The Scoutmaster Minute

Last night as I was driving home from our Annual District Awards Dinner, I thought I would do a quick audio tweet.  Some thoughts about an amazing week of Scouting.
Listen here.
Have a Great Scouting Day!

I got a Food dehydrator this year and have been experimenting with many new recipes for the trail.
I found this cool video on You tube.
Great ideas and great meal.. I tried it.

Have a Great Scouting day!

Welcome back the Scoutmaster Minute.  In this show we are revisiting an older show of mine, show number 4.  It seems so long ago.
This podcast focuses on Bullying.
With the new Scout requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class all centered on Bullying, it was time to get a podcast out there.  Using the BSA’s Bullying awareness presentation as a guide, this podcast gives definitions and solutions for bullying in your unit.Here are references on this subject, courtesy of The Boy Scouts of America presentation on Bullying.Boy Scouts of America. (2008) Rank Requirement Changes.www.scouting.org/boyscouts/resources/32215/rankchanges.html Boy Scouts of America. (2007) Power Pack Pals #1: Bullying Comic Book.  Feinberg, T. (2003) “Bullying Prevention and Intervention,” National Association of School Principals.
Produced in cooperation with the National Association of School Psychologists. Jeffries, P. W. & Goodwin, K. (2001) Stop School Bullying: Kalamazoo College’s Site Dedicated to Creating Safe Learning Environments for Kids.Kalamazoo, MI: Kalamazoo College.http://www.kzoo.edu/psych/stop%5Fbullying/  National Crime Prevention Council (2006) http://www.ncpc.org/topics/by-audience/parents/bullying/ Newman, D. A., Horne, A. M., Bartolomucci, C. L. (2000) Bully Busters- A Teacher’s Manual for Helping Bullies, Victims, and Bystanders. Champaign, IL: Research Press.  Olweus, D. (1993) Bullying at School: What We Know and What We Can Do.
Oxford, UK: Blackwell. Sassu, K. A., Elinoff, M. J., Bray, M. A., & Kehle, T. J. (2004) “Bullies and Victims – Information for Parents.” Helping Children at Home and at School II: Handouts for Families and Educators. Bethesda, MD: National Association of School Psychologists. Sheras, P. (2002) Your Child: Bully or Victim? New York, NY:
Skylight Press. Tassell, B. (2006) “Dealing with Bullies,” Don’t Feed the Bully.Santa Claus, IN: Llessat Publishing.www.dontfeedthebully.com/DealingwithBullies.html U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2004) Stop Bullying Now!http://stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov Standard Podcast [37:44m]

Once again, I find myself way behind in the maintaining the blog and once again, it is not for a lack of ideas, thoughts, or want to... well anyway, lets get on with it...
Last night I had the pleasure of practicing one of the great truisms of Scouting.. taken from Scoutmaster Clarke Green's podcast , "Put a group of Scoutmasters in a room and something happens, they start to talk."
Well last night I got into a virtual room with Clarke and yep.. we talked.  And we talked.. and we talked.
But one of the great things about our conversation was the recurring theme that good Scoutmastering comes from the comfort of a good lawn chair.
The point here is that we teach, coach, train, and mentor the Scouts of our units and then get out of their way.  I am a firm believer in this concept.  And it has proven out over and over again that Scouts will absolutely amaze you with their problem solving ability, their leadership, and their creativity when you allow it.
One of the things that I appreciate about our discussion last night was the sharing of our Scouting philosophy and the simple fact that the program that we promote in our units, even though we are a country apart and have completely different styles, are the same.  We keep it simple and Youth led.
Youth leadership can not happen when they are hamstrung and given to many hoops to jump through.
We discussed the importance of allowing the youth leaders to set a course for the unit and that our role beyond teaching and coaching was to keep the Troop from heading into the ditch.  Keeping the Troop not necessarily centered in the road, but not in the ditch on either side.  Allowing the Scouts to bounce  down the road learning as they go, achieving success's  and experiencing the taste of failure without getting hurt or in trouble.  There is much to be learned along the way and what I have learned and it was confirmed last night.. the Scouts do it so much better when we sit in a lawn chair and tell stories with our Scouter friends.  Read.... leave them alone.

