A Eagle's Obligation

The Eagle Rank represents proficiency in all Scouting skills, and is attained by only about 2 percent of all young men in Scouting. It represents a great deal of teamwork as a member and leader of a troop. You demonstrated, by living the Scout Oath and Law, in an effort to perpetuate the Scouting Spirit. It also represents years of hard work, strength of character, persistence and, more important, it is indicative of what lies in the future as a Scout grows into manhood. Eagle Rank testifies that a Scout has an understanding of his community and his nation, and a willingness to become involved. It is also fitting at this time, to explain that not only does this badge signify his hard work, it also signifies certain obligations on his part.
The first obligation of an Eagle Scout is Honor. The white in the Eagle Badge represents honor, and it is the sacred foundation of his character. Character is not what you think of yourself, [ Scout's name ], but what you are, deep inside. It is what you do to reflect credit upon your home, family, church, school, friends, and yourself. Always let the white of the badge remind you to live with honor.
The second obligation of an Eagle Scout is Loyalty. The blue in the Eagle Badge represents loyalty, your loyalty, for without it, character lacks direction. Regardless of how rough the road, how difficult the task, or how impossible the situation, you must remain loyal to your cause and purpose. It is the sense of belonging, being a part of a team and working together with others. It is standing by your work, your promises and your pledges. It is also the feeling you give others....knowing that they can count on you. Let the blue of this badge remind you to remain loyal.
The third obligation of an Eagle Scout is Courage. The red in the Eagle Badge represents courage, it gives your character force and strength. If you have faith in God and your fellowman, you are able to face each day unafraid and strive to share in the work at hand. You should do your part in all things, regardless of danger, adversity, or hardship. Let the red of the badge remind you of courage.
The fourth obligation is Responsibility. and is represented by the Scout Motto, Be Prepared. It means that you are always in a state of readiness, both in mind and body, so you will be able to face danger and help others to the best of your ability. It also means that you have been trained for emergencies, and that you are confident of your ability to do your duty as an Eagle Scouts.
The fifth and final obligation is that of Service. This obligation is represented by the Eagle. You must extend a helping hand to those who still toil up the Scouting trail, just as others helped you achieve your goal. It means that the daily good turn must continue. You must strive to protect the weak and defend the helpless. The Eagle also indicates that you are now an elite member of an esteemed group of world citizens. With this honor comes the knowledge that any discredit which falls upon you, also befalls your brother Eagle Scouts.
Are you willing to accept these obligations, responsibilities, and the honor of the Eagle Scout Badge?
Answer: Yes, with the help of God, I am.
Remember your obligations of Honor, Loyalty, Courage, Responsibility, and Service. Our heartfelt congratulations to you on this very, very special occasion, and our sincere hope is that you may always wear your Eagle Badge with dignity and pride.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
JASM
Troop 1616

National Training Center

Well the news is spreading but it looks like the Jamboree will be staying in the Virginia/West Virginia Region if they go through with the negotiations that they are planning on doing. I really do not care where the jamboree is, yes it would have been nice to have it in a more central location. The location should not affect scouts wanting to go to this event. Yes the price is really high for those on the west coast but with prior planning anything is possible if you put your mind to it. These events are not just for the rich and well to do scouts, they are for all scouts who are willing to work in order to attend these events. Not everybody is going to have the same financial capacity but if a Scout is truly thrifty and with the proper amount of time given should be able to attend a big event like the National Jamboree. These event dates or approximate time frame is known a few years in advance, so there really is not excuse for not paving your own way to attending one of these events.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
JASM
Troop 1616

Quote of the Week- Power of Individual

"We all have ability. The difference is how we use it." - Stevie Wonder

"For every person who doubts you, tell you you will fail, try twice as hard to prove them wrong."
---Unknown

"The power of one man or one woman doing the right thing for the right reason, and at the right time, is the greatest influence in our society."
---Jack Kemp

"Be yourself. An original is always worth more than a copy."
---Unknown

"We have no choice of what color we're born or who our parents are or whether we're rich or poor. What we do have is some choice over what we make of our lives once we're here."
---Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor

"Never think life is not worth living or that you cannot make a difference. Never give up."
---Marcia Wright-Edelman

