When Life Gives you Lemons...

Recently, having had a few set backs in my life, I have found that being in a strong circle of friends can and will help one re-orient his compass in life and that everything can and does happen for a reason.
I was beginning to show some classic signs of burn out and my scouting fire is now rekindled thanks to meeting a couple of new energetic scouters that have the same passion and drive that I had and now have again.
Old events are taking on new life and with new leadership which will prove to be better for all scouts and scouters (in spite of the calendar year where everything goes dormant for the winter, spring has come early for a few in the early planning stages of a new "old" event).
Now if you excuse me I am going to enjoy a new glass of freshly squeezed lemonade from the lemons I received from my life.

Cub College

Well folks, Cub Scout College came and went and, I for one, had a great time teaching a class on Webelos to Scout Transitions/Selecting a Boy Scout Troop.
The event was held at Lakeshore Technical University and what a beautiful campus in Cleveland, WI.
Where else can a leader come for a day's event and learn more about providing a quality program than at Cub College?
To be able to complete your leadership training to learning to cook with minimal dishes to learning about Fast Tracks and get lunch provided is one of the best opportunities to meet new friends and establish an excellent foundation for your cub program.
I heard only one leader complain about the event as he carried all of his projects out to his car, as did his wife, that the 1 hr. sessions were too long and the day was a waste of his time.
He and his wife were in possession of 2 big arm loads of free projects and information and all totalled if they had to purchase these things; they would have spent over $100.00 each.
And THESE were FREE!
Thank God that these were the only people that I heard a complaint from as that incident was greatly over shadowed by the smiles and the friendly banter between the Cub College Staff members and those that attended the event.
And in closing, my advice to the couple that complained, you have 3 choices:\
1 Stay home next year
2 Volunteer to run the event next time
3 Come back with the attitude that you will learn and have fun. In short, bring your scout spirit.
I have never had a bad experience attending Cub College as a participant or as a staff instructor and you will always take more away from the event than when you came so go to cub college and bring your Scouting attitude. You will be glad you did.

Physical Wellness training

Once again the BSA has come out with more on line training: Physical Wellness.
Physical Wellness covers everything a person needs to know about getting back into shape.
Yes, even I have to do a better job of staying fit and I also could stand to lose some extra pounds.
The on line training session takes about an hour to complete and I think that this is one of the better on line trainings offered as you have the opportunity to go to various links provided for more information.
The training tests you on each section and gives you instant feedback on the questions asked so there is no reason to not know the answers.
The training covers information that everyone could use to improve their health and gives you information to help make some lifestyle changes in the way we eat and how we feel emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
The downside to this training session is that some of the download time it takes to present the course material is a little bit time consuming and the audio portion is sometimes affected.
But take the course anyway...it is time we all remember our scout oath about being physically fit.

Jamboree on the Internet

Yesterday, I spent some time chatting with scouts on the Internet at the annual JOTI/JOTA and if you have never conversed with scouts in another country; I would really recommend that you do so.
Talking with scouts in another area is a great way to create new and lasting friendships and you will learn what others are doing in their scout programs.
JOTI/JOTA is a wonderful way to making the world a better place through the promotion of scouting activities.

Continuing Education in Scouting

Baden Powell once said, "A Scout is never taken by surprise; he knows exactly what to do when anything unexpected happens."
I think that these are wonderful words to live by and I try to do just that.
All scouts and scouters deserve to move on within the scouting movement and grow through continuing education.
The Boy Scouts of America has cornered the market on training and education of new leaders as well as the "experienced" leaders.
On line training is available 24/7 and one can achieve their Child Protection certification as well as Safe Swim Defence and Safety Afloat and Weather Hazard Safety training.
We also have Cub Scout College and Commissioner 5 Star College for those that should and do enroll to learn more about the scouting program in great detail.
The more we learn, the better we are to handle ourselves in front of our scouts and little is taken for chance.
The ultimate payment for this education is a quality program for the scouts and for you.
The more you know the better the chances are to succeed in making a scout thrive under your care and supervision.
So do yourself a favor:
1. Take every opportunity to get yourself trained
2. Set a goal to improve the quality of your scouting program.
3. Your ability to become a trained leader will rub off on other leadership.
If you choose to do this, then you will be providing a quality unit for the Council and the scouts to appreciate.

