100 Days of Scouting

3rd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 5

2012-02-12T16:28:00.000-05:00

Day 5

Love the jacket on this book.

My wife is ill with pneumonia, and I spent the day quietly reading about Scouting trends and updating my pack and troop on odds and ends while watching over her.

Recommended to our pack that we pull together a more robust camping plan. Currently we participate in the council-wide events--Family Camp, Cub-Adult Camp, and resident summer camp. I would like to see us head out monthly during the warmer 8 months of the year, with maybe a cabin camp in the dead of winter. Which isn't so harsh in Virginia.

Cleared out the backlog of old email I had saved from various Scouting lists. Great way to come up to speed on the topics most pressing to the Scouting community.

Resent the links I had forwarded to the troop regarding our March campout: Old Scout Campout. We aren't bringing anything (gear, food, clothing, etc.) that wouldn't have been available to a Scout in 1920.

3rd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 4

2012-02-11T15:20:00.000-05:00

Day 4

Spent today doing some investing of time into our pack and troop.

Sent out the list of requirements to the den leaders and den chiefs for the Den Chief Service Award. I think most of them have either earned it or are really close.

Contacted potential Welding and Chess merit badge counselors. Crossing fingers, as we have Scouts interested in both.

Drafted reusable merit badge counselor letter, which includes links to adult application, merit badge counselor form, and youth protection training. This should save me some time in the future.

Wrote our pack parents about creating a more robust camping program for our Cub Scouts. Need a volunteer to head it up, but I'll get them all the tools and training that they need. More crossing of fingers.

Enjoyed reading through a couple of months of Cub Scout Talk and Boy Scout Talk email. Always learn a lot doing that.

3rd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 3

2012-02-10T23:45:00.004-05:00

Day 3 brings fruit already.

Welding merit badge announcement yesterday to our troop resulted in a merit badge counselor and two Scouts eager to get started. I have to admit, I'm surprised. Welding doesn't really appeal to me, so I have a hard time projecting enthusiasm. But apparently they are excited about it.

Great!

Also, I have been offered a new Scouting job: Unit Commissioner. I've not performed this role before, and we have a small unit out in the far reaches of the council that needs one. It is a troop of 6 Scouts, and they are in need of a Cub pack to help them go.

Now that is something I can do!

3rd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 2

2012-02-09T10:37:00.000-05:00

Day 2 of this year's 100 Days of Scouting brings news.

First, it quit snowing yesterday as soon as I sent out the notices that we would cancel our meetings. I wish I could say it was the first time that had happened! We have a number of families that drive 30-45 minutes through the mountains to attend our weekly meetings, so better safe than sorry with icy roads.

Second, it is a shame that great Scouting community we had built up on Twitter has virtually vanished. I know many have moved to Google Plus, but it just isn't the same. If anyone is interested in getting it going again, I'm here.

Third, new merit badge rolling out 24 FEB: Welding Today's good deed was to announce the new arrival to our troop and to solicit parents that might be qualified to serve as merit badge counselors for it.

Tonight brings our chapter Order of the Arrow meeting, for which my son serves as the vice chapter chief. Forty minute drive each way.

After the OA meeting, is our district roundtable. Between the two meetings, it is worth the 90 minutes on the road. The last several months have brought us a complete change in district leadership with a new District Executive, a new District Commissioner and a new District Chair. Lots of new going on, which is still sorting itself out.

3rd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 1

2012-02-08T10:46:00.000-05:00

Today is the anniversary of the beginning of Scouting in the United States.

Each of the past two years (2010 and 2011), I've marked this day with beginning a series of 100 daily posts, each noting the large and small ways I commit to Scouting.

And this year I need it. A lot.

I have some highs in Scouting right now, and a lot of lows. The next 100 days should show a lot of changes and improvements in my Scouting experience. Each one will be noted and discussed, in hopes of encouraging other Scouters to stick with it.

Snow is starting to fall outside my window now, and that means the schools will cancel shortly--and automatically invoke our "meeting cancellation" policy.

