GSMC Scouting Blog

Trained or Trained?

2011-11-12T20:13:00.001-05:00

There is a difference in Scouting between being “trained” and being “trained.” Confusing? Yes! So what is the volunteer training team trying to do to help?

A Scouter is considered trained for his or her position in the BSA’s ScoutNET system when they have completed a prescribed course, or sequence of courses. This could be the current course set, or even a course or courses that they took in the past. For example, Scoutmastership Fundamentals if they took it back when it was the current “basic” training.

But to be able to wear the trained patch, and for the unit to qualify under the unit Journey to Excellence (JTE) standards, trained means that they have taken the current training set for their position.

Why the difference?

The BSA has long believed that a tenured leader does not need to take “basic” training every time there is a new course - because the assumption is through supplemental training, roundtables, Scouting magazine, and participation in activities, they stay up to date with the current methods and practices of the program. We know this is not always the case.

There may be a challenge getting tenured leaders to take the time to take a new course. In most cases these leaders can be excellent resources for the training committee to put on Specifics or an outdoor skills course. (Be sure to give them credit for taking the course when they do!) But the hope is that leaders will take - or teach - the latest course to be sure that they have the up-to-date information related to their role.

At our October committee meeting we took some steps to help make the criteria for being trained in ScoutNET, for earning the trained patch, and the unit JTE match. More on that in the next issue of Training Times.

We are also conducting a thorough review of all of the training web sites and all of the literature available, and are working to make them consistent. As you can imagine, that is a big undertaking!
We can never be “fully trained.” There is always something to be learned. Take advantage of training opportunities whenever they are available.

From Training Times - Scouting.org

Venturing

2011-10-18T09:10:00.000-04:00

Did you know that for the first time, the National Jamboree 2013 will include Venturing members as campers? In the past, they have only attended to staff the Venturing Activity area.

How much do you know about Venturing? Here is the basic information about the Venturing progam from the National BSA site:

What Is Venturing?

Venturing is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years of age.

Venturing's purpose is to provide positive experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults.

Venturing is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth, adult leaders, and organizations in their communities. Local community organizations establish a Venturing crew by matching their people and program resources to the interests of young people in the community. The result is a program of exciting and meaningful activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, grow, develop leadership skills, and become good citizens.

Venturing crews can specialize in a variety of avocation or hobby interests.

Goals

Young adults involved in Venturing will:

■Learn to make ethical choices over their lifetimes by instilling the values in the Venturing Oath and Code.

■Experience a program that is fun and full of challenge and adventure.

■Become a skilled training and program resource for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and other groups.

■Acquire skills in the areas of high adventure, sports, arts and hobbies, religious life, or Sea Scouting.

■Experience positive leadership from adult and youth leaders and be given opportunities to take on leadership roles.

■Have a chance to learn and grow in a supportive, caring, and fun environment.

Methods

The aims of the Boy Scouts of America are to build character, develop citizenship, and foster personal fitness. The Venturing methods listed below have been carefully designed to achieve the aims of the Boy Scouts of America and meet the needs of young adults.

■Leadership. All Venturers are given opportunities to learn and apply proven leadership skills. A Venturing crew is led by elected crew officers. The Venturing Leadership Skills Course is designed for all Venturers and helps teach them in an active way to lead effectively.

■Group Activities. Venturing activities are interdependent group experiences in which success is dependent on the cooperation of all. Learning by "doing" in a group setting provides opportunities for developing new skills.

■Adult Association. The youth officers lead the crew. The officers and activity chairs work closely with adult Advisors and other adult leaders in a spirit of partnership. The adults serve in a "shadow" leader capacity.

■Recognition. Recognition comes through the Venturing advancement program and through the acknowledgement of a youth's competence and ability by peers and adults.

■The Ideals. Venturers are expected to know and live by the Venturing Oath and Code. They promise to be faithful in religious duties, treasure their American heritage, help others, and seek truth and fairness.

■High Adventure. Venturing's emphasis on high adventure helps provide team-building opportunities, new meaningful experiences, practical leadership application, and lifelong memories to young adults.

■Teaching Others. All of the Venturing awards require Venturers to teach what they have learned to others. When they teach others often, Venturers are better able to retain the skill or knowledge taught, they gain confidence in their ability to speak and relate to others, and they acquire skills that can benefit them for the rest of their lives as a hobby or occupation.

Ethics in Action

An important goal of Venturing is to help young adults be responsible and caring persons, both now and in the future. Venturing uses "ethical controversies" to help young adults develop the ability to make responsible choices that reflect their concern for what is a risk and how it will affect others involved. Because an ethical controversy is a problem-solving situation, leaders expect young adults to employ empathy, invention, and selection when they think through their position and work toward a solution.

Camp Pellissippi Reunion

2011-10-01T10:50:00.000-04:00

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending the reunion event at Camp Pellissippi. For those who do not know, Camp Pellissippi was the summer camp for the Great Smoky Mountain Council until the mid-1970s. Both Camp Buck Toms and Camp Pellissippi operated as summer camps until the dining hall burned at Camp Pellissippi. After that, the camp continued to operate but Camp Buck Toms took over as the main summer camp.

Now getting back to the reunion, over 100 former campers and staff members attended the reunion from as far away as Alaska. Someone put a pencil to it and found that the youngest former Camp Pellissippi camper would have to be over 50 years old. Taylor Clark and Hank Peck put together a wonderful display of memorabilia from the Camp Pellissippi era. One entire display was devoted to Jim Montgomery, the first national Order of the Arrow chief from our council and the state of Tennessee. Jim was able to attend the reunion with his son and talked about some of his most memorable times at Camp Pellissippi. The weather was perfect, the food was great and the fellowship was outstanding.

After many years of disrepair, Camp Pellissippi is making a comeback. A dedicated group of volunteers, with the help of Camp Ranger Rick King, have for several years spent their own money and time to bring back Camp Pellissippi to its former glory. In addition to those volunteer funds, the Council has included Camp Pellissippi into its capital campaign. So far, the Winter Lodge, including the kitchen and rest room facilities, has been renovated, electric power has been provided to all the existing buildings and water and plumbing is being added to some of the buildings. The volunteer staff has also built a model Adirondack in one of campsites. One of the biggest changes will come from capital campaign funds. A new central shower facility with rest room facilities will be built soon. In addition, a dock will be built for canoes and boats and a new shoot sports area is in the works. Since Camp Buck Toms will be closed during the renovations there, Camp Pellissippi will most likely get many Scouting visitors over the nest year. And why not, since it is such a beautiful place with such a great history.

The capital campaign will be the subject of another blog posting but if you would like more information about the campaign or would like to make a pledge to the campaign, contact the GSMC office at 865-588-6514 or visit the GSMC website at http://www.bsa-gsmc.org/.

