night, the BBQ and the parade all make great Summertime Pack events.

My goal is to recruit a Tiger Den Leader/s and get a Den started.  We are hopefully going to start that shortly for the May Pack Meeting for Raingutter Regatta.  I have one parent already in mind for the Tiger Den Leader.  I just need to ask.

So, whatelse can I do as Cubmaster to help be an Agent of Change?  Our Pack grew from 33 to 49 this year.  The 7 Webelos II just crossed over.  Our Tiger Den is 13 (highest since I came on in 2008).  That brings us to 42, though Council will have us for 49 until Dec 2011 when we re-charter.  Our membership was as high as 80.  Do I want 80 boys?  No, not really.  Do I want to offer Scouting to all?  Yes?

So, here is what I need to do. (When I say I, I mean PACK/WE)  Get a meeting with the possible Tiger Den Leader. Get his son’s friends names.  Invite them.  I also need to create a flyer for the Kindergartners and invite them to Raingutter Regatta in May.  However, I need to get those boys a boat.  To get them a boat, I need more of a committment.   Flyers are cheap, boats are not.  Fun is Priceless

To do this, I need to get flyers and info to the Council so I can get them to the Kindergarteners in the School.  There is a lot of footwork to do and to be done.

Once this is done, we can get out all the information to the Parents that shows what we do and have events for the Summer.  Maybe, I can also get them into Camp Discovery too?

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Webelos I Camp & Advancement

At the end of this week is Webelos I camp for Elliot and the rest of the Scouts.  It Butte Creek Ranch in the Cascade Pacific Council.  It is the first time they are going to be OUT of the Portland Metro area.  The first two were within 40 minutes of the house.  It will be the second time for residence camp. Two nights and three days.  Next year, it’s on the Oregon Coast for five days.

Many of the Pack were at Butte Creek Ranch during Pioneer District’s first Cub-O-Ree this year.  So, the Dads of the Webelos I get the layout of the land, oh and THE HILL!  Pack LITE people!  I have already seen photos from my Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner/Program Chair.  His son and their Den went last week.  The pictures look great.  It did give me a bit of a heads up of what to expect.

Since going to this camp earlier this year, I get the layout and what to expect.  The program is still a mystery to me, but that’s the fun part of camp.  But, here is the interesting part about Summercamp within Cub Scouts…at lest for me.  Advancement.

In our Pack, Summertime Advancement really does not take place in the Tiger, Wolf, Bear years.  In Webelos it generally does.  The Webelos Dens do not meet except for Summertime Pack Events and Camp during the summer.  If the Boys work on advancement during the summer, it counts.  There is no reason to not allow it.  Big thing is that if the Scout wants the patch/pin/beltloop, they need to buy it themselves.  There is no Pack Money available in the way we are setup.  Within Boy Scouts, Summertime/Summercamp is where a lot of advancement takes place.

So, I went to review what advancement could take place while at Camp for Elliot and the boys.  Here is what I found.

Webelos Advancement
Please keep in mind that the main emphasis of Cub Scout camping is not advancement, but exploring new
interests he would not have otherwise been able to enjoy. All activities planned for you and your Scout will
be fun and memorable. We have done our best to incorporate advancement opportunities into the
program, though most requirements are difficult to achieve in a camp setting.
Following is a list of the achievements your Scout could possibly earn during his stay, depending on the
verification of an adult leader from his den.
 BB Belt Loop
 Archery Belt Loop
 Geology Belt Loop
 Chess Belt Loop
 Whittling Chip

Mmmmm….Interesting.. I like this in the overall sense.  I knew BB Gun/Archery would happen.  Whittling, sure.  Chess? Really?   I like that the guide points out that this is a time for the boys to do something that they might not get a chance to normally do.  Awesome. That is what Scouts is all about.  Learning.  I know that next year at Adventure Cove, the boys who will be Webelos II will be able to knock out several requirements for the Activity Pins.