"If you believe in yourself, things are possible."
---Shannon Macmillan

"A true hero does what needs to be done and needs no other reason."
---Unknown

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616

Arrowmen in Action

Building Houses and Building Lives

For many Arrowmen, the idea of a good time may be spending three days hiking in the backcountry. Many sixteen year-olds might spend their time with friends or surfing the latest music videos on MTV. But for Justin Churchman, nothing is more fun than spending three days in Mexico building houses for the less fortunate. For four years sixteen year old Justin - an Eagle Scout and Ordeal member from Troop 59 in El Paso, Texas - has been hard at work providing shelter for impoverished Mexicans. In seventh grade Justin got the opportunity to go to Mexico with his middle school to build houses through the organization Casas por Cristo. He originally decided to go on the trip because it sounded like a cool weekend getaway. But by the end of the weekend it had turned into much more. “I fell in love with it…it changed my life,” he said. After spending the weekend building a two-room home with power and lighting, Justin felt like he had accomplished a lot. But he knew he had a lot more work to do. “When I saw the family’s faces, I wanted to do so much more,” he said. And much more he did. Soon after his first trip, Justin called Casas to find out about starting his own team. Instead of helping him assemble everything necessary to build a house on his own, they referred him to two church groups that let him tag along. But by the end of 2006, Justin had convinced the organization that he was ready to build a house of his own. In order to build his house, he recruited a team of thirty volunteers. In addition, he is responsible for raising $6,000, planning all of the logistics and filling out all of the necessary paperwork. But for Justin, it was worth it. “The idea of my hands giving someone shelter hit me hard,” he said. His project was successful and provided eight people with shelter they wouldn’t have had otherwise.

With this success Justin was ready to build again. One of his next projects carried special meaning. Justin decided to team with his sister and build a house to complete his Eagle Scout Rank and her GSA Gold Award. By the end of last school year, he convinced the organization to let him intern - a position that’s normally reserved for college students. Now, according to Justin, he builds every chance he gets. “On Monday my friends talk about what they did over the weekend: watch movies or hang out. But when my friends ask what I did over the weekend, I can say that I built a house.” Justin just completed his eleventh house and hopes to have twenty done by the time he’s seventeen. When he’s not building houses, Justin manages to find time to play soccer and participate in his church’s youth group. He has even started a healthy-living awareness group with a friend. Justin uses the power of one.

Do you? Every Arrowmen has the Power of One. If you know an outstanding youth Arrowmen who has truly made a difference in their community, you can nominate them to be featured in a NOAC News You Can Use by sending an Email with their name, contact info, and a brief background of what they have done to nept@oa-bsa.org.Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616

Arrowmen In Action: Building Houses and Building Lives

Online Game

Can you Name all 121 of the Merit Badges in under ten minutes?

The Best I got is 92 Merit Badges, maybe you can do better.

If you want a challenge for you and your scouts visit the following sporcle page by clicking here.

Challenge yourself a couple of times and then challenge others that you know.

Please post your scores after you have completed the game.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
JASM
Troop 1616

BP Trivia Answers

1. February 22, 1857
2. sixth; eight
3. 13th Hussars
4. Aids to Scouting
5. Brownsea Island
6. 1908
7. Six individual fortnightly parts
8. more than 35 languages
9. Age 53
10. Peter, heather, Betty
11. Chief Scout of the World
12. Lord, Gillwell Park
13. 32
14. 6; 28; 19
15. he was suffering from ill-health
16. January 8th 1941
17. Nyeri within the sight of Mount Kenya
18. 1977
19. Buried alongside Lord Baden Powell at Nyeri

So here are the answers. Hopefully you got at least a few of them right. These were definitely hard questions but knowing about Baden Powell is very important because it shows we care about our organizations heritage.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616

National Hall of Leadership

National Hall of Leadership

A one time opportunity during the 100th birthday of the Boy Scouts of America to recognize a outstanding scout, Leader, or any person who has served in a scouting position that has deeply impacted not only the scouting program but the world through their extraordinary leadership abilities. Leadership is more than just serving as a chief executive it is truly about knowing how to deal with people, problems, and attitudes in a appropriate and efficient manner.