New GSMC Facebook page

2011-09-04T22:05:00.000-04:00

I would like to ask everyone to visit and become a fan of our new Facebook page. Search for Great Smoky Mountain Council Program and Activities and click on ‘Like’ it to become a fan. The Facebook page will be an announcement only site. Only the administrators will be posting. The information will include upcoming Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venturing events from the council and districts for program activities. This includes advancement, activities and civic service, camping, training and high adventure. Also included is Order of the Arrow events, since it is a part of the camping program. We will also include posts from national sites. We will be monitoring all the Facebook scouting sites and reposting those of interest. Don’t forget to become a fan.

Great-Smoky-Mountain-Council-Program-and-Activities

Resuming the Blog

2011-08-28T15:07:00.000-04:00

It has been about a year since I have posted anything on the blog. All of a sudden, last year my time disappeared. I was working six days a week plus working with sound and lights at church on Sunday. I missed many weekend Scouting events. I was still involved in Scouting, I just let other people get the word out. We started planning for a major construction project at Camp Buck Toms, which grew into a Capital Campaign that now also includes Camp Pellissippi. If you read this blog, you will hear more about both. I am going to try to post at least once a week.

Reporting for Youth Protection Guidelines

2010-09-20T13:27:00.000-04:00

I had a question about the best way to report a violation of youth protection guidelines. The only person anyone should notify is the Scout Executive. In our case in the Great Smoky Mountain Council, he is Larry Brown. The number for the council can be found on the GSMC website at www.bsa-gsmc.org .

New Youth Protection Guidelines

2010-09-08T09:59:00.000-04:00

Youth Protection Training has always been a requirement for registered leaders but the procedure has changed going forward for all new registrations. The policy now requires all leaders to complete the Youth Protection Training prior to registration. The registration must include proof of valid Youth Protection Training in order to be processed. The Youth Protection Training can be taken online at the myscouting.org site or at a local district our council training event. The training must be renewed every two years.

This change affects all current as well as new leaders. If the renewing leader is not current on their Youth Protection Training, the renewal application will not be processed. This also applies to all registered parents, district committee members, merit badge counselors, and all board members. It is very easy to complete the training online in just a few minutes and print a card to attach to your registration.

News around the Scouting Blogs - Jambo 2013

2010-07-09T08:56:00.000-04:00

It seems my life has been so busy that I have been neglecting this blog. For that, I am sorry. I'll try to do better. After all, this is the 100th Anniversary year and there is plenty to write about.

Today's topic is the National Jamboree and no, not the 2010 National Jamboree beginning in about two weeks, but the 2013 Jamboree. As you may have read here and on other Scouting sites, the National Jamboree will be moving to a permanent site in West Virginia called The Summit. It is over 10,000 acres that will be developed as a Jambo site, a new high adventure site and an Eastern leader training site. The site is being developed with the help of a generous gift of $50 million dollars from the Bechtel Family Foundation.

The latest chatter on the Scouting Blogs suggests that the three year window may be a little small to build the infrastructure necessary for the site. When you think about all the years that have gone into the development of the Fort AP Hill site, you have to scratch your head and wonder how they could think it could be done in three years. The word out there now is that the jamboree site will not be ready for 2013.

Why is the 2013 date so important? Remember the 2010 Jamboree was changed so it would coincide with the 100th Anniversary Celebration. There was a five year span instead of the usual four years. Why not just make it 2014 and keep it on a four year cycle from then on? That is a good thought but there are a couple of other fairly large events to consider. The National Order of the Arrow Conference or NOAC is held two years on even years. That way the Jamboree is never in direct conflict, except for this year. NOAC was changed to 2009 so it was not in direct conflict with the 2010 Jamboree.

The other major event is the World Jamboree. We have less control over the World Jamboree. With the National Jamboree occurring in 2010 instead of 2009, the World Jamboree hits the next year 2011. That leaves very little time to promote, and more importantly, to pay for an expensive international trip. So it makes sense to go back to the 2013 date, even if it squeezes the resources a bit.

So, with all that said, what is going to happen with the 2013(?) National Jamboree. I had read earlier that going back to Fort AP Hill was not an option. That is evidently not true. It appears that the Boy Scouts have signed an option to come back to The Hill one more time. That has been publicly confirmed by Jim Horner, project coordinator for the National Scout Jamboree. That would be a logical thing to do and would also give them more time to develop the Summit site and work out the kinks.

The second option would split the Jamboree into an Eastern and a Western site, with the Eastern site being the Summit. That creates a new set of problems in creating the infrastructure for the Western site for one use. The staff would have to be nearly doubled to cover both sites and there would be little to gain except less travel time for Western councils. But it could happen.

The National Council is not commenting at this time. They are going to see if it is feasible to complete the Summit. I am not a betting man but if I were, I would not put a nickel on the site being ready. After all, we don't even know how much it will cost to built out the site and if that Bechtel gift will even cover it. They may still be out raising money for the project in 2013. (What am I saying? Of course they will be raising money for the project in 2013. This is the Boy Scouts!) There are still too many unanswered questions

Scouts on Jeopardy!

2010-02-18T16:06:00.000-05:00

The Boy Scouts of America is proud to announce that we will be a featured category on the February 25 episode of Jeopardy!. This is a tremendous opportunity to extend our brand footprint to a nationally televised audience during our 100-year celebration.

Jeopardy! has been the top-rated television game show for several years. Having the opportunity to align our brand and movement with such a highly visible platform is strategically sound and organizationally exciting.

Be sure to stay tuned for the entire show, including the commercial breaks, because the BSA will be spotlighted during the first or second commercial break.

Brand Management would like to thank Scout Executive Jim Martin and the staff at the Golden Empire Council for supporting this effort.

Please check your local listings for stations and times in your area.

From BSA National, Brand Management

100th Anniversary has begun!

2010-01-09T11:54:00.000-05:00

It is finally here! The celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Scouting has begun. The events will continue all year. Scout week, celebrated each year in February, will be filled with Scouting events across the country. Many churches celebrate Scout Sunday with special recognition of scouts in the congregation.

Many organized national activities will be supplemented by local and regional events, so the advice to all was to stay informed. The national website, www.scouting.org, will allow leaders to keep up with national events but the local council site, www.gsmc-bsa.org and The Scouter newsletter, should be used to monitor local events. In addition, a local website, www.everythingscouting.org, has been developed by the GSMC 2010 Celebration Committee to distribute information about the local activities.

One upcoming event, a special 2010 Centennial Scout Service and Celebration, will be held at REDEMPTION CHURCH in Knoxville, Tennessee on February 6, 2010 beginning at 6:00 p.m. This event will celebrate the scouting centennial through an interfaith service will include prayer, drama, multimedia presentation, and a keynote speaker. We will honor the history of Scouting and those who have been influential in our success. A major element in this program will be a parade of flags. Each unit is invited to provide one Cub Scout, Boy Scout, or Venture Scout to participate by carrying their unit flag.

