tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84898724293644174442024-02-20T13:36:22.073-05:00100 Days of ScoutingImprove the World in 100 DaysScoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.comBlogger218125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-82041219566012383462012-02-20T22:34:00.001-05:002012-02-20T22:34:38.815-05:003rd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 13<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjuOcyLHhbEUR1JvGQi_9cu654cCsKZaBd-cgvuuGth45vX5eon_u_X1pr9sPLPPYckyDU7Xgsiw4R0jAqdE4hnhTsGNZ9F10AWFZVPLgxs8Us2geZ5-5GYGdrtH8G7Y8Q664iNUgj2I/s1600/CCOS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjuOcyLHhbEUR1JvGQi_9cu654cCsKZaBd-cgvuuGth45vX5eon_u_X1pr9sPLPPYckyDU7Xgsiw4R0jAqdE4hnhTsGNZ9F10AWFZVPLgxs8Us2geZ5-5GYGdrtH8G7Y8Q664iNUgj2I/s1600/CCOS.jpg" /></a></div>
Day 13<br />
<br />
Just wanted to share this logo for the Catholic Committee on Scouting.<br />
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Today was a down day, recovering from an unpleasant stomach bug.<br />
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Managed to finally get a lot of drafts finalized and posted, so I hope you are enjoying them. It has been quite a week.<br />
<br />
I got to speak with a mom today whose son will finally be old enough to be a Tiger on 01 JUN. They are pretty excited, having watched other families from afar. I know of 5 new Tigers so far, and I haven't begun my "spring rush" for new members yet. Could be a big year!<br />
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Going back to bed--and hoping you don't get this!</div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-78030242150814510832012-02-19T10:25:00.000-05:002012-02-20T22:26:39.032-05:003rd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 12<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8NEeLLV42o0w1GxwqIgrmU-HYYIfiyPAC5l4t4KgfsKKmHhfll2LcF-TfuWe2UKX96aZDgKvoL7AOVz3yH_5UQFvkZyxPcg2Xgc_mt7TQ3oCIpmnFCgM2ut6Pq1Y487O3cvD-MgRX9U/s1600/FamilyLifeMB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8NEeLLV42o0w1GxwqIgrmU-HYYIfiyPAC5l4t4KgfsKKmHhfll2LcF-TfuWe2UKX96aZDgKvoL7AOVz3yH_5UQFvkZyxPcg2Xgc_mt7TQ3oCIpmnFCgM2ut6Pq1Y487O3cvD-MgRX9U/s1600/FamilyLifeMB.jpg" /></a></div>
Day 12<br />
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...and then it was my turn. Everyone seems be recovering from a 24 hour stomach bug, so they can help me like I helped them.<br />
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Today's Scouting will consist of reading email and trying not to share the illness outside of my home.<br />
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A Scout is courteous...</div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-49242347061165799662012-02-18T09:33:00.000-05:002012-02-20T21:34:58.189-05:003rd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 11<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxU3XxE3BEMsxI6yEQyZw_Qzwtel_oOd6mC4a0PhKlzzNG2RbFY2usNA_zgbfla9R9LfovBrgPzBma0hzrS0DUFaICOevyjR6jQJbhEW0o-mM6a5eMx2EpRZ_8CVxO3ElBL2qRCVzqLUQ/s1600/CandOPatches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxU3XxE3BEMsxI6yEQyZw_Qzwtel_oOd6mC4a0PhKlzzNG2RbFY2usNA_zgbfla9R9LfovBrgPzBma0hzrS0DUFaICOevyjR6jQJbhEW0o-mM6a5eMx2EpRZ_8CVxO3ElBL2qRCVzqLUQ/s1600/CandOPatches.jpg" /></a></div>
Day 11<br />
<br />
Those reading these posts know that <a href="http://100daysofscouting.blogspot.com/2012/02/3rd-100-days-of-scouting-day-10.html">yesterday</a> was a tough day.<br />
<br />
My fellow Scouts are to finish our great trip, while I am home tending to the sick.<br />
<br />
At 7AM, my son, the Life Scout, comes up the stairs quite unexpectedly. They should almost be in Washington DC now.<br />
<br />
Seems that one of the Scouts caught the bug, and his dad had to take him home, because as luck would have it his mom was gone that weekend since they were backpacking. That only left one adult...one too few to make the trip.<br />
<br />
Outwardly, I'm sympathetic to everyone's disappointment.<br />
<br />
Inwardly, I'm kicking my heels that I won't miss our finale.<br />
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Now to reschedule it quickly before the oldest boy ages out.</div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-9798553947832601412012-02-17T21:01:00.000-05:002012-02-20T21:27:28.871-05:003rd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 10<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9bm1IyWup16-6j1BjUZD7R2bbCDby9_CVVtfjwQO1tiaIvTY0QzOK2hwxG7yXcgik4JMQp50RDmFMWkx44VMmlQEPMzcXzFhjjDLi2AFrq1ZKeLbNqj86p2kbjM7AoCVTAWfCHCO0HY/s1600/2011+Branding+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9bm1IyWup16-6j1BjUZD7R2bbCDby9_CVVtfjwQO1tiaIvTY0QzOK2hwxG7yXcgik4JMQp50RDmFMWkx44VMmlQEPMzcXzFhjjDLi2AFrq1ZKeLbNqj86p2kbjM7AoCVTAWfCHCO0HY/s1600/2011+Branding+Logo.jpg" /></a></div>
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Day 10</div>
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We have waited for this weekend for a very long time.</div>
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Four and a half years, to be precise.</div>
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A brand new troop of three Boy Scouts, all former Lone Scouts, and two Webelos Scouts who were about to make the jump to the troop began what is still our best project: backpacking the entire 184.5 miles of the C&O Canal.</div>
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The oldest was 16, and he would age out before we finished. Another will age out in about 60 days, and we are making the effort to knock out the last 16 miles before he does. He has been through all of the miles and trips up to this point. The third Boy Scout just attained Eagle Scout status. One of the Webelos Scouts is now a Life Scout, and the other is the SPL. </div>
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The troop has grown to 22 Scouts, which stuns everyone. Five more boys will move up from the pack, days before he ages out and graduates from high school.</div>
