Leadership Training is Universal

I have been a strong proponent of leadership training ever since I went though my new leader essentials training as a Tiger Coach and that was several years ago and I have since learned through my interaction with my scout friends in other countries (I have been involved in communication with some 35 countries with scouting programs) that each and every scouting program requires or at least offers training for all leaders in every facet of the program.

Most programs will not accept the excuse, "I didn't know that..." as each program offers training for just about everything under the sun when it comes to scouting.

Here we have new leader essentials, leader specific, child protection, safe swim defense, safety afloat, climb on safety, weather hazards, certification for range master, BALOO, OWL, scout master training, etc. etc.

Wood badge is a major part of training in all scouting programs and is universally accepted so if a wood badger from the US goes to Australia, he/she will be welcomed with open arms as a wood badger there as well.

Some of the training in Wood badge may differ and I cannot really comment on our program, not having the opportunity to experience it, but I do find that the Asian scouting programs do place a high emphasis on camp craft and pioneering as part of their wood badge experience.

I like that.

Being able to construct useful camp gadgets and tools allows one to take far less items to camp and most projects can be broken back down after breaking camp or could be left for the next group of campers depending upon the situation.

Having the knowledge to lash anything together is a definite plus should one be force to make an emergency shelter for survival.

I think that the Australian scout program offers more electronic training programs than we do here but no matter how you get trained, you will have the satisfaction of being able to provide that quality program that all scouts deserve.

So do yourself a favor and take the training.

Making Scouting Compulsory

...an interesting title, isn't it?

Imagine what the world today would be like if scouting was a mandatory program that everyone in the world had to be a part of.

Let's start with the political leaders:

If all of our government leaders were scouts and/or scouters and had to live up to their oath and promise that the scouting program provides; all leaders would have to be honest and would have to do their duty to God and their Country (and to all of the citizens of their country).

Each leader would have to recognize and appreciate the differences each individual has to offer no matter what their social or economic station is in life.

They would have to recognize their fellow man as their brother and understand that it is OK to disagree at times without going to war over those differences.

Fair trade would be a necessity and no one person would gain the upper hand through one sided or hidden agendas.

Parents: All parents and adults should be required to at the very least attend one week long scout camp or better yet become leaders for the tenure of their children's time within the program.

Most parents really do not have a clue as to what goes on at a camp let along have the opportunity to do the activities their children have so why not let the parents in on the secrets of scouting (Which there aren't any other than trying to maximize the most fun and challenges in a 24 hr. time period.

Our Youth: What can I say?

You have the best opportunity of all to take the most from scouting.

Through the scouting program, you will receive the skills that you will take with you the rest of your life to become an outstanding citizen, leader, parent, friend, co-worker, role model, etc.

Many of the youth today will have their first introduction with religion, hiking, fishing, boating, the shooting sports, first aid training, nature, survival, and most importantly...academic career choices.

The advantages are endless-provided that you put 100% into the scouting program and if you do that, you will give 100% in everything you do.

Now I am not proposing that you cannot succeed in life without the scouting program, but you will never know what you are missing by not joining the world's oldest youth program.

Scouting is a privilege but it should be every one's rite.

I have been in the program since youth and I never cease to be amazed by the information one can still learn from scouting.

I will still continue to do so and the day that I stop learning something from the program will most likely be the day that I am placed into the ground and my spirit goes home.

The Magic of Scouting Part II

I have been a part of scouting for most of my life or should I say scouting has been a part of most of my life.
Growing up in a family that has seen its share of scout leaders, both grandfathers and my father, were scout leaders, and an uncle that was a scout himself; it was probably preordained that I too would join the scouting ranks.
My grandfather was the first scoutmaster of troop 2 and I think that he was the one that first showed me the magic of scouting. He would entertain my two older sisters and me with, what was then called, "parlor tricks," or sing some silly camp songs, or show us how to build useful projects as opposed to going out and buying the latest and greatest store-bought items.
We thought him to be the ultimate "cheapie."
Overtime we learned that he was demonstrating the 9th scout law.
-One of the laws that seem to be the first laws to be broken in the age of a disposable society.
It was through my grandfather that I learned about "Kay Kayser," and the "Hoosier Hotshots."
Boy, was I surprised to find out that the Hoosier Hotshots were not an all star basketball team from Indiana! I did learn that they recorded a song called, ""Indies to the Andes In His Undies" and "I like Bananas because They have no Bones." (Both songs can be seen on your favorite video search engine).
But this isn't what I want to talk about or write about.
Scouting has been an incredible adventure for me. One that has never ceased to amaze me both as a scout and now as a scouter.
Some +30 years ago, I had the opportunity to be one of the first in Green Bay to view the moon rocks on display at the Neville Museum, and had my picture in the local paper nose to rock so to speak, tour the Royal Scotsman and the General Eisenhower command train and it was because of the scout program.
Scouting also gave me the opportunities to tour a paper mill, police and fire stations, an air traffic control tower, television and radio stations, a power plant, go white water rafting, camping, sleeping under the stars on Lost Mountain, learn to cook, and perform slights of hand from time to time. And yes, the majority of prestidigitation's came from the scout handbook.
I have forgotten most of the magic tricks over the years but still am able to astound a few scouts and scouters from time to time.
Had someone first told me that I would look at moon rocks, meet the scouts and scouters I have met, travelled to Australia and participate as a staff member at their national jamboree via the Internet, host a scouting radio show, and see my son become a Life Scout working towards Eagle; I would have never believed it to be true.
I now have scouting friends in some 31 countries and this would never have happened had it not been through "the magic of scouting."