Cub Scouts 2010, new and different?

2009-12-08T15:37:00.002-05:00

Cub Scouts 2010 announces a change in the Cub Scout program for the first time in many years. The Cub Scout program, introduced in 1930, was a full 20 years behind the Boy Scout program. There have been changes in the past, such as the addition of the Webelos ranks and the Tiger Cub program. Originally, the Cub ranks included only Wolf, Bear and Lion with the Bobcat badge earned each new scout, regardless of age group. The Webelos rank was added in 1941 as a rank advancement for 11 year old boys who had earned the Lion badge. It was not until 1967, during a major overhaul of the Cub Scout program, that the Lion rank was dropped and the Webelos Scout program was rolled out as the Cub program for older boys. In 1982, the Tiger Cub program was launched for first grade boys.

So, what is so different about the Cub Scouts 2010 program? The new program is first of all, advancement based. The Cub Scout Helps that was used by Cub leaders to plan den and pack activities, has been replaced with a new guide, the Den and Pack Meeting Resource Guide. Following this guide, a Cub Scout will complete most of their rank advancement during the den meetings. Den meetings will be reduced to two per month and an outing and a single Pack meeting round out the month. Results from the pilot studies show the retention rates for Cubs increase by 20 percentage points and the leaders found the den and pack meetings much easier to plan using the new Resource Guide.

The changes in the Cub Scout 2010 program are not so new or different. In fact, many successful leaders have been doing these things for years. Programs of leaders having higher that average retention rates were reviewed. Their secret? They found many leaders were already using the methods which are now formally a part of the Cub Scout 2010 program. After a successful pilot program that confirmed the results, the National Council formally recognized the changes and provided support material for a standardized program. The volunteer leadership found a plan that worked and they used it. The National Council recognized the improvement potential and incorporated the changes in the program. The changes will strengthen the Cub Scout program through more involvement by both the youth and the adult leaders

Residents reject Jamboree site

2009-11-30T15:15:00.001-05:00

Some time ago, the National Council of the Boy Scouts proposed the development of a site in Rockbridge County, Virginia as a permanent site for the quadrennial National Jamboree. The site, used as a summer camp by the National Capital Area Council for over 40 years, encompasses 4200 wooded acres near the town of Goshen. I addition to use as the permanent site for the Jamboree, use of the facility might have also included an eastern training center. Most of the current adult advanced leader training is held at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.

The Goshen area residents opposed the site and worried about use of resources and the potential problems stemming from the more than 250,000 visitors during the ten day Jamboree. A blog was developed and area resident’s opposition forced the National Council to reconsider their development plans. In a recent announcement, the National Council said it is no longer considering the site as part of their plan. The Goshen site was chosen from over 80 sites presented which met the minimum specifications for the project.

The residents’ opposition meant that the near $250 million in area development would not be available to their community. The potential boon was regarded as secondary to the fear of development and the suspected damage to the environment. With its history of environmental support, the Boy Scouts is probably one of the few developers who would provide the stewardship to the land the local residents seek. Virginia’s loss may be West Virginia’s gain. The National Executive Board approved the purchase of over 10,000 acres in the New River Gorge area near Beckley, West Virginia. This site, in addition to the permanent jamboree site, will be developed as a new high-adventure area for rock climbing, mountain biking and white water rafting.

New Camp Buck Toms video

2009-11-24T16:51:00.001-05:00

Camp Buck Toms, the summer resident camp for the Great Smoky Mountain Council, has a new camp promotion video. The first revision in over ten years was the idea of Bob Woodson, the Council Camping Chairman. Bob is working on his Wood Badge ticket, the final step in one of the most comprehensive adult leader training courses in the Boy Scout program. Bob had the idea and there was a need. This video is used promoting camp to leaders and scouts, within the council and from states as far a Texas and Florida. It is included on a DVD along with a newly revised leaders guide, describing camp facilities, policies and program.

Bob used his connections at WBIR, Channel 10 in Knoxville to recruit Steve Dean, the producer of the Heartland Series to help with the program. Steve had just ended the long running series when Bob suggested the project. Steve and Bob made several visits to the camp during the summer of 2009, and were able to capture both the program and the spirit of Camp Buck Toms. The five and a half hours of video were eventually edited into a five minute video.

The first showing of the video was to the full Board of the Great Smoky Mountain Council at their November 17 meeting. As Vice President of Program, I had the honor of introducing the video. Council President Bob Talbott expressed his exciting of the project and recognized Bob and Steve for their work. A video of this quailty would have cost the council thousands of dollars, but due to the generosity of Steve Dean and the planning of Bob Woodson, the council, leaders and the boys have a video to be proud of for many years at no cost to the council.

Big Changes Coming for Cub Scouts in 2010

2009-10-29T13:36:00.002-04:00

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?

2009-08-31T07:18:00.005-04:00

I recently read a 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

2009-08-27T09:22:00.002-04:00

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?

2009-08-18T08:53:00.006-04:00

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. 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 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, these numbers are 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, bear with me, as 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 the 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 certainly 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?

2009-07-29T08:50:00.004-04:00

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

2009-07-06T12:31:00.003-04:00

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

2009-07-06T12:16:00.002-04:00

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.

Summer Camp Without Tents?!

2009-07-04T12:25:00.007-04:00

Boy Scout Councils are not isolated from the current economy. They have money problems just like everyone else. A current topic in many councils is whether to continue with canvas tents at summer camp or to seek alternatives. What alternatives? Take a look at some non-scout camps. Tents are not the norm. Cabins are the usual sleeping accommodations. But does non-tent camping really sound like scout camp? Is sleeping in a tent a prerequisite for summer camp? Are cabins feasible for scout camps? Are cabins affordable for scout camps?

Some camps do already have some cabins. I don't know if any camp is exclusively housed in cabins. Two designed that I have seen are a wooden version of the old cook's tent design or the Adirondack shelter style (shown in the photo from the Allegheny Council camp in New York state)and the other is a more conventional cabin with four bunks and screens on three sides. The bunks are built in so cots are not needed. They both have wood floors but they are otherwise pretty spartan.

Another idea is camp supplying no tents at all. Immediately this is a problem for out of council troops. I doubt many would want to travel and carry tents and supplies, so I am not sure of the practicality of this option. Flat tent sites would be a must. I am not sure if tent platforms would be a good option either, since there is no standard tent size.

An option might be to offer some sites with tents and some without tents. This would allow the troop to make the decision. Some troops have very well equipped trailers with enough room to carry tents and supplies. For some, the tent option might not be the best.