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This journey has been in pieces over the years, giving our troop legends and stories to pass along to the younger Scouts. </div>
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The Life Scout, the SPL, the one aging out and I have completed the other 168.5 miles together. So this is historic and a bit emotional. We wrap up one adventure as these boys begin new ones--college, work and their own paths to Eagle. I have watched, in way too short a window, these boys have become men who really only need me to be there because the rules say we need adults.</div>
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They have all the skills needed, and can out hike me any day. I can still get 10-12 miles in, 15 if I have to, but they do it <i>so fast</i>. And with such ease.</div>
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My phone rings from where we are staging our trip--getting a good night of sleep before the finale. My family is dropping with a stomach virus at home, and there really isn't anyone old enough left to be in charge and help the sick.</div>
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I am momentarily torn. These guys--let's be honest, my friends--are going to complete this now without me. </div>
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Duty calls, and I leave them with final advice, reminders about watching the weather, and instructions about enjoying this last great moment.</div>
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Take a picture boys.</div>
</div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-60328044354006151622012-02-16T20:44:00.000-05:002012-02-20T21:02:17.247-05:003rd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 9<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5qzmvfcFRr1Ys8rhxnB9sUa9GckLYkqTAGzWqKPy4OXvCmBxAse80pIlXsKXXiqdf7qOU0aakCRPlTO7kPzlBtScsUwWVl8s9A9hLp3RI_KvPpV9kjuJINM2Y1dH3hDPcin0hlVfthY/s1600/squareknot.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5qzmvfcFRr1Ys8rhxnB9sUa9GckLYkqTAGzWqKPy4OXvCmBxAse80pIlXsKXXiqdf7qOU0aakCRPlTO7kPzlBtScsUwWVl8s9A9hLp3RI_KvPpV9kjuJINM2Y1dH3hDPcin0hlVfthY/s320/squareknot.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
Day 9<br />
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Just take your eye off of the ball for a little while, and what happens?<br />
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A granny knot instead a square knot.<br />
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I'm kind of exhausted <a href="http://100daysofscouting.blogspot.com/2012/02/3rd-100-days-of-scouting-day-8.html">after last night</a>, and keep replaying it in my head. <br />
<br />
Scouting became a big struggle for me after the 100 Days ended last spring. I tried to move on to a couple of other 100 Days projects, but gave it up after a while.<br />
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The reality is, that I was doing a lot and not really getting much back from it. I had just completed my Wood Badge training, and should have been on a high. But that wasn't the case. I struggled through summer camp with my Cub Scouts and a few weeks later with my Boy Scouts. Maybe no one else could tell, but I felt like I was just going through the motions. At Wood Badge I was asked to be put up for District Commissioner, a job I really felt I could do well--and very ego-satisfying. It fell through, and I never found out why. We lost our District Executive and District Chairman in the same timetable, so it was like all the legs of the stool had been knocked away.<br />
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My resolve and love of the program haven't faltered. And burn-out seemed too <i>easy </i>to blame it on. There was still plenty of work to do.<br />
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I didn't feel like I was making a difference. <br />
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Last night got me to thinking about that, and the struggle I'm having still. But I was able to reach out to a young Scout in need, in <i>his</i> moment of need.<br />
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And of course, it is all worth it.</div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-51663331716470933372012-02-15T22:36:00.000-05:002012-02-20T21:02:06.465-05:003rd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 8<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Day 8<br />
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Tonight is our meeting night.<br />
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I have a Bear den as part of my weekly hour...followed by our troop meeting...another hour...and change each week.<br />
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Before the den meeting a mom called me aside to discuss her son's behavior. He is fairly new to the pack, a first-year Webelos Scout. Very enthusiastic, energetic...and for our mostly homeschooled group, very "public". At 10, he has quite the troubled background, and his mom brought him to Scouts for exposure to "good male role models". From her comments, he has pretty much only had bad ones. Some real bad.<br />
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We are fortunate, I think, in that all of our den leaders are men--that he gets to see an abundance of men who lead and care about the boys.<br />
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I knew from the outset that we would need to keep an eye on him, heeding his mom's cautionary comments to us. She understood that if we had any of his "issues", that he would have to be pulled.<br />
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This Scout always tests the boundaries, but snaps into shape when you advise him that he's straying over the line. When a man has no boundaries, he acts like he wants, without fear or care of others. That he listens to our correction is probably a miracle. But he does.<br />
