Its official

It is official I have just recently completed my adult leader basic training. Basic training was super easy for me because I have basically lived and breathed scouting for the past 12 years. Basic leader training for the position of Assistant Scoutmaster includes the following three courses:

New Leader Essentials or This is Scout Training

Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training

Introduction to outdoor leadership skills

In next couple of posts I will talk about what each course is for those of you who are not familiar with the courses.

I believe that getting trained was a essential part of the adult scouter journey even though I have been in a leadership role in the Boy Scouts since I was 13 years old.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08

Journey from JASM to ASM

Well just a little less than a week ago my Troop returned from summer camp on the fourth of july. Summer camp for my Troop was held at our councils primary summer camp facility for Boy Scouts known as Camp Gorsuch. Camp Gorsuch is basically 20 minutes of anchorage, alaska in a little place called chugiak alaska. This camp sits on the Rasmuson Scout Reservation right all Mirror Lake. The camp is relatively small when comparing it to lower 48 Boy Scout summer camps but it suits our council just fine. The Troop had a awesome time their and I think that every scout that went will want to come back next year. The one problem I had was getting the youth to understand that I am know a adult leader in the Troop and need to be treated in a adult like fashion. This is very hard for youth to understand especially when not very long ago I was just one of the boys. The boys really enjoy playful teasing and roughousing so it was sometimes hard for me to establish the boundaries of when it is and is not appropriate to mess around with me. This was hard not only for the boys but for me as well because I want the boys to like me but I also know that I need to grow up some more and take on a full fledged role as a respected adult leader in the Troop.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08

2010 Updates

It has been confirmed the price per scout for annual registration exlcuding Boy's Life will be raised to 15 dollars with Boys life the fees required from council will end up be $25 which in truth really is that bad of a price when people compare it to prices of other activities that kids participate in. I know that it comes at a time when the economy is a little unsteady, okay that is a understatement but really is 5 more dollars that much to ask. I want some opinions so lets hear them.

Next lets list the 2010 Rank advancement changes for Boy Scouts which will take effect on January 1, 2010.

2010 Rank Requirement Changes

The centennial edition of the Boy Scout Handbook will soon be available, and with the new handbook come several rank requirement changes that will be in effect as of January 1, 2010.

Tenderfoot

• A Scout must teach another person how to tie a square knot using the EDGE model (explain, demonstrate, guide, and enable). He must also be able to discuss four specific examples of how he lived the points of the Scout Law in his daily life.

Second Class

• A Scout must discuss the principles of Leave No Trace and explain the factors to consider when choosing a patrol site and where to pitch a tent.
• He must explain what respect is due the flag of the United States.
• He must again discuss four examples of how he lived four different points of the Scout Law in his daily life.
• He must earn an amount of money agreed upon by the Scout and his parents and save at least 50 percent of it.

First Class

• An additional requirement to the 10 separate troop/patrol activities states he must demonstrate the principles of Leave No Trace on these outings.
• He must discuss four more examples of how he lived the remaining four points of the Scout Law in his daily life.

Life

• A Scout must use the EDGE model to teach a younger Scout a specified skill.

Star, Life, and Eagle

• Troop Webmaster and Leave No Trace trainer are two new leadership positions.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08