What is your opinion on a scout camp without tents? Needless to say, all camps will have to look at all the alternatives. Is there a way to get more life out of a tent? What is the estimated cost of building and upkeep on cabins or shelters? Will cabins or shelters be accepted by the campers? Is there an alternative for out of council campers? I am curious about the feeling of the readers. Please respond to this post with your comments.

Happy 4th of July

2009-07-04T12:02:00.003-04:00

Tradition has it that this is a day of hot dogs, hamburgers and fireworks. Today should be a day of thanks and introspection. Many things that are going on in our world threaten the existence of our freedom. People all over the world burn our flag and chant hate speech in the streets. We need to constantly "Be Prepared" for whatever might threaten our country.

We have a bright spot. The youth of America that area part of the Boy Scouts. They are the leaders of the future. We need to train them well. They are the spirit of America. God bless America. Happy Independence Day! Celebrate what is best about America.

Planning, Planning, Planning

2009-04-29T22:32:00.003-04:00

It is the beginning of May and time for the annual Unit Program Planning Conferences. This year there are a total of five conferences. Details are in the latest edition of The Scouter. It can be found at:
http://www.bsa-gsmc.org/scouter/issue.htm?file=The%20Scouter%2020090428.pdf
The convenience of having five conferences should allow more adult leaders to attend. Every unit should try to send at least two leaders to the conference.

Planning is very important to the health of a unit. To paraphrase a popular saying, a unit that fails to plan should plan to fail. Now is the time to plan, not in the fall. Packs need to spend the fall recruiting and forming new dens. Troops and Crews need to be able to hit the ground running after summer camp and other activities. Spending time now and planning a year out allows time to improve and modify as needed.

Planning should result from input from parents, leaders and most of all the Scouts. Financial planning should also be a part of the planning process. Not only should a budget be developed but also projects for raising money. How much popcorn with the unit sell? Is a bake sale a good option? There must be agreement from all parties in order to be successful. If the leaders plan it and the parents don't buy in, the project may be doomed.

A good year plan can be a great recruitment tool. Parents a very impressed if the unit has a well thought out plan. A calendar can be used for outings and projects. Meeting days and times are overlooked but are very important to new scouting families. Planning can mean the difference between a good unit and a great unit. The choice is yours.

Camp Pellissippi Caboose

2009-04-16T21:59:00.002-04:00

I was talking with a fellow Scouter today about Camp Pellissippi and a question came up that I can’t answer. He told me that when he was a scout at Camp Pellissippi, there was a railroad caboose near the entrance of camp. His question, and mine, is what happened to it? When was it removed and where was it taken? Does anyone know? If so, please enlighten the group.

Also to report on some other Camp Pellissippi news, the Anna Bruce Campmaster Cabin is all but finished. This cabin will be used by the Campmaster Corps, a group of trained volunteers who will serve as camp hosts for both Camp Pellissippi and Camp Buck Toms.

On May 23, the 2nd Annual Bikers for Scouts Benefit Ride will take place starting at Tommy’s Motorsports, 2401 Andersonville Highway. All proceeds will benefit the continuing restoration of Camp Pellissippi. Last year’s ride allowed for electricity to be extended to some of the renovated buildings at camp. The Arthur Wood Lodge now has electricity and the Carter Cabin will hopefully have power soon.

As long as we are talking about camp, I want to encourage everyone to consider a $25 donation to the Campership Fund. All proceeds will help send Scouts to camp. In return, the donor will receive a dated limited edition shoulder patch. This is a great program to help needy Scouts. Money is very tight this year and for those needy Scouts, a Campership may be their only way to go to camp.

2010 Jambore Information

2008-12-02T12:10:00.005-05:00

Time is counting down (literally, see below) to the 2010 National Jamboree. If you are a unit leader or a jamboree leader, here is a bit of information that might be critical to your boys who are participants. If the boys have simply paid a deposit at the council office, they are not truly registered for the Jamboree. The council will accept their money but the Scout needs to go online at scouting .org and follow the MYSCOUTING link . At the MYSCOUTING login an email address and password will be necessary to get to the individual account. You must set up an account if you do not already have one. At the MYSCOUTING portal select the Event Registrations link. That will show available events, including the Jamboree. Enter the Jamboree event link and complete the information. Nearly one third of the participants have not yet registered online. If the Scouts do not register online, they could lose their spot. Troop leaders also need to complete the registration online. Make sure to select the proper application. Troop leaders need to be sure to select the Adult Troop Leader Application and not the Jamboree Staff Application.

Camping

2008-11-03T09:45:00.005-05:00

The Order of the Arrow used to be know as the Brotherhood of Honor Campers. In the old guidelines, it stated that fellow campers voted in those worthy of membership. Note that it does not say fellow Scouts, it says fellow campers. The Order of the Arrow has evolved to become much more than a society of campers, but the roots of the organization are undeniable. All that being said, this discussion is not about the Order of the Arrow but about its roots, that is -camping.

Camping is now and always has been a large part of Scouting. The so called Urban Scouting emphasis of the early to mid 1970's nearly killed Scouting. It wasn't until the BSA got back to basics with camping, hiking and the outdoors that the numbers turned and growth began again. Scouting can not exist without camping. It is a tool or from training terminology, a method of Scouting. Scouting uses camping to teach leadership, organization and planning. These skills can then be transfered to many other life skills areas. Camping also allows all the "back to nature skills" such as ecology, conservation, plant, bird and animal studies, cooking and self-reliance.

So here is the question, beyond first class, what are you as a Scout or Scouter doing to promote camping? In your unit, do you promote a campout a month? Or is your camping experience limited to camporees and summer camp? When you are planning your calendar, are the campouts planned first or last. If you are planning your campouts as a afterthought, please re-read the second paragraph. Camping is not an end in itself, but a door that opens many other doors.

Scouting Magazine

2008-10-06T13:12:00.004-04:00

How often do you really read Scouting magazine in depth? I don't know about you but I can't keep up any more. We are overloaded with information from every direction. As much as I try to keep up with Scouting, I find new things that I don't know about at an alarming rate. Scouting magazine certainly helps with this information management but I still see things in Scouting magazine that are totally new to me. Most things I see are things that have at least crossed my desk, but Scouting magazine gives me that concise explanation that I need. This month is no exception. There were several articles that really caught my eye.

The first was about foiling trailer theft. We have talked about this because it has occurred in our council. There are some good points covered in the article.

This month's Front Line Stuff discusses getting parents excited about Scouting. They make the point that inactive Scouts tend to have uninvolved parents. There are great ideas here to involve parents.

In the Scoutmaster's Toolbox, the Scoutmaster Conference is discussed. This is all information that you have heard before but it never hurts to hear it again. Fresh ideas many times comes from rereading familiar material. This is written by Mark Ray, who is the author of The Scoutmaster's Other Handbook.