This Summer, I have stood back in general from Elliot’s advancement within Scouts.  Not to say that I haven’t checked off the Fishing and Swimming Beltloops he just earned.  I am not as active as I am in the School year.  It is up to him (with prodding for Den Work to be don) to advance.  I catch myself plotting on ways to get him to earn the Activity Pins.  To which, I stop.  That’s the Webelos Den Leader’s position to drive that.  However, the Summertime Pack Events thus far have provided the Bicycling & Ultimate Beltloop and Elliot has earned the Fishing & Swimming Beltloop.  All of which count towards requirements on: Sportsmans & Aquanaut Activity Pins.

One thing is for sure.  Elliot and those who go to Summercamp will have earned part of the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award.

Overall, the big reminder I got from the Leader’s Guide for Butte Creek Ranch is….exploring new
interests he would not have otherwise been able to enjoy.

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The Cub Scouter Knot

  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.

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The Webelos Summer

      So, this summer is my Son’s first Summer as a Webelos.  And I am excited.  I think that it’s more ME than him.  So, I am trying to ratchet it back a few notches.  He is going to Summer Camp and I am following along.  In Scout Master Jerry’s Blog, he talks about what do you do at Summer Camp.  There are a few of us Scouters within our little Twitter/Internet Virtual Council (as I am starting to call it) that are going to Camp.  Some of us are even running it.

I have generally waited a few weeks to get back into Scouting mode with myself and son.  However, I started last night to talk to him about the Activity Badges and what he can earn.  I am thinking that Fitness, Family Member and Traveler might be a good couple to start.  This is also a long with several beltloops.  The beltloops will help him earn part of the requirements of the Badges.

He was not too receptive about any of this.  Eyes started to glaze over, so I asked him what he wanted to do.  We ended up playing a game of Sorry and Battleship.  He won Sorry and I won Battleship,but it was a great time together.  I did suggest playing Chess as he loves it.  He quickly was onto me about the Chess Beltloop and declined the offer.  The Chess Beltloop is part of Scholar Activity Badge.

Within summer camp in July at Butte Creek, there are several Beltloop and Activity Badges that he will be able to earn.  In theory he will be able to earn two beltloops and Activity Badges.  If he works on the other three Activity Badges and those Beltloops he will be well on his way for getting the Webelos  Badge.

So, back to Jerry’s Blog.  I am going to expand it a bit and mold it to Cub Scouts since he deals with Boy Scouts and Troops.  By their very nature Boy Scout Troops are run by Boys, not Adults and are more independant than Cub Scouts.  Packs generally do not have official meetings during the summer.  Unless the Pack puts on a Summertime Pack Award program, then it’s done till Fall.  If your Pack is NOT doing a Summertime Pack Award program, then you are not allowing the boys even more fun and chances to earn various awards.

Within the Pack, and specifically Cascade Pacific Council’s Summer Camp program there are three awards/patches that the Adults can participate in.  It was my goal to earn them.  However, during last years Resident Camp I realized that it would take me away from the then Bear Den and my son.  Granted, out of eight boys that went, seven Dads were there.  However, I was there for my son and watching another Bear.  They were fine, but I felt the need to be there with them.  I did not want to wander off in search of signatures or doing things to get the patch.  I did participate a bit.

Cub Scouts need a bit of direction during, well just about everything. I herd Cats & Turtles during this time.  You just cannot leave them to their own devices…for the most part.  They had their own play time near the sleeping area that I let them do what they wanted, but always close enough for the Two-deep leadership part.  Everyone was good.

So, I did not participate in that Badge.  I know that I will not do it for the other two camps that my Son will be going to for the same reason.  Also, because we will not have the dad coverage that we had last time this year.  Next year is a four night five day camp as Webelos II.

So, for Camp, that is what I will be doing.  I will be with my son and the other Scouts making sure they get to where they need to be and help as needed at those stations.  BB Guns and Archery won’t be an issue since they get it.  Others, well let’s just see what can happen.  I am not going to DO the crafts for them.  But I will hold a nail for them or stretch leather so they can nail it into place.

Back to the Webelos advancement….  It is generally the policy of our Pack that items earned over the summer are not bought by the Pack.  It’s up to the parent to buy them.  We will log them into Packmaster so they get credit for them.  It’s my general idea that the Webelos program is 20 months long without a real break for Summer.  Meaning, the boys should be a bit more active in earning their rank.  So, here is the rub.  With all that I think that my son can do over the summer, is it really HIM wanting to do this, or is it me?