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I want to say that this time she wanted to talk to us about how life-changing our program has been for him. How much he has grown and turned his life around. <br />
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But that isn't the case. In fact, he's been suspended several times from school, is acting out his aggression on personal property at home and at school, using inappropriate language, and acting with a full measure of disrespect everywhere.<br />
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Except at Scouts. <br />
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Her concern was if he was acting like this at Scouts. Her fear was that we were having to put up with a hellion. She was confused, or maybe shocked, when we told her that he acts within the normal behavior swings of a 10 year-old boy. She thinks pulling him from Scouts might be all that she has left to threaten.<br />
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I offered to speak to him after his den meeting, to try to reach him.<br />
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We met with his den leader observing, just the three of us. I asked him how things were going. He said, "Fine." And then looked down and mumbled, "not so good."<br />
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I reminded him of our very first meeting only four months ago. Respect for each other is expected. It doesn't have to be earned--but given and received. I listen to you, you listen to me. You call me Mr. White and I'll call you Mr. X-and-such. <br />
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I told him that while he is at Scouts he is choosing to be well-behaved, helpful and a good Scout. I reminded him that a couple of blocks away is a building full of men who made bad choices. He knew exactly what I meant. We talked (yeah, mostly me) about how if he chooses to be a great kid here, how he might choose to be a great kid at school and at home. I tried to show him how he was in control of it, since he could control it around us.<br />
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Bad language is a good example. I told him that I used to use bad language until about 15 years ago, I got to thinking about it. I never, ever, did in in front of my mother. Or my grandmother. Or our parish priest. The light-bulb went off! I was choosing poor behavior because I could control it around others. So I stopped cold-turkey, but that is another story.<br />
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I advised this young man that he was exactly that: a young man. He was at the point of making some bad choices that couldn't be fixed at school, at home or at Scouts. I pointed at that building again and told him that this was the point they started making the kinds of bad choices that put them in jail.<br />
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A long pause to let it sink in. I reminded him that I'm not mad at him, because he is always fine at Scouts. We talked (yes, still mostly me) about being a Scout all the time. We talked about it being time to grow up a little, and start making some good choices. It was time to say, "I'm sorry" and to mean it.<br />
<br />
Now, I suspect not many folks have ever said they were sorry to him, so the concept is pretty foreign. His mom is worn down, his teachers know his reputation before they ever set eyes on him. And in many ways, he is surely getting what he deserves.<br />
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So I encouraged him to say he was sorry to his mother and his teacher, and to offer to help make up for it. I advised that it won't always be easy, sometimes it will be embarrassing, sometimes it won't be accepted. <br />
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But everyone respects a man who admits his failures, says he is sorry and tries to make up for it.<br />
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Everyone.<br />
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Now I don't have any misconceptions about the power of my talk. It was a good talk, but the odds are stacked against him and his wounds are pretty deep.<br />
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But there is something about Scouting that reaches him, and I hope it isn't too late.</div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-15812869936661010232012-02-14T18:52:00.000-05:002012-02-20T19:53:17.740-05:003rd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 7<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Day 7<br />
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If this picture looks a little familiar, it is the same as yesterday's but back when the pool was still full of water, and the world was a lot more black-and-white.<br />
<br />
Not a lot of Scouting today.<br />
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I cleared a lot of Scouting stuff off of my desk, and got all of the loose pins and patches rounded up and stored in a more secure spot.<br />
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<br /></div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-39068505496814805082012-02-13T19:48:00.000-05:002012-02-20T19:49:02.916-05:003rd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 6<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Day 6<br />
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Spoke with one of our Eagle Scout candidates. This almost 18 year-old was one of my original Cub Scouts that we began the pack with 8 years ago. He was a Lone Scout for 2 years while we built up enough Webelos Scouts to get a troop started. Lots of good memories, and a great Scout. I always knew he would be the one to drag this out to the last minute.<br />