Finally, there is an article about the OA's Scoutreach Mentoring Program. Scouting Honor Society is not just for camping anymore. The Order of the Arrow is being used to strengthen the crossover from Webelos to Boy Scouts and now to offer guidance to rural and urban Scouting. The OA is a service organization and this program offers a great opportunity for the Scouts being served as well as the OA members offering the service. The Order of the Arrow Web Site has the program booklet for download.

The End of an Era?

2008-09-16T16:17:00.005-04:00

I have reported previously that the 2010 National Jamboree will probably be the last at Fort AP Hill. The Boy Scouts of America is seeking a permanent, BSA owned spot to hold future Jamborees. I know that is old news. What is new is a release from the Army stating that because this will be the last Jamboree at Fort AP Hill, no new improvements or additions will be made at AP Hill.

The end result in the decision is that no additional sub-camps will be set up and the limits on numbers will be about what they were in 2005. Everyone knows that this may be the most popular Jamboree ever, but there may not be space for everyone who wants to go. Those people who are thinking there may be an additional troop in the 2010 Contingent may be disappointed. But maybe not!

There is another little factor that many people must consider - cost. Councils all over the country are still wrestling with the cost of the Jambo. What is gas going to cost during the summer of 2010? For far councils, the cost of air fare has got to be creating more than a few gray hairs. The cost may prevent many from attending in 2010. That cost alone may allow some closer councils to add a troop at the last minute. I would not count on it, but it is possible.

Long range, lets say 2014 and beyond, will the Jamboree as we know it survive? It is difficult to say. Remember it is not just travel costs. How about food costs? They have spiked along with fuel costs. How much is too much for a Jamboree?

We have the same costs under consideration for the other High Adventure camps, also. Will the Boy Scouts of America become more regionalized for High Adventure? Will the Boy Scouts High Adventure program become too expensive for most boys. Any ideas?

The end of the era may not be the Fort AP Hill location, it may be the Jamboree experience itself. What do you think?

The Order of the Arrow

2008-09-01T23:59:00.004-04:00

The Fall Fellowship for our Pellissippi Lodge of the Order of the Arrow is next weekend. If you wear the flap, you need to be there. No, I 'm not saying that if you have time or if there is not a football game or if the grass doesn't need to be mowed, but if you are a member, you need to be at Fall Fellowship.

Let's talk a little about the Order of the Arrow. It is the National Honor Society for the Boy Scouts of America. Members are selected by their peers. It is a select group. But for so many it is just another patch. I have even heard there are scoutmasters who discourage membership in the OA because they are afraid participation in Order of the Arrow events will take boys away from troop events. The majority of the scouts who are selected and go through their Ordeal never participate in any Order of the Arrow events. They never go to a chapter meeting or attend a fellowship or go through a Brotherhood ceremony. (Hint to scoutmasters: encourage their participation.)

First of all, everyone knows when a scout turns 18 they become an adult in the troop. Most scouts try to finish their Eagle and are gone from the troop by the age of 18 or soon after. In the Order of the Arrow, however, boys may participate until they are 21. If the boys are active in the OA, they tend to stay active in scouting past their 18th birthday. That activity usually extends to the troop. So scoutmasters who discourage membership in the OA can also be assured that their senior and most experienced scouts will be leaving the troop at 18.

What is in it for the boys? Why is it more than just a patch? I have been involved in scouting for many years. I have watched many boys become men. I have seen many scouts become leaders. Not adult leaders but leaders of men. Most have been OA members. The best of the best were always OA members. Most, if not all, the National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT)classes are made up of OA members.

Leaders are not attracted to the OA, they are made there. I have seen time after time, fumbling and mumbling young men elected to office in the OA who become outstanding, articulate leaders from the skills they learned in the OA. The OA is a totally boy run organization. It is run like every troop should be run. What a concept!

Look at our camp leadership and staff. Most are active OA members. Youth staff who return for four, five or six years are almost guaranteed to be OA members. It is hard to argue with success.

Adults enjoy the fellowship of the OA. Mostly though, they enjoy watching the growth of leadership. So, are you going to Fall Fellowship? As a scout wearing the flap, you need to be involved. Get involved. The OA is a two way street. The OA needs the members to be involved so that it is an active, fun organization of service. The active members in turn will become the leaders of their troop, their community and much more. What a win-win situation!

New Centennial Uniforms Revisited

2008-08-23T14:22:00.009-04:00

The new uniforms are now in the Scout Shop. I went by to check them out, first hand. I don't think all the options are in yet but there is a good stock of the new items. The new forest green Switchback Uniform Pants are not yet available.

The first thing I noticed was that the uniform is really not that different. Once you get by the loss of the red shoulder loops and numerals, it becomes more a change of materials and cut rather than a huge change in the uniform. Yes, there are changes and yes, some people won't like them but I was very impressed by the new uniforms. They are well made, versatile and seem to be much more functional that before.

The shirt is about the same color as the old shirts. It is available in short and long sleeves in both Supplex Nylon and cotton/poly blend. The long-sleeved shirt has tabs on the sleeves so the sleeve can be rolled up and buttoned into place. The bellows pockets have the same basic look except they now have hook-and-loop closures. There is also a small pocket on the sleeve that does not appear to have a real purpose. The back of the shirt is pleated for easy movement.

I really like the new canvas pants. The forest green is not that different from the old pants. It is a good color, in my opinion. Remember the tiny lack-of -cargo pocket in the old uniform. It has been replaced by large usable cargo pockets. The literature say there is a pocket big enough for a Fieldbook. What a concept! The pants area available in both classic and relaxed fit. The relaxed fit is for those of us who have "relaxed bodies". A big change is that they are all unhemmed so you can't run in on the way to camp and pick up a pair, unless you have needle and thread. Two styles are available. The canvas has the total new design, zip-off convertible style the poly/cotton. The new Switchback is in the new forest green and is Supplex nylon but is in the same style as the older olive Switchbacks.

The new socks are great. They are a wicking blend that are very soft and look to be very comfortable. No cotton here! It took them 25 years to figure this out. There are several styles and weights including three from Thorlo. These are all official uniform socks. For some of the guys refusing to let go of the past (and you know who you are), there are no more knee socks! Welcome to the 21st century.

The red and olive mesh back cap was old, dated and for the most part ugly, has been replace by a forest green pre-curved visor model with a tone-on-tone emblem that looks much more like a cap you would buy and actually wear, if you had a choice. In my opinion, in case you could not tell, the old hat is the one piece of the uniform, more than any other, that looks 25 years old.

The updated web belt is also much more functional that the old web belt. It has a very attractive buckle design and is wider that its predecessor. Those of us who have spent the better part of a house payment buying belt buckles for leather belts for the last couple of decades won't have much use for this item.

The old uniform was 25 years old. It is time for a change. The new uniform is designed for comfort and activity. In practical terms, few of us will go out and replace everything. They are calling this uniform - transitional. That means all the old parts can be worn with all the new parts. You can't however, put red numerals on a new uniform. Let it go.