Yes, he will get at lest one Activity Badge that is required outside the three for Webelos this summer.  One out of 20.  The four others not required for either Webelos or Arrow of Light possible rank requirements might happen, but will be up to him.  As well as the beltloops for others.  It really is MY goal for him to get all 20 Activity Badges and not his.

So, that’s the rub.  So far it’s all about ME and not HIM.  I know we will get a few things in, but Scouting is for him.  He drives this bus and I am the silent guide/passenger with him.  That’s my struggle for these upcoming 20 months.  I am working on not becoming that Helicopter parent or one pushing their son to do everything within Scouting.

I would love to hang out at Summer Camp and read a book or do the patch, so who knows…..

Have a great summer!

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Advancement 101 #100daysofscouting

Here is one area of Scouting that can really tweak people.  Advancement.   I am not going to get into the parents who say that Bobby Bear or Waldo Webelos has completed this or that and you know that they have not.  If there is a discussion, then they/boy will have to prove it.  A simple talk between myself and the boy will suffice.  A Scout is Honest and a Cubscout will do his best. If the Parents are caught up in it, well they can as Scoutmaster Shawn says “Go Pound Sand.”

What I am after in this post is my philosophy as guided by all BSA Rules, Policy and Regulations.  (As I know it. If I am wrong, please by all means let me know.  I am open to learn.  Which, I did when I posted about the Video Game Beltloop.)

To me, if the Scout does his best and completes the work needed to achive a beltloop, pin, award, patch and rank, then they earn it.  It’s hard to track these things.  We rely upon the Books for the most part.  However there are many other ways to do so.  In my case, I rely upon Den Leaders to keep correct and accurate (as possible) records.  Case in point our Pack uses Packmaster.  One Den Leader uses an Excel spreadsheet, because that is the way he likes to do it.  In the past I have used similar spreadsheet systems.  There are also many iPad/iPod based systems as well.  But, they are generally one scout based and also do not have all the awards that I like to have.
So, why is this so important.  It is the respondsibility of the Adults in the Cubscout Program to keep records.  The boys can’t even find their homework, socks or even sometimes forget their sister on the School Bus…(yes, it’s true.)

That being the case, it was one of my Wood Badge ticket items to help create a process of record keeping.  Hence, I had the Pack buy and I rolled out Packmaster.  Hence, I am somewhat of a Packmaster Nerd for our Pack….ok, Den.  Tonight (Sunday) I was going through what Elliot had done in the past several months updating what I knew he had done for work within the Pack and Den.  I was also updating all the info about what the boys who attended the Pioneer District Cuboree this last weekend.

Now, I had thought when I wrote the last blog post and even talking to the Adults and sending an update that I had gotten it all.  Nope.  I only focused on the Bears, since I told the Den Leaders that I would be the Packmaster master for them.  All they had to do is update me as to what the boys have done in the den.   Now, as I plodded through Elliot’s record, I realized several things.

Under the electives:
All boys did Sales part A.  Participate in a fundraising program within the Council and keep reords. DONE

20: Sports: AL Archery. Bingo! (Do that every Summercamp and just did again at Cub-o-ree.) DONE

24: American Indian Life: In school Elliot’s class is studying NA History and they are making a blanket based upon a local tribe.  In talking to his teacher (who is very cool) I got to know more about what he is doing.  I even told her that I play the Native American Flute.  Guess, whose coming to class?  BINGO. DONE A,B,C (Two other boys are in his class)

25: Let’s Go Camping: We basically did this as a Den/Pack and by himself.  A, C,D,E,G.  Still need Leave No Trace.   Two boys did the Scout’s Own. One at Summercamp and Elliot at Cuboree. BAM!

Now, I am tad hazy on other electives or things he has done, so I emailed the Den Leaders asking for updates.  (I keep all my email, and I think that I got it all.) Now, with Packmaster you can send out a record to each parent.  I did this asking them to update me for additions/deletions and errors.  Never know what the family has done and not told us.

