Big Changes Coming for Cub Scouts in 2010

The letter below is from Ron Gardner, Scout Executive from the York-Adams Area Council in Pennsylvania.  He published it on his blog and explains the changes in the Cub Scout program coming in 2010.  I would encourage everyone to read about the changes.  For Cub leaders and family, pay very close attention.  The changes are significant.  Gone are the Cub Scout Helps and the emphasis on activities.  The new emphasis is on advancement.  There is much more in Ron Gardner's letter:

If you read the headline for this story, you’re probably thinking “Oh no, not more change … can’t things just be left as they are?” Believe me, I know the feeling.

But what if you could change some things that are done in the Cub Scout program that would:
Increase the year vs. year retention rates from 65% to 85%?
Increase den leader confidence and satisfaction?
If you knew that these changes would work as advertised, would you be willing to make them? I’m willing to bet that all of our Cub Scout leaders would go along with that.

For the past several years, I’ve been watching the progress of studies that originated in Cub Scout dens in the Central Region where the method of delivering existing Cub Scout program was being refocused to be more handbook-based and create den activities leading to increased youth advancement and, as a outcome, increased youth retention. As I understood the pilot programs, den meetings were being restructured to make sure that all den members were advancing as a natural part of den meetings. A defined route, through specific den meeting plans, for boys to earn advancements by their participation at den meetings was showing promising results as far back as 2005-06. Each year since, the study groups have become progressively larger. Last year, our council has had packs and dens participate in the “Fast Tracks on the Advancement Trail” program, which incorporated all of the changes being rolled out nationally in 2010.

Each year at conferences I would attend, we’d hear glowing reports about how youth retention skyrocketed, about how much den leaders appreciated the revised approach and materials, how parents liked seeing their sons earning more advancements. In talking with other Scout Executives, we were all wondering when, if this new delivery system for Cub Scouting was resulting in huge improvements in youth retention, why it wasn’t being rolled out more quickly?

Well, after four years of studies, this new style of Cub Scout den meetings is being finally being rolled out nationally in 2010, just in time for the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, appropriately titled “Cub Scouts 2010.”

There will be new detailed den meeting plans for all ages of Cub Scouts, including Webelos Scouts. As den leaders use these new meeting plans, boys will naturally earn age-appropriate advancements as part of regular den activities. Parents can and should be involved in their son’s advancement, but more advancement-related activity will be occurring at den meetings as part of the core program. Leaders who have used the new meeting plans have been more satisfied with the ease of meeting preparation and have stated they are more satisfied with their role as a den leader.

And you certainly cannot overlook the fact that youth retention jumped from 65% to 85%. That seems almost too good to be true, but it actually happened in the test dens.
I’m really excited about the potential that all of this has for Cub Scout families in our council. National implementation begins with the 2010-11 program year in September 2010. New and revised publications and training should be available in May 2010.

I encourage all interested Cub Scout leaders and parents to view the detailed materials and information currently available at www.scouting.org/cubscouts2010. You can review an overview of the new program, look at sample den meeting plans, and look at frequently asked questions about the program. A web-based forum will also be created in the near future for leaders to discuss Cub Scouting 2010 and ask questions. Please let your fellow Cub Scout leaders know about these exciting changes and how they can learn more about Cub Scouting 2010 online.

As additional information becomes available to us here in the council, we’ll pass it along as quickly as possible.

Yours in Scouting,
Ron (Gardner)

"D" List Scouting Activities?

I recently read an marketing article that uses the Kathy Griffin TV reality show, "My Life on the "D" List" as a marketing example for not have an "A", "B", "C" or "D" list in marketing. In a short explanation, the article says to treat everyone the same. Don't treat your least productive customers any different than your best. My thoughts immediately were on Scouting and our responsibilities as leaders to present everything in the program as if it were on the "A" list.

How many times has a requirement for a rank or merit badge been relegated to the "D" list because the leader did not think it was that important or they were up against a deadline or whatever? How many times has a leader just let it go? What about uniforming? Do leaders just "leave it be" when a Scout does not have their patches sewn correctly. Do they emphasize the need for a full uniform? Don't get me wrong, I am not a member of the patch police, I'm just trying to make a point.

That point is that the entire program suffers if all the ranks, requirements, policies and procedures are not properly presented. We can extend that to training. How many leaders place the program on their personal "D" list by not going to training? How many leaders try to isolate themselves from other units because they want to do their own thing?

Because we wear the uniform, we have accepted a mission. It is not ours to change or modify. There is plenty enough flexibility in the system to allow for individual creativity or emphasis without going outside or minimizing the requirements. Staying true to the program is the reason it has lasted 100 years.