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Tallied the Scouts who wore their uniforms to Scout Sunday, final count.<br />
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Day 5<br />
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Love the jacket on this book.<br />
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My wife is ill with pneumonia, and I spent the day quietly reading about Scouting trends and updating my pack and troop on odds and ends while watching over her.<br />
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Recommended to our pack that we pull together a more robust camping plan. Currently we participate in the council-wide events--Family Camp, Cub-Adult Camp, and resident summer camp. I would like to see us head out monthly during the warmer 8 months of the year, with maybe a cabin camp in the dead of winter. Which isn't so harsh in Virginia.<br />
<br />
Cleared out the backlog of old email I had saved from various Scouting lists. Great way to come up to speed on the topics most pressing to the Scouting community.<br />
<br />
Resent the links I had forwarded to the troop regarding our March campout: Old Scout Campout. We aren't bringing anything (gear, food, clothing, etc.) that wouldn't have been available to a Scout in 1920.<br />
<br /></div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-41477176753480123072012-02-11T15:20:00.000-05:002012-02-11T15:20:27.886-05:003rd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjnGgpZDtN3lyLaKEtfANF2fS4I9Zv4ptMIb9Qj_gA0qATUnoVhVtRW8ogL8qhdBN6uSeKCswZz1SlLg2zAuW4F80PV7TO5_KdzY6n2VXhUSfJ4MFkyCM80d1Kv2bNs0UfCC9MGgMR7c/s1600/denchiefaward.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjnGgpZDtN3lyLaKEtfANF2fS4I9Zv4ptMIb9Qj_gA0qATUnoVhVtRW8ogL8qhdBN6uSeKCswZz1SlLg2zAuW4F80PV7TO5_KdzY6n2VXhUSfJ4MFkyCM80d1Kv2bNs0UfCC9MGgMR7c/s1600/denchiefaward.jpg" /></a></div>Day 4<br />
<br />
Spent today doing some investing of time into our pack and troop.<br />
<br />
Sent out the list of requirements to the den leaders and den chiefs for the <a href="http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/MeritBadges/dencf.aspx">Den Chief Service Award</a>. I think most of them have either earned it or are really close.<br />
<br />
Contacted potential Welding and Chess merit badge counselors. Crossing fingers, as we have Scouts interested in both.<br />
<br />
Drafted reusable merit badge counselor letter, which includes links to adult application, merit badge counselor form, and youth protection training. This should save me some time in the future.<br />
<br />
Wrote our pack parents about creating a more robust camping program for our Cub Scouts. Need a volunteer to head it up, but I'll get them all the tools and training that they need. More crossing of fingers.<br />
<br />
Enjoyed reading through a couple of months of Cub Scout Talk and Boy Scout Talk email. Always learn a lot doing that.<br />
<br />
</div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-73053932763155413802012-02-10T23:45:00.004-05:002012-02-11T00:38:06.711-05:003rd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Tidgnkd7kcKGXyvqJyWpPE7EA-26pihb86fpYHbt9wmeIEEQb5Tb_3zHDhE1n4ppbq-fYizEKoUdJZaJUecS_E72Q8JPOvLuox7zcibW-XKi8xzTgJrfblFRrigB_Z82ZL82L_u2wVY/s1600/ScoutingHeritage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Tidgnkd7kcKGXyvqJyWpPE7EA-26pihb86fpYHbt9wmeIEEQb5Tb_3zHDhE1n4ppbq-fYizEKoUdJZaJUecS_E72Q8JPOvLuox7zcibW-XKi8xzTgJrfblFRrigB_Z82ZL82L_u2wVY/s1600/ScoutingHeritage.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Day 3 brings fruit already.<br />
<br />
Welding merit badge announcement yesterday to our troop resulted in a merit badge counselor and two Scouts eager to get started. I have to admit, I'm surprised. Welding doesn't really appeal to me, so I have a hard time projecting enthusiasm. But apparently they are excited about it. <br />
<br />
Great!<br />
<br />
Also, I have been offered a new Scouting job: Unit Commissioner. I've not performed this role before, and we have a small unit out in the far reaches of the council that needs one. It is a troop of 6 Scouts, and they are in need of a Cub pack to help them go.<br />
<br />
Now that is something I can do!</div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-65053985313061030612012-02-09T10:37:00.000-05:002012-02-09T10:37:40.601-05:003rd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJlaJHAi6g-XGl_8RLV7sy6kCpKE9YGIlVtifWy_PrFkzg7HiCrDMEnHF5xxQjUG_FRpXCq2Cl3YQScr_JWYpBMMoShiszW3rE-IuI851oa3SFLXiKLKs3w7NHMfwQ9zFwT5XSySCkAg/s1600/WeldingMB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJlaJHAi6g-XGl_8RLV7sy6kCpKE9YGIlVtifWy_PrFkzg7HiCrDMEnHF5xxQjUG_FRpXCq2Cl3YQScr_JWYpBMMoShiszW3rE-IuI851oa3SFLXiKLKs3w7NHMfwQ9zFwT5XSySCkAg/s1600/WeldingMB.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day 2 of this year's <i><a href="http://100daysofscouting.blogspot.com/2012/02/3rd-100-days-of-scouting-day-1.html">100 Days of Scouting</a></i> brings news.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First, it quit snowing yesterday as soon as I sent out the notices that we would cancel our meetings. I wish I could say it was the first time that had happened! We have a number of families that drive 30-45 minutes through the mountains to attend our weekly meetings, so better safe than sorry with icy roads.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Second, it is a shame that great Scouting community we had built up on Twitter has virtually vanished. I know many have moved to Google Plus, but it just isn't the same. If anyone is interested in getting it going again, <a href="http://twitter.com/scoutsigns">I'm here</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Third, new merit badge rolling out 24 FEB: <a href="http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/MeritBadges/welding.aspx">Welding</a> Today's good deed was to announce the new arrival to our troop and to solicit parents that might be qualified to serve as merit badge counselors for it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tonight brings our chapter Order of the Arrow meeting, for which my son serves as the vice chapter chief. Forty minute drive each way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the OA meeting, is our district roundtable. Between the two meetings, it is worth the 90 minutes on the road. The last several months have brought us a complete change in district leadership with a new District Executive, a new District Commissioner and a new District Chair. Lots of new going on, which is still sorting itself out.