OR Pioneer

Nice calendar! I'd only encurage you to preview some of next summer to emphasize that Scouting doesn't stop in June.

Add something like

June 2006 Pack Picnic

July 2006 Cub Scout Day Camp & Webelos Resident Camp.

If your District conducts a Webelos Woods, I'd add that too.

Looks like lots of fun!

Id like to present the Troop 204 50 foot rule of thumb. We taught this to all parents of first time scouts. But with everyone understanding that it was not a hard and fast rule, just a good idea.

In Scouting, parents should stay at least 50 feet from any of their own children unless the contact/conversation is initiated by the Scout. (And, what rich and wonderful experiences those were!). If a parent sees that his son needs direction he should point out the need to a fellow Scouter. In fact, many of our Scouters traded sons for this purpose. Thus, if I saw that Eric was into something I thought he shouldnt be, Id talk to Dave Riggs and if he thought Chris Riggs needed me, hed send me. Mostly we'd work through the youth leadership but if one of the boys WAS the youth leader involved, we would offer to listen and counsel with him on the situation.

Eric still often chose to sit next to me at campfire, and although he is now 26 years old, he still lists Dave Riggs as someone who knows him well on background investigations for positions in his police career.

It worked for us.

OR Pioneer

Newberg, OR

Why is parenting so hard?

My insight is Because it is worth it!

When Eric was just a baby, I constantly was asking a colleague at work who had seven kids about how to deal with this or that. More than once I remarked, Well, it will be easier when hesleeps through the night holds his own bottle doesnt need diapers any more At one point Gordon looked at me and said, Berk, it doesnt get any easier, just different. Oh how wise. I realized I was trying to move Eric along so things would be more convenient for my wife and I. From then on, I resolved to enjoy my son at each and every stage in his life and to enjoy watching him move between them. It has been wonderful.

Being a parent is not the choice of a rational mind. It is the joy of a life.

Eric now is 26 years old, an Eagle Scout, a police officer, and on Sunday starts service as a Petty Officer with a small boat with a Port Security Unit in the Coast Guard Reserve. Do I worry and pray about him. Absolutely. But, because of the Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes that Scouting helped him learn, I also know he is a man who Id want to have arrive if I needed help. Scouts learn right from wrong, learn to have the initiative to take positive action, and learn to lead others in doing what needs to be done.

But, I've learned through Scouting that parenting goes much better if you ask for help from other people committed to the same values. Would you join me in praying for him and all those who serve.

Berk Moss, Proud papa

Assistant District Commissioner, Pioneer District

Cascade Pacific Council

Newberg, OR

We've been using the idea of a commissioner "intensive care" team for some time, because weve been without a full complement of Unit Commissioners. We have a ADC who works with units in difficult situations for a short period of time, often involving advancement, training and other committee people and then hands off to a UC for longer term help. It has worked pretty well. In fact, by doing this we have been able to recruit more UCs because they are being asked to work on a specific issue with a specific unit rather than just being asked vaguely to work with a unit in general. We have almost a complete set of UCs and ADCs now.

Pioneer District, Cascade Pacific Council, Portland, Oregon

Im working out the content of a course for our next Commissioner College and would like the groups input on these two questions:

First, what are the top three traits of Great Packs? Packs that are not just successful, but outstanding in delivering the promise.

Second, what are some paths for average or new or struggling packs to turn into Great Packs? What are the first steps?

Thanks

OR Pioneer --Newberg, Orgeon

One note -- whatever the discussion that takes place in your troop about a special situation, it is the Council Advancement Committee through its Process and Review committee that can modify requirements (including timelines). It is ONLY this committee that can allow a change in any rank requirement.

These are dedicated and experienced people. Troops should involve them very early in the scout's career and all the way through Eagle and palms.

Reading all this, I'm thinking perhaps we need a "Scout Parent's Oath." I don't know all of it yet, but I think the start is

"On My Honor, I promise to NOT do my son's Duties, to help other people's sons, ...

Care to add to it?

OR Pioneer

Could the campfire take a moment to discuss this topic?

I will lead a panel at our next roundtable on involving parents. Would you please take a moment to share some of your most important thoughts from this list of topics (1) methods your troop uses (2) structures that keep parents involved (3) lessons learned about involving parents - both thorns and roses! (4) advice to a new SM or ASM on involving parents (5) a funny or heartwarming story about your efforts to involve parents. I promise to compile and share with anyone who wants the results.

Berk Moss, ADC Pioneer District, Cascade Pacific Council, Portland Oregon

I remember three events in Pack 172 in Tarzana, California in the 1950s.

