tcherven

I recently became a member of a sub-committee, and at our first meeting, there was a lot of discussion, but not any direction. I interrupted the discussions, and started applying skills I learned from Wood Badge. It helped the group really define exactly what we wanted to accomplish, and how we were going to get there. I'm currently a committee member, but there are changes coming. I'm going to be the Leadership Training and Development coordinator. I'm planning to impart some of the Wood Badge knowledge I received to the PLC and other scout (and adult) leaders. I found Wood Badge to be worth it on many levels, but that's my opinion. Like others have said, a lot of the information I had seen before, but not in the Scouting context. An added benefit (one of the biggest ones, I felt) was getting to know other scouters from across the area. I have found that when I have a scouting question, my Wood Badge patrol is the first group I ask; the second group is on Scouter.com. With luck, you'll even be a Fox. All the best in your decision. Tom C-44-06 I used to be a Fox

#13 Religious Emblems Award Silver knot on Purple background with purple border.

Congratulations. Have you been given the Wood Badge warning? Somewhere along the way, they forgot to give me mine, and I''m finding myself creating vision and goal statements. Well, it does come in handy. Especially when you''re in a big project and no one else thought of it. Wait a minute. Ummm, never mind - forget the warning. Just remember the congratulations. Tom C C-44-06 Fox(This message has been edited by tcherven)

This would make a great Scoutmaster Minute. Wonderful story. Excuse me a second, I need to get a tissue.

Using your logic, that would make me TigerTenderfootdad. Congratulations. It''s always fun to share successes of our sons and daughters. All the best.

I knew I came to the right place. My Wood Badge patrol mates had some things for me to think about, as does everyone here. When I look back to my cubmaster days, I was starting to feel burned out in my fourth year. I think now that it was because our parent volunteer base was small, and I picked up the missing pieces. I was the den leader, cubmaster, popcorn kernal, advancement chair, webmaster, and the push behind the committee chair. Not the case with this troop or pack. (The troop and affiliated pack - new for us - is at our church. The old pack was at a school). There is plenty of parent volunteers. I stopped at the scout shop yesterday and bought the Scoutmaster''s Handbook and the Fieldbook. And since Monday, I''ve been putting together a list of pros and cons, both personal and for the troop. I''ve also been making notes about possible improvements and involving the scouts in the planning to move to a Boy Led environment. And I''ve been referencing some of my Wood Badge materials that would help in the leadership piece. The troop has excellent resources and leaders with a lot of the practical applications (campcraft, skills, merit badges, etc) - the areas where I don''t have as much experience. I think the Committee Chair is looking at me more to help get the leadership piece moving - mentoring, guiding, and occasionally pushing the boys into becoming leaders. Today, I''m leaning toward saying yes, but with a caveat (part of the bargaining ahead of time - thanks Beavah). I''d be the registered scoutmaster, but in practice it would be a co-scoutmastership for a year or two. (It would give me time with my younger son) During this time, I wouldn''t be attending all the campouts and I would still need to make most Pack committee meetings. The pack committee meets from 7 to 8 once a month - the troop meetings go 7 to 8:30 - so I''d be at the troop meeting for the beginning and end. I have a feeling that''s what will happen. (Remember - I''ve purchased the handbook, been making notes, and planning). Do you think a co-scoutmastership would work?

Well, it''s nice to know I''ve been doing some things right. The first group of people I approached for feedback was my Wood Badge patrol. I''ve already received emails from most of them - 2 of them were in Troop leadership positions when we went through the course. The situation is actually quite simple: The current Scoutmaster has been in the position for 3 years, and is now in the process of starting a new business. That''s a venture that takes a lot of effort and time. He feels he cannot contribute to the troop as he should, and so has stepped down. The previous Scoutmaster, who has now the troop''s Eagle Coach, has agreed to resume the Scoutmaster position until the next recharter, which is still 4 1/2 months off. I''m not too worried about the "clique" issue. I think that what was meant is that there are some friendships that have developed over time, and sometimes the power gets too concentrated among a few people. As far as my 5 year plan, that''s when my younger son would have joined the troop. After all, I want to spend time with him as his den leader. I think part of the reason I was approached is that I''ll be affiliated with the troop for at least 10 more years, so I''m going to be around for awhile. I asked the committee chair how long he''s been thinking of me, and he said since I joined. I think the current Scoutmaster stepping down changed the CC''s time table as well. Another comment he made, is if I would like to wait a bit, he would find some one else for a year or two, and then move me into the position. (He''s doing some talking to others as well). Our committee chair is excellent, and does his job very well. The committee is very strong, and there are many active adults helping out in many ways. I certainly wouldn''t want to change that. However, the move to boy-led is an big and important step for the troop. I think the CC feels I understand how that''s supposed to work, and that I would be committed to that process. He also believes, (and I do to), that if I took the position the adult leadership would be strong supporters. I believe in the program. My main concerns are the time it would take. Like I mentioned, I have a younger son who has seen me spend 5 years in a den leader position with my older son. I want to make sure I give him the time as well. I just found out that I was given a ninth Tiger scout for the den. I have one parent who is also a registered leader, and a couple of parents who have let me know that they''ll help if I want them to. Yesterday, I was leaning toward saying yes. Now I''m leaning toward waiting another year. The only problem with waiting a year, is the number of changes in Scoutmasters for the troop. I''m not sure if that would be healthy. Sorry for the length, but I hope this answers some of the questions. You have definately given me some things to think about. I like Beavah''s comment about negotiating with the committee before giving an answer. Thanks again, Tom C-44-06 (Fox)