</div></div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-3005881471118386312012-02-08T10:46:00.000-05:002012-02-08T10:46:29.642-05:003rd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBXGhm4AP453z2qMpcJEPk775P9lqiwwpNNhuv_z20tpLjb-E56l43jpxCCH7BSYVSqzbqB3UeSEZ-9Nw1N86-ImNFZF0EB3OZ4pHY2LPkrRmKyMlRXwBJ_jeEWfmbH2PgwiuVmqp9w4/s1600/Century+of+Scouting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBXGhm4AP453z2qMpcJEPk775P9lqiwwpNNhuv_z20tpLjb-E56l43jpxCCH7BSYVSqzbqB3UeSEZ-9Nw1N86-ImNFZF0EB3OZ4pHY2LPkrRmKyMlRXwBJ_jeEWfmbH2PgwiuVmqp9w4/s1600/Century+of+Scouting.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today is the anniversary of the beginning of Scouting in the United States.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Each of the past two years (<a href="http://100daysofscouting.blogspot.com/2010/02/100-days-of-scouting-day-1.html">2010</a> and <a href="http://100daysofscouting.blogspot.com/2011/02/2nd-100-days-of-scouting-day-1.html">2011</a>), I've marked this day with beginning a series of 100 daily posts, each noting the large and small ways I commit to Scouting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And this year I need it. A lot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have some highs in Scouting right now, and a lot of lows. The next 100 days should show a lot of changes and improvements in my Scouting experience. Each one will be noted and discussed, in hopes of encouraging other Scouters to stick with it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Snow is starting to fall outside my window now, and that means the schools will cancel shortly--and automatically invoke our "meeting cancellation" policy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So for today, my commitment on this first day of the 2012 <a href="http://100daysofscouting.blogspot.com/">100 Days of Scouting</a> is to jump out there and give it another shot--for me, for my units, and for my Scouts. Hopefully, you and Scouting-in-general will get something out of it, too!</div><br />
</div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-29423485949218267682011-05-19T13:02:00.000-04:002011-05-19T13:28:21.573-04:002nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 100<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIocDUVJ9A0RB8Z2iB6qEB6fd06nUZlkMuR6fuf0wELGwb-1rd170rVx1RbTCLPH746yhtE2ZpuTsyHSm_t25zSjdnJ3Gjshnt-WUAxgzOyxx0b6jWpvUAnVCnv3nxXzXXH09wM0FcaGM/s1600/SafetyMB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIocDUVJ9A0RB8Z2iB6qEB6fd06nUZlkMuR6fuf0wELGwb-1rd170rVx1RbTCLPH746yhtE2ZpuTsyHSm_t25zSjdnJ3Gjshnt-WUAxgzOyxx0b6jWpvUAnVCnv3nxXzXXH09wM0FcaGM/s1600/SafetyMB.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Safety Merit Badge</span></div><br />
First, my thanks to <a href="http://twitter.com/scouteradam">@ScouterAdam</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/sm_phil">@SM_Phil</a> for declaring yesterday <a href="http://twitter.com/scoutsigns">@Scoutsigns</a> Day! Now if I'd just finished on time for my own "holiday"!<br />
<br />
<b><i>Please take a minute to post comments about what you plan on doing with your newly found success in finishing up the 100 Days of Scouting this year.</i></b><br />
<br />
EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T FINISH!<br />
<br />
We all have a lot to learn from each other, and I want you to feel successful for what you accomplished.<br />
<br />
And I want you fired up for next year's <i>100 Days of Scouting</i>! 08 FEB will be here before you know it.<br />
<br />
Today I:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Completed another 100 Days of Scouting! WooHOO!</li>
<li>Began another...<i><a href="http://100daysreverent.blogspot.com/">100 Days Reverent</a></i> for religious growth and involvement with the Knights of Columbus and my church. After all, a Scout is Reverent. Hashtag: <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/search/%23100DaysReverent">#100DaysReverent</a></li>
<li>Started one more...<i><a href="http://100daysstrong.blogspot.com/">100 Days Strong</a></i>. I've decided to stop being a big guy. If you are a "big guy", defined as heavier than the maximum allowable weight on the <a href="http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/ahmr.aspx">BSA Annual Health and Medical Record</a>, consider joining me. Hashtag: <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/search/%23100DaysStrong">#100DaysStrong</a></li>
<li>Finished packing for our <a href="http://shenareacouncil.blogspot.com/2011/02/night-ops-remindercubs-boy-scouts-and.html">Night Ops Camporee</a> that begins tomorrow. Seriously, how much fun will it be to have a camporee "under the cover of darkness"? Events for Saturday run from 8PM to 2AM Sunday morning.</li>
</ul><b><i>Congratulations to all participants! Finished, still working on it or set it aside..<a href="http://scoutsigns.blogspot.com/2011/02/follow-these-scouters.html">YOU</a> helped move Scouting forward! How will you change the world in the next 100 days? If not you, who? If not now, when? Keep me posted and I'll cheer you on!</i></b><br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-74843689488987928052011-05-18T14:02:00.000-04:002011-05-18T14:02:41.887-04:002nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 99<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbSrVx9JtY2jMcHLsL5x5pu6QBrYF9alAaSqDY4cnu3H0rdOs2htPvOwwY0cFti9N74R-zi1ih3BF4dXSUFPqlbMjE8dX6_VAQJppvPptnhvQ5v0ifQ2rjKh0kxwwIPzG7VFit_K2bvk/s1600/RowingMB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbSrVx9JtY2jMcHLsL5x5pu6QBrYF9alAaSqDY4cnu3H0rdOs2htPvOwwY0cFti9N74R-zi1ih3BF4dXSUFPqlbMjE8dX6_VAQJppvPptnhvQ5v0ifQ2rjKh0kxwwIPzG7VFit_K2bvk/s1600/RowingMB.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Rowing Merit Badge</span></div>One day to go.<br />