Top Ten Reasons Why Scouting Beats TV (from Lone Star Scouter)

2008-08-11T12:30:00.005-04:00

No batteries required
Commercial-free
Strengthens families
Burns more calories
Grows character, not potatoes
Offers college scholarships
Violence-free
Develops leaders
Prepares kids for real life
#1: It’s the Ultimate Reality Show! TV shows like Survivor, Fear Factor and the Human Race have nothing on Scouting. Just ask a Scout.

http://buffaloeagle.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/top-10-reasons-why-scouting-beats-tv-hands-down/

Have a great Scouting Day!

Transition

2008-08-02T13:49:00.006-04:00

This is the time of year when we think of gearing up for Scouting in the Fall. It is time for Cub Scout Roundups, Family Camps, Summer OA Ordeal and a full range of other unit, district and council events. Everyone is excited to get into their program. Fall is also a time to begin the plans you made in the late Spring after the Program Planning Conferences (You did plan for the year didn't you?) And then there is Popcorn! Any parent not supporting a unit popcorn sale should get their checkbook ready. Remember, you (the parent) can pay for Scouting or you can let popcorn buyers pay for Scouting! Your choice and your money.

I'm getting off track. Fall is also a time when every unit needs to think about Webelos transition. You might say the it is a little early to think about Webelos crossing over to Boy Scouts, but I beg to differ. If you are a Scoutmaster and have not made contact with units in your area, you may be too late. Every healthly, active troop regularly recruits boys from neighboring packs. They should also have a Den Chief in every den. History has proven that troops with a active Den Chief program tend to recruit more Webelos into their troop. Boy are going to go, first, where their buddies go, and second, where they know the program.

Cubmasters have just as much responsibility to the second-year Webelos. They should have already talked to the boys and their parents about moving on in Scouting. Too often the Cubmasters are looking at the end of their job, because their boys are moving on to Scouting or because they think their job is done with those scouts. It is the responsibility of the Cubmaster to make sure each and every Webelos has a opportunity and is encouraged to go on with Scouting.

The third part of this equation is the parent. It is very important to have the encouragement of the parent to continue in Scouting. In many ways, it is more important to "transition" the parent into Boy Scouts than the boys. It may also be much harder to transition the parents. Parents who have been active and involved in the Cub Committee and active in the operation of the pack are much more likely to be active in the troop. If the parents have not be active in the pack, they are less likely to be active in the troop. Again, history has shown that if the parent is active, the boy is more likely to be active.

Packs with active committees can begin the transition process early. Make sure every parent has a job in the unit. A formal Webelos transition process should begin early in the fall of the second year. This is after doing all the homework we have already discussed. Boys should visit several troops in the area. Webelos boys and their families should be encouraged to attend Webelos transition events. The Order of the Arrow Lodge is sponsoring such an event on November 15 and 16 at the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum in Vonore. Boys should be encouraged to make a decision where they are going before time to crossover. Scoutmasters should also be recruiting boys all during the year, but especially during transition times. Once again, boys are going to go where they feel welcome. Groups of Webelos moving into Boy Scouts together are all much more likely to remain active long term.

Every year we lose many boys during the transition. It is always one of our goals to achieve a higher rate of transition. In order to do this, we need every one's help. The Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, District Membership Chair, District Executive, Unit Commissioner and the parent all have a part in the transition. If everyone works together, we can decrease the loss during transition but more importantly, we can maintain the boys in the fun, excitement and adventure of Scouting.

"Active Participation"

2008-07-14T10:15:00.005-04:00

Let me preface my comments by stating the I am not going to tell a leader how to run his or her unit. I think, however, that this discussion must be on the table. It has taken me some time to formulate a final opinion on this subject. I expect there will be some who do not agree with me. But, here goes.

For many years, I have viewed the "active participation" requirement to be an objective measure of a Scout's attendance level. Please note that there is no definition of what active participation might be in the BSA literature. It has always been up to the unit or unit leaders to decide what level of participation might be defined as "active." Leaving that definition vague so the unit can make that decision is also a wrong interpretation of policy. In the BSA policy (this the National, not to be changed or altered in any way, Policy), it states that under NO circumstances can ANY advancement requirement be added or changed. That means a unit leader can't say that a Scout must attend a certain percentage of the meetings or activities in order to be active. Or, to use any other subjective means of deciding what "active" might be. If the unit has a "policy" that defines "active" then they have modified or added a requirement. Unit leaders doing that now, are in violation of National Policy.

BSA National Policy makes it possible for every Scout to have the same, consistent experience, no matter what unit is involved. There is a lot of flexibility in the system. That is called program. There are also many good reasons why units are not allowed to "make their own rules." Many unit leaders may have the best of intentions, but Scouting must be individual. It is not for the unit leader to decide what a Scout should get out of the program, but it is up to the Scout to make that decision.

I have heard leaders make the comment that a boy receiving a rank who has not been to meetings and not participated in enough outings, cheapens the program for the others. That is wrong. A Scout may not get the enjoyment, fellowship and knowledge from the meetings and outings he missed but if the Scout completes the requirements, he should get his advancement. Program will not change or suffer because of it. The Scout received what HE wanted out of the program.

Here is a excerpt from a letter response taken from the online site, The NetCommish @USSSP, Ask Andy #34:

"Just to get one point out of the way -- and this is a BSA policy; not some "rule" of my own! -- setting a specific stipulation for the number or percent of meetings or outings or activities a Scout must attend in order to be considered "active" would constitute an addition to a requirement and that's just not permitted. The reason behind that -- particularly in the arena of active participation – is twofold. In the first place, Scouting abides by the principle of "do your best." Secondly, Scouting is the most forgiving of programs, and while other youth activities such as team sports, band, etc., virtually demand perfect attendance to the exclusion of all other activities, Scouting doesn't do this, and never has! That's because we've always considered the youth we're serving more important than the program itself."

Kwahadi Dancers

2008-07-10T14:15:00.004-04:00

The Toqua OA Chapter is hosting the Kwahadi Dancers from Texas on Monday, July 21 at 7:00 PM at First Farragut United Methodist Church (12733 Kingston Pike, near Watt Rd.). This is open to all Scouts and Scouters, not just OA members. If Monday night is Scout night, then bring the whole troop or pack. This will be a fantastic show. Here is a description from their web site:
The Kwahadi Dancers are a unique youth performing group from the “Crown of Texas”, the Panhandle area of the Texas High Plains. In addition to regularly scheduled public shows at the Kiva, the Kwahadis present their colorful pageant of song, dance, and stories of the American Indian for tour buses groups, conventions, community events, youth camps, church events, fundraisers, museums, and community events nationwide.
The Kwahadis are the most tenured performing group in Texas! Officially Venture Crew Nine of the Golden Spread Council, BSA, over 1600 young men and ladies have presented over 3800 performances since 1944 in 46 states and overseas! They were honored by being given the name “Kwahadi” by the Elders of the Comanche Nation. They were honored with the Texas Commission for the Arts Youth Award for Excellence and were chosen to represent the United States at the International Festival of the Arts in Ammon, Jordan. They have twice performed at the Boy Scout National Jamboree, entertained at the Canadian Scout Jambec, and performed on stage for over 30,000 youth and parents at the Millenium Jamboral near Ogden, Utah.