More later.
Have a Great Scouting Day and look for our discussion to post in a podcast soon.
In the meantime, check out Clarkes last show here .
Follow him on twitter .
Check out his Blog

Now, as most of you know, I am a big fan of Alvin Townley Jr.  the Author of Legacy of Honor and Spirit of Adventure.  It is refreshing to see this advocate of the Scouting movement out there telling the Scouting story.
I stumbled on this video and his message fired me up!!!
So I have to share it with you all.

Thanks Alvin!
Have a Great Scouting Day!

It's getting to be that time again that we need to worry about those pests in the woods getting at your food.
Racoons, Bear, and the worst of all Chipmunks...
Here is a good video demonstrating the PCT method of hanging your "Bear" bag or Food bag.

Have a Great Scouting Day!

The Scouting Heritage Merit Badge is a new merit badge and a great way to allow Scouts to learn about the rich history and heritage of not only the Boy Scouts of America but the Scouting movement.
Join Scoutmaster Jerry and his new co host Scott as they go through the requirements of the Scouting Heritage Merit Badge.  This is a great listen for anyone looking into being a merit badge counselor for this Merit badge, as well as a peak into Scoutings rich history.
The first person to leave feedback on this show, either in the forum, the blog, or via email will receive a copy of Alvin Townley's book Legacy of Honor.
This show is sponsored by Class B.com
Have a Great Scouting Day!

As most of you know, this year I have the privilege of not only being the Scoutmaster of my home troop, but also a troop heading to the National Jamboree.
Now I am not saying that money buys success, attitude, or enthusiasm, but I  have noticed that about $3000 makes a pretty big difference.
I have a great home troop.  They are Scout led and into high adventure.  We have our challenges, but by and large it is a real fun troop and I am proud of the Scouts that are in it.
My Jamboree troop on the other hand is Fantastic in its own right.  I am completely surprised at how a group of young men from 9 different towns and cities, just as many schools, with only one thing in common, they were assigned to my troop by the council, can come together and gel like they have.
This last weekend our Jamboree troop held a camp out.  The intent of the camp out was two fold.  First was to set up and shake down all the gear.  Get familiar with it and learn how to work as a team setting it all up and taking it down.  The other objective of the camp out was to continue the bonding and team building of the Patrols and Troop.  A chance to get to know the tent mates and see how they would interact over a longer period of time than a few hours at a meeting.
They met every goal and exceeded my expectations.
What a difference $3000 makes.
These Scouts are all First Class to Eagle Scout in Rank, they all want to be there, and they are are looking for a great time.  And yeah.. either they or their parents paid $3000 for this once in a life time experience, and the Scouts act like it.
It is so easy to put together a troop when they all have the same goals, the same vision, and the same willingness to work toward those goals and visions.
Unlike the normal "home" troop where sports seasons, homework, and the need for self improvement (read advancement) tend to set an individual Scouts agenda, the Scouts of the Jamboree troop all have one common goal.  Go to Jamboree and have fun.
So what a difference $3000 makes... none really, but we can learn from this adventure.
We can learn a lot about vision and goal setting, we can learn a lot about what motivates young men, and we can learn a lot about how we as Scout leaders process information and assist youth leaders in team development.
A lot can be learned, but then again, a lot should be learned.. after all, we paid $3000.

Have a Great Scouting Day!

LOVE LIFE: The Tale of Steve Fugate from Erin Henning on Vimeo.

HAVE A GREAT SCOUTING DAY!

When we teach the Scouts about task organization and what right looks like, it is important to teach initiative.
What I have seen and learned over the last few years is that most of our Scouts, or young men in general lack initiative.  You can give them a list of things to do or ask that they complete a certain task and that is where it stops.  They do task A.. they do task B... but won't look for "C".
So how do we develop in our Scouts, our young men initiative?
Well first of all you need to let them know that in no uncertain terms that they have the power to make decisions.   They also need to know and understand that the decisions that they make need to be owned and the consequences that come with them are permanent.  They can be fixed, but need to be learned from if they result in the wrong out come.
They need to know and understand that there are more tasks beyond what they know up front.  You can help them with this by coaching and asking the "What now" questions.  Guide them to the answer without giving them the answer.
For example, when it comes to what we expect of our Junior leaders or "older Scouts".  Now I know that all Scoutmasters expect the older Scouts to help the younger Scouts, to teach the younger Scouts basic skills and to set a good example... but how many times on a camp out have we seen the older Scouts get their gear set up and then just sit around or goof off?
Initiative would call for them to "see the need" to help the younger Scouts, but it is often over looked.
So as Scoutmasters we need to inspect what we expect.  Here is were coaching comes in.  During the PLC meeting prior to the camp out how about having the Patrol leaders come up with a basic list of tasks that typically need to be done in camp.  After the camp set up, ask the SPL if he sees the list as complete?  He will no doubt take action if he sees holes in the result.
Make sure that your reflections or Start, Stop, and Continue processes are meaningful and targeted toward the learning goal.  You can direct that without stepping on the leadership of the Senior Patrol Leader.
Teaching initiative in our young men has got to be a priority, if you do not teach it, expect it, and inspect that it is being used then it will not happen.
Initiative is necessary for leadership, seizing it takes practice, but once it is recognized and made a habit your youth leaders will find it rewarding.