<br />
Hard to believe. Last year, 100 days seemed to last near an eternity. Then, waiting 265 more days to begin made me question if I could even do it again.<br />
<br />
Perseverance.<br />
<br />
Now my 2nd 100 Days of Scouting is rapidly coming to a close--although delayed by one day as apparently I neglected to post on one day! ;-)<br />
<br />
Today I:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Confirmed pack and troop registrations with the council. Good thing, too. Money has all been paid, but the Cub Scouts weren't listed for a campsite.</li>
<li>Posted a detailed plan to the Virtual Roundtable Committee of what I think our Virtual Roundtable should look like. I should blog about that separately. Pretty cool stuff, if I say so myself. Nothing fancy, just utilizing off-the-shelf technology to encourage and expand exposure to Roundtable.</li>
<li>Helped a Scout dad find a Scouting-friendly doctor doing summer camp physicals for $50.</li>
<li>Rented the shelter at the park for next week's big Pack Crossover event!</li>
<li>Cancelled tonight's meetings. Schools closed today with the flooding from last nights storms (and tornado watch again). Shame, there was a lot to do, too.</li>
</ul><b><i>OK, tomorrow is the big day (for me)! Some of you hit the milestone today. Can't wait to see how you leverage all you have learned into next year's event! Yep, next year's...</i>3rd Annual 100 Days of Scouting!</b><br />
<br />
</div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-91551638211979333922011-05-17T13:28:00.019-04:002011-05-18T13:43:46.619-04:002nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 98<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ysmiMkkC1WjwgLEfxnNehulAlFcPPNV4mwTUwMKFPUr15825ow-FUI0qf4PcFyzR6xZUT5tkEiu38CkctYKAfYGPSkC3eScdXjV91z5FOuNfkMu9yEIkOJVtzXSZNiMLjWoOtMG78dc/s1600/RoboticsMB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ysmiMkkC1WjwgLEfxnNehulAlFcPPNV4mwTUwMKFPUr15825ow-FUI0qf4PcFyzR6xZUT5tkEiu38CkctYKAfYGPSkC3eScdXjV91z5FOuNfkMu9yEIkOJVtzXSZNiMLjWoOtMG78dc/s200/RoboticsMB.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Robotics Merit Badge</span></div><br />
OK, not quite the day I had planned, which means it is a Scouting day!<br />
<br />
I'm feeling some pressure about closing the 100 Days of Scouting out on a good note, but I seem to be falling behind in everything. Then I dwell on the shortcoming, and sure enough, it adds more pressure to the mix.<br />
<br />
A friend in Scouting may be coming to the end of his days as a professional, and that is troubling.<br />
<br />
A perfectly stormy day for perfectly stormy weather.<br />
<br />
Today I:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Helped out with a Cub Scout registration drive at Burger King in our town. Thanks BK!</li>
<li>Approved as a parent, the exercise regimen for Personal Fitness merit badge.</li>
<li>Prepped a report for our Chartered Organization as they close out their fraternal year.</li>
</ul><b><i>Gotta admit, it was kind of a frustrating day. If a little thing could go wrong, it did--sometimes twice! Patience is a virtue, patience is a virtue...</i></b></div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-10008578509549109232011-05-16T19:27:00.000-04:002011-05-16T19:27:18.678-04:002nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 97<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHU4azsKGI6-YbtmXv_QlAVahf0XxfX1zK8ndhhgCrUDIWrgcpQggbvUrA7I0_dYoV7DA2UoFBkCjTf7YOxQf2Dc5-s_4qylXav8ClRLXY2WHnE8cPjUDq79k4ueuKlEIGu-n0gxYKQII/s1600/RifleShootingMB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHU4azsKGI6-YbtmXv_QlAVahf0XxfX1zK8ndhhgCrUDIWrgcpQggbvUrA7I0_dYoV7DA2UoFBkCjTf7YOxQf2Dc5-s_4qylXav8ClRLXY2WHnE8cPjUDq79k4ueuKlEIGu-n0gxYKQII/s1600/RifleShootingMB.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Rifle Shooting Merit Badge</span></div><br />
Some days you cannot win for losing.<br />
<br />
Two steps forward, three back. <br />
<br />
Fortunately, tomorrow is a new day...and even the rain won't matter.<br />
<br />
Today I:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Spoke to a new family at church that has a boy old enough to be a Tiger...and they are interested.</li>
<li>Cut up and delivered flyers for our local Burger King to pass out to folks who might be interested in Scouting.</li>
<li>Followed-up on a friends 60-year <a href="http://www.scouting.org/filestore/membership/pdf/524-701.pdf">Veteran Application</a>--I would need to live, and be active, about 40 more years to do it.</li>
<li>Returned a borrowed pinewood derby track.</li>
</ul><b><i>Repeat after me: tomorrow will be a better day.</i></b></div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-26803210058567026082011-05-15T19:44:00.003-04:002011-05-15T19:44:01.082-04:002nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 96<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEMkWp2UmWGVKdbjPTQMkuVNoUjJcdEmQp2p4FACIWe5ZhEca3OYesTe3Q8FULfcMDzDhUI0-3AyH05B1qAyubwp5RsHw-Mn6fdoIO_52VzDHjfZAbmmvURU2QVYRwojyI0TDk8njF0w/s1600/ReptileandAmphibianStudyMB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEMkWp2UmWGVKdbjPTQMkuVNoUjJcdEmQp2p4FACIWe5ZhEca3OYesTe3Q8FULfcMDzDhUI0-3AyH05B1qAyubwp5RsHw-Mn6fdoIO_52VzDHjfZAbmmvURU2QVYRwojyI0TDk8njF0w/s1600/ReptileandAmphibianStudyMB.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Reptile and Amphibian Study Merit Badge</span></div><br />
Who's afraid of a little rain?<br />
<br />
Not us! We survived our Fun with Son Cub Scout weekend! A lot of wet, but no worse for the wear.<br />