So for today, my commitment on this first day of the 2012 100 Days of Scouting is to jump out there and give it another shot--for me, for my units, and for my Scouts. Hopefully, you and Scouting-in-general will get something out of it, too!

2nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 100

2011-05-19T13:02:00.000-04:00

Safety Merit Badge

First, my thanks to @ScouterAdam and @SM_Phil for declaring yesterday @Scoutsigns Day! Now if I'd just finished on time for my own "holiday"!

Please take a minute to post comments about what you plan on doing with your newly found success in finishing up the 100 Days of Scouting this year.

EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T FINISH!

We all have a lot to learn from each other, and I want you to feel successful for what you accomplished.

And I want you fired up for next year's 100 Days of Scouting! 08 FEB will be here before you know it.

Today I:

Completed another 100 Days of Scouting! WooHOO!
Began another...100 Days Reverent for religious growth and involvement with the Knights of Columbus and my church. After all, a Scout is Reverent. Hashtag: #100DaysReverent
Started one more...100 Days Strong. I've decided to stop being a big guy. If you are a "big guy", defined as heavier than the maximum allowable weight on the BSA Annual Health and Medical Record, consider joining me. Hashtag: #100DaysStrong
Finished packing for our Night Ops Camporee that begins tomorrow. Seriously, how much fun will it be to have a camporee "under the cover of darkness"? Events for Saturday run from 8PM to 2AM Sunday morning.

Congratulations to all participants! Finished, still working on it or set it aside..YOU helped move Scouting forward! How will you change the world in the next 100 days? If not you, who? If not now, when? Keep me posted and I'll cheer you on!

2nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 99

2011-05-18T14:02:00.000-04:00

Rowing Merit Badge

One day to go.

Hard to believe. Last year, 100 days seemed to last near an eternity. Then, waiting 265 more days to begin made me question if I could even do it again.

Perseverance.

Now my 2nd 100 Days of Scouting is rapidly coming to a close--although delayed by one day as apparently I neglected to post on one day! ;-)

Today I:

Confirmed pack and troop registrations with the council. Good thing, too. Money has all been paid, but the Cub Scouts weren't listed for a campsite.
Posted a detailed plan to the Virtual Roundtable Committee of what I think our Virtual Roundtable should look like. I should blog about that separately. Pretty cool stuff, if I say so myself. Nothing fancy, just utilizing off-the-shelf technology to encourage and expand exposure to Roundtable.
Helped a Scout dad find a Scouting-friendly doctor doing summer camp physicals for $50.
Rented the shelter at the park for next week's big Pack Crossover event!
Cancelled tonight's meetings. Schools closed today with the flooding from last nights storms (and tornado watch again). Shame, there was a lot to do, too.

OK, tomorrow is the big day (for me)! Some of you hit the milestone today. Can't wait to see how you leverage all you have learned into next year's event! Yep, next year's...3rd Annual 100 Days of Scouting!

2nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 98

2011-05-17T13:28:00.019-04:00

Robotics Merit Badge

OK, not quite the day I had planned, which means it is a Scouting day!

I'm feeling some pressure about closing the 100 Days of Scouting out on a good note, but I seem to be falling behind in everything. Then I dwell on the shortcoming, and sure enough, it adds more pressure to the mix.

A friend in Scouting may be coming to the end of his days as a professional, and that is troubling.

A perfectly stormy day for perfectly stormy weather.

Today I:

Helped out with a Cub Scout registration drive at Burger King in our town. Thanks BK!
Approved as a parent, the exercise regimen for Personal Fitness merit badge.
Prepped a report for our Chartered Organization as they close out their fraternal year.

Gotta admit, it was kind of a frustrating day. If a little thing could go wrong, it did--sometimes twice! Patience is a virtue, patience is a virtue...

2nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 97

2011-05-16T19:27:00.000-04:00

Rifle Shooting Merit Badge

Some days you cannot win for losing.

Two steps forward, three back.

Fortunately, tomorrow is a new day...and even the rain won't matter.