Have a Great Scouting Day!

The Scoutmaster Minute Podcast Show 54
A listen in on Scoutmaster Jerry and his Assistant Scoutmasters as well as a few of the new Dads talking about what their expectations are in Scouting and of course.. no good camp discussion would be complete without a few great camp stories... Enjoy!

Listen Here - SMM54

Have a Great Scouting Day!
www.ptcmedia.net

Hey folks there are some new and exciting things happening with the Scoutmaster Minute Podcast.. tune in to show #55 in two weeks and see whats new and improved.  I am excited, I am sure you will enjoy it too.
- Scoutmaster Jerry

Ok, it's Youth protection month and everyone should be checking their training cards to make sure they are current in their training.  The online version is actually pretty good and while it is a bit long, it sure is better than dedicating a Saturday Morning listening to a less than dynamic trainer ramble on about "this one time at Scout camp"...
But seriously, I want to address youth protection simply because I care a lot about the Scouts in my care.  These Scouts and their parents have a certain level of trust in our program and us as leaders and we owe it to them to protect their sons, and that extends way beyond the Pack or Troop.
It is well known that the Scouts of my unit are encouraged to have a level of comfort in me in trust that I will never harm them.. when I say that I mean they can call me and talk about what ever is on their minds, not the least of which if they are being abused, sexually, mentally, emotionally, or physically.  They know that I do genuinely care enough for them that I will take action.
I have had Scouts that were bullied at School and I was the person they were comfortable telling, I went to the School and addressed the concern with the Principle, had a lengthy talk with the parents and resolved the issue.
Now I would suggest that if you are not comfortable taking this type of action, don't, but it is your responsibility as a leader to at least report it... yeah, even if it is not on "Scout time".
OK... having said all of that.. I want to talk just a little bit about the current scandal that rocked our corner of the world this week.
I am not going to pull punches with my comments.. so if you are easily offended than leave now... just click away.. if this shocks you, I recommend you elevate your feet and treat for shock.
Back in the early '80's an Assistant Scoutmaster (a perverted sick individual) named Timur Dykes of a Troop Chartered by the LDS Church sexually molested a young man.. the victim will remain nameless in my blog.. if you are that interested you can read about it at this link and others.  Well as it appears he molested more than just this young man.. he did about 17 boys in all over the course of his tenure as an ASM.  That is bad in and of itself.. but here is what really gets me about the whole thing.  In the vain of Youth Protection... it came out in the trial that it was known that he did all this.  He was dismissed from the LDS Church by the Church.. BUT.. the dumb ass's failed to remove him from the Scout unit.. nor did they report the incident to the Scout Executive which as per BSA policy is required.  Dykes continued to be an Assistant Scoutmaster even though everyone knew what had happened.
And why wait till now to report and sue?  Early 80's all this happens, now the BSA is on the hook for 60% of the damage here?  What about the bone heads at the LDS church that failed to report and remove this sick bastard from his position?
The Boy Scouts of America has to pay $840,000, the Cascade Pacific Council is on the hook for $210,000, while the LDS church only has to pay $350,000 (which they have already scratched their check for their "portion")
OK folks. before you start emailing about how I am railing on the Mormons.. I'm not.. I just think that they should be shouldering more of the blame here.

It's Youth Protection month.. what does that mean to those of us that really do care for the Scouts that pass through our program?  It means we PROTECT them.
If you are not current.. Get that way.  If you are not trained.. Get that way.  If you are a perverted thug that preys on boys.. GET OUT.
You can get to the Boy Scouts Youth protection training by clicking here.

Have a Great Scouting Day!