Nominations will be submitted online for judging. Every council once the submission period has closed will have access to a electronic database of stories from individuals explaining how the service of youth and adults in your council have made a difference in Scouting and in the Community.

In order to be nominated for this prestigious group the nominee must:

1. be a living Scout or Scouting volunteer
2. Does not have to be officially registered with the BSA but must have served as a active scout or Scouting volunteer withing Scouting for at least one year.
3. Age is not a consideration. The person may be young or old.

The submissions are to be submitted online in a form of a story and must be 450 words or less. The period for nominating has already open and will be open until February 8, 2010 (Hopefully you know what date that is by now if you have be following my blog). Judging will then take place that the annual meeting in May 2010 in Dallas, Texas during the BSA National Annual Meeting.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616

Training Alert

This course which is known as New Leader Essentials is soon to be replaced by a course called "This is Scouting". This course will be accessible through your My Scouting Account under the Online Learning Center Section. It seems like the amount of training that is available to Scouters online is ever expanding which is great and high valuable since so many of our leaders barely have enough time to commit to just the regular activities and meetings.

The course due to development issues is not expected to come out until the Middle of March.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616

Here is a Short Introduction to Lord Baden Powell put together by the WOSM or the World Organization of the Scouting Movement. Hopefully you will enjoy the video clip.

Yours in Scouting
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616

B=P's Farewell Message

B-P's Last Message

B-P prepared a farewell message to his Scouts, for publication after his death.

The message follows...

"Dear Scouts - If you have ever seen the play "Peter Pan" you will remember how the pirate chief was always making his dying speech because he was afraid that possibly when the time came for him to die he might not have time to get it off his chest. It is much the same with me, and so, although I am not at this moment dying, I shall be doing so one of these days and I want to send you a parting word of good-bye.

Remember, it is the last time you will ever hear from me, so think it over.

I have had a most happy life and I want each one of you to have as happy a life too.

I believe that God put us in this jolly world to be happy and enjoy life. Happiness doesn't come from being rich, nor merely from being successful in your career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are a boy, so that you can be useful and so you can enjoy life when you are a man.

Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy. Be contented with what you have got and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of things instead of the gloomy one.

But the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people. Try and leave this world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best. "Be Prepared" in this way, to live happy and to die happy- stick to your Scout Promise always when you have ceased to be a boy - and God help you to do it.

Your friend,

Robert Baden-Powell"

The message is undated but probably was written before 1929 because it was signed "Robert Baden-Powell" instead of "Baden-Powell of Gilwell". Lady Baden-Powell said that this letter, in an envelope addressed "to the Boy Scouts," along with other papers was always carried with them on their travels in an envelope marked "In the event of my death".

Since Founders Day is coming up, I could not resist posting this message. Read it carefully and you will see that it still applies even to today's society even though the times may not be the same.

Yours In Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616

BP Trivia Questions

Lord Robert Baden Powell Scouting and Life Trivia Questions

1. When was baden powell born?

2. He was the _______ son and _____ out of ten children.

3. What military unit was Baden Powell comissioned into bypassing the normal officer training establishments?

4. What was the name of the first Scouting book Baden Powell wrote in 1907?

5. Where did the 1907 first scout camp with 22 boys occur?

6. Scouting for Boys which was published in what year?

7. The book Scouting For Boys was originally sold as what?

8. How many languages as the book Scouting For Boys been translated into

9. In 1910 Baden Powell retired from the army when he was advised to by King Edward VII to do so. What age was he?

10. After Olave Soames became married to BP in 1912 they had three children, what are the childrens names?

11. During the first world scout jabmoree held in Olympia, London in 1920 B-P was given the title of what at the closing cremony?

12. At the third jamboree the prince of wales gave Baden Powell the title of _____ and this location later became the international training center for scout leaders known as ______.

13. How many books did BP write?

14. He received honorary degrees from at least ____ universities. Also he received ____ foreign orders and decorations and ____ foreign Scout awards were bestowed upon him.

15. During 1938 he returned to Africa to live in semi-retirment due because?

16. On what specific date at the age of 83 years did B-P die.

17. He was buried in a simple grave at what location? Be very specific

18. Lady Olave Baden Powell promoting scouting and Girl Guiding until her death in what year?

19. Where is Lady Okave Baden Powell Buried

Have to wait a couple of days before I will post the answers.