I remember dad and I (he was an assistant cubmaster) dressed up as clowns for a Circus theme pack meeting.

I remember selling tickets for and attending the "Scoutcapades" show at the Devonshire Downs fair grounds in Canoga Park where I saw all the great stuff Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers could do. I was hooked for life right there.

I remember being in the Den where Natalie Masters was the Den Mother. She was an actress that appeared in minor roles in Dragnet and a few other shows. It was always fun to see my Den Mother on TV!. At one meeting, we were learning boxing and I got a tooth chipped. Think of her and my Den mates every time I get dental x-rays.

Berk Moss, Newberg OP

ADC Pioneer District

Cascade Pacific Council

A very long time ago: Lion, Webelos/Arrow of Light

A little bit later: Second Class Scout [drat Morse Code requirement]

More recently: ACM, CM

Then: ASM

Then: District Advancement Committee, UC

Now: ADC,

Eagle Board of Review Chair,

Council Commissioner College Associate Dean,

District Award of Merit,

Silver Beaver..

Most important ever: Dad to two Eagle Scouts

I remember Pack 172 of Tarzana, California getting streamers in the 1950's when I was a boy. And Troop 157 of Tarzana had quite a few on the flag when I joined in about 1956.

No, I didn't mean "Lone Scots" in Europe. I did mean "Lone Scouts" in Europe.

And, no, I didn't mean to post the same message three times.

And, I'd love to learn to edit or delete messages on this borad after I've posted.

sorry.

I an ADC and registered merit badge counselor for about six merit badges. I have extensive experience in Scouting advancement and also in high school teaching.

I've done two merit badges for Lone Scots in Europe and an offer to help pending on another. I'd suggest you send a resume and some references so the parents can know you and have youth protection issues covered.

It takes a counsselor that can be inventive but within the "no more, no less" rules.

I have the Lone Scout Friend and Counsleor send me a message asking me to work with the scout then I aask the scout to send an introduction and some information on the context. If the scout were in a troop, I'd need a request from the scoutmaster.

I've registered with the Trans-Atlantic Council in London.

I think I've dotted all the i's and crossed all the t's.

It's fun to work with scouts like this.

I an ADC and registered merit badge counselor for about six merit badges. I have extensive experience in Scouting advancement and also in high school teaching.

I've done two merit badges for Lone Scots in Europe and an offer to help pending on another. I'd suggest you send a resume and some references so the parents can know you and have youth protection issues covered.

It takes a counsselor that can be inventive but within the "no more, no less" rules.

I have the Lone Scout Friend and Counsleor send me a message asking me to work with the scout then I aask the scout to send an introduction and some information on the context. If the scout were in a troop, I'd need a request from the scoutmaster.

I've registered with the Trans-Atlantic Council in London.

I think I've dotted all the i's and crossed all the t's.

It's fun to work with scouts like this.

I an ADC and registered merit badge counselor for about six merit badges. I have extensive experience in Scouting advancement and also in high school teaching.

I've done two merit badges for Lone Scots in Europe and an offer to help pending on another. I'd suggest you send a resume and some references so the parents can know you and have youth protection issues covered.

It takes a counsselor that can be inventive but within the "no more, no less" rules.

I have the Lone Scout Friend and Counsleor send me a message asking me to work with the scout then I aask the scout to send an introduction and some information on the context. If the scout were in a troop, I'd need a request from the scoutmaster.

I've registered with the Trans-Atlantic Council in London.

I think I've dotted all the i's and crossed all the t's.

It's fun to work with scouts like this.

At the bottom of my Scout Bag, I found 20+ Quality DISTRICT 1999 patches. I'm quite willing to trade them (in ones or twos or the whole batch) for CSPs or whatever suggest something.

OR Pioneer

Asst Dist Commissioner

Cascade Pacific Council

This is a great idea! Id love to add to it and Id use it often.

What can I add? Well, I have these four as Microsoft Word outlines with teaching notes, participant handouts, and some transparencies:

- Advancement in the Boy led Troop that Ill teach this Saturday in our council Advancement Extravaganza.

- The Troop Merit Badge Program that I taught last year in our council Advancement Extravaganza.

- Troop Boards of Review that I taught last fall in our council Advancement Extravaganza.

- Orienting the New Commissioner that I taught in our Commissioner College

Since I am the Dean of Instruction in our Commissioner College, I have access to the teachers of 41 presentations we host. I couldnt post these documents, but I could serve as contact to the instructors.

How do we do this? When do we start?

Oregon Pioneer