tlogan's blog

I had a great time at Pow Wow leading the Ceremonies session for Cub Scout leaders today.  I could see that you were all catching the spirit and I had some good discussions with some of you afterward.  I look forward to hearing how you have brought this back to your units.  I have attached all of the ceremonies that were presented today along with some others that we didn't have time for.  Feel free to modify these to suit your needs. 

I failed to mention a couple of ceremonies that I have seen on the internet that have officially been banned by the Boy Scouts of America.  One involved turning the boy upside down to pin his rank award on and the other involves soaking a neckerchief in a water & liquid fuel mixture and igniting it.  Please avoid doing these.

Tim

DALLAS, Texas—September 7, 2011)—Scouts will be able to add a new patch to their merit badge sash—a patch for playing a game. However, it’s a game that requires critical thinking skills, deep concentration, and abstract reasoning. The Boy Scouts of America will introduce the Chess merit badge in September, encouraging Scouts to enjoy an ancient game while acquiring life skills necessary for today.

Requirements for achieving the Chess merit badge include things such as learning scorekeeping using the algebraic system of chess notation and explaining the four rules for castling. Additionally, Scouts must teach someone else how to play chess, play in a chess tournament, or organize a competition.

“The chess community is excited about this new merit badge from the Boy Scouts of America,” stated Bill Hall, executive director of the United States Chess Federation (USCF). “We believe that chess has the potential to positively impact young people from every background.”

Full announcement from Scouting.org

Samual Gardner, an Eagle Scout from Michigan, has set out on what he calls "The All-In Trek" that will include through hikes of the North Country Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and finally the Appalachian Trail.  He plans to hike the trails one right after another and hopes to complete this incredible task in 1 year but states that he will continue the trek even if it takes longer than that.

Sam is keeping an online journal chronicling his journeys at his website http://www.theinitiativesite.com.

 
ScoutFEST 100 is a festival to celebrate the centennial year of the Boy Scouts of America for the Scouts of Chicagoland.  Northerly Island is the perfect place to gather for this event, as it provides a location that is convenient for all to come, is in the heart of the city so that everyone will see that Scouting is still strong, and most importantly is an easily controlled, safe environment.  Scouts from everywhere are welcome to attend this once in a lifetime event.

During the day, ScoutFEST will include a midway of activities and exhibits for all to enjoy.  Exhibitors from organizations and companies that work with Scouts will be there showcasing the opportunities they have for Scouts.  Scouts can take part in activities such as rock climbing, fishing, obstacle courses, exploring Sea Scout ships and more.

In the evening everyone will file into the Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island for a spectacular stage show featuring the hit recording artist Smash Mouth.  Smash Mouth is known for their hits “All Star” and “Walkin’ on the Sun” as well as famous covers of popular songs such as “I’m a Believer.”  The stage show will be capped off with a spectacular fireworks show over Lake Michigan.

If that all isn't enough, after the show Scouts wishing to stay the night will camp under the stars and the Chicago skyline.  This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
 

http://www.scoutfest100.org/

Who's handling the money for your pack, troop, or crew?  Can you trust them to handle the money properly and not get sticky fingers?  Are you sure?  Over the years I have heard of several cases where a unit's treasurer had stolen money from the unit that their son was involved with.  A quick Google search brought up these cases along with many more...

• July 8, 2010 - Woburn, Massachussettes ($20,000)
• Feb 2, 2010 - Stockerton, Pennsylvania ($10,000)
• Nov 10, 2009 - Delphi, Indiana ($3,000)
• Sept 15, 2009 - Epping, New Hampshire ($2,500)
• Mar 31, 2009) - Summerville, South Carolina ($14,000)
• Mar 18, 2009 - Morrisville, Missouri ($5,000)
• Feb 26, 2008 - Bellwood, Pennsylvania ($17,000)
• Feb 19, 2008 - Loveland, Colorado ($7,000)
  

  Read more »

Thanks to Google Alerts, I was able to read this great blog post about a young man with disabilities who was able to become a Boy Scout after many years of dreaming about it.  I thought I'd share it all with you both as an "Aww..." moment and a reminder that the Boy Scouts of America has some very inclusive policies when it comes to people with (dis)abilities joining as well as certain accomodations that can be made for helping the boys to earn their rank.

Our family's oldest young man is now a man in uniform. Stross, at 19 years of age, was inducted into the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) tonight. His life, the BSA's vision, our mission as Stross' parents - it all basically came together tonight when our oldest son ceremoniously claimed a status he's sought more than half his life. He is a Boy Scout. He is a man in uniform.

Amazingly, these two seemingly polar existences merge to reflect Stross' life circumstances. Due to the circumstances of his birth, our man of 19 lives with an intellectual outlook of one entering the scouting system in his boyhood years, yet his dream - since his actual boyhood - has been to serve his country as a man in uniform. That dream became possible tonight thanks to the Boy Scouts of America, and Stross' inherent persistence.

Stross - despite our assertions that he was too old to join the scouting program - independently searched the Internet to learn this: A Scout or Venturer with a disability may work toward rank advancement after he is 18 years of age. See also: Boy Scout Policy on Advancement for Members with Special Needs

 

FULL ARTICLE

It happens again and again.  The location is differrent and the troop involved is different but the headlines declare in bold letters, "Boy Scout Trailer Stolen".  The stories give few details about the theft other than one key piece of information... the scouts camping gear was inside the trailer.  Frequently the article also explains that the troop has had to cancel outings because of the theft.

March 2010 - Mesquite, Texas

February 2010 - Pawley's Island, South Carolina

February 2010 - Rochester, Minnesota

July 2009 - Centerline, Michigan

January 2009 - Atascocita, Texas

November 2008 - Independence, Missouri

July 2008 - Independence, Missouri

April 2008 - Miami, Florida

February 2008 - Houston, Texas

  Read more »

IRVING, Texas (January 11, 2010) – The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and Dale Coyne Racing (DCR) today announced that the two legendary organizations are teaming up to promote family fun and education through a new BSA IndyCar. Scouts can experience the BSA’s No. 19 IndyCar throughout the 17 race IndyCar® Series 2010 schedule of events including the greatest spectacle in racing, the Indianapolis 500.

The No. 19 car will help commemorate the 100th anniversary of the BSA – the nation’s largest youth service organization. The BSA and DCR plan to utilize the high-tech nature of Indy cars as a platform to promote science, technology and math to those involved in Scouting.

 

Full Article

Interview with Bob Mazzuca

Give 8 hours of community service and Get a complimentary night stay or 50% discount on hotel rooms at all 53 Sage hotels across the country.

Offer ends March 31, 2010

The Details:

Complete 8 hours of volunteer service to a registered 501(c)3 non profit organization by March 29, 2010 to qualify to receive 50% off the published room rate -- or maybe a complimentary night (limited availability).

Hmm... now where can I find a 501(c)3 non profit organization that needs a volunteer?  :-)

More info about this deal can be found here.

Need a Christmas gift for Boy Scout or Scoutmaster? The DVD is out. I don't know what stores would carry it but I know it's available from Amazon and also from the movie website.