MyScoutLink

I just found an interesting site I would like to pass along. It is called MyScoutLink and is located at MyScoutLink.com. The price is right - free. It looks like a great communications tool. For those using Troopmaster or similar software, there are some overlaps but for the most part it is for communications within a unit.

The site has several features that will be attractive to leaders. First of all, it makes email management easier. Once the information is in the system, automatic reminders are sent out. The emails announcements are slso archived on the site, so it is easy to go back to reference a particular email or event. Things like event lists and "What to bring" lists can be automated. For those who prefer text messaging, the system allows that as a option.

The calendar program is also very useful. A daily, weekly or monthly view allows all events and meetings to be entered. A great calendar is essential for any group. A couple of other useful features include online payments for events and a forum for interaction among members. The forum allows for surveys so the unit can get input for attendance to events, interest level, and keeping up with projects.

Finally, the site allows a simple website to be set up so the unit has a public presence. There is a news feature that acts like a blog. This can help with recruiting and with fundraising by showing the activity level of the unit. Take time to check out this site.

Ron Pearman

Does Facebook have a place in Scouting?

I am caught between a rock and a hard place. I am set in my ways but I am also a technology geek. I have been heavily involved with technology for the last five years and an interest for many more. But like many people, hard times have hit me. I have been underemployed for some time and current unemployed, so like many people in the current economy I am looking for a redefinition of my career path. I am starting my own photography business, since I have over thirty years of experience in that area.

One thing that I have considered is increasing my Internet marketing skills. I have already learned a lot about promoting web sites, search engine optimization, email marketing and such. I have heard about Facebook and MySpace for years but rejected it as a waste of time and energy. I thought of it as a youthful exercise of futility. But recently I have heard more and more about using Facebook in business as a way of communicating directly with your customers. Right now, there are over 250 million (yes, million) users and that number is increasing exponentially. Over 300 million users by November is within reach. Considering the growth began early in 2006, those numbers a nothing short of phenomenal.

With all that said, let's get back to the original question. If this medium is the communications center for the youth of the country, why would it not have a place in Scouting? What better place could be found to communicate with our audience? Using television to sell sugar coated cereal on Saturday morning certainly worked, but how about Facebook selling Scouting?
If you think about how Facebook works there are two good opposing arguments. First of all, Facebook is huge. There is a lot of, for lack of a better term, clutter. Most youth have their circle of friends and their interactions do not venture into the "great beyond." It is difficult to get into that circle unless invited. That is a good thing. But if the idea is to get into that group to promote a group or concept, it may be a bad thing.

On the positive side, the youth are definitely there and involved. Kids don't email or IM, they use text messaging on cell phones and communicate on Facebook. I can't think of anyone I know under the age of thirty who does not have a Facebook account. Some are very active and some are not, but they all have accounts. The key here is to be allowed into their circle.

I think every parent needs to know what their child is doing on Facebook. This should be a given. If a child is either posting or associating with posters who are presenting material that is questionable, the parent needs to know. Kids need to realize that material on the Internet does not go away. More and more recruiters look at the Internet presence of a person before offering a job.

Sorry, I got sidetracked for a moment. Getting back to circle of friends. If a parent is in the circle of friends, groups and other associations can be introduced to the group. That does not mean that it will be accepted but if there is interest, there is potential. Groups are a key here. The group associations can certainly have an influence.

Of course, there are 35 million groups on Facebook. There are many groups with Scouting interests. The youth who are already Scouts have an interest so they are more likely to associate with these Scouting groups. What about non-scouts? Every Scout probably has many friends who are non-scouts. The groups and associations are shared within the groups and just maybe some interest may rub off on the non-scouts. It sounds good in theory anyway.

We, as adults and leaders, need to promote groups which are interesting and really promote the values of Scouting. I know there is a group for the local contingent members of the 2010 National Jamboree. There are probably many more. These groups, such as Order of the Arrow, Philmont and other high adventure bases, and other local groups are interesting to local Scouts (and their leaders). We as parents and leaders, from my perspective, have a lot of catching up to do. Facebook certaily has the potential to be the biggest waste of time on the planet, but even with all that waste, we have the potential of using it in a positive and useful way to promote Scouting.

What is NOAC?