Today I:

Spoke to a new family at church that has a boy old enough to be a Tiger...and they are interested.
Cut up and delivered flyers for our local Burger King to pass out to folks who might be interested in Scouting.
Followed-up on a friends 60-year Veteran Application--I would need to live, and be active, about 40 more years to do it.
Returned a borrowed pinewood derby track.

Repeat after me: tomorrow will be a better day.

2nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 96

2011-05-15T19:44:00.003-04:00

Reptile and Amphibian Study Merit Badge

Who's afraid of a little rain?

Not us! We survived our Fun with Son Cub Scout weekend! A lot of wet, but no worse for the wear.

Drying out shall commence...in time for a Scout meeting tonight...and then some much deserved sleep...and a warm shower.

Today I:

Packed up from a camping trip.
Made sure we made it to Mass--A Scout is reverent.
Stopped for our traditional "chocolate milk" on the way home from a council camping event.
Printed out theme information for our PLC meeting tonight. June's theme per the Roundtable Guide is Mechanics.
Observed and coached our troop leadership through their Patrol Leader's Council. Last one for some of them, as we have elections later in the month.

Great end to a long day...and a long weekend. Time to get ready for the camporee on Friday...

2nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 95

2011-05-14T13:40:00.005-04:00

Reading Merit Badge

Today we are camping, and I'm enjoying a rainy day with my Wolf. Archery, BB shooting, camp food, outhouses, and I suspect an indoor campfire ceremony tonight.

Great times, with my youngest son. This is what Scouting is all about.

I'm wearing my Dad hat today instead of my Leader hat(s).

2nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 94

2011-05-13T13:40:00.000-04:00

Railroading Merit Badge

Countdown continues on the 2nd 100 Day of Scouting. Hard to believe it will be over before you know it.

I'm already thinking about next year, and I'm open to any ideas for improvements you might have, so leave me a comment with your thoughts.

We head out for a camping trip today, as our council launches the Fun with Son weekend for Cub Scouts. Yes, of course that means it is raining, and expected to rain all weekend.

But aren't those the weekends you remember the most?

Today I:

Sent in--finally!--the registration for our camporee. Today is the deadline, so all is well. Sounds like 700 people attending so far...which is huge for our small, rural council.
Updated Cub Scout Resident Camp files and dropped off final payment.
Updated Boy Scout Summer Camp files and dropped off final payment.
Advised remaining dad that we just need his check to be finished with summer camp expenses...;-)
Packed for Fun with Son campout. My Life is on staff, so we get to go tonight instead of in the morning with the Cub families.
Went through Wolf's gear with him to make sure he has what he needs. By now, he is a seasoned pro and needs very little help from me. Stuffed animal...check. ;-)
Made one more Scout deposit.

I'm busy camping most of the next 10 weekends, how about you? What did I do on the weekends in the summer before Scouting? I can't even remember anymore.

2nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 93

2011-05-12T16:14:00.001-04:00

Radio Merit Badge

OK, a little secret.

I love the second Thursday of the month. Why? Lots of Scout meetings, mostly for adults. Unit Commissioner's Meeting (my first to check it out), District Order of the Arrow meeting and finally our District Roundtable.

On top of my pack and troop meetings last night, I feel completely filled up with Scouting.

Today I:

Followed up on registration for SummitCorps.
Updated our list of participants for our Camporee next weekend.
Attended Unit Commissioner's meeting.
Attended District Order of the Arrow meeting.
Attended Roundtable.

Winding down the 100 Days of Scouting with this double-barreled view of all my Scouting world is a great reminder of the things I have pushed to do this 100 days. How about you?

2nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 92

2011-05-10T17:26:00.001-04:00

Public Speaking Merit Badge

I confess, I took advantage of a quiet day today.

My folks are in town, visiting to see my new grandchild. Beautiful weather has the garden calling. Scouting is everywhere, and more to take advantage of there, too!

The countdown has begun to reach the end of the 100 Days of Scouting for this year...and my adrenalin is going!