Sunday I had a discussion with a Scout in my Jamboree Troop, he was conflicted because of his commitments to both his High School band in which he is a leader, first chair and peer leader etc. and his opportunities to be a leader within our Jamboree troop.
You see, we have a camp out that is our final dress rehearsal before departing for Jamboree.  The camp out will be for the entire contingent from our Council, 13 troops geared up and ready for a great time at the National Jamboree.
That same weekend the High School band is traveling to Disneyland, a reward for outstanding performance and winning a bunch of awards.  This particular Scout has been instrumental (no pun intended) in getting the band where they are today.
The readers digest version of the story is that he is paid in full for both the National Jamboree, and the Band Trip to Disneyland.  He has dedicated as much time to Scouts as he has to band and therefore is reaping the benefits of being an Eagle Scout and a leader in the band.
Enter the conflict.
He must attend the All contingent camp out.. and he is torn as a leader for the Disney Trip.  What does he do?  His character is telling him that either way is a lose lose situation.  He is damned if he does, he is damned if he doesn't.
The great part of this story is that the conflict is there.  This tells me that he is extremely conscientious and does not want to let either down.  He has an understanding of commitment and has the courage to make a decision that will lead him to letting one or the other down.  Now, neither is life or death, but what it demonstrates to me is that he has the Character to stand tall and do what is right.
He asked me what I thought he should do?  Not to use it as a cop out.. but my answer was to do what he thought was right.  And that either way he had my support.
He has made a good choice, and in this case, while it is lose lose to a certain degree... he is a winner and I think it has a lot to do with the development that he underwent on his way to becoming an Eagle.
Have a Great Scouting Day!

The Scoutmaster Minute Podcast- 53 The PLC fixing the Train Wreck - April 13, 2010Welcome back to the Scoutmaster Minute, in this show we will talk about fixing your troop with the PLC.Inspired from an email I received from a loyal listener, we talk about the success of a Troop and that it starts with the PLC.Leave feedback in the forums at PTCmedia.net or on iTunes… or you can drop me an email at tbirdironchef@gmail.com This show is sponsored by ClassB.com 
Have a Great Scouting Day!

 Standard Podcast [23:29m]

Prompted from discussion from my podcast with Mike Walton, the World Scout Crest Emblem raised more than an eye brow.
Let me give you some background (I am not going to rehash the discussion from the podcast, you can listen to it using the link on the left).
When I became a Boy Scout, I joined Troop 100 in Brunssum, Holland.  A terrific Troop in the Transatlantic Council.  The Troop was like every other Boy Scout Troop except for the fact that we lived in Holland and at our meetings every Thursday there were Scouts from Holland, Germany, Belgium, England, and Canada in attendance.  They all met with their respective leadership, but we shared the same building and we met on the same night.... and we did many activities together.  Most camp outs had an international flavor, although at 12 years old.. it all just seemed like a normal part of Scouting to me.
After a Scout completed an international event, camp out etc, he was presented with this little purple patch. Everyone in the troop was wearing it as were our "foreign" counterparts.  I remember my Scoutmaster making a big deal about us "getting to wear" this patch, "The kids in the states" he would say don't get to wear one of these.
You see, from 1956 to 1991 the Boy Scouts of America used the World Scout Crest emblem as an award, presented to those Scouts and Scouters that participated in international events, councils were allowed to come up with their own requirements for the award, but by and large those Scouts that lived within the Transatlantic Council and Far East Council got the nod to wear it.  In 1991 the Boy Scouts of America made it a part of the Uniform and the International Activity Patch replaced it as an award.
Scouts from all over the world have been wearing this little patch for years.  In England the World Scout Emblem is the "joining" badge.  I think this is fitting as once a Scout joins he is in fact joining the World Brotherhood of Scouting.
It's just a little patch, but from it's beginning it has been a symbol of a great movement, a movement of peace, adventure, life skills, citizenship, and the spirit of what can happen to this world if we all lived the Scout Oath and Law.
Part of our discussion since the show came out was the fact that we sometimes don't really do a great job of instructing our Scouts on why we wear the patches we wear.  To most this little purple patch is just a part of the uniform, as much as the American Flag that is proudly worn on the sleeve.  It is just there, we take it for granted that our moms sewed it on when we got our first blue shirt and it just has always been there.
That little purple patch ties us to the founder and to one another in the Brotherhood of Scouting.  I for one will be taking a closer look at how I instruct my Scouts on important things like this.. I suppose since I have been wearing the World Scout Crest Emblem since 1978 I too have taken it for granted.. not any more.
Have a Great Scouting Day!