My overall point in Advancement is….it happens all around us.  Advancement does not happen during a Den/Pack Meeting or Outing or Summer Camp or Cuborees.  It happens in the home, on vacation, in the school or where ever.  It’s up to us as Akela’s and Parents to figure out if it counts.  Ask your Den Leader, Cubmaster or any Scouting person and they hopefully will be able to help you out.  If not, start googling for Scout sites.  The more research you do, the more cool Scout items you will find that you and your son can work on together.

FYI: Here is what Elliot_Record looks like as it stands today.  The only dumb thing is that I cannot get Packmaster to register via PDF that he has 1 Gold and 7 Silver Arrow Points.  Ugh…

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Rangemaster LIII of C of #100DaysofScouting

I confirmed on Thursday with the Cubscout Roundtable Commissioner who is helping to lead our Districts first Cub-o-ree that our Pack would help on the BB Gun Range.  I figured that it was the easiest thing to do.  They had Archery, which would have been the same.  However, I know that the boys would totally get into BB Guns.  My Tiger Den Leader asked me what we were going to do at Monday’s Pack meeting and I had no real clue.  When I asked if he would help on this, he was all over it.

So, I confirmed with the CS RT Commish and it’s all good.  I emailed the Committee Chair to say we were doing it.  I figured he would have agreed anyway.
There are 6 out of 13 packs going this year from out District.  Pretty excited that almost half of our Cubscout Packs are going.

This time with Archery and BB Guns will allow the boys to earn the Pin.  They do not have time during summer camp to shoot for three hours.  Hopefully, that will work out for many of the boys.  It will also allow some of the Tigers to earn their Beltloop before Summer Camp and continue to work on the Pin.  I think what I might do is see if we can hold a special BB Gun Den Meeting for those boys if not at Cuboree and work through the Pin Requirements.  That way, we can award the Pin at the next Pack Meeting.

I checked the BSA Scouting.org website and there is no clickable link for information on how to earn the Beltloop/Pin.  I understand that you can only earn them at a BSA Camp or event. Because of that BSA does not publish on it’s website nor book via a Scout Shop (I checked my 2010 copy and it’s not listed).  because of that, I have used the  Boy Scout Trail website for what’s listed below.  It’s a great site and I use it all the time.  It was actually the first site I found when my son joined Cubscouts.

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The BB Gun Shooting belt loop and pin can be awarded only by a BSA range-trained shooting sports director at a BSA-approved range. Scouts can earn gun-shooting recognition items only at council/district day camp, resident camp, or council-managed family camping programs. Gun shooting is not approved for the Cub Scout program outside of these defined venues.

To be a BSA range officer, an adult must attend a three-hour training program conducted by a National Camping School-certified field sports director or National Rifle Association (NRA) instructor.

Requirements for the BB Gun Shooting Belt Loop

1. Explain the rules of safe BB gun shooting you have learned to your leader or adult partner.
2. Demonstrate to your leader or adult partner good BB gun shooting techniques, including eye dominance, shooting shoulder, breathing, sight alignment, trigger squeeze, follow through.
3. Practice shooting at your district or your council camp in the time allowed.

Requirements for the BB Gun Shooting Pin

The BB Gun sports pin is earned by completing the camp BB Gun safety program and qualifying with a minimum of 60 credits in firing activities with a parent or adult partner, and with a certified range officer present.

Earn the BB Gun shooting belt loop and complete five of the following requirements:

1. Explain the parts of a BB gun and demonstrate how to properly load the gun.
2. Demonstrate the shooting positions.
3. Develop proficient shooting techniques by practicing for three hours.
4. Learn the correct scoring techniques for target BB gun shooting.
5. Make a poster that emphasizes the proper range commands.
6. Draw to scale or set up a BB gun shooting range.
7. Show improvement in your shooting ability with an increase in scoring points.
8. Help make a type of target for the camp BB gun shooting range.
9. Show how to put away and properly store BB gun shooting equipment after use.
10. Explain how to use the safety mechanism on a BB gun.
11. Tell five facts about the history of BB guns.

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