Today I:

Decided to attend the Commissioner's meeting for our district. Whether or not it is in my future, I want to learn more about it.
Helped a fellow Scouter out who is looking for more staff volunteers for our council's Family Camp this Fall. I reposted to my Facebook friends and Scouts, as well as our district's Facebook page. Oh, and my Life wants to do it, too.
My Life is working at the Fun with Sun Cub campout this weekend, so confirmed the details about getting him up there on Friday night. My Wolf and I will be attending as a father-and-son team.
Sent reminder notices out to the pack and troop about the pending registration deadline for summer camp, and any balance of fees due.
Spoke to the Scouter who is running the Night Ops camporee in a couple of weeks. I'm on the hook for getting the word out to local media.

Great day to be a Scouter! I love finding new experiences for me as well as the Scouts.

2nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 91

2011-05-09T17:00:00.000-04:00

Public Health Merit Badge

Back from a long and hectic weekend. My daughter is officially a college graduate, and starts on her Masters in a couple of weeks.

Came home to a bunch of Scouting email and gardening chores to get done.

Today I:

Responded to email from a Scout who is pushing hard to get Second Class wrapped up this Wednesday at our meeting.
Responded to a Scout who forgot to include his dad on the Camporee registration sign-up.
Accepted invitations from our District Chairman regarding this weeks Order of the Arrow district meeting and the district roundtables.
Helped my Wolf with some gardening plans.

Doesn't seem like a lot, but it took all day to get to this point. Do you ever get to the end of your Scouting day without much to show for a lot of effort?

2nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 90

2011-05-08T16:50:00.001-04:00

Pottery Merit Badge

Still traveling due to my daughter's graduation from college. Only Scouting today was speaking to my sister-in-law about my nephew, who has dropped out of the Boy Scouts after working all the way up from Tigers as a Cub Scout.

Sports got in the way. They tried 3 troops, but the other Scouts weren't centered on sports like he is.

Sad. I couldn't find a way to bring life back to the situation.

2nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 89

2011-05-07T16:16:00.001-04:00

Plumbing Merit Badge

Attending my daughter's graduation today, so not much Scouting to report. I did get to speak with my Life though, who finished up a day of training for his summer camp job.

2nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 88

2011-05-06T17:10:00.000-04:00

Plant Science Merit Badge

Today is a crazy day.

Work is busy, I'm supposed to leave early to head down to my daughter's college graduation tomorrow, and still Scouting duties are there.

What a great life.

Today I:

Followed-up on my Life's transportation for summer camp staff training this weekend.
Arranged a deposit to the bank of Scout funds.
Updated the roster for our spring camporee.

Not much time for anything else today...lots of driving in my immediate future to and from a college graduation weekend. Lots of family time...and opportunities to share a little Scouting in the free moments!

2nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 87

2011-05-05T14:53:00.000-04:00

Pioneering Merit Badge

Thursday is always the calm after the storm.

Wednesdays meeting night is a flurry of activity, getting from one meeting to the next, preparations, setting up, tearing down...whew!

Thursday is the day for catching your breath...all while Scouting!

Today I:

Packed up some camping gear that was left out to dry.
Processed receipts for payments made at the meetings last night.
Reviewed my Wolf's Light of Christ religious emblem book. Half done, 4 weeks left.

I really needed a quiet day today, after the crazy of work this week. Scouting soothes the nerves! If only we could bottle it...

2nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 86

2011-05-04T16:16:00.000-04:00

Photography Merit Badge

Today is the best day of the week!

Sun is shining, birds are singing, and Scout meetings are in the works. We are coming into the end of our Cub Scouting year, so I'm working hard on wrapping things up and planning a great crossover ceremony for the last pack meeting.

We like to have them physically cross something, and then I seat them in their new dens. I also call up any boys who will be old enough to be Tigers the first week in June, and cross them into the new Tiger den. Their parents know, but the new Scouts don't.

Great fun.

Today I:

Pulled together the last of our meeting plans for the Wolf den tonight.
Cleaned the last of the "extra" Scout stuff out of my office...so I can walk again. ;-)
Realized I forgot to send in the registration for our Camporee this month...sigh. I have to fix that tomorrow.
Scheduled time with a Scout who thinks he is ready to be Second Class tonight.

