Re: notebooks
Forshaw (dtlfor@FORYOU.NET)
Thu, 29 Apr 1999 13:41:27 -0400
We just finished putting notebooks together. We included the same
things you included plus a couple others.
One was a "planning" section - a place for the Scouts to keep track of
any activity, such as campouts, meetings, etc. for which he has a
planning responsibility. As soon as we develop a calendar, it will go
there too. (We just started working with a troop that hadn't met for
several months, so don't have a calendar for this year. The Scouts are
working on it.)
We also included a zipping pocket that had pre-punched holes. In the
pocket we included a pencil (hint to the Scouts who are always asking us
for pens or pencils). We also provided divider sheets. The idea is
that the Scouts will label one divider sheet for each merit badge they
work on and this will be a handy place to keep papers associated with
that badge. We put the labels for the divider sheets into the zipping
pocket so they wouldn't be misplaced.
A few sheets of notebook paper are a handy addition. So often Scouts
show up (unprepared) lacking something on which to write.
BTW, if you get a large enough notebook, the Scout Manual will fit
inside the zipping pouch, too.
Each notebook is labeled on the outside with the Scout's name and the
troop number. On the inside is a sticker which contains the Scout's
name, address and phone number.
One thing we didn't include, but which would probably be helpful, is
phone numbers and for the Scouts and adults in the troop.
I know the above may seem like unnecessary handholding to some.
However, we viewed it as an opportunity to teach the organization skills
needed for good leadership. Of course, the Scouts can reorganize their
own notebooks as they see fit, or not use them at all. However, they
seemed to like the idea of getting organized and I think they'll use
them.
- Tee
> Our troop is putting together a three-ring-binder type
> notebook for our
> boys. The notebook will contain merit badge and rank information in a
> check-off list type form, to give the boys a central place to
> keep track of
> requirements passed and badges earned.
>
> The BS handbook and merit badge books are great reference
> materials, and we
> of course use them to the fullest extent. But new parents and
> scouts seem to
> have trouble reading books and keeping track of just what is
> required for
> rank advancement - where to start, where to go, what have I
> done so far?
>
> Right now we're planning to include:
> 1) a short intro document as to how our troop works -
> camps, committees,
> boy/adult leadership
> 2) the individual rank advancement req's, with the req
> text, signatures and
> dates
> 3) the req's, signatures and dates of the eagle required
> merit badges
> 4) plastic "baseball card collection" type sheets for
> rank and mb card
> storage
>
> Does anyone have such an item for their boys, or would you have any
> suggestions on what would be good to include in the binder?
>
> Dave Dutson
> SM, Troop 324
> Great Salt Lake Council, SLC UT
>
>