Hope you have fun trying to figure out the answers

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616

Founders Day

Founders Day
February 22, 2009

Founder's Day is to celebrate the birthday of Lord Baden Powell. Hopefully your unit will decide to do something about this day. It would be a great to to spread the word about scouting to others that are not involved or you could involve inactive scouts in your program. Make sure to make a goal for this day and stick to it.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616

Boys Life Contest

Boy's Life Contest

Participants that wish to participate in this contest are to submit a video that they create about the following aspects of smoking:

• Smoking is a drug addiction that kills people
• Smoking makes everything smell bad
• Remember" A Scout is clean!

Basic rules and parameters of the contest include:

• Video must be no more than 3 minutes long and must be submited by March 4
• From march 5 to April 30 finalists will be determined by the number of votes each entry receives
• The winning videos will be announced and shown at the BSA's 2009 National Annual Meeting in May
• You must be a registered Boy Scout or Varsity Scout to enter

Here are what the you can win:

• The topp winner will receive a high-definition camcorder and an all-expense paid trip to the BSA high-adventure camp of his choice. Meaning Philmont, Northern Tier, or Florid Sea Base.
• Three runners up will each receive a IPod Touch with 32 GB of storage.

To submit videos or for further information please visit this site.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616

2010- Anniversary

Anniversary Year for BSAWhat are you and your council going to do for the 2010 100th anniversary of the BSA. Event though the 99th anniversary has not passed it is not too early to start planning the 2010 anniversary since this will be the 100 year mark. Lets all work together to accomplish at least these things:

• Reintroduce Scouting to the US as the best and most current youth development program out there.
• Reach out and learn to work with Hispanic communities. This is vital to see our number go up again instead of continuing to go down hill.
• Remind the scouts that recruiting of new scouts is not just the responsibility of the council and adults, it is part of everyones job to recruit more people to the program.
• Help to bring scouting into the 21st century by continuing to apply technology and innovation to the program to entertain a broader spectrum of people.

These things are only a few of the things we as scouts need to look at for the 2010 anniversary but we must examine this anniversary carefully and take steps to ensure the program lasts for at least another 100 years.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616

NSJ 2010 Bulletin

February 2009 Bulletin
Let’s Get Ready for the Jamboree!

There have been many calls and e-mails concerning the new BSA medical form that must be completed between July 27, 2009, and May 1, 2010, in order to participate in the jamboree. The first thing that may be noticed on the new Annual Health and Medical Record includes a height/weight chart. This is for high-adventure activities or outdoor events that take you more than 30 minutes from ground transportation http://www.scouting.org/HealthandSafety.aspx. This chart will not be used for the 2010 Jamboree.

However, the height/weight chart does give reason for thought and excessive body weight is a risk factor at the Jamboree. As with jamborees in the past, this 100th Anniversary also promises that everyone will be walking at least five miles per day. In order to make this the best, most exciting, fun-filled, safest jamboree ever, being prepared and being in the best possible Scouting shape is a must. With the event getting closer, now is the time to SEE our way to the jamboree. The following are some Safe, Effective, and Easy hints that will help with this important preparation.

Mental preparation:

• Have the desire to go to the jamboree. It needs to be something you want to do.
• If the desire is there, but you have one or more risk factors listed under the “Be Prepared” section on www.bsajamboree.org, please set up a consultation with your physician. Find out if it is safe and practical for you to attend.
• If it is safe, and there are changes that need to be made in your current lifestyle, make those changes and stick with it. Remember, SEE your way to the jamboree. Ask yourself: Are these goals Safe, Effective, and Easy?
• You can do it!

Physical preparation:

• There are several fitness programs that can help you work up to walking at least five miles per day in the hot, humid Virginia environment. The key is starting now. This is a great opportunity for units, districts, and councils to come together in planning.
• See these Web sites for suggestions on increasing your activity level:
• http://www.scouting.org/Media/Publications/PhysicalFitness.aspx
• http://www.fitness.gov/
• www.mayoclinic.com/health/fitness/HQ00171
• Don’t forget to include eating healthy. Nutrition plays an important role in your preparation. SEE www.nutrition.gov.
• Get active! Eat healthy!