Hey there.. check out the Scoutmaster Minute Facebook page for a little video of my Troop and I camping out on the East Side of Mt. Hood.  We were looking for another snow camp out.. turned out to be dry and warm and no snow.  Oh well, still turned out to be a great camp out.. but they all are.
Enjoy the Video.
Little John Camp out

Have a Great Scouting Day!

Just take a look at any Norman Rockwell painting, Scout leaders with Square jaws sitting by a perfect fire, scouts praying under the dining fly and a Scoutmaster standing vigil over sleeping Scouts on a perfect star lit night.  Takes our breath away when we imagine what that time in Scouting was like.  But sit and chat awhile with one of our honored Scouting Alumni and he tells the story of a Scouting experience much like ours.
We all have an idea of what a perfect Scout or Scout unit should look like and as I grow more experienced in this game with a purpose what I have learned is that there is a sliding scale of perfection.
On that rare occasion when all of the stars are lined up as I stand over the dyeing embers of a fire that was once full of cheer and look around, giggles permeate the air from tents in the distance, I think that this is what Rockwell saw.  And then I am awakened by the sounds of Scouts burning their breakfast.  A Patrol leader struggles to get his patrol packed up and on the trail.  And new Scouts that are having trouble getting their sleeping bag back into that little bag it came in... where did Rockwell go?
You see there is a sliding scale of perfection and just like the saying that says that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.. so is perfection.  Perfection in Scouting is all about learning and improving from that which you learned.  It's ok for a Scout to go home hungry because he burned his breakfast, he won't starve, but he will learn.  It is ok for a Scout to get wet when it rains at night, he won't shrivel and fade away.. but he will stake his tent out better next time and store his gear like he was taught.
Patrol leaders will become less frustrated when they learn to use the EDGE method and work as a team. They will develop leadership when they come to the understanding that they are not the boss.. but the leader.  The SPL will get better and better as soon as he realizes that he only has to worry about Patrol leaders and not do everything himself.
Perfection will come, it won't look like Norman Rockwell painted it.. but on the sliding scale.. as long as they keep learning.. that's perfect.

Have a Great Scouting Day!


painting "Growth of a Leader" by Norman Rockwell

Ran into this video awhile back... rediscovered it and need to share it.
I originally ran into it from www.scoutmedia.org .  Some really great life lessons common to all of us in the Scouting movement.
Enjoy the Video.



Have a Great Scouting Day!

Here is a cool little device that I have fallen in love with..
It is the Nite Ize Figure 9
Check out the video.

Have a Great Scouting Day!

OK.. we know what we must BE, we know what we must KNOW and now it is time to DO...
The Scoutmaster gives direction.. but understand this direction comes from many angles.  Unlike a conductor, the Scoutmaster is not standing in front directing the band, he is offering advise and using Guided Discovery to get the Scout thinking of the next move.  Direction as a good example of the Oath and Law and demonstrating Scout skills by example.. not doing it for the Scout.
The Scoutmaster sets the Scouts on the right path and is there for them, monitoring their progress to keep them heading in the direction they have set.
The Scoutmaster is a Coach.  Coaching the PLC and specifically the Senior Patrol Leader, so they can be successful.  Coaches do not score touchdowns, throw passes, or run the ball.. they stand on the side line and encourage, call a play now and again, and praise the team as they come to the bench...  So it is with the Scoutmaster, always encouraging, always on the side line for the Scouts.
The Scoutmaster supports the Scouts of his troop, providing opportunities and support always keeping in mind that it is the Scout that sets the direction and pace of his activity and advancement.  The Scoutmasters role is to be a resource and guide through the process... Many Scout leaders feel that support means doing for the boys what they should be doing for themselves.  Baden Powell was clear when he said, "Never do for a boy what the boy can do" Scouts learn by doing and in a supportive environment that provides opportunities for learning and success, the Scout will succeed.  By doing this the Scoutmaster empowers the Scout and they flourish.
And finally, the Scoutmaster MUST HAVE FUN.  Fun is contagious.  The more fun you have the more fun your troop will have.  I personally think there is more value in the fun factor than we recognize in Scouting.  Make fun your goal and encourage fun to be part of the PLC's annual plan.  You do not have to over think fun.. you just have to do it.
And that is what a Scoutmaster must do!

Have a Great Scouting Day!