Wood Badge

2008-07-09T08:01:00.002-04:00

Are you Wood Badge trained? Are you REALLY serious about your leadership role in the Boy Scouts? You need to consider the Wood Badge course. It is leadership training at its best. I have been through many corporate trainings seminars and if Wood badge were offered on a corporate level, it would be one of the best training programs available. Individuals pay thousands to get the same level of training. Here is the description:

Wood Badge is the premier adult training program for the Boy Scouts of America. It teaches contemporary leadership and team development skills in an outdoor setting. Its purpose is to aid Scouters in providing a quality program that will enable scouts to grow to their greatest potential. The course encompasses the key concepts of management from the leaders in the management field; therefore, this course can be helpful not only in your Scouting job, but also in your careers.

The next course is October 10-12 and October 31 - November 2, 2008. The cost is $225 and $50 holds your spot. Here is a link for the brochure:

http://www.bsa-gsmc.org/events/2008/bsa_wood_badge_oct08.pdf

Eagle Book

2008-06-28T12:58:00.006-04:00

Chances are that you have heard of The Eagle Court of Honor Book, especially if you are a Troop leader for if you have an Eagle in the family. It is an invaluable resource for planning every aspect of an Eagle Court of Honor. I highly recommend it.

You may not realize that Mark Ray also wrote The Scoutmaster's Other Handbook. It is a critically acclaimed book that put together in one place many ideas for building a better troop that in his words, goes beyond the basics covered at training and in BSA publications. Here is the highlight list from his web site:

You’ll learn:
How to recruit and retain Scouts and leaders
Techniques for nearly painless fundraising
Suggested board-of-review questions for every rank
Tips for developing troop newsletters and Web sites
Ideas for strengthening patrol operations
Where to find dozens of print and online resources

Visit his web site at http://www.eaglebook.com/ . He has a wonderful web site resource list that alone is worth the trip to his site. His Eagle book is available in the Scout Shop, both locally and nationally. The Scoutmaster's Other Handbook is available at his web site as well as Amazon.com, The Honor Bookstore, and other booksellers.

National Jamboree 2010

2008-06-23T10:31:00.006-04:00

As of last week, there is now a wait list for the National Jamboree. Only 180 lucky Scouts will make that trip. An even smaller number (only 20) of adult leaders will be traveling with the contingent. For Scouts on the wait list, be aware that things change in two years. Many on the wait list will be moved up onto the trip. For adults, the possibility for a position on the trip is much slimmer. It does happen but not as often.

There are, however, many other opportunities for adults in staff positions at the Jamboree. On July 1, 2008 the adult staff registration will begin. Be aware that with the staff positions, the time commitment may be increased to as much as 21 days for some positions. Still, is is a great opportunity to be a part of the 100th Anniversary Celebration Jamboree.

Are You Weather Smart?

2008-06-12T15:32:00.005-04:00

The recent tragic events in Iowa are a telling reminder that we all need to be weather conscious. A new training module is now available on new E-Learning page on the National Site. As we discussed in a previous posting, the BSA National site is brand new. One new portal is called "My Scouting". It will allow you to apply for Tour Permits, participate in online training, log into Internet Rechartering and Advancement. A new prerequisite to filling out an online tour permit will be completing the module called "Are You Weather Smart? Planning and Preparing for Hazardous Weather." This module is also available at the Online Learning Center at http://olc.scouting.org/ . It is not clear at the point in time if the Online Learning Center will be maintained or if it will be rolled into the E-Learning site on the National site.

Tragedy in Iowa

2008-06-12T09:23:00.000-04:00

All of Scouting mourns the loss of four Boy Scouts killed as a tornado hits their camp, Little Sioux Scout Ranch, in Iowa. Over 48 persons were injured in the storm. The camp was destroyed. A memorial service was held last night at Camp Buck Toms. I am sure that these services are being held throughout the country. Please keep the families in your hearts and prayers.

BSA Seeks Home for 2013 Jamboree & Beyond

2008-06-11T22:30:00.000-04:00

The Boy Scouts of America announced June 3, 2008, it is expanding its search to find a permanent home for one of America's great traditions-the Boy Scouts National Scout Jamboree.
Securing a permanent home for the National Scout Jamboree, beginning with the 2013 event, is one of several initiatives launched in celebration of the BSA's 100th Anniversary.

The project is a significant economic development opportunity. The initial capital investment for the project is expected to be more than $100 million. Through the years, national jamborees-which typically take place every four years-have attracted more than 200,000 visitors per event.

The permanent site will offer high adventure experiences and leadership development training year-round, as well as potentially host future World Scout Jamborees.

"This is an amazing opportunity to create an anchor for our next 100 years," BSA Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca said. "We are looking for ideas that could potentially include creating leadership and training centers, innovation labs, and leadership development programs. There are no limits to the creative ways this new home can be used-we are confident that a number of superior ideas will be generated through this process."

Initial proposals are due July 11, and site visits and other planning will commence immediately thereafter. The BSA plans to make a selection by the end of 2008. Among other requirements, potential sites must:

* Have spectacular natural beauty
* Have water for recreational activities
* Be at least 5,000 acres and available for donation, long-term lease (100+ years), or sale
* Be located within 25 miles of an interstate or a four-lane divided highway
* Be located within 150 miles of a commercial service airport with medium or large hub status
* Be located in an area with adequate medical services
* Be accessible year-round via standard modes of transportation

June 3, 2008 - [http://www.scouting.org/Media/PressReleases/2008/20080602.aspx]

New Boy Scout Uniform

2008-06-11T18:20:00.000-04:00

The BSA Centennial Uniform is on its way!The word is out! Design for the new boy scout uniform comes out in August, 2008. The colors are pretty much the same so new uniform pieces can be transitioned as old ones are outgrown. A big difference is red shoulder loops and unit numbers are now forest green. The uniform is being promoted as more versatile and wearable in the field instead of just for meetings.I do think the new boy scout baseball-style cap is a big improvement. The switchbacks pants are staying around. See BSAUniforms.org for details or this PDF file.