Spiritual preparation:

• From the very beginning, the Scouting movement has encouraged its members to be faithful in the practice of their religious beliefs. As you adopt the idea of healthy eating and becoming more active, extra help may be needed. Spiritual guidance can help in this process. Set up a meeting with your spiritual advisor and share your aspirations and goals. (http://www.scouting.org/applications/religiousawards.aspx)
• Maintain a balanced life!

24/7/365

I recently read a post by Jerry over at The Scoutmaster Minute Blog and I just wanted to expand on his ideas a little. The idea that adult leaders are basically adults leaders and role models 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year should also be expanded to include senior youth leaders. Youth leaders just like adult leaders are expected to set the example for other scouts whether they are in or out of uniform or participating in or not participating in a scout activity.

The problem is that many adults and youth's think that a leader has a on and off switch in life and can behave in a excellent manner half the time and not behave in a excellent manner the other half. Youth leaders setting a good example is especially important because of the fact that the youth leaders have the most direct form of contact with the really young and new scouts.

Jerry's post can be found here.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616

WOSM Founder's Day

Who is the the original the founder of the Scouting Movement?

Baden Powell

Where did Scouting originally come from?

United kingdom

As many of you probably know the Boy Scouts celebrates its birth on February 8 but do you know when the World Organization of the Scouting Movement celebrates its Founders Birthday? That date happens to be February 22. Founders day is the day wer celebrate the man that had the vision and guts to create the wonderful movement.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
JASM
Troop 1616

2005 Jamboree Statistics- More Jamboree Trivia Facts

Here are some of the basic numbers:

• Over 31,700 Youth attended, making up the 883 jamboree troops present.
• Scouts from 26 Nations attended.
• More than 7,000 adults volunteered to provide support and program services.
• Each jamboree troop is made up of 36 youth, consisting of 4 patrols of 8 scouts, and 4 youth leaders (senior patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, quartermaster and scribe) selected from various units in their local council.
• For the 10 day event Caroline County went from the 50th most populated county in Virginia to the 14th.

Sub Camps were Named after famous explorers

Northeast Region

1. William I. Koch Troops 0100-0199
2. Dr. S. Allen Counter Troops 0200-0299
3. Steven W. Squyres Troops 0300-0399
4. José I. Castro Troops 0400-0499
5. Michael Manyak Troops 0500-0599

Western Region

1. Steve Fossett Troops 0600-0699
2. Ken Kamler Troops 0700-0799
3. James A. Lovell Troops 0800-0899
4. Jim Whittaker Troops 0900-0999

Central Region

1. Jim Fowler Troops 1000-1099
2. Scott Carpenter Troops 1100-1199
3. James Dewey Watson Troops 1200-1299
4. Don Walsh Troops 1300-1399
5. Richard C. Wiese Troops 1400-1499

Southern Region

1. Robert Ballard Troops 1500-1599
2. Richard Wiese Sr Troops 1600-1699
3. Donald C. Johanson Troops 1700-1799
4. William Forgey Troops 1800-1899
5. Joseph Kittinger Jr. Troops 1900-1999
6. Will Steger Troops 2000-2099

The Majority of the Region Names have been linked to background information.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
JASM
Troop 1616

Scout Cartoons

Here are some examples of the scout cartoon called Knot's Cartoons

Which are published by: Rich Diesslin

Lifes Ladder

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
Lao-tzu, Chinese philosopher (604 BC - 531 BC)

Life is a journey. One must be willing to take the first step in order to begin that journey. This journey is not for the fainted hearted and will not be easy but remember what choice do we have expect to continue on with the life and circumstances we are given. This journey should not be wasted. It is important to learn how to get up even after the biggests falls and begin again. If you do not begin again your journey is halted and you may have regrets later on, so instead of getting dropped and not getting up, get up and jump feet first back into the problem. Once you jump back into the problem you will see what you did wrong and even if it happens a million times, you will know that those million ways for that situation are not the answer. Nothing should be considered a failure because life is about living and learning.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
JASM
Troop 1616