I''ve been with my older son''s troop for 6 months as a committee member, 4 as secretary. Today, I had the committee chair approach me and ask if I wanted to be the Scoutmaster. The fact that I''ve been through Wood Badge influenced him in that decision. He thinks I would be an asset to the troop, especially since I did not come from the affiliated pack. He figures it puts me outside any cliques that have developed. The troop is moving to Boy Lead, but he wants someone who can really help it along. I''ve also become the Tiger Den Leader for my younger son, but I do have a co-den leader. My original thought was to become an Assistant Scoutmaster when my younger son joined the troop, and if needed Scoutmaster. The committee chair just fast-forwarded my plans by five years. The troop has some active parents who do a great job. I''d like to do this, I''m just wondering if the timing is off a bit. I was never a boy scout as a youth, and I''ve only been with the troop for 6 months. Pros and Cons of being a scoutmaster? How much time does it really take? Is it still the hour per week (per position per scout)? Who''s a good person to talk to? Thanks so much. Tom C C-44-06 Fox

This was mentioned in one of the previous posts, but needs to be brought out again. Perhaps there is too much going on, and too many stimuli for this boy. Maybe den meetings for him would be better if it was only his den in the room. Pack meetings - that''s a tougher nut. Again, the key here would be to keep things moving, and switching the focus every few minutes.

You certainly do have an insteresting situation. The advice offered here has always been good, well thought out, and in most cases, appropriate. Here's a slightly different approach, that might encourage some dialog between you and the cubmaster. As you plan your den meeting, invite the cubmaster to lead one of the activities. You could even give him a choice of which activity to lead. When you approach him, let him know the goal of the meeting, the goal of the activity, and how it will ultimately help the boys in their scouting journey. (It wouldn't hurt to let him know you're following your "job description" in the meeting planning either.) And offer him the opportunity to run that select portion.

I don't know if I can count that high. I, too, am fortunate to be within 2 blocks of a great public library - and I visit it about once every 10 days. I read on my lunch hour (which has extended over an hour on occasion). Depending on the book, I'll finish between 3 and 5 days - some shorter, some longer. I also try and find time at home to read as well. I have been known to have 3 books "in progress" at the same time. I read most genre. My favorites being Science Fiction and Historical Fiction, but mysteries, romance, and other types have been found in my hands. In the last 30 days, I know I can name at least 10 books that I've read. Great topic.

I would like to echo what some of the others have said. My old pack and 2 others created a "Pinewood Derby Cooperative". My pack had the equipment, but had never tried to get our timer to work. One of the other leaders had his pack buy the software and got it to work for us. Something like this is a good idea - you can pool resources, and each pack can add something. Create a "Pinewood Derby" kit. Include flags, decorations, and the other stuff to make it fun. Another option that several packs in our area do, is to hire someone else to come in and run their pinewood derby. That way, your pack doesn't have to deal with storage, set up, running the race, etc. You can leave it to someone who has it down.

"Bring a smile, good attitude, willingness to learn and creativity. Gonzo1 SR-59 " And just as important, be ready to make new friends with scouters from all over your area. You'll also have the opportunity to learn more about other's ideas. Oh - and be prepared to have fun. And if you don't become a FOX, you'll still learn a lot. Tom C Fox C-44-06 (This message has been edited by tcherven)

Im in Northern Star Council, which is headquartered in St. Paul and Minneapolis. The council includes 21 counties across central Minnesota (to the South Dakota Border) and includes four counties in western Wisconsin. There are over 113,000 scouts in the council. There are eight camp properties owned by the council. Fred C Anderson Scout Camp 260 acres Cub Scout day camp: 14 sessions, about 50 scouts per session 700 scouts total Phillippo Scout Reservation 450 acres Cub Scout resident camp (Camp Akela): 10 sessions, about 223 scouts per session 2230 total Additional night available for Webelos 1 Webelos Day camp: 12 sessions, about 135 scouts per session 1620 scouts total Kiwanis Cub Camp 110 acres Cub Scout resident camp: 14 sessions, about 80 scouts per session 1120 scouts total Additional night available for Webelos 1 Tomahawk Scout Reservation over 2500 acres Boy Scout camp (3 sub camps) over 5500 Boy scouts Webelos 2 resident camp (at 4th sub camp) about 1500 Cub Scouts Stearns Scout Camp over 1200 acres Cub Scout resident camp (Camp Heritage): 10 sessions, about 80 scouts per session 800 scouts total Webelos 2 resident camp: 8 sessions, about 75 scouts per session 600 scouts total Many Point Scout Camp 2400 acres Boy Scout camp (3 sub camps) about 2700 Boy Scouts Rum River 160 acres Eagle Landing 20 acres Looks like the summer programs serve about 8200 Boy Scouts and 8500 Cub Scouts. Several of these camps are used for other camping purposes as well, such as the camporees, Webelos Woods, winter camping, and leader training. So far, I personally have been to five of the properties (Fred C Anderson, Phillippo, Kiwanis, Eagle Landing, and Tomahawk) with my sons. Numbers were found using the camps websites, the online reservations system (last three or four sessions), or personal visits. If you have any questions, Id be happy to answer them or point you to the right resources. (edited for ease of readability)(This message has been edited by tcherven)

and tents. You can't forget tents. BSA regulations require that all tents be marked with "No Flames in Tents". And don't forget the 53 who tell everyone to switch to the new compact flourescents because the use less energy. Which will cause another 27 to chime in that the compact bulbs contain hazardous materials and can't be thrown in the trash, so the energy being saved is negated by the necessity of hazardous waste disposal.