Lots of busy work today and tonight to keep the program rolling. How about you? Do you get busier in Spring, or just keep running at the same level through the summer?

2nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 85

2011-05-03T21:58:00.000-04:00

Pets Merit Badge

Do you ever get frustrated because other people in your life don't live by the Scout Oath and Law?

Today was that day at work. Frustrating to work with people who lack a little accountability...and courtesy.

Maybe we should add it as a new Eagle merit badge? Personal Fitness, Personal Management, Personal Responsibility...;-)

Today I:

Discussed impact of being a District Commissioner on my schedule. Haven't heard anything yet, but I'm trying to be prepared so I can hit the ground running.
Prepped for my Wolf meeting tomorrow night.
Met with our Charter Organization.

...and worked another twelve hour day! Holy mackerel! When am I supposed to get all this Scouting done? ;-)

2nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 84

2011-05-02T23:52:00.002-04:00

Personal Management Merit Badge

Pretty hectic day today, getting caught back up with life after the convention.

The news was pretty interesting, too. Wow, finally.

Today I:

Cleaned more Scouting stuff out of the shed.
Scheduled time to meet with a Scout about Citizenship in the Nation merit badge.
Added another Boy Scout to our summer camp contingent.

Our end-of-month processing at work is a killer. Fifteen hours today, of high-octane performance, but still managed to squeeze a little time in for the important stuff--Scouting!

2nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 83

2011-05-01T15:05:00.001-04:00

Personal Fitness Merit Badge

Last day of the 111th Virginia State Knights of Columbus Convention.

I was surprised by two positive mentions of Scouting while I was there...and this morning's session did not disappoint either! The State Deputy had a strong encouragement for the Knights to consider Scouting units if they didn't sponsor one already.

I know many don't. So many a few units will step up to the plate now.

Today I:

Drove an extra 90 minutes to pick up my Life from his OA Conclave. I was literally on the off-ramp after a 2 hour drive home and only 4 minutes from the house when he called.
Cleared out some Scouting stuff from a section of my shed.

Combined with my last day of the convention, I was not in much of a position to work hard on Scouting today. Still a good experience, and I have a lead for a couple of ideas to help spread Scouting now, too.

2nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 82

2011-04-30T19:29:00.002-04:00

Painting Merit Badge

Scouting happens in the strangest places and ways.

I'm at the 111th Virginia Knights of Columbus State Convention, and Scouting keeps popping up. The Knights of Columbus have encouraged Scouting, sponsoring a unit as early as 1913. They recognized Scouting for sharing the values that the Knights consider important--family, duty, God and country.

We'll wrap up in the morning, and I can't help but wonder how Scouting will get mixed in for the third day in a row.

Today I:

Voted on a resolution to encourage the establishment of a Scouting service award for fellow Knights.
Discussed helping another Knights of Columbus council in a town in my Scouting district establish their own units.
Entered Scout parent phone numbers into my cell phone--a long overdue task.

It is great to see the organizations you belong to support each other. Even greater to find some opportunity for each of them in the other. Greatest of all will be to bring the ideas to fruition!

2nd 100 Days of Scouting: Day 81

2011-04-29T22:41:00.000-04:00

Orienteering Merit Badge

Today begins the 111th Virginia State Convention for the Knights of Columbus. I'm pulling duty here for our council. I tell the Scouts that the Knights are like the Boy Scouts, but for the old guys and no camping.

They are also the charter organization for our pack and troop.

Scouting got a good plug tonight from the State Deputy during the opening reports. He thinks the councils and all of the Knights who volunteer to help form these young men are performing a valuable service.

Nice when other people get it, too!

Today I:

Read some great materials on the patrol method.
Made a deposit for the Scout accounts.
Got my Life off to the Order of the Arrow Conclave at Camp Brady Saunders in Heart of Virginia Council.

Supporting your Charter Organization can be a good thing. A lot of them are fairly behind-the-scenes and uninvolved--which only hurts the unit and keeps them from finding out how much fun Scouting is! Keep your Scouts in front of their eyes.