Great Lakes Centennial Jamboree

Now that the Great Lakes Centennial Jamboree is over I thought that I might share my thoughts on the event and I will share the Good and the Bad.

Keep in mind that this is my opinion and do not necessarily reflect the opinions shared by other scouts and scouters.

The Bad:

weather ...Friday rains definately put a damper on units that had to set up in the rain.

The Good:

weather...while the Friday rains came and made for some challenging conditions for unit set up, it did encourage teamwork by all scouts and scouters and created an opportunity to share and promote the brotherhood in scouting. Temp's were on the cool side throughout the weekend but it did not deter the scouts and others from having fun and sharing in the Jamboree experience.

The Bad:

Unit no shows: there were a few units that were registered and choose not to show up missed a rare scouting opportunity.

The Good: Units in attendance: the units that attended the event got to experience a jamboree camp and had the chance to meet new friends and experience in what other Council and Districts have to offer their scouts

The Bad: I am certainly use to the camp experience and sleeping next to a highway is not the most pleasant location for sleeping

The Good: Location on the EAA grounds and being situated near Hwy 41 gave easy access to and from the venue site. Expansive area to allow for more activities to be offered for the masses.

The Bad: was a 3 day event

The Good: was a short event which made the first time planning an event of this magnitude a reachable goal with the ability to be flexible in some of the program activities and that the staff and scouts could have made the event last a week with all of the activities offered.

The Bad: the Closing Concert...started a bit late and the sudden departure of the Blackhawk helicopter during the show was less than desireable.

The Good: the scouting spirit at the concert despite a less than memorable magician and band.

The Bad: no youth sized apparel for scout souvenirs for an event like this and not enough merchandise.

The Good: provisions to order merchandise was available.

Should this event have gone on?

Most definately and I talked with several scouts and scouters for Scouting Radio and they would have gladly stayed on for more if the calendar would have allowed for more time and my advice to all units and unit leaders:

If there is another event like this offered-attend! Do not blow a golden opportunity for your scouts to experience something they can take with them long after their scouting days are over.

Something Wonderful This Way Comes

The Voyageur District will have the opportunity to host a wonderful speaker on camping, canoeing, and other great outdoor adventures at the upcoming November roundtable.

Cliff Jacobson is the best person I know to talk about equipment, the experiences, and what you really need to know before going into the deepest, darkest wilds of the boundary waters.

Cliff has written several books on the great outdoors and his probably the most prolific writer of our time and I have had the opportunity to get a sneak peak on what is one Cliff's mind, thanks to Shawn Cleary's True North blog/podcast and he visited with Shawn and they discussed several things about Cliff's personal life and what is the latest and greatest designs in outdoor gear.

What I personally like about Cliff is that he won't tell you what to buy but what to look for in camping gear and will recommend items that you will need without getting yourself into payments that can bring you into issues that rival the national debt.

Cliff is the real deal and he is fun to listen to and if you ever get the chance to hear Cliff speak; you will find that the time flies by quickly and you will walk away with more information than when you came with.

I remember my first time attending one of Cliff's presentations and I hate to admit it but I thought initially what could he possibly show or teach me that I didn't already know and I went to that roundtable with arms folded, ready to challenge him at every turn, but as soon as Cliff got started, I found myself rapidly (and frantically) writing notes on what he had to say and I asked questions on everything he said.

I was the one that had to learn and I found the need to prove myself against what Cliff already knew.

Now I can't wait to see Cliff and we are fortunate that Cliff comes to Voyageur District annually and I will bring my family to see him this year.

Oh, and the best part...Cliff comes the month before Santa so there is plenty of time to add new items to my wish list.