<br />
Drying out shall commence...in time for a Scout meeting tonight...and then some much deserved sleep...and a warm shower.<br />
<br />
Today I:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Packed up from a camping trip.</li>
<li>Made sure we made it to Mass--A Scout is reverent.</li>
<li>Stopped for our traditional "chocolate milk" on the way home from a council camping event.</li>
<li>Printed out theme information for our PLC meeting tonight. June's theme per the Roundtable Guide is <b><i>Mechanics</i></b>.</li>
<li>Observed and coached our troop leadership through their Patrol Leader's Council. Last one for some of them, as we have elections later in the month.</li>
</ul><b><i>Great end to a long day...and a long weekend. Time to get ready for the camporee on Friday...</i></b></div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-50556170128216122082011-05-14T13:40:00.005-04:002011-05-14T13:40:00.232-04:002nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 95<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfxNfeSlboyPMS2wPjGRO8nDzq-gDgsVMlacAkpDhdVSyvljfDhYFmVbveGncAejj1Wju6MjiAUAvPndwTLbI6w07A-JuJwN1t6aAPBkenuDv6t7QDiErfPfpEorQbzIu94PoZRNMuTs/s1600/ReadingMB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfxNfeSlboyPMS2wPjGRO8nDzq-gDgsVMlacAkpDhdVSyvljfDhYFmVbveGncAejj1Wju6MjiAUAvPndwTLbI6w07A-JuJwN1t6aAPBkenuDv6t7QDiErfPfpEorQbzIu94PoZRNMuTs/s1600/ReadingMB.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Reading Merit Badge</span></div><br />
Today we are camping, and I'm enjoying a rainy day with my Wolf. Archery, BB shooting, camp food, outhouses, and I suspect an indoor campfire ceremony tonight.<br />
<br />
Great times, with my youngest son. This is what Scouting is all about. <br />
<br />
I'm wearing my Dad hat today instead of my Leader hat(s).</div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-89687912495228912432011-05-13T13:40:00.000-04:002011-05-13T13:40:12.949-04:002nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 94<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzO_-OBt8qzcyGNieAaZTW25QKKY-VNbS1JjrArZSyOlErQpKT1ZoxNLadP96PQj4VZUboMwWlrIpaJ9SrugDBDofbPEEt6f_XMWnNGsgu4YXfZixJ6bR7VRgmU1Bzu-mcxf6XAoaWSs/s1600/RailroadingMB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzO_-OBt8qzcyGNieAaZTW25QKKY-VNbS1JjrArZSyOlErQpKT1ZoxNLadP96PQj4VZUboMwWlrIpaJ9SrugDBDofbPEEt6f_XMWnNGsgu4YXfZixJ6bR7VRgmU1Bzu-mcxf6XAoaWSs/s1600/RailroadingMB.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Railroading Merit Badge</span></div><br />
Countdown continues on the 2nd 100 Day of Scouting. Hard to believe it will be over before you know it.<br />
<br />
I'm already thinking about next year, and I'm open to any ideas for improvements you might have, so leave me a comment with your thoughts.<br />
<br />
We head out for a camping trip today, as our council launches the Fun with Son weekend for Cub Scouts. Yes, of course that means it is raining, and expected to rain all weekend.<br />
<br />
But aren't those the weekends you remember the most?<br />
<br />
Today I:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Sent in--finally!--the registration for our camporee. Today is the deadline, so all is well. Sounds like 700 people attending so far...which is huge for our small, rural council.</li>
<li>Updated Cub Scout Resident Camp files and dropped off final payment.</li>
<li>Updated Boy Scout Summer Camp files and dropped off final payment.</li>
<li>Advised remaining dad that we just need his check to be finished with summer camp expenses...;-)</li>
<li>Packed for Fun with Son campout. My Life is on staff, so we get to go tonight instead of in the morning with the Cub families.</li>
<li>Went through Wolf's gear with him to make sure he has what he needs. By now, he is a seasoned pro and needs very little help from me. Stuffed animal...check. ;-)</li>
<li>Made one more Scout deposit.</li>
</ul><b><i>I'm busy camping most of the next 10 weekends, how about you? What did I do on the weekends in the summer before Scouting? I can't even remember anymore.</i></b></div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-73527646962203316222011-05-12T16:14:00.001-04:002011-05-13T13:18:27.959-04:002nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 93<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7itkK3Ovg8A-FPw_JU5oL3JIQt0XCVPhi1P8jfqG9aEt4Vh0jNZa3bJH4oVZ5dU8LY8Xvu4NClCAQk2f4MrcUktjUwFSTTbJTxLc-OkMG0EujmsNX9MGy44Gf_e74he7y1Ioy4dFS8zQ/s1600/RadioMB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7itkK3Ovg8A-FPw_JU5oL3JIQt0XCVPhi1P8jfqG9aEt4Vh0jNZa3bJH4oVZ5dU8LY8Xvu4NClCAQk2f4MrcUktjUwFSTTbJTxLc-OkMG0EujmsNX9MGy44Gf_e74he7y1Ioy4dFS8zQ/s1600/RadioMB.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">Radio Merit Badge</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">OK, a little secret.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I love the second Thursday of the month. Why? Lots of Scout meetings, mostly for adults. Unit Commissioner's Meeting (my first to check it out), District Order of the Arrow meeting and finally our District Roundtable.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">On top of my pack and troop meetings last night, I feel completely filled up with Scouting.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Today I:<o:p></o:p></span></div><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Followed up on registration for SummitCorps.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Updated our list of participants for our Camporee next weekend.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Attended Unit Commissioner's meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Attended District Order of the Arrow meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Attended Roundtable.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Winding down the 100 Days of Scouting with this double-barreled view of all my Scouting world is a great reminder of the things I have pushed to do this 100 days. How about you?</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-76746460872546431602011-05-10T17:26:00.001-04:002011-05-13T13:17:51.079-04:002nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 92<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadiYIK0X6URU2igJI6Dcj2MWYRtFSHDb3xEo7KBERP1IxYGgwVY89vhwiEt0u6ZSBAACrkXj7ePLkEvXwa42GAkWYEfwtOh4UgkLUYR0ynSJ4x3KvsX0PujEXmLxhyphenhyphenHDaY2hRPHgnvqo/s1600/PublicSpeakingMB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadiYIK0X6URU2igJI6Dcj2MWYRtFSHDb3xEo7KBERP1IxYGgwVY89vhwiEt0u6ZSBAACrkXj7ePLkEvXwa42GAkWYEfwtOh4UgkLUYR0ynSJ4x3KvsX0PujEXmLxhyphenhyphenHDaY2hRPHgnvqo/s1600/PublicSpeakingMB.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Public Speaking Merit Badge</span></div><br />