From www.boyscouttrail.com

Gas Prices Affect Camp Costs

2008-05-26T09:20:00.000-04:00

Rising gas prices are having a dramatic effect on the operational costs of camp. In a recent meeting with our food supplier, costs for the summer were reported to increase by 30% above the estimates in this year's budget. Gas prices increase the cost of transporting food and supplies to camp and from the suppliers distribution centers.

Gas prices also affects the units cost of getting the boys to camp. Parents will be asked to give more to offset the increases. Probably fewer out-of-council troops will be traveling as gas prices increase more and more.

However, even with the increases, Camp Buck Toms is still the best deal around. Providing the quality program and three meals a day for just over $25 a day is remarkable. Just compare that to other summer camps and you will quickly see what an incredible value we have in Camp Buck Toms. Yes, there will probably be increases in camp costs in the future but other camps will be going up even more. That is the sign of the times, unfortunately.

Summer Camp

2008-05-26T09:04:00.000-04:00

It is hard to believe that it is time for summer camp already. Staff is reporting this week. They will arrive to find camp with a face lift. With a grant from the Tempkin Foundation, Camp Buck Toms has begun re roofing several buildings. The new roofs will be similar to the dining hall roof and the same color. The will make a dramatic difference in the look of camp, not to mention the protection provided by the 50 year metal roofs.

The kitchen also is getting a makeover with a new dishwasher, tilt skillet, convection oven and a new ice maker that makes literal mountains of ice. Both the walk-in refrigerator and freezer also received badly needed updates. All of these are brand new, not used and donated equipment. The campers will benefit because this should increase the level of efficiently in the kitchen.

Pellissippi Bike Ride

2008-05-12T07:34:00.000-04:00

For those who have not heard, the Pellissippi Bike Ride was postponed until May 17 due to weather conditions. All the times and places will remain the same. See my blog entry below for details.

Facilities Committee

2008-05-06T08:23:00.000-04:00

Everyone will be hearing more about the new Facilities Committee in the weeks to come. Pat Simmons, Facilities Committee Chairman, will be presenting new policies for changes or additions to GSMC property, including Camp Buck Toms and Camp Pellissippi. The purpose of this committee is to allow for the planned impact of any changes to property in terms of safety, environmental concerns, maintenance, and short and long term strategic plan.

Ideas for camp projects are welcomed, but must first be submitted in writing, and approved before any project can be started. This means that summer camp projects leaders might be planning must be approved prior to the beginning of camp. This is not a situation where forgiveness instead of permission is prudent. Projects not approved will be removed. Camp Rangers do not have the authority to approve projects. They will still have full control of their ongoing, everyday operations and maintenance.

Approved projects will be available for troop leaders at camp. The idea here is to control the projects not to prevent them. The Council, Facilities and the Camping committees encourages volunteer participation in camp projects. Procedures for project planning will be discussed at every 9-day out meeting and will be a part of the Leaders' Guide next year.

NYLT

2008-05-01T22:42:00.000-04:00

If you are still talking to your troop about Junior Leader Training (JLT) you are stuck in a rut or in a time warp. JLT is gone at least three and probably four years ago. Still I hear people using that term. JLT was replaced by TLT or Troop Leadership Training. The troop level training is somewhat watered down compared to the old JLT. The new course, NYLT or National Youth Leadership Training, is a giant step up form JLT. It is a full week of subject matter that closely parallels the Wood Badge course. Much of the course material used the same terminology as you find in Wood Badge. Here is the course description:

National Youth Leadership Training is a six day experience conducted by the Great Smoky Mountain Council. It is designed to provide each Scout with a meaningful experience in Scouting. The program will enhance every participant’s knowledge and create a deeper understanding of his role and responsibilities as a leader, teacher, and role model in both his troop and his life. NYLT includes useful management and planning training, instruction on how to be an effective communicator, and guidelines for making ethical decisions that affect the leader and those around him. Sometimes referred to as “Wood Badge for Youth”, NYLT corresponds with the learning principles taught in the new 21st Century Wood Badge course, so that youth and adult leaders will be speaking the same leadership language. In sum, NYLT is a comprehensive program designed to equip scouts with everything they will need to become a successful leader.

This year's course director is Murphy Monceaux and the scoutmaster is Leona Layman. The course is June 1 - 7, 2008. There are only 48 spots in the course. Scouts must be 13 years old, First Class, and hold a leadership role in the troop. A recommendation of their scoutmaster is also needed. Registration materials can be found at the Council Service Center or online at the Camp Buck Toms web site.

Area II Program Planning

2008-04-30T21:59:00.000-04:00

The Area II event is set for 6:30pm on May 15th at Kodak United Methodist Church. The agenda will be the same as previously discussed.

Camp Pellissippi

2008-04-30T12:03:00.000-04:00

If you have not been to Camp Pellissippi lately, you need to plan a trip. Ranger Rick King and his loyal group of volunteers are hard at work making what was old, new again. The newest jewel is going to be a new campmaster cabin. The campmaster program is another posting on its own so I won't go into that here. The cabin is the important item. The estate of Fred W. Bruce left a $63,000 gift to build a cabin in memory of his wife, Anna Mary. Construction will begin soon. Here is a drawing of the cabin:

Bikers for Scouts

If you happen to be a biker ( the motor type, not the pedal type), the 1st Annual Camp Pellissippi Benefit Ride will be held this weekend. This is a fund-raiser ride to help fund expanding the electrical service to unserviced areas at Camp Pellissippi. The ride starts at 8:00 on Saturday, May 3, 2008 from Tommy's Motor Sports at I-75 and Exit 122 or 2401 Andersonville Highway. Entry is $15 for a single, $20 for a double, and T-shirts are $10. Lunch will be provided and there will be door prizes and a silent auction.

New National Website and 100th Logo

2008-04-27T23:48:00.000-04:00

If you have not viewed the BSA National site lately you won't recognize it when you do. The site has recently been totally rewritten. The overall look and feel changes are dramatic. It will be worth a look. Just follow the link to the left.

Also, here is the new 100th Anniversary BSA logo. The design was chosen from over 4000 entries. The designer is an Eagle Scout from California.

2008-04-27T22:23:00.000-04:00

Welcome! I have thought about starting a blog for Council Activities for some time. It seems that we always talk about improving communications but it ends up just that - talk. This will bypass all those problems since it is all talk from the beginning. Well, that solves one problem!

GSMC units leaders need to place a couple of dates on your calendar. On May 1 and May 15, the Annual Program Planning Conferences will be held. The May 1 date will be for the Area I Districts and will be held at Crown College at 6:30. Here is a list of topics to be covered:

* Unit Planning Materials

* 2008-2009 District/Council Calendar

* Internet Advancement Information

* Highlights - Fall Recruiting

* Key Adult Leader Training Information

* Guides for Funding your Scouting Year

* District Breakout Meetings

On May 15, the Area II and Area III Districts will meet. I will post the time and location in the next blog entry.