Beginning August 1, over 7000 arrowmen, including a contingent from the Great Smoky Mountian Council, converge on Indiana University for the 30th NOAC of National Order of the Arrow Conference. What is NOAC? Here is the official description from the NOAC website:

In the summer of 2009, arrowmen from around the country have the unique opportunity to gather together for the National Order of the Arrow Conference commonly referred to as NOAC. NOACs generally have over 7,000 Arrowmen in attendance that are seeking many of the aspects you are looking for: fun, fun and more fun. Each time a conference is held, Arrowmen coming from around the world gather at a major university to share their ideas on lodge leadership, activities, and ceremonies as well as participate in a large variety of competitions. This six day adventure is unlike any other event in Scouting and is unique to just members of the Order of the Arrow.

NOAC is comprised of all aspects of the Order, which include ceremonial evaluations to learning about the latest in metalsmithing capabilities. A typical NOAC day consists of the following:

Breakfast
Morning training sessions
Lunch
Afternoon training sessions, athletic competitions and museums
Dinner
Evening show
Evening activities which include open bowling, patch trading, etc.

The training at each NOAC is world class because it brings together the most knowledgeable individuals in the area of your chosen topic. These trainers come from around the world to share their expertise with you so that you may be able to bring these ideas back to your lodge and also for personal enjoyment. The latest in bead weaving techniques will help you make your very own beaded items or Native American headdress. No matter what you are interested in, there is a training session that will create a fire within you.

What would be a gathering of people from everywhere without competitions? The competitions vary is size but there is no shortage when it comes to the breadth of opportunities available for you to showcase your talents. A wide variety of sports competitions take place at each conference. For those of you interested in the Native American aspect, we have ceremonies evaluations and Native American dancing to suit your fancy. Through these competitions, Arrowmen are able to not only better themselves physically but also mentally. If these don't appeal to you, there are a multitude of other competitions that will helpful ignite your inner competitive juices.

Also in the afternoons, the National Order of the Arrow Museum will be on display showcasing the national chief and national vice-chief's bonnet, respectively. Much of the lore spoken of in the Order will be found within this novel place. For many people, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see pictures of our founder, Dr. E. Urner Goodman and co-founder, Carroll Edson. You will also have the opportunity to see the history of Order of the Arrow sashes not found anywhere else in the world. You won't want to miss out on this chance.

After dinner, all participants and staff members gather in the university's arena for the nightly show. The first show is always one to remember as the youth National Officers are introduced with their respective bonnet placed on their heads. These impressive young men will welcome each of us to the conference and will share memories of their past that have helped to shape the people they have become today. Some of the other evening shows have depicted messages like an awards evening where the Order of the Arrow will bring in its latest class of Arrowmen to receive the Distinguished Service Award and Lifetime Achievement Award. Other nights will feature the finals of the different disciplines involved with Native American dancing. The final evening encompasses a theme show wrapping up the conference. These shows will forever remain in your heart as one of your fondest memories of NOAC.

After the show is over there is great opportunity for food, fun, and fellowship with all the participants.

After an exciting six day adventure like this, what more can a person do than SLEEP! With the amount of activities on the horizon for the coming day, you are going to need your rest but most of all you won't want to miss NOAC 2009. Don't miss your chance at participating in history. Sign up today!

Visit the NOAC site at NOAC 2009

Local Site for 100 Years of Scouting Information

A local website has been established for information concerning local participation in the 100 Years of Scouting celebration. That site (http://www.everythingscouting.org/ )can be accessed from the links on the left side of the page. The year long event has already begun. A 24 by 36 print depicting the history of the Boy Scouts of America was presented to Ken Mehlhorn, GSMC Scout Executive, on May 1, 2009. This became the symbolic beginning of the 100 Years of Scouting Celebration. Scouters from the Detroit Area Council are presenting the prints to every council in the country. The significant fact is that they are all being presented personally. You can find out more about the Century of Values Tour at: http://www.acenturyofvalues.org/

Celebrating 100 Years - A Year of Celebration

This post is from the Scouting.org 100 years of Scouting site:

For 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America has created a strong foundation of leadership, service, and community for millions of America’s youth. Through A Year of Celebration, A Century of Making a Difference, we will demonstrate the incredible impact of a century of living the Scout Law.

Program participants will earn recognition for making a difference in their communities due to their dedication to five of Scouting’s core values: Leadership, Character, Community Service, Achievement, and the Outdoors. Participants will be able to earn our 100th Anniversary commemorative patch.

A Year of Celebration will take place from September 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010. The program is open to all Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, and Scouting alumni. Read the patch requirements to learn more.

Additionally, the BSA has also teamed up with some great organizations to offer unique 100th Anniversary service projects that can apply towards your Year of Celebration Service award. These national opportunities will truly show what Scouts can do when they band together towards a shared goal.

For 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America has created a strong foundation of leadership, service, and community for America’s youth. Through A Year of Celebration, we celebrate this legacy and commit ourselves to inspire and prepare future generations.