BEAR GRYLLS: CHIEF SCOUT EXEC. IN THE U.K.

Bear Grylls appointed new Chief Scout in the UK
On 18th May 2009, The Scout Association announced Bear Grylls’ appointment as the tenth and youngest Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories.
Bear is one of the UK’s great outdoor adventurers; he is also a strong supporter of young people as seen via his work with international children’s charity, Global Angels. As Chief Scout, a position he will hold for five years, Bear will be the volunteer Leader of the largest co-educational youth Movement in the country: Scouting has around half a million Members including some 90,000 adult Leaders.
During his term, Bear aims to inspire more and more adults to volunteer for Scouting and is committed to reinforcing Scouting’s role as the place to offer adventure based activities to young people. Bear’s commitment to massively increasing the number of adult Leaders in the Scout Movement comes at a time when waiting lists to join Scout Groups across the UK remain at an all-time high: currently more than 33,000 young people aged between six and 25 are waiting to join Scouting in the UK.
Previously, as one of the youngest ever climbers to reach the summit of Mt. Everest, Bear is now the youngest person ever to become Chief Scout. He will be invested at a handover ceremony with outgoing Chief Scout Peter Duncan later in the year. Newly appointed Chief Scout Bear Grylls said: “I feel hugely honoured to be asked to take up this role as Chief Scout - it really is a dream come true. I have always loved helping young people live their dreams and to taste real adventure… The Scout Movement is a world-wide force for good and at heart it says that young people have the right to an adventure. And I for one am so proud to be part of that.”
In addition to Bear Grylls being appointed as the new Chief Scout, Wayne Bulpitt has been appointed as the first ever UK Chief Commissioner. This role will strengthen the day-to-day volunteer leadership functions within the Movement. Wayne will focus on managing and leading all volunteers within the Movement and will also be responsible for building relationships with political parties, Association ambassadors, and other charities and organisations.
New UK Chief Commissioner Wayne Bulpitt said: “I am delighted to have been invited to take on the new role and to lead our Movement at such an exciting time. The successes of the last few years mean that we are well placed to capitalise on our external high standing and profile and to fulfill our vision of providing inspiration, personal development and exciting opportunities to increasing numbers of young people. I know that we can only do this through increased support to those volunteers running our sections and units without whom there would be no Scouting. We now have a great opportunity to attract more adults to take on leadership roles in the Movement.”

Article was taken from the World Scout Bureau June 2009

I was asked what was my take on Bear Grylls being appointed at the Chief Scout Executive for the United Kingdom and I usually don't try to voice my opinion about certain issues that I really do not have any real expertise in.

Initially, my thought was, "OK here is a celebrity trying to be a "Mister Niceguy," but I quickly dismissed that thought as here is a guy that spent most of his life living the scout oath and promise.

Bear Grylls is an young, attractive man, which can only recruit more youth into the scouting movement by utilizing his television celebrity status in ways that can only he can .

He will be what Jeff Gordon is to young race fans and scouts alike here in the States.

What better person, than Bear Grylls, to show wilderness survival techniques and demonstrate the Leave no Trace principles that the scouting movement thrives on.

Being prepared for anything that comes along was Lord Baden Powell's original thought for the youth program that is now a century old.

I believe the Bear Grylls will bring scouting back into the spotlight where it once was 30-50 yrs. ago and make this movement the organization to be involved in.

Congratulations, Bear Grylls and welcome back to Scouting!

Eagle Court of Honors

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure in participating in another Eagle Scout court of honor and I cannot tell you what is means to me to watch a court of honor of this magnitude let alone be a participant in one.

There is something special about seeing new Eagle Scouts and how the scouts have grown in the few short years they have been a part of the boy scout program.

Watching the Eagle candidate stand confidently before the audience in their pressed uniform with sash full of merit badges and religious medals hanging neatly over the left pocket of the scout shirt is truly impressive.

Watching Moms and Dads get misty eyed at the thought of their son growing up into a fine leader is definitely a character defining moment for both parents and son.

The crowning moment of the whole ceremony is hearing the scoutmaster give his comments on the Eagle scout and his leadership helped make the troop great.

Will Rogers once said, "the the trouble with scouts is that there aren't enough of them." is a bit off base.

I think he should have said, "The trouble with Eagle Scouts are that there aren't enough of them."

At least, that is how I feel.