Quote of the Week- Confidence

“Confidence...thrives on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection and on unselfish performance. Without them it cannot live.”

—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945), 32nd U.S. president

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 Philmont AA '08

District Freezere

This year the Soldotna LDS Troop hosted the Tustumena District Great Alaska Council Freezeere. This event was not as could as it could have been when comparing it to cold alaska temperatures but it was cold enough to warrant standard winter camping procedures. During this one night campout we ended up have 2 to 3 inches of wet snow fall during the night. This wet snow is definitely not my favorite type of snow because it caused everything to be not just wet but super wet.

For the competition our patrol was to use cotton balls dipped in vasoline, a flint striking fire starter, wood we could gahter,and a t-shirt to make a cup of water. The other two parts of the challenge for the day was to build a snare and to throw sticks at various targets in a course. Our group did not work together very well for two reasons. The first reason is because the leader in charge of the group does not get the respect he deserves. The Second reason is because everybody in the group is more concerned about their personal interests than working together to chaieve a goal. It is really hard to do well in any competition when the people you depend on for that competition are not willing to be cooperative.

A few of the lessons I stressed to the group after this experience include the following ideas:

1. Never Give: When I say never give up what I truthfully mean is that you never give up until you have exhausted all methods that are possible for completing a task. Once a leader stops believing in task completion the group will join that band wagon of thinking that the task is impossible to complete.
2. Teamwork: Remember the saying together everyone achieves more. There is no I in team. Teamwork is necessary for any task that requires multiple people to get the job done efficient. Yes the majority of tasks a person completes can be done by themselves but are you really getting the task done in a effective and efficient manner. When working as a individual in most cases the answer is no. Teamwork is required to hold together a group.
   
3. Follow directions: The leaders in the Troop are not out there just to pick on a certain scout when giving instructions. These instructions are either to accomplish a task that must be done or to prevent or stop unsafe actions from occuring when possible. Following directions means actively listening to the information given by a person, ensuring you intetrepret the information correctly, acting on that intrepretation, and then evaluating or examing our performance on the activity.

These are just a few of my observations from a recent campout. I could probably write a book with the amount of information I have to process about this campout but I am not here to do that.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 Philmont AA '08

Arrowmen in Action

Here is the second installment of Arrowmen in Action.

Arrowmen In Action: Serving the People of a State

This semester, as many Arrowmen are taking their seats in the schoolhouse, Jeff St. Cyr will be taking his seat in the state house. That’s right, at just twenty years old, Jeff—an Eagle Scout, Vigil Honor section chief from Troop 53 in Alton, New Hampshire—is a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. In addition, he’s a student at the University of New Hampshire and, on top of that, chairs his local school board in Alton, New Hampshire.

For Jeff, leadership is something that he’s used to. "It’s always been a part of my life," he says. In fact, Jeff credits Scouting with giving him the fundamental skills that it takes to be a leader. He was involved in his troop leadership from an early age, starting first as an assistant patrol leader and then working his way up. Today, Jeff serves as Section Chief for NE-1A and will serve as the Conference Vice Chief for Communications at NOAC this summer.

But when he’s not visiting lodges or planning for the conference, Jeff is also representing New Hampshire’s fifth district in the House of Representatives and chairing his local school board. His service on the school board is Jeff’s way of giving back. "I attended the school system when I was younger," says Jeff. "It’s good to be able to bring a youth perspective to the board."

The New Hampshire House of Representatives is made up of 400 members. Of that body, just three are Jeff’s age. The part-time nature of the legislature attracts either young folks who do not yet have careers or retired citizens who have the time and resources to devote to spending time in the capital. But for Jeff, time management is his key to getting things done. "I do a lot of traveling back and forth," he says. His priorities still lie with getting an education—something Jeff knows is important for his future.

And how does he manage to represent his 3,000 or so constituents in the state house, chair the school board, and run a section? "There’s a balance of working with Scouting and serving constituents," that Jeff seems to have perfected. At the end of the day, Jeff just enjoys being involved in his community and wants others to know they can be involved, too. "Arrowmen in their communities can certainly get involved," he encourages. All it takes is the "Power of One".