I confess, I took advantage of a quiet day today.<br />
<br />
My folks are in town, visiting to see my new grandchild. Beautiful weather has the garden calling. Scouting is everywhere, and more to take advantage of there, too! <br />
<br />
The countdown has begun to reach the end of the <i>100 Days of Scouting</i> for this year...and my adrenalin is going!<br />
<br />
Today I:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Decided to attend the Commissioner's meeting for our district. Whether or not it is in my future, I want to learn more about it.</li>
<li>Helped a fellow Scouter out who is looking for more staff volunteers for our council's Family Camp this Fall. I reposted to my Facebook friends and Scouts, as well as our district's Facebook page. Oh, and my Life wants to do it, too.</li>
<li>My Life is working at the Fun with Sun Cub campout this weekend, so confirmed the details about getting him up there on Friday night. My Wolf and I will be attending as a father-and-son team.</li>
<li>Sent reminder notices out to the pack and troop about the pending registration deadline for summer camp, and any balance of fees due.</li>
<li>Spoke to the Scouter who is running the Night Ops camporee in a couple of weeks. I'm on the hook for getting the word out to local media.</li>
</ul><br />
<b><i>Great day to be a Scouter! I love finding new experiences for me as well as the Scouts.</i></b></div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-62481444474253268852011-05-09T17:00:00.000-04:002011-05-09T17:00:55.326-04:002nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 91<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCa8hXmyR-xl7t2tBf5bGg6JEeER2_CdfYhQyGnXtrgVIbJljpS5lS5km2QyKMVgUCrTvysZXY0KiJlz_NvDfgY2PwPFuv3HeM9ZPuQgz9a3-ymPU-V-JD3jyEg3K2dALHnciHsroLsc/s1600/PublicHealthMB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCa8hXmyR-xl7t2tBf5bGg6JEeER2_CdfYhQyGnXtrgVIbJljpS5lS5km2QyKMVgUCrTvysZXY0KiJlz_NvDfgY2PwPFuv3HeM9ZPuQgz9a3-ymPU-V-JD3jyEg3K2dALHnciHsroLsc/s1600/PublicHealthMB.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Public Health Merit Badge</span></div><br />
Back from a long and hectic weekend. My daughter is officially a college graduate, and starts on her Masters in a couple of weeks.<br />
<br />
Came home to a bunch of Scouting email and gardening chores to get done.<br />
<br />
Today I:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Responded to email from a Scout who is pushing hard to get Second Class wrapped up this Wednesday at our meeting.</li>
<li>Responded to a Scout who forgot to include his dad on the Camporee registration sign-up.</li>
<li>Accepted invitations from our District Chairman regarding this weeks Order of the Arrow district meeting and the district roundtables.</li>
<li>Helped my Wolf with some gardening plans.</li>
</ul><br />
<b><i>Doesn't seem like a lot, but it took all day to get to this point. Do you ever get to the end of your Scouting day without much to show for a lot of effort?</i></b></div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-36538401939658930202011-05-08T16:50:00.001-04:002011-05-09T16:53:09.009-04:002nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 90<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5hOCyXox7LxHR_h3fJCZNeLdSf0xpepgFTL53j9RBct9SAQqB614kJFP1SiL4ovcjFPudAVQoU2eDPMpjOFu0Q4fYsN6pBVmY_6SU_KKKY6JhnFuAEvVo9wd4EusDCYnTgEG3CZ-elA/s1600/PotteryMB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5hOCyXox7LxHR_h3fJCZNeLdSf0xpepgFTL53j9RBct9SAQqB614kJFP1SiL4ovcjFPudAVQoU2eDPMpjOFu0Q4fYsN6pBVmY_6SU_KKKY6JhnFuAEvVo9wd4EusDCYnTgEG3CZ-elA/s1600/PotteryMB.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Pottery Merit Badge</span></div><br />
Still traveling due to my daughter's graduation from college. Only Scouting today was speaking to my sister-in-law about my nephew, who has dropped out of the Boy Scouts after working all the way up from Tigers as a Cub Scout.<br />
<br />
Sports got in the way. They tried 3 troops, but the other Scouts weren't centered on sports like he is.<br />
<br />
Sad. I couldn't find a way to bring life back to the situation.</div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489872429364417444.post-33817025911080605802011-05-07T16:16:00.001-04:002011-05-09T16:49:58.325-04:002nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 89<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__UAE0PYWJ8_SaUdOa57ubPMjSQnXEp9p1Gy4-k10OI-BFTbggIMM-sn4w-XkEM4FIjaF-K4K-U1Ej-ph__nR2kSsqmOJsHr2xX12xRallckJ21HZy5781Q9n_w0AKNK3mxUXmPee-Co/s1600/PlumbingMB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__UAE0PYWJ8_SaUdOa57ubPMjSQnXEp9p1Gy4-k10OI-BFTbggIMM-sn4w-XkEM4FIjaF-K4K-U1Ej-ph__nR2kSsqmOJsHr2xX12xRallckJ21HZy5781Q9n_w0AKNK3mxUXmPee-Co/s1600/PlumbingMB.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Plumbing Merit Badge</span></div><br />
<br />
Attending my daughter's graduation today, so not much Scouting to report. I did get to speak with my Life though, who finished up a day of training for his summer camp job.</div>Scoutsignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15757273147467863668noreply@blogger.com0