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 Philmont AA '08

Trouble Maker Do's and Don'ts

One of the biggest headaches and heartaches in scouting does not come from failed activities or meetings it comes from figuring out how to deal with those pesky scouts that are determined to be troublemakers. I dislike using that term because it has such a negative connotation attached to it. I agree that the behavior exhibited by these so called troublemakers is definitely problematic but the truth of the matter is that for the majority of troublemakers it isn't that they have evil or bad intentions in is usually because of age, maturity level, personal or family issues, or even problems at school. Most kids are not bad but are just misguided. Learning how to deal and not deal with these scouts is one of the most important skills you can learn while being a scout leader. I have complied a list of some of the do's and don'ts of troublemakers that I though are the most important. Of course this list is just a start, in order to work with troublemakers you must understand what is causing the behavior, how the scout works, and what would be a appropriate solution for that particular individual. Their is no set rule or solution for every scout but here is what I consider the basics to be.

Lets Start on the Don'ts:

• Don't Yell and scream at the scout it will just fuel the scouts fire and he will continue acting the way he is acting
• Don't reprimand him in front of his peers, he will despise you if you do reprimand him their.
• Don't be rude when telling the scout what he did wrong
• Don't just criticize the person.
• Don't focus on just bad.

Now here are so of the Do's of troublemakers:

• Do be patient calm and understanding. Kids will always be kids not matter what you do.
• Do make the scout aware of his bad behavior but do so privately and in a manner that conveys the issue but is non threatening and concise.
• Do point out the postive things the scout does. Keeping positive will make the scout see that you are there to be a part of the solution
• Do allow the scout to share his side of the story. Just talking to the scout about the issue will do miracles.

The reason why I post this is because I lost focus during a recent scout meeting and overreacted to a situation with a particular scout. I should have not overreacted but as humans no one is perfect and everyone must learn how to work with others even if you do not see eye to eye on a issue. I will definitely refocus my energy for this scout to work with him to solve the issue and will not allow myself to loose control of the situation again. The situation did not turn out horrible but it was exactly what you would call ideal.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 Philmont AA '08

Tour Permit and Health Form- Correction

Correction for:
Tour Permit and Health Form Post
Published on February 20, 2009

Through a comment posted on my blog it has come to my attention that I mis spoke about the policies and procedures for the tour permit. The correction is as follows:

I said that: "All adults on the outing who are leaders are required to have Youth Protection Training."

Which should have said this: "All registered adults participating in any nationally conducted event or activity must have completed BSA Youth Protection training. At least one registered adult who has completed BSA Youth Protection training must be present at all other events and activities that require a tour permit."

I apologize for the incorrect information.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616

Tour Permit and Health Form

Here are a few helpful reminders regarding the new format to the Local Tour Permit that is effective immediately:

• All adults on the outing who are leaders are required to have Youth Protection Training. This training is good for 2 years from date of certification
• hazardous Weather Training is now required for at least one adult going on the outing.

Again let me remind you that the New Health Form has replaced the class 1,2, and 3 medical forms. This new health form requires all participants no matter what age to get a annual physical for strenuous high adventure activities and for long term camp outs like summer camp. This standard is different from the old medical form which determined the amount of time physicals were good for by age. Also this form includes a hold harmless and video/photo release form. I believe that the addition of these two forms is very important in this digital age.

Some of this is not new but I wanted to remind those people who have to start worrying about planning summer camp.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616

Physically Fit

Most of the people I know and hangout with think the media has become obsessed with a perfect and ripped body image for males in particular. I believe that being fit and healthy is different than just looking good and being ripped. Scouts need to stay and maintain a appropriate weight for the body size and composition. I am not say all scouts need to look like super jocks but scouts need to be healthy. The only way to figure out if you are a healthy weight and size is to talk to your family physician. This is the only way to know if you are fit. Remember to not measure your level of physical ability against others, measure it against what you think you are capable of and you will rarely let yourself down. Falling into peer pressure is the not solution.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616

Cub Scout Survival 101

Akela was teaching his Cub Scouts about survival in the desert.

"What are the three most important things you should bring with you in case you get lost in the desert?" he asked.

Several hands went up, and many important things were suggested such as food, matches, etc. Then one little boy in the back eagerly raised his hand.

"Yes Timmy, what are the three most important things you would bring with you?" asked the Akela.

Timmy replied: "A compass, a canteen of water, and a deck of cards."

"Why's that Timmy?"

"Well," answered Timmy, "the compass is to find the right direction, the water is to prevent dehydration..."

"And what about the deck of cards?" asked the Akela impatiently.

"Well, Sir, as soon as you start playing Solitaire, someone is bound to come up behind you and say, "Put that red nine on top of that black ten!"

The author is unkown but I thought it was really funny

